Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 215 Staying safe
Huo Guang returned home and was very happy to see Huo Xian. "Xian'er, why did you come in such a hurry?"

"I've been back for a long time. If I don't come to see my uncle and aunt soon, it would be too rude." Huo Xian said with a smile, "It's only because my uncle doesn't blame me that I've waited until now to come."

Huo Xian spoke up first, "Xian'er, you are being too polite. We are family. You can't leave the palace after you return to Chang'an. We all know this. Business matters are more important."

Huo Guang also agreed with this. Although Huo Xian had left the palace once before, there was nothing much to say. Now that he was finally officially allowed to leave the palace, he came here immediately. It would be wrong to find fault with him!
Huo Xian asked with concern, "My eldest sister's marriage has been decided. When are you going to get married?"

Huo Guang smiled and said, "Let's do it by the end of the year. It will definitely be done this year. You, as the elder brother, must be there by then!"

Huo Xian also looked on eagerly. Although her husband was a high-ranking official, he was not as noble as the Grand Marshal and General of the Cavalry. As long as Huo Xian was here, Huo Guang and Huo Xian would have face.

"Of course, Shangguan An wants to marry my sister. I have to take a closer look at this matter." Huo Xian said to Liu Mo, "Go and call Shangguan An. I want to see if he is worthy of my sister!"

Neither Huo Guang nor Huo Xian felt unhappy about Huo Xian's seemingly presumptuous decision. They even felt very happy.

This only shows that Huo Xian really likes his cousin, so he takes these things very seriously.

Huo Guang also spoke frankly, "My eldest sister is old enough. In the past two years, many people have proposed to marry her, and some of them have better family backgrounds. I know in my heart that it is nothing more than that she has a good brother."

Huo Guang had always been very clear that he had taken advantage of having a good brother, which was why he came to Chang'an as the son of a minor official in Pingyang and then was promoted steadily all the way.

Now his daughter has become the object of marriage for many top dignitaries because of Huo Shan. Everyone knows the so-called Wei Huo, and now Huo Shan is the one with the most outstanding potential and strength.

Huo Xian smiled and said, "I have never gone to greet Grandfather in these years. I am a little impolite."

Huo Guang was suddenly embarrassed. Huo Shan's grandfather was naturally Huo Guang's biological father, Huo Zhongru. Huo Zhongru lived a very comfortable life in Pingyang and was the envy of countless people.

But to say that he took any care of Huo Qubing and Huo Shan, etc., is obviously out of the question. It can even be said that he kept his distance from the Huo family and was just taking advantage of the power of the powerful.

Huo Xian continued to speak, asking, "Are there any uncles or brothers over there who are relatively promising? If possible, please call them to Chang'an."

Huo Xian liked to promote his own family members, and there were countless cases of nepotism. So when Huo Xian proposed to call the people of the Huo family in Pingyang County to Chang'an, Huo Guang did not think it was a bad thing.

Huo Guang thought about it carefully and said, "Huo Shan and Huo Yun are pretty good. They have some knowledge."

Huo Shan and Huo Yun were actually one generation younger than Huo Xian, and were members of the Huo family. In history, Huo Guang had always wanted to worship Huo Qubing, so before his death he requested that 3,000 households be allocated from his fiefdom to make Huo Shan a marquis.

Huo Xian smiled and said, "Then uncle, please send a letter and ask them to come. It would be inappropriate for me to write a letter."

Although Huo Xian's surname was Huo, he only recognized Huo Guang and basically had no contact with the Huo family members in Pingyang County.

Even in Chang'an, many people believed that Huo Qubing and Huo Shan were "members of the Wei family", and the Wei family thought so too.

Huo Guang then brought the topic back to the topic again, "Shangguan Jie is a capable man. Although he is utilitarian, it is not a bad thing. I think Shangguan An is also a good man, so I agreed to it, not to mention that he is your general."

"This Shangguan Jie!" Huo Xian couldn't help but curse, "I have never considered him as an old friend. Instead, he has always been a swindler. How despicable!"

Huo Xian didn't quite understand. The Imperial Eunuch, who was one of the Nine Ministers, would always address Huo Shan as "Jun Hou" with great respect when he mentioned him in public. He would also send his son to the Marquis of Guanjun's mansion to pay his respects every New Year and other festivals.

Even though Huo Xian never saw him and didn't allow anyone to visit him, Shangguan Jie and Shangguan An were extremely close to the Marquis of Guanjun and often interacted with Lei Dian and other "old members of the Marquis of Guanjun's clan."

