Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 146: Chaos in the Western Regions
All day long, Huo Xian was either busy checking the palace defenses, riding horses and shooting arrows, or being affectionate with Han Yunniang.

Even if he didn't pay attention to the relocation of the Marquis of Guanjun's mansion and other things, he had the help of people in the mansion and the palace, so he naturally didn't need to be distracted by these trivial matters.

Liu Che was still relieved, because it was rare to see Huo Shan attend court. Even if he felt that he might be unable to sit still so he ran to the court to show his face, it was also a kind of progress.

In the past, he would run away when the topic of attending court was raised, and would even rather stand guard at the palace gate wearing helmet and armor than attend court.

Now that no one is urging them to do so, they are taking the initiative to attend the court. Even if they just sit there without saying a word, it is a kind of progress, which makes many people excited and curious.

Liu Ju was in a very good mood. After the court session, he called Huo Xian and said, "Look, you are showing up in the court today. This is such a great thing."

"Uncle, I really don't want to go." Huo Xian whispered, "The noise is giving me a headache. If I hadn't gotten up early, I really wouldn't want to come."

Liu Ju advised earnestly, "You are the Grand Marshal after all, you must care about state affairs. Even if you think about war all day, you should know whether the court has extra money for you to fight, right?"

Seeing that Huo Xian was silent, Liu Ju continued to persuade him, "Besides, you should also know who the three dukes and nine ministers are in the court, and you should know their temperaments, their personalities, and their abilities."

Huo Xian found an excuse and said, "I can find out even if I don't attend the court. Send someone to keep an eye on it and ask questions, and then we'll know what we need to know."

Liu Ju smiled and shook his head to explain, "That's not enough. What he is like in private might just be a disguise. In the court, you can know that person's political views and see if he has the courage. You can't tell at other times."

Huo Xian knew that what Liu Qing said made sense, and he also knew that attending court and so on were necessary things, but he thought it was not appropriate at this stage.

Deep down in his heart, Huo Xian was still very afraid of the emperors in their later years in history. As he was getting closer and closer to that historical node, he could not allow himself to think too much.

Even though it seemed that this life was very different, who knew if something would still happen. After all, the emperor was still very superstitious, and this was the biggest hidden danger.

Seeing the prince talking to Huo Shan in a friendly manner, many ministers thought it was normal, because in their eyes, the prince had always been so elegant.

And it was not surprising that the Grand Marshal still looked very dissatisfied and indignant. Many people knew that he was the kind of person who would turn his face away if he heard something he was unhappy about, and he would at most restrain himself in front of the emperor and the prince.

Even if you are more restrained, it doesn't mean you don't dare. You should still give a cold shoulder and talk back when you should. It's not a secret.

A young eunuch came running over quietly, "Your Highness, Grand Marshal, His Majesty has summoned you."

Liu Ju and Huo Xian were a little surprised, but they didn't think much about it. Since the emperor summoned them, they hurried over. Once they got there, they would know what had happened.

Seeing Liu Ju and Huo Shan, Liu Che spoke directly, "Shan'er has made great progress today. He even has the courage to enter the palace to attend court. I did not expect this."

Huo Xian had a blank expression on his face when being ridiculed. This matter was really hard to describe. The emperor's sarcasm had been going on for a long time. After hearing it so many times, he had naturally gotten used to it and no longer found it strange.

Liu Che smiled and said, "From now on, either go directly to the palace to attend court, or don't hang around outside the palace gate. The prince will take Shan'er with him and teach him a lesson. It won't do if he only knows how to fight but doesn't know how to govern. This is my Grand Marshal!"

Huo Xian could no longer sit still, thinking that he was walking into a trap. "Your Majesty, I am a general."

"Who says that generals don't understand politics?" Liu Che asked, "Look at the general, he can be both a general and a prime minister. And Gongsun He is now the prime minister. Think about Tiao Hou, how could he not be both a general and a prime minister?"

Zhou Yafu, Marquis of Tiao, put down the Rebellion of the Seven States in just three months, and even changed some of the previous military strategies of the Han Dynasty. He proposed the strategy of short weapons, sharp blades, and fresh protection, which laid the foundation for completely eliminating the invading Huns during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han.

However, this military genius met a miserable end because of his personality and lack of political sensitivity. He died of hunger strike and vomiting blood in prison.

Looking at Huo Xian, Liu Che said earnestly, "If you don't change your temper, I'm afraid you'll get into trouble sooner or later. Even if you don't want to manage some things in the court, you should know about them."

Huo Xian muttered, "Your Majesty, I am a general. It doesn't matter as long as I have your Majesty's protection."

"What about the future?" Liu Che asked directly, "I am almost sixty years old, can I really live forever? The prince treats you well now, but it's hard to say when you become the emperor. In my early years, I relied a lot on my uncle, but when I took power, I thought it was a good thing that my uncle died early, otherwise my entire family would have been exterminated!"

Liu Ju immediately knelt down. These topics were too sensitive, but he didn't know how to answer them. No matter how he expressed himself, it would be wrong and it would be easy to be extended to some different meanings.

