Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 213 Reminiscing about the Past
Huo Xian was in high spirits. He galloped on his horse in the parade ground, drew his bow and arrow again and again, and hit the bull's eye again and again, which almost aroused unanimous cheers from the spectators.

Liu Che felt quite happy. This child was trained by him and was able to achieve success on the battlefield time and time again. There was a traceable reason for all this and it was all achieved through hard work.

After Huo Xian finished shooting the arrows, he happily said to Liu Che, "Your Majesty, did you see that? In the past few years, I have not only studied military tactics, but I have also always had the ability to kill the enemy. I just feel sorry that I didn't kill a tiger or hunt a bear."

Liu Che found it funny and said to Huo Xian, "I know what you mean. If you want to leave the palace, just leave. I can't lock you up."

This is really the case. Huo Xian cannot stay in the palace all the time. Although he is very comfortable there, it is nowhere near as comfortable as the Marquis Guanjun's Mansion. He feels more free in the mansion.

Liu Che was in a good mood and teased Huo Xian, "You are also a fool. The palace is so good, but you always want to go out. You were clamoring to go out when you were in your teens, and it's even more so now."

Huo Xian was just laughing. He did think that living in the palace was nice, but it was far from having his own territory.

Even though he understood that his Marquis Guanjun Mansion was not a completely pure land, it was still better than being watched everywhere in the palace.

Liu Che looked at Huo Xian and asked with a smile, "What did you say to the prince?"

"I said we'd go to Bowang Garden in two days. What else could that be?" Huo Xian said with a smile, "I urged my cousin to handle the case quickly. Otherwise, I won't be able to leave the palace and see Wuyou."

Liu Che couldn't help but joked, "Not letting you see Wuyou is the Queen's intention, it has nothing to do with me. Do you really think Wuyou is a hostage? He doesn't have that status. He is not the son of the King of Loulan or the King of Dayuan."

There are not many hostages in Chang'an, but there are not a few either. There are quite a few hostages from various countries in the Western Regions.

It can be said that many people came here because of Huo Shan. For example, the Kingdom of Dayuan would not have so many hostages if it were not for Huo Shan. The impact of the Western Regions' rise to power was not as simple as winning a battle.

Huo Xian still didn't quite understand and was a little puzzled, "Your Majesty, am I so unreliable? After all, Wuyou is my son, how can I not love him? You're guarding against me like a thief, how can this be called!"

As for Huo Shan's grievances and complaints, Liu Che just listened to them, that was all.

Not to mention Wei Zifu, even Emperor Liu Che was the type who didn't trust Huo Shan. This kid was really obsessed with war.

Even if she had a child, in Liu Che's view, it did not mean that Huo Shan had grown up. A child was still a child.

"You were also in the palace when you were a child. At that time, your grandfather was fighting outside, so he had no choice but to leave you in the palace." Liu Che said with some nostalgia, "It was so good back then. We didn't have to worry about anything, unlike now!"

Huo Shan naturally understood the hidden meaning in some of Liu Che's words. A big part of the reason why he began to miss the past now was not only because he had many regrets, but also because he was getting old.

When Wei Qing and Huo Qubing made successive achievements, Emperor Liu Che was also young and strong. At that time, he held great power and his prestige was unparalleled.

It seems that Huo Shan has been making continuous achievements now, but for Liu Che, many things now are still not as good as in the past.

Huo Xian also understood that Liu Che was missing the past, because the most glorious and powerful time since the founding of the Han Dynasty was when he was on the throne. Time and again, victories in foreign wars pushed his prestige to the highest level!
Now Liu Che still holds power, and it seems that no one can threaten his position. He is the most supreme ruler of this country.

But Liu Che was also very clear that the present was different from the past. Today, there were many more internal and external troubles than before. Even though the Han Dynasty was constantly winning battles, its national strength was not as strong as before.

The national treasury was empty, and no one knew this better than Emperor Liu Che. He promoted and reused Sang Hongyang, who came from a merchant family, because he was very capable and able to make money.

Liu Che was doing things like selling official positions and titles, suppressing civil unrest, etc., without any delay.

This situation would have never happened twenty years ago, but it has happened now, 'the granaries are empty and many people have fled'.

The people of the Han Dynasty were now exhausted. Although some uprisings were not enough to shake the Han Dynasty's rule, they did make Emperor Liu Che very upset and angry.

But there is no way, all of this is real happening, no matter how unhappy you are, you can only find a way to solve it.

