Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 196 I’m back again

Looking at Chang'an City, Huo Xian was excited. He was finally back!

Huo Xian was eager to go home. Now he had more reasons to return to Chang'an as early as possible. Fighting outside was his pursuit. But after the battle, he should also return to Chang'an to have a good rest.

Huo Xian and the others were exhausted and their clothes were not bright. Wasn't it because of the weather? It was not long after the beginning of spring, and after traveling thousands of miles, not only did the people look haggard, but the horses also lost a lot of weight.

Although Huo Xian looked rather haggard, and had become darker and thinner after being on the expedition for more than half a year, and was no longer as fair and handsome as he was in Chang'an, it didn't matter, as Chen Ju and others had already raised their flags.

The Grand Marshal, General of the Cavalry, and Marquis of Guanjun have returned to Chang'an, and this news will spread quickly.

Even some people in Chang'an realized this later, as messengers and others had reported before that the emperor already knew when Huo Shan would return to the capital, and he had probably already arranged a banquet and other rewards.

Without any surprise, Huo Xian went straight to Jianzhang Palace, and no one had the courage to stop the young general.

"You guys go back home and have a good rest first. I can't say when I'll be back." At the gate of Jianzhang Palace, Huo Xian made arrangements with a smile, "Uncle Chen also knows about these things, so there's no need for me to say more."

Chen Ju smiled and said, "Don't worry, my lord. When the boys go back, they can rest well and be well rewarded. We can take care of these things. My lord, just rest assured and don't rush back."

I've long been accustomed to the fact that Huo Xian would basically stay in the palace for a few days after returning to Chang'an from the expedition, so naturally I don't think there is anything to worry about these things.

Huo Xian naturally believed that Chen Ju and others could arrange matters in the mansion and the farm. Some things did not even require him to arrange or remind them, as Chen Ju and others could do better.

Without any worries, Huo Xian entered the palace directly and headed straight for the palace under the guidance of the guards. Along the way, he was congratulated and flattered by many guards.

Whether it is congratulating Huo Shan for his great victory or congratulating him for having a child, it is something worth congratulating.

These guards of Jianzhang Palace were nominally under the command of Huo Shan. Even though he was not involved in many specific palace defense matters, the position of Jianzhang Weiwei was real.

Moreover, the Yulin Army and Qimen Army were both stationed not far from the Jianzhang Palace and were both under the command of Huo Xian. This was not in line with some official systems, as the Weiwei could not directly take charge of some of the imperial guards' duties.

But all these undoubtedly show that the Marquis of Champion is deeply trusted by the emperor, and he even entrusts his entire life and property to him!

Liu Che looked at Huo Shan with eyes full of satisfaction, watching this high-spirited young man stride into the palace with heroic spirit and head held high.

Huo Xian saluted politely and said, "I, the Grand Marshal and General Huo Xian, was ordered to conquer the Cheshi. Now I have returned victorious and have come to report to you!"

Liu Che smiled and nodded, "Stand up, you have done a good job and lived up to my expectations!"

These were Liu Che's real thoughts. He had invested a lot of resources in Huo Shan and had high expectations for him. This was very clear to everyone in the court and the country.

However, all these investments and expectations were rewarded. Huo Xian was able to continue to make achievements and win great victories in several expeditions. This was the best reward for the emperor.

After all, although the emperor has been training Huo Shan over the years, he has also invested resources in other people, but those people may not have given the emperor satisfactory answers.

Liu Che praised with satisfaction, "You responded well to the situation this time, but I think you should have fought better."

"Your Majesty, I get angry when I mention this!" Huo Xian complained, "I was ready to cross the valley and the desert to attack the heartland of the Right Wise King, but who knew that the Wusun people would be so harmful!"

Liu Che naturally understood these things. "The army has no fixed position, and the water has no fixed shape. Those who can win by adapting to the enemy's changes are called gods. You also understand these principles. When fighting, remember not to be rigid."

Wei Zifu, Liu Ju and others sat on one side. The emperor was teaching his grandson again, reviewing the course and experience of this war. Others should not say anything at this time, otherwise the emperor would be unhappy.

Huo Xian agreed with this statement. "Your Majesty, that's exactly the truth! If there hadn't been chaos in the Western Regions, I might have returned from the Xiongnu by now! In war, not everything can go smoothly!"

