Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 41 The expedition is about to begin
Huo Xian, dressed in fine clothes and riding a furious horse, jumped off his horse and rushed into the Guanjun Marquis's residence, "Uncle Chen, go to the farm immediately. Gather fifteen guards. Don't worry about armor and weapons. Come to the mansion tomorrow."

Zhao Hexi asked hurriedly, "My Lord, what's the matter?"

"Let's go!" Huo Xian said excitedly and expectantly, "Let's go in three days. Follow me to fight the Xiongnu!"

Liu Mo jumped out at once, and immediately became excited, "My Lord, I'll go get someone right away!"

"Armor and other items are provided by the army, so they don't need to worry about them." Huo Xian said, "Tell them to talk to their families and not let their only son go into battle!"

Zhao Hexi had already climbed onto the horse's back, holding the reins in one hand, "Your Excellency, don't worry too much. The Guanjun Marquis's Mansion has not had the custom of letting the only son go into battle!"

Seeing Zhao Hexi riding his horse towards the outside of Chang'an City, Huo Xian was both angry and amused. "How can I get to the military camp if my horse is taken away? Uncle Liu, bring out another horse!"

Chen Ju realized it belatedly and ran out in a panic, "Going to war? Your Excellency is going to go to war?"

"In three days, we will go with the army to fight the Xiongnu. Uncle Chen should also get ready!" Huo Xian said, urging, "Bring me my armor. I want to go to the camp."

Maids immediately brought armor, leggings, shoulder pads, breastplates, collars, helmets and even belts, etc. With the help of Chen Ju and others, Huo Xian put them on quickly.

Liu Mo was already waiting at the gate of the Marquis of Guanjun's mansion with his horse. When he saw Huo Xian, who was wearing heavy armor, walking quickly towards him, he handed over the reins without saying anything.

After Huo Xian climbed onto his horse, Liu Mo and others immediately handed him bows and arrows, ring-handled swords, and clubs.

Huo Xian put the weapons in place one by one and said, "The people from the farm are here, go to the prince. No need to be polite, pick the best horses and the best weapons. I will keep one set of light and heavy armor, and let the boys wear the rest."

After saying this, Huo Xian urged his horse to rush straight to the outside of Chang'an City. He also had to gather troops.

Chen Ju and Liu Mo looked at each other. There was no nervousness in their eyes, only excitement and anticipation.

Huo Xian rushed all the way to the camp and ordered people to blow trumpets and beat drums.

Even the Orphan Army quickly assembled, but it was not enough.

Huo Xian looked at his soldiers and said loudly, "The Xiongnu have invaded our borders, and your majesty has ordered us to follow the army to fight. It takes a thousand days to raise an army, but only a moment to deploy it. Do you dare to follow me to kill the enemy?"

These fanatical good family members immediately shouted, "Dare! Dare! Dare!"

Huo Xian was very satisfied and said, "The eight hundred cavalrymen will be inspected immediately, and the battalion commander will go to the palace to get weapons and horses."

Cao Zong immediately clasped his fists and accepted the order, as this was also his responsibility.

Huo Xian continued to give orders, "Sima, let the men rest. Tell the kitchen to prepare wine and food, enough wine and meat, and the rest of the men to get ready for the battle!"

Zhao Anguo also immediately clasped his fists, saying that he needed to pack up some things quickly as the army might set out at any time.

As for other baggage and so on, there is no need to worry, there will be troops responsible for logistics, and the Jianzhang camp cavalry only needs to take care of their own weapons and so on.

Huo Xian's expression was serious. "Remember this. Follow me into battle and kill the enemy. Anyone who retreats in battle will be killed. Anyone who disrupts the morale of the army will be killed. Anyone who disobeys military orders will be killed!"

It was no wonder that Huo Xian spoke so bluntly in advance. This was the first time that the Jianzhang cavalry actually went to the battlefield, which was completely different from the usual bandit suppression.

Even though they had seen some blood before, it was normal for new recruits to be timid on the battlefield.

Even some people who seem belligerent in normal times may become timid at the last moment.

Gathering troops and preparing supplies, it is very likely that Huo Xian, the Pirate Captain, learned about the war relatively late.

The assembly of the army or the preparation of some supplies will not be carried out immediately.

It is estimated that Liu Che, Wei Qing and others had arranged some things and only notified Huo Shan at the last moment.

This is also because Huo Shan did not care much about the affairs of the court, and Liu Che also consciously made Huo Shan a pure military general and not have too much presence in the court.

While Huo Xian was still preparing, Tan Jie from the Prince's Mansion came on horseback to ask for a meeting.

As soon as he entered the camp, Tan Jie reported, "Sir, the general ordered your troops to join the Northern Army in three days and enter the Northern Army training ground."

Huo Xian naturally obeyed the military orders, and the army's next move was also clear.

