Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 216 This is Steady

Huo Xian ran back to Jianzhang Palace again, and when he saw the emperor, he said, "Your Majesty, when do we leave?"

Liu Che put down his pen and deliberately asked, "Move? What do you mean?"

"Parade!" Huo Xian looked to the side and urged, "Hurry up and get the map ready. I need to plan the route."

Liu Che just smiled and said nothing, letting Huo Shan make a fuss. He was used to this a long time ago. This child has been like this since he was young.

Huo Xian continued, "Uncle Gongsun has been imprisoned now. I will send him some money in a couple of days. Once his crime is redeemed, the matter will be settled and we can leave!"

Gongsun Jingsheng has been imprisoned, and the case is currently being tried by officials, but it has not yet been closed. Whether he can be allowed to atone for his sins depends on the emperor's opinion.

Liu Che joked, "He has brought shame upon you, and you still want to give him some copper coins. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"

"I don't plan to associate with him anymore, but my great aunt can't ignore it." Huo Xian stared at the map and said casually, "Your Majesty and my great aunt took care of me when I was a child. My great aunt also likes me."

Liu Che did not say anything. Not long after Huo Shan was born, his biological mother died, and then Huo Qubing also passed away. Huo Shan really grew up in the palace when he was a child. Wei Zifu and Wei Ru both loved this nephew.

Huo Xian continued, "Although Uncle Gongsun cheated me, it didn't lead to a life-and-death feud. If I really didn't care, my great aunt would be so upset. I can't do such things."

Liu Che said with emotion, "Child, you are said to be domineering and arrogant, but you value family affection too much. This is a good thing, but also a bad thing. You will inevitably suffer losses in these things in the future."

"What kind of loss can I suffer?" Huo Xian said disapprovingly, "How much loss can my family suffer? Besides, I only do things for peace of mind, so I don't care what others think!"

Liu Che pointed at Huo Shan and said nothing. He thought he could not do these things, but he liked Huo Shan's character.

Just like many people are not good people themselves, but like to associate with good and upright people. In Liu Che's eyes, Huo Xian is not a "good person", but he is definitely a simple-minded person.

"Your Majesty, we will go through Hebei and then to Mount Tai." Huo Xian drew on the map and said, "I will arrange for people to attack the outposts later. It should be no problem."

Hebei is still called this now. But it is different from the later Hebei. In the Western Han Dynasty, there was no concept of "province", but counties, marquisates, towns, and prefectures.

Liu Che looked at the map and said, "Are you in such a hurry to get here? This won't do. You really think you are going to war!"

Huo Xian immediately said, "I want to go to Zhuo County. I heard there is a white mountain there. I have to go and see it!"

Zhuo County is Baoding. One of Huo Xian's goals is Baishishan. Huo Xian plans to go and see the natural beauty of the strange mountains and dangerous peaks.

Liu Che also became interested and said, "We can't just go to see the mountains, we have to go to see the water, how do you plan?"

Huo Xian certainly understood what the emperor meant. Looking at the mountains was of course very important, but Liu Che was more concerned about the sea and wanted to go to the coast to look for traces of some overseas fairy mountains.

"We must go to the East China Sea and then go back to Mount Tai." Huo Xian said confidently, "We will go to offer sacrifices then and finally return to Chang'an. I have decided to play until autumn and then come back."

Liu Che nodded slightly. He actually had the same idea. It was not like he was marching to fight. Although he was seeking immortality, he also had to travel around, observe the people's livelihood, etc. along the way, so he couldn't be in a hurry.

Liu Che was still very happy. Huo Shan understood his thoughts best, and she was able to consider what he wanted.

"Should I go out on tour, or should you go out?" But the next moment, Liu Che patted Huo Xian on the back of his head and said, "I think you want to go to all these places. You'll have to go around a lot!"

Huo Xian, who was carrying something to his own, was not embarrassed and said, "Your Majesty, it's fine to go this way. I'll go and see if I can catch the bear when the time comes."

Jin Midi, Ma Tong and others were extremely envious, because Marquis Guanjun dared to openly conceal his little thoughts in front of the emperor, and the emperor would never get angry because of it.

"Go to the side hall and make detailed plans for me!" Liu Che warned, "You have to go to all the places you need to go. You have to leave next month and come back in early autumn. The trip can't be too rushed. Go and make the arrangements!"

