Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 198 Risk
Gongsun He felt uncomfortable all over and found this court meeting very strange and uncomfortable.

The Han Dynasty inherited the Qin system, and the highest central government officials were still the prime minister and the grand marshal. It can be said that in the early Han Dynasty, like the Qin Dynasty, there were no three parallel officials. However, the old titles were generally followed, and the highest officials were called the Three Dukes.

However, the current Han Dynasty has changed the Taiwei into Da Sima, and now all officials are still headed by the Prime Minister and the Da Sima.

The Grand Marshal and General Wei Qing was in poor health and had not appeared in the court for a long time. Before that, the Grand Marshal and General Huo Xian was away on a campaign, so it was understandable that he had not appeared in the court for a long time.

But everyone already knew that the Grand Marshal had returned victoriously from his expedition to the Western Regions yesterday. Some officials had thought that Huo Xian would have to report to the court at such an important moment, but he was nowhere to be seen.

This is a treacherous minister. This Grand Marshal and General of the Cavalry continues to act as he pleases.

But the emperor was partial to him, and even if others impeached him at this time, it would be of no effect.

The impeachment was true, but the emperor not only did not punish him, he even continued to favor him. This was the reason why the Grand Marshal and General Huoqi were as fearless as ever, because he was an absolute close minister.

Ability is ability, position is position, Champion Marquis seems to be able to make achievements but also offend people. While many people admire him, some people will also grit their teeth.

After handling the government affairs for the day, Liu Che asked casually, "Has the Marquis of Guanjun woke up?"

The young eunuch immediately replied, "Your Majesty, the prince has not yet stood up."

Liu Che snorted coldly and walked straight towards the bedroom with a cold face. The eunuchs and others beside him became nervous, and the emperor was very angry.

When Liu Che kicked the door open, Lin Mei subconsciously covered her body with the quilt.

Huo Xian suddenly woke up. He was confused and saw the emperor standing at the door with a cold face. He spoke first, "Your Majesty, what time is it?"

Liu Che looked around and found no horsewhip or anything, otherwise he would have whipped Huo Shan.

"It's almost noon!"

Huo Xian stretched and said, "It's strange, I don't feel at ease even after returning to Chang'an, but I sleep soundly in the palace. I haven't slept so well in half a year. How could I dare to sleep soundly when I was fighting outside?"

Liu Che, who was originally a little unhappy, felt a little distressed, "We should be cautious when going out to fight."

"That's right!" Huo Xian complained immediately, "When I was leading the troops, I would always send people to patrol the camp before going to bed and ask for everything. If a battle really started, it would be normal to stay up all night. My death is a small matter, but letting my men die in vain and causing Your Majesty to suffer a great loss is a great sin!"

Huo Xian did not give the emperor more time and said, "Your Majesty, I am starving. Should we serve you food?"

When a person's face becomes thick to a certain extent, others can do nothing about it. Huo Xian is now obviously taking advantage of his favor to become arrogant, but the emperor just loves it.

Liu Che said helplessly, "Hurry up and wash up. Since you know you are hungry, you should get up early. Sleeping until noon, what nonsense!"

Although Liu Che was greedy for pleasure, he seldom slept until noon. However, it was very rare for Huo Xian to sleep until noon in the palace, and he felt at ease.

After the emperor left, Lin Mei and some maids immediately began to serve Huo Xian. Some helped comb her hair, some helped her dress, and some brought basins, willow branches, and green salt.

Huo Xian washed up with peace of mind, and when he was done with all that, he became the handsome and high-spirited Marquis Guanjun, striding towards the emperor's bedroom.

Looking at the food on the table, Huo Xian asked casually, "Why is Chuntuo gone?"

Liu Che glanced at Huo Xian irritably, "How could he die? He's already that old, it's natural for him to die from an illness. He's been with me for decades, and he died from a cold."

This was a natural blow to the superstitious Liu Che, who had always wanted to live forever and become an immortal. However, the people and things around him made him feel that his dreams were shattered time and time again.

But he is an emperor after all. Even if he encounters constant setbacks in his pursuit of immortality, Liu Che will not change and is still obsessed with immortality.

It is nothing more than a change in the way of seeking the truth, rather than a sudden realization that all this is simply unrealistic.