When you are away from home, your identity is sometimes really given by yourself. Shangguan Jie is now regarded by many as a member of the Guanjun Hou army because of the atmosphere he actively created.

Huo Xian asked worriedly, "Xian'er, this guy is flaunting his reputation as a member of the Guanjun Houbujiu Army. Is it really okay?"

"What kind of old troops are they?" Huo Xian said unhappily, "They just fought with me once, but they are not directly under me. If they are really considered old troops, I must have tens of thousands of old troops under my command!"

However, Huo Xian immediately gave Huo Xian some reassurance, "If he insists on saying that, that's his business, and it's not considered as bluffing. It's just that we're not very close, but I have to take care of Shangguan An from now on."

Huo Xian was happy to hear Huo Shan say this. Everyone knew the reason for taking care of Shangguan An.

No one would think that Huo Xian was just talking casually. In the past few years, not only in the army, but also in the court, he has cultivated a few of his own people.

Huo Xian was still leaning lazily as usual, eating preserved fruits. In the eyes of Huo Guang and Huo Xian, even though Huo Xian was a majestic Grand Marshal outside, he was just a big child at home.

Shangguan An came, a handsome young man, "Shangguan An greets uncle, aunt, and Marquis Guanjun."

Huo Xian looked him up and down, then said with a smile, "Don't be so distant from me from now on. Call me brother."

Shangguan An was naturally very happy and immediately bowed formally, "Shangguan An greets brother."

"You do look like one." Huo Xian was actually a person who cared about appearance, but he still valued ability. "You are from a good family. Have you learned any riding and archery skills in recent years?"

Shangguan An replied politely, "Brother, I am not very good at riding and shooting. But I have been familiar with military books since I was young, and I just lack the opportunity to practice."

Huo Xian looked at Feng Wu and said, "Practice with him and see if he has any real skills."

Shangguan An was not in a hurry. Since the Champion wanted to see if he had any kung fu skills, there must be a reason. Especially since he said his kung fu skills were not that good, he still wanted to see it. That was a targeted arrangement.

Huo Xian then looked away unhappily, "What's wrong? Are you afraid that I'll hurt him? If I really want to hurt him, I'll go and spar with him!"

Huo Damei was embarrassed and angry, stamping her feet and grumbling, but it was not easy to say anything at this time, so she just knelt and sat obediently. Huo Guang's family education had always been good. Feng Wu looked at Shangguan An and said, "My dear, I am a warrior, and I am very strong. I am best at using a ring-handled sword and a spear. What kind of weapons are you good at?"

Shangguan An said politely, "I also know a little about the ring-handled sword. Brother, you captured a great general in the Western Regions. I really can't compare with you. When Brother Feng blew up the Dayuan King City a few years ago, my father was also in the army."

Look, this is a smart guy. He can make people feel like he is one of their own with just a few words. Although his current status is not ordinary, he is very respectful to Feng Wu.

Huo Xian said unhappily, "I asked you to practice against each other and recognize your relatives? Hurry up, I want to eat after you finish practicing!"

Feng Wu was used to this, and Shangguan An was not surprised at all, because he had also heard that the Champion Marquis could be very dissolute sometimes and didn't care about the so-called etiquette at all.

Of course, a nicer way to put it is to be casual and free-spirited, which is something many people want to learn but cannot, after all, they don't have enough status.

Huo Xian lazily continued to watch Feng Wu and Shangguan An sparring. How to put it, it was more of Feng Wu teaching the moves, as Shangguan An's martial arts were indeed a bit sparse and ordinary.

"That's enough." Huo Xian said immediately, "Don't go to Yulin or Qimen with this ability. Go back to Pingyang Hou. Practice well with him and learn how to lead troops."

Shangguan An said with some shame, "Thank you for your concern, brother. My humble status is really not worthy of your attention."

"Not bad. If you don't have enough skills, just learn how to lead troops." Huo Xian said with a smile, "You look only sixteen or seventeen years old, so don't worry. The general's martial arts skills are not good enough either. Who in the world dares to compete with him?"

Shangguan An was so stunned that he didn't know how to respond. He originally wanted to be polite and modest, but this brother, Champion Hou, was too straightforward in his words.

In fact, everyone knows that not all great generals are good at martial arts. Even Huo Xian, who particularly likes to charge into battle and kill the enemy, is not as good as Feng Wu in terms of martial arts alone, but it does not affect his status as the Grand Marshal!