Liu Che smiled and said, but also gave some reminders, "There is no other way to fight in the Western Regions, but you have to be smarter in the future, you can't be controlled by others everywhere, and you can't let the Huns decide how to fight the war!"

Huo Xian also very much agreed with this view. Although it seemed that the Han Dynasty had won and Huo Xian had won a great victory in this expedition to the Western Regions, there were also some shortcomings.

This series of wars was basically led by the Huns, and it is impossible not to admit it.

The battlefield was chosen by the Xiongnu, who persuaded the Cheshi to use their troops. The fighting style was also decided by the Xiongnu, and their surprise attack forced the Han army to make some adjustments.

Even the time when the war would end and how it would end were all decided by the Huns, and the initiative was indeed not in the hands of the Han army.

Although he won, he still felt uncomfortable. Huo Xian still preferred the feeling of having everything under control.

Liu Che smiled and nodded, "Let's talk about this in two days. This battle has its gains and losses. Although I am not too satisfied, the court and the people have congratulated me. This battle did not embarrass me!"

Wei Zifu and Liu Ju next to them also had expressions of approval on their faces. They naturally knew the emperor's expectations of Huo Shan, and they also had very high expectations for Huo Shan.

Although sometimes I worry that such high expectations will overwhelm Huo Xian, just looking at his performance over the years, he really never disappoints. This kid has always made people feel satisfied since he was young.

Liu Che suddenly said seriously, "Take off your armor and clothes and show them to me."

Huo Xian pretended to be confused, "Your Majesty, it's so cold and windy outside, I'm afraid I'll catch a cold."

Liu Che said coldly, "When will you change your temper? You are the commander of the army, how can you always lead the troops? If something happens to you, where will tens of thousands of soldiers go?"

Liu Ju also criticized, "Xian'er, your Majesty is right. You always lead the troops in battle. What's the logic behind this? The general is good at making plans, you should learn from him!"

Huo Shan immediately retorted, "Your Highness, I am different from the general. I mostly lead cavalry, and the general is good at leading multiple types of troops. If I am not in the front, how can I know about the war in front?" Liu Ju was stunned, and felt that what Huo Shan said was very reasonable, as if he felt that Huo Shan also had some difficulties.

But Liu Che was not so easily fooled. "Asshole! You want to charge ahead with cavalry? I'm teaching you to charge out with cavalry all at once? Tell me, shouldn't we prioritize the cavalry? Should we protect the two wings? Should we have defenses in the back?"

Liu Ju also reacted and said immediately, "Xian'er, I remember that the number of infantrymen we brought with us to the Western Regions this time was even greater! In the military reports sent back before, many people complained that the infantrymen were too slow and almost missed the opportunity to fight!"

At this point Huo Xian had nothing to say, mainly because the reasons he had found before were simply untenable.

There was nothing that could be done about it, Huo Xian could only smile awkwardly, as some things really could not be hidden from others.

Wei Zifu spoke up and said to the maid beside her, "Go and take off the armor and clothes of the Champion Marquis."

Huo Xian accepted his fate and opened his arms, saying, "It was just a blow. It wasn't a knife or sword wound. I'm fine. I'm still alive and kicking. There's nothing to worry about!"

Liu Che said unhappily, "You like to lead the troops, which is a good thing and can boost morale. But think about it, you are the commander of the army, how can you take risks easily! If you charge into the battle again next time, I will not forgive you!"

"Your Majesty has also said that my charge will definitely boost morale!" Huo Xian also said, "Besides, I don't charge every time. I only charge when I'm sure of success! And if there's an unexpected situation, I've also made some arrangements."

The stubborn Huo Xian was a headache, and the emperor didn't know how to deal with it at this time.

Not to mention his childhood, after he ascended the throne, except for the initial period when he was suppressed by Empress Dowager Dou, no one dared to argue with him over the years.

It was this Huo Xian who always said something that was as bad as three words, and often made people so angry that they were fuming.

Huo Xian was still chattering on. He had his own opinion. "This time is nothing. I will be more careful next time. Besides, who doesn't have any injuries when leading troops outside? I don't even have a scar. How can I be considered that injured?"

Liu Che angrily slammed the table, "No injuries? You didn't smash his chest during this trip, that's his blessing! They said there were bruises, is that not a big deal?"

