Throughout the long history of China, there have been many heroic figures who have gained respect through their wisdom, bravery, and loyalty. However, the evaluation of Li Keyong, a famous general in the late Tang Dynasty, is quite controversial. Was he a true loyal minister? The answer to this question is not straightforward.

First, we need to understand Li Keyong's background. He was an important general in the late Tang Dynasty, known as the "One-Eyed Dragon" due to his losing an eye in battle. With his military talent, he successfully controlled the area around Shanxi and became a local warlord amidst the chaos of the late Tang Dynasty.

On the surface, Li Keyong's actions seem to align with the standards of a loyal minister. He stood firm in the midst of the chaos, protecting his territory and people. He repeatedly sent troops to assist the court in fighting against rebels, demonstrating his loyalty to the country. However, a deeper analysis of his actions reveals some issues.

Firstly, although Li Keyong frequently sent troops to assist the court, his motives were not entirely rooted in loyalty to the country. His primary aim was to safeguard his territory and people from being overrun by rebels. His army, although nominally part of the court's forces, was effectively his private militia, acting solely on his own will and not necessarily following court orders.

Secondly, Li Keyong's attitude towards the court also revealed his selfishness and independence. He would assist the court when it was in need, but he would not hesitate to betray it when it was no longer useful to him. For example, he sent troops to assist the court during the Huang Chao Rebellion, but he chose silence after Zhu Wen usurped the throne.

In conclusion, although Li Keyong appeared to be a loyal minister on the surface, his actions exposed his selfishness and independence. His army, despite being nominally part of the court's forces, operated solely on his own will. He would assist the court when needed, but he would not hesitate to betray it when it was no longer advantageous. Therefore, we cannot simply categorize Li Keyong as a loyal minister.

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