Liu Che was extremely confident, even conceited. He did not think that his approach was wrong. He would continue to send troops before completely solving the border threat posed by the Huns. He just wanted to solve the problem of the Huns.

After a brief chat with Liu Che, Huo Xian felt that he had done what he should do. Now, he really couldn't interfere more in some matters of state affairs, and he couldn't overstep his authority too much.

The reason why Huo Shan was loved and trusted by the emperor was because of his "simplicity". He was a Grand Marshal and General of the Cavalry who only cared about military affairs and nothing else.

If Huo Xian ever becomes interested in state affairs, it would mean that he would instantly lose the emperor's trust, and some of his current favors would become his death warrant.

Whether it was the Grand Marshal, the General of the Cavalry, or the Marquis of Guanjun, these were all "passing clouds". The suspicious and mean Liu Che could even kill the empress and the crown prince. No one could threaten his rule.

Huo Xian also had his own disguise, being arrogant, domineering, and willful. This was his disguise in front of the emperor.

In the final analysis, it's because of fear. Facing an emperor like Liu Che, how many people would not be afraid? No matter how powerful a person is, he can become a handful of earth because of an imperial edict.

Huo Xian happily returned to the Marquis Guanjun's Mansion. Not only was he happy, but many people were happy too, including Feng Xu, who had been living in the manor before and came to the Marquis Guanjun's Mansion a few days ago.

"My Lord, this time Feng Dan and Feng Wu were able to achieve great success, all thanks to your cultivation." Feng Xu was so excited that he burst into tears. "Even if I die, even if I give you a gift, I can never repay you!"

Huo Xian said cheerfully, "Feng Dan earned his title by fighting on the battlefield, and Feng Wu also earned his merits by killing the enemy. Just come over when you say that. We are all family, and I will definitely take care of my family!"

Feng Xu didn't think so, and said excitedly, "There are so many people in the army, and there are many more capable people. Why are only the two in my family able to make achievements?"

Zhao Hexihe next to him was nodding as well. Although Zhao Congxiao seemed not as promising as Feng Dan, his title and official position were already very high.

It was no secret that Huo Xian was nepotism. He liked to promote some of his own people. Many people were aware of this and were extremely envious of it.

Just look at Huo Xian's troops, and you will know that they have made great achievements one by one, and are now developing towards the status of Marquis and Nine Ministers. Including those young men who used to practice riding and shooting, they also have their own future. All of this can only show that Huo Xian can win battles, and there are many opportunities to make meritorious deeds with him. And for such opportunities, Huo Xian is more willing to take care of his own people, he is not as fair as the general Wei Qing.

"That kid Feng Dan won't be back anytime soon." Huo Xian said gloatingly, "Uncle Feng, please keep an eye on Feng Wu. Feng Wu is the one who has to take care of him in his old age."

Feng Xu said nonchalantly, "If it really comes to that, I can just find someone. If it doesn't work, let Sanlang dig a hole for me to bury him."

Chen Sanlang was speechless, and complained, "Uncle Feng, you watched me grow up. Even if I am a loser, I would not dig a hole casually. Now Feng Dan is about to become a duke, how can he lack good things?"

Huo Xian also complained after hearing this, "That's right, if they really dug a trap, Feng Dan's title of Marquis would be gone. How can such an unfilial person be a Marquis!"

The Western Han Dynasty was popular for lavish burials and filial piety, so sometimes a funeral could bankrupt a middle-class family. Selling everything you had to lavishly bury your ancestors was a common practice in the Western Han Dynasty.

Chen Ju immediately asked, "My Lord, is it true that Feng Dan has become a marquis? There are also several people who have made some contributions during this trip."

"If he is not granted the title of Marquis, I will go find someone to settle the score with." Huo Xian said confidently, "Many people have made contributions on this trip, but not many have made great contributions. Feng Dan is the most suitable person!"

Naturally, no one was dissatisfied with what Huo Xian said. Everyone became excited and felt proud of it.

Although Feng Dan's title of Marquis had not yet been formally conferred, and it was estimated that his fiefdom was at most 1,500 households, but in any case, this was a real Marquis, and not the Guannei Marquis he had previously been.

As Huo Xian's followers all became marquises, how impressive it would be if the news got out! Not only Huo Xian would be impressive, Feng Dan would also be very impressive.

Zhao Hexi, Chen Ju and others would not be jealous of Feng Xu, as they were all close friends. More importantly, their descendants were given enough opportunities by the princes, and they were always being trained and promoted.

