Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 86: Arrangements before the Expedition
Wei Zifu was a little angry, and looked at Huo Xian helplessly, "How old are you now? You just came back from the war last year, and now you want to go out again!"

"Aunt, I am a military marquis." Huo Xian smiled brightly, "If I don't go out to fight, what else can I do in Chang'an?"

Wei Zifu became even angrier. "You are the Marquis of Guanjun. You will be useful if you stay in Chang'an! Let Li Guangli fight Dayuan. What if he wins? Can he really be more noble than you?"

This is true. Even if Li Guangli conquered Dayuan and could be awarded a title of nobility for his meritorious service, it would be difficult for him to surpass Huo Shan, let alone compare with Wei Qing.

The biggest concern of the Han Dynasty has always been the Huns. The military merits of conquering Dayuan and conquering the Huns are of different value.

"Aunt, I have to lead the army alone." Huo Xian said, "After Dayuan, the court will definitely use troops against the Xiongnu within two or three years. If I don't lead the troops now, what will I do in the future?"

Wei Zifu didn't know what to say for a moment, but she certainly knew that what Huo Xian said made sense.

Intellectually, she knew that Huo Xian should go out to lead the troops, but emotionally she still felt distressed and reluctant.

Liu Jin came running over in a hurry. The naughty kid was angry, "Cousin, why do you always lie to me?"

"How did I lie to you?" Huo Xian felt innocent and wronged. "You are the grandson of the emperor, who dares to lie to you!"

Liu Jin became even angrier. The naughty boy had been deceived very few times, and this cousin in front of him was the majority of the time. "You said you would take me horseback riding in the spring, but you still haven't given me an explanation!"

This naughty kid has a really good memory, so much so that Huo Xian was a little embarrassed. So, it seems that he is a little in the wrong, the naughty kid still remembers this.

But the next moment Huo Xian said shamelessly, "Jin'er, it's not that I don't want to take you on a horseback ride. Now the court is going to send troops to the Western Regions. I am a general of the court, and I must put the affairs of the court and the country first. Next year, I will take you on a horseback ride next year."

Wei Zifu and Liu Ju were speechless for a moment. The bad boy Huo Shan said it would happen next year, but who knows if it will really happen next year.

Liu Jin has been saying this since he was three or four years old. Now the child is almost ten years old, but he still hasn't taken him to go horse riding or hunting. How can he be a brother like this!
Liu Jin sat aside angrily, vaguely guessing that his cousin was deceiving him again.

Liu Ju sat down and asked, "Has the plan to attack Dayuan been finalized?"

"That's about right. I'll try to persuade him again. His Majesty will definitely agree." Huo Xian said proudly, "As for guessing His Majesty's thoughts, I dare not say anything else, but fighting is my top priority!"

Wei Zifu and Liu Ju did not refute. Not to mention the affairs of state, just talking about the military aspects, Huo Shan really understood the emperor's mind very well. After all, he was a disciple who was taught by him personally.

"Now the Southern Army and the Northern Army are both mobilizing troops, and my aunt is also going to open the armory." Huo Xian further said, "I have to leave later, and I will leave once the army is assembled."

Liu Ju frowned and asked, "Shouldn't you, the general, lead the army?"

"The army marches slowly, so there is no need for me to lead the troops before they leave Yumen Pass." Huo Xian said, "I'm being lazy. Once the army is assembled, I can lead a small group to assemble and raise the tent."

There is nothing wrong with doing this. When marching to war, it is not necessary for the general to arrange everything for the march.

After all, some troops were rushing to the assembly point from all over the country, so Huo Xian could definitely wait a while.

"There will be a lot of infantry this time, and you have never learned how to lead infantry." Liu Ju said with some concern, "Xian'er, you have to think it through."

"I'll leave the infantry to Li Guangli." Huo Xian lowered his voice, and said with great pride, "When he makes achievements and is awarded a title of nobility in the future, he won't be able to stand up straight in front of me!"

Unless Li Guangli makes great contributions in the future, he will have a chance to surpass Huo Shan and become the general.

However, even if Li Guangli had made great contributions, the fact that he followed Huo Shan in making contributions and was awarded a title of nobility could not be changed, even if he was a "benefactor".

In this age where "a gentleman will die for his confidant", Li Guangli should show great respect to Huo Shan both in public and in private.

"What about the officers?" Liu Ju asked with concern, "Marquis Xuye is still stationed outside the Great Wall. Your Yulin Army alone is not enough. How about you take Cao Zong with you? He is the rear general."

"It is impossible for Cao Zong to let him go out to fight again. He is in Chang'an." Huo Xian said, "I should let Yiqu Hou be my deputy general. This is why I asked for him at my uncle's house last time."

Gongsun He is now the prime minister, so it is naturally impossible for him to go on an expedition again.

However, Gongsun Ao, who has always followed Wei Qing, will definitely have to go on an expedition again.

Wei Zifu and Liu Ju were even more speechless. When it came to war, they were not as thoughtful as Wei Qing and Huo Shan.

With Gongsun Ao following them, Wei Zifu and Liu Ju felt much more at ease. They also knew that Gongsun Ao was not outstanding, but at least he had fought with Wei Qing for many years and had excellent execution ability.

Huo Xian really didn't need to worry too much. Even if he was asked to lead a large army, he would be accompanied by some generals with considerable experience.

Liu Ju was silent for a moment before he asked, "I heard that Dayuan is even farther away. If you go on this expedition, it may take a year or so."