Huo Xian also said with regret, "I still feel a little uncomfortable without seeing him, otherwise I can have someone else to talk to and bicker with. But it's not the same for others. They don't dare to joke with me."

"You are the Marquis of Guanjun, how many people dare to joke with you?" Liu Che said jokingly, "You are also favored by me, there are many people who want to curry favor with you, how many dare to disobey me?"

Huo Xian nodded in agreement. Whether it was his own identity or the emperor's trust, it was enough to make him the object of flattery for many people.

"You are the Jianzhang Weiwei after all, and you have returned victorious this time." Liu Che said, "Forget about not going to court today. Go to court tomorrow and report the imperial edict, and no one in the court or the public will say anything."

Huo Xian also understood this truth and immediately promised, "I will definitely go to court tomorrow, but only tomorrow!"

Liu Che slapped the table, annoyed, "The general is not in good health now, if you don't go to court, who will? Now the military power of the world is under your control, why don't you pay attention!"

Huo Xian immediately shook his head and said, "I only care about fighting. I don't care about other things. Your Majesty has never taught me anything else. I only have the ability to fight. I don't care about other things!"

Liu Che became even more angry. "I am already this old, and you will have to assist the crown prince in the future. Just focus on fighting the war. How can you say such a thing?"

Huo Xian said with a playful smile, "Your Majesty is worrying too much. I think you are definitely not in a hurry to take care of those tedious matters. I have always been a careless person and I am not good at managing troops."

Looking at Huo Shan who continued to maintain his shameless spirit, Liu Che really didn't know what to say.

He didn't think Huo Xian was trying to avoid suspicion. This was the child he had watched grow up. He had always been playful and careless. He was only focused on fighting and didn't care about anything else.

When it comes to military management, construction, etc., Liu Che naturally understood that Huo Shan was not completely ignorant of it, otherwise he would not have been able to lead tens of thousands of troops on an expedition, nor would he have been able to make a good layout in the Western Regions.

It’s just that this child doesn’t have so many thoughts. He doesn’t really care about the military power that others dream of, and he only likes to think about fighting.

Moreover, Liu Che had been managing the army with the assistance of Wei Qing for these years. Huo Xian, who feared trouble, naturally disliked tedious matters. He would hide and run away if he could, and would not lend a hand no matter what. "You!" Liu Che was helpless and said, "Go out of the palace in a few days to see the general. His health is getting worse. If you don't take care of the army after a while, who will?"

Huo Xian immediately recommended Cao Zongbei. He is a marquis and the grandson of your majesty. He has military merits and experience. He can manage the troops well!

Liu Che was both angry and amused, "How dare you recommend Cao Zong! Is he suitable? He is a relative of the emperor and not very old, how can he convince the public!"

Huo Xian thought for a moment and said, "Li Guangli is quite capable. Han Shuo, transfer Han Shuo back, he can also help Cao Zong."

Liu Che took a deep breath, and then couldn't help but said, "You really dare to recommend anyone just to avoid taking care of the soldiers! Han said he wanted to guard the border, and you have always looked down on Li Guangli, and now you are recommending him here!"

Huo Xian ate and drank as he spoke, "This is a different time. Li Guangli has made some progress. After the Xiongnu is destroyed, Han Shuo should return to the court. By the way, Yiqiu Hou is not capable enough, so he can be used."

Liu Che was too lazy to say anything and asked casually, "Okay, counting Gongsun Ao, who else can you recommend?"

Huo Xian immediately suggested, "Guo Chang, although you attacked Kunming before but returned without success and were dismissed from office and had your seal taken back by the court, you still have military merits, so you can still be put to good use."

Liu Che laughed and scolded, "Look at the people you recommended. Are there any who can really be of great use? You are the best. You really don't want to care about anything just to be free and easy."

Huo Xian suddenly said, "Your Majesty, if you don't like these people, just dismiss the Prime Minister. He is also a veteran general, and he will be in charge of the army. Anyway, the Prime Minister has plenty of people to choose from!"

Liu Che took another deep breath to calm himself down, "If you say this in the court, I will punish you!"

"I only said this in front of Your Majesty!" Huo Xian said with a smile, "Your Majesty, honestly, it would be great if the Prime Minister and Cao Zong were in charge of the military power, and with the help of other military marquises, everything would be fine!"

Liu Che smiled and joked, "When that time comes, if there is a war, you will lead the army, and if there is no war, you will go hunting and watch Chu Wu?"

