Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Seeing Huo Xian sitting down, Wei Qing couldn't help but speak, "If you come later, you should ask your uncle to invite you."

Huo Xian was not embarrassed and said with a smile, "How could that be possible? If my cousin really went there, I wouldn't dare to visit him."

"You didn't send an invitation, and you didn't make an appointment with Shan'er. Is it wrong for him not to come?" Princess Pingyang said with a smile, "They say Shan'er doesn't know etiquette, and I think you don't know etiquette either."

Wei Qing was speechless for a moment, because what Princess Pingyang said made sense. In the final analysis, even if Huo Xian didn't come, it seemed reasonable, because there was no appointment at all.

Huo Xian came here without saying hello. This was considered a tacit understanding. After returning to Chang'an, he basically went to the General's Mansion.

Huo Xian, who is thick-skinned, would not care about such teasing. This is the advantage of being shameless. You don’t need to take what others say to heart. There is nothing to worry about.

Princess Pingyang asked with concern, "You have been away for half a year this time. Did the journey go smoothly?"

"It went smoothly. What could possibly go wrong with my arrangement?" Huo Xian said proudly. "I performed the Fengshan ceremony, went to the East China Sea, inspected the people's livelihood, checked the administration of officials, etc. I did everything that should be done along the way, and the results were generally good."

Hearing what Huo Xian said, Princess Pingyang smiled and said, "Come to think of it, it should be so. This time you are arranging some things, and no one knows better than you what to do, and no one will shirk responsibility for arranging things."

Huo Xian agreed with such statements very much. To be realistic, this was indeed the case. It was much easier for him to arrange things than for others.

The most important thing is to figure out the emperor's thoughts, and everyone generally believes that Huo Shan is more experienced, and some of the things he arranges are naturally in line with the emperor's preferences.

Wei Qing said in a respectful manner, "Okay, let's not talk about other things for now, just enjoy your meal."

Princess Pingyang just smiled, she was used to Wei Qing's attitude. Not to mention Wei Deng and Wei Buyi, they dared not disobey any of Wei Qing's decisions, and almost obeyed his orders.

Princess Pingyang was concerned about many things, so she asked, "I heard there's a new beauty, and you offered her up. What's going on?"

Huo Xian cried out that he was wronged and quickly explained, "It was prepared by the subordinates, how can it be attributed to me? Zhao's father was an official in Chang'an and was sent to the palace as a eunuch. It is none of my business anyway."

After hearing what Huo Xian said, Princess Pingyang and others could naturally understand that some things are just so unfair and so speechless, or it can be said that most people don't care about the truth at all.

Princess Pingyang thought about it carefully and asked, "Do you know who are the people behind?"

"They have some, but they are not considered powerful nowadays." Huo Xian said with a smile, "Some wealthy businessmen and some officials with less than 1,000 dan of salary are not that much trouble."

Although Wei Qing seemed to dislike these topics, he was listening carefully at this time because these matters were very sensitive to him.

How did Wei Zifu come to power?
Isn't she the singer from the Pingyang Marquis's Mansion? Think about Lady Li, who was once considered a possible threat to Wei Zifu. She rose to prominence because of the song "Song of the Beautiful Woman".

There were many people in the Han Dynasty who were of low status but held high positions, and there were also many cases where powerful people offered beauties as gifts in order to please the emperor and benefited from it.

It can be said that the Weihuo Group also got the opportunity to develop because of these nepotism. And for such situations, we naturally need to be more sensitive, especially now that Wei Zifu seems to be out of favor.

Even though her position is stable, she still needs to be cautious, as everyone knows the emperor's coldness.

Princess Pingyang smiled and asked, "Now that you know roughly these things, do you feel confident? If you are really unsure, it would be appropriate for me to handle some things."

Huo Xian immediately smiled and said, "It's not necessary now. I'm planning to make a fuss about this matter. If I really feel that I've caused trouble and can't handle it, I'll come to you for help then."

Princess Pingyang and Wei Qing also laughed. If Huo Shan wanted to make a fuss about this matter, they would naturally support him. It was necessary to give the child some opportunities to practice.

If trouble really arose, both Wei Qing and Princess Pingyang felt that they were capable of helping to clean up the mess. Based on their understanding of Huo Xian, they would not really cause trouble that was difficult to clean up.

