Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

The diligent and responsible Huo Xian inspected around the Jianzhang Palace. He felt that all this was natural, but in the eyes of many people, this was the most abnormal thing.

No one thought that there was some major crisis that made Marquis Guanjun act so "like he was facing a great enemy". Many people who knew him a little thought that he had caused trouble, or that he was pretending to be so in order to please the emperor.

Liu Che, lying on the couch, asked lazily, "How is the temple?"

Gongsun He quickly replied, "Your Majesty, I think it is almost done. But I am stupid and don't know if these temples are accurate."

The so-called temple calculation means "the one who calculates for victory before the battle has made many calculations; the one who calculates for defeat before the battle has made few calculations."

This requires taking into account the right time, place and people, and making a thorough comparison between the enemy and ourselves, so that a decision can be made.

Liu Che said unhappily, "You are the prime minister. You should discuss matters in the Mingtang. But you didn't do your job well, and you still need the general to help you make decisions!"

Although Gongsun He did not mention Wei Qing, everyone understood his intention. He obviously did not want to take responsibility and wanted to push the matter of temple calculation onto the emperor and Wei Qing.

If it really doesn't work, it would be acceptable to let Huo Xian discuss these things.

Gongsun He naturally apologized hastily, but he was not frightened at all in his heart, because he was just a figurehead as the prime minister, and everyone knew that he was the emperor's yes-man and was responsible for doing things according to the emperor's orders.

Since the emperor was determined to fight the Xiongnu, no one could stop him, so he only needed to execute his orders. Decision-making was not something that the prime minister Gongsun He should consider.

Liu Che was too lazy to say anything about Gongsun He. After all, he chose him as prime minister simply because he was obedient and useful, and could help with small things, but don't expect too much from him in big things.

Liu Che then looked at Sang Hongyang and asked, "How is the collection of supplies going?"

"Your Majesty, we still need some more, but we can collect them all within two months. After the autumn harvest, the counties near the border will collect food and money and send them to the border." Sang Hongyang answered fluently, saying, "The crown prince has also been very helpful in this matter, and it is basically settled."

Liu Che nodded with satisfaction. He was not necessarily satisfied with Liu Ju's performance, but he was very satisfied with Sang Hongyang, the "chief steward". This money bag was really capable.

Not only is it not an easy task to raise a large amount of military funds, but also to ensure the emperor's enjoyment.

After being satisfied, Liu Che asked, "Where is Huo Xian, still wearing armor and showing off in Jianzhang Palace?"

Jin Midi glanced at Huo Guang before answering, "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Guanjun was on duty yesterday, and he also inspected the palace defenses after getting up early this morning, checking the armor and weapons of the guards, and instructing the guards on the art of fighting."

Liu Che said dotingly, "He really can't sit still. How capable are these guards in the palace? I know. Let him be. As the Jianzhang Weiwei, he should take a look at his subordinates."

Some of Huo Xian's intentions were known to everyone. He was simply trying to temper the emperor's thoughts and was anxious to prepare to fight the Huns. This required real planning in advance and deciding many matters related to sending troops.

Others might still be a little confused, but everyone around Liu Che knew it.

But even if he knew it, it would be of no use, because the emperor still doted on Huo Xian as always, because Huo Xian's prestige in the court and the army was getting higher and higher.

When it came to fighting the Xiongnu, even though there was no real decision on the main general, at least there was no explicit decree, but everyone tacitly agreed that Huo Xian would be the main general, and no one doubted it at all.

If Huo Xian had not been the main general in this decisive battle against the Huns, everyone would have been surprised.

This is not only because there are no generals in the court, but also because such a war can only choose generals who are outstanding in ability and deeply trusted by the emperor.

As for age, no one would make a fuss about Huo Xian's age. Many people still remember the achievements of the first generation champion Hou Huo Qubing, and many people also watched the second generation champion Hou Huo Xian make achievements at a young age.

While everyone was still discussing state affairs, a eunuch reported, "Your Majesty, Shi De wants to see you."

Liu Che was quite surprised because Shi De, as the son of Shi Qing, was of average ability.

Originally, the Shi family was famous for its strict family tradition, and the Shi family members also entered the court to serve as officials. Now that Shi De is in charge of the family, the Shi family tradition is rapidly declining.

However, Shi Qing is now also the Prince's Tutor and is still quite trusted by Liu Ju.

