Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 111: The Unworthy Lone Minister

After coming out of Jianzhang Palace, Huo Xian strolled to the Jiaofang Palace and said, "Aunt, His Majesty will be going on tour soon. All matters in the harem are originally the responsibility of Aunt. As for the palace affairs that are in charge of by the Shaofu, let Aunt take care of them."

Wei Zifu smiled and asked, "Are we still going east this time?"

Huo Xian nodded and said, "Where else can we go except to the east? I would like to go to the north, but Your Majesty will definitely not allow it."

Wei Zifu's expression was a little subtle. The fact that the Xiongnu Chanyu had died was still being kept secret from Huo Xian. Although no one could guarantee how long this matter could be kept secret, they would keep it a secret for as long as possible.

The reason was very simple. Without knowing these things, Huo Xian could rest in peace and enjoy himself in Chang'an. If he knew those things, he would have been making a fuss and preparing for war.

If the emperor went on a tour to the north, he would definitely lead hundreds of thousands of soldiers to fight the Xiongnu. Liu Che could do such a thing, and there were examples of this before. It has always been a regret for the emperor that he could not become a great general.

Huo Xian said lazily, "As usual, let my cousin take care of the affairs in Chang'an. My uncle will stay in Chang'an, and most of the other ministers will have to accompany him."

Wei Zifu was used to this and asked, "Are you in charge of the escort this time?"

Seeing Huo Xian nod, Wei Zifu said seriously, "In the past, you just accompanied him, but this time is different. You have won two battles, and it is true that you can control the army. But the accompanying guards are different, and there can be no mistakes."

Protecting the emperor's safety and leading troops to fight are indeed two different things, and Huo Xian understands this in his heart.

However, Huo Xian was still confident. "Don't worry, aunt. There are other people to do the work. I am the Weiwei, but I just say it sounds good. I guess the people under my command, such as the Arsenal Commander and the Palace Guard Commander, don't know me as their superior."

Wei Zifu said jokingly, "I think you don't know them. You don't care about those things and prefer to go to the military camp. Who can you blame?"

"Tell my cousin later and ask him to recommend a few people so that I can place them in the Western Regions." Huo Xian said seriously, "The Western Regions will have to set up a Protectorate sooner or later. It's easier to make achievements there. I have arranged a few people there now, and you never know when they will be transferred back. I have to let my cousin's people go first."

Wei Zifu naturally took Huo Xian's arrangement seriously and asked, "Is it okay with your majesty?"

Huo Xian said confidently, "Okay, I have now set up three lieutenants to work in the military farms. The people recommended by my cousin will go there to gain experience first. Some of the current lieutenants are from my great uncle's side, and some have made contributions with me. This will be easy to handle."

Wei Zifu immediately said to the maid next to her, "Nuan Yi, let the prince come over."

Huo Xian immediately cried, "Aunt, I'm doing good things, not asking my cousin to lecture me again!"

Everyone knew what Huo Xian had done. Wei Zifu and Liu Ju simply couldn't catch him before, otherwise they would have certainly lectured him.

Today Huo Xian came to convey his imperial decree, to first discuss business matters and then some arrangements, but not personal matters, as he intended to run away after finishing the conversation.

But now, whenever Liu Ju comes, he will inevitably nag.

"One of the people you beat up was sent there by your cousin." Wei Zifu said unhappily, "You are becoming more and more arrogant. Your cousin kindly sent someone there because he thought you were unruly and wanted you to be more restrained. With an experienced and prudent person reminding you, you won't make mistakes."

Huo Xian was surrounded by basically all the powerful and military generals, and his trusted followers were a few subordinates who obeyed his orders unconditionally, which meant that they were all people with bad tempers and were very courageous.

"I know, that's why I beat him so hard!" Huo Xian could only say, "Aunt, His Majesty doesn't like me associating with scholars."

Wei Zifu didn't believe it. She was not a fool. "You told that to others. His Majesty has told your uncle before that when you were a child, you occasionally listened to the lectures of great scholars. In recent years, you have only read military books and fought wars, and you have forgotten all the classics."

The most important thing is to train Huo Xian to become the champion marquis.

But whether it was Liu Che or Wei Zifu and others, they all hoped that Huo Shan would be a standard aristocrat and master the so-called six arts of a gentleman.

A lot of resources have been invested, but unfortunately Huo Xian is becoming more and more "biased". He has lost the temperament and cultivation of a model aristocrat and nobleman. Now, as long as he is not fighting, he looks like a dandy scoundrel in Chang'an.

Liu Ju came hurriedly, still with a refined and honest appearance, looking like a gentleman as elegant as jade. After all, he was the crown prince, so his bearing and so on were beyond doubt, which was completely different from Huo Xian's loose and frivolous appearance.

Liu Ju performed the ceremony in a proper manner and would not be lax in etiquette just because he was a son of a man.

Huo Shan also quickly stood up and saluted. After all, Liu Ju was the crown prince, so he must be shown due respect. At most, Huo Shan's salute seemed a little bit unstandard and irregular.

Liu Ju pointed at Huo Shan, somewhat speechless, "You, you have been so immature, I am too lazy to say anything to you." "Prince, I called you here for something serious." Wei Zifu said, "His Majesty will go on a tour before the beginning of summer. Shan'er will be in charge of the defense, and the affairs of Chang'an will definitely fall to you."

