Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 129 Combination
Liu Che threw the report to Liu Ju and said, "Tell me, what do the Xiongnu think?"

After reading it carefully, Liu Ju replied, "Your Majesty, I think all the Xiongnu tribes have ambitions now. I am afraid that one or two strong tribes may want to use the city of surrender to establish their power."

"I think so too." Liu Che said with a smile, "These Xiongnu people also know that it is difficult for one Chanyu to win the support of the people. I am afraid that it will only lead to more chaos."

Liu Ju immediately said, "Father, I think the court should first defend the city of surrender and never let the Xiongnu produce a strong man to unite the tribes. On the other hand, we should try to win them over when necessary and suppress them when necessary."

Liu Che also understood his son. The prince seemed to be against war, but he was always opposed to large-scale warfare and preferred small-scale wars.

This was not appropriate in Liu Che's view. Small-scale combat was only a temporary solution and could not truly weaken the Huns.

Liu Che, who did not comment, asked again, "Where do you think Xian'er will run to this time?"

Liu Ju was a little worried, "Father, I think Xian'er knows he is wrong, but he doesn't dare to come back. Otherwise, I will send someone to chase him."

"Go after him?" Liu Che laughed. "Look at him, does he want to come back? If he is afraid, he is not afraid yet. If he were really afraid, he would come back shamelessly. He is stubborn and refuses to admit his mistakes. He is just like Huo Qubing!"

Liu Ju thought about it carefully and said, "I think he is most likely going to the four counties in Hexi."

Liu Che sighed, "He will definitely go to the four counties in Hexi, but I'm afraid he won't be in Hexi this time. After going to Hexi, he should come back."

Liu Ju was stunned for a moment, and then asked quickly, "Father, if Shan'er doesn't go to the four counties in Hexi, where can he go?"

"Since his army returned to Chang'an, you must have sent people to Shoujiang City and Hexi. How could he go there at this time?" Liu Che said angrily. "Think about it carefully. Can Shan'er be blocked so easily?"

Liu Ju was immediately embarrassed. He did send someone to question Zhao Congxiao after he returned to Chang'an. Although the man refused to say anything, his approximate whereabouts could be guessed.

"I don't want to bother with him. He should come back when he's done playing." Liu Che said irritably, "He's really focused on fighting. Ask your mother to prepare some armor. He'll need it next year."

Liu Ju was startled, and then he said worriedly, "Father, Shan'er hasn't had a good rest for more than three years. Wouldn't it be too much work to fight again next year?"

Liu Che was furious, "Did I not let him rest? Look at him, can Chang'an City contain him?"

Liu Ju also remained silent. Everyone hoped that Huo Xian would have at least a good rest this year, but he ran away and insisted on running around the border, unwilling to rest and recuperate.

If a war really broke out, Huo Xian would have to lead the army to fight. No matter how hard or tiring it was, they would have to go out to fight and sleep in the open.

The precedent of Huo Qubing was there, and Liu Che, Liu Ju and others were also afraid. But Huo Shan was disobedient and really ignored the efforts of his elders!

The willful Huo Xian was dressed in armor, and his scarlet cloak fluttered in the cold wind.

"The wind rises and the clouds fly!" Huo Xian sang loudly while riding a horse, "My power spreads across the country and I return to my hometown. How can I find brave warriors to guard the four directions!"

The soldiers of Lingju also sang loudly. This "Dafengge" can be regarded as the military song of the Han army. It was created by Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang and naturally had more special meaning to the Han Dynasty.

After the song was finished, Huo Xian shouted, "Officers, march out!"

Chariots and cavalry are used on flat ground, officers are used on mountainous terrain, and tower ships are used on springs. These are also the types of troops of the Han army.

The material officers are naturally the infantry.

Huo Xian gave an order, "Form a formation!"

Zhao Chongguo immediately waved his flag, and drums and trumpets sounded. These infantrymen quickly began to form a battle array, and it seemed that they had put in a lot of effort.

Drums, trumpets, flags, etc., these are the commands in the battle formation. Most ordinary soldiers know a little about them, and even for low-ranking officers, the compulsory subjects include understanding the flags.

Looking at the row of spears in front of him, Huo Xian was very satisfied. He raised his hand and suddenly swept the spear shafts with his lance.

Then he became furious, "How can you stop a horse if you are so weak?"

Lei Yu and the others also changed their expressions. They were not only impressed by the great strength of the Great Sima, but were even more worried that the Great Sima would get angry. Those soldiers who staggered should be punished!
"Chariots and cavalry!" Huo Xian continued to give the order, "Han Zeng, lead the chariots and cavalry to gallop thirty miles!"

Han Zeng immediately took the order and called on the cavalry to start the training. Galloping for thirty miles not only tested the cavalry's basic riding skills, but also tested whether they could maintain the basic formation.

Huo Xian looked at Zhao Chongguo and said seriously, "You seem to be an average official. Is this the ability of the Imperial Guards?"

Zhao Chongguo knelt down with his fists clasped, "I accept the blame!"

There was no argument, because Zhao Chongguo also understood that as the Grand Marshal, he would naturally have very high requirements for his soldiers. His subordinates had indeed not performed very well just now.

Huo Xian pointed at a soldier casually and said, "Come out and practice with my troops!"

