Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 12 Visit to the Prime Minister
As the Marquis of Guanjun, Huo Xian's status and treatment were naturally beyond doubt, especially since his title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Households was not left idle.

It was rare to become a marquis in the Han Dynasty. The Han Dynasty inherited the Qin system and had twenty levels of military merit titles.

However, the continuous use of foreign troops led to the depletion of the treasury, and Liu Che also learned from Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing of Han to "sell official positions and titles". This included "redemption". Li Guang and others should have been sentenced to death for delaying military operations, but they redeemed themselves with money.

Having said that, the title of Marquis of the Han Dynasty cannot be bought with money.

Feng Xu started to yell early in the morning, "I just lost my calf, how come I can't ride a horse?"

Chen Ju disagreed and said, "You can't even sit properly on the horse. If you fall off the horse, you will die, and you will be embarrassed for the prince!"

"If I fall off my horse, I will commit suicide immediately!" Feng Xu could no longer bear it. "Back then, I was the one who charged into battle with the general. When did the general charge into battle without me leading him?"

Huo Xian came out at this time and asked directly, "Uncle Feng, do you really want to ride a horse?"

Feng Xu said resolutely, "Sir, I am originally a commoner who has the honor to serve the general. Although I have lost my legs, I have not lost my backbone! If I fall off my horse and lose my dignity, I will commit suicide immediately!"

The Han people are so stubborn that they can make a deadly enemy with just one sentence, or even kill someone with just one sentence. They always keep their word, which is also the tradition of the Han people.

Huo Xian smiled and said, "Then let's ride a horse!"

According to etiquette, a marquis like Huo Shan could ride in a carriage pulled by four horses. However, since this was not a court meeting, Huo Shan would not make a big fuss about it.

A Han sword with a purple ribbon, two seals, jade, a scabbard and a pure black sword head can be said to be the basic symbols of a marquis.

As soon as I arrived at the residence of Marquis Muqiu, I saw a young man standing upright. How was he going to welcome guests?

Chen Ju dismounted and said, "Marquis Guanjun is here to visit Marquis Muqiu. Please let us know."

This young man was Shi Qing's son Shi De. In history, he served as the tutor of Crown Prince Liu Ju during the Witchcraft and Poisoning Incident, and he suggested that Liu Ju raise an army to protect himself.

Shi De immediately bowed and said, "My father has prepared a banquet and asked me to welcome the guests."

After saying this, Shi De stepped forward and saluted solemnly.

Huo Xian then dismounted, not because he was putting on airs. It was just that the current etiquette was too complicated. If he refused to accept the gift, or went straight into the mansion, people would think that he looked down on Shi Qing, or that the Marquis of Guanjun was flattering and spineless.

Chen Ju and others immediately presented gifts, as one should not come empty-handed when visiting someone.

Seeing the pheasant, Shi De was obviously very happy. This gift was very appropriate, which showed that in the eyes of Marquis Guanjun, the family style of Marquis Muqiu was rigorous and had the style of scholars!

"Please." Although he was older than Huo Xian, Shi De led the way in front with great courtesy.

Needless to say, the middle gate was wide open. After entering the mansion, whenever Shi De encountered a turn, staircase, etc., he would say "please". He even stayed in front of Huo Xian during the entire process of leading the way, leaving the middle of the road for Huo Xian.

It’s not easy to be a noble. Every move has to conform to etiquette. It’s really tiring!

Seeing Huo Xian coming, Shi Qing immediately bowed and saluted, "I am so happy that the Champion Marquis has come to the banquet!"

After Huo Xian bowed, he said, "It is said that Lord Wanshi's family tradition is strict and filial. Thirteen of his family members are officials ranging from minor officials to officials of the rank of 2,000 stone. Such a family tradition is truly admirable!"

Shi Qing and Shi De were both extremely proud. Needless to say, the Shi family had a great family tradition, and many of them were now officials. In the Han Dynasty, they were the only family with such a family tradition and prestige.

After Huo Xian sat down, Shi Qing asked, "Sir, would you like to enjoy the singing and dancing first, or drink first?"

Huo Xian smiled and said, "Let's enjoy the dance and drink at the same time. Unfortunately, I was seriously ill before and cannot drink for the time being."

It was said that Huo Xian had been seriously ill before. This was no secret. Not only the dignitaries in Chang'an City, but even some ordinary people had heard about it.

Therefore, Shi Qing did not feel any regret for Huo Xian not being able to drink. Not to mention that the previous incident of Huo Xian's serious illness still had some impact, it was justifiable for Huo Xian not to drink because of his age.

In the Western Han Dynasty, everyone from the emperors to the common people loved singing and dancing. There were many types of dance, such as the Wuxiu Dance and Wuyao Dance.

