Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 214 One person achieves enlightenment

The emperor was going to go on a tour, and this time his destination was still Mount Tai. However, just like before, although it seemed that he was going to Mount Tai, he was not just going to Mount Tai, but also going all the way to the eastern coast.

Everyone knows a lot of things, and the emperor has not given up on many things.

Although he knew that the elixir made by the alchemist was definitely not edible, Liu Che still wanted to find the "big footprints" and the "three sacred mountains", and fantasized about one day riding a dragon to heaven like Huangdi.

Even though most of his life was filled with false joys or he was constantly deceived, Liu Che still did not change his determination. He would continue to maintain his expectations and then fall into a new trap.

In order to achieve immortality, the emperor could almost be said to be insane, and it was not just one or two things that could wake him up.

Cao Zong looked at Huo Xian and said seriously, "I don't know much about the tour. Although I accompanied the emperor on the tour last year, I didn't arrange anything. I just followed."

Sometimes Cao Zong felt unbalanced. His ancestor was Cao Shen, one of the three great heroes of the early Han Dynasty, and he was the emperor's grandson. However, no matter how you looked at it, he was not as favored as Huo Shan.

Huo Xian asked seriously, "Did His Majesty ask you to come here, or did someone else ask you to come here?"

"How dare I say these things?" Cao Zong said sourly, "Do you think everyone is like you? I dare not leave Chang'an without the emperor's order, unlike you who suddenly ran away when the tour was about to start, and no one punished you!"

This is Huo Xian's dark history, and he is reluctant to mention these things. But other people like to mention them, and they also regard these as evidence of Huo Xian's favor.

Huo Xian then asked, "Your Majesty, have you said where you are going? I dare not mess around with these things. Your Majesty must make arrangements in advance for wherever you are going."

Cao Zong naturally knew that the emperor's tour would definitely not be a random stroll. Where to go, which route to take, etc., all had to be planned in advance, and there must be no mistakes.

Especially in some key areas, we must go there, otherwise no one can take on such responsibilities.

Cao Zong whispered, "We must go to Mount Tai. This time we are not going to Fengshan, we are just going to Mingtang."

Huo Xian knew that although Liu Che had performed Fengshan at Mount Tai many times, the only real Fengshan was the one in the first year of Yuanfeng. Some of the other times were even the end of the Fengshan in the first year of Yuanfeng.

After all, after the Fengshan ceremony in the first year of Yuanfeng, it was necessary to build a Mingtang, conduct subsequent sacrifices, etc. These were all big things, and Fengshan was not something that could be done by just climbing Mount Tai.

Especially things like Fengshan, to a certain extent, are similar to making a wish, and after the wish is fulfilled, the wish must be fulfilled.

Huo Xian understood, and Cao Zong continued mysteriously, "We may have to go to the Fengsi Altar this time, and maybe I'll let you go with us."

Huo Xian's heart was pounding with fear, and he also felt his calves starting to weaken. Twelve years ago, he followed Liu Che to perform the Fengsa Ceremony on Mount Tai, and then followed the Emperor to perform the Feng Ceremony, and spent a night on the mountain!
Even now, many people are still curious about what is written on the jade book and what the content of the sacrificial text is.

Huo Xian suddenly felt even more apprehensive, and said to Cao Zong, "You're only going to Mount Tai, not Mount Song?"

Cao Zong couldn't listen any more. Songshan was of great significance to the emperor and Huo Shan, because during the Fengshan ceremony in the first year of Yuanfeng, Liu Che led the crowd to climb a peak on the eastern foot of Zhongyue Songshan.

It was during that time that some people insisted that they heard a god in the mountain shouting "Long live the mountain" three times. Emperor Liu Che was so happy that he added more sacrifices to Mount Song, exempted all 300 households from taxes and corvée labor, and focused on the worship of the mountain god.

As for the civil and military officials in the court, they felt speechless about "Hu Song", but Huo Xian just liked to call the emperor "Long live" occasionally, which made the emperor feel happy.

After thinking carefully, Huo Xian asked, "Then I have an idea. I will go and discuss it with Your Majesty. It will take no more than ten days. I will decide the route, and you will arrange for the vanguard to escort along the way."

Hearing Huo Xian say this, Cao Zong felt more confident. "This matter still depends on you to arrange. We don't know where your majesty wants to go or what he wants to see. According to past practice, your majesty doesn't like it very much."