Today it is Feng Dan, tomorrow it may be Zhao Congxiao. As long as they have the ability, the prince will definitely work hard to promote them and will not consider avoiding suspicion at all, and may even publicize it with great fanfare.

There is no need to avoid suspicion at all. Feng Dan was born in the Guanjun Marquis's Mansion. Although this background is not particularly high, it is definitely not low.

Being born in a humble family but achieving success was never something difficult to talk about in the Western Han Dynasty. It was a good thing that deserved joy and respect.

"Chen Wan, come here!" Seeing Chen Wan sitting at the door eating dried fruits, Huo Xian immediately laughed, "Come here quickly, let me see if you have gained weight!"

Chen Wan immediately got up and said, "My Lord, I've gained weight again!"

Huo Xian held the little fat boy in his arms and touched Chen Wan's fleshy belly. "Yes, you are a little fatter, but you will definitely be as strong and powerful as your grandfather in the future. Practice your skills well, and you will be a marquis in the future!"

Chen Ju was laughing beside him. As the leader of the four great generals, his son was the least promising. It was heartbreaking to think about it. His sons were unreliable, so he could only hope that his grandson would do well.

As they were talking, a soldier came running over and said, "Sir, the Marquis of Pingyang is here."

Huo Xian was very surprised. Although Cao Zong had a good relationship with Huo Xian, they both had their own duties in the past two or three years and they did not have much private contact with each other.

Just when Huo Xian was still wondering, Cao Zong strode into the mansion, "Marquis Guanjun, you've been back for so many days, but you didn't even come to see me! Isn't it only natural for us brothers to get together?"

Huo Xian immediately laughed, "We are really brothers. I just like to play with you. Others take advantage of me because of their seniority!"

Cao Zong immediately laughed and scolded, "You are such a good fellow, Huo Xian! Tomorrow I will go to the General's Mansion to file a complaint, and you will be in trouble then!"

Huo Xian said nonchalantly, "You go to the General's Mansion to file a complaint, and I will go to the Pepper Palace to file a complaint! His Highness knows that I am filing a complaint, and in order to appease me, he will also go and reprimand Her Highness the Princess."

Cao Zong's mother was Princess Wei Chang, the eldest daughter of Wei Zifu. This is a real relationship.

Jiang Xiaoniang immediately brought tea and wine. There were many places where their own marquis did not observe etiquette. Just now, Cao Zong even ran into the Marquis of Guanjun's Mansion by himself, which seemed to be impolite.

But all this is not absolute. Being able to enter the mansion directly and not make people angry only means that the relationship is good, and these are truly close relatives and friends, and they are real family members.

Huo Xian looked at Cao Zong and said curiously, "You have been avoiding me for the past few days. I was idle in Jianzhang Palace and you didn't even come to see me!"

"I am in charge of the Southern Army now, how can I have private dealings with you, the Grand Marshal?" Cao Zong immediately complained, looking at Liu Mo and said, "Hurry up and take away the few people you sent last time, and send them all to the Yulin Army."

Liu Mo suddenly became nervous, "Marquis Pingyang, aren't those people in the manor training hard in the army?"

"If there is one person who is cunning and treacherous, don't send him to the Yulin Army. He is the one who lost the Guanjun Marquis Mansion." Cao Zong was not shy at all. "The others are okay. They don't have great abilities, but they will be promoted quickly in the Yulin Army."

Huo Xian no longer needs to arrange some troops himself. He has so many comrades or subordinates in the army that he doesn't even need to say hello. The face of the four generals is enough.

Liu Mo's face turned ugly when he heard this. "Pingyang Hou should take care of them. If those guys don't work hard, then they can't blame others. I will deal with them later!"

Huo Xian was not surprised by this. Even though all the soldiers in the Marquis of Guanjun's Mansion were martial, it did not mean that all of them were down-to-earth. There were also some cunning and treacherous people.

These are not things that you should be surprised about at all. You'll get used to them. Not all the people in the Marquis of Guanjun's Mansion are outstanding people.

Huo Xian looked at Cao Zong and asked again, "Do you want to go to the side room? What's the formality? I'd like you, Marquis of Pingyang, to come to my mansion in person!"

Cao Zong smiled and said, "Arrange the itinerary and route. The Southern Army will accompany you on this trip. I have to report some things to the Grand Marshal, and you have to decide on some things."

It really is serious business, involving the emperor’s upcoming tour!
(End of this chapter)