Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 145 Confidence
Wei Zifu was in a good mood and was enthusiastically preparing food for Huo Xian. Liu Ju and Shi Liangdi were also sitting on the side with smiles on their faces, with some pride in their eyes.

The thirteen-year-old emperor's grandson Liu Jin was holding a sword in his hand and dancing quite smoothly. It was obvious that the boy had put in a lot of hard work.

Huo Xian was still leaning lazily as usual, eating fruits while watching Liu Jin dancing with the sword.

Liu Jin sheathed his sword and looked at Huo Xian expectantly, "Cousin, how do you think of my swordsmanship?"

"It's enough to protect yourself, and it's also pretty." Huo Xian said with a smile, "If you dance at a banquet, everyone will definitely applaud."

Liu Jin was immediately unhappy, "Cousin, my swordsmanship can only make everyone laugh at a banquet?"

"What else do you want?" Huo Xian asked with a smile, "If you really want to kill someone, your sword skills are not good enough. They are not cruel enough, not fast enough, and I think your sword skills were taught by scholars."

Liu Jin was even more depressed, but he had no way to refute it. Although he thought he was good at swordsmanship, he had no doubt about his cousin's judgment. Such an evaluation was absolutely authoritative.

Although Huo Xian was not famous for his personal bravery, he had broad vision and was immersed in strong martial ethics since childhood. The guards, instructors, and others around him also had superb killing skills.

What's more, Huo Xian is now in the army and has mastered all the fighting and killing skills in the army. It is normal that he looks down on Liu Jin's swordsmanship.

Huo Xian smiled and encouraged, "That's good. You can wield a sword now. If you really meet a ranger, you can fight him for a few rounds."

Liu Jin said gloomily, "I want to be like my cousin. Those rangers can only run away when they see my cousin."

"Then you should give up your sword and use a knife. When you are strong enough, I will teach you how to use a spear." Huo Xian said half-truthfully, "Then you can follow me to fight bandits. I will see if you can bear it after killing people."

Wei Zifu said quickly, "Xian'er, please stop teasing Jin'er. He should not learn swordplay or knife skills, and he should not be obsessed with fighting like you."

Huo Xian chuckled and said, "If I don't take Jin'er to hunt, you always blame me. If I take him to practice martial arts, you will still blame me!"

"Just stop teasing Jin'er!" Liu Ju scolded with a smile, "Jin'er is already thirteen. When he was five or six years old, you said you would take him hunting. How many times have you taken him hunting in all these years?"

Wei Zifu also said with some disdain, "You are the one who deceived Jin'er the most, but Jin'er just admires you and always wants to learn from you and fight on the battlefield."

"That's great. I'll bring Jin'er to His Majesty for a visit." Huo Xian said without thinking, "Your Majesty will be happy then. Your Majesty likes young men who are brave and sharp the most."

Wei Zifu and Liu Ju were of course happy. In fact, the number of times Liu Jin, the grandson of the emperor, could show his face in front of the emperor was very limited. The emperor would not even see his own son, let alone his grandson.

Liu Jin was just the eldest grandson of the emperor, because Liu Ju still didn't have a crown princess.

Huo Xian brought Liu Jin to appear before the emperor, which was actually to build a closer relationship and further consolidate the crown prince's position.

Huo Xian rolled his eyes and then felt a little embarrassed, "If I really bring Jin'er to His Majesty often, then everyone in the court and the country will talk about me defending Huo."

Wei Zifu rolled her eyes at Huo Xian and said, "Everyone knows what you mean. If His Majesty allows, you can bring Jin'er with you to show your face. You can help keep an eye on him and don't make His Majesty angry."

"That's hard to say. I'm afraid Jin'er will be implicated by me." Huo Xian said with a playful smile, "I'll see what I can do. When the time is right, I'll take Jin'er out for more."

The happiest person was naturally Shi Liangdi, who knew too well the importance of this Grand Marshal in the emperor's mind. She also knew the importance of Wei Huo to the crown prince and his support for him.

However, Wei Huo has always only supported the crown prince, and has not made it clear which of the crown prince's descendants he supports.

After all, the current crown prince is not just Liu Jin's son, and Liu Jin is close to Huo Shan, who also likes Liu Jin. This will of course make Shi Liangdi happy, and she also taught Liu Jin some principles in private.

Children in their teens in ordinary families have already started to have a lot of thoughts, not to mention that this is the royal family. As the eldest grandson of the emperor, Liu Jin is not a naughty child who knows nothing.

Liu Ju said, "Back then, my cousin took the lead in requesting the three kings to be crowned, so my three brothers had no choice but to leave Chang'an to be crowned. Now if you bring Jin'er to Your Majesty, what will the people of the world say?"

Huo Xian smiled and said, "That one is too young. I will ask His Majesty to confer a title on him in two years."

Huo Shan dared to say such treasonous words in front of Wei Zifu and Liu Ju. The person who said it was naturally Lady Li's son Liu Bo, the father of Liu He, the King of Changyi and Marquis of Haihun in history.

Now Liu Che had only five sons. The youngest, Liu Fuling, had not yet been born, and even his mother, Lady Gouyi, had not yet entered the palace.

