Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 114 Female Politician
Huo Xian felt a little uncomfortable. Even though his mind told him that winning over Wusun through marriage was the right move, he personally didn't like it emotionally.

But there was no way. Junxumi was the legal heir of Wusun. Even if his position was unstable, that was enough.

Now many people in the Han Dynasty are looking forward to Liu Jieyou giving birth to a son for Junxumi, so that they can compete for the title of Wusun King. If this step is accomplished, even if Liu Jieyou's son does not necessarily completely favor the Han Dynasty.

But compared to being pro-Xiongnu, at least there is more blood relationship. If the Han Dynasty really wants to do something to Wusun in the future, there will be many reasons.

Huo Xian, who had returned to the Marquis of Guanjun's Mansion, teased Chen Wan and said, "Hurry up, call someone!"

Chen Wan was very brave and smiled at Huo Xian. The child could crawl around now and could even babble occasionally.

Chen Ju said cheerfully, "My Lord, Wan'er is quite courageous."

"Better than his grandfather." Huo Xian said jokingly, "I am increasingly displeased with Sanlang. How can a man like him be a ranger when he comes from a military family?"

It would be a bit unfair to say that Chen Sanlang is a complete knight-errant. He is indeed somewhat youthful, but he is not the kind of person who stirs up trouble everywhere. It would be an exaggeration to say that he is skilled in archery and horse riding. Chen Sanlang's martial arts skills are mediocre.

"I am a little disappointed. I was spoiled in the past." Chen Ju said, "I am now thinking about teaching Wan'er a good lesson."

Huo Xian didn't care. "It's OK for someone like Sanlang to be a steward in the mansion. He has a smooth personality, but he's a bit rash. My Guanjun Marquis's mansion is full of warriors, and sometimes they're not very nice."

Chen Ju didn't think so, and neither did Liu Mo and the others. They had long been accustomed to the style of the Guanjun Marquis' Mansion.

Huo Xian felt that there was no need to change the overall style and temperament of the Marquis Guanjun Mansion, but it did need a few more qualified stewards and even housekeepers.

Forget about Chen Ju and his men, they all have hot tempers and jump three feet high when they get a little angry. They are more than enough to be a foot soldier, but it is a bit difficult for them to be in charge.

It was fine to deal with it this way before, anyway, Huo Xian was young and didn't take charge of things, so he needed a few of his troops to be stronger. But now he is the Grand Marshal and the General of Cavalry, so he can't keep doing this.

Chen Ju asked with concern, "Lord, now everyone in Chang'an City is saying that His Majesty is preparing to go on a tour, and that the military marquis is responsible for the defense."

"I know what you mean. Let's take the men from the village with us this time." Huo Xian said with a smile, "Forget about the few who followed me to the battle last time. Let them rest. Those who are of the right age and have never fought in a war can accompany us this time."

Chen Ju and the others were naturally delighted, and it was no wonder that Feng Xu had looked down upon a lieutenant. He was indeed a high-ranking officer. After all, there were very few generals in the Han Dynasty, and the regular officers were all lieutenants.

The rank of a colonel ranged from two thousand stones, less than two thousand stones, to six hundred stones. Feng Dan was only an officer in the Qimen Army, so naturally he could not be less than two thousand stones, but only one thousand stones.

Others think that he is young and promising, and it is very possible for him to become one of the eight colonels or even have the opportunity to become one of the generals in wartime.

But Chen Ju, Feng Xu and others believed that just following the prince was enough, and there would be some opportunities to make meritorious deeds.

This time, the prince plans to take some of the men in the village with him when he accompanies His Majesty on his tour. Isn't this giving them an opportunity? Once they show some performance, they will immediately have the opportunity to be appreciated by His Majesty.

So don’t blame some people for racking their brains to get close to big shots. Without background and appreciation, no matter how talented they are, they may be buried.

Huo Xian looked at Liu Mo and asked curiously, "Uncle Liu, if those scholars know that it is difficult to become my disciples, why don't warriors come?"

Now it was Liu Mo's turn to be embarrassed, and he quickly explained, "My Lord, there are many people who want to join us, and they all have some status. My Lord doesn't like knights-errant, and ordinary people don't dare to join us."

Many people knew that the Marquis of Guanjun, Huo Xian, did not like to keep retainers, and his reputation of not liking knights spread. So if you want to join the Marquis of Guanjun's mansion, you must have a clean identity.

When the rangers came, they were usually either driven out or beaten away.

"If you don't want to surrender, then don't surrender. I'll go and take a look when the recruitment starts." Huo Xian said, "Pay attention to the time. Chang'an has started recruiting soldiers. Remember to let me know."

The Han Dynasty inherited the Qin system and implemented a conscription system, but normal conscription could not meet the needs of border defense, so during the reign of Emperor Wen of Han, the permanent residents in the border counties were combined with the permanent soldiers, which is the "everyone is a soldier."

During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, land annexation became increasingly serious, a large number of small farmers went bankrupt and fled, and many wealthy and powerful families had the privilege of being exempted from military service. In addition, wars were frequent and the demand for soldiers was huge. The effective conscription system in the past could not be carried out normally and could not meet the needs of war, so the recruitment system was also implemented.

With the addition of exiled soldiers, slave soldiers, and soldiers from vassal states, the Han Dynasty had enough troops to use.

When it comes to selecting people and fighting wars, Chen Ju becomes excited, "Isn't it time for you to open a government office?"

Huo Xian smiled and said, "It's unnecessary to open a government office during wartime."