Shi De entered the palace and said directly, "Your Majesty, I have been ordered by the Crown Prince to check the military expenses of the Northern Army, and now I am here to report."

Gongsun He immediately became nervous, because his son Gongsun Jingsheng had embezzled part of the military funds. Fortunately, the tree was not big, and it was discovered in time, and they worked together to conceal it.

The matter seemed to have been concealed, but whether the emperor really knew nothing about it, or was too lazy to say it, or planned to settle the accounts after the big thing was done, no one knew.

Gongsun He really didn't know what to say about the series of stupid things his stupid son had done, and could only try his best to help clean up the mess.

Even now, we have to be careful not to implicate the general, the Marquis of Guanjun, or the queen and the prince. After all, these people are resources that the Gongsun family can rely on in the future.

There is no need to count on my son now, but it is still worth cultivating my grandson.

"Come here to report something at this time?" Liu Che looked at Shi De with some suspicion and said, "Present it."

Gongsun He's heart was in his throat, because His Majesty was obviously suspicious. Fortunately, His Majesty didn't think too much about it now, so he didn't have to be so nervous. He couldn't reveal any more flaws now.

Although Liu Che loved pleasure, was obsessed with seeking immortality, and was a little suspicious now, his ability as an emperor was indeed beyond doubt. He took the memorial and read it carefully, occasionally asking some questions.

While Gongsun He and Shi De were trembling with fear, some issues regarding the Northern Army's military expenditures were resolved smoothly. The big thunder caused by Gongsun Jingsheng was completely resolved quietly.

Huo Xian would definitely be very happy if he knew this. After all, Gongsun Jingsheng was, to some extent, an absolute pig teammate. He had a good hand but lost it completely and also dragged down the entire Wei Huo team.

But if you think about it carefully, there is no need to worry too much. In history, Gongsun Jingsheng was dismissed from office because he embezzled a large amount of military funds. In order to atone his sins, he captured Zhu Anshi and caused the witchcraft disaster.

But now Zhu Anshi was imprisoned and tortured, and he had never been able to reveal anything that would threaten Wei Huo, so he could naturally feel more at ease.

The key link that directly led to the major case was broken, so we can rest assured. However, the time bomb of Gongsun Jingsheng has been neutralized, which can be regarded as eliminating some crises from the source, which is obviously better. Huo Xian came to the palace with a heroic and high-spirited look, "Your Majesty, I have inspected the palace defenses, and I feel that some of the secret guards are not safe."

Liu Che asked with great interest, "Then my Grand Marshal, General Huqi, please tell me what is inappropriate?"

"I couldn't even find the sentry. I am the military commander after all!" Huo Xian said dissatisfiedly, "Those people are stubborn. I asked them for a long time, but they were unwilling to say anything."

Liu Che immediately laughed, "They said so, and I will chop off their heads. You are the Weiwei, just manage the guards, you don't need to manage the guards."

Huo Xian's words also made some people laugh. The Jianzhang Weiwei did not mean that he was fully responsible for the defense of the Jianzhang Palace. The two systems responsible for defense were the Weiwei and Guanglu Xun.

Of course, Huo Xian held many and diverse official positions. Theoretically, the Yulin Army and the Qimen Army belonged to Guanglu Xun, but he, the Weiwei, was in charge of them.

In theory, the position of Weiwei was only available in the Weiyang Palace. It was a temporary position in the Jianzhang Palace and not a permanent one. It was almost a title specially given to Huo Shan, and the soldiers under his command were originally selected from the northern and southern armies.

Trusting Huo Shan is trusting Huo Shan, but Liu Che still has the checks and balances he needs. This emperor has always had some so-called imperial mentality.

In history, Emperor Liu Che was so suspicious that he thought someone had broken into the palace in his dream. After searching for no one, he killed all the soldiers guarding the palace.

Now Liu Che is not only becoming more and more afraid of death, but also more and more suspicious. He requires complete control over many things in order to feel a little safe.

Liu Che now felt very safe, and his officials were still conscientious and responsible. Huo Xian, the Grand Marshal, General of the Cavalry, and the Jianzhang Guard, kept putting pressure on them, but the soldiers guarding the palace still performed their duties conscientiously.

This is very good. These people are trustworthy. After all, when ordinary soldiers face Huo Shan, they basically tell him everything they know and flatter this powerful person everywhere.

