Chapter 263 Inappropriate and Appropriate

Shangguanli, the Princess’s Mansion.

The carriage stopped in front of the mansion gate. Huo Guang, who had come on duty early today, got off the carriage. After he walked into the gate, a man who looked like a manager came up to him.

“Master, the servants at General Zhao’s mansion replied that General Zhao and Marquis Guanjun have gone out of town to hunt, and they are not expected to return until later today.”

Huo Guang frowned slightly and looked up at the sky, which was gloomy.

Hunting in this weather?
Today he was preparing to entertain Zhao Po Nu, so he came home early after work. Who would have thought that by chance, the other party had gone out of the city.

Walking around the corridor, Huo Guang shook his head, “It doesn’t matter if it’s later. Is the banquet ready?”

“I asked the chef to prepare it all the time.” replied the steward.

“it is good.”

Today’s weather in Chang’an is cloudy with light rain. There are spring thunders in the mountains in the south…

In the evening, the lights come on.

In the main hall of the Princess’s Mansion, Zhao Po Nu arrived late. As soon as he met her, he immediately clasped his fists and apologized, “I am truly ashamed for being late. I hope you won’t blame me.”

“General Zhao, you are so polite. Please take a seat.” Huo Guang gestured with his hand and said with a smile, “How about hunting today?”

It was just a polite greeting, but when Zhao Po Nu, who had just sat down, heard it, he felt a little embarrassed and his expression was very unnatural.

He had agreed to Huo Guang’s invitation to the banquet long ago, but he was unexpectedly called by the general to go hunting outside the city, which delayed him.

Thinking of that hunting…

A look of lingering fear flashed across Zhao Po Nu’s face. Who would have expected that he and Guan Jun Hou were almost struck to death by lightning today!
“Haha, it’s all right, all right.” Zhao Po Nu laughed it off, thinking of the general’s words, and then looked around and asked:
“My dear, are you hosting a banquet today and you are only inviting Zhao?”

Upon hearing this, Huo Guang, who was sitting opposite, did not delve into Zhao Po Nu’s unnatural expression. He ordered his servants to fill a glass of wine for the other party, then waved his hand and dispersed the servants in the hall.

See this.

Zhao Po Nu calmed down his mind and his eyes became more serious.

“Today, only the general and I are at the banquet.” Huo Guang lifted his sleeves and placed them between his legs, then sat solemnly and said, “What do you think of the upcoming northern expedition against the Xiongnu?”

Zhao Po Nu frowned, not knowing what Huo Guang meant, and said in a proper manner: “The reason given by the court for sending troops this time is to help the Xiongnu Zuo Xian Wang tribe who have pledged their allegiance.”

“Perhaps they also intend to join forces with the Julihu tribe to attack the Wuwei tribe. Judging from the purpose of sending troops, I think there is no problem.”

“As for the rest…”

Zhao Po Nu seemed a little hesitant. As he was a military general, he could not say anything else.

Huo Guang nodded and poured himself a glass of wine. “The eight lieutenants of the capital have been frequently transferred recently. They are probably going to join the war. I see that the Grand Marshal’s Mansion is also recruiting good families from the three prefectures. I believe that the soldiers going out this time must be elite.”

“……indeed so.”

Zhao Po Nu thought about it and agreed. Although these involved military intelligence and should not be disclosed, he changed his mind and thought that Young Master Huo was the Shangshu Pushe and had been with the emperor for many years. He probably knew as much about military intelligence as he did, so he nodded in agreement.

“We have a legitimate reason to go to war, and our troops are all elite. We just need a general to lead the army.” At this point, Huo Guang’s tone was a little low, “Recently, there have been voices in the court who want to nominate my brother to lead the army.”

Isn’t this a good thing?

Zhao Po Nu frowned more and more, paused, and asked doubtfully: “My dear, can you speak frankly?”

“I think it’s not appropriate for my brother to take command,” Huo Guang said bluntly.

“Why?”

