108 Wei Huo

◎Huo Qubing: No! ◎

The morning light, carrying the distinct chill of the Qilian Mountains, seeped through the cracks in the tent. Wrapped in a thick blanket, Huo Yan slowly sat up. The tent was empty; Huo Qubing had long since vanished. Only the dim light of a lamp remained, and the scrolls of travel books spread out on the low table.

Huo Yan was used to this.

An eagle without a tail, unable to catch the wind, would have flown away to who knows where.

He took his time washing up. The Xiongnu's living conditions were simple, with no firewood. Huo Yan steeled himself and splashed the icy spring water on his face, causing him to shudder. Only then did he finally dispel the last vestiges of sleepiness. He sat down at the low table and gnawed a few bites of his hard rations before picking up his pen. His gaze fell back on the crude map depicting the mountains and rivers of the Hexi Corridor. His finger slid along the winding lines as he continued to formulate his "fantastic" business travel route—how to avoid quicksand, how to utilize oases...

He's not in a hurry.

He was the only one in the tent, and it was so quiet that the only sound was the rustling of the pen tip across the bamboo slips.

He hadn't used bamboo slips for a long time, so he tried the file. Only after he got used to it did he continue writing.

However, this silence was soon broken. Several lines of anxious comments, like ripples on the surface of water, stubbornly appeared in the center of his vision.

[Dad! You're awake! Go find your brother!]

[Wow, Qubing must be blaming himself so much he didn't sleep well all night!]

[Has he ever suffered such high casualties in a battle before? This time, nearly half of them were killed or wounded!]

[Since you came here, we haven't had so many deaths...]

[Dad! Go talk to him! Don’t let him keep it to himself!]

The words jump around, carrying with them an almost instinctive concern for Huo Qubing's mental health, which is unique to modern people.

They almost watched Huo Qubing and Huo Yan grow up on the other side of the screen, and worry was a common thing.

Huo Yan paused with his pen. He looked up, his gaze fixed on the few lines of comments visible only to him. He quietly read those words, filled with anxiety and heartache, watching them worry about Huo Qubing's possible "self-blame."

A moment later, a very soft whisper, yet with a distinct hint of laughter, escaped Huo Yan's lips. He shook his head slightly, his beautiful almond-shaped eyes, inherited from his mother, reflecting a light of insight.

“You guys…”

Huo Yan's voice was soft, with a kind of helplessness that was almost doting, yet also with an unquestionable certainty, "You don't understand my brother at all."

He put down his pen and leaned back slightly. "Sad? Of course I am. Yesterday, drinking by the fountain, I saw so many familiar faces who would never return. The heaviness was real. He was a human being, a living person, not a cold statue of the god of war. Naturally, it hurts."

"But you say he blames himself? That he's holding it in? That's kind of funny."

He pointed to the steep valleys circled in red on the map, which represented the possible locations of remnant Xiongnu forces, and to the sources of rivers that had not yet been fully explored.

"Sadness is a product of emotion, and it only proves that a hero has a heart. But it's more of an almost obsessive pursuit of victory, and he sees protection as his bounden duty. He enjoys the thrill of galloping across the battlefield, invincible! He loves the ambition of conquering powerful enemies and expanding territory! The iron blood of a general flows in his bones. He was born to be a hero, and so was he, and so was his uncle."

He paused, his eyes sweeping over the comments, his gaze filled with an unquestionable determination.

"You look at him with ordinary eyes, and try to understand him with ordinary people's minds. Naturally, you would worry that he would blame himself and suffer. But in fact, he doesn't."

There was silence in the tent.

The barrage of comments froze for a moment because of his words.

Huo Yan stopped reading the comments and picked up his pen again, his gaze returning to the map. The tip of his pen steadily traced across the bamboo, outlining a new, dotted line leading to a more distant oasis. His expression was focused and calm, as if the intense confession had never happened.

He thought his brother must be dozens of miles away at this moment. Perhaps he was inspecting the newly built beacon tower, or perhaps he was simply galloping through the deserted wilderness, braving the chill morning breeze of the Qilian Mountains, letting his sorrow dissipate in the wind.

The barrage of comments started scrolling again, and they used the travel guide to choose a place for Huo Yan.

"Then can't we assume the same about you? You're also incredibly strong."

Huo Yan was stunned, then he laughed out loud, "Really? You guys should go back."

The comment seemed to be afraid that he would be angry, so it disappeared immediately.

A little over half an hour later, golden sunlight poured down without reservation, dyeing the rolling yellow meadows into a vast, warm splendor. Huo Yan went out to bask in the sun. He had risen early and had not forgotten to call Cao Xiang.

