Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 28 How to Make Good Use of Champion

In the eyes of some more perceptive people, when they saw Huo Xian walking back and forth in the porch of the front hall with a sword three years ago, some people realized that this champion marquis might be in charge of the Southern Army in the future.

Even though he only has a seemingly legitimate identity as a soldier, we cannot assume that the path to promotion for this Marquis of Guanjun is to become a doctor, a Lang, a Yezhe, etc.

This Marquis of Guanjun most likely started out as a General of the Central Army under Guanglu Xun, one of the Nine Ministers, and most likely led an army on his own.

Now counting the people under his command, Huo Xian is still very happy.

Cao Zong, Marquis of Pingyang, who was sent by the emperor, and Zhao Anguo, the son of Zhao Po Nu, Marquis of Xuye, were both Huo Shan's right-hand men.

Huo Xian, overjoyed, was about to speed up his pace and begin preparing to form his Jianzhang Cavalry.

When Huo Xian found General Wei Qing, he said, "General, His Majesty ordered me to form the Zhangying Cavalry, and I came here to look for horses and soldiers."

Wei Qing also had a serious expression and said, "Marquis Guanjun, I haven't received the imperial decree yet, so I'm afraid I can't approve it."

Wei Qing naturally would not think that Huo Shan was falsely conveying the imperial edict. It was very likely that the emperor was "doing what is convenient for him" and did not issue an imperial edict.

Huo Xian also understood this truth, so he made the next best choice, "General, our army is stationed in Shanglin Garden. I hope you can send someone to build a camp."

Wei Qing could no longer remain calm, he stood up and pointed at Huo Xian, "Xian'er, military affairs are not something you can joke about!"

Huo Xian understood why Wei Qing was angry, and quickly said, "Uncle, I'm not being playful. The Jianzhang Cavalry is naturally guarding the Jianzhang Palace. Your Majesty has already begun to have people build the Jianzhang Palace, which is in Shanglin Garden, so my cavalry must be in Shanglin Garden."

Wei Qing naturally understood this logic, but he was still a little worried about Huo Xian, as the child was determined to move to Shanglinyuan.

After thinking for a while, Wei Qing said, "Come with me to meet His Majesty!"

As soon as he arrived at the Xuanshi Hall, Huo Xian began to complain, "Your Majesty, the general suspects that I have falsely conveyed the imperial edict!"

Liu Che found it funny and asked, "What's wrong? Usually the general favors you the most, how could you be the one to fake the imperial decree?"

"I went to ask for soldiers and weapons, but the general wouldn't allow it." Huo Xian was the first to complain, saying, "Your Majesty, I was ordered to form the Jianzhang Cavalry Camp. How could I have falsely conveyed the imperial decree?"

Liu Che was stunned for a moment, then laughed and scolded, "You! You are really the son of Qu Bing! My Jianzhang Palace has not been built yet, but your guard cavalry battalion should be built first."

Hearing the emperor's words, Wei Qing clearly understood what Huo Xian meant. This was to create a time difference and prepare to create a fait accompli.

Liu Che looked at Wei Qing and praised him, "General, you are very cautious, otherwise we would be in trouble. A group of fourteen or fifteen years old forming an army alone, wouldn't that be a joke!"

Huo Xian, whose little trick was exposed, had no way to get away with it, so he said, "I originally wanted to train the troops, and I really lacked a camp. I plan to build a camp in Shanglin Garden, is that correct?"

Liu Che and Wei Qing just nodded slightly. If Huo Xian was just building a camp, then it would definitely be correct.

This kid is smart. When he was given the title of Bingwei, he knew that he would be in charge of the Southern Army. Now that the emperor has given the new army a name, he knows where to station it.

He did not go to his 'immediate superior' Guanglu Xun, but went to the general instead. Naturally, it was because the timing was not right and this unformed army had not yet been formally organized.

Being smart is a good thing, but being too smart and too cunning is both annoying and funny.

Liu Che said, "Give him a piece of land and let him have 800 men."

"Your Majesty, eight hundred men are not enough!" Huo Xian said immediately, "Your Majesty, I plan to take in the descendants of those who died in the army and raise them in the Jianzhang Camp. I will also look for five military academies to teach them the skills of fighting and killing. Eight hundred men are definitely not enough!"

Liu Che and Wei Qing were both stunned. They originally thought that Huo Shan was just looking for some good-family boys of the right age, or those elite soldiers who had performed well in the army.

However, Huo Xian's ambition far exceeded their imagination and expectations. Liu Che was overjoyed and stood up and said, "No wonder you used some of your income from your fiefdom to support orphans a few years ago. It turns out that you had this idea at that time! Okay, I will give you two battalions of soldiers! Jianzhang Cavalry Battalion and Jianzhang Orphan Army!"