The so-called hook shield is a composite weapon that is commonly seen in the Western Han Dynasty. It has three functions: defense, hooking, and pushing. It is usually used in conjunction with a ring-headed sword. The young soldier did not retreat or yield, and immediately began to practice with one of Huo Xian's troops, but they did not really fight.

Huo Xian was watching with great interest and suddenly said, "Come out and change the spear!"

Randomly check a few soldiers' use of weapons and examine their training results, which is also a key point worthy of attention.

In addition to the use of some weapons, there are also fighting techniques such as wrestling and hand-to-hand combat, etc., which are also common training subjects of the Han army.

To be honest, the overall quality of these soldiers in Lingju is definitely not as good as the northern and southern armies in Chang'an City, but the overall quality is also very good. The county lieutenant of Lingju does not have any trained subordinates.

After returning to the county government, Huo Xian said to Lei Yu's eldest son Lei Ming, "Go to Chang'an and take my warrant to see the rear general."

Lei Yu and Lei Ming, father and son, were extremely excited. The rear general was Pingyang Hou Cao Zong. Some people believed that he was the Grand Marshal's right-hand man.

Huo Xian then looked at Zhao Chongguo and said, "Go home immediately and ask your family to go to Chang'an. You will accompany me to inspect the border."

Zhao Chongguo was extremely excited. All of a sudden he no longer needed to envy Lei Ming. Instead, it was Lei Yu and Lei Ming, father and son, who envied him.

Being able to become a subordinate of the Grand Marshal is definitely the dream of a Han soldier. Even if you don't get a specific military position now, who cares? Getting the opportunity is the first priority!

Thinking about it, I still have some expectations. Among the eleven heroes of Qilin Pavilion, Huo Xian now has two of them. There is also Zhang Anshi, who should also be in the army now, which makes three people.

Even Shangguan Jie was an old subordinate of Huo Xian.

Zhao Chongguo, who was already 27 years old, returned home and asked his parents to take the family back to Chang'an immediately.

Zhao Chongguo's parents, wife, and son were also very excited. It was hard for the whole family to move, especially since they had been living in Lingju for more than ten years and had become accustomed to the life here.

But think about it, that's Chang'an, and he has been appreciated by Marquis Guanjun, so it is not impossible for him to be granted a title of nobility and appointed as a general.

Now I wonder how many soldiers are envious of Li Guangli and others. If he was not the Marquis of Guanjun, why would Li Guangli, who suffered heavy losses in his troops, be conferred the title of Marquis of Haixi?

Since you have joined the army, you must be mentally prepared to wander around.

Although some snow had begun to fall from the sky, it could not stop Zhao Chongguo's inner passion. As for Huo Xian, he ran away again.

To be honest, Lanzhou is relatively close to Chang'an. Huo Xian prepared to rush to Zhangye. He wanted to go to Damaying Grassland, which was located in the middle of the four counties of Dunhuang, Jiuquan, Zhangye and Wuwei in Hexi, and at the foot of the Qilian Mountains.

By the time some messengers were traveling back and forth, the roads had been blocked by heavy snow. Even if they wanted to return to Chang'an, the road was blocked.

As Huo Xian's mounts, Yuan Bao and Dao Li had a hard time, as they had followed Huo Xian all the way from Da Wan to the Han Dynasty. It had only been less than a year since they arrived in the Han Dynasty, and they had already traveled thousands of miles again.

Fortunately, they are fed enough and can take a rest occasionally, so there is no need to worry too much.

The weather was getting colder and the snow and wind were getting stronger, but this did not affect the determination of Huo Xian and others at all. They still did not plan to change their route.

Huo Xian found some time to call Zhao Chongguo over and said, "You claim to be familiar with the affairs of the four barbarians. I think you know a lot about the habits of the Qiang and Xiongnu."

Zhao Chongguo was not modest either, and replied, "My Lord, I have been in Lingju for many years and know the habits of the Qiang people. The Xiongnu are the great enemy of our court, and I have wanted to fight against them and serve the court since I was young."

Huo Xian nodded in satisfaction and said, "If I were to give you an army thousands of miles away, how would you lead it?"

Zhao Chongguo said cautiously, "Sir, I dare to ask if they are cavalry or infantry? Are they Xiongnu cavalry or our Han army?"

Huo Xian said casually, "Xiongnu, how should you lead the army?"

Zhao Chongguo replied without thinking, "Before I go out to fight, I will find out how long these Xiongnu have been in our Han Dynasty. If I have to travel thousands of miles, I will definitely find a guide."

Huo Xian was quite satisfied with this, as this was a calm and steady person. Zhao Chongguo was not particularly young, but he was also a promising young man, and his calmness in doing things was quite rare.

"You are good in this respect, and you are quite brave." Huo Xian smiled and said, "Go back and gain experience, it will be of great use in the future."

Zhao Chongguo was naturally extremely excited. If he followed Marquis Guanjun, he would definitely have plenty of opportunities to make meritorious deeds.

It would be a good idea to pair Li Guangli with Zhao Chongguo. If one or two more generals are added, the march can be smoother and some of the Xiongnu cavalry can be contained.

When fighting the Xiongnu, Huo Xian never thought that he could win with just one large army. After a round, he still needed Li Guangli. Although that man was a bit mediocre, he was able to command tens of thousands of troops and maintain order, which was also a capability.

As for himself, it is better to lead tens of thousands of elite cavalry, which is more in line with Huo Xian's style. After all, Liu Che taught him cavalry tactics since he was a child.

(End of this chapter)