Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 64: Small Actions and Careful Intentions

Huo Xian slept until he woke up naturally. It was almost noon.

After putting on his clothes, Huo Xian asked, "Will you two come out with me, or stay in the palace?"

One of the beautiful maids replied, "It is my blessing to serve you, my lord."

Another maid who looked innocent replied, "Sir, I have been in the palace since I was a child and I don't want to leave."

Huo Xian didn't say much. The customs of the people in the Western Han Dynasty could sometimes be described as unrestrained, and it was normal for the rich and powerful to keep some maids in their homes.

It is not uncommon for people to remarry after divorce, go out and choose their own ideal husband, etc.

Of course, all of this is subject to certain prerequisites, and one must have a good family background. Otherwise, she might just be a maid, or a concubine given away casually.

"Then you can go to my house in a while." Huo Xian said, "I have a lot of people there, most of whom were sent by the palace. You don't have to worry about them, just follow the arrangements of my troops."

The maid with innocent appearance stood aside with her head down. She was unwilling to gamble because it was said that the mansion of the Marquis of Guanjun was full of beautiful women. The emperor, empress or prince gave many maids as gifts, and even some marquises gave many maids and dancers.

Huo Xian put on his clothes and prepared to go out. "Where's the armor?"

A eunuch flattered him, "Your Majesty had your armor taken away, saying it was discarded and could no longer be used."

"Can't use it anymore?" Huo Xian smiled. "I was planning to change some nail plates, but forget it. If it can't be used, then it can't be used. Let Han Yunniang follow my cook out of the palace."

Huo Xian left the palace and rode his horse out of the city. Outside the military camp, it was very lively. It was human nature to eat melons and watch the excitement.

When Marquis Guanjun captured Zuoxian King of the Xiongnu, many people came to watch the fun.

Some say he was the prince of the Xiongnu, while others explain that the position of the Xiongnu Chanyu was normally passed down from father to son, but there were also Zuoxian King, Zuoguli King, Youxian King, and Youguli King who inherited the Chanyu position, and there were even cases of seizing the throne.

For example, the King of Zuoguli, Yizhixie, had previously declared himself Chanyu by seizing the throne from the son of his own brother, Junchen Chanyu.

After his uncle robbed the Xiongnu Crown Prince Yu Shan of his position as Chanyu, he surrendered to the Han Dynasty and was granted the title of Marquis of She'an.

Huo Xian felt strange after entering the camp, "The Crown Prince is here?"

The soldier guarding the camp gate said, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has come early to reward the army in accordance with His Majesty's order!"

Huo Xian was not embarrassed and walked quickly towards the camp.

"I heard that you didn't get up, so I didn't ask anyone to call you." Liu Ju said to Huo Xian with a smile, "It's hard to travel all the way, it won't hurt to rest a little longer."

Huo Xian smiled and asked, "Uncle, have you met the Zuo Xian King?"

"Change his clothes and wash him thoroughly. We should present the captives tomorrow." Liu Ju said happily and proudly, "I wanted to dress him in red, but this is not good."

Kill, the red clothes are not pure.

The prison uniform of the Western Han Dynasty was an ochre-colored garment without a collar or edges, a color similar to that of dried blood.

Huo Xian asked curiously, "What is he wearing?"

"Bai Yi Bai Lian." Liu Ju said naturally, "After all, it is not to destroy the country, otherwise he should be made naked and hold a jade in his mouth. Tomorrow, Bai Lian's hands will be tied behind his back, and you will escort him into the city. All the Xiongnu people will walk!"

Is it humiliating?
This is definitely somewhat humiliating, but even in modern society, the defeated party must abide by certain rules.

Defeat in war, death of king, and destruction of country.

Therefore, starting from the Spring and Autumn Period, the surrendering party would be the monarch who bared his body, led a sheep, and held a jade disk in his mouth.

The ministers and scholars wore mourning clothes, called "Sui Zuo", and they also needed to carry a coffin, which was called "Yu Jian".

Huo Xian asked, "Were they escorted by my troops, or were they sent from the palace?"

"Your troops will escort them to Chang'an and the guards will take over and escort them to the Imperial Ancestral Temple." Liu Ju continued to make arrangements, "Your subordinates should also be well prepared to show the people the might of the Han army!"

In fact, the defense of the camp had been handed over to the Southern Army, and Huo Xian's Jianzhang Camp cavalry were already resting, washing, etc.

It was only because the prince came in person that people were able to get close to the important captives.

Asking everyone else to leave, Liu said, "You were reckless about what happened yesterday."

"Uncle, the general and I both understand." Huo Xian told the truth, "Uncle, it's only natural for you to protect the general. I also understand that you protect me. It's just that there are many things that are difficult for you to do. Outsiders think that my uncle and I are not on good terms. Let them talk."

Liu Ju said earnestly, "This is not good. When my cousin was here, some people defected from the general's camp to my cousin's camp. People outside said so harshly! Now that you are making such a fuss, outsiders will be even more eager to ignore the general and flatter you."

Huo Xian looked at Liu Ju and asked, "Uncle, if it were you, would you rather see my uncle achieve more great achievements, or would you rather see me become a lone minister?" Liu Ju was silent. Everyone can say polite words. From the perspective of the prince, he certainly hoped that Wei and Huo would be united.

But as the crown prince or even the emperor, he certainly does not want to see such a situation.

So even if there was a rift between Wei and Huo on the surface, that was good. It didn't need to be known by everyone, as long as a considerable number of people believed it, that would be enough.

