There is a waiting hall in Zhending City. Although it does not occupy a large area, it is better than the quiet environment. Feng Dao and more than ten high-status civil and military officials from the former dynasty were placed here by Liu Chengyou. Many soldiers were arranged around it. for protection.
The guard in an independent small courtyard in the northeast of the hall is particularly tight, and no inside or outside is allowed. It is obviously taken very seriously, but compared to the protection of other wings, the element of house arrest here is obviously greater.
In fact, it was house arrest. The person under house arrest is King Yan, Zhao Yanshou. Previously, after Yelu Deguang's death, he intended to unite the Yan soldiers to gain independence, and shouted the slogan "I will never enter Longsha again". Unfortunately, there was a great disparity in power, discord among people, and hesitation in acting. Yelu Ruan took the lead in attacking and sent people to lock him down. Imprisoned.
When Liu Chengyou led his army in a night attack, he was rescued by some loyal subordinates in the chaos and was injured. After the chaos, he was captured by Murong Yanzhao's Fourth Army officers. Liu Chengyou only met Zhao Yanshou once, and then ordered people to keep him under strict custody. After that, he was troubled by everything and ignored him.
There was a well in the small courtyard, and Zhao Yanshou sat on the edge of the well, staring down into the well, with a trace of sadness in his eyes. He had no intention of jumping into the well, but was just a little lost in thought.
Midsummer has arrived, and the weather is extremely hot. The coolness released from the deep well makes people feel quite comfortable. Zhao Yanshou has been living quite well during this period of time. As a prisoner, apart from being restricted in his freedom, nothing humiliating has happened.
There is no shortage of food and clothing. Although it is relatively simple, the whole city is saving supplies. In addition, there are doctors to treat injuries. Zhao Yanshou has been cultivating himself well. At the same time, facing such "courteous treatment", he also felt confident that his life would be saved.
As for the purpose of being under house arrest here, he couldn't guess yet, but he believed that Liu Chengyou must have some purpose.
When encountering big changes, it is inevitable to reflect and summarize. Zhao Yanshou reviewed the first half of his life and found that the peak period must have been in the Later Tang Dynasty. During the years when he married and became the consort of Mingzong, he rose to great heights.
After entering Khitan in the north, although he was valued by Yelu Deguang and entrusted with Youzhou affairs, and he was almost the number one Han person in Khitan, he still lived under the protection of others, and his life was not easy. He originally wanted to be crowned the emperor of the Central Plains, but after all his efforts to help destroy the Jin Dynasty, Yelu Deguang naturally crossed the river and demolished the bridge, unloaded the mill and killed the donkey.
Thinking about the subsequent development, Zhao Yanshou was certain that he would not have survived long had it not been for Liu Chengyou's night attack on the Liao camp.
"I wonder how my son Kuangzan is doing now? The river has always been a place of right and wrong!" Suddenly, Zhao Yanshou thought of his son Zhao Kuangzan, who was a military governor in the river.
"It's not easy to think about it!"
While he was thinking, several soldiers suddenly broke into the courtyard. Zhao Yanshou was shocked. Zhao Yanshou looked up and saw the excessively young second prince walking in.
Seeing Zhao Yanshou sitting by the well, Liu Chengyou's cold expression showed confidence and strength, and he said softly: "King Yan!"
Zhao Yanshou felt like a hero and wanted to put on a show of dignity in front of Liu Chengyou, but in the end he had to lower his head. Under Liu Chengyou's playful gaze, he couldn't hold on. With a complicated mood, he stood up to greet him.
"How is King Yan doing recently? How is your recovery from the injury?" Liu Chengyou said casually, not paying attention to Zhao Yanshou's reserved pretensions. When he opened his mouth, a victor's attitude came over him.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I'm worried about you. It's nothing serious!" He subconsciously touched his arm, but there was still pain in the injured area.
"Before, I was busy with worldly affairs and couldn't visit him. I would like to ask King Yan not to be weird." Liu Chengyou said.
"Your Highness has experienced military affairs, handled affairs, and dared not trouble the prisoners under his command?" Zhao Yanshou said.
Zhao Yanshou seemed very cautious when dealing with Liu Chengyou. In his opinion, there was definitely something wrong with Liu Chengyou assuming such a posture when he was a proud young man.
Liu Chengyou's face didn't change much, as if he was reciting his lines: "This time, I brought some meat to share with King Yan!"
After saying that, he walked slowly to the room.
In the small room, the table was simply arranged, and he sat across from Zhao Yanshou. Li Chongju opened several oil paper parcels in his hand and spread them out. The smell of meat wafted out.
The meat is mutton. The preparation is very simple, it looks quite greasy and has a strong taste, but it is very enjoyable to eat. At a time when supplies are scarce, a little bit of oil is a delicacy.