As the youngest son of Emperor Liu Che, Liu Bo was favored by the emperor, who chose the great scholar Xiahou Shichang as his teacher. Xiahou Shichang was the most beloved and trusted great scholar after Dong Zhongshu.

Wei Zifu smiled and said, "The fifth prince is too young, not as old as Jin'er. Don't be in a hurry to recommend him for a title, otherwise people in the world will think that the prince cannot tolerate his younger brothers." Isn't that right? Now that Madam Li is gone, Li Guangli seems to have some status, but he is completely suppressed by Huo Shan.

If the title were to be conferred immediately, people all over the world might doubt whether this seemingly kind-hearted prince had any kind heart, after all, he could not even tolerate his younger brothers.

At that time, when the three princes Liu Hong, Liu Dan and Liu Xu had just grown up, Huo Qubing took the lead in requesting titles in a hurry, and other ministers also rushed to do so. However, the emperor repeatedly refused.

The emperor was forced to compromise only after the ministers submitted five memorials.

If something like this happened again, Liu Che would be anxious.

Liu Ju also smiled and said, "That matter is not urgent. Fifth brother is still young. It would be better for him to stay in Chang'an for a few more years. Otherwise, it would be bad if the news got out."

"What's wrong with that?" Huo Xian asked, "When you are old enough, you should be made a prince. Staying in Chang'an for a long time is not a good thing."

Liu Ju explained with a smile, "Xian'er, look at this! If you petition to let your fifth brother be ennobled now, everyone will think it was my idea. The fifth brother has no support in the palace and no support in the court. How can I be so cruel to my own brother?"

Wei Zifu also added, "Li Guangli is just one of your subordinates now, and his voice is not loud in the court. Now the fifth child has lost his mother, and he is just the fifth child, how can he do anything too much?"

This does seem to make sense, because the current position of the crown prince is very stable. Even if there are occasional rumors that the crown prince and the emperor disagree on political views, no one dares to say anything.

King Liu Hong of Qi died in the first year of Yuanfeng. King Liu Dan of Yan did not dream of ascending the throne, so he was content to be a vassal king and focused his attention on various studies. He learned according to his will and accepted all kinds of scriptures and miscellaneous talks. He was particularly interested in astronomy, mathematics, singing and dancing, hunting, and recruiting knights and warriors.

When he grew up, Prince Guangling Liu Xu was tall, strong and fond of fun. It was previously rumored that this Prince Guangling fought with bears, wild boars and other beasts with his bare hands. He was very strong and heard that the Grand Marshal and General Huo Xian were born with supernatural powers, so he wanted to wrestle with Huo Xian.

Now Liu Che's sons are all very well behaved, and no one dares to express any desire for the position of crown prince.

Now Liu Ju's position as crown prince is very stable and he has a good reputation. The common people know that he is kind and benevolent, and the scholars also support him.

As for the officials, it goes without saying that the general Wei Qing and the prime minister Gongsun He were both uncles of the prince. The general Huo Shan, the grand marshal, was the prince's cousin.

Anyone who dares to frame the prince must be tired of living. Wei Qing and Gongsun He may be more cautious and solve the problem in the court.

But it’s hard to say about Huo Xian. No one can guarantee whether he will suddenly kill someone.

As long as the emperor does not suddenly intend to depose the crown prince, and as long as the emperor does not get rid of Wei Huo, the crown prince's position will be extremely stable.

Now that Huo Xian has a promising future, the position of the crown prince will be extremely stable. Wei and Huo have a reliable successor, and even the government is extremely stable.

While eating and drinking in the Pepper Room, Huo Xian suddenly realized: Why am I under house arrest again?
This isn't right. I have made a great contribution this time. I haven't done anything wrong. Why was I locked up in the palace?

When Han Yunniang entered the palace, Huo Xian felt even more strongly about this. He felt that he was now truly locked up in the palace, and was not allowed to go out and be free.

After eating the fried eggs with leeks, Huo Xian felt even more upset. This was the dish made by Jiang Xiaoniang, and her own cook was also sent to the palace. This was considered a one-pot meal.

After putting on his armor, Huo Xian said to Han Yunniang, "You go talk to Her Majesty the Queen. I have to take up my duty now."

Han Yunniang nodded with a red face. She was a little surprised to be suddenly brought to the palace, but it was not particularly strange. In recent years, as long as the prince wanted to live in the palace, she would naturally pack up and come to the palace.

Her Royal Highness the Queen and Shi Liangdi had both given her orders. This time the mission was very simple, which was to get her pregnant before the prince accompanied His Majesty on his tour.

The prince is away from home all year round, and he might have to go on an expedition at any time, so many people are anxious now. Han Yunniang is also anxious, so naturally she hopes to seize this opportunity.

It is said that this time the prince will stay in the palace for a long time, at least ten days or half a month, so maybe there will be a chance.

Huo Xian didn't think too much about it. He was the Weiwei, responsible for the security of Jianzhang Palace. Even if he seemed incompetent before, now that he was in the palace, he would do his job well.

Since he was free, he must find something to do. Huo Xian was not the kind of person who could sit still.

You can say that he is active, or that he likes to be lively, or that he likes to live a too comfortable life, etc., but that does not fit his personality, and he will feel uncomfortable if he does not do something.

(End of this chapter)