Although he had promised the other party to be a lobbyist, Zhong Youpeng, who had always been old and steady in speaking and doing things, went on to say after returning the salute to Wang Kunjun and others, who expressed his gratitude to him: "Chao Yilang trusts the old man so much, and entrusts such a confidential and important matter to the old man. The old man should do his best to get this matter done. It's just that apart from the old man's like-minded friends who have been allied by blood, it is not yet known whether anyone else is willing to join it. Especially those officials, all of whom are old and sophisticated, are the most likely to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages. Therefore, if the old man can't convince them in the future, I hope that the court will not be surprised. ”

Wang Kunjun naturally understood the difficulty of persuading those locals, especially the local Han officials, to oppose Liao, so he hurriedly replied: "Although opposing Liao is a great righteousness, it may also lead to the disaster of killing people and destroying their families. It is already commendable that you are willing to help outside the staff, how dare our brothers force the outside to persuade all the Han officials to participate in it. Now there should be a period of time before the Northern Expedition of the Zhou State, when the situation is unclear and the victory or defeat is not decided, it is also human nature for these people to choose the way of 'seeking advantages and avoiding disadvantages', and how can they blame the outsiders. ”

At this time, Zhang Weixin interjected on the side, "Zhong Yuanwai said this as a reminder." As the saying goes, 'you can't have the heart to harm others, and you can't have the heart to prevent people'. Although these officials may usually be friends or even brothers with you, but what we are doing is after all a rebellion, and it is difficult to guarantee that there will not be those people with unscrupulous intentions who go to the Khitans to report to the Khitans in order to get promoted and make a fortune. Therefore, it is actually a certain risk for the staff to become lobbyists for our brothers this time. If there is any mistake in the absence of the staff because of this matter, it is not the sin of our brothers. ”

When Zhong Youpeng heard this, he waved his hand and said, "What did you say about it?" If it is said that he is anti-Liao, the old man has made up his mind as early as six or seven years ago when Fan Yang Lu's family was falsely accused of rebellion and almost wiped out, and regarded it as the old man's greatest wish in this life, and thus made a group of like-minded friends. Moreover, soon thereafter, the old man made a blood alliance with these friends, and vowed to expel the Khitan barbarians, so that the sixteen states of Youyun returned to the Han family. It was from then on that the old man had put his life and death on the line. For the old man, throwing away his life for the great cause of anti-Liao is a well-deserved death, how can it be your sin? ”

Although Zhong Youpeng expressed his determination to oppose Liao, Wang Kunjun was also awakened by Zhang Weixin's words. Previously, because the historical records learned from Zhang Weixin all said how Chai Rong's Northern Expedition was like a bamboo, how the Han officials and guards in the land of clouds surrendered, and how the Zhou army occupied three states, three passes and seventeen counties in only 42 days. Therefore, Wang Kunjun's thinking has always believed that the Han officials and generals in the land of clouds are eager to oppose Liao and return to Zhou, and although it is not easy to persuade them to form an alliance with him, at least it should be a matter of course. For Wang Kunjun, inviting Zhong Youpeng to be a lobbyist is more about hoping that he can persuade these officials and local squires to support the crossing team and the "Flying Dragon Army", so as to create favorable conditions for the crossing team to lay a foundation in the land of clouds.

Moreover, whether it is in the history books of his previous life or in reality, Xiao Siwen is a person who is shallow in his education, greedy for money and narcissistic, and now he has a considerable interest in the crossing team, unless it is time for a showdown between the two sides, otherwise he will not pose any threat to himself. In addition, as the armed liliang in the hands of the crossing team became more and more powerful, especially the new firearms and mass equipment troops, the crossing team had gradually achieved a dominant position in terms of military strength, Wang Kunjun thought more about how to fight the battle of Youyun, how to deal with the Zhou court after defeating and expelling the Khitans, etc., and did not pay attention to the resistance and dangers that might be encountered in the process of contacting officials and generals and persuading local shili.