Huo Guang smiled and said to Huo Shan, "Shan'er, you should be more cautious when you go into battle next time. The last time I heard that you were injured, His Majesty was very worried."

Huo Xian quickly followed up and said, "Yes, your uncle was so worried that he couldn't sleep all night. Shan'er, you are a general, you don't have to lead the troops every time."

Now the Han Dynasty likes generals who lead the troops in person, and Huo Shan may be one of them. Those in the court who can lead a large army alone, namely Huo Shan, Zhao Po Nu, and Zhao Anguo, like to kill the enemy personally.

Looking at it this way, wow, they are really from the Guanjun Hou faction. Gongsun He, Gongsun Ao, including Li Guangli and others, don't particularly like to rush to the front.

"I can't always lead the troops. Sometimes I have no choice." Huo Xian winked and said, "Uncle, how about you go with us next time we fight the Xiongnu and get a title of Marquis!"

Huo Xian's eyes lit up and he was immediately excited. Although the Nine Ministers were good, they were not as good as the Marquises. It was good to be in front of the emperor, but there was no way to make military achievements. Marquises basically had no chance.

How nice it would be to follow Shan'er to fight. Every time Shan'er goes out to fight, several of his subordinates will be conferred the title of marquis. This is an opportunity!
Huo Guang suddenly said with some embarrassment, "Xian'er, I have no martial arts skills and I don't know anything about soldiers. If I really go to the battlefield, death is not a big deal, but I am afraid that I will miss your important event."

It would be the best thing to follow Huo Xian to fight and make achievements. There is no one in the Han Dynasty who doesn't like military achievements. This is the foundation of life. But if you don't have that ability, it will be really embarrassing.

Huo Guang was such a smart and cautious person. He knew that if he joined the army, Huo Xian's identity would definitely make him well arranged.

However, it is better not to do things beyond one's ability. Huo Guang did not think that joining the army would be of any benefit to him. It would be good to join the army and gain a title of marquis, but that was not what he should do.

Huo Xian also smiled and said, "Uncle, what you said is true, but I'm afraid it will be difficult to gain military merit in the future. Let's talk about it when the time comes. If it really doesn't work, let's wait until Huo Yu grows up."

Although Huo Guang was usually very cautious, he was an extremely smart man and knew a lot about things in the court.

The imperial court will not want to use large-scale military forces as often in the future. The reason why it does not use military forces this year is that it is continuing to build up its strength in order to deal a fatal blow to the Huns.

In the final analysis, even if they want to fight a big war, the Han Dynasty is already very exhausted with its current financial resources. Maybe they will only fight once next year or the year after, and then they will need to start thinking about recuperation.

It is better not to explain it. It is enough for Huo Xian and Huo Guang to know these things. There is no need to let Huo Xian, Shangguan An and others know it clearly.

Shangguan An had basically passed Huo Xian's assessment, so he was qualified to stay for dinner, which was a family dinner.

This must be of great significance to Shangguan An. Being recognized by the Champion Marquis is what he has always dreamed of.

Huo Xian was generally happy. He did not pay much attention to Huo Guang's family because he believed that Huo Guang was capable of handling some matters at home.

It was because even if Huo Xian wanted to be domineering now, he had no chance. Sometimes ambitions would expand along with status, and Huo Xian was not qualified to expand now.

If Huo Guang became the Grand Marshal and General and had the power to depose and enthrone emperors, Huo Xian would have dared to poison the queen, push his daughter to become the queen, or want his son to go one step further, etc.

But now her husband is only a Nine Ministers, and has just been promoted to the Nine Ministers. So she should just be a noble and enjoy herself with the support of Wei Huo.

It is hard to say what will happen in the future, but even though Huo Xian is very smart now, he dare not do anything excessive.

However, one thing is certain, that is, since giving birth to Huo Yu, she has become much more confident.

Without a son, her voice was not loud at home. As a maid, Huo Xian felt a great sense of urgency when she was promoted. She was able to have her current status because of her vision and flattery.

After eating and drinking, Huo Shan rode away on his horse. Seeing Huo Shan riding away, Huo Guang was full of worry. His nephew was really arrogant and domineering.

Huo Xian, who was seeing the guests off, was full of envy. If her son could be so flamboyant, that would be truly impressive!
As for Shangguan An, he didn't even dare to think about it. If he dared to ride his horse like this in Chang'an City, he would be impeached and arrested immediately. In fact, Guanjun Hou was also impeached for this matter, but the emperor was partial to him.

Do what you should do, this is the best way to survive!

(End of this chapter)