After waiting for Zhong's envoy to leave, Du Chongwei stepped back and closed the door, sat on the desk, took out the imperial edict, and read the contents repeatedly. The last few words on the imperial edict made him feel heavy, as if he had a huge joy in his heart, which made him breathless. "Don't let my expectations down." Yes, the repeated defeats in Daizhou's wars had great responsibility for him. But as the highest military and political officer of Daizhou, it is already commendable that he can still sit in the mansion safely and sound.

Du Chongwei was in office at Fangzhou at this time. He was transferred to Daizhou by the court to serve in Daizhou because he was bluntly stating that the military was in chaos. Now the prime minister has been replaced several times, but he is still forgotten in Daizhou. It was not until this time that the Khitan troops stationed in the border that the court remembered him. However, the military discipline of Daizhou was slackened, and the military pay paid by the court was almost gone. Du Chongwei no longer greed for this little military pay, but instead added his salary to the military pay to make up the number. Seeing that Lord Du was so honest and dedicated, the soldiers in Daizhou stepped up their training day and night.

The so-called "raising troops for a thousand days, using troops for a while." Finally, the time came. The Khitan in the north saw that the Central Plains had been in chaos for a long time and was greatly damaged. He thought that it could destroy the Tang Dynasty in one fell swoop, so he attacked Daizhou in one fell swoop, and used more than 100,000 troops in the front and back. Although the Daizhou defense line was as solid as a rock, it was outnumbered. After persisting for half a month, he retreated to the city to defend. If he had listened to his brother-in-law Shi Jingtang's advice and put some dikes on the Khitan army, the current situation would not have been so embarrassing. Although the court was disappointed with him, now fighting on both sides, he had to weigh the pros and cons and try his best to buy time to calm the chaos. Therefore, he hurriedly transferred the Anxi army of Leyuan to Hedong, thereby deterring the Khitan army and preventing them from acting rashly.

Du Chongwei read the imperial edict again, and even wrote: "You are fully responsible for the matters of peace talks with the Khitan. Anything that is beneficial to both countries can be discussed; anyone who blocks peace talks will be killed without mercy."

Du Chongwei repeatedly understood the meaning of this sentence. Could it be that he wanted to cede land for peace? He also felt that this matter was not allowed. The imperial edict did not state that if he had not promoted peace talks between the two countries and destroyed the court's strategy, wouldn't he be within the scope of unpardonable killing? But if he really ceded land for peace and contented the requirements of the Khitan, would the people of Daizhou let him go? What will people think of it thousands of years later? He would say that he was afraid of death and sold his country for honor. The court, what do you want me, Du Chongwei? He thought to himself. Because the matter was urgent, he invited General Anxi to come over. He is now a celebrity in the court and a savior of Daizhou. If he had his approval, the possibility of success in peace talks would be much greater.

At that time, Le Yuan was on the city wall, looking at the dark enemy outside the city, racking his brains to think about strategies to defend against the enemy. In the morning, he also received the emperor's secret order, telling him not to let the Khitan break through the Daizhou defense line no matter what. When he saw the governor Du sent someone to invite him to the mansion, he explained a few words to the deputy general Le Tianzang, and then followed the people. When Du Chongwei saw Le Yuan, he hurriedly greeted him and said, "General Le, Du is looking forward to the stars and the moon, and finally he looks forward to you."

Although Le Yuan was appointed as General Anxi, he was only a third-rank official, and his army was still under the control of the governor. Seeing that Du Chongwei was so polite, he knew that he had something to ask for, so he replied respectfully: "Mr. Du, I don't know what to do if I recruit a humble position?" Du Chongwei said: "General Le, it's time for us to be a family, so don't be careful of these red tapes, just call me brother." Seeing Du Chongwei's anxious look, Le Yuan replied casually: "Honest position, obey the order."

Du Chongwei said, "Brother, I received the imperial edict from the court today. Guess what it is?" Le Yuan was puzzled and asked casually: "Is it related to the Khitan?" Du Chongwei replied worriedly: "Brother, don't worry, my 50,000 soldiers of the Anxi Army will definitely rise up to kill the enemy and guarantee that the people are in the city." Du Chongwei said, "What I said is serious. The emperor said in the imperial edict given to me is that now the Central Plains is in chaos. We are mainly trying to find ways to negotiate peace with the Khitan to ensure that the border is worry-free, so that the court can fight the chaotic army with one mind."

Le Yuan was stunned after hearing this. Now the Khitan is very strong. If the conditions for the peace talks are not satisfactory, they can launch an attack again at any time. If they want to cede land and pay the silver, it will inevitably arouse public grievances, and the situation will be even more uncontrollable. Turning around and saying to Du Chongwei, "I don't know if my brother has an idea?" Du Chongwei pretended to be worried and said, "I haven't thought about it yet, so please come and discuss it." Le Yuan sighed, "The only way to discuss peace talks is to this path, but I don't know what conditions the Khitan will put forward."

Seeing that Le Yuan agreed to the peace talk, Du Chongwei was happy and said, "Brother, let's show our sincerity to the peace talks first. As for the conditions, we can talk slowly. If twenty days don't work, we can talk about March. If March doesn't work, we can talk about one year. Anyway, it's a delaying plan. If the court annihilates the riots in the Central Plains, it will naturally increase its troops in Daizhou. At that time, we will not be afraid of the Khitans not withdrawing their troops." Du Chongwei said with a smug look. After that, he took out a letter of peace asking for peace and handed it to Le Yuan.

Seeing that Lord Du is indeed not a simple person, with such meticulous thinking, no wonder he could take up the position of governor of Daizhou. Le Yuan took the letter and said, "Brother is wise, I will send someone to do it now."

When Le Yuan returned to the army, he thought that the matter was urgent, he immediately recruited deputy general Le Tianzang and told him the peace talks. He instructed: "Tianzang, everything about peace with the Khitan is of great importance. You can neither make any mistakes nor damage the prestige of the country. The Khitan camp is full of murderous intent, so you must be careful everywhere." Le Tianzang is Le Yuan's clan brother. He grew up with Le Yuan since he was a child and knew his elder brother's personality. If it were not for a critical moment, he would never let him, the deputy general. After hearing this, he patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, brother, even if I try my life, I will make this happen." Le Yuan nodded in praise and then personally sent him out of the city.

The Khitan army was stationed thirty miles outside Daizhou City. Letianzang walked for half an hour before reaching. The Khitan military camp occupied several miles in a circle, all of which were white camp tents. There were banners erected outside each camp tent. The north wind whistled by, and the banners danced in the wind, making whistling sounds, as if the winners were singing Brother Kai again.

Le Tian hid on the hillside and stared at the camp silently, thinking in his mind how to deal with Yelu Deguang and his soldiers later. "You can neither make any mistakes nor damage the prestige of the country." He repeatedly figured out the meaning of these two sentences, and finally said: "Forget it, if you don't succeed in this journey, you will be successful!" He waved his whip and ran down the hillside.
Chapter completed!