Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 87 Son of Destiny
The imperial court was constantly dispatching troops and generals toward the Western Regions, sending additional garrison laborers, or transporting food and fodder, etc.

Even the northern and southern armies began to select some soldiers to march towards Dunhuang.

Huo Xian was still safe and sound in Chang'an. There was no need to worry for the time being. It would be time for him to set off once the army was almost assembled.

There are still many things that seem to be uncertain, but many people think that this time the battle against Dayuan will basically be led by the General of Cavalry.

It’s not just because of the emperor’s favoritism, but also because Li Guangli might really be unlucky.

Liu Che was a passionate man. When he loved Chen Ajiao, he thought of hiding her in a golden house. When he loved Wei Zifu, Wei and Huo rose with her. When he loved Lady Wang, he thought of summoning her soul.

Now Madam Li is sick. She is a smart woman. She knows that she is seriously ill and haggard, so she is determined not to see the emperor.

She also realized that if one uses beauty to please others, love will fade when beauty fades, and love will end when love fades. The reason why the emperor could not forget her was because she had a beautiful appearance in her life. If he saw her appearance was ruined and her color was not the same as before, he would definitely be disgusted and abandon her.

So for the sake of her son and brother, she refused to see the emperor and made sure to leave the emperor with the best memories.

Lady Li, who was bedridden, was buried with the rites of a queen because she had children.

Liu Che also ordered a painting of Lady Li's appearance, but in the blink of an eye, Lady Li's brother Li Ji was convicted of spreading cholera in the harem, and Liu Che exterminated the clans of Li Yannian and Li Ji's brothers.

Huo Xian was dumbfounded at the development of some things. Many people originally thought that Li Guangli might be valued because of Madam Li.

But now, Li Guangli has not yet achieved his goal, and his biggest backer has fallen. He has no choice now, he can only honestly fight Dayuan, and if he loses, he will definitely be miserable.

Wei Deng came to the Guanjun Marquis's residence again and brought a bow. "Aung asked me to bring it here. He said he has adjusted the bowstring for you. You just need to use it."

"Where is the military book?" Huo Xian took the bow and asked, "If my uncle really cares about me, please send the military book to me!"

Wei Deng said disdainfully, "Don't pull the empty string. It's easy to damage the bow. You are a military marquis after all. Don't you know this truth?"

This is also true. Dry shooting and pulling the string will indeed damage the bow.

Huo Xian said nonchalantly, "I now have more armor than I can wear and more bows than I can count. I also have five or six spears. I don't even need to make them myself, they were all given to me as gifts."

Wei Deng said sourly, "If you are really generous, just give me some. You have done something wrong, but you blame me for it. I have no way to complain!"

"I'll bring you a Pegasus when the time comes!" Huo Xian said generously, "When the time comes, we'll wander around Chang'an together, and all the girls in the city will surely fall in love with us!"

"Can't you take me with you to fight?" Wei Deng said with some longing, "Yesterday, the Archery Captain and the Infantry Captain were transferred away, and they both went to Dunhuang."

"According to this calculation, four of the eight colonels have left." Huo Xian smiled and asked, "Do you know who led the troops?"

The eight lieutenants were appointed by Emperor Liu Che himself, and each lieutenant had 700 men. These were the elite of the elite, and only the emperor's confidants could lead the troops.

Wei Deng said, "The Minister of the Court and the Imperial Household Shangguan Jie, your Majesty has appointed him as the Commandant of the Grain-Searching Army. There is also the former Grand Herald Hu Chongguo, the two of them are now leading the northern and southern armies to march."

Shangguan Jie was the grandfather of the Empress of Emperor Zhao of Han Dynasty in history, and the in-law of Huo Guang. Both of them were originally important ministers appointed by Emperor Liu Che to take care of the young emperor, but they eventually became political enemies and ended up being convicted of treason and extermination of their clans.

The Grand Herald was the diplomat of this era.

The Han Dynasty's strategy for the Western Regions was very clear. It would use money and goods to get the Western Regions to join the court.

The emperor would boast about the wealth and power of the Han Dynasty to the envoys from the Western Regions. Whenever he went on a tour, he would take the envoys from the Western Regions with him, reward them generously with money and silk, and set up wrestling matches, strange performances, and pools of wine and meat, so that they could watch the accumulation of food in the treasury. These envoys from the Western Regions were often shocked by the vastness and power of the Han Dynasty.

As for countries that are pro-Xiongnu or anti-Han, military strikes will be launched. Countries like Loulan and Dayuan have something to say about this because this is what they are experiencing now.

Huo Xian couldn't help but complain, "These two are just trying to restrain me. I, the General of the Cavalry, haven't even set out for the battle yet, but the people around me are already ready."

Wei Deng was already used to Huo Xian's outspokenness, but he still said, "You have been acting recklessly, and it's time to restrain yourself. If you don't act recklessly, how dare they challenge your power?"

"Looking at it this way, I only have two months left to start, which is plenty of time." Huo Xian laughed and said with some pride, "Uncle, just wait for me to bring the Pegasus back for you!"

Wei Deng looked around and asked in a low voice, "Xian'er, you are so lucky! You can do anything you want to do!"

Although this statement is a bit exaggerated, it is true if you think about it carefully.

Huo Xian had always wanted to fight the Huns, so the Huns' left commander wanted to surrender, which led to the subsequent war against the Huns.

