Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 217 Humanity and Sophistication
Huo Xian was naturally very happy that he finally saw his son, even though he only took a quick look at him and didn't even hug him, but he finally saw him, and that was worth being happy about.

The happy Huo Xian did not forget what he should do. After returning to the Marquis of Guanjun's Mansion, he continued to pay attention to other things.

For example, the invention of papermaking was delayed many times, each time because of war or other factors, so it was impossible to continue in-depth research and invention.

It is very likely that this time it will not be able to continue, because it will need to go on a tour next time, which will take nearly half a year, and naturally it will delay a lot of things.

However, Huo Xian was not particularly worried about this, as he still had some skilled craftsmen under his command who could understand some of his ideas and requirements.

As long as these people lay a solid foundation in the early stage and summarize certain experience, they may be able to make a breakthrough and directly break through some technical bottlenecks.

These are all very likely to happen, so Huo Xian's requirement is still to soak some plants in the pool, smash these plants into plant fibers at the appropriate time, etc.

Although we haven’t been able to make paper yet, we have made some progress, which is something to be happy about. There may be more room for development in the future.

Huo Xian, who didn't get up very early, washed up and had breakfast, then leisurely rode his horse into the palace as he had some serious business to deal with.

Huo Xian is concentrating and paying full attention. What he is busy with now is the next patrol route, etc. This is a big deal.

Huo Guang came over and whispered, "Marquis Guanjun, we can't accompany you on this tour. You need to be more careful in selecting the attendants."

The Shizhong was a close minister of the Emperor, and it could even be considered a signal that he had been or was about to be reused. Most of the important officials in the court now were Shizhongs, including Huo Shan.

Huo Xian looked at Huo Guang curiously and asked, "Why didn't your uncle come with us this time? Did he get a promotion, or did His Majesty designate a few people to stay behind?"

When Huo Guang was in the palace, especially in more formal occasions, he basically referred to Huo Shan by his position or title. This was the etiquette that Huo Guang followed.

But Huo Xian didn't have that worry. He naturally understood the principle of addressing people by their job titles when working. But most of the time, he addressed the empress and the crown prince casually, and everyone thought it was normal.

Huo Guang replied, "Your Majesty intends for us to stay. Basically, all the nine ministers must stay in Chang'an to assist His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Huo Xian knew what was going on, but he couldn't help but complain, "You only asked me to arrange the route, why do you want me to select officials now? This time, I'm going to offend a lot of people again."

Huo Guang could naturally understand Huo Xian's complaints. This matter did seem to be quite offensive and involved a lot of interests and status.

For many people, accompanying the emperor on a tour was an opportunity and a manifestation of the emperor's trust. Many people were eager to join this team.

Staying in Chang'an to assist the prince seems to be a good idea, but the prince is just a prince after all, not the emperor of the Han Dynasty. Power and status are two completely different things.

Even though Huo Xian complained, he knew exactly what to do, so he didn't have to worry too much about this matter.

Who made him a lone minister? He offended many people. Huo Xian was also known as "Huo Buqun". He had no close relationship with any forces. He offended so many people that he naturally didn't care about offending more people.

Huo Xian turned his head and looked at the eunuch next to him, and said, "Go to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and see if there are any officials that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is interested in. Ask His Royal Highness to make a list."

The eunuch left quickly, while Huo Guang next to him was very angry. If he were to handle this matter, he would definitely be much more smooth, but his nephew was so simple and crude in doing things.

Jin Midi also came over and said, "My Lord, many of the marquises who have surrendered to me want to host a banquet for me."

The former Xiongnu princes are now loyal subjects of the Han Dynasty. There are many cases like Jin Midi. Especially Huo Qubing and his son Huo Shan captured more Xiongnu dignitaries, many of whom were marquises of the Han Dynasty.

Huo Xian raised his head and said with a smile, "I will be going to Bowang Garden in a few days. Let those who want to go there prepare. I think this is a good idea."

Jin Midi was instantly in a dilemma. There was no problem in inviting Huo Shan to a banquet, but as for these dignitaries who had surrendered from the Xiongnu, they were actually unwilling to get too close to the prince, mainly because of their sensitive identities.

Seeing Jin Midi's embarrassment, Huo Xian said directly, "Why hesitate? I only want brave men. Have you lost your ability to ride and shoot?"

Jin Midi understood immediately and quickly explained, "Don't worry, my lord. I will contact everyone and select brave men to go to Bowang Garden."

When Huo