Liu Ju was not surprised at all. This was not the first or second time that the emperor had performed Fengshan and toured the country. Every time he went out, it was arranged in this way. So everyone was used to it and knew how to handle the next matter.

Wei Zifu continued, "Xian'er means that if you have anyone who can be used, he will arrange for them to go to the Western Regions to cultivate the land and gain experience."

Liu Ju made quite a few friends in Bowang Garden. He made friends with common people who wove straw sandals together, and he also had as his guests knights who dared to imitate Zhu Hai.

It's a bit too serious to say that there are all kinds of people, and there are indeed many "outliers" who have different political views from the mainstream. But no matter what, Liu Ju, the crown prince, still has status and reputation, and he still has a lot of talented people in his hands.

"Zhang Guang is my disciple, and he has some skills. Although Ru Hou was imprisoned before, he was just avenging his parents, and his filial piety is commendable." Liu Ju said, "These two are brave and careful, and they are sincere and loyal. It would be best if they could join the army."

Huo Xian understood, but still asked, "Do these two have military experience?"

Seeing Liu Ju shaking his head, Huo Xian couldn't help but complain, "Your Majesty, you still don't allow my cousin to get to know some military personnel?"

Liu Ju pointed at Huo Xian and smiled, "Who in the world doesn't know that the Grand Marshal General is my uncle? Who in the world doesn't know that you, the Grand Marshal General, should call me your cousin?"

This is also true. The existence of Wei Qing and Huo Xian naturally means that Crown Prince Liu Ju does not need to deliberately cultivate power in the army. The existence of these two is enough to make the Crown Prince feel at ease.

Huo Xian said, "Tan Jie has been away for two years. He has made some military achievements and held a position. I will use him to exchange for Tian Ren and make him a lieutenant. The two people that my cousin mentioned will also go to the Western Regions together, and try to make more achievements in the next two to three years."

Liu Ju thought about it carefully and said, "Xian'er, I'm not in a hurry to take charge of the army. With the general and you, I don't have anything to worry about."

"I am a lone minister." Huo Xian said with a smile, "Besides, my cousin can't just use the rich and powerful as generals in the future. At least he needs officers with some skills."

Huo Xian called himself a "lone minister", but Wei Zifu and Liu Ju didn't believe it. Some lone ministers were truly loyal to the emperor, while some were deliberately arranged by the emperor and were not allowed to have much contact with other forces.

Liu Ju also knew that what Huo Shan said made sense. Even though he had Wei Qing and Huo Shan, two natural pillars and backers in the military, as the crown prince, he needed to cultivate some forces when it was time to cultivate them, and promote some talents when it was time to promote them.

What's more, even if he had a pillar like Huo Xian in the future, he might be able to regard Cao Zong's nephew as a general. However, in addition to these senior generals, he also needed some reliable middle and senior officers under his command.

Liu Ju thought for a moment and asked, "How about going to the north for training? Or how about going to Wei Kang's place, he is still stationed there."

Wei Zifu coughed lightly and shook her head slightly, which made Huo Xian a little confused.

Liu Ju also realized that now it was easier to achieve merit in the Western Regions, because the imperial court would continue to expand the scale of its garrison there, and it might have to destroy one or two small countries that refused to submit to the king at any time.

But Liu Ju knew that the Xiongnu Chanyu in the north had died, and the imperial court might mobilize troops at any time. When that time came, it would be the time to make great contributions, and perhaps several people would be awarded the title of nobility in one battle.

"I'd better listen to you and go to the Western Regions." Liu Ju smiled and changed his words, "Xian'er must have a reason for making such an arrangement, but does the general know about this?"

Huo Xian smiled very brightly, "My uncle doesn't know about this. I arranged for my cousin's people to go to the Western Regions for training, and His Majesty would at most say a few words to me. If the people arranged by my uncle went there, His Majesty would not only scold my uncle, but also prevent those people from going to the Western Regions."

When thinking about Wei Qing's current situation, Wei Zifu and Liu Ju could understand it.

The emperor was not suspicious of Wei Qing, but he definitely did not want to see the general continue to be too involved in military affairs. Especially when it came to the crown prince, he did not want to see Wei Qing.

Huo Xian is not that troublesome. He has made great achievements but it is difficult to reward him, so he will continue to be treated as a child.

Compared with the mature, steady and extremely cautious Wei Qing, Huo Shan was reckless and flamboyant and had many problems. He could find any reason to reduce his fiefdom and even his title.

At most, he could be given a chance to make meritorious contributions, and he could be promoted or demoted. The advantage of being young is reflected, not to mention that he is a lonely man without any descendants for the time being!
Just like now, he led the army to destroy two countries alone, but only got the title of Grand Marshal, and the emperor and the civil and military officials did not mention the fiefdom, etc. Compared with the achievements in the war, such merits are indeed pitiful.

But even Huo Xian was not unhappy at all. If he was given too many rewards now, he would panic. If that happened, he would be busy doing a lot of ridiculous things to defile himself.

But for the time being, there is no need to worry about this, he is still that special champion!
(End of this chapter)