Poor Cao Xiang was dragged out by his brother-in-law before he even woke up.

He wanted to resist, but in the end, under a glare, he obediently followed along.

I can’t afford to offend you. I can’t afford to offend you.

They strolled to the general's tent. A massive banner fluttered high in the open space before it, its center embroidered with the majestic black character "Wei." The area had been cleared, the ground carefully leveled and covered with a thick, vermilion felt rug, a symbol of nobility. At the end of the rug, a makeshift yet meticulously crafted incense table had been set up. Made of polished hardwood, it was covered with bright yellow brocade. On it, three thick incense sticks of ambergris curled from a copper incense burner, their rich aroma trying to overcome the dusty air of the grassland. On either side of the burner lay a jade disk symbolizing imperial authority and a tiger talisman representing military power.

Liu Che's officials arrived last night, and today they will be rewarded based on their merits. Huo Yan tutted, not paying much attention to the upcoming imperial edict.

The central commander's tent was brightly lit. Even in broad daylight, tallow lamps were still burning, the grease crackling in the bronze lampstands, emitting a warm glow that barely dispelled the deep shadows within the tent.

A huge sheepskin map with a rough depiction of the Mobei terrain and the marching route was spread out on the low table in the center, with bamboo slips filled with military intelligence and lists of supplies scattered around it.

Wei Qing had removed his armor, wearing only a dark robe and a purple brocade robe with a kirin pattern, the symbol of a great general. He rarely wore such extravagance. He sat cross-legged on a thick wolfskin mat, eating a pile of glistening mutton steamed buns. The general noticed the two little ones peeking out and beckoned them to join him.

Cao Xiang gladly accepted. Although he didn't eat as much as the general, he usually ate like that. Huo Yan had never gotten up so early before, so he didn't have much of an appetite. He only sipped a cup of goat milk tea. But he felt sick of it, so he put it down after two sips.

The general was most worried about his picky eater since childhood. "He eats less than a sparrow. Now he just drinks and won't eat."

Wei Qing's thinking carried the simplicity of the older generation: being able to eat was a blessing. People like Huo Yan were the most worrying; they could eat whatever they wanted without gaining weight, and if they didn't like something, they would just eat a few bites.

Huo Yan smiled helplessly, but did not forget to flatter himself.

"That's what the phoenix does."

Wei Qing and Cao Xiang were silent for a while after hearing his words, and finally they both laughed, a speechless laugh.

Huo Xiaoyan, you are so shameless.

Huo Qubing came back at this time. He lifted the curtain and moved to the table. He reached out to grab a bun and ate it. He swallowed the whole steamed bun in three or two bites. It was obvious that he had a great appetite. He was in sharp contrast to Huo Yan, who was sipping goat milk tea next to him, as if he had only drunk nectar in his life.

"Ayan finished eating?"

Huo Qubing asked Huo Yan, who was sipping tea. Before Huo Yan could answer, Wei Qing said, "Qubing, what do you know? Our phoenix doesn't eat, it only drinks dew."

Cao Xiang almost spit out the biscuit before swallowing it, but finally swallowed it back under the help of Huo Yan's death gaze.

Huo Qubing was puzzled. "We just raised a tiger, and now we have a bird at home?"

Wei Qing pointed at Huo Yan and said with a smile, "Isn't this a little phoenix, enjoying the wind and drinking the dew?"

When Huo Qubing heard Wei Qing jokingly call Huo Yan "a phoenix that only drinks dew", he was stunned at first, then burst into laughter.

"The phoenix, with its five colors, originates from the country of gentlemen in the East. It soars beyond the four seas. Its sighting brings peace to the world." Huo Qubing looked at Huo Yan, a hint of brotherly mischief in his eyes. "It's not much different from Ah Yan."

This statement was both in line with Wei Qing's teasing and a sincere compliment to his younger brother's outstanding demeanor.

Of course, it is also possible to say that Huo Yan occasionally has a showy aesthetic, wearing a jewel chain every day, on his ears and waist, all of which are colorful.

But Ayan is really good-looking.

Huo Yan naturally heard his urging and snorted.

Wei Qing nodded with a smile, obviously agreeing.

There has never been a rule of not talking while eating at the Wei family's dinner table. It is common for the three of them to talk. Cao Xiang also often stays at the Wei family and is familiar with them. Wei Qing then asked how Huo Yan got here.

Huo Yan picked out the important things and told them everything, and as he was talking, he mentioned the compass.