Liu Che said earnestly, "The matter of Marquis Tiao is too complicated, and I can't say much. But his character is too resolute and stubborn, which is also a way to bring disaster."

He would turn his face to the emperor if he was not satisfied, and resign on the pretext of illness if he disagreed with the political views. When the emperor deliberately tested him, he still did not change his temper and just turned his face away. Zhou Yafu's ability was not a problem, but his temper was also bad. Seeing Huo Xian did not speak, Liu Che smiled and said, "You don't have to think too much, I can still watch you. The prince is not a mean person, and he will not do anything to you. But you have to remember that you are a minister after all."

Huo Xian certainly understood all this. Now he could seem a little arrogant because of the emperor's favor, but it was impossible for him to maintain this character all his life.

Sometimes I even feel that if I die outside at the right time, perhaps I will leave behind some thoughts and accumulate some blessings for future generations.

However, it is really too early to think about these things now. Huo Xian has not yet reached the point where his achievements are so great that it is difficult to be rewarded and the emperor is wary of him. He does not need to retreat at the height of his career and choose to protect himself like General Wei Qing did.

It might be a good thing if Huo Xian changed his character. After all, in the eyes of most emperors, ministers like Wei Qing are the most exemplary.

Having ministers with too strong personalities may not necessarily be a good thing for emperors.

But this is a different time and Huo Xian will not change his style in the short term. It is just because the current emperor is Liu Che, so he needs to continue to be flamboyant.

He continued to perform his duties in the palace, doing things that seemed to be what a Weiwei should do. This was also preparation for the upcoming patrol, which was also the big thing that would happen next.

As for the silage issue, Huo Xian didn't need to worry about it. Liu Che and others cared about this matter very much. There were a lot of people assisting him, including the crown prince, the prime minister, the minister of the imperial carriage, the minister of the imperial household, etc.

Therefore, it seems that Huo Xian can retire after achieving success. There is not much he needs to do in this matter. It is enough to continue to cultivate himself well.

Wei Zifu was very pleased. She was happy to see Huo Xian's fair complexion. "Xian'er, you have been traveling outside for many years, and your body must have been exhausted. Look how good you are now. You look so noble."

Huo Xian swallowed the meat with relish and said, "I am young and strong now."

"You can't say that. Your father-in-law was so strong back then." Wei Zifu said, "You are about to go on a tour with His Majesty. You should take good care of yourself while you are away."

Huo Xian was not too worried. "Aunt, it's very relaxing to go on a tour with His Majesty. We don't walk much every day, and there are many people accompanying us. We go around to see the scenery and enjoy the mountains and rivers. It must be very carefree."

Compared to marching and fighting, patrolling is just like going on a picnic. It's just that you may not be used to the local climate, but you are not particularly tired.

Wei Zifu said worriedly, "You went on a military expedition when you were seventeen, and you were away for more than half a year or even a year. You haven't had a good rest in the past four years. Take good care of yourself during this period, and don't overwork yourself."

Huo Xian smiled. He thought that he had rested for a while. Before going to the expedition to Dayuan, he rested for nearly half a year.

In addition, now he has nothing to do but eat, drink and have fun all day, and he has been resting for nearly a month. He feels that he is in very good physical condition now.

What's more, when leading troops outside, basic living security is still provided. Although I am certainly a little tired, I just don't feel that my body can't take it anymore. This may be the advantage of being young.

Shi Liangdi said with concern, "Your Highness has a few ginsengs in the storehouse. I'll have someone deliver them to you later."

Ginseng has a long history. Although it is not as popular as it is in later generations, it has become a favorite tonic for many dignitaries.

Huo Xian was delighted and said bluntly, "Then I will be disrespectful to refuse. I will take it back and stew the chicken. I never have too much of a good thing."

Wei Zifu and Shi Liangdi would naturally not be stingy. If Huo Xian was willing, no one would say anything if she ate ginseng stewed chicken for every meal. Perhaps the prince, who seemed to be more frugal than the emperor, would ask people to pay tribute to her for ginseng.

Shi Liangdi looked at Huo Xian and said with a smile, "Xian'er, I have a maidservant who is very beautiful and considerate. How about sending her to your room?"

Wei Zifu smiled and said nothing beside him. She was happy to see such a thing happen. What she was most worried about now was that Huo Shan only had one concubine, who had not been able to give birth to a child in the past two or three years. It was really infuriating.

Huo Xian was not polite either, and said, "I have high standards. If I don't like her, then forget it. I want someone who is beautiful. I'd better call her over to have a look."

Wei Zifu and Shi Liangdi were immediately happy. Xian'er had indeed grown up and was willing to take more concubines!
Just when Huo Xian was full and thinking about meeting the beauty, a young eunuch came running over in a hurry, "My Lord, His Majesty has urgently summoned you. There is chaos in the Western Regions!"

Huo Xian immediately stood up, hurriedly bowed to Wei Zifu and Shi Liangdi, and ran towards the Jianzhang Palace.

Wei Zifu was worried. Was it true that Shan'er was born to be busy outside?

(End of this chapter)