Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 132 Generals

Huo Xian stayed in Juyan City temporarily and would have to wait until the spring before considering returning to Chang'an.

Unless it was a huge event, he would definitely not run to Chang'an in this heavy snow.

Huo Xian drank wine and ate roasted lamb comfortably. "Uncle Zhao, who do you think is better, Zhao Chongguo or Han Zeng?"

Zhao Hexi didn't care about avoiding suspicion at all. He answered all the questions asked by the Lord. "Lord, Han Zeng entered the government through family connections. He is from a powerful family. But if you ask me, his ability to lead troops is average."

Liu Mo replied, "There is one good thing about this man. He has a kind and gentle personality. He doesn't have the arrogance and extravagance of a rich and powerful person."

Huo Xian felt that this was an indirect attack and said, "It's right in front of my face! Are all the rich and powerful people spoiled and dissolute? This statement makes me feel uncomfortable!"

"How can they compare with you, my Lord!" Liu Mo said seriously, definitely not flattering, "There are not many capable people among the rich and powerful nowadays, and many are useless. Han Zeng is pretty good, he can endure hardships."

Huo Xian basically agreed with this statement. Although not all the people in powerful families are good-for-nothings, the proportion of those who are dissolute and mediocre is indeed quite high.

Huo Xian smiled and said, "You have seen Han Zeng. If you want to see him make great achievements, you have to rely on chance. If you expect him to make big mistakes, I'm afraid it will be hard to see."

He is too steady. Such a steady person doesn't look like someone who comes from a wealthy family, nor does he look like a young man under 30 years old.

Liu Mo joked, "This is especially true of Zhao Chongguo. He is from a good family and was born in the Imperial Guards. He has interacted with many Qiang and Xiongnu people in Lingju over the years. He is quite capable."

Huo Xian nodded slightly, but with some regret, "It's hard for the general. If we want to guard a place, he is the best choice. But he is still lacking in fighting."

Although Zhao Chongguo was also very brave, Huo Xian thought that he lacked the ability to lead troops alone. And given Zhao Chongguo's personality, it was estimated that it would be difficult for him to achieve a great victory.

If he were asked to garrison, recruit people, cultivate land, etc., he would definitely be a very outstanding potential stock, but if he were asked to lead thousands of troops, that would be a little lacking.

"My Lord, these two should follow the general." Zhao Hexi said, "They will be able to help in the future."

That's right, this is what Huo Xian and others said about Zhao Chongguo and Han Zeng. They have ability and potential, and are indeed worthy of training and promotion.

But there is a slight flaw in that the styles of these two people do not match the temperament of Champion Hou.

Huo Xian couldn't help but laugh, "That's true. It would be best if they learn from the general. If they follow me, even the best seedlings will be ruined."

Liu Mo and others were not particularly happy. It was just that Zhao Chongguo and Han Zeng were not talented enough, so they could not learn the skills of the Marquis. It was not that there was anything wrong with the Marquis.

Lu Bode pushed the door open and brought in some fine wine, "Da Sima, I just got some good wine and I'm sending it here right away."

Huo Xian joked, "I'm afraid he came here because of the smell. I just happen to have mutton here. You provide the wine and I provide the meat. This way everyone is happy."

There was wine, but Huo Xian would not refuse better wine. Nowadays, the wine was just some grain wine and fruit wine, and the alcohol content was not high. It was a bit exaggerated to drink 300 cups at a time, but a large jar would not matter.

It's not even as strong as some beers, so Huo Xian now calls himself a 'massive drinker' and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

"It's bitterly cold at the border, and even good wine can't compare to what's in Chang'an." Lu Bode said with a smile, "Last time I fought against Nanyue, I brought back a lot of sugarcane wine."

Sugarcane wine, also known as "golden syrup", is now mainly used to make sugar. Sugarcane is also very precious and it is difficult for ordinary people to taste it.

Huo Xian smiled and said, "After the spring, see if there are any Huns heading south. If there are any small groups, destroy them. Even if they are herdsmen, capture them all and interrogate them thoroughly."

Lu Bode instantly became alert, he was also a war maniac. The most important thing was to redeem himself for meritorious service. He was once the Marquis of Fuli and General Fubo, but now he was just a strong crossbow commander stationed at the border. The gap was too big.

Although his eldest son Lu Mi committed a crime and was executed, Lu Bode still has other sons who always want to rise again, and he also feels that he still has a chance.

It's not necessarily because of the promotion of the Grand Marshal and the General of the Cavalry, but the court is still deploying troops everywhere, but there are very few generals available. So a general like Lu Bode naturally has a chance.

However, if Huo Xian was willing to help him, Lu Bode felt that his chances of regaining his title would be greatly increased.

Lu Bode asked quickly, "Grand Marshal, will the court use troops against the Xiongnu next year?"

"It's hard to say. You've been at the border for a long time, so you must have known that the Xiongnu are in turmoil." Huo Xian said, "When the time is right, the court will naturally use troops against the Xiongnu. There's nothing to say about that."

