Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 104: Homesick?
Wei Deng's expression was hard to describe. He had already prepared himself to leave the country in the snow and wind, cross the desert, and find Huo Shan in the Western Regions.

But now, he saw the army led by Huo Xian in the post station, and they were clearly here to convey the imperial edict. But now, some people were so bold that they turned back without obeying the imperial edict.

"Uncle, have you seen these horses?" Huo Xian was very happy to see his relatives and showed off his spoils. "These are the celestial horses I brought back from Dayuan. These 100 are all good horses. There are more than 6,000 celestial horses like this!"

Wei Deng looked at the talkative Huo Xian, but was very worried, "Xian'er, is this the time to talk about this?"

Huo Xian was very puzzled and asked, "Uncle, what do you mean by that?"

"Why are you leading the army back without an imperial edict?" Wei Deng was furious and worried. "You have made a great contribution, but now you are about to make a big mistake!"

Huo Xian said confidently, "I have His Majesty's order. It will be fine if I lead the army back!"

When Wei Deng heard Huo Xian say this, he felt a little relieved. But suddenly he began to doubt that this was most likely nonsense. No one knew whether His Majesty had given an oral order or not.

There wasn't even an imperial decree issued, but Huo Xian's return would give people a reason to criticize him.

"Uncle, I know my limits!" Huo Xian pointed at the horses proudly, "Those are my Yuanbao and Daoli. You can choose a horse first. But I'm afraid it's a little difficult now. Try to tame one first. Many of the horses here have been tamed before."

Looking at the huge herd of horses, Wei Deng was very happy. "I thought those Wusun horses were good before, but now looking at these Tianma, it's no wonder that Marquis Bowang praised them several times before."

Isn't that the truth? You really have to compare the goods. When I saw the Wusun horse before, I thought it was very good, but now that I see the Ferghana horse, there is no way to compare.

Wei Deng was very happy. "Seven thousand horses? I guess you brought back all the good horses from Dayuan?"

"Almost. We'll take all the horses, big and small, that we can take away." Huo Xian said proudly. "I don't even want ordinary horses. I only want these celestial horses."

Wei Deng asked curiously, "I heard earlier in Chang'an that you killed the ruler of Dayuan and established another king?"

Seeing Huo Xian nod, Wei Deng suddenly didn't know what to say. He originally thought that Huo Xian was very bold to come back secretly, but in the end he underestimated him. He was really brave.

"You must have beheaded more than 20,000 people this time, right?" Wei Deng said enviously, "You are only so young, but you have already beheaded more than 30,000 people in two expeditions."

Huo Xian said modestly, "How could there be so many? Not many were killed in the battle against the Xiongnu. But if you count carefully, it should be about this number."

Wei Deng lowered his voice and said, "Many alchemists in Chang'an were killed. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was furious. When I came here, I heard that many people were imprisoned."

Huo Xian was not surprised at all. It would be strange if the emperor did not express anything at all. Now many people would probably be frightened when thinking about it. Alchemy had long become a trend.

Alchemists were refining elixirs and eating them, and so were emperors and other powerful people. They were all trying to stuff heavy metals and other things into their stomachs.

Huo Xian asked with concern, "I have been away on the expedition for a year. Is there anything important happening in Chang'an now?"

"It's nothing big. It's just that the Jianzhang Palace has been built and His Majesty has moved to it." Wei Deng said enviously, "You also know that the Jianzhang Palace looks more luxurious than the Weiyang Palace."

Huo Xian was also aware of this. Jianzhang Palace was truly "full of doors and windows" and was more luxurious than Weiyang Palace. It was not surprising that the emperor moved to Jianzhang Palace.

"I have long said that I would build a house in Shanglinyuan. This time I will definitely make my wish come true." Huo Xian said proudly, "Just wait and see. I will definitely be more honorable when I return this time."

Wei Deng had no doubt about this at all. Everyone knew that once Huo Xian returned to Chang'an, he would definitely become the Grand Marshal and General of the Cavalry. The third Grand Marshal of the Han Dynasty would be born, and this was an unstoppable thing.

As for Huo Xian's little trouble, it actually depends on the emperor's intention. If the emperor still favors him, everything will be fine.

"After you return to Chang'an, you should behave yourself." Wei Deng looked at Huo Xian and warned him, "My father-in-law and mother-in-law have both told you to control your temper after you return and not to show off."

Huo Xian just ignored it and behaved better in front of Wei Qing. But when Wei Deng said this, it was no good.

Wei Deng also saw Huo Xian's attitude, but there was nothing he could do. Although the two of them were of different generations, they were of similar age.

"By the way, your second uncle has a son named Huo Yu." Wei Deng continued, "Your uncle now has one son and five daughters. All the powerful people in Chang'an are now seeking to marry your sisters."

Huo Xian immediately felt something was wrong. Before he went to war, his second uncle had only three daughters. Now, after only being out for more than a year, he has already had another son and two daughters.