He was eagerly looking forward to the battle against Dayuan, but Li Guangli was defeated despite his superior military strength. And now when the emperor was wavering, Madam Li died of illness. From this point of view, Huo Xian really seemed like a man of luck. He was so lucky that it was unbelievable.

Huo Xian was also stunned for a moment, then said, "Now that you mention it, it seems to be the case. This is not a bad thing. I am a blessed person."

"I will also start looking for people later. Going to the Western Regions to fight is no small matter." Huo Xian asked, "Where is the son of Marquis Bowang? Does my cousin know where he is?"

Although Zhang Qian was stripped of his title because he got lost, he had been dead for more than ten years.

But Huo Xian still had it in mind. This envoy who had gone through so much hardship to return to the Han Dynasty knew the Western Regions very well. He had been to Wusun, Dayuan, Kangju, Dayuezhi and other countries and was familiar with the situation there.

There were more than one hundred people in the delegation that year. After thirteen years of hardships, only Zhang Qian and the Hu people Tang Yifu escaped.

Of course, Zhang Qian also brought back his Hu wife and son, but unfortunately Zhang Qian's wife died of illness due to acclimatization not long after returning to Chang'an.

Wei Deng said uncertainly, "Marquis Bowang was stripped of his title and buried in his hometown of Hanzhong. If you want to find him, go find him."

Huo Xian looked at Chen Ju and said, "Uncle Chen, send someone to Hanzhong to see if the descendants of Marquis Bowang are still alive and if they are familiar with the Western Regions. If they are familiar, tell them that I have summoned them. Also, ask Tang Yifu if he has any descendants."

The contribution of Tang Yi Fu should not be forgotten either. This envoy was well-known for his archery skills and often shot animals for the delegation to satisfy their hunger.

Chen Ju immediately replied, "Your Excellency Feng should have descendants, but I don't know if they are capable enough. I will send someone to find them immediately, so as not to delay your Excellency's important mission."

When going out to fight, one must bring a guide, and Huo Xian was naturally aware of this.

This is no small matter. If there is no guide who is familiar with the geography, he might be the next general to get lost. Huo Xian does not want to be teased like this, as that would lead to big mistakes.

Huo Xian is still continuing to prepare for the expedition. As a self-made army, he will naturally give it extra care.

Although the General of Cavalry had no real power, his special status made it easier for him to do things, such as replacing all military equipment with new ones of good quality, and replenishing the horses with stronger ones after careful inspection.

These were all minor matters, Huo Xian was adept at handling them, and Liu Che was too lazy to ask about them. As for other officers and officials, they would not offend him because of these matters.

"My Lord, I have carefully selected a hundred cavalrymen." Zhao Anguo said proudly, "Most of them are old troops from our last expedition, and some are new."

The Yulin Army will definitely not be taken away in full, only the elite or well-trained veterans. After all, the current Yulin Army is large in scale and there are some new recruits.

"When the time comes, I will also recruit Qimen into your army, and your title of General of the Central Army will be real." Huo Xian said jokingly, "Let the men prepare more, because the battle against Dayuan will take a long time this time."

Zhao Anguo naturally knew where Dayuan was. Although he didn't know where it was, it was said to be farther away than Shouxiang City.

Then make good preparations. Zhao Anguo is not satisfied with being just a Marquis of Guannei. He is eager to become a marquis, and he is not satisfied with being just a General of the Central Army who does not live up to his title.

His goal is to be truly granted a title of nobility or a general, that is what a man should pursue!

Zhao Anguo has his own pursuits, and so does Huo Xian. He will never be satisfied with the current wealth and glory, as this is quite different from his ideal.

So you have to work hard when you need to. Even if everything seems to be ready now and many things are being prepared comprehensively, you can't take it lightly and you can't seek fame by imitating the tyrant!
Huo Xian rushed to the Weiyang Palace again and found that the emperor had indeed changed his favorites. This time they were Madam Yin and Madam Xing, both of whom were imperial concubines.

The emperor also needed to be tactful. In order to avoid jealousy between the two new favorites, Liu Che specifically issued an edict not allowing them to meet.

Liu Che's next favorite concubine was Lady Gouyi, the mother of Emperor Zhao of Han, Liu Fuling. However, Lady Gouyi was still young and had not yet entered the palace. It would probably take a few years before she would have the chance to meet the emperor.

"I heard that you were either looking for a guide or changing your weapons. I was a little surprised." Liu Che looked at Huo Xian and said, "Why, did I allow you to attack Dayuan?"

Huo Xian found it strange, "Your Majesty, if it wasn't me who went to attack Dayuan, could it be someone else?"

Huo Xian complained bitterly, "I promised a celestial horse to the emperor's grandson, and I also need a celestial horse for my little cousin. If I don't lead the army myself, how can I get so many horses?"

Liu Che immediately scolded, "Don't do this recklessly. After you pick the celestial horses, send them to the stables. Pick a few for yourself. It's fine for the emperor's grandson, but is Wei Deng worthy of a celestial horse?"

Huo Xian was even more proud. "Your Majesty, I am ready and can set out at any time. But I thought I should wait a little longer. I'd better wait until your Majesty's birthday is over before setting out. By then, I can take fewer people with me and hurry up so as not to delay."

Liu Che was even more pleased, "Well, you are thoughtful enough to remember my birthday."

(End of this chapter)