As soon as Tan Jie left, Gongsun Jingsheng came hurriedly, "Shan'er, Her Majesty the Queen and His Majesty the Crown Prince have opened the armory, you can go and get weapons and war horses."

Huo Xian turned to Cao Zong and said, "You take your men over immediately. Two thousand war horses, and another four hundred from the camp. Bring plenty of crossbows and arrows. Do you understand?"

Cao Zong clasped his fists and accepted the order. He still had to follow the Champion Marquis to make merit. The camp already had war horses and weapons, but now that they were going to go to war, they had to immediately replace them with a batch of the latest and best equipment. After settling the military camp, Huo Xian couldn't rest yet. He had other things to do.

He was busy selecting the guide, veterinarian, preparing some other supplies, etc.

Chang'an City is now bustling with activity. The army is about to set out, which naturally means that a lot of preparations must be done.

Fortunately, the imperial court sent out troops frequently, so some things were easily accomplished. Even if everyone seemed busy, they would not make mistakes in their rush.

Huo Guang could be said to be extremely anxious. His nephew was so young, yet he had to go to the battlefield!

But he hadn't seen him for two days in a row. He could understand that Huo Xian was very busy these two days, but he was still worried.

Huo Guang, who was worried, had just returned home when Huo Xian, who was guarding the gate, hurriedly said, "My husband, Shan'er is here."

Huo Guang quickened his pace, scolding as he walked, "Why don't you go and entertain Xian'er?"

Huo Xian explained, "Xian'er has the demeanor of an elder brother, so he can teach the eldest and youngest daughters the rules."

Huo Guang smiled and said proudly, "My brother has always been filial and respectful, so Shan'er is naturally the same!"

When he arrived at the main hall, Huo Guang saw Huo Shan sitting lazily, while her three daughters were standing aside obediently, learning how to behave.

Historically, Huo Guang's daughters all married well. One became the queen's mother-in-law, one became the queen, two married marquises, and three married ministers.

This is naturally related to Huo Guang's high position and power, but it is also a reflection of Huo Guang's strict family education.

Seeing Huo Guang coming, Huo Xian quickly stood up and said, "Uncle, I have been busy preparing for the expedition these two days and have not been able to come."

Huo Guang naturally understood, but he still couldn't help but worry, "Xian'er, how old are you?"

"My father-in-law was able to go to war at the age of 18 and achieved the highest achievements in the army. Why can't I follow suit?" Huo Xian said with a smile, "Uncle, don't worry. This time I am following my uncle. I am nothing more than a general."

Huo Guang looked at his daughters and said, "Go and get the clothes prepared for your brother."

Mrs. Huo and the others bowed slightly and then left quickly.

Huo Xian praised them, saying, "The sisters are polite, but they lack liveliness."

"A woman should behave like a woman." Huo Guang smiled and said, "Xian'er, I have prepared some silk clothes for you, you must wear them well. I heard from the soldiers that if you wear silk underneath, even if an arrow penetrates your armor, it will be easier to pull out the arrow with the silk blocking it."

Huo Xian smiled and nodded, but still said, "I have more armor than I can wear. I have several sets. Both light and heavy armor are gifts from your majesty and the crown prince."

Huo Xian listened with a sour feeling on the side, he felt jealous of his nephew's emperor's favor.

Huo Xian took the silk clothes handed to him by Huo's eldest daughter and said, "Uncle, aunt, I still have military duties to attend to, so I will leave now."

Huo Guang warned, "Be careful and follow the general!"

Huo Guang repeatedly reminded him after escorting him from the main hall to the gate of the mansion. He didn't care whether Huo Xian had military merits or not, he only cared about Huo Xian's safety.

After greeting Huo Guang, Huo Xian ran to the General's Mansion to greet Princess Pingyang. He also had to go to Gongsun He's mansion to greet him as well.

After busy saying hello, Huo Xian returned home.

When he returned home, he was stunned because the four generals were all there.

Zhao Hexi said in a serious tone, "My Lord, even though I am missing an arm, I can still protect you. I feel uneasy when only Old Chen is leading the men!"

Liu Mo also said excitedly, "Lord, please take me with you! Even if I die, I should die in Mobei!"

Chen Ju also advised, "Sir, take them both with you!"

Feng Xu, who was sitting on the ground, begged with tears in his eyes, "Sir, I really can't go with you. My son can go with you, but I'm really worried. I'll feel more at ease if I take Old Liu and Old Zhao with me!"

Huo Xian looked at Zhao Hexi and Liu Mo, sighed and said, "Okay, just this once!"

Huo Xian then looked at his family generals and followers, "I will be entering the palace soon, please make arrangements. Uncle Chen, take your guards and go to the general's mansion."

When Huo Xian goes to war, his family generals must accompany him!
(End of this chapter)