Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 42 A Node in History

After things outside the palace were arranged, Huo Xian returned to Weiyang Palace again.

Going straight to the Pepper Palace, Huo Xian still wanted to see the Queen.

Seeing Huo Xian coming, Wei Zifu hurriedly asked, "Xian'er, have you prepared your armor?"

"Of course I have prepared everything. The things I lack the most are armor and weapons, so don't worry, aunt." Huo Xian said with a smile, "I also asked people to prepare a lot of garlic and refined salt. Many people in my camp can cook and grill meat, so they won't have bad food."

Wei Zifu seemed to feel more at ease, but she still said worriedly, "Xian'er, isn't it too early to go to war now?"

"It's getting late, and my uncle is here to take care of me." Huo Xian said, "Aunt, let's have them leave first."

Wei Zifu immediately asked the eunuchs and maids around her to leave, because Huo Shan must have something important to remind her.

"The Li family leader said that he had 6,000 cavalry and over 10,000 infantrymen." Huo Xian explained patiently, "If it were anyone else, they might be able to conquer Dayuan, but I'm afraid that Li Guangli won't be able to do so."

Wei Zifu asked with concern, "Xian'er, is there anything wrong?"

Huo Xian explained, "I have to go fight the Xiongnu now, so I can't take care of the affairs of the Western Regions. But if he loses his troops, someone in the court might persuade Your Majesty to stop the war. The Western Regions are a big deal, and we must control them, otherwise our Han Dynasty will be easily attacked from all sides. If someone in the court advocates stopping the war, don't let your uncle agree."

Wei Zifu knew what was going on, but she still asked, "With more than 10,000 people going to attack Dayuan, can we still win?"

"It's hard to say. Li Guangli will most likely lose. Even if he wins, it will be a miserable victory." Huo Xian further explained, "Uncle must not mention stopping the war now. Aunt, please keep this in mind. If the war in Dayuan is not going well, let your uncle lead the battle and wait for my uncle and I to come back!"

Wei Zifu understood what he meant and said, "Xian'er, you don't need to worry about those things. You must be careful on this expedition!"

Huo Xian stood up and kowtowed to Wei Zifu politely, "Aunt, I entered the palace when I was three or four years old. I was said to have grown up in front of Your Majesty, but it was still you who raised me. This time, I will definitely not let you lose face."

Wei Zifu said with tears in her eyes, "Shan'er, I don't ask you to do great things, but you must protect yourself!"

Huo Xian smiled and said, "Aunt, I used to wish I could fight in the battlefield and resist foreign enemies. Now that I have achieved my wish, I will have no regrets even if I die!"

After saying this, Huo Xian turned and left. If they continued talking, the Queen would nag them.

Looking at Huo Xian's back, Wei Zifu felt both proud and worried. This nephew looked so much like Qubing!

When they arrived at the Xuanshi Hall, Huo Xian shouted, "Your Majesty, I am leaving for the war without informing you?"

Liu Che, who was dozing off, woke up instantly and couldn't help but curse, "Can't you see that I'm asleep?"

"I saw it, that's why I'm unhappy!" Huo Xian was not right but was very confident, "This is my first time going on an expedition, I thought Your Majesty would be worried, but I didn't expect Your Majesty to be worried at all!"

Liu Che laughed and scolded, "You have followed me for more than ten years. I taught you military tactics and strategies and let you train troops as you wish. If you still can't show your true ability at this time, I will punish you!"

Liu Che was so confident that his most talented student, whom he personally taught, would definitely not lose the battle!
"I selected ten guides and five veterinarians, and assigned them all to the Jianzhang Camp Cavalry." Huo Xian said proudly, "They are all Xiongnu people, and they are familiar with the area south of the desert. They can find water sources, identify directions, and provide simple medical treatment for horses."

Liu Che listened with a smile, and suddenly warned, "You only have 800 cavalry this time, so don't attack by surprise!"

Seeing that Huo Xian didn't speak, Liu Che said sternly, "Did you hear me? Be more cautious this time. Don't make detours or surprise attacks. If you encounter the main force of the Xiongnu, you can't be the vanguard!"

Liu Che was old after all. When Huo Qubing went to war, he was confident and bold. If Huo Qubing chose to take some risks, Liu Che would only appreciate it.

But now that he was at Huo Xian's place, he was afraid that Huo Xian would play a thousand-mile raid. He was not worried about anything else, but simply knew Huo Xian too well and knew that this kid was very courageous.

For example, Huo Xian’s Jianzhang Cavalry could, if they wished, become a heavy cavalry unit equipped entirely with heavy armor.

But until now, there are still 100 heavy cavalry, and they can be transformed into light cavalry at any time.

Not only were the rest of the people in line with the current mainstream light cavalry, but Huo Xian also often pulled his troops out to practice long-distance raids.

