95 The Moon is Full and Then It Wanes
◎Huo Yan: Hahaha, I really want to go crazy~◎
After the battle, Huo Yan and Huo Qubing returned to Chang'an.
Huo Qubing led nearly 30,000 Huns towards Chang'an. When he returned from Yanmen, he was surrounded by Han people along the way.
Huo Yan took advantage of this opportunity to sell thousands of them, openly treating the Huns like cattle and sheep.
Those Huns were frightened by Huo Qubing and had already been subdued by Huo Yan's promise. Some of the lower-class Huns heard that they could have enough food by becoming Han slaves, so they followed him obediently.
Anyway, you will be beaten and scolded wherever you go, and the people of the Han Dynasty will give you more.
Only the middle and upper classes of the Xiongnu were overcome with grief, wailing daily, "The loss of Mount Yanzhi has made our women lose their dignity; the loss of Mount Qilian has caused our livestock to cease to thrive."
The sound was so mournful and lingering that it made it difficult for anyone in Huo Qubing's cavalry unit to sleep.
Huo Qubing was annoyed when he heard this. "When you wanted women and food before, and you came to rob us whenever you weren't satisfied, why didn't you cry? If you didn't know better, you might have thought we were mourning. The noise gave him a headache and brought him bad luck!"
He grabbed a ring-handled sword and turned, walking into the area where the weeping was most intense. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the guards. His face betrayed no emotion. The slightly curved blade, a shining shard of ice, was his go-to weapon. It was incredibly sharp, carrying a fierce, piercing edge that would send you slamming into the depths of your body, sending you to the brink of death.
He placed the tip of his knife on the Xiongnu King Xutu's chin and asked, "I heard you wanted a son?"
King Xiu Tu was tied up like a crab in a pot, and he trembled like a sieve when he heard the words.
"No, I don't want to."
Huo Qubing raised his chin slightly and glanced at him, oh.
King Xiutu was so frightened that he fell to the ground, as if he were possessed by a ghost.
After Huo Qubing left, the Xiongnu people on King Xiutu's side stopped shouting, but those on King Hunxie's side were still shouting. King Hunxie and his son had been sold long ago, and there was no one to take charge of the situation. Huo Qubing went there reluctantly.
At this point, the Huns were as quiet as chickens.
Along the way, Huo Yanguang sold the Huns and counted money until his hands cramped. He sold people all the way and when he arrived in Chang'an, there were only a few thousand elite Huns left. He went back and found a large garden and locked them up together with the place where Liu Che raised leopards and bears.
See the Huns, plus bonus leopard and bear chariots, all for just three gold coins! Live auction, no cheating!
If you pay a lot of money, you can even sell the emperor’s leopard!
No noble in Chang'an dared to disrespect Huo Yan. No one wanted to be invited by that group of evil young men in Chang'an and to be remembered by Liu Che.
Therefore, these thousands of Huns were divided up as soon as they were born. Some were paid with money, and some were paid with slaves. Anyway, Huo Yan and Huo Qubing made a lot of money. Huo Yan even replaced Huo Qubing's horses with silver armor, which shone very brightly in the light. Although they could not be used in daily battles, there were times when there were battles!
Huo Qubing was an extremely smart man. He also knew that the worst thing about war was that it would make the country impoverished. Now Huo Yan had opened a new way for him, allowing him to raise money without any effort.
This is how to support war by fighting!
From then on, Huo Yan never imagined that his brother, who could not take them away and thus eliminated the trouble for a long time, would start taking them away, taking them away, and even inventing a war strategy of herding people everywhere and driving them back to the Han Dynasty.
Of course, Huo Yan doesn’t know what Huo Qubing is thinking now. Even if he knew, he would agree with it. After all, he still plans to liberate the Han slaves by selling other people!
This battle was truly brilliant, and the enraged Liu Che rewarded Huo Qubing with a larger fief. Huo Yan, the instigator of the battle, was remembered for saving the Marquis of Guanjun and for his mechanical ferry. Furthermore, their superior horse equipment, which was much more sophisticated than in history, reduced their casualties significantly, killing many more Xiongnu, and even paying off the huge debt owed by Liu Che. After all this, Huo Qubing ranked Huo Yan second in rank and formally requested a marquisate for his younger brother.