Lu Bode believed that the imperial court would have to use military force against the Xiongnu sooner or later. Not to mention a general like Lu Bode, anyone with a little knowledge could guess the imperial court's thoughts.

It was inevitable to use military force against the Huns; the only way out was for one of the mortal enemies to be defeated.

The Xiongnu is now in decline, so the Han Dynasty will naturally not miss the opportunity. If they miss such an opportunity, they will suffer retribution. Lu Bode thought about it carefully and said, "Grand Sima, I just feel that if we send troops now, I am afraid it will be difficult to achieve the full effect."

Everyone had a common dream, to destroy the Xiongnu in one fell swoop. But a lean camel is bigger than a horse. Even though the Xiongnu had declined a lot now, they still had some foundation and could not be destroyed easily.

The Nanyue, Yelang and other countries were no match for the Xiongnu. Even the decisive battle in Mobei, including the continuous surrender of Xiongnu tribes before, weakened the Xiongnu's strength.

But what does it matter? The Xiongnu is still strong and still has the strength to deal a huge blow to the Han Dynasty. If the Han Dynasty suffers one or two major defeats, its strength may be weakened and it will once again become a passive defensive party.

"Do you think the court needs to use at least two armies?" Huo Xian looked at Lu Bode and said with a smile, "Do you think it's difficult for a general to go on an expedition now, and it's difficult for the court to find another general?"

Lu Bode did not refute it. He did have such an idea and this was the actual situation.

No one had any objection to Huo Xian being the Grand Marshal and General of the Cavalry, leading tens of thousands of cavalry. Especially after he had made successive achievements, he felt it was his duty.

Even if there are two or even three armies, the one led by Huo Xian will definitely be the absolute main force, and the rest of the army will have to assist him and tie down his troops.

Even the commanders of the remaining one or two armies had to obey Huo Xian's orders.

This is the reality, and Lu Bode is naturally aware of it.

Huo Xian became serious and asked, "You used to be the Marquis of Fuli and a general. If you were really asked to go to war, you would probably only be a captain or a colonel. Tell me, would you be convinced?"

Lu Bode was about to crush the cup in his hand. He used to be the Marquis of Fuli, General Fubo, and the commander of an army. Now if he went to war again, he could hardly even be considered a "general". This huge gap was really hard for most people to accept.

After a moment, Lu Bode said, "If it were anyone else, I would not accept it. If the Grand Marshal leads the army, I will follow as a strong crossbow commander."

Liu Mo laughed and said, "You have a good idea! Your Excellency needs a strong crossbow captain from you?"

Lu Bode was very angry, but he had nothing to say.

Cao Zong was formerly Huo Xian's deputy general, and is now the rear general. Zhao Anguo was also a deputy general, and is now a junior marquis.

Even though Cao Zong was the emperor's grandson, he would not have been able to obtain the permanent position of General if it were not for Huo Shan.

After Li Guangli was defeated, he followed Huo Shan and became Marquis of Haixi. There were four new marquises who followed Huo Shan to fight, not including Marquis of Guannei, Nine Ministers, and Prefects.

There were so many people who wanted to follow Huo Xian to fight, not to mention those with lower ranks. Even some of the children of the rich and powerful wanted to go with him, because it would give them more opportunities to make achievements.

Huo Xian looked at Lu Bode with interest. In history, he was ashamed to be Li Ling's backup. Later, he could only lead 10,000 people as a strong crossbow commander to join forces with Li Guangli, and fought hard for more than ten days before breaking through the siege.

Lu Bode still spoke, "If it were anyone else, I would find it hard to accept, but I dare not disobey His Majesty's order."

Huo Xian knew it in his heart. Lu Bode must still have pride and self-esteem. It was normal for him to be unable to lower himself.

"You don't have to worry. The imperial court will certainly deploy hundreds of thousands of troops in the future." Huo Xian said confidently, "I am selecting generals now. If you can find the whereabouts of the Xiongnu next year, I can take you with me then."

Lu Bode's eyes lit up, and he said excitedly, "Don't worry, Grand Marshal. Once spring comes next year, I will lead the scouts to capture the Huns and interrogate them!"

This is exactly the effect we want, to collect more information so that we can start the real battle.

Only by being more fully prepared can we seize the opportunity and deal a truly fatal blow to the Huns.

Lu Bode thought for a moment and asked, "Grand Marshal, the court doesn't have many generals available right now, right?"

"Not many?" Huo Xian said with a smile, "Including you, there are also General Li Guangli, General Han Shuo, General Gongsun Ao, and General Zhao Po Nu. The five of you have all made military achievements, so it's no problem for you to lead more than 10,000 people."

Although these generals seem to have some shortcomings, even Li Guangli has certain strength and can easily lead an army of more than 10,000 people alone.

As long as the tactics are properly arranged, it is not impossible to defeat the Huns.

What the court lacks most now is talented generals like Wei Huo, but a few talented generals can still be found.

However, Huo Xian does not need to worry. After arranging some things, he will be able to use his troops well and consider defeating the Huns!

(End of this chapter)