Inheriting a Taoist temple, the story begins with Wu Zetian offering incense.

Chapter 98 Liu Che: Whoever praises Li Guang will be transferred to Li Guang's army! [Seeking monthly votes]

Zhang Qian was surprised to hear Huo Qubing's words:
"Huo Biaoyao, did you learn about my future from a deity?"

Huo Qubing said with a smile:
"Master mentioned it briefly, Ziwen Gong, there's no need to be nervous, it might just be a joke."

The more he said this, the more concerned Zhang Qian became. He planned to return to Chang'an and follow Wei Qing's example, closing his doors to guests and refusing to associate with anyone to avoid getting involved in anything.

According to historical development, two years later, in the second year of Yuanshou (121 BC), Huo Qubing led his army to conquer the entire Hexi Corridor, drove the Xiongnu out of the Qilian Mountains, and gave the Han Dynasty four more commanderies, extending its borders to the Western Regions.

When Huo Qubing launched the Hexi Campaign, Zhang Qian and Li Guang were also ordered to lead troops from Youbeiping beyond the Great Wall to contain the main force of the Xiongnu.

As a result, Zhang Qian got lost and was sentenced to death according to the law. In the end, he paid money to redeem himself and was demoted to a commoner.

After reading this history in Hunyuan Palace, Huo Qubing came to the conclusion that Li Guang's family was a typical example of bad luck; whoever was near them would suffer misfortune.

Zhang Qian looked at Zhao Ponu and asked:
Why do you know so much about the Xiongnu?

Zhao Ponu bowed to him:
"When I was young, I wandered in the land of the Xiongnu for several years, begging my way back to the Han lands, and had countless dealings with the Xiongnu people."

Zhang Qian asked Zhao Ponu several questions in the Xiongnu language, and Zhao answered them all fluently, which made Zhang Qian immediately appreciate his talent and feel that Huo Qubing had discovered a treasure.

Historically, Zhao Ponu was able to serve as Huo Qubing's deputy because he was fluent in both the Han and Xiongnu languages ​​and was able to communicate with the Xiongnu people.

Huo Qubing had a large number of surrendered Xiongnu generals and scouts under his command, and these people were almost all managed by Zhao Ponu.

Zhao Ponu's excellent management skills and formidable martial prowess made him Huo Qubing's right-hand man, and his status rose along with Huo Qubing's official rank.

When Huo Qubing was appointed General of the Cavalry, Zhao Ponu served as his Chief of Staff; when Huo Qubing was appointed Grand Marshal and General of the Cavalry, Zhao Ponu became his Chief of Staff.

Once a general in the Han Dynasty obtained the title of general, he would lead an army independently. However, after Zhao Ponu was appointed as the Eagle Strike General, he still served as Huo Qubing's Sima, so he was called the Eagle Strike Sima.

As for titles, Zhao Ponu was enfeoffed as Marquis Congpiao for killing King Suxi in battle and capturing King Jiqie alive... You can tell from the name that Zhao Ponu and Huo Qubing were bound together by fate, sharing both glory and ruin.

That evening, the army gathered around the campfire in the camp, eating fragrant fried noodle soup, and everyone's face was filled with delight.

In the past, when large armies went on expeditions, they ate wheat rice or wheat cakes, which were not only unpalatable but also made their throats sore.

Now there are fried noodles, especially fried noodles cooked with hot water, which are fragrant and delicious, and have a silky smooth texture. It feels like even the nobles of Chang'an couldn't afford such a delicacy.

Zhao Ponu asked Huo Qubing for advice:

"May I ask, Commandant Yao, how can this be prepared since it is difficult to find enough firewood on the grasslands?"

Huo Qubing held the wooden bowl, scooped a spoonful of fried noodles into his mouth, and said:

"You can eat it dry, or you can put the fried noodles into a water bag and then put the water bag in your clothes to heat it up with your body heat. During the march, the fried noodles will automatically turn into a paste, and you can drink a couple of sips when you are hungry."

Zhao Ponu's eyes lit up, and he happily wrote it down before going to discuss it with the junior officers and squad leaders.