Liu Che cursed Huo Yan while drafting his decree for a title. He was obviously angry that Huo Yan had made the Xiongnu dance disgust him. Huo Yan had a bad temper, a small mind, and a good memory.
That's what literary youth are like. They love people and hate people, and they're constantly emotional. If you offend someone they don't like, they'll dig up every little thing about you and try to convict you. And if you don't tell them, they'll just wait and kill you. That's how Tian Fen and the previous prime ministers ended up.
Don’t ask how Huo Yan knew this, because he and Liu Che were cut from the same cloth.
So Huo Yan was prepared to be treated with sarcasm when he returned.
Unexpectedly, Liu Che came up with a trick to cut off the fuel supply. He did not complain to the general, but only to Wei Changjun and Wei Zifu, portraying himself as an old father who was willing to compromise and anger his rebellious son for no reason.
The corners of Wei Zifu's mouth twitched slightly, and she said that she must punish him severely. But in fact, she was thinking that the child was still young and had suffered so much, so who would be willing to scold him?
She thought so in her heart, and the Wei family all thought so in their hearts.
The day after meeting the Emperor and Empress, Wei Bu brought word that Wei Shaojun had invited him to dinner at the Wei residence. Huo Yan shrank back, his white neck, which bore a scar. Huo Qubing also wanted to cover his face, as he had a small cut at the corner of his eye, which was still pale.
The injury healed quickly, but the family must have been frightened, and my elderly grandmother would cry again.
Wei Bu also noticed the scars on their bodies, and his eyes suddenly became sore.
"Qubing, Ah Yan, how come you are so badly injured?"
He touched the wounds of Huo Qubing and Huo Yan and sighed, "Good boy, find something to cover yourself first."
After Huo Yan and Huo Qubing were dressed up, they were taken back to the Wei family by Wei Bu.
The Wei residence couldn't compare to the Marquis of Changping's mansion, but it was still considered a large house in Chang'an. It currently housed Wei Changjun's family and his wife, Wei Ai. Wei Changjun was in poor health and constantly on Huo Yan's medicine, and Wei Ai was elderly, and both enjoyed a lively atmosphere. Consequently, the vast Wei residence was filled with the sounds of the younger generation playing, playing cards, chatting, and even the roar of the stove, making the house seem small.
Huo Yan and Huo Qubing, one wearing a silk scarf and the other a mask, entered under everyone's gaze. Huo Guang, who was following Wei Shaoer, trotted into Huo Yan's arms, "Brother Zhong!"
Huo Yan touched his head and said, "You seem to have grown taller recently!"
Huo Guang's face flushed.
Huo Qubing took a glance and thought to himself that Ah Yan was just coaxing a child. In just two months, even a rabbit might not grow legs, let alone a human.
Huo Yan spoke a few words to Huo Guang, then let him go out and play with Wei Kang and the others, while he and Huo Qubing went back into the house. Wei Shaoer, who was sitting in the house playing cards, was shocked when he saw the two brothers.
"My son, what happened? He's disfigured!"
In an instant, there was a huge uproar and everyone wanted to pull the two people away.
Huo Qubing pursed his lips tightly, then took off his mask. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, "It's just a small scar, it's okay, it's okay."
Then she stared at Huo Yan fiercely, and Huo Yan had no choice but to untie his scarf.
The small scar, about an inch long, made the Wei family laugh and cry.
Aunt Wei smiled widely. She looked left and right at the two men's scars, and her smile widened. She said to everyone, "They have always been perfect, everything is good. Everyone is proud of them, but they are too perfect. I always worry that they will be taken away by heaven. Now there is a small scar, which is a good thing."
Everyone nodded.
Flaws are good, and more flaws mean a longer life.
Wei Changjun coughed a few times before saying, "When the moon is full, it wanes; when the water is full, it overflows. Having flaws is good; it won't arouse the jealousy of heaven."
Wei Qing was also smiling, and everyone was smiling.
Huo Yan and Huo Qubing put aside their fatigue, sat next to Wei Qing, and started playing cards and mahjong.
Then Wei Qing and Huo Qubing were kicked off the table.