“The court is not the only one with cavalry generals. If you always nominate your brother to lead the army in every battle, you will inevitably be hated by others.”

Hearing this, the doubt in Zhao Po Nu’s eyes suddenly disappeared, and he was filled with justifiable anger, and his voice suddenly rose: “Who dares!”

“The capable are promoted, the mediocre are demoted. The general is an expert in battle formations and has made many military achievements. Does he still need to avoid a bunch of mediocre people?”

The atmosphere in the hall was a little agitated. However, Huo Guang’s words remained calm, like a breeze that soothes the waves on the lake. “Brother is in a high position and has a great reputation. Outsiders naturally dare not do that in public.”

“But even though they may not dare to do so on the surface, they still dare to do so in their hearts. People’s hearts are treacherous. The evil roots planted today may lead to disasters tomorrow. You must know…”

“A thousand-mile dam can be breached by a single ant hole.”

After the last sentence was spoken, Zhao Po Nu’s angry expression froze for a moment, and his face became uncertain.

It is true that he is a military general, but being a military general does not mean that he is a brainless reckless man. If someone points out something that he cannot figure out, he can understand it!

Zhao Po Nu was silent.

Huo Guang picked up the cup and sipped it slowly, also speechless.

In fact, arousing hatred and dissatisfaction among other generals in the court was only one of the issues that Huo Guang could point out, and it was the one that caused the least harm.

The bigger problem was that Huo Guang was afraid that his brother would be killed by flattery, which would eventually lead to the Emperor’s measures…

Look at the current situation of General Wei Qing. He is said to be the stabilizing force of the country, but as a military general, he is trapped in Chang’an City every day, either recuperating or collecting classics.

How is this different from going to jail?

Huo Guang did not want his brother to achieve any more military merits, lest he end up in the same miserable situation as Wei Qing in the future.

It was not that Huo Guang was worrying over nothing, but there were already signs of this.

The example is very intuitive.

Huo Guang himself, the younger brother of General Huo Qubing, Marquis of Guanjun!
He is the Shangshu Pushe and Shiyushi. After so many years, he is still the Shangshu Pushe and Shiyushi. He has never changed…

Over the years, the close ministers who served as palace attendants and marquises like Huo Guang, who were by His Majesty’s side, who often went in and out of Chengming Palace and who were in the Emperor’s favor, have been replaced one after another.

Some were promoted to become ministers in the imperial court, while others were sent out to govern a certain area.

For example, Zhang Anshi and Sima Qian.

After returning from Mount Tai, the former Grand Historian Sima Tan submitted a petition to retire and devoted himself to writing books at home. Your Majesty then promoted Sima Qian, a palace official, to succeed the Grand Historian…

strictly speaking.

In the Langguan system, Sima Qian was considered a junior to Huo Guang, but nowadays, the latecomer has taken over.

Huo Guang was not jealous or envious, there was no need, he was just observing a fact and inferring a conclusion, which was –

His Majesty is already balancing the Huo family!
Huo Guang firmly believed in his speculation, so he didn’t want his brother to lead the troops to fight again. His brother was still very young, less than 30 years old.

He still has a long way to go…

“The general asked me before whether I would only invite you to the banquet today. Yes, as for the reason.” Huo Guang looked at Zhao Po Nu who was silent opposite him and brought up the topic.

“I want General Zhao to volunteer to lead the troops!”

In the main hall.

Zhao Po Nu did not show any joy after hearing this. He said in a deep voice, “My lord, you want me to lead the troops in place of the general to avoid others’ hatred?”

“Yes.”

“Sure!” Zhao Po Nu said decisively, but after he agreed, he was a little confused, “Why did you choose me to come?”

“Because you are suitable.” Huo Guang looked at him and said calmly: “First, General Zhao has the ability to lead troops. Secondly, because of the incident of Zhu Jin seizing the title, His Majesty is willing to make up for you. You are suitable to come forward.”

The hall was silent for a moment.

Zhao Po Nu took a deep breath and said, “Okay!”

(End of this chapter)