Liu Che said with great enthusiasm, "The Jianzhang Camp Cavalry will be the main force, and we will recruit soldiers from good families. The Orphan Army will recruit the descendants of those who died in the army, and raise them to learn and contribute to the Jianzhang Camp Cavalry!"

Liu Che said excitedly, "General, I don't need to say anything more about the Jianzhang Camp. The Marquis of Guanjun needs people, horses, and military equipment. You must help get this done!"

"Your Majesty, I need people!" Huo Xian reminded hurriedly, "I want good talents, but it won't work without someone to teach them! I want cavalrymen with superb riding and archery skills, I want the best officers and archers. I only want those who have fought in battles, those who have seen blood. If a soldier is incompetent, a general will be incompetent too. My instructor can only be the best!"

The material officer actually mainly refers to the infantry, and is also in charge of civil engineering. The shooting officer is easy to understand, mainly referring to the archers and crossbowmen.

"Here!" Liu Che was even more pleased and said to Wei Qing, "General, you have heard what Marquis Guanjun asked. You must carefully select the captains of the Jianzhang Camp."

Wei Qing was also used to these things. In the past, he and Huo Qubing divided their troops into two groups to march to Mobei. Huo Qubing always selected the troops first, and the rest were assigned to him as the general. In the past, he helped his nephew train the troops, and now he helps his nephew find the best instructor.

"We have to leave some space in our camp!" Huo Xian said, "Although we are guarding the Jianzhang Palace, it is enough to have a camp next to the Jianzhang Palace. Our usual training must be away from the origin of the Jianzhang Palace, otherwise, not only will we not be able to perform, but we will also disturb His Majesty."

Liu Che said generously, "Okay, I'll give you two camps. One for garrison and one for training!"

Seeing that Huo Xian was about to speak, Wei Qing said, "Your Majesty, this is enough. Let's wait until the Marquis of Guanjun has trained his troops well before giving him the reward!"

Liu Che laughed happily, "That's right. Now I'll give you soldiers and generals as you wish. If you really can't train strong soldiers who can fight hundreds of battles, I will definitely punish you!"

"Your Majesty, I plan to train the troops this year and next year, and start leading the army to eliminate bandits the year after next!" Huo Xian said his plan, "I am fourteen years old now. If there is a war the year after next, Your Majesty must use me as the vanguard!"

Liu Che immediately said, "Let's train the troops first, then we can talk about other things! Go, select the troops and weapons."

Seeing Huo Shan leaving, Liu Che said with some concern, "General, Shan'er is too martial. I wanted to wait until he was eighteen before sending him out to fight, but seeing how he is now, I'm afraid it's a bit difficult."

Wei Qing was also worried, and then he gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, if the time comes, if I can still lead the troops, I am willing to lead the troops and let Shan'er serve under me. As for other people, I am afraid it will be difficult to mobilize him, and I dare not let him take risks. In his first battle after the expedition, I will lead him!"

After listening to Wei Qing's words, Liu Che didn't know what to say.

He did not want Wei Qing to lead the troops because he had already made great contributions. On the other hand, he also needed Wei Qing to be at the center.

But Wei Qing's worry was justified. When Huo Xian led the army for the first time, he could not have been the only one in charge. He must have been just one of the generals. If that really happened, who would dare to let Huo Xian lead the army to do something dangerous? Even if Huo Xian was only a lieutenant, could an ordinary general command him?

No general could sleep peacefully with the naturally wealthy Marquis Guanjun under his command. If he won, it was the Marquis Guanjun's ability, but if he lost, it was the general who dragged down the Marquis Guanjun. If something happened to the Marquis Guanjun, no one could stop the furious emperor!

This is the Marquis of Guanjun who was raised and educated by the emperor himself. As long as nothing goes wrong, he will be the Grand Marshal and General of the Cavalry.

According to the current political situation of the Han Dynasty, this is the head of the military generals, and his status is even higher than that of the prime minister.

Therefore, making good use of Huo Xian is also a science.

Given the emperor's love and cultivation of Huo Shan over the years, the only person in the army who could suppress him was Wei Qing.

Even Gongsun He, who was also Huo Shan's great uncle, was no match for him because he did not have enough military achievements and prestige.

But this is also a double-edged sword, because everyone has extremely high expectations and requirements for Huo Xian. A big victory under others should be taken for granted by Huo Xian, or even a waste of effort.

Because he is the Marquis of Champion, trained by the emperor himself, he has the best resources of the Han Dynasty and naturally he must have the most outstanding record.

Huo Xian didn't care about those things. He happily prepared for his big event.

(End of this chapter)