Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 43 March
The people of Chang'an City have gradually become accustomed to the sight of large armies marching out.

Some older people may still remember that when they were children, they felt scared when they heard that the Huns were coming.

At that time, the Huns were invincible. Even Emperor Gaozu was besieged on Mount Baideng. The Han Dynasty could only bribe the wives and concubines of the Huns' Chanyu to please him.

Although the Han and Xiongnu were brothers, they still had to send large amounts of cotton, silk, grain, and wine to the Xiongnu every year. It was really humiliating to send royal daughters to the Xiongnu for marriage.

The so-called alliance, but the Xiongnu often broke the alliance, and the Han Dynasty could do nothing about it. Even the capital Chang'an was occasionally threatened by the Xiongnu.

But now it’s different. It is said that the Huns dare not move south and can only hide in the northern desert.

Wei Qing, who was wearing armor, sat on horseback, observing the marching formation while teaching, "Shan'er, you have read a lot of military books and know the limits. It doesn't matter if we are marching in the Han Dynasty. But once we leave the border, the formation must be stable."

Wei Qing was very patient and said, "When leaving the main camp, the cavalry will go first. They are also the scouts. When the scouts go two or three miles, remember to send messages back and forth, and then the infantry of each camp will leave the camp. After leaving the camp, each unit will line up and be on guard. Only when everything is clear can they march forward."

Seeing Huo Xian nod, Wei Qing continued, "When marching, the infantry should go in front, and the cavalry should guard the baggage. When it rains or snows, the cavalry goes first, which is also called walking on the snow to clear the way."

Huo Xian listened patiently and carefully. This was all based on experience.

"When you come across a fork in the road, no matter if you are familiar with it or not, the army must stop and order the cavalry to go up and explore. Only when there is nothing unusual can we continue to march. When you come across a dense forest or a deep valley, you must also send scouts to explore." Wei Qing looked at Huo Xian and said earnestly, "You will be commanding an army in the future. Don't think that a general only cares about fighting. Marching is a great subject."

Huo Xian nodded repeatedly and said in agreement, "Uncle, I have heard His Majesty say this before, and I have kept it in mind. The usual march is only thirty or forty miles, and the cavalry is slower."

Wei Qing smiled and nodded, "Everyone thinks cavalry is fast, but that's not true. When we march, we must not let the soldiers get too tired. It's normal to march for a month or two. Surprise attacks like yours are rare. We can use all the horsepower in a big battle, but not when we march."

In this day and age, if the marching speed reaches 50 miles a day, it will be something that only extremely disciplined troops can achieve.

After all, marching is not a race. There are still a lot of baggage to carry, and the physical strength of the soldiers and horses must also be considered. If you really want to force a march, it is not impossible, but it cannot last too long.

As for the thousand-mile raid, that was classified as combat, and at that time, manpower and horsepower had to be spared, and speed was the essence of war. Run as fast as you can, it is normal if you can't run a thousand miles a day, but if you can't run two or three hundred miles, it's unacceptable.

From the beginning of the expedition, Huo Xian was brought by Wei Qing's side.

He taught them step by step how to march and how to set up camp.

Not only did Liu Che teach Huo Shan military tactics and strategies without reservation, but Wei Qing also taught him carefully whenever he had the chance.

Seeing that the time was almost up, Wei Qing said, "Okay, you go back to the camp first."

Huo Xian said with a shy face, "Uncle, I'd better take a look at how to set up camp. It's clearer here."

Wei Qing turned to Gongsun Ao and said, "Then you go to the main camp and urge the officers to set up camp. I will stay here and observe."

Gongsun Ao didn't waste any words and immediately drove his horse down the hill and returned to the camp to supervise.

Setting up camp is a science. Although we are still in the territory of the Han Dynasty, there are differences in setting up camp under different terrain conditions. They may seem similar, but there are huge differences inside.

There was no one else around, so Huo Xian asked, "Uncle, can you still hold on?"

Wei Qing looked at Huo Xian kindly and said, "It's all thanks to you that I can hold on. I can fight the Xiongnu again."

"Uncle." Huo Xian said with some complaints, "You are simply embarrassing me by saying that."

Wei Qing said earnestly, "Han'er, you also understand in your heart. You must never be like now, never asking about the affairs of the court. I could do that before because you were young, but not now." Huo Han also understood this truth and said, "Uncle, I am not indifferent to everything. It is not my turn to interfere in military affairs now, and I don't understand many things in the court. I just hope that my cousin and His Majesty will no longer have conflicts, that would be good enough."