Zhang Qian glanced at Zhao Ponu's retreating figure and asked in a low voice:

"Is Huo Biaoyao's trust in this person too arbitrary?"

Huo Qubing took out a packet of wafer biscuits from his pocket and handed it to Zhang Qian, saying:

“My mentor mentioned this person, saying that he was exceptionally brave and would become my right-hand man in the future.”

He didn't know why he had trusted Zhao Ponu in history, but since there was no problem in history, he might as well just copy his own homework now... Well, copying one's own homework doesn't count as copying.

Upon hearing that it was a selection by the gods, Zhang Qian didn't say much. Instead, he planned to let the eldest son brought by the Xiongnu get closer to Zhao Ponu.

The child, who grew up in the Xiongnu, is almost ten years old and still can't speak the Han language. He usually doesn't even dare to leave the house. Now that he has an Uncle Zhao who is fluent in both languages, the child will definitely be very happy.

While everyone here was enjoying their peaceful dinner, the scene in Chang'an was quite different.

Liu Che sat at his desk, picked up a bamboo scroll, glanced at it twice by the oil lamp, then angrily threw it to the ground. He picked up another scroll, glanced at it briefly, and threw it to the ground again, his whole demeanor like an enraged lion.

"You actually impeached Wei Qing for blaspheming against the gods, and for condoning Wei Qing's actions... You all eat the emperor's food but do not share the emperor's burdens. All those who impeach Wei Qing shall be fined one year's salary!"

He pinched the bridge of his nose and looked at a young man standing by the door:

"Sima Qian, do you think their impeachment was justified?"

Sima Qian was a newly appointed official this year. Of course, although he was appointed, it was actually the result of his family's efforts. Official positions in the Han Dynasty were always controlled by aristocratic families, and whether one could get promoted depended entirely on family connections.

Sima Qian thought for a moment, then bowed and said:
"Your Majesty, I believe that the generals of our Great Han should be diverse and multifaceted. If the Grand General alone controls the entire army..."

Before he could finish speaking, Liu Che already knew what he was about to say:

"Are you trying to say that Li Guang is more suitable to command the army? Then tell me what achievements Li Guang has made since joining the army, and give specific details of his gains and losses. Don't use those empty words of praise from aristocratic families."

Sima Qian racked his brains but couldn't recall any particularly impressive military achievements by Li Guang. As the governor of Longxi, he had killed Qiang prisoners; when the magistrate of Baling was upholding the law, he deliberately retaliated by having the officer transferred to Shanggu and murdered; as a general, he deserted his post and was surrounded, escaping death but missing a crucial opportunity…

The Sima family and the Li Guang family were old friends. Whenever they had the chance, they would help each other out, and that's how they earned their reputation as aristocratic families.

But today, Liu Che gave him the opportunity, yet Sima Qian couldn't bring himself to say it.

Putting aside their usual mutual flattery, it seems that Li Guang really didn't achieve much in military matters... Sima Qian remained silent for a long time before finally bowing his head and apologizing.

If it were Liu Che in the past, he would definitely have scolded this young man.

But yesterday, Wei Qing sent a memorial to the throne, which contained information about later events that Huo Qubing had mentioned during their conversation. Among these matters was Sima Qian's historical writing, which revealed his own biases and elevated Li Guang's reputation above that of Wei Qing and Huo Qubing.

Well, in the Records of the Grand Historian, Li Guang has his own biography, while Wei Qing and Huo Qubing are combined into one biography. If you didn't know better, you might think that Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, uncle and nephew, were Li Guang's followers.

Wei Qing's memorial was vague, but Liu Che, being a clever man, quickly deciphered its deeper meaning.

Since Sima Qian was present today, he decided to change his strategy.

You like to speak well of him, don't you? Then I'll send you to Li Guang's army... No matter how good the relationship is, once you become colleagues, rifts will form. What's more, you'll suffer so much and still not get any military merit. Li Guang's stubbornness and arrogance will definitely teach Sima Qian a lesson.