The obedient Huo Xian could only go to the side hall and start working on sorting out the route for this tour. There were also many things that needed to be arranged later.

However, as long as you determine the approximate time and the key locations you need to visit, there is basically nothing to worry about.

Huo Xian was quite confident about this, especially since he understood that although it seemed like many things needed to be confirmed by him, this did not mean that he had to do everything himself.

As long as the overall situation and key points are grasped, someone else will naturally take care of the remaining details. If it really requires taking care of every detail, Huo Xian would not take the initiative to take on this job.

This is not being cunning or playing tricks; it is knowing what to do and what not to do, and all of this is within one's ability; this is truly doing things within one's capabilities.

Sometimes Huo Xian seems to be careless and does things carelessly, but he will treat serious matters seriously and will never cheat or slack off.

For example, when it comes to touring, even if there are some ulterior motives, it essentially still needs to be based on the emperor's needs and preferences, so it is not advisable to act recklessly.

The route had to be planned carefully, and some civil and military officials had to be called in for questioning from time to time. The emperor's tour was never a small matter, and everything had to be arranged in every possible way.

"Okay, let's go see Wuyou." Seeing that the time was almost up, Liu Che said, "We'll continue tomorrow. Since you're urging me to go out, then get the job done for me."

Huo Xian stood up happily, "Your Majesty, you have finally allowed me to go meet Wuyou! I'll go right away. I still don't know what my son looks like!"

"He looks the same as you when you were a child, except that his chin is a little pointy. He doesn't look as majestic as you." Liu Che said with a smile, "Go and have a look. Don't wait until you return to Chang'an and even Wuyou won't recognize you."

Huo Xian said mysteriously and proudly, "Your Majesty, I am not afraid of these. The child is young now and does not understand or remember anything. When he is two or three years old, I will take him home to raise him. By then, he will only recognize me!"

Liu Che laughed at Huo Xian's cleverness and said, "Well, just wait and see! When you bring the child home, she will only recognize you. That's a nice thought! How many years has the Queen taken care of you? Don't you know?"

Huo Xian just chuckled and ran away immediately. Although he always felt that the child was too young and it was understandable that he could not see him for the time being, he still wanted to see him. This was the first time he became a father in his two lives. Although Huo Xian seemed to be only responsible for sowing and not raising the children, it did not mean that he was irresponsible.

It was because the elders were so all-encompassing that even if Huo Xian wanted to take on some responsibilities, he had no chance and he could only stand by and worry.

As soon as he arrived at the Pepper Room, Huo Xian saw Liu Jin. The eldest grandson of the emperor was very happy, "Cousin, you are finally here!"

"Why, do you still want me to take you hunting?" Looking at Liu Jin who looked like a teenager, Huo Xian said jokingly, "It's definitely not possible tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. His Majesty still has work to do, so we can't go to Bowang Garden right now."

Liu Jin was immediately disappointed and asked with concern, "Cousin, didn't you say you were going to Bowang Garden? We are making arrangements, you have to give us a definite answer!"

There is no need to be polite to family members, but the crown prince needs to consider cooperating with Huo Shan. Some people may not believe this, but everyone thinks it is only natural.

It's not necessarily because of how much face Huo Xian has, but everyone knows that once Huo Xian has something serious to do, it will naturally be an assignment for the emperor.

"Five days, at least five days." Huo Xian said quickly, "In fact, we can't finish everything in five days, but by then, the matter will basically be finalized. His Majesty won't blame me even if I run away for a day or two."

Liu Jin was still a little confused when he heard Huo Xian say this, and he didn't fully understand. But Wei Zifu knew very well that it must be done, and Huo Xian could be free again.

Wei Zifu looked at the female official next to her and said, "Bring the young prince here. Let's see how anxious he is for Shan'er. I guess he must have run all the way here."

"My aunt is really awesome!" Huo Xian flattered her, "Really? It would have been great if you had brought the baby here two days ago for me to see. Why did you have to wait for two more days? What the hell is going on!"

Wei Zifu glared and said, "Was it so warm the past two days? Shan'er, I'm telling you, don't think you can see Wuyou today. You can see him if you want. If the weather is not warm, you won't be able to see him no matter how much you make trouble!"

