Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 190 Faction
For Liu Che, Huo Xian's continuous victories made him very happy. The generals he personally trained were as promising as ever, which enabled him to realize his grand ambitions.

So he would be generous. Although the army has not returned yet, all the rewards that should be prepared need to be given.

He basically acknowledged Huo Shan's report of achievements, but some of them required the court to send people to do the final count and confirmation. Trusting Huo Shan was one thing, but the court's system was another.

When it comes to military merit, etc., it naturally needs to be taken seriously, because the Han Dynasty highly respected military merit. The Han Dynasty believed that "no merit, no marquis, no prime minister" was the core value of the Qin and Han military merit system.

However, Liu Che also broke some rules. In the fifth year of Yuanshuo, Gongsun Hong was appointed prime minister, the first commoner prime minister in the Han Dynasty. He was conferred the title of Marquis of Pingjin and became the first prime minister to be conferred the title of marquis since the establishment of the Western Han Dynasty. He set a precedent for conferring the title of marquis on prime ministers.

This is the only exception. Such things may happen again in the future, but there is no need to worry too much at this stage.

The issue of sending civil servants to govern the Western Regions must also be treated with caution, and the court is still discussing the issue.

For the time being, we have the prestigious and powerful Huo Shan fighting in the Western Regions, and there are also veteran generals like Gongsun Ao, so there is nothing particularly to worry about and there is no need to be particularly anxious for the time being.

However, some people are worried that although Huo Xian has the ability to accomplish great deeds, his ability to cause trouble seems to be increasing day by day, and no one knows what trouble he will cause next.

Liu Che and others are now worried that Huo Xian will escape early. If this really happens, they will not be particularly surprised, because this is something he dares to do.

Huo Xian was indeed impatient, because there was nothing left to do in the Western Regions. Some of the surrounding small countries in the Western Regions became more and more submissive, and Zhang Guian's continuous diplomatic missions to various countries in the Western Regions were also very effective.

Yuli and other countries sent high-ranking officials to Jiaohe City to explain the situation and brought a lot of tribute. They were also willing to accept some of the conditions proposed by Huo Xian.

Paying some military horses and food, sending the crown prince to Chang'an as a hostage, etc., these conditions would definitely not be agreed to by the Western Regions countries in the past, or they would definitely have to bargain.

But now they dare not. Although the conditions offered by the Han Dynasty are harsh, compared with the possibility of extermination of the country after refusal, these conditions are harsh but acceptable.

The third year of Tianhan arrived quietly. Huo Xian looked at the heavy snow outside in silence, "Uncle Chen, how many days will this snow last?"

Chen Ju thought for a moment and said, "I heard that it will snow for another three days. I think it's going to snow for five days. The snow outside is too heavy."

The snow was too heavy, so Huo Xian said worriedly, "Have people be careful not to let the men get frostbitten, and the livestock not freeze to death. If all else fails, kill some. Even if there is enough food and fodder, we can't waste it."

Chen Ju said confidently, "There will definitely be enough food and grass. We will kill some cattle and sheep as soon as the snow starts. Even if the boys can't get much meat, they will still have enough meat soup."

This is also the source of confidence for the Han army now. It is because Huo Xian had plundered a lot before, and with the military farming, they still have some confidence.

There is no need to worry about running out of food to survive the winter. The Han army’s quality of life is pretty good now. They have no worries about food and drink, and they don’t have to worry about the cold.

Huo Xian still felt relatively safe and secure in his heart. The tens of thousands of troops were now relatively scattered. There were many houses in Yuanqu City, Jiaohe City, and Qiemiwang City, which could allow the soldiers to spend the winter safely.

"It seems that I am fine during this period. Apart from recuperating from my injuries, I just need to rest." Huo Xian said boredly, "But it's not bad here. It's not too cold."

Chen Ju was not so optimistic. Compared with Chang'an, the situation in the Western Regions was indeed much worse, but fortunately, the prince would definitely not be cold or hungry.

What is most worrying is that you are injured. Although the injury is not serious, you still need to have a good rest. Those Huns are really hateful!

"Lord, we definitely can't leave now." Chen Ju was also very worried, and said, "We have to wait until spring. If we really go back now, we won't be able to see the young Lord."