This child is obsessed with fighting, and it is time for him to understand things a little bit. He also needs to be exposed to some political affairs and some intrigues.

After all, it is true that the Grand Marshal and General of the Cavalry hold a high position and great power, but he may be framed if he is not careful. How can he avoid being involved in these things all the time?

Huo Xian was very confident, and immediately said to Wei Qing, "Uncle, I also feel a little uncomfortable along the way. Although I am of noble status now, many people do not take me seriously."

Wei Qing's face turned ugly and he asked, "What's going on? You are the Grand Marshal, how can anyone dare to look down on you?"

"They think I have a good temper, they think I am young, or they think I am a close minister." Huo Xian explained with a smile, "I have never been to the court, and everyone only knows that I am a great general who is good at fighting."

Wei Qing remained silent, because the reasons Huo Xian gave were all very reasonable, and it could even be said that any of them could be a reason for some people to look down on him.

The Grand Marshal is indeed in a high position with great power, but he has not been in the court for a long time and has no sense of presence, so naturally he may be looked down upon.

Wei Qing was more serious. "Since you also know this, you should pay more attention. His Majesty mentioned you when he was in court today. Just after returning to Chang'an, you were either sick or had important matters to attend to, or you just didn't want to attend court."

Huo Xian couldn't help but laugh. It seemed that there was nothing wrong with this. He was indeed reluctant to go to court and came up with a lot of reasons that could be seen through at a glance.

"Anyway, I won't be attending court right now. I have many ways to establish my authority." Huo Xian said with a smile, "I'm not afraid of the people being afraid of me. I just want the powerful and wealthy to be afraid of me."

Wei Qing probably understood what Huo Xian was doing, and warned him sternly, "You are the Grand Marshal and the General of Cavalry, not the Imperial Court!"

"The court judge still has to abide by the law, but the Grand Marshal doesn't care." Huo Xian had his own ideas. "I am a person who can't sit still. I used to ride horses in Chang'an, and now I am arresting people in Chang'an."

Princess Pingyang smiled and joked, "You haven't arrested enough people? You've been arresting wealthy merchants in Lingyi since you were fifteen or sixteen years old. Now you've become a Grand Marshal, and you still want to pick on those people?"

Huo Xian smiled and said, "I really just can't get along with those people. Don't worry about arresting them. Not only do I have no power, but even if I were arrested by them, they wouldn't be able to get out even if they begged for help." Princess Pingyang couldn't help but sigh, "You don't want to bully civilians, so you like to provoke these people, right?"

Huo Xian smiled and nodded, "It is most beneficial to make these people afraid of me. There is no need to kill many people or to establish my authority. Once I kill a few who show up, the others will start to be afraid of me."

This is the best way to gain a big risk with a small investment. It can even be said that it is not a gamble at all, because Huo Xian will just be relying on his power to crush others directly, which is obviously enough.

Wei Qing and Princess Pingyang didn't say much. In essence, there was nothing wrong with Huo Shan's choice.

Even if he has a so-called bad reputation, it doesn't matter. A man of Huo Xian's status does not need a very good reputation. He is a general and a close confidant of the emperor. There is no need for him to learn from Wei Qing at such a young age.

On the other hand, even if it is said to have a bad reputation, it is just discussed by some people with a say, not bloodthirsty, bullying the people, etc.

After eating and drinking, Wei Qing said, "Come with me to the study."

This is to discuss serious business. Huo Xian is not just coming to visit or pay a visit to Wei Qing, there is also important serious matter to discuss. The influence of these two Sima on the court is self-evident.

Even if Huo Xian seemed to dislike attending court, and even if Wei Qing had been weak and sickly in recent years, it didn't matter. As long as they existed, they would have a great influence on the Han Dynasty.

When they arrived at the study, Qiqi asked straight to the point, "I always thought you wanted to fight the most, but why are you thinking about alienating and dividing the Xiongnu this time?"

"Let's prepare for both scenarios. If we can have a big war next year, then we will fight." Huo Xian said what he was thinking. "If we can't have a war, we must not let the Xiongnu have a chance to recover."

Hearing what Huo Xian said, Wei Qing smiled on his thin face. This was a correct idea. He had always been worried that Huo Xian was too young and impulsive, but now he thought that he should be cautious.