Huo Qubing and Wei Qing had keen senses, and they were almost certain this compass would be extremely useful. While it offered little benefit to top-tier commanders, like a body-worn navigation system, it was essential for ordinary generals to have a clear sense of direction. Huo Qubing felt it wouldn't be excessive to request more than one, one for each Han soldier. Wei Qing looked at Huo Yan expectantly, hoping he would provide each of them with one, just as he had horseshoeed their horses and prepared armor and rations before each expedition.

"Ayan, your compass is truly a valuable tool for marching." Wei Qing put down his bowl and chopsticks and pointed at the map. "Although Qubing and I can tell the direction, if ordinary soldiers had this, they would be more confident when encountering windy sand, dense forests, or even traveling at night, and would be less likely to get lost."

Huo Qubing immediately responded, his eyes brightening as if he saw a well-equipped, invincible army of the future. "Exactly! Ah Yan, if this item could be distributed to the entire army, one for each man, that would be fantastic!"

He imagined the scene of each Han soldier holding one and manipulating it as if it were their own arm in the vast desert grassland, and his blood began to boil.

Cao Xiang also looked at Huo Yan's Dingnan Compass, and Huo Yan fiddled with it for him.

Wei Qing still looked at Huo Yan with a burning gaze, with the expectation of an elder and the pragmatism of a commander: "Yes, Ah Yan, if you can make more, it will be of great benefit to the country and the army. Just like your previous improvement of horseshoes, which benefited the entire army's warhorses, there will be a lot of this too."

They have all witnessed the benefits brought by Huo Yan's endless inventions.

Ayan, Ayan.

Six eyes stared intently at Huo Yan, who choked at this sudden demand for "army-wide equipment." He glanced at his expectant uncle, then at his brother, whose face looked matter-of-fact, as if to say, "It's just a few more gadgets." Finally, he looked back helplessly. The two pairs of bright eyes met, and the air was filled with silent urging, "Agree quickly!"

Huo Yan stared back helplessly, and three pairs of bright eyes met. In the end, Huo Yan, the most impatient, gave in. He sighed long and deeply, as if all his strength had been drained away. He leaned against the table behind him, and rolled his beautiful almond-shaped eyes helplessly.

"Do you know how much one costs? You want them all! I might as well fly up to the sky and pick the stars and the moon for you!"

He expressed profound frustration at these two "beloved generals" who had no concept of money, only caring about fighting and acquiring equipment. Huo Yan sat up straight, counting the money on his fingers, his tone filled with the heartache of a "housekeeper."

"To be honest, my dear uncle, my dear brother, we have completely annihilated the Xiongnu this time. It seems like a great victory, and we have captured countless spoils. But have you ever calculated it?"

He pointed to the Hexi region on the map and said, "This newly conquered territory needs garrisoning, building fortifications, pacifying the surrendered tribes, and guarding against Xiongnu counterattacks. Which of these tasks wouldn't be a mountain of gold and silver?"

He then pointed eastward and said, "The construction of Shuofang County is still on paper, with no end in sight. However, it will be the future barrier of the northern border, and it will be a bottomless pit!"

He finally pointed in the direction of Jiaodong, his finger dotting the map.

"The salt and iron industry has just begun, but it faces numerous obstacles and its profits are far from being realized. And there are still droughts and floods everywhere! Grain production is declining, and refugees are waiting for relief. The profits are not enough to cover the expenses."

As Wei Qing listened, the smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by a deep solemnity. He nodded slowly. As the Grand Marshal in charge of the empire's military affairs, he knew that what Huo Yan said was true. The country was indeed exhausted.

He said in a deep voice, "What Ah Yan said is indeed the truth. The country's strength is at a disadvantage, and people's lives are suffering. We may not be able to withstand the huge consumption of another war on the scale of the Huns in the next ten years."

Huo Yan felt that he was too pessimistic. With the wine minister always hoarding money and the bleeding of the powerful families last time, and the Yellow River being well managed in recent years, they were not that poor. Giving him another four or five years would probably be enough.

Before he could cheer up Wei Qing, Huo Qubing's mind was already completely filled with money.

He had never worried about money since he was young and actually had no concept of money. In battle, he only cared about charging into battle and winning. Wei Qing, Huo Yan and the imperial court took care of the food and supplies. How could he ever worry about these trivial matters?

"If you don't have money, just sell them to the Huns!" He said it as a matter of course, as if he was talking about something very ordinary. "Didn't we exchange those we captured last time for a lot of goodies? I got my new armor from them! Not enough? And there are still people from the Western Regions! I'll capture them all for you!"

He even added excitedly, "I caught it alive this time! It's definitely worth more than a dead one!"