There is nothing wrong with this. The Grand Marshal, the Grand General, and the Grand Marshal are essentially officials in charge of the national military administration. However, according to some current rules, when the general goes on an expedition, he often sets up a shogunate as a staff agency.

It is better to keep a low profile when you are in Chang'an City. Don't think about showing off or emphasizing your status and official position at this time.

Chen Ju and others were quite disappointed that the prince was still not as good as the general of the past. But it didn't matter, the prince was only twenty years old, but he was already a great commander.

While Huo Xian, Chen Ju and the others were still chatting, Chen Sanlang came hurriedly and said, "Sir, there is a maid who claims to be the maid of Lady Jieyou and is asking to see you outside the mansion."

Huo Xian said without thinking, "Let her come over."

After the maid entered the mansion, she bowed politely and said, "This servant greets the Grand Marshal, General Huqi." Huo Xian smiled and asked, "What's your name?"

"I am Feng Ling," Feng Ling answered, "I am the maidservant of the princess and I followed her to Wusun."

Huo Xian fell silent, not because he knew that this Feng Ling was the first female diplomat in history, and was honored as "Madam Feng" by the people of the Western Regions. Instead, he felt that Liu Jieyou and this Feng Ling were about to enter Wusun, and their future life would not be easy.

Huo Xian looked at Han Yunniang and said, "Serve tea."

Feng Ling said quickly, "Sir, the princess is about to enter Wusun, but I don't know anything about the situation in Wusun. I hope you can give me some advice."

After all, she was Liu Jieyou's maid. Although they had only had a brief dealings before, Huo Xian could feel that Liu Jieyou was a very ambitious and strong woman.

It is also possible that Liu Jieyou was somewhat restless in her bones. Although she was a woman, she still wanted to achieve success and make a difference.

This may be some desire for power in the bones of the Liu family, or it may be because Liu Jieyou knew what her ancestors had done and wanted to do something to serve the court and atone for her family's sins.

After all, the State of Chu had not been abolished in name only, but the descendants of the King of Chu were all very cautious.

Huo Xian thought for a moment and asked, "What do you want to know?"

Feng Ling immediately said, "I heard from you earlier that the prince of Wusun has died, and his grandson has been made the crown prince. But there is dissatisfaction in the country. Are those people other descendants of Wusun?"

Dalu and others were indeed the sons of Liejiaomi and the uncles of Junxumi.

"Yes, Wusun has actually split up." Huo Xian said, "The troops I invited earlier were also from Lie Jiaomi. The imperial court now has troops stationed in the Western Regions mainly for farming, so it is difficult to fight Dalu."

Feng Ling seemed a little confused. "The King of Wusun is too old and weak to control himself?"

Huo Xian smiled and asked, "Have you ever read history books?"

Feng Ling nodded slightly, "I have only read a little bit, so I am not very familiar with it."

"That's definitely better than me." Huo Xian said with a smile, "There are many cases in history books where fathers and sons are suspicious of each other, and brothers kill each other. In the end, it's all for power."

Feng Ling might not think so. If these things happened in the Central Plains, there would be nothing to say.

However, if it happens in countries like the Western Regions, it can be explained by the fact that the barbarians are uncivilized and ignorant of human ethics, which is why this kind of situation occurs.

Feng Ling continued to ask with concern, "Your Excellency said before that the crown prince of Wusun led 10,000 soldiers to establish another place. Could it be that the king of Wusun intends to change the crown prince?"

"It's hard to say. From what I can see, there is no intention to change the crown prince." Huo Xian said cautiously, "It's just that Wusun is different from our Han people. They live wherever there is grass. I have only seen a small town before."

Feng Ling naturally knew that the Wusun were most likely similar to the Xiongnu, both nomadic people, rather than living in concentrated cities like the Han Dynasty.

Feng Ling asked carefully, "If the situation in Wusun is unstable, can the court send troops?"

Huo Xian sighed and said, "It's hard to say now. I think you guys should go to Wusun first, so you must protect yourselves. Junxumi has a wife named Zuo who is a Xiongnu, so you should slowly gain a foothold and reputation."

Huo Xian then said, "I will leave a letter for you. I have left a group of soldiers to cultivate the land around Wusun. The captain is an old subordinate of mine and can be trusted. If anything happens, you can go to him to protect yourself."

Feng Ling immediately became happy. In fact, she and Princess Jieyou both knew that it would be difficult for them to make any progress if they went to Wusun.

It is said that they have the support of the Great Han, but no one can guarantee how much support the Great Han can give. Now that the Champion Marquis is willing to provide some help, this is naturally very good.

Even if it is just a garrison that may not be reliable at a critical moment, and will not really go to war, etc. But this is also a trump card, and there is a chance to protect oneself, which is very good.

Huo Xian thought for a moment and said, "Where are you living now?"

Feng Ling immediately replied, "We are staying at the post house now."

"I'll go there tomorrow. There are some things that are hard to tell you." Huo Xian said, "It's better to talk to the princess clearly. What do you think?"

Feng Ling was overjoyed and said, "I thank you for your kindness, Your Excellency."

Liu Jieyou married far away in Wusun, and most of the civil and military officials in the court did not care about these things. There was almost no one willing to provide help.

In other words, this champion marquis was very friendly and willing to provide a lot of help.

After all, this Marquis of Guanjun knew Wusun very well, and he could also speak in front of the emperor. The Marquis of Guanjun was willing to help, which was much more important than the Nine Ministers!

(End of this chapter)