Huo Xian was speechless and didn't know what to say. "Don't worry, I won't leave now. The Western Regions are still unstable. Who knows if the Huns will come back in the spring!"

It seemed like many people assumed that Huo Xian would run away early, and everyone was a little worried, which made people feel a little uneasy.

The Western Region is still somewhat unstable. Now Huo Xian still chooses to put the overall situation first. He still needs to continue to stay in the Western Region to make people feel at ease. He will not choose to be willful at this time.

Huo Xian emphasized again, "I definitely can't leave before the beginning of spring. There are still many things to deal with here."

This is an absolute fact. There are still many things to do in the Western Region. At least we have to wait until the end of spring before we can choose to leave the Western Region.

Gongsun Ao took off his helmet and complained, "The snow is getting heavier and heavier. It's hard to do anything now. Now I finally understand why the Xiongnu invade the border in autumn and winter. Winter is too hard to endure."

Huo Xian joked, "That's true. Once they are hit by a disaster, they will starve to death. Without knowing how to farm, these people will depend entirely on the weather for their livelihood."

Although herding is also a way of survival, and farming also requires the weather, etc., relatively speaking, nomadic life seems to be more dependent on the weather.

Gongsun Ao said, "We have to wait a while before we can build the city. The weather is too bad now. Let's wait until spring comes. Let the men have a good rest, and then we can let the Cheshi people start working."

Huo Xian agreed without hesitation, "The weather is indeed too bad. Let's not build the pass now. It doesn't matter if we wait a while. I don't think the Xiongnu will send troops from the Western Regions even if they want to."

It is definitely necessary to build the pass. This is what Huo Xian needs to do. This is the way the Han army seeks stability.

The most important thing is to do this. It is obvious that they intend to control the Western Regions for a long time, so some city gates become particularly important.

"Jiaohe City may become the seat of government. From now on, our Han Dynasty should stay in the Western Regions for a long time. We must never let the Xiongnu come here again." Huo Xian said with a smile, "It doesn't matter if we wait a while. There is no need to rush."

Gongsun Ao said worriedly, "Sir, I am thinking that we have been dragging our feet in the Western Regions for too long. I am afraid that it will delay the war with the Xiongnu. This is not good!"

When this matter was mentioned, Huo Xian instantly became unhappy, which was also one of the reasons why others always thought that he might leave early.

According to the original plan, in the third year of Tianhan, which was this spring, the army needed to march into the grassland to seek an opportunity for a decisive battle with the Huns.

Many people were also preparing for this matter, and some plans were almost executed. However, the war in the Western Regions completely disrupted many of the Han Dynasty's plans. Huo Xian said, "It is very likely that there will be no war this year, and it will probably be delayed until next year. It makes me angry just thinking about it. These Xiongnu people escaped by accident."

Gongsun Ao also understood what Huo Xian meant. If he really understood it that way, there would definitely be no problem.

The Han Dynasty was already sharpening its swords and preparing for a decisive battle. However, the Xiongnu people bewitched and pushed the actions of the Cheshi and other countries, forcing the Han Dynasty to make some temporary adjustments.

Now a lot of troops are tied up in the Western Regions. Although the Han army can mobilize troops from other places, it still lacks elite forces.

The most important thing is that if Huo Xian, the Grand Marshal and General of the Cavalry, was not there, the court would probably have no more confidence in using troops against the Xiongnu. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that the Han army was essentially lacking in generals.

"It doesn't matter if we destroy the Xiongnu a year later. We are more fully prepared." Gongsun Ao advised, "Besides, we defeated the Right Wise King once this year, which has hurt his vitality to some extent."

Huo Xian said with some worry, "That's true, but a lot of things might happen in this year. Previously, we thought that the Xiongnu would be in turmoil, and we could take the opportunity to send troops. Who knows what will happen in a year!"

This is what Huo Xian is most worried about. After all, very good opportunities are not particularly rare. If you miss it, you may never have another chance.

Gongsun Ao also fell silent. Not only Huo Xian understood this truth, he also understood it. It is estimated that many people in the court would also feel sorry for this. They would definitely feel unwilling to lose such a great opportunity.

But even if they were unwilling, there was nothing they could do. The current situation was that they had to fight in the Western Regions, and they would have to fight the Huns sooner or later. The Han Dynasty did not have enough strength to support two large-scale wars at the same time.