At this moment, after listening to Zhang Weixin's worries and seeing Zhong Youpeng's determination without hesitation, Wang Kunjun finally woke up - the reason why the officials and guards of the Liao State surrendered to the Northern Expedition of the Zhou army was that they were all Han and had a natural affinity for the Han regime of the Later Zhou Dynasty. But what really made them give up resistance and surrender in Kaesong was the Later Zhou army behind Chai Rong. In their opinion, there is no need for them to fight hard with the Zhou army for the sake of the Khitans and lose their lives - after all, no matter which emperor they submit to, they will do what they do and their horses will ride, and there will be no losses. ,

Now, although it is not far from Chai Rong's Northern Expedition, according to the information provided by Zhang Weixin, it will have to wait for another year or so. Although for the Han officials and generals in Youyun, they all know that Chai Rong is a successful emperor, far stronger than the "sleeping king" emperor of the Khitan. Perhaps some wise officials and generals have already thought that this Great Zhou Emperor may lead an army to the north at some point, and have already made up their minds in their hearts to sacrifice the city and lose their sincerity. However, it is one thing to think of this kind of thing in your heart, but it is another thing to say it to others—especially when Chai Rong's Northern Expedition has not yet made any moves.

What's more, Zhong Youpeng persuaded them to support the almost unknown "Flying Dragon Army". If they don't know, they will either think that Zhong Youpeng is talking nonsense and crazy things, and ignore them. Either they will think that Zhong Youpeng is a fine work sent by the Khitan court, and in order to prove his "innocence", he is likely to send Zhong Youpeng to the Khitan people to ask for credit. If it's the former, then it's okay to say that Zhong Youpeng will lose some face at most, and after the battle of Youyun is over, the crossing team will find a way to get it back for him. But if it's the latter, then the problem is serious. A few years ago, the case of fake rebellion also caused him to lose his official position and resign, change his surname and change his name, and now the evidence of the real rebellion is conclusive, how could Xiao Siwen spare his life again.

Thinking of this, Wang Kunjun hurriedly hugged his fist to Zhong Youpeng and said: "That being said, since the staff is not only the benefactor of our brothers, but also the father-in-law of Xiaofeng, how can our brothers let you put yourself in danger." From the point of view, it is better to go out and just contact those like-minded friends, and try to convince the squires and ordinary people who have no official position. As for the current officials and generals, it is better not to touch them for the time being, and it is not too late to make plans after the Zhou army really starts the Northern Expedition. ”

Zhong Youpeng shook his head when he heard this, and said, "Chao Yilang's words are wrong. First, the old man just said that the old man's opposition to Liao is not for you, but for the old man's own family hatred and the national enmity of the gentry and the common people. Second, those Han officials and guards served as shepherds, and their local prestige was far from comparable to that of Shili squires who had no official position. With their support, it will be much easier for you to establish your own legacy in the Clouds. Third, if you wait until the Zhou army has already gone on the Northern Expedition to persuade them, I am afraid that it will be much more difficult than now. After all, it is far easier to let them choose to support you now than to make a decision when the Zhou army is in the city. ”

Speaking of this, Zhong Youpeng paused slightly, and saw that Wang Kunjun and the others were still a little reluctant to let themselves risk alone, so he made a request that he hesitated again and again and never said: "However, in order to make this trip smoother and persuade more officials and squires, the old man has a reluctant request here, and I hope that the court will agree." ”

Although Zhong Youpeng's request was a bit sudden, Wang Kunjun did not hesitate, and hurriedly said: "If there are any requirements outside the staff, as long as our brothers can do it, we will do our best." ”

After hearing this, Zhong Youpeng hugged his fist to Wang Kunjun and the others, and said: "The old man hopes that Chao Yilang or Chao Yilang's brothers can try to show the strong combat power of the 'Flying Dragon Army' at a convenient time. In this way, when the old man persuades others, he can rely on it, and he will not be said by others to be nonsense and unsubstantiated. ”