He seemed to have seen a steady stream of captives being escorted back, in exchange for mountains of gold and food, solving all financial problems.

Cao Xiang looked at him with admiration and nodded.

Huo Yan: ...

Wei Qing: ...

Huo Yan looked at his brother's smug expression, as if to say, "Praise me for being smart!" The corners of his mouth twitched uncontrollably. He took a deep breath and tried to make his voice sound calm and caring.

"Brother...is there a possibility..." He took a sip of tea slowly and looked at Huo Qubing, "If you caught too much, the price would drop, and there would be too much, and no one in the market could buy it."

The excitement on Huo Qubing's face froze instantly.

Huo Yan continued to attack, his tone dark, "The end result is... a waste of money. Not only can we not exchange them for food, but we have to support them for nothing, and they consume our food."

Smashed...smashed into my hand? !

Huo Qubing was struck by lightning, as if he had heard the most absurd thing in the world! The "trophy" he had spent so much effort and risked to capture was actually not wanted by anyone? It would even become a burden?! This completely overturned his understanding!

He was heartbroken for a moment.

"Then I'd better kill him later. We don't have much food."

"No need. These Huns arrived just in time. The compensation for the fallen soldiers is thanks to my brother." Huo Yan looked at his brother, who looked deeply shocked and his worldview collapsed. He was both angry and amused. He patted Huo Qubing's hand and said, "The difficulties will only be temporary, at least three years, at most five years..." He put down the teacup and looked outside the tent. "Don't worry."

If there is no resistance, Shuofang will be in good shape, Jiaodong's salt and iron industries will be on the right track, Hexi will be initially stable, the treasury can breathe a sigh of relief, and the trade routes I have envisioned will be almost open, it will only take five years at most.

Five years later, the internal situation had been resolved, and the remaining external threats still depended on his brother and uncle.

He retracted his gaze and looked at Huo Qubing and Wei Qing. In a tone like coaxing a child, he said seriously, "Do your job well. I and my adoptive father are here. Brother and uncle, don't worry about it. Just go back and take good care of your health. There will be battles in the future."

Huo Qubing and Wei Qing sighed upon hearing this, and both drooped their cat faces, their movements almost identical.

Huo Qubing sighed, "It turns out that Ah Yan has been raising me since I was little. So if Ah Yan tells me to drink medicine, I have to drink it."

Wei Qing sighed, "From now on, whatever Ah Yan says will be my fate. I will have to drink bitter medicine every day from now on."

Huo Yan: ...

Cao Xiang: ..., Ayan, will I still be able to get a salary in the future?

Huo Yan picked up a steamed bun and threw it into the three of their hands, saying viciously, "Eat now, or else Phoenix Bird will be in charge and won't let you eat anything. You'll just have to starve!"

The three of them burst into laughter.

Huo Yan laughed along, then took two more sips of his milk tea, chatted briefly, and then went back to change. He changed into a cyan brocade robe and headed out, decisively standing slightly to Huo Qubing's right. His gaze swept over Zhao Po Nu and Gao Bu Shi, who stood solemnly behind him. At the very end, Shi Ye, the newly promoted cavalry captain, dressed in brand new military armor, tried to maintain the seriousness befitting his rank, but a hint of innocent excitement lingered in his eyes. Huo Yan watched, his lips curling up slightly.

Huo Qubing stood a step behind Wei Qing, to his left. Over the red brocade-edged suit he'd worn this morning, he wore a purple-ribboned battle robe with a Suan Ni pattern. His face was expressionless, the sharpness of his youthful face slightly subdued as he waited, yet still held a subtle edge, like a sword in its sheath.

He tilted his head slightly, exchanged glances with Huo Yan, and gestured for him to look to the right. To Wei Qing's right stood Gongsun He, Gongsun Ao, Zhao Shiqi, Li Ju, Cao Xiang, and other generals, one after another, standing in a row behind him. Cao Xiang, dressed in brand new marquis's attire, tried to straighten his back. Huo Yan glanced past him, his gaze fixed on Li Guang, who was wearing a half-worn suit of armor. His mouth was wide, revealing amusement, though it was unclear what he was saying. Li Gan, standing beside his father, looked speechless. Huo Qubing certainly didn't want Huo Yan to see this; he wanted Huo Yan to see the panda eyes that hadn't completely disappeared from Li Guang's face.

Huo Qubing was beaming with pride. Huo Yan thought that if Huo Qubing had a tail, he would be wagging it with pride right now. But, that was just him.

The twins' tacit understanding stopped in their eyes.

Liu Che's imperial edict has arrived.

