Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 204 What must be done

Huo Xian's eyes were clear, and he was simply watching the Chu dance led by Madam Xing with admiration.

Liu Che was lying on the bed, evaluating the dances with Huo Xian. This was not a big or small criticism, but two critics, commenting on the court dances of the Han Dynasty and appreciating the rituals and music of the Han Dynasty.

Liu Che asked casually, "You don't need to go out to fight this year, just keep an eye on the training of the troops."

Huo Xian answered while eating dried fruit, "Your Majesty, I will do it even if you don't tell me. When it comes to war, few people care more about it than me. This year, the Southern Army and the Northern Army will have a hard time. I will keep an eye on it."

Liu Che also knew this and said, "Don't make a fuss too much. You should be more considerate of the soldiers."

Huo Xian was a little puzzled. "Your Majesty, is there anyone who is talking nonsense in front of you? I have never abused the soldiers in the army, nor have I ever criticized them. Why do you want me to be sympathetic to the soldiers?"

Liu Che sighed deeply, "Others love their soldiers like their own sons, and share the joys and sorrows with their soldiers, but you and your son have never done that. Have you and your son never read the story of Wu Zi?"

After Wu Qi became the commander-in-chief, he wore the same clothes and ate the same food as the lowest-ranking soldiers. He slept without a mattress and did not ride on a horse or a carriage when marching. He personally carried bundles of food on his back and shared the joys and sorrows with the soldiers.

There was even one time when a soldier developed a malignant sore and Wu Qi sucked out the pus for him.

Liu Che continued, "Let's not talk about anything else. Li Guang can get along well with the soldiers. He has a good reputation in the army. But there will be some gossips about you and your son."

It is not the same for the rich.

Huo Xian was not embarrassed, but asked, "In normal times, the soldiers like to follow Li Guang, but in war, are the soldiers willing to follow me or Li Guang?"

Now it was Liu Che's turn not to know how to answer. There is indeed nothing wrong with loving one's soldiers like one's own sons. This is an excellent quality.

However, Huo Qubing and Huo Shan were able to win battles, and great victories at that, which made them feel confident at times.

Liu Che was also numb. Huo Qubing liked to talk back, and Huo Shan also liked to talk back. As long as the father and son felt that they were right, they would not be afraid.

"The general also told me that I can't bear those hardships." Huo Xian said without blushing, "Your Majesty, I am not missing the opportunity to fight, nor do I have no conditions, why do I have to bear those hardships?"

Liu Che asked, "Is it not enough to just pretend? Wu Zi wants every soldier to help suck out the pus? If these good things get out, it will be good for your reputation and prestige!"

"Then I eat coarse grains with the soldiers outside, and eat meat when I return to the tent?" Huo Xian asked, "Others lose weight when they go out to fight, but I get fat. How can that work?"

Liu Che was helpless with Huo Xian's unreasonable nagging, "You can gain weight by hiding in the big tent and eating meat? How can you not be thinner after returning from the battle?"

Eating some meat can supplement nutrition, but it is really not enough to make Huo Xian fat and white. After all, fighting outside is still very tiring.

Huo Xian still shook his head and said, "I will be more careful next time, but everyone knows that which commander can really be exactly the same as an ordinary soldier? For example, can my armor be the same as that of an ordinary soldier?"

Liu Che glanced at Huo Xian unhappily and said, "Forget it. You won't listen to me. You can do whatever you want. I am considering your reputation, but you don't think about it. Who can you blame?"

Then Liu Che said, "The prince has a favorite concubine. Do you know who she is?"

Seeing Huo Xian nod, Liu Che said, "Her brother is Li Gan's son, and he is also quite courageous. Someone sued me before, and I ordered him to kill a tiger. This man was fearless when he entered the tiger park."

Huo Xian asked directly, "Is it the Tiger Garden in Shanglinyuan? Should we push him down from the wall, or let him down by hanging him with a rope?"

This is why Huo Xian liked Jianzhang Palace and Linyuan, where there were many rare birds and animals, many of which were kept in captivity.

Liu Che smiled and said, "Hang it with a rope and let it down. Before the man even hits the ground, he will cut the rope with a sword in mid-air and prepare to kill the tiger."

Huo Xian understood immediately, "Your Majesty appreciated his courage, so he had him hanged up in advance. In other words, although Hu was not killed, his courage was appreciated by His Majesty, and it was being publicized throughout Chang'an?"