Then we can only accept the current situation, no matter how unwilling we are, we have to accept it all.

Gongsun Ao looked at Huo Xian and said, "My Lord, I have thought about it and realized that if we really send troops this year, it would be a bit hasty. It will definitely be summer before we can go back."

Huo Xian nodded, agreeing with this statement, "That's true. After Xia Tian returns, he will definitely need to rest for some time. If we really go out in a hurry, the soldiers will not be able to handle it."

These are the actual conditions. If they return to the Han Dynasty and the garrison in the summer, but really go to Mobei to fight in the autumn, the soldiers will definitely be exhausted.

Thinking of this, Huo Xian naturally became even more depressed. It must be frustrating that something he had planned for a long time ended in failure.

Gongsun Ao smiled bitterly and said, "It's good this way. The Xiongnu might not be able to take it lightly. The Xiongnu Chanyu is young and won't be able to control the tribes in a year. The Xiongnu might become even more chaotic."

Hearing this, Huo Xian also said with a smile, "I think so too. This is still good for us. The more chaotic they are, the better."

Everyone still hopes that the Huns will be as chaotic as possible, and that their strength will be continuously weakened for various reasons. This is in the interests of the Han Dynasty.

Huo Xian did not think that encountering the Huns at their peak was a good thing. Being able to destroy the Huns would be more practically beneficial to him, rather than simply confronting them head-on.

As a general, sometimes you have to rely on the strength of the country's comprehensive power so that you can better compete with the enemy. It is not realistic to simply have a strong army.

Gongsun Ao asked tentatively, "Sir, should we recall some troops when the time is right? We can't just withdraw them all at once."

Huo Xian spoke up, "I think it's better for His Majesty to make the decision on this matter. It's not my place to say anything too much. Speaking of which, we're going to station troops in the Western Regions this time, and it's impossible for all of them to be border guards."

Everyone understands this. The Han Dynasty has taken over a large core area in the Western Regions, which means that it must be firmly controlled and a certain number of troops need to be stationed here. This is very necessary.

In addition to deterring some ambitious people who are ready to make a move, the other purpose is naturally to deter the Xiongnu. The Han army has a military presence in the Western Regions, so the Xiongnu's Right Wise King and others can't relax and have to worry about the Han army's detour.

"My Lord, who are the people stationed in the Western Regions? His Majesty will definitely consider your proposal." Gongsun Ao said with a smile, "Now you know that the general will no longer be involved in military affairs."

Huo Xian was a little wary and said, "Marquis Yiqiu, you are also an elder. People outside are talking nonsense. We all know in our hearts that there is no such thing as Wei Huo. We are all subjects of His Majesty."

This is a polite remark, but it is also the truth. This is the current situation of the Han Dynasty. The emperor is too powerful. Therefore, the so-called Wei Huo and others are just knives in the hands of the emperor, tools that the emperor supports to control military power.

Gongsun Ao explained, "Lord, we all know that even if we don't say it, the officers under us will also have to share. There are some things that we can't control."

This time Huo Xian had no way to refute, he was clear about some things, and what Gongsun Ao said made a lot of sense.

Wei Qing never had any conflicts with the Huo father and son. He had always worked hard to train and help the Huo father and son, and he never worried about his own position because of their rise.

The Huo father and son have always been very respectful to Wei Qing and dare not show the slightest disrespect.

But whether it is the general's followers or the so-called champion marquis' old subordinates, there will sometimes be some small conflicts.

The military's resources are not unlimited. The generals are strong, while the champions are weaker. The two sides compete for power in order to climb to a higher position.

Huo Xian looked at Gongsun Ao and asked, "Are the people down there starting to make trouble again?"

"That's not the case. The general's prestige is still effective." Gongsun Ao said, "It's just that some people are trying to find ways to serve under you."

Huo Xian was speechless. He really didn't like his "disciple". But some parties involved or outsiders didn't think so. They would divide the factions based on some factors.

There was no way around it. Human hearts were so complicated that Wei Qing and Huo Shan were sometimes unable to completely control them.

So it is time to be cautious at this time. Dividing the cake requires some wisdom, otherwise it will not be good.

(End of this chapter)