A team of fierce palace cavalry, clad in armor and holding halberds, escorted the core group of envoys as they galloped towards the camp gate! The sound of hooves instantly shattered the tranquility of the camp, stirring up clouds of dust and smoke.

The leader, dressed in the crimson uniform of an eunuch, covered by an apricot-yellow brocade cape, symbolizing an angel, had a fair complexion. He was none other than Feng Zhongchangshi, who was acquainted with Huo Yan through his nephew. In his hands, he held a heavy scroll wrapped in bright yellow brocade, its ends adorned with golden coiled dragons.

The troops halted ten feet in front of the incense table, their movements in unison. The cavalry quickly dispersed, guarding the four sides. Eunuch Feng dismounted with a clean, sharp movement. He straightened his clothes, held the imperial edict, and, accompanied by two lower-ranking eunuchs, stepped step by step onto the vermilion felt carpet and approached the incense table.

During this time, he gave Huo Yan a look, and Huo Yan's heart sank.

It can't be what he thinks.

"Your Majesty has decreed—!"

Eunuch Feng stood in front of the incense table, facing south and back to the north, and sang loudly in his unique, shrill and penetrating voice, stretching out the tone.

"Your servants—respectfully welcome the imperial edict! Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor! Long, long live the emperor!"

Led by Wei Qing, all the generals, lieutenants, and even the surrounding soldiers knelt on the ground in unison! His forehead touched the cold, earthy ground, and Eunuch Feng's gaze lingered briefly on Wei Qing, Huo Qubing, and Huo Yan, who were in the lead. Then, he carefully untied the brocade and unfolded the scroll of silk edict. The edict was woven from the finest silk. Huo Yan glanced at it. It was made of five-colored cotton satin. It wasn't a random mix of five colors, but rather a base color, such as red, with other colored silk threads woven into patterns like cloud patterns and wavy patterns. The five colors corresponded exactly to the five elements. He had seen many edicts, and sometimes even drafted them himself with the Secretariat. But the last time he saw five colors was when Huo Qubing was conferred the title of Marquis.

He was lost in thought when Eunuch Feng began to read, "Imperial edict to General Wei Qing, General Huo Qubing and others:

For decades, the Xiongnu have invaded our borders, slaughtering and plundering officials and civilians, defying the will of Heaven. Carrying on the legacy of our great ancestors and upholding the spirits of our ancestral temples, I have mobilized the bravest warriors from across the land and dispatched you to lead the expedition. Thanks to Heaven's blessing, the dedicated service of our officers and men, and the strategic planning of our commanders, we have triumphed over the Xiongnu. We have ravaged the land, ravaged the mighty Huns, and repelled their foes. Our achievements have resonated throughout the land, and our prestige has spread far and wide! I am delighted by the news of this victory. You have crossed the vast desert, reached the northern border, ravaged the land, utterly annihilated the Huns, driven the Xiongnu into exile, and put an end to the border threat forever. This is truly an unprecedented achievement!

"Great General Wei Qing, masterminding the strategic plan, commanding the center, decisive in battle, in the heart of Mobei, he pinned down the Xiongnu Chanyu's main force, engaging in fierce battles for days, finally waiting for the eastern detachment to encircle them as planned. With impeccable command, he slew the Xiongnu Chanyu Yizhixie in one fell swoop, severing the backbone of the Xiongnu royal court and ending a century of threat to the northern border! He is the unrivaled military leader, a pillar of the nation, a bulwark of the state!" At this point, Eunuch Feng paused, and everyone held their breath, awaiting their reward. The barrage of comments echoed, but Huo Yan's heart was tense.

Wei Qing still maintained the posture of kneeling, his forehead pressed against the cold felt blanket, his expression invisible.

"You have accumulated great merits, and there is no room for advancement. I shall now grant you an additional fief of 8,800 households, 5,000 jin of gold, 50 million coins, a chariot, a Kunwu sword, a pair of jade bi disks, a hundred hu of eastern pearls, and a thousand pieces of brocade!"

As Eunuch Feng finished his words, like a stone dropped into a calm lake, they instantly stirred silent ripples among the kneeling generals. Some generals, especially those not directly under Wei and Huo, stiffened slightly, their pupils suddenly constricting beneath their drooping eyelids.

There is no room for promotion!

There is nothing left to block!

Huo Yan's heart dropped.

The barrage also fell.

[What else can I block?]

[Yeah, isn't Zhuzhu the best at creating new officials?]

[The Grand Secretary is also fine!]

[Isn’t this bullying my uncle?]