Probably because the light days during this period have been too tiring, Zhao Yanshou ate very enthusiastically.
"We have banned alcohol, so we can only serve tea instead of wine!" Licking his lips, Liu Chengyou picked up a glass of water and gestured.
Zhao Yanshou immediately responded.
After a feast of meat, Zhao Yanshou regained his energy, looked at Liu Chengyou's young face, and asked tentatively in a calm voice: "I wonder what your highness, the prince, has to say when he comes here?"
From Zhao Yanshou's tone, Liu Chengyou could feel some impatience. He dropped the remaining bone in his hand, picked up a handkerchief and wiped his hands. Without answering, he asked, "Does King Yan intend to return to Youzhou?"
"Huh?" Zhao Yanshou was stunned for a moment and asked suspiciously: "What does His Highness mean by this?"
"The King of Yan has been running Youzhou for the Khitan for ten years, but because of his status as a Han official, he has been jealous of the Khitan nobles. Ten years of hard work has turned into a puff of smoke, and even his life is at risk. Is the King of Yan willing to do so?" Liu Chengyou continued to ask. .
His brows furrowed, and the suspicion in Zhao Yanshou's eyes became stronger. He looked at Liu Chengyou and stopped pretending to be cautious: "What is the purpose of your highness's visit? Let's be honest!"
Seeing this, Liu Chengyou stopped talking in circles. He was not a person who liked talking in circles. Looking at Zhao Yanshou, Liu Chengyou said directly: "I want to let King Yan go north to Youzhou, and tell the Emperor of Heaven to take the land of Youyan as a fiefdom, and it will be hereditary!"
Hearing this, Zhao Yanshou looked at Liu Chengyou's calm face and raised his eyebrows, but he was not excited at all. He sneered: "What a big promise, but it's a pity that it has no reality. Youyan is still in the hands of the Khitans. Could it be that it's still in the hands of the Khitans?" Do you want me to take it myself?"
"That's what I meant!" Liu Chengyou nodded calmly.
Zhao Yanshou laughed out of anger: "If Your Highness comes to tease me, a prisoner, then your purpose has been achieved!"
"Gu, I don't have the leisure time to play with King Yan!" Liu Chengyou looked as usual: "King Yan has been operating in Youzhou for ten years, and coupled with the legacy of his late father, it can be said that the foundation is deep, and it is not difficult to build a team. Bar!"
Zhao Yanshou stayed for a moment, pondered for a while, and slowly, a bright light flashed in his eyes: "You want me to disrupt the situation in Youzhou, contain the Khitan's energy, relieve the pressure on your family, and even become a problem for you. Khitan’s barrier!”
"That's understandable!" Liu Chengyou nodded.
Zhao Yanshou sneered directly: "You are asking me to die!"
"This is a gamble, it depends on whether King Yan is willing to gamble or not!" Liu Chengyou said leisurely: "Now King Yan can no longer tolerate Khitan, and in the new dynasty, maybe my father is kind and will not take your life, but From now on, I'm afraid I can only be a shepherd in the field. King Yan is in his prime, can he be willing to do so? Faced with the betrayal of the Khitan people, he has no idea of revenge?"
Hearing this, Zhao Yanshou shook his head, his expression seemed a bit contemptuous: "Such methods of motivating generals are of no use to me!"
Faced with his reaction, Liu Chengyou still looked calm and said to himself: "In the battle of Luancheng, the Khitan suffered heavy losses. It can be said that the domestic situation is turbulent. Going south to destroy the Jin Dynasty, the Han people of Youyan The Hu people were overly oppressed and could cause an upheaval at any time. I heard that King Yelu Ruan of Yongkang gathered troops in Youzhou to seize the throne, which was clearly revealed. King Yan must have understood the situation of Khitan. Can the Empress Dowager Shu Luping allow the son of King Dongdan to become emperor? What will happen next..."
Liu Chengyou spoke slowly, with a hint of temptation and encouragement in his tone. Zhao Yanshou listened silently, and gradually showed a thoughtful expression.
"Gu and King Yan are heart to heart. Again, let's see if King Yan dares to make a bet this time?"
Liu Chengyou's voice rang in his ears again. Zhao Yanshou came back to his senses and looked at him: "Splitting the Earth and Sealing the King, do you have such great power?"
"Of course not!" Liu Chengyou said: "However, as King Yan said, the land of Youyan is still in the hands of the Khitans, and the new dynasty is unable to go north. Rather than let our Han country fall into the hands of foreigners, let our Han people suffer from the barbarians Bullying, nothing better than leaving it to King Yan to rule. I am confident that I can convince the Emperor!"
Hearing this, Zhao Yanshou shook his head and smiled again: "You really think highly of me. I'm not that capable of starting an uprising in Youzhou!"
"I have prepared an army for King Yan!"