"Come and help me!"
Huo Yan showed his little white teeth and his name was Huo Qubing.
"I lost again!"
[Smelly brand.]
[Hahaha, Ah Yan’s silk scarf belongs to Aunt Wenjun.]
[And a flower.]
…
Not only did Huo Yan and Huo Qubing not receive severe punishment, but they received the love of their elders and lived a carefree and happy life in the Wei Mansion.
Some were happy and some were angry. Seeing that the two of them were becoming more and more comfortable, Liu Che was so angry that his teeth were broken.
It's useless! Humph!
Then a brilliant idea came to mind.
He took Wei Qing to Ganquan Palace for a few days. The crown prince was in charge of state affairs, and all court affairs were entrusted to the newly appointed Marquis of Tai'an and Marquis of Guanjun and the three ministers to handle as appropriate.
When Huo Yan came back from Wei Qing, he heard the angel announcing the decree, and the first half of his cheerful face suddenly turned dark after he finished speaking.
Huo Qubing was also numb.
This revenge is too severe.
Huo Yan was forced to take over Wei Qing's internal affairs, and he was almost dead. Huo Qubing took over the huge military affairs left by Wei Qing, and he was almost alive.
Standing behind the prime minister who was presiding over the court meeting, Huo Yan felt for the first time that even a dog wouldn't be able to return to this dilapidated house.
It is worth mentioning that the prime minister has changed from the old man Gongsun Hong to Li Cai.
Gongsun Hong stayed in March during the Battle of Hexi. He was too old. He was the first prime minister during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han who was not from a noble family but a meritorious official. He practiced frugality and cherished the people throughout his life. Although he had different political views from Liu Che, he was tactful and submissive throughout his life and fulfilled his responsibilities as prime minister.
Huo Yan didn't have much dealings with him, and he only remembered that he was a cunning elder who valued peace but could not be criticized.
The good thing about the people in the Hanwu Dynasty was that they had a short memory. Almost instantly, they wiped out all traces of the previous prime minister and instantly accepted the prime minister's tendency to gradually align with the emperor's.
Huo Yan was one of them. He was not a filial son or grandson of the Gongsun family, and he didn't even make it to the seventh day. Fortunately, Wei Qing was at home and gave them gifts to make up for it, so that he didn't have to ask someone else to make up for it and bring up the sad things again.
Huo Qubing thought the same. Apart from government affairs, they had spent their free time this month replying letters, replying to invitations and visiting people. They really had no free time at all.
He still hasn't had time to visit the Xiongnu Market opened by Huo Yan. He can only occasionally listen to Uncle Dan sighing as he reports the skyrocketing ticket prices.
On that day, the eunuch who was delivering Liu Che's imperial edict brought the emperor's order to attack the Huns again this summer.
Huo Yan and Huo Qubing tacitly agreed that this was his release from prison.
"Hey, it's the last day, stop writing."
After hearing the decree, Huo Yan went to find Huo Qubing, sat down next to him, and said with his chin in his hand, "Go home, go home."
Huo Qubing was writing furiously, wishing he could pause with his hand, and then he couldn't help but curl up the corners of his lips.
"Uh-huh."
Huo Yan gave him a relaxed look before speaking to Feng Huangmen, who had come to convey Huo Qubing's imperial decree, "Quickly tell Marquis Guanjun what His Majesty is doing now."
Huo Qubing rubbed his swollen forehead and raised his eyebrows at Feng Huangmen.
Huangmen Feng withstood the pressure and replied respectfully, "I dare not speak of the emperor's whereabouts."
Huo Yan glanced at Huo Qubing's movements, put down the jade pendant he was playing with, and slowly straightened his waist. His face remained nonchalant as he said, "Then tell me about your uncle."
Huangmen Feng opened his mouth and said, "The general went hunting, killed a few bears, and took a bath in the hot springs. Madam Wang and the Prime Minister are both dead, and the general is exhausted."
I am exhausted from dealing with the insane Majesty.
Huo Yan complained in his heart, hummed, and handed him a purse.
"Very good," he added. "Your nephew's carpentry is excellent. I want to order something big this fall. Can you talk to him about it?"
The eunuch nodded in agreement, and seeing Huo Yan's expression, he didn't dare to act cute and went on decisively.