As for the worry that Huo Xian does not have enough authority in the army, that is another matter. The palace and the army are two different things, and we are not waiting on the battlefield now.

Liu Che would not worry too much, and Huo Shan would naturally not worry too much either.

He was quite confident about some things in the army, and what he needed to do now was to constantly instill some ideas into the emperor, such as that the emperor was now very safe and so on.

There is no way. Although I think I have eliminated many hidden dangers, who knows if something unexpected will happen. With a stable rear base, I can go to war without distraction.

On the other hand, Wei Huo's power is too great, so he really needs to be cautious. At least he needs to make the emperor recognize Wei Huo's loyalty.

Wei Qing was supported and brought into the palace. Liu Che quickly said, "General, there is no need to salute."

Wei Qing insisted on saluting and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I am really old and weak, and I am no longer as brave as I used to be."

Liu Che smiled and said, "General, you are a few years younger than me, how can you easily say you are old? General, take good care of yourself. Some things can be done by the younger generation. You and I can just help take care of them."

The younger generation, of course, does not refer to Wei Kang who led troops to guard the frontier, nor does it refer to Crown Prince Liu Ju, but to Huo Shan who was eating melons.

This is really eating melon, cucumber is also a melon.

This is a "new thing", which was brought back by Huo Xian during his expedition to the Western Regions. Otherwise, it might have come to China during the Southern and Northern Dynasties along with the spread of Buddhism.

Seeing Huo Xian's laziness, Wei Qing couldn't help but frown. After all these years, he hadn't made any progress at all.

As if seeing Wei Qing's dissatisfaction, Liu Che smiled and said, "He is just like this. He was like this when he was a child, and he is still the same when he grows up. This Huo Shan, I didn't expect him to be sensible."

"Your Majesty," Wei Qing said earnestly, "Before, the Champion Marquis was young, so it was fine if he was a little arrogant. But now that he has a son, he is still so unstable. How can this work?"

Liu Che said disapprovingly, "Qubing can win battles and is even more arrogant than Shan'er. Although Shan'er is sometimes a rogue, he is never vague about major issues. It's normal to have a little temper. Do you really think everyone is as steady as you?"

Wei Qing was speechless for a moment. His nephew had always been confident and flamboyant since he was young. Huo Xian, this nephew, often had a scoundrel look on his face, and there seemed to be no way to reason with him.

After all, it was the emperor who spoiled them. No matter whether it was Huo Qubing or Huo Shan, in the emperor's eyes, they were all "keeping their nature". The emperor liked the way these two generations of champion marquises were innocent and able to win battles.

As for whether Huo Shan was really innocent, in Liu Che's eyes, he was innocent anyway, and he thought he knew Huo Shan best. After all, he was his apprentice, and a true confidant who had always been by his side.

Huo Xian looked at Wei Qing with pride, but Liu Che immediately reprimanded him, "How dare you be so proud? The general is right. How can you teach Wuyou in the future? How can you let him learn from you?"

Wei Qing agreed deeply, and Huo Guang beside him nodded slightly. The emperor could tolerate Huo Shan's character. But when it came to the crown prince Liu Ju, he might be dissatisfied.

If Huo Wuyou follows suit in the future, it would not be a good thing.

It takes three generations for a nobleman to appear. Huo Wuyou may become a standard aristocratic template instead of being like Huo Qubing or Huo Shan.

Huo Xian was not embarrassed and said with a smile, "Her Royal Highness the Queen is taking care of him. I think Wuyou is very well behaved. He is either eating or sleeping."

"Your son, you can naturally say whatever you like!" Liu Che said jokingly, "I heard that the child likes to play the most. Now he will cry every day if he doesn't play with others, right?"

Huo Xian was speechless at this point. It seemed that his fat son did cry a lot and was becoming more and more naughty.

Seeing that the situation was not going well, Huo Xian immediately changed the subject, "Your Majesty, let's have someone set up the sand table! Now that the general is here, let's do a good job of simulation and decide on the route and the strength of the troops, so that I can prepare for the battle!"

Not to mention Liu Che, Wei Qing and others also saw through Huo Shan's thoughts.

Changing the subject as soon as the momentum is not right is Huo Xian's usual style. This move seems to be relatively low-level, but it is indeed effective.

At least Huo Xian had an easy target when he used this trick to deal with the emperor. Moreover, military exercises were serious business and the emperor always liked military exercises. (End of this chapter)