Wei Zifu, who had experience in raising children, was extremely determined, but this seemingly inhumane approach was also out of her love for Huo Shan and Huo Wuyou.

The child is really too young. In this day and age when the infant mortality rate is relatively high, even powerful families are very careful and cautious.

Han Yunniang appeared carefully holding the baby in her arms. She looked a little plumper, but more radiant. When she saw Huo Xian, she couldn't hide her happiness and pride.

Huo Xian rushed over and just as he was about to extend his hand, an old maid said, "Slow down, my lord. The young lord is still young."

Wei Zifu also came over and said, "Just take a look first. There are also techniques for holding a child. You still need to learn these. We'll talk about it later."

Although Huo Xian was speechless, he could only obey. Don't think that you can just hold the baby gently. You really need to be careful when holding these infants. Some parents hold their children like holding a landmine, so be careful.

Seeing Huo Wuyou still sleeping soundly, Huo Xian whispered, "He looks quite fair, just like me."

The old maid said, "The young prince is not as fair as you were when you were a child. You were much fairer then, your lips were a little redder, and your hair was a little darker. The young prince is handsome, more delicate than you."

Huo Xian looked at Nanny Sun and said, "I will promote your grandson to a military marquis later, so he won't have to fight in the battlefield anymore and will stay in Chang'an. You can go out of the palace more often, as your grandson needs discipline."

Nanny Sun smiled and said, "Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. I can't control that child. It's my blessing that the prince can take care of him. If he doesn't live up to his expectations, I can't blame others."

Nanny Sun's identity was not just a simple palace servant or female official; she was a true confidant and she helped raise many children.

For example, Liu Ju, Huo Qubing, and Huo Shan, she naturally brought enough resources for her descendants, and her descendants had many people to take care of them in the army or in the court.

Huo Xian carefully touched Huo Wuyou's smooth little face, "You are still sleeping at this time, and you don't even know to get up and play with me for a while. I will be going on a long trip again in a few days, and you don't even want to play with me?"

Han Yunniang looked at Huo Xian in surprise. Although she was reluctant, she also knew that it was not her turn to say anything about these matters.

She was even very clear that if something really happened, Huo Xian would not be able to stay in Chang'an even if he wanted to. Even if he was the Marquis of Guanjun, there were times when he could not control himself.

This is the reality, and everyone is well aware of it. They also know that Huo Xian now has increasing responsibilities on his shoulders, and he has more and more important things to do.

Han Yunniang held Huo Wuyou and talked with Huo Xian for a while, then left with the child again. She estimated that she would have to stay in the Pepper Palace for a while, most likely a year or two.

If Huo Xian really were to be away for a long time, Han Yunniang and Huo Wuyou might have to live in the Pepper Palace for two or three years. Unless the child grew up a little, few people would be willing to let the child go to the Marquis of Guanjun's Mansion.

Wei Zifu looked at Huo Xian and asked, "Has the time been decided?"

"It's settled. We'll leave next month." Huo Xian said, "I'm still helping to plan the route. I can't tell my aunt and uncle about these things. Your Majesty should tell them in a few days."

Wei Zifu was aware of this. The emperor's itinerary could not be kept completely secret, but it would not be made public at the beginning, so it was naturally not a good idea to inquire too much.

Whether it is the Queen or the Crown Prince, they should not be too concerned about these routes. It is better to wait until the Emperor makes it public to know. It is not a bad thing to know less.

"You have always been sensible in doing things. You are not careful about small things, and you are not vague about big things." Wei Zifu praised, "That's how it should be, so that everyone won't be embarrassed."

Huo Xian also boasted, "I think so too. Although His Majesty and my aunt like me, I can't really have no rules at all. His Majesty just scolded me, saying that the routes I planned were all the places I wanted to go!"

Wei Zifu was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. This Shan'er was really bold and presumptuous, but no one seemed to find it strange that he did such a thing, and no one seemed to be really angry about it.

Huo Xian then whispered, "Aunt, have someone tell my cousin. Cao Zong didn't accompany the emperor on his tours much, so he can't make this public. I can't say anything bad about Cao Zong, but his voice has been a little higher these past two days, which is not good."

Wei Zifu immediately understood what was going on. Cao Zong was her grandson. "Okay, let's get someone to tell him that this kid is not as prudent as you!"

(End of this chapter)