Huo Qubing yawned and picked up the lamp. Huo Yan hurriedly got up and followed him for a night walk.
The two of them didn't say much and walked side by side.
Huo Yan kept wanting to reach out his hand to Huo Qubing, but Huo Qubing put his hand on Huo Yan's wrist and changed the subject.
"Are you very concerned about Madam Wang?"
Huo Yan was very impatient.
"Because of Ning Cheng's persuasion, my uncle gave 500 gold to his family. I remember it clearly."
Huo Qubing failed to change the subject and said nothing.
The two went home together, and Huo Yan refused to leave.
"Go inside."
A row of happy little blue veins popped out on the back of Huo Qubing's hand.
But after a while, he sat up again helplessly.
"Ayan, I'm fine!"
Huo Yan looked at him with a look that showed he couldn't do anything to him, then leaned against the bedpost, crossed his legs high, and said in a leisurely manner, "If you have nothing to do, just reach out!"
As he spoke, Huo Yan's hand flew towards Huo Qubing's wrist.
Huo Qubing did not dodge. It was a rare occasion that he did not avoid it. He just rubbed his forehead. Huo Yan was shocked and immediately got up and reached out to take his pulse.
"What’s wrong with you."
Huo Qubing's body froze for a moment, then he lay down and silently extended his wrist.
"I've been having headaches lately for some reason."
Huo Yan's heart instantly sank to his tailbone, "Why don't you say it?"
His fingers trembled slightly, and he finally managed to calm down and take the patient's pulse.
He held Huo Qubing's wrist tightly, and in this position, he moved closer to Huo Qubing. It was a long time before he felt the warmth return to his body.
He didn't say much, just got out of bed and took out his silver needle.
"Brother, commanding a raid thousands of miles away has taken too much of your energy. You haven't rested yet, you need to rest."
As he gave Huo Qubing acupuncture, he said, "I suggest you rest for three months."
Huo Qubing's expression darkened. At night, the breath in and out of his chest was like a boiling fire. After a long pause, he said, "I am the Marquis of Guanjun of the Han Dynasty. If I fight one more battle, I can drive these Xiongnu out completely. Only I can do this."
Huo Yan didn't look as relaxed as usual at all. He almost glared at him, and his face looked particularly cold because of the tense expression. But he soon smiled, and his harsh expression melted away, and was filled with tenderness.
"Got it. You take a good rest. I'll prepare some medicine for you. Just take it regularly. I'll try my best. Okay?"
Since ancient times, the land of gentleness has been the tomb of heroes. Huo Qubing couldn't help but chuckle when facing Huo Yan's kind words.
"Of course, I believe Ah Yan."
He sat next to Huo Yan, and Huo Yan sat next to him. The two of them sat and lay down in silence until late at night when the sound of night watchmen's beat came from afar. Only then did Huo Qubing fall into a deep sleep.
Huo Yan lifted the hair from his face, his smile hidden in his eyes.
Because of a headache, Huo Qubing rarely followed the doctor's advice and was forced to stay at home by Huo Yan. In order to prevent him from being bored, Huo Yan bought him some new toys from all over the world.
Apart from drinking medicine every day and feeling sleepy, there doesn't seem to be any harm.
Anyway, A Yan won’t harm me.
Adhering to this idea, Huo Guanjunhou felt that he had a chance of going on the expedition.
Little did he know that on the first day Liu Che returned, his brother decided to confront Liu Che.
"I think this war cannot be fought!"
【Author’s words】
Huo Yan: Beat my grandma!
I think Qubing was overworked. The first and second battles of Hexi were fought only a month apart, and he was exhausted both mentally and physically. [Holding chin]
Ahem, I'm writing about the Han Dynasty. The Huns were a big enemy. It's definitely not targeted at Mongolian babies. There shouldn't be any Mongolian babies reading this.
Of course, based on Bingbing's fighting ability, he may be able to rob everything except the Han people, right, Jin people.
He did not discriminate against the Huns, he looked at everyone else like dogs.
Hahaha, I owe you a post about that extra chapter. I give up. I just blocked that part-time job and now he adds me again. So annoying. He's asking for trouble!
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