…

After reading out the rewards for Wei Qing, Eunuch Feng's voice continued, but the entire venue fell into an eerie silence. To be granted a vast fiefdom, mountains of gold and silver, a carriage, and precious treasures—this was undoubtedly an unprecedented favor, enough to make anyone's heart pound with envy. However, the words "no more rewards" were like an invisible cold current, quietly blowing away the blazing glory.

Wei Qing kowtowed deeply, his forehead hitting the ground again with a dull thud. His voice remained steady, without a trace of emotion: "Your Highness, Wei Qing, bows in gratitude for Heaven's grace! Long live the Emperor!"

When he raised his head, his face was still calm and respectful.

Huo Yan sighed.

"General of the Cavalry, Champion Marquis Huo Qubing!"

Eunuch Feng turned his voice to Huo Qubing, and his tone was obviously more appreciative and respectful.

"The army of Erti's tigers and wolves marched out of Dai Commandery, crossed the Quicksand, and crossed the Great Desert! They charged across thousands of miles, like divine troops descending from heaven, their movements like thunderbolts! They plundered the fields and swept through the land, annihilating the main force of the Xiongnu Zuoxian King in a single battle! They slew the Beicheqi King in battle, and captured the Tuntou King, the Han King, and three other kings alive! Wherever their troops reached, they sealed the Wolf's Lair Mountain to offer sacrifices to Heaven, climbed the Zenu Yan Mountain to inform Hou Tu, and drank from the vast sea to commemorate their great achievements! They spread the Han Dynasty's prestige in this remote region, achieving unprecedented feats. Their bravery surpassed all the other armies, their achievements were unparalleled, and they were the vanguard of the nation!"

"I hereby grant you the honorific title of Grand Marshal! Your rank, salary, and ceremonial guards are the same as those of the Grand Marshal and the Grand General! I will grant you an additional fief of 5,800 households, 5,000 catties of gold, and 50 million coins. I will also order the construction of a Marquis of Champion's Mansion, one in the northern palace! I will also grant you 700 servants!"

The reward bestowed upon Huo Qubing was filled with extreme favoritism and boundless expectations for his future. It seemed that a dual-Grand Marshal system had already been established. Huo Qubing thanked him, but beneath the folds of his brocade robe, the muscles in his arms, supporting his body, tensed for a moment, imperceptibly.

What is going on!

Is this to use him to check and balance his uncle?

Huo Yan quietly held his hand.

"Tai'an Marquis Huo Yan, you held the imperial seal and defeated the enemy, achieving great merit on the eastern route. You personally led your troops, marching day and night, overcoming dangers and obstacles, and arrived at the encircled area on schedule! You joined forces with the general's main force and ultimately led to the Chanyu's captivity. Your mission is complete. You are loyal, brave, resolute, and wise. You accepted the emperor's orders in times of crisis and did not disgrace him. You are truly the pillar of our country and my right-hand man!" Eunuch Feng turned his voice to Huo Yan, "You are granted an additional fief of 2,000 households, 2,000 kilograms of gold, and 20 million coins. You are promoted to the rank of Grain-collecting Commandant, responsible for agricultural production and the collection of grain for military use."

Wei Qing glanced back inconspicuously.

Thank you, these two bad kids!

Huo Yan kowtowed and thanked the emperor.

What the hell, not only Wei Huo wants to split up, he and his brother also want to split up.

The wind blew over, and Huo Yan had a blank expression on his face.

He didn't hear much of what Eunuch Feng said next. Zhang Qian, Cao Xiang, Gongsun He, and others, either sent envoys to remote regions or broke through enemy lines, were each rewarded with increased fiefs and gold and silk. Among Huo Qubing's officers and men, the Eagle-struck Sima Zhao Po Nu was granted the title of Cong Piao Marquis, while the school lieutenant Gao Bushi was granted the title of Yi Guan Marquis! Many of the school lieutenants' servants were granted the title of Hui Qu Marquis. All of Huo Qubing's other generals were given titles of nobility or promoted for their bravery. Many were given titles of nobility as a reward for their efforts. Even Li Guang, thanks to Huo Yan's help, was granted the title of Mi Lu Marquis, with a fief of 500. Although he was the last in the list, he was still a marquis.

Eunuch Feng read out the last sentence, "All the soldiers who performed meritorious service in this battle will be rewarded according to their merits; those who died in battle will be given generous compensation and their descendants will be ennobled! This is decreed—"

"Your Majesty, I accept your command and express my gratitude! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long, long live the Emperor!"

The thunderous roar of thanks rang out again, and Huo Yan woke up as if from a dream.