This is a complicated matter. Liu Che liked to go to Mount Tai and Mount Song again and again because these mountains had unique meanings to him, so he never got tired of going there again and again.

But for some things, just a quick look or experiencing them once will be enough, and by then the emperor will lose interest and will be too lazy to pay more attention.

Although other people would also try to guess the emperor's preferences, some things could be traced, so it seemed that there was no need to worry too much about not doing many things well.

However, facing the increasingly moody emperor, everyone else was terrified, fearing that something was not done perfectly. Not everyone is Huo Xian, who can make the emperor happy even if they did something wrong.

Cao Zong was sincere and said to Huo Xian, "My Lord, there are some things that are difficult for us to arrange. In addition to the Southern Army, I think the Qimen Army and the Yulin Army will also go with us."

Although many members of the Qimen Army and the Yulin Army are still returning from the Western Regions, some soldiers of these two imperial guards are still guarding the vicinity of the Jianzhang Palace. Even if the main army is to attack, not all of them will go out.

Huo Xian was also aware of Cao Zong's concerns. "Don't worry about these things. I will arrange them. No matter how you arrange them, it will be wrong."

Cao Zong was so moved that he almost cried. In the final analysis, if he arranged something, it would be safest if he did it perfectly. If there was any deficiency, he might be punished.

Huo Xian didn't have to worry so much. He had arranged some things, and as long as the problem was not particularly serious, the emperor would not interfere.

They were obviously good buddies and close friends who had played together since their youth, but it was a pity that now, whether it was Huo Xian or Cao Zong, they were intentionally or unintentionally keeping a certain distance from each other, because they both knew their limits on certain things.

For example, Cao Zong did not stay for long after discussing the important matters. He still needed to rush back to Jianzhang Palace to report the imperial edict and make many subsequent arrangements. He still had a lot of things to do.

After Cao Zong left, Chen Ju asked, "My Lord, if you are accompanying me this time, why don't we follow as well?"

"Want to go sightseeing with me?" Huo Xian said jokingly, "All of you guys stay in Chang'an, it's not your turn to go sightseeing."

Huo Xian then looked at Lin Mei and said, "Have you ever been on a long journey? If you are not afraid of the long journey, you can go on a tour with me."

Even though Huo Xian was so "treasonous", if other ministers were able to follow the emperor on tours, it basically meant that they had the emperor's trust, which was also a symbol of status.

But Huo Xian didn't seem to have the same awareness as others. Not only did he follow them out, but he also planned to take his concubine with him. This was simply lawless. Hearing Huo Xian's words, Lin Mei was undoubtedly excited and expectant. "My Lord, I am not afraid of fatigue. If I am lucky enough to go out with you, it would be my blessing."

This is not particularly exaggerated. In today's era, most people just live around their hometowns, and it is almost impossible to travel far away.

If a man is serving in the military, he may be able to travel far away, but women basically have no chance to go out and see the world.

Moreover, Lin Mei knew very well that she was just Huo Xian's concubine, serving him with her beauty. If she could not continue to receive Huo Xian's favor, some of the wealth and glory in front of her might be gone.

She doesn't have any children now. Although Han Yunniang is still just a concubine, she has given birth to Huo Wuyou after all. So she basically doesn't have to worry about being kicked out of the house in this life.

Huo Xian smiled when he heard this and said, "Okay, I'll have someone arrange a carriage for you later, and you can just go with me when the time comes."

This was not a difficult task. When the emperor went on tour, he would be accompanied by a large number of eunuchs and maids, so there was no problem for Huo Xian to arrange for a female relative to follow him. It was just that other ministers did not dare to do so.

Huo Xian stretched his body and said, "Uncle Liu, go prepare some gifts. I will go to my uncle's place and see my brother in a while!"

Now that I have left the palace, there are naturally a lot of things to do, and things like visiting relatives need to continue. I haven't visited all the relatives since I returned to Chang'an.

All the relatives of the Wei family have left, but the relatives of the Huo family have not left. It would be unreasonable if they didn’t go to Huo Guang’s mansion for a visit.

Liu Mo and others were aware of this, even though they had never been close to Huo Guang, they knew that some etiquette must be observed. No matter what, Huo Guang was Huo Shan's uncle, and this was an indelible fact.

As the saying goes, the closer relatives are, the closer they become. This all makes sense.

Chen Sanlang and others followed Huo Xian to Huo Guang's residence carrying gifts. Huo Xian still seemed to be ignorant of etiquette and had not even sent a visiting card.

