The article written by Tao Gu is obviously very good. He has beautiful official script and reads it through. The writing is grand and generous. Although Liu Chengyou's literacy cannot express any in-depth literary insights, it does not prevent him from expressing his approval.
After praising Tao Gu for a few words, Liu Chengyou decided to keep this person by his side for the time being, as a military registrar and his writing staff. The position can be described as lowly, but Tao Gu seemed to accept his orders happily and happily. This person may have bad personal ethics, but he is indeed a very smart person with a very sensitive political sense and is good at maneuvering.
Moreover, at least for a short period of time, it was difficult for Liu Chengyou to detect anything bad about Tao Gu's personal character. However, I am still very satisfied with his literary talent. Previously, most of the paperwork was left to Guo Rong and Xiang Xun. In this regard, the two were not at the same level as Tao Gu, and even Wei Renpu could not compare with them.
...
"I wonder what your Highness is calling me for?" In the military tent, Feng Dao bowed slightly, glanced at Liu Chengyou cautiously, and asked cautiously.
This old man has experienced a lot of officialdom and has an insight into the world. He is much older. When facing Liu Chengyou, his grandchildren, he is still low-key and polite, without any intention of relying on his elders.
Noting Feng Dao's cautious appearance, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but recall the scene when he first met this gentleman. It was really better to meet him than to be famous. However, despite the harmless appearance of this white-haired old man, who even looked a little groveling, there was no hint of concern in his eyebrows.
"Ms. Feng——"
As soon as Liu Chengyou stood up, he saw Feng Dao smiling modestly: "Your Highness, this old man is just a white man now. He is a talentless old man and does not deserve the name of 'Mr. Lord'..."
Feng Dao has made similar statements more than once. Glancing at Feng Dao, Liu Chengyou twitched the corner of his mouth and said directly: "The country is starting to build up, and it is in need of good ministers like Feng Gong to stabilize the situation and people's hearts. Even if you are an official, you must have a position!"
Seeing the old man open his mouth, he obviously wanted to say something more modest. Liu Chengyou waved his hand, not intending to talk about such useless topics with him anymore. He handed him a letter and showed a serious expression: "This Zhang Li, what's going on? Can it be trusted?"
Faith comes from Zhending and Zhang Li. The superiors notified Yelu Ruan of his plan to lead the invading Liao army to fully return the Khitan strategic trends, and suggested that Liu Chengyou make early preparations. The rest expressed his full eagerness to return the country.
Liu Chengyou had some reservations about this letter. It came so inexplicably that Zhang Li gave him a strange feeling. He even wondered if this was a trick played by the Khitans to confuse him.
Facing Liu Chengyou's question, Feng Dao put down the letter, thought about it seriously for a while, subconsciously stroked his beard, and then said in a pertinent tone: "I know Zhang Mengchen, he is upright, righteous and compassionate. This book is trustworthy, but not entirely trustworthy.”
Feng Dao's words were ambiguous, and Liu Chengyou refined some useful confidence in his mind, with doubt in his tone: "I heard from Wei Renpu that Zhang Litianfu had entered the Khitan in the first year of his life and had served Yelv Deguang for ten years. How could he suddenly send someone to send money and send a message to express his surrender?"
"Wei Renpu only knows this. Zhang Mengchen has a good temperament and serves the Khitan just because the Lord of Liao treats him favorably to repay his kindness!" Feng Dao said: "He was originally a minister of the Tang Dynasty. He had no choice but to join the Khitan. How could he have any intention to do anything for him?" The reason why Beidi tried his best. Few people know that Zhang Mengchen once missed his homeland when he was in Khitan and tried to escape back to the south. However, he was noticed by the Lord of Liao and sent cavalry to search for him."
Listening to Feng Dao's words, Liu Chengyou always felt that something was wrong. After thinking about it carefully, he realized that it seemed to be talking about himself. These Jin ministers also surrendered to the Khitan and became ministers of the other dynasty. Although their time was short, they served as ministers of the Liao Dynasty for a period of time...
His eyes wandered around Feng Dao twice, and Liu Chengyou's eyes already showed a little amusement.
Feng Dao continued: "Zhang Mengchen trusted the Lord of Liao as a Han minister and was deeply hated by others. Coupled with his upright character, he offended many Khitan nobles. Since the Lord of Liao is dead, if he stays in Khitan for a long time, he will not end well. . This time His Highness defeated the Khitan in a single battle in Luan City. With such prestige, it is not too unexpected that he has the intention to return to his country."
After slowly digesting what Feng Dao said, Liu Chengyou understood in his heart that this old man seemed to be washing for Zhang Li, but in fact he was washing for himself...
Lifting his chin with his hand, Liu Chengyou asked, "Mr. Feng, you are indeed well-informed. You know so much about the situation of Zhang Li and the Khitan people!"
Feng Dao cupped his hands: "I'm just old. I've experienced a lot and I know a lot of people. That's all."
After saying that, he added: "However, Zhang Mengchen is in the Khitan after all, in a camp of tigers and wolves. This sudden letter may be a trick of the Khitan people. King Yongkang is also considered to be a little talented, so His Highness has to guard against it. "
Feng Dao's change of tone made Liu Chengyou really convinced of this old fox. He was as steady as an old dog. Let him tell you both the truth and the truth. Let Liu Chengyou decide for himself...
However, Liu Chengyou gained something from his conversation with Feng Dao. At least he made a decision in his heart to ignore this letter. Based on the development of the situation at this time, regardless of whether the Liao army withdraws or not, Liu Chengyou can sit firmly on Diaoyutai, garrison Luancheng, organize his troops, and continue to digest the fruits of victory in the Luancheng battle. There is really no need to have too many Naughty thoughts.
He made a decision in his heart, but there was no expression on his face at all, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at Feng Dao, whose eyelids were always slightly lowered, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart. You can always gain something from communicating with him, but this old man really likes to talk in a roundabout way.
Liu Fengdao had a meal together and then returned the gift to him. As an old man, I don't like to eat too greasy food, and the food is relatively light and simple. However, this old man looks like he is eating delicious food.
...
In less than two days, news came from the north of Zhending. The Liao army actually withdrew, looting Zhending and returning it all the way. It is in the same category as Zhang Li's book and does not differ from what Liu Chengyou and Wei Renpu had discussed before.
After hearing the news, Liu Chengyou ordered his cavalry to continue to follow and monitor. The main force of the lord was still stationed in Luan City. After confirming that the Liao army was far away, he led his troops northward. When it came to playing it safe, Liu Chengyou was also too cautious.
Of course, during this process, Liu Chengyou made a big fuss about the Khitan people's retreat plan. As the "Commander-in-Chief of the Anti-Liao Dynasty" in Hebei, he sent dozens of envoys to various states to deliver messages and vigorously encourage the soldiers and civilians of states and counties to kill the barbarians and avenge the country.
As news of the Battle of Luancheng gradually spread, while Liu Chengyou became famous, Hebei's "anti-Liao" cause also became completely prosperous. The Battle of Luancheng really touched the hearts of the Chinese people and vented the anger of Hebei soldiers and people who had been invaded, plundered and oppressed by the Khitans for more than ten years.
The Khitan's hundreds of thousands of elite troops were defeated in one battle, and the rest had nothing to fear. As such thoughts spread, the retreat of the Khitan army trapped in Hebei was destined to not be smooth.
Not to mention other distant places, in the prefectures and counties near Zhenzhou, such as Ji and Zhao, rebel armies emerged in droves.