"The one stationed outside the Great Wall must be my cousin from the Wei family." Huo Xian said, "From what my uncle said, Your Majesty and him have discussed the matter of building a city outside the Great Wall before. My cousin from the Wei family will be stationed there for a while."

Liu Ju nodded seriously and said, "Wei Kang is not young anymore, it's time for him to go out and guard the place."

Huo Xian couldn't stand it any longer. "Uncle, if the general was here, you wouldn't care where Uncle Wei Kang went. There are two marquises in the Changping Marquisate, and even you want to get rid of one of them!"

As expected, the emperor's stance sometimes seems indifferent!
"Then how dare you take credit for Zhao Anguo?" Liu Ju laughed and joked, "He is at most a Marquis of Guannei. Otherwise, Zhao Po Nu and Zhao Anguo, father and son, would both be marquises and lead troops. That would be bad."

Huo Xian naturally understood this truth, and he did not force Zhao Anguo to be made a marquis. In other words, he asked for a high price so that he could bargain!
"What do you think about the Li family's affairs?" Liu Ju continued to ask, "Li Guangli lost many soldiers and generals, and the war was not going well. Now she has given birth to Liu Bo for the emperor, and she continues to be honored and favored."

Liu Bo is the father of Liu He, the Marquis of Haihun.

"Uncle, just wait and see what happens. Li Guangli will definitely anger His Majesty." Huo Xian said, "The loss of troops will not be too great. That's all for this year. Uncle, just continue to support the attack on Dayuan. I will go and compete for the general next spring!"

Liu Ju joked, "We have captured the Xiongnu Zuoxian King, so why do you still care about small Dayuan?"

The entire Han Dynasty had a consistent attitude toward the countries in the Western Regions, which was just a bit disdainful.

"The Western Regions are no small matter. With the prestige of defeating the Xiongnu this time, we should conquer the Western Regions." Huo Xian said with great anticipation, "My cousin must also know that if we control the Western Regions, it will be difficult for the Xiongnu to be rampant again!"

The countries in the Western Regions are now constantly wavering between the Han Dynasty and the Xiongnu, and many times they are even more afraid of the Xiongnu.

Previously, Lao Shang Chanyu killed the Yuezhi King of Dayuezhi and used the skull of the Yuezhi King as the first title, all of which made the Xiongnu countries tremble. Before that, Liu Che sent envoys to the Western Regions several times, not thinking about the Silk Road, but mainly to contact the Western Regions to attack the Xiongnu.

Liu Ju thought about it carefully, and said with some concern, "Is it true that Li Guangli can't conquer Dayuan?"

"It can be conquered, but not now." Huo Xian said vaguely, "If Your Majesty sends more troops, he will definitely be able to conquer Dayuan."

After listening to Huo Shan's words, Liu Ju's mood became unhappy. He originally thought that Li Guangli was really incompetent.

"So next spring I will go to compete for the position of general, and my cousin will help me!" Huo Xian said, "I understand your majesty's thoughts, but Li Guangli cannot make too much contribution. If he destroys Dayuan, he will be granted a title of nobility, and then he can take charge of the army."

Liu Ju understood even more clearly that even though Dayuan was a small country in the eyes of some people, it was still a credit for destroying a country.

When that time really comes, Li Guangli's title of nobility will be justified.

Liu Ju suddenly became a little worried, "You also understand His Majesty's thoughts, so do you still dare to fight for the general?"

"I'll take Li Guangli with me!" Huo Xian said with a smile, "He may be a marquis, but his prestige in the army cannot be raised."

Liu Ju's eyes lit up and he thought this was a very good idea.

It was obvious that the emperor wanted to check and balance Wei Huo. It was indeed not good for one person to dominate the army, so it was normal for him to support Li Guangli.

If you can't confront the emperor head-on, then try other methods.

Li Guangli would still be awarded a title of nobility for his military merits, but by that time, he would be a subordinate of General Huo Shan, and would be inferior to him in all aspects.

Even though Li Guangli has no advantage over Huo Shan now, it would be okay to use some small tricks to make Li Guangli lose all his reputation in the army and prevent him from having more opportunities to rise quickly!
Liu Ju remembered something and said, "The son of Marquis Fuli was extremely rebellious, and the emperor was angry with him. He was stripped of his title for dereliction of duty and is now going to Juyan Lake to build the Juyan Pass."

Huo Xian was speechless. This Guyan Pass was also in the south of the desert. It seemed that it would be connected to the place where Wei Kang was going to guard.

"I don't have much contact with General Fu Bo, let alone his son." Huo Xian said, "I know what's going on. I won't plead for him, and you shouldn't go either."

Liu Ju nodded slightly. Lu Bode was also a general under Huo Qubing and had made military achievements over the years.

Even though he was stripped of his title, Liu Ju still felt a little reluctant.

As a prince, there is no one who does not want to be emperor. In Liu Ju's eyes, Wei Huo's prestige in the army is one of his greatest reliances.

The general's health was getting worse and worse, and Liu Ju was worried. Fortunately, Huo Shan stepped forward in time, so he had to protect some of Huo Shan's subordinates.

Huo Xian continued, "Lu Bode should be idle for the next few years. If the time comes, maybe we can go to war together. Uncle, don't interfere too much in military affairs, otherwise His Majesty will be unhappy."

Liu Ju nodded, "I don't worry about the military. With the general and you here, I feel at ease. Just take care of the internal affairs. I know what's going on!"

(End of this chapter)