Although the Shi family has a strict family tradition, there are also some dancers in the mansion. Otherwise, the rich and powerful will lose face, and people in the Han Dynasty also like to compare. Especially after the reign of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing, the country was rich and the people were strong, so some singing and dancing were indispensable. Shi Qing smiled and said, "Your Excellency has a high standard, and ordinary dances must be unacceptable. There are two dancers in my mansion who are good at Chu dance, please appreciate them."

Chu dance has a great reputation and is very famous in history.

It was also very popular in the Western Han Dynasty, because there were some dances and witch music and dance in the Western Han Dynasty. The music and dance of the Chu people undoubtedly had strong local characteristics and were directly derived from the witch music and dance for entertaining gods.

For example, Concubine Qi, who was turned into a human pig, was extremely good at Chu dance.

Huo Xian smiled and said, "That's great, but forget about it if it's a palace dance. I've seen quite a few palace dances."

Shi Qing said confidently, "Marquis Guanjun, you are joking. If it were a palace dance, I would not dare to show off my ugliness."

Huo Xian grew up in the palace and had seen all kinds of dances. The grand palace dances and so on were not new to him at all.

Shi De was standing next to Huo Xian. As the host, he had to entertain the guests. Serving dishes, pouring wine, etc. were also etiquette.

Huo Xian looked at Shi De and said, "No need to be like this. You and I are of the same generation. There's no need to be so polite. I can just pour myself a drink. Otherwise, I'll feel uncomfortable."

Shi Qing then said, "Shi De, please leave."

Shi De saluted Shi Qing and then Huo Xian, then retreated to the small table beside him and knelt down.

After Shi De sat down, Huo Xian said, "Brother Shi also works in the Crown Prince's Mansion. You can visit me more often in the future."

As the current Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty, Shi Qing is considered to be the least capable and is merely a puppet and yes-man placed in the position of Prime Minister by the Emperor.

Shi De then replied, "Your Excellency is serving His Majesty, and it is rare to see you normally."

This was a tactful refusal. Although he had an assignment in the Prince's Mansion, the Shi father and son were still relatively cautious. Even though he was very loyal to Liu Ju, Shi De did not want the Prince to come into conflict with the young and strong emperor.

The emperor was a man of great talent and vision, and would never let the power in his hands fall into the hands of others. The Marquis of Guanjun was the most trusted confidant of the emperor's confidants, and even though he had many connections with the crown prince, it was better to be cautious.

Although she did not accompany the emperor to the Fengshan ceremony, Shi De and others had heard that Huo Shan accompanied the emperor in the enthronement ceremony. Such treatment was not something that ordinary confidants could have.

Even the great general Wei Qing did not receive such treatment!

She grew up in the emperor's presence and was taught by the emperor himself. Even if she calls the prince "cousin", does this mean that Huo Shan is loyal to the prince?
But don't be so optimistic, that is a matter of the throne. Human relations and family affection are simply not worth mentioning in front of the throne. Fathers and sons, brothers and sisters can completely turn against each other for this, not to mention "cousins".

Huo Xian did not force it, and said with a smile, "That's right, it's difficult for me to leave the palace normally, and it's difficult for me to interact with my brother."

Shi Qing breathed a sigh of relief. He wondered if this Marquis of Guanjun was sent by the emperor to test him.

Before this, the emperor was touring the country, and during the tour he even led an army of 180,000 northwards to fight with the Huns, but the Huns avoided fighting.

The prince wrote a letter to the emperor to advise him at that time, and it is said that this made the emperor very unhappy.

It would be better to drink and enjoy the singing and dancing first, instead of talking about state affairs, so as to avoid causing trouble for everyone.

Enjoying singing and dancing and having simple chats is also a great enjoyment, and this is also the main activity when Huo Xian visits someone.

There is nothing that can be done about it. Not to mention Shi Qing, even Huo Xian has a certain age difference with Shi De. If it weren't for his status, he would be seen as a naive little brat in the eyes of others.

After finally enjoying the singing and dancing, I took a brief tour of the Muqiu Marquis Mansion and listened to Shi De’s explanation of the inheritance of the Shi family’s traditions.

This visit was finally completed. Because of a polite word from Huo Xian, it led to a rather painful activity. It was all Huo Xian's own fault.

By the time Huo Xian and his companions mounted their horses again, many people in Chang'an City knew that Marquis Guanjun had left the palace, and they first went to visit the Prime Minister's residence.

Many people became interested at this point. Marquis Guanjun was the emperor's confidant, and the prime minister was the head of all officials, so there must be a story behind this.

What's more, in the eyes of some people, Huo Xian, the Champion Marquis, is young. If he can get close to the Champion Marquis, he will be able to rise to the top. He must find a way to meet the Champion Marquis!
(End of this chapter)