Huo Xian nodded repeatedly. This was exactly the life he had always dreamed of. It was so free and easy. It was so wonderful just to think about it.

Liu Che glared at Huo Xian, not knowing what to say. Although Huo Xian was in his early twenties, his personality had not changed at all, and he was still the same as before, playful and dissolute.

But if you think about it carefully, this kind of Huo Xian is the emperor's favorite Marquis of Champion. He knows where he should be and what he should and should not do.

This child grew up in the palace, and his vision is much higher than that of ordinary people. He only wants to be free and easy, and doesn't think about trivial things.

Seeing that Huo Xian was still eating and drinking, Liu Che said, "I'm afraid it will be difficult to defeat the Xiongnu this year. You should concentrate and train your troops well."

Huo Xian nodded silently. Although he was somewhat unhappy in his heart, the reality was that he could not launch a large-scale war against the Huns this year. This was determined by the actual situation.

The army only launched an attack on the Western Regions last year, and there are still many things to be finished there. Some troops still need to be mobilized, rested, etc. All of this naturally requires a lot of time and resources.

Seeing Huo Shan's rare understanding of the overall situation, Liu Che was naturally very happy and satisfied. Fortunately, this child has become more stable.

Even if it is just a small improvement and growth, it is still improvement and growth and is worth affirming!
Liu Che continued, "Xian'er, I have thought about this. If we are going to fight the Xiongnu next year, we should choose to do it in the spring. You should take a good rest in the next six months, as we will have to fight."

Huo Xian nodded immediately. He definitely needed to rest well and recuperate when necessary. After all, going out to fight was very tiring and took a lot of toll on the body.

Although he is young and looks strong now, some things cannot be judged by appearances alone. To some extent, Huo Xian is still not afraid of death.

But even if you are not afraid of death, if you are afraid of death, you will not choose to go to the battlefield again and again, and you will not think about charging into battle.

But when it is time to cherish your health, you naturally need to cherish your health and protect your body. These things are really not contradictory at all.

Huo Xian remembered what had happened and asked, "Your Majesty sent an envoy to the Xiongnu. Was he going to gather information this time, or was he planning to bring back the envoy who was detained earlier?"

If Jiang Chong's mission to the Xiongnu goes smoothly, it will naturally become an important boost in his career. After all, being an envoy to the Xiongnu is never an easy task. Han envoys are not afraid of death, but it depends on the situation.

Liu Che smiled and said, "Of course we all want to do it. We still need to investigate the situation of the Xiongnu. They are just the Chanyu who is holding up the situation now. If we really provoke them, it will be beneficial to our Han Dynasty."

Everyone knows this very well. If the Huns start to fall into chaos from within, it will be absolutely beneficial to the Han Dynasty and will be of great help to the Han Dynasty's subsequent military operations.

Therefore, it is completely understandable if the Han Dynasty made some small moves at this time. After all, such good opportunities are rare and should not be missed.

"Su Wu, he is in a bad situation now." Liu Che said helplessly, "The Xiongnu people hate him so much that they have failed to get him back despite repeated requests."

Huo Xian said with some regret, "It's a pity that we failed to capture a few important Xiongnu nobles this time. Otherwise, we could have exchanged them for our Han envoys."

"It's not your fault. If you didn't catch him this time, it would be the same if you killed him." Liu Che said with a smile, "Wait until you defeat the Xiongnu, then go and bring back my Han envoys, and that'll be all!"

Huo Xian felt that this made a lot of sense. Although the Han envoy might suffer some hardships among the Xiongnu, it would be the same if he was rescued.

As long as I come back, I will be successful and famous by then.

These Han envoys actually knew that some of the places they were sent to would not be peaceful. But if they were afraid of death, they would not choose to be envoys. Many Han envoys were not appointed by the court, but actively sought them.

There seem to be many ways to gain merit in the Han Dynasty. Military merit seems to be the simplest and most direct, but it is also the one that seems to have the highest risk.

The same goes for envoys. There are indeed considerable risks, but if things are done well it naturally means quite considerable rewards, which is why many people are eager to go on diplomatic missions.

Who doesn’t want to do something great? Who doesn’t want to be granted a title or become a general?

It’s totally okay to take some risks. If you want to move forward, you have to put in enough effort and actually accomplish something!
(End of this chapter)