Eunuch Feng solemnly handed the imperial edict to Wei Qing's raised hands. Wei Qing kowtowed deeply once more before slowly rising, holding the heavy scroll of silk in his hands, his expression unchanged.

Huo Qubing also stood up and helped Huo Yan up.

Both of them had gloomy faces.

The envoy team completed their mission and left as quickly as they came.

The sun was scorching in Mobei, and the three of them returned to the tent together.

As soon as they left, a low, doubtful voice rang out among the captains beside Zhao Shiqi, "The general...hasn't been given any higher rank?" Although it was immediately stopped by others with a look, the seed of doubt had already been sown.

"The increase in fiefdoms is nearly ten thousand households! Your Majesty's grace is beyond measure!" Li Ju tried to explain, but there was a hint of uncertainty in his tone.

"Grace is a grace...but this rank is beyond measure..."

The other person seemed to be hesitant to speak, looking in the direction where Wei Qing left with a complicated look.

Gongsun Ao glanced at the whispering generals and shouted in a low voice, "Thunder, lightning, rain, and dew are all grace from the emperor. We have no say in the general's affairs."

His voice was quiet, yet it carried an undeniable authority that instantly suppressed all noise. However, beneath that calm, a deep undercurrent was already sensed by many perceptive individuals present.

Perhaps Wei Hoben is not a monolithic person.

The heavy, dark cowhide curtains swooped down, shutting out the howling winds of the northern desert, the clamor of the soldiers, and the prying eyes outside, as if shutting out the entire world. The light inside the tent suddenly dimmed, except for the crackling of large tallow candles burning in bronze goose-shaped lampstands. The dancing flames cast vast, flickering shadows on the tent walls.

Huo Yan's chest heaved violently, his beautiful almond-shaped eyes blazing with rage. He rushed to the low, lacquered nanmu table in the center. A scroll of multicolored silk imperial edict, wrapped in bright yellow brocade and adorned with a golden scroll featuring coiled dragons, lay quietly on it.

Huo Yan smiled coldly, "Well, now everyone in the world knows that my uncle and I are not from the same family!"

His shadow was swaying and waving its claws.

From the shadows of the curtains, Huo Qubing, barely twenty years old and already a high-ranking official, the third-in-command of the state, emerged expressionlessly. He walked directly to a bronze ice jar in the corner, lifted a heavy copper kettle inlaid with gold and silver Kuilong patterns, and poured himself a bowl of icy water. He tilted his head back and drank it, then casually placed the bowl on the edge of the table with a soft thud. He said coldly, "From now on, Wei is Wei, and Huo is Huo."

After saying this, he himself felt it was ridiculous and couldn't help laughing, with a hint of confusion and unspeakable arrogance.

"But my uncle raised me! He taught me everything he knew! Why should I start my own business?! What kind of business is that?!"

The voice was low and as cold and hard as the sound of metal colliding with stone.

Wei Qing was sitting cross-legged on a thick wolfskin cushion, which was made of a huge grey wolf head fur, with a ferocious wolf snout and slightly exposed fangs. He slowly picked up a mutton steamed bun that had long been cold and had a slightly hardened edge, and skillfully broke it open to reveal the greasy meat filling inside. He ate it slowly with a dish of dark brown fermented black beans on the low table. He was very open-minded. In his eyes, what was the difference between Wei and Huo? Qubing and Ayan were his children, the treasures he raised with his own hands and treated as his own. The children grew up and had abilities, one was good at fighting and the other was good at governing the country. This was the blessing of the Wei family and the pillars of the Han Dynasty. His Majesty was so kind to them and let them stand on their own at an early age. It was clearly cultivating the backbone of the next generation. Wei Qing was very grateful.

He swallowed the food in his mouth and looked at his two angry nephews. His tone was calm, even a little relieved, "Your Majesty is very kind. Such a generous favor, and well-intentioned."

Huo Yan had a blank expression on his face. He squeezed out a cold word from between his tightly pursed lips, "Heh."

Huo Qubing also had no expression on his face, and his voice was even colder, "Ha!"

Wei Qing saw no difference between being surnamed Wei and Huo, but Huo Yan and Huo Qubing saw it differently. If they were surnamed Wei, they would be heirs of the Wei family, naturally connected by blood, and no one would question their loyalty. And nephews? After all, there was a layer of separation. To put it bluntly, if they were surnamed Wei now, no one would think a son would betray his father, but whether a nephew would or not was uncertain.

This is a fatal doubt!

With their uncle as the stabilizing force and their brothers as promising heirs, the Wei family had always been a formidable force. But Liu Che's move, cutting off the Wei family's financial resources, tore it apart from within. The outstanding leader lost his most legally powerful successor, while the outstanding heir lost his protection, leaving his foundation shattered.