But Huo Xian, who usually paid special attention to his status and etiquette, hurriedly appeared with the swaddling clothes in his arms, "Xian'er, you just left the palace, why are you in such a hurry to come here?"

"Let me see my brother!" Huo Xian said with a smile, "What's the child's name?"

Huo Xian immediately handed over the swaddling clothes happily, "The child will be named Huo Yu, the Yu in Dayu."

Looking at the chubby baby in the cradle, Huo Xian couldn't help but laugh. This should be the only son of Huo Guang in history, and the Huo Yu who plotted a rebellion after Huo Guang's death and was beheaded.

Of course, everything is subject to change. After all, Huo Xian, the biggest variable, is here. Huo Guang now seems to have no chance of becoming the Grand Marshal and General. It is difficult for him to be promoted to the Nine Ministers.

Huo Xian happily hugged Huo Yu and said, "My uncle has been promoted to a high position, and he is now one of the Nine Ministers. I will help my brother to gain merit. My uncle will not be granted a title of nobility without military merit, so my brother must be granted a title of nobility."

Huo Xian was even happier after hearing what Huo Xian said, and she had no doubt that Huo Xian could do these things.

She had been carefully serving Huo Guang over the years, and naturally understood Huo Guang's gratitude towards Huo Qubing. She had also imagined that if Huo Xian was gone, the emperor's preference for Huo Qubing might shift to Huo Guang.

But forget it now, Huo Xian has already made great contributions and has children. The right thing to do now is for Huo Yu to please his cousin, so that he can have a chance to stand out.

Jiuqing is indeed very powerful. He is a big man who is unattainable in the eyes of ordinary people. He is also one of the most powerful people in the Han Dynasty.

But Huo Xian was also a person with some knowledge. Some of the people around her were high-ranking officials. She knew very well that the Nine Ministers were really nothing and they were not the real top dignitaries.

Huo Xian looked around carefully and asked, "Where's the eldest sister? They say her marriage has been decided. Who did she choose?"

Huo Xian immediately said with pride, "It's Shangguan An, the eldest son of Shangguan Jie, the Grand Coachman. His family was quite sincere in seeking marriage, and we saw that they were a good match, so we decided to marry him."

Huo Xian was speechless for a moment. Shangguan Jie and Shangguan An were from Longxi, and they were considered good families. Shangguan Jie was even a member of the Imperial Guard when he was young, but all this could not change some things.

For example, when Huo Xian went on an expedition to Dayuan, Shangguan Jie followed him as the commander of the grain-collecting army. Because of his meritorious service, he was awarded the title of Grand Coachman, which was also one of the Nine Ministers.

Of course, in history, Shangguan An and Huo Guang's eldest daughter gave birth to a daughter, namely Empress Shangguan, but Empress Shangguan was only six years old at the time.

At that time, Emperor Zhao of Han was only twelve years old. When Empress Shangguan was fifteen years old and Emperor Xuan of Han ascended the throne, she became the empress dowager, becoming the youngest empress dowager in Chinese history.

Huo Xian also understood why Shangguan Jie wanted to marry Huo Guang's daughter. Being well-matched was one thing, but more importantly, it was because of Huo Xian's relationship.

Shangguan Jie had a strong "enterprise" and he always wanted to be a subordinate of the Marquis of Guanjun, but Huo Shan didn't pay much attention to him. But now it's different, he has become Huo Shan's brother-in-law, which makes it easier to establish a relationship.

Seeing that Huo Shan seemed a little unhappy, Huo Xian quickly explained, "Shan'er, Shangguan Jie and Shangguan An are both capable and can be considered a good match."

Huo Xian smiled and said, "I know all these things. We are a good match, so there is nothing wrong with it."

If there is anything bad to say, it is that Huo Guang's children were all arrogant and domineering in history, bullying others by taking advantage of their power, including Empress Shangguan.

The power of the mother's family will naturally become more confident. As for what the final outcome will be, these do not seem to be things that need to be considered particularly. After all, not everyone is far-sighted.

While teasing Huo Yu in his arms and thinking about his cousin who was about to get married, Huo Shan couldn't help but laugh.

There is no need to worry about so many things. As long as he is around, it will be difficult for Huo Guang's children to act arrogantly, and they will have no chance of entering the palace.

Take care of your relatives when you should, and discipline them when you should, so as to avoid causing trouble!

(End of this chapter)