Everyone can see clearly what this kid is thinking. Of course, he will use the heavy cavalry, but he will never give up the opportunity to rush thousands of miles! "Your Majesty, if we really go to the battlefield, how can we obey your Majesty's orders in every detail?" Huo Xian said without hesitation, "The battlefield is changing rapidly. What if my troops encounter the main force? Can I still escape?"

Liu Che got off the bed in anger, and Huo Shan immediately took a few steps back.

"Your Majesty, I will not act recklessly. I will definitely complete what Your Majesty ordered." Huo Xian continued, "Even Your Majesty has to trust me. How can I fight the enemy in the battlefield when there are so many rules and regulations before I even go out to fight?"

Chuntuo and the others lowered their heads in agreement and dared not speak. If His Majesty was really angry, the Champion Marquis would not be afraid, and His Majesty would not be willing to punish him. By that time, Chuntuo and the others might be taken out on him.

"I really can't control you!" Liu Che pointed at Huo Xian and said angrily, "Why did the general ask for a fight? Why did I allow the general to lead the army? Don't you know?"

Huo Xian did not hide it and said, "I understand. I will not put myself in danger, but I will fight when it is time to fight!"

The two of them stared at each other and refused to give in. These things must be insisted on.

Liu Che suddenly said angrily, "Get out, I don't want to see you again!"

Huo Xian knelt down and saluted, "Your Majesty, I am a Han minister and a Han Chinese. I will not let Your Majesty down! If I can break through the desert one day, I will seal the Wolf's Lair, carve a stone in Yanran, and let my horse drink water from the vast sea again. If I cannot return victorious this time, I will die. A real man should do great things!"

Seeing Huo Xian turning around to leave, Liu Che said, "As long as the general is here, we will not lose. You must not take risks!"

Watching Huo Xian leave with his head held high, Liu Che suddenly realized something was wrong.

Liu Che hurriedly ran to look at the sand table, and he felt angry and amused at the same time.

Of course he knew about the Fenglangjuxu incident, which was the achievement of his most proud student Huo Qubing.

As for what Huo Xian said, 'carve a stone at Yanran' and 'drink water from the vast sea', this kid has great ambitions, he really wants to fight against the Huns in this life!
As his last disciple, he has very high aspirations, higher than many people expected!

Huo Xian was excited and expectant, but inevitably a little nervous.

He knew that this might be the tail end of the peak of the Han Dynasty's military strength. If he could not change some things, the Han Dynasty would enter a stage of "warmongering".

Zhao Po Nu's army was completely destroyed, with 20,000 cavalry killed. Li Guangli lost no less than 20,000 soldiers and generals in his two expeditions to Dayuan.

It is very likely that Li Guangli beheaded 10,000 people and 20,000 Han soldiers died in the battle. Li Ling killed 10,000 Xiongnu, but 5,000 infantrymen were annihilated and he was captured. Then Li Guangli led an army of more than 100,000, 70,000 Han soldiers died in the battle, and Li Guangli also surrendered to the Xiongnu.

As a relative by marriage, Li Guangli received no fewer resources than Wei Huo. It was a pity that his military record was so mediocre that it was hard to describe in words.

The military advantage of the Han Dynasty would soon be destroyed. The Huns, who were once defeated, fled far away, and the Han Dynasty suffered continuous defeats and invasions.

It is no exaggeration to say that this is a critical juncture, the point where the Han Dynasty's military strength begins to decline from its peak.

Since he doesn't consider himself an economist or reformer, Huo Xian may be powerless about some things.

However, if we can reverse some situations and trends at this time, the Han Dynasty's advantage will continue to be strong.

If we can reduce the loss of 100,000 elite troops and avoid the turmoil caused by the Witchcraft Disaster as much as possible, perhaps the Han Dynasty's prosperity can last for a long time!
Leaving Weiyang Palace on his warhorse, Huo Xian was filled with excitement and had many expectations for the future.

The change starts from now on, and he has the opportunity to do something at this critical juncture!

Hopping onto the horse, Huo Xian flicked the whip in his hand and said, "Go!"

Er Kuan who just left Weiyang Palace could not help but shake his head. This Marquis Guanjun was too ostentatious. It was a good thing for a young man to be full of vigor and vitality, but this Marquis Guanjun did not know how to restrain himself. This might be a way to bring disaster!
Chuntuo hurried out of the palace and asked repeatedly, "Where is the Champion Marquis?"

The guard guarding the palace gate said, "Marquis Guanjun just left on horseback, and it seems that he is about to leave the city."

"Hey!" Chuntuo stamped his feet and said, "Hurry up and get ready. The weapons and armor that His Majesty gave you haven't been taken away yet. What should we do now?"

(End of this chapter)