Wei Qing said with relief, "We have seen how much you have protected His Royal Highness the Crown Prince over the years. The Crown Prince is kind and respectful to others, which is a good thing. But sometimes, you have to look at the people around the Crown Prince."

Huo Xian understood Wei Qing's meaning very well. Wasn't he just worried that the prince would be deceived by some villains?
Wei Qing continued, "After this battle, even though Your Majesty loves Qubing and you, you must not be too arrogant in the future."

"Uncle!" Huo Xian continued to complain, "I am now a young general with high spirits and vigor. It's great that you can hold on for a few more years. It's none of my business!"

Wei Qing was also somewhat helpless, and told the truth, "Xian'er, you have been smart and able to read people's faces since you were young. I haven't led troops for more than ten years, and I have done too much. This time, I just want to accept the surrender smoothly."

It was indeed true. Wei Qing's contributions were so great that Emperor Liu Che could only confer titles of nobility on Wei Qing's sons, but could not continue to promote Wei Qing to higher positions. It was simply that there was no more title that could be bestowed upon him.

Moreover, when Wei Qing went out to fight, he often asked his subordinates to make contributions. In the final analysis, his contributions were so great that even if someone else took the credit, it would not have any impact.

Huo Xian was silent for a moment before he said, "Uncle, I shouldn't have said this. It's just that I think it won't be that easy to accept the surrender this time."

Wei Qing looked at Huo Xian, then looked into the distance, "How can war be so easy? It's nothing more than acting according to circumstances. We should formulate strategies before the war. It would be best if the Xiongnu people follow our arrangements in every way. If they don't, we will find a way to drive them in."

Both Liu Che and Wei Qing attached great importance to the surrender of Zuo Da Duwei. Even though they knew there were certain risks involved, they had to try it, because once successful, the rewards would be too great!
Wei Qing pointed at the camp and said, "You should lead troops in the same way in the future. You cannot take all the 40,000 soldiers from the North and South. You can only take 20,000 at most. When the troops from all over the country come to join us, you must keep an eye on them."

Huo Xian was also aware of this. With the Southern and Northern armies as the core, plus the local army, this was all the troops that would be dispatched this time.

"Although the vassal states have strong soldiers, they are not good enough to fight hard battles." Wei Qing warned, "If you lead troops in the future, you must remember the strengths and weaknesses of each unit. The so-called knowing how to use people well is also true for leading troops. If you have one or two strong soldiers, you should use them to the best effect."

Huo Xian said, "I am more familiar with the Southern Army, but I also know that the Northern Army is more powerful. My 800 cavalry still need to be trained. They can probably charge and fight for a while with their blood and vigor, but it will be difficult to fight them once their spirit is gone."

Wei Qing said approvingly, "The soldiers in your camp are pretty good, but they lack some toughness. Just a few more training sessions will do. Shan'er, your camp's soldiers and horses must not give way to anyone except His Majesty! In the future, you can add some heavy cavalry. I can't go to His Majesty, but you can go and make trouble."

Huo Xian understood what he meant. Since one’s status was different, one would naturally do things differently.

If Wei Qing went to the emperor to make trouble, his status would not be appropriate and people would think he was arrogant and conceited.

If Huo Xian went to make trouble, the emperor would feel headache and helpless, but he would not be annoyed. Even the ministers just thought that the champion marquis was arrogant because of his favor and they were used to the emperor's preference for him.

While instructing Huo Shan on marching and setting up camp, Wei Qing briefly talked about some court affairs and so on.

Seeing that everything was almost ready, Huo Xian rode his horse down the hill and rushed towards the Jianzhang camp cavalry.

Gongsun He smiled and rode forward, "General, Shan'er has gone home, and it's time for dinner."

Wei Qing also found it funny, but still said, "If the war really starts, he will not be able to eat so steadily. In the past, His Majesty often said that nothing could stop Xian'er from eating, and it seems to be true."

Gongsun He smiled and then whispered, "General, don't just think about Shan'er. It's not too late. Go and ask for mercy and let Jingsheng join the army as well. He is your nephew too!"

Wei Qing and Gongsun He were brothers-in-law, and Gongsun Jingsheng was indeed Wei Qing's nephew.

But Wei Qing shook his head, "Your Majesty, please leave your respects and let him stay in Chang'an."

In the eyes of many people, General Wei Qing leading the army was a great opportunity to make meritorious deeds, and Gongsun He certainly wanted to seek a good opportunity for his son. Even he himself was thinking about regaining his title of marquis through this expedition!
(End of this chapter)