But then again, my second uncle might have to give birth to one or two more daughters to make up the seven golden flowers. As for the only son Huo Yu, it was normal for him to be spoiled, because everyone was counting on him to carry on the family line.

"I don't bother to ask about my second uncle's family affairs, but my sisters haven't been engaged yet, right?" Huo Xian said, "Uncle Crown Prince, he didn't say he wanted my sister to enter the palace, right?" Wei Deng smiled and said, "My cousin originally had this idea, but later he thought it was inappropriate. Your concubine was taken to the palace last year, and everyone thought she had a child, but it turned out to be a false alarm. Now she dares not go out of the house."

Huo Xian asked quickly, "No one is bullying Yunniang, right?"

"Who doesn't know that you care about her more than your own eyes?" Wei Deng explained with a smile, "It's probably because you were away on the expedition for more than a month last year, and there was no sensible female family member in your house. She probably felt unwell, so she went to see your aunt, and then she was brought to the palace. The queen took care of her personally, and my mother and others also went."

Thinking about it this way, Han Yunniang is now hiding in the mansion and dare not go out. This is too big a mistake.

Huo Xian is now away from home fighting all year round, and he is the only child in the family, and he refuses to marry. Now many people are eagerly looking forward to him having a son or daughter, so that everyone can feel at ease.

Others were the only sons in their families and were not allowed to go to the battlefield, but it was the Grand Marshal and General of the Cavalry who had to go out to fight for a year or so. In addition, there was the case of Huo Qubing before, so many people could not help but worry about Huo Shan.

Huo Xian was still very happy as he chatted with Wei Deng about things in Chang'an City and some things at home.

Huo Xian had been away from home for a long time and was isolated from all information. It was only from Wei Deng that Huo Xian learned more about what had happened during his one year away. A year and a half had passed, which seemed like a blink of an eye, but it had indeed been a long time.

Huo Xian was in a very good mood. Meeting Wei Deng meant that he was getting closer and closer to Chang'an, and he was really going to start seeing his family.

It's true that he likes fighting, and there's definitely no harm in being away from home, but if it's too long, he'll start to get a little worried.

After meeting up with Wei Deng, Huo Xian and others continued to move slowly towards Chang'an.

They met some messengers on the way, and Huo Xian became more and more confident. He abandoned the army and fled early, and the emperor and the prince were obviously helping to clean up the mess.

Wei Deng felt even more jealous. The treatment that Shan'er received was really enviable.

If other generals did the same, they would be deposed at the least. But Huo Xian's case was a completely different matter. The emperor and the crown prince even sent someone to make a statement in order to calm the matter down.

"General of the Cavalry, His Majesty has ordered you to arrive in Chang'an in three days." Another messenger came and said, "The army is stationed outside the city and will enter the city when His Majesty orders us to do so."

Huo Xian immediately said, "How could I not know this truth?"

Weiden next to him had a constipated expression on his face, and so did the messenger.

If the Champion Marquis really had some sense, he would not have abandoned the main force and ran back early. If he really rushed into the city rashly, perhaps many people would not think it was surprising.

The messenger continued, "Your Majesty ordered the army to pack up and the Imperial Guards to surrender their captives."

Huo Xian looked embarrassed and said hastily, "I only brought some spoils, namely the gold and silver crowns, and the Dayuan State Letter. We didn't capture any Dayuan nobles this time."

As he said this, Huo Xian urged the messenger, "Go back and tell His Majesty that I have brought back a hundred celestial horses. Offering captives is definitely not an option, so I can only offer the celestial horses."

Things like homesickness did not exist for Huo Xian. All he wanted now was to return to Chang'an as soon as possible.

Huo Xian looked at Chen Ju and said, "The mansion must have been tidied up, so I won't have to worry about it then. I will have to stay in the palace for a few days when I return to Chang'an, so the boys have been arranged and taken care of."

Chen Ju said confidently, "Don't worry, my lord. I can still handle these things."

Huo Xian would definitely be kept in the palace for several days after returning to Chang'an, which Chen Ju and others knew. Therefore, all matters, big or small, in the palace, or the arrangements of the troops, were decided by the four generals.

"Remember, I won't accept any visiting cards. Those of you who are close to me can help send the visiting cards and tell them that I will definitely visit you after I leave the palace." Huo Xian said, "The date is uncertain, and my family members all know about my affairs."

Chen Ju nodded repeatedly. Those who were close to the prince knew that the prince could only run around after leaving the palace.

"Let Yunniang pack up. I'll let her go after me when I enter the palace." Huo Xian continued to make arrangements and said, "Let her go to the palace first tomorrow. It should be about time."

Wei Deng was confused when he heard this. Why tomorrow?
"Xian'er, what do you want to do?"

Huo Xian pointed at the vast expanse of snow outside and said, "Hurry up, I can go back to Chang'an tomorrow afternoon. Why should I freeze outside? Now that we're in Chang'an, I will definitely go back first. Someone will take care of the army!"

Since you've already run away, just run away all the way. It's nothing more than getting scolded, what's the big deal?

(End of this chapter)