Wei Qing asked worriedly, "What about His Majesty? If we really follow your plan, His Majesty will definitely be dissatisfied."

Huo Shan was speechless at this point. All the civil and military officials in the court thought that Huo Shan was the one who advocated war, and some were even eager to push the war forward. However, these people had no idea that the emperor of the Han Dynasty was the most warlike one.

Huo Xian said worriedly, "I am just afraid of these things now. Your Majesty still wants to fight next year. But I heard that both food and soldiers are insufficient now."

Wei Qing said, "It's not that we are short of troops. If we really want to fight the Xiongnu, we can at least spare 150,000 troops, and no less than 70,000 cavalry. This number is not difficult, but it's hard to say whether we can fight."

As Huo Xian guessed, although the problems of soldiers, food and fodder were difficult, they could be squeezed out if they worked hard.

But it is hard to say whether to engage in battle with the Huns. If the Han army of more than 100,000 troops marched to the grassland in a mighty force, the Huns would most likely avoid the battle or try to maintain a stalemate.

If this kind of situation really happens, it will be extremely disadvantageous for the Han Dynasty.

If you can't win, then flee. This is also the Huns' usual tactic, and it is indeed difficult for the Han Dynasty to have a better solution to this kind of tactic.

With the Han army being strong in recent years, the army did go deep into the grasslands. It's a pity that in most cases the Huns avoided fighting, causing the Han army to waste food and fodder in vain.

"What I fear most now is these things. If the Huns are unwilling to fight to the death, they will drag us down if we continue to fight." Huo Xian said worriedly, "Once we withdraw our troops, the Huns will follow us."

Wei Qing naturally knew what Huo Xian was worried about, so he asked, "If you really have to fight, how are you going to fight the Xiongnu?"

"This is the only way to send out three armies at the same time." Huo Xian said with a smile, "So I have been urging Your Majesty to dismiss the Prime Minister. I want the Prime Minister to lead one army alone."

Wei Qing didn't know what to say for a moment about Huo Xian's audacity. This kid really dared to think of anything.

This is not just about daring to think of anything, but he has already said it in front of the emperor. He is truly a doer who dares to think and act, and is not worried at all about causing some shock in the court.

After a while, Wei Qingcai said, "Not to mention that the Prime Minister has not led troops in recent years, and even when he led troops in the early years, the Prime Minister did not have many military achievements. I feel uneasy letting him lead an army alone."

Huo Xian helplessly spread his hands and said, "If the Prime Minister does not lead the troops, will the Marquis of Yiqu be allowed to do so? If I really let him lead the army alone, I will feel uneasy."

Wei Qing was speechless. Gongsun Ao was his best friend, but Wei Qing also knew Gongsun Ao's ability. It would be fine for him to be a deputy general to fill in the gaps, but if he led a large army alone, he would most likely suffer heavy casualties.

If you think about it this way, Gongsun He is obviously slightly stronger than Gongsun Ao, and it is not impossible for him to lead a large army alone.

"I want Li Guangli to lead one army, and the prime minister to lead another army. They will help me drive away and share the Xiongnu's forces." Huo Xian said, "I will lead the main elite troops to drive straight in and fight a decisive battle with the Xiongnu."

Wei Qing immediately asked, "From your looks, you want to leave Dai County?" Wei Qing immediately responded, "If so, you will definitely encounter the main force of the Xiongnu."

Huo Xian smiled and said, "It would be fine if I met the main force, but I am afraid that the Prime Minister will meet the main force. As for Li Guangli's army, I hope they will meet the Right Wise King."

Wei Qing was thinking carefully that if he followed this route, there would basically be no major problems.

"It's hard for you and me to say anything about the prime minister's affairs, but the emperor will most likely not allow it." Wei Qing sighed and said, "It's a pity that I can't lead the army anymore. If I could lead the army, I would rather die in Mobei."

Huo Xian said without any taboo, "If my uncle can really lead the army, I will definitely be happy. If I really die on the battlefield, it will be a worthy death. When the time comes, I will find someone to fight."

Wei Qing glared at Huo Shan, but thinking about Huo Shan's character, he realized that he could really do such things.

As for Wei Qing himself, it was not because the emperor was suspicious, but because he was really powerless. He no longer had the most basic health conditions to lead the army to war again. (End of this chapter)