This is true. Dayuan is indeed far away. This is in Central Asia, Uzbekistan. It takes a long time to go back and forth, not to mention that a war is needed.

In history, Li Guangli attacked Dayuan twice, and it took four years in total. "If it's faster, it will only take one year. In fact, Your Majesty has been preparing for it for a long time." Huo Xian said, "General Ershi retreated to Dunhuang before, and the court gathered troops and food there."

This is also the reason why Huo Xian can stay in Chang'an safely now. He does not need to leave until summer. He will lead a group of people to Dunhuang quickly only when the army and food are ready.

"After entering Dunhuang through the Hexi Corridor, I can go out of Yumen Pass." Huo Xian was delighted at the thought. "Uncle, then I will lead the main force northward and pass through Wusun."

Liu Ju asked, "Wusun?"

"Wusun and Dayuan are neighbors. Although they dare not become enemies of the Han Dynasty, they also dare not offend the Xiongnu." Huo Xian said, "I am not using the pass of Guo as a pretext to attack Guo, but I am just closer to Wusun."

It is unrealistic to fight all the way, and Huo Xian is not prepared to learn from Li Guangli. It is better to proceed step by step in this expedition.

It is acceptable if it drags on for a little longer, but we absolutely cannot afford a tragic victory at the cost of too many casualties.

Wei Zifu asked, "I heard that your heavy cavalry is not yet fully trained. Is it enough now?"

The armored cavalry has indeed not been fully trained. Now that the organization has been expanded, it is still difficult to train them in less than half a year, and even the heavy armor has not been fully equipped.

"That's not a big deal. Dayuan's cavalry is not as numerous as the Xiongnu's. I can just take a hundred cavalry." Huo Xian said with a smile, "This time we are going to attack the city. It would be a good thing if the Dayuan people could leave the city."

Wei Zifu and Liu Ju naturally hoped that Huo Xian could bring as many armored cavalry as he could, because that seemed to be safer.

However, they also understood that Dayuan's cavalry was far inferior to that of the Xiongnu. Even though Dayuan had many good horses, the population base of this great country in the Western Regions was far inferior to that of the Xiongnu.

"Jin'er, don't say that I didn't think of you when I had good things to do!" Huo Xian looked at Liu Jin who was angry beside him and said, "Dayuan has celestial horses, which are mighty and fierce, powerful and fast. Not only are they thin-skinned and hairy, but the sweat on their necks looks like blood when they run. I'll catch a few and give you two!"

That is a Ferghana horse, one of the ultimate dreams of countless literati and poets. BMW, luxury cars, etc., that is also a man’s dream!

"Then why don't you take me riding?" Liu Jin said unhappily, "I'm practicing riding skills now, just thinking about my cousin taking me riding!"

Huo Xian might also be an idol to some people. After all, a kid like Liu Jin grew up hearing stories about Huo Xian's proficiency in archery and horsemanship and how he was a young hero.

"When I come back, I'll take you riding horses!" Huo Xian laughed and said, "I've also heard that there are beauties in the Western Regions. When the time comes, I'll give you both a BMW and a beauty!"

Wei Zifu glared and said, "Don't do anything stupid. You can only marry a decent girl in the future!"

In the late Western Han Dynasty, there was a saying that "Marquis Dongye Jiexi and the former Marquis Yanqi's wife Luzhi were the daughter of Shanshan."

Not to mention the countries in the Western Regions, even the princes and nobles of the Central Plains dynasty at that time also liked some exotic beauties.

In the Tang Dynasty, Kunlun slaves, Silla maids, and Bodhisattva barbarians were popular, which was one of the standard equipment for aristocrats. In the Western Han Dynasty and the Eastern Han Dynasty, many people also enjoyed themselves.

Liu Ju also quickly warned, "You should restrain yourself. This time when you come back, I will find you a good match no matter what!"

"Your Majesty won't approve it!" Huo Xian said proudly, "If Your Majesty doesn't agree to my marriage, my aunt and uncle can't do anything. You guys arrange a marriage for me, and I'll go and ask Your Majesty. If I don't find someone I like, I won't marry!"

Wei Zifu and Liu Ju were helpless. Although they were the queen and the crown prince, they could not say much about Huo Shan's marriage.

Huo Xian insisted on not marrying, and the emperor turned a blind eye to it, so naturally everyone else could only worry.

But thinking about it, I feel relieved. There is no "family motto" now, but it says to marry only when you meet the one you like.

If you count it this way, it is also a kind of progress.

It could only be that the bottom line was too low at the beginning, so when Huo Xian had some small improvements, many people felt that he had grown up and become sensible, and they felt very gratified.

Liu Ju asked with concern, "You have all your armor, but where are your weapons?"

"Bring a few more, my spear is still not very good." Huo Xian said, "Aunt, if I go out to fight, I will have to entrust the affairs of the mansion to you. There are craftsmen in my mansion making plows and spears, keep an eye on them."

Wei Zifu nodded and said, "I know what's going on. I'll send someone to look after it when the time comes. Are all your retainers staying in the mansion?"

"Uncle Chen will follow, and the younger ones will follow me." Huo Xian said, "Uncle, don't let anyone bully the people in my house. They are all veterans who have survived hundreds of battles, and they are missing arms and legs, so they are easy to be bullied."

Seeing Huo Xian's sincere look, Wei Zifu and Liu Ju both found it funny.

It was a good thing that the retainers in the Marquis of Guanjun's Mansion didn't go out to bully others. It was just that Huo Xian thought his own family members were good and that they were all honest people.

(End of this chapter)