Thinking of this, Liu Che gave the following instructions:

"Issue the order that if Li Guang disobeys orders after Wei Qing's army arrives at Dingxiang, he may lead his troops out of the pass alone. Sima Qian, the official in charge of military affairs, shall join Li Guang's troops in my stead and assume the role of military supervisor."

Upon hearing this order, Sima Qian was overjoyed:

"Your Majesty, may I truly join the army to fight the Xiongnu?"

Liu Che smiled slightly:
"You should find the Xiongnu first."

From now on, whoever praises Li Guang will be allowed to join Li Guang's army. After working together for a while, let's see if they still praise him.

The most hated thing in the army is the military governor sent by the imperial court. The two sides can easily have disagreements over the war. Sima Qian was young and impetuous, while Li Guang was stubborn and arrogant. The two sides should produce a very strange chemical reaction.

After paying his respects, Sima Qian hurriedly left the palace to go home and pack his things to prepare for joining the army.

Liu Ju, who had been keeping a low profile in the corner, ran over and asked:
"Father, what should we do if they perform a great service?"

Liu Che was immediately delighted:

"Reward those who deserve it, confer titles upon those who deserve it—this is a good thing!"

After his initial joy, Liu Che inquired about the matter of the imperial decree issued by the advisors at the gate. Upon hearing that the princes seemed to be resistant, he ordered an envoy to deliver the decree to the princes' fiefdoms, requiring all adult princes to be enfeoffed by the end of the year.

The Edict of Grace was Liu Che's means of dividing the princes. It was an open scheme with no way to resolve the conflict. The princes either obeyed the edict or rebelled... and if they rebelled, it would give Liu Che a reason to suppress them.

Now it is the fourth year since the implementation of the Edict of Grace. The princes have all realized that something is wrong and want to resist, but it is too late. They can only hesitate and try to delay the enfeoffment as much as possible.

He also reviewed some memorials and handled a considerable amount of government affairs.

It wasn't until it was completely dark outside that Liu Che prepared to rest, but as soon as he got up, he saw the map hanging on the wall.

Compared to later dynasties, the territory during Emperor Wu's reign did not include the Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast coast, or Nanyue; it only encompassed the Guanzhong Plain, North China, South China, and northern Sichuan.

"With the territory so cramped, how can I feel at ease... Send me a bowl of soup noodles, and I'll stay for another hour."

Liu Che took the initiative to work overtime, and the entire Weiyang Palace became busy as a result.

Meanwhile, inside the Hunyuan Palace, Zhou Yi was also sitting in front of his computer, looking at the police's fire report.

The fire at Shi Xiangu's house was caused by the careless use of candles. In addition, the excessive amount of flammable materials stored in the house was also a major cause of the fire.

Next, a comprehensive investigation of fire hazards will be conducted throughout the county to prevent further tragedies.

After reading it, Zhou Yi muttered:

"First came the large-scale crackdown on drunk driving, and then the large-scale crackdown on fire hazards. I believe that these two large-scale crackdowns will uncover many problems and prevent many tragedies from happening."

He casually dragged the mouse and suddenly saw a government announcement:

"Cai, a staff member of the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau of Xiuchuan County, was dismissed for violating the regulations prohibiting civil servants from drinking alcohol, which caused a negative impact. After investigation by the organization, it was decided to dismiss Cai."

Getting fired for drinking? Did I just walk into a trap?
After reading the Book of Changes, Zhou Yi got up and cleared out his desk, placing yellow paper, cinnabar, and other items on it, preparing to draw some water purification talismans for Huo Qubing to prevent them from getting diarrhea from drinking raw water contaminated by livestock.

Once Li Bai arrives in Chang'an, the little guy needs to learn how to draw this talisman quickly, so he can gain merit from his junior brother Huo Qubing.

For the next two days, Zhou Yi worked as a laborer during the day and drew talismans at night, and his life returned to normal until he received a phone call from an unknown number, which broke his peaceful life:
"Excuse me, are you Master Zhou? I am Du Chunyi, the village head of Sanlizhuang. Recently, several people in the village have said that they saw the Stone Fairy who was just burned to death at night, which has caused panic in the village. Could you please come and take a look?"

(End of this chapter)