Huo Xian didn't seem to find it strange at all. In his opinion, this was a very normal thing.

Although he was leading troops outside and although it seemed that the emperor had given him unparalleled trust, there must still be some of the emperor's people around Huo Xian, and there was no need to doubt this at all.

Huo Xian was hit on the battlefield and seemed to be injured. Even if the injury was not serious, it was enough to make some people tremble with fear, fearing that something had really happened to him!

Huo Xian, shirtless, patted his chest and said confidently, "I told you it's okay. How can the Huns hurt me with such a small hammer? My armor is so thick, how can it be just for show?"

Liu Che and others took a careful look and felt relieved. As long as there were no injuries, that was enough. This was what they cared about most.

It is easy to find an army but difficult to find a general, especially for the Han Dynasty. There are only a handful of people who can lead tens of thousands of troops, not to mention that they are absolutely loyal and reliable.

Huo Xian couldn't afford to have any accidents, selfishly because he was Huo Qubing's son. Out of consideration for the country, the Han Dynasty needed such an outstanding general to take charge.

In the short term, it will be difficult to find another outstanding general, which naturally means that Huo Xian’s importance is further highlighted.

Liu Che pointed outside the palace and said, "Take a good bath and change clothes before coming back. Your son is still young and cannot be seen by the wind. You will be able to see him in a few days."

Huo Xian also understood this truth and said with a smile, "Although this matter is urgent, I also know that there is no point in being anxious!"

Watching him leave the hall with his hands swung, Liu Che was both angry and amused, "You are already so old, and now you have children, but they still look like they haven't grown up! They loved to jump around when they were little, and now they are not much better!"

Wei Zifu smiled and said, "I have told him many times to be more stable, but he won't listen. I guess there is no way to change him, he has a fickle personality."

Liu Che nodded, and then said, "There are some things that I cannot say, you and the Crown Prince should keep a close eye on it. He definitely wants to fight the Xiongnu again, and he will definitely quarrel with all the officials in the court."

Liu Ju and Wei Zifu both knew that as long as the topic of war was brought up, Huo Shan would indeed be extremely enthusiastic, which would definitely lead to conflicts with some officials who were not very in favor of war.

Furthermore, the court is currently under pressure from all sides, and some people feel that it is not a good idea to urgently use large-scale military forces right now.

With Huo Xian's violent temper, there is a high probability that he will quarrel with the officials, and even cause some contradictions and conflicts.

"He has been busy with wars these past few years and doesn't care about the affairs of the court at all." Liu Che sighed, feeling helpless. "Even if Qubing loved fighting, he would still care about the affairs of the court. How come Shan'er didn't learn from him?"

Wei Zifu and Liu Ju were also helpless. They naturally tried to persuade Huo Shan, but the child just wouldn't listen. What else could they do?

Moreover, everyone knows why Huo Xian behaves in this way. In fact, it is the emperor's intentional or unintentional arrangement. This is the most fundamental reason.

"Father, I think Shan'er should be rewarded this time." Liu Ju took the initiative to stand up and said, "Even before, Shan'er's fief was reduced, so this time he should be rewarded."

Liu Che nodded with a smile, "Of course, you should discuss these matters with the Prime Minister. Shan'er's fief should be over 10,000 households, but not too much. He is still young, and he will need more rewards in the future."

Liu Ju thought about it and put forward his own opinion, "Father, Xian'er already has a lot of fiefs. How about not giving her a reward this time and giving her the title of Wuyou instead?"

Huo Xian's starting point was too high and his contributions were too many, so the emperor could only find some specious reasons to reduce his fiefdom, which was naturally a kind of protection for him.

Now it seems a little inappropriate to urgently need to be rewarded. But merit is merit, and it is naturally inappropriate not to reward him, otherwise it will be difficult to convince the public.

Therefore, conferring a title of nobility at a young age instead of conferring a title on Huo Wuyou instead of Huo Xian is also a good idea. It is just like not conferring a title on Wei Qing but conferring titles on Wei Kang, Wei Deng and Wei Buyi. This is enough to convince people!
Liu Che was somewhat tempted, but still said, "Let's still enfeoff Shan'er. His fief was previously reduced. If we really defeat the Xiongnu, we can enfeoff Wuyou!"

(End of this chapter)