Well, the Wei family will have to wait and see, and the Crown Prince will have to wait and see. After all, the fate of the Han Dynasty's foreign powers has not been good. After all, how many powerful foreign relatives like Dou Ying and Tian Fen have had a good end?

Then grant the Marquis of Guanjun a mansion, completely separate it, give it an independent residence and staff. Even worse, split the Huo family into two parts, the civil and the military, to check and balance each other.

What an imperial mindset! What a divide and rule!

Huo Yan looked at his uncle who was completely unaware and even seemed pleased with the emperor's "good intentions". His eyes turned smartly and a smile as bright as a spring flower suddenly bloomed on his face. He took a few light steps to Wei Qing's side, sat down next to him, and reached out to grab the wide cuffs of his uncle's dark blue brocade robe with cloud pattern.

"Uncle~" He drawled out his words, sounding extremely aggrieved. "My brother has a luxurious home in Chang'an, bestowed upon him by the Emperor himself, the Marquis of Champion's Mansion, with its carved beams and painted rafters. How could he even compare to my little, leaky, shabby house in our house? If I go back, I won't even have a place to stay. I'll be all alone and helpless, how pitiful. Can I come and stay at your house?"

Your Majesty, if you don't move, I will avoid suspicion myself, but now, how can I let you get what you want so easily?

Wei Qing was startled by this sudden act of coquettishness, then burst out laughing. He patted the back of Huo Yan's hand with his rough big hand and said, "Silly child, when has your room ever been touched by your uncle? It has always been kept for you. Someone cleans it every day, and the charcoal basin is ready, just waiting for you to come back."

His tone was full of the indulgence of an elder.

Huo Yan's smile deepened, his almond-shaped eyes curved into crescents, but he shook Wei Qing's arm even harder, saying something startling, "Then I'll go back and tell Mother to change my given name, Huo, to Wei! Wei Yan, Wei Yan... Uncle, listen to it, doesn't it sound nice? It's much better than that damn Huo Yan! Uncle, what do you think?"

He raised his pretty face and blinked his big eyes as clear and innocent as possible.

Wei Qing: ...

The half-steamed bun in his hand nearly fell out of his hand. This kid... is simply lawless! There's no limit to his mischief!

Huo Yan persisted, practically shaking Wei Qing's arm to pieces. "Uncle, don't you like Ah Yan anymore? Isn't it good for my last name to be Wei? From now on, I'll be Wei Yan! Sharing the same last name as uncle's, this is what we call a true family relationship, a blood connection!"

Wei Qing looked at the pretty boy's face in front of him, which was full of "innocence" and "righteousness", and was choked to the point of being speechless. He could only shake his head repeatedly, feeling both amused and helpless.

Alas, the little traitor is angry. Let His Majesty worry about it. He doesn’t care.

Huo Qubing, who had been standing nearby with his arms folded, his face sullen, lowered his folded arms and strode over to Huo Yan. Without hesitation, he reached out and patted Huo Yan on the shoulder, a smile gracing his lips. His tone had returned to its usual calm, with a decisive, unyielding force.

"No need to go through so much trouble. Just change your surname when you return to Chang'an."

"As for the Champion Marquis' Mansion..."

He glanced at the colorful imperial edict on the table, which shone brightly under the light yet was cold and dazzling, as if he was looking at an insignificant decoration.

"No."

He became an official, but he didn't care about his younger brother or his uncle.

I want everything.

He wants them all!

Huo Yan: ..., if he is indeed my brother, he would be even more troublesome than me.

Now, it was Wei Qing's turn to be completely speechless. He stared at these two audacious nephews, who were so obsessed with both fame and affection, completely unafraid of His Majesty, and felt a splitting headache. He was completely speechless.

Forget it, I'll listen to His Majesty. With his dignity, these two guys won't die. Besides, he has money and can pay for their lives with gold.

【Author’s words】

My uncle is the kind of Wei Baitian who, even if Liu Che gave him rat poison, would still say, "Your Majesty, how did you know there were rats in my house?"

Liu Che is a bad pig.

Of course, from a political perspective, it is necessary to cultivate the next generation, especially when one does not know one's own lifespan and one's parents and grandparents did not live long.

My uncle had the correct idea of Liu Che, but Qubing and Ayan, especially Ayan, exaggerated the situation and made groundless speculations.

He said, oh, he is like this. If Liu Che doesn't mention it, he will cut it himself. If Liu Che mentions it, he won't cut it, he will just stick to it.