Liu Che suddenly didn't know what to say, because the actual situation was exactly as it was, and it was exactly the same as Huo Xian had guessed.

Madam Xing, who had already finished dancing, couldn't help but sigh that the reason why this Marquis of Champion could gain His Majesty's trust was not just because he was personally educated by His Majesty, but also because he guessed His Majesty's thoughts so accurately.

Huo Xian continued, "Your Majesty, I know that man is Li Yu. If Your Majesty appreciates him, then promote him. I am nothing more than a Grand Marshal and General of the Cavalry without a seal. How can I stop Your Majesty from promoting an official?"

Liu Che was both angry and amused. "I can't give you the seal now. You are not very steady in your work. I want to promote Li Yu. After all, he is the grandson of Li Guang. He has some skills. If he is sent to the army, he may be able to make contributions."

Huo Xian didn't care at all, "Your Majesty, aren't you afraid that I'll kill him?"

"If Li Ling can be promoted, why can't Li Yu be used?" Liu Che said with a smile, "Although you don't like the Li family, at least you know the big picture. It's a good thing that Li Ling is made a marquis this time."

It seems that Li Ling has really made it this time. Although he was only a Marquis of Guannei before, he will become a real marquis after the war in the Western Regions.

Huo Xian had no objection. After all, there were not many generals who stood out particularly in this war in the Western Regions, and Li Ling was one of them.

Just be granted a title of nobility. This actually has no impact on Huo Xian.

Marquis can be said to be the pinnacle of the Han Dynasty's ministers, but there are huge differences among them. Those with fiefs of 800 households are marquises, those with fiefs of more than 5,000 are also marquises, and the marquis of 10,000 households is even more so.

Li Guang never became a marquis in his entire life, and the reasons were quite complicated. However, when it came to Li Ling, some of the Li family's long-cherished wishes were finally fulfilled.

Liu Che continued, "It is not a good idea to leave Li Yu in Chang'an. I want to let him go and gain some experience. Maybe he will be of help to the crown prince in the future."

Huo Xian was silent for a moment before he said, "Li Yu's sisters are quite favored by the crown prince. If there is really another Li Ling or Li Yu, what will happen to the eldest grandson of the emperor in the future?"

Madam Xing couldn't help but look at Huo Xian. This Marquis of Guanjun was so bold that he actually talked about such a sensitive topic directly. Others didn't even dare to mention it!

This is not an exaggeration, this is the actual situation, these topics are indeed very sensitive.

The position of the crown prince was very stable. In the early years, Huo Qubing and others were eager to request the appointment of other princes. Some princes who might threaten Liu Ju had to accept the appointment and could not stay in Chang'an. It was actually the same now. Although Liu Bo was not young, under normal circumstances, within two years, if the emperor did not appoint Liu Bo, Huo Shan would take the lead in requesting the appointment.

As for Liu Fuling, there is no need to think about him. Lady Gouyi is probably still busy with "hype" and has not met Emperor Wu of Han yet.

The prince's position is very stable, but when it comes to the emperor's grandson, it seems that there is no need to consider some things too early.

Liu Jin was not young, but he was only the grandson of the emperor, and he was just Liu Ju's eldest son. The crown prince had no crown princess, and Liu Jin was just the eldest, not the legitimate son.

What's more, in the Han Dynasty, there is no absolute rule of enthroning the eldest son as the legitimate heir. The legitimate son and the eldest son naturally have certain advantages, but the other princes are not without any chance.

Liu Che has already left in anger. Huo Shan is really too bold. There are some things that we shouldn't think about too much now.

Consider the matter of appointing a crown prince after the crown prince ascends the throne. If you think about something now, it is simply cursing the emperor. After all, Liu Che is obsessed with immortality and becoming an immortal. He really wants to live forever.

Huo Xian was not worried about angering the emperor. He thought it was just a daily quarrel. If he was really angry or holding a grudge, he would not behave like this.

Without certainty, how could he provoke the emperor for no reason? Moreover, sometimes Huo Xian really didn't want to do it, but it was the emperor who said that he couldn't bear it!

After returning to the palace, Huo Xian said to Lin Mei, "You will leave the palace with me tomorrow."

Lin Mei's eyes lit up, and she asked in a tender voice, "Is the Lord going back home?"

"You leave the palace first. I'll be here for a few more days." Huo Xian said helplessly, "It's not right to stay in the palace all the time. You have to be careful."

Lin Mei was previously in the Guanjun Marquis's residence, and was only brought into the palace to sleep with Huo Xian after he returned to Chang'an. It would not be good to keep her here all the time, as someone might gossip about her.

Huo Shan felt that he was a little overwhelmed. Lin Mei felt a sense of urgency and wanted to give birth to a child for Huo Shan so that she could maintain her status.

After all, although Huo Xian had no criminal record, he had done too many things for the powerful. Some concubines who were old and ugly were kicked out of the house, and some concubines who were out of favor were arranged to serve guests.

If they had children for each of them, these concubines would not have much sense of security.

What's more, Huo Xian's situation is also special. In the final analysis, he has no legal wife now. In other words, Huo Wuyou seems to have absolute initiative now. He has the status of the eldest son and the name given by the emperor himself, so he has a very high status.

But now many people are saying that if Huo Xian had other descendants, they would definitely be granted a title of nobility. In the final analysis, his contributions were so great that there was no more title to be granted.

Therefore, if he makes new achievements in the future, he will definitely follow the example of His Majesty rewarding the three sons of General Wei Qing. At that time, no one cared about legitimate sons or illegitimate sons, as long as they were sons, they could be made marquis.

What's more, even if he was not granted the title of marquis, with the wealth and power of the Marquis of Guanjun's Mansion, he would certainly be rich and powerful.

It's true that I can't handle it anymore. Even though I'm young and strong, I can't stand the obsession.

It is also very necessary to arrange for Lin Mei to leave the palace. Huo Xian has done quite a few outrageous things, but he still has some sense of propriety in his mind and will not go too far.

The new day still starts with sleeping until waking up naturally. After washing, eating and drinking, Huo Xian also needs to think about some serious things, such as revenge and so on!
Anyway, I have already left the palace and visited relatives, so now I have to consider ending some grudges.

This is not a matter of being petty or not, but if some things are not done, the prestige of the Marquis of Guanjun Mansion will be destroyed, and there may be troubles in the future.

Lin Mei didn't need to say much. She needed to go to the Pepper Palace to pay her respects first, and then get Wei Zifu's permission before she could leave the palace. A palace token was required to enter and leave the palace. You couldn't just go out whenever you wanted.

But there is nothing to worry about these things. Although Wei Zifu often controls Huo Shan, she still gives him a lot of freedom in most cases.

Huo Xian led the horse out of the palace. This time he did not wear a mask or armor. Even if he went out to seek revenge, he had to be a little cautious, as he was not going to fight a war.

It is enough to just get back the venue, don't make the situation too ugly, and don't cause any loss of life. These are the bottom line issues.

It is not necessarily that Liu Che and Wei Zifu had reminded Huo Shan before, but also because he himself had some sense of propriety about this, and they had some tacit understanding about seeking revenge, so this was not a mortal feud.

The powerful have their own ways of solving problems. Killing people over a disagreement is something that "heroes" do, and it is something those who are brave and aggressive would do. Huo Xian would not lower himself to a lower status.

Seeing Huo Xian coming to the gate of the mansion like a gust of wind, Liu Mo was very happy, "The Lord is finally back!"

"Uncle Liu!" Huo Xian smiled happily, "You still look strong and healthy. That's good! I've been missing you guys while I'm out there."

Liu Mo looked behind Huo Xian and then became a little disappointed. "Where is the young prince? The prince is back, why didn't you bring the young prince back as well?"

This was very important to Liu Mo and others. In fact, they hoped that Han Yunniang would give birth to a child in the Guanjun Marquis' Mansion, but they could not resist the will of the emperor and the empress, and they also had some sense of propriety, so they did not force it.

But now it’s different. The prince has returned, so it’s natural to bring the young prince back. This is the normal way to deal with it.

"I haven't even seen him. They said the child is too young!" Huo Xian said helplessly, "Don't even think about it. If he is less than one year old, His Majesty and His Highness will not allow Wuyou to return home."

Although Liu Mo felt regretful, he could also understand it. After all, the Marquis Guanjun Mansion lacked a hostess, and each of them was good at military affairs and not suitable for taking care of children.

It's better to stay in the palace, where it's more comfortable and wealthy, and you can be taken care of better, just like the prince who grew up in the palace and only came back occasionally.

As long as the prince has an heir, that is obviously enough. These are the most important things.

However, for Huo Xian, there are other more important things. He returned home not just to see the family generals.

Some things must be done. "You have raised my flag. The descendants of Tao Hou have rebelled and dared to offend my Guanjun Hou Mansion!"

(End of this chapter)