Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 63 Wei and Huo are at odds again!

Liu Che and others listened very attentively to what had happened during Huo Xian's march, and were particularly concerned about the progress of the war. They also focused on asking about Huo Xian's breakout, burning of baggage, and capture of Zuo Xian Wang, etc.

Even Chuntuo and the maids serving beside them were listening attentively.

If we talk about dissatisfaction, there will definitely be some dissatisfaction.

Liu Che felt something was wrong and quickly interrupted, "Xian'er, the Right Danghu said he cut off his head to test his merits, how come you smashed his head with a stick?"

Huo Xian quickly corrected himself, "Then I remembered it wrong. The one who smashed the head should be a captain, or a thousand cavalrymen! Your Majesty, why do you care who smashed my head?"

Liu Che was so angry about Huo Xian's roguery that he laughed, "Does it make no difference whether you kill the Right Great Danghu or the Thousand Cavalry?"

Wei Zifu and Liu Ju were also laughing. Huo Xian was still the same as before. Seven out of ten sentences were false. Two were exaggerated, and the remaining one was just self-praise and self-glorification.

But it's not all lies, it's just artistic processing based on some things.

Huo Xian was not embarrassed, and the benefits of being thick-skinned were reflected. "I think I am the first to do this!"

Liu Che looked at Liu Ju and asked, "What do you think?"

Liu Ju immediately replied, "Father, I think that Marquis Guanjun rescued Marquis Xuye, burned the baggage, and captured Zuo Xianwang, so he should be credited with the greatest merit."

Huo Xian nodded repeatedly, agreeing no more. "Your Majesty, I have planned the overall situation according to your instructions. I have to be flexible, otherwise I won't be able to catch Zuo Xian Wang!"

"Well, you deserve the first place! You are the most meritorious of the whole army!" Liu Che nodded in appreciation and said, "As for the reward, we will discuss it in the court first."

Everyone can understand this point. Although it is basically the emperor's will, some rules must be followed.

Then Liu Che asked again, "Xian'er, who do you think should be made a marquis this time?"

Huo Xian answered without thinking, "Marquis Xuye's merits and demerits are equal. General Fuju has beheaded countless people and deserves to be made a marquis. General Yinqiu has made great contributions and chased countless enemies, so he also deserves to be made a marquis. Zhao Anguo and Cao Zong under my command have fought for thousands of miles and killed countless enemies. Those who deserve to be made a marquis should be made a marquis, and those who deserve to have their fiefs increased should have their fiefs increased."

Liu Che looked at Huo Xian and said jokingly, "Others are fine, but how can Zhao Anguo and Cao Zong be considered great achievements? As for Cao Zong, increase his fiefdom."

"Your Majesty, Zhao Anguo killed a Xiongnu captain and a thousand cavalrymen in battle." Huo Xian continued, "I will have at least one more marquis and several more lieutenants under my command! I have made a list and recorded their military exploits!"

"You have a good idea!" Liu Che was not angry, and said, "Zhao Anguo can only be a Guannei Marquis at most, don't expect to be a marquis. I will make your subordinates a marquis in the future, and we will talk about it after the general returns to the court."

Liu Ju stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I think the general has commanded well and anticipated the enemy, so he should be given more land."

"Your Majesty, the general has done nothing!" Huo Xian immediately became serious. "We are the ones who kill the enemies. The general is slow and steady. I think the general is not aggressive enough to increase his fiefdom!"

Madam Li suddenly became a little excited. Could it be that the general and Marquis Guanjun had a falling out?

Liu Ju looked at Huo Xian seriously, "Marquis Guanjun, if the general had not delayed the Xiongnu, how could the Xiongnu have dispersed and fled?"

"It was because I burned the Xiongnu's baggage that their army lost its morale!" Huo Xian argued, "If I were the general, I should have broken through the enemy's formation instead of dragging the Xiongnu along! The general sat back and watched Marquis Xuye get trapped, which almost led to a great defeat. Your Majesty is already being lenient by not punishing him!"

Liu Ju's face turned red with anger. He pointed at Huo Xian and said, "If it weren't for the general, wouldn't your army be attacked from all sides? Marquis Guanjun, I know you have made the greatest contribution, but the general also made a great contribution in this battle. The others were given titles of nobility and had their fiefs increased, so how can it be that the general has made no contribution?"

Wei Zifu sat there and just watched Liu Ju and Huo Shan quarreling.

Liu Che watched with great interest as Liu Ju and Huo Shan, who usually had a harmonious relationship, started arguing and were almost on the verge of violence.

Suddenly Liu Che said, "Enough!"

Liu Ju and Huo Xian stopped talking at the same time and knelt down to apologize.

Liu Che looked at Liu Ju and Huo Xian and said, "If I hadn't known that you had no contact after Marquis Guanjun left for the war, I would have thought that you had colluded with each other in secret!"

Liu Ju broke out in a cold sweat and said quickly, "Your Majesty, I dare not!"

"Don't dare? Why not?" Liu Che said indifferently, "You are right. This battle has yielded a lot of results. The general commanded with confidence and anticipated the enemy. How could he not have made achievements? Rewarding merits and punishing faults is what a monarch should do."

"Wei Kang was made a marquis, so let's not talk about this anymore." Liu Che said calmly, "What do you think of the general not increasing his fiefdom or promotion?"

Liu Ju considered for a moment and said carefully, "Your Majesty, I think this is the way to go."

Liu Che smiled and said earnestly, "Prince, you are the crown prince of the Han Dynasty. You are not Prince Wei Huo!"

Liu Ju was shocked and knelt down properly. Wei Zifu also stood up and bowed respectfully. "I know what you are thinking. The general has made great contributions." Liu Che continued, "You don't have to sing the same tune in front of me. The general does not need any more rewards. Gongsun He was reappointed as a marquis, Wei and Huo were appointed as four marquises, and Gongsun Ao and Zhao Po Nu were appointed as marquises. Isn't that enough?"

Huo Xian whispered, "Your Majesty, Gongsun Ao and I have no dealings. Besides, I am only your Majesty's Marquis of Guanjun!"

Liu Che stared at Huo Xian and said, "You are the only one who has many thoughts! Do you really think I can't see it? You are just worried that it will be difficult to be promoted to a great general after your great achievements. There is no need to think too much about it. What do you think if I promote you to the rank of Grand Marshal and General of Cavalry?"

Huo Xian was both happy and worried. "Your Majesty, I am a little too old after all. I won't be promoted to Grand Marshal now. General of the Cavalry will be enough. I lead the Southern Army and the Royal Guards. Your Majesty knows that I like to stay in bed. I will not go to court or go to court less often. Please allow me to do so."

Liu Che shook his head and said, "The cavalry general is ranked below the prime minister, above the nine ministers, it is unreasonable for him not to attend the court!"

"It's not that I won't go to court, it's that I won't go if I can avoid it. I can't get up!" Huo Xian said, "If I really have to sit there and listen to the court reports, my brain will explode! If I have that time, I might as well sleep in, watch some singing and dancing, and practice riding and shooting!"

Liu Che nodded with a smile, "Okay, it's a little early for you to go to court, let's talk about it in a few years."

Looking at Wei Zifu and Liu Ju, Liu Che said meaningfully, "Just be content with your duties. Now the general can be my arm. Although the Marquis of Guanjun is my confidant, I know who he has supported over the years."

Liu Ju and Wei Zifu naturally understood this truth, so they did not dare to reply.

Liu Che suddenly asked, "Prince, if we are to confer a title of nobility, how should General Ershi be conferred?"

Liu Ju replied without thinking, "Your Majesty, General Ershi has suffered heavy casualties, how can we talk about the issue of conferring a title of nobility first? If General Ershi returns victorious, we can discuss conferring a title of nobility later!"

Madam Li, who was sitting next to the emperor, gritted her teeth and blamed Li Guangli and the prince.

Huo Xian stood up suddenly, "Your Majesty, I will go to attack Dayuan! I will personally select the celestial horses and will definitely choose the best!"

"You?" Liu Che said without thinking, "Go back and rest!"

Liu Che stood up slowly and said, "We will go to the camp tomorrow and enter Chang'an the day after tomorrow."

"How about I wait outside the city during the day and come back before the city gates close?" Huo Xian bargained, "After all, the military camp is not as comfortable as the palace or the mansion, so it's better to come back."

Liu Che joked, "Earlier, we were training the troops so we asked you to come back but you didn't. Now that you've gone out to fight a battle, you know the barracks are not comfortable?"

"Enjoy when you should enjoy, fight when you should fight, those are two different things." Huo Xian said, "Now I just want to sleep more comfortably and take a hot bath every day to relieve fatigue. Your Majesty, I have been riding horses for the past six months, and my legs are all worn out!"

"It's up to you." Liu Che said unhappily, "I can't control you anymore. If I let you stay in the camp, you might sneak back. If that happens, I will punish you. Forget it, I won't give you an order, you can do whatever you want."

After paying her respects to Wei Zifu and Liu Ju, Lady Li immediately followed the emperor.

After the emperor left, Wei Zifu couldn't help but say, "Han'er, you shouldn't have quarreled with your uncle. If this gets out, it will spread that Wei and Huo are not on good terms."

"Uncle, I am rude." Huo Xian first apologized to Liu Ju, and then said, "Aunt, my uncle really can't be given any more titles. If there are rumors that Wei and Huo are not getting along, then let them spread! Whoever makes a fuss in front of me, I will beat him first!"

Liu Ju smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you should also remember what you said. Although I rely on Wei Huo, I am the crown prince after all."

Huo Xian nodded seriously. Liu Ju’s performance today could be said to be perfect.

As the crown prince, he first thought about the interests of the Han Dynasty, not just the interests of Wei Huo. Rewarding merits and punishing faults is also a quality that a crown prince should have.

Although he relied heavily on Wei Huo, Liu Ju was by no means Wei Huo's spokesperson. Wei Huo was just his subject!

Liu Ju patted Huo Xian on the shoulder and said, "It is thanks to you that Wei Kang was able to be made a marquis. I thought the general would not be given any title or reward this time, but I didn't expect Wei Kang to get something!"

"Benefits?" Huo Xian complained, "My cousin will definitely scold me when the time comes. He will be stationed outside the Great Wall after being granted the title of Marquis. Just wait and see. I dare not go to the Marquis of Changping's mansion!"

Wei Zifu and Liu Ju were both stunned. They could both guess that the emperor would not confer a higher title on Wei Qing this time. He would definitely attribute Wei Qing's achievements to Wei Kang as he had done before.

But this time, the intention was clearly to restore Wei Kang to the title of marquis, so how did it become the intention to send him to the frontier?
Looking at Huo Xian who was calm and composed, Wei Zifu and Liu Ju felt that they still knew less. The general and the Marquis of Guanjun could guess what the emperor was thinking!

Wei Zifu changed the subject and said, "What do you think of the maid sent to your room?"

"Not good!" Huo Xian complained immediately, "She seemed pretty when I saw her before, but I didn't expect she couldn't even give me a good back massage. Aunt, if she's really that kind of girl, I don't want to get married in the future!"

Wei Zifu and Liu Ju knew very well that some people would turn against each other and refuse to acknowledge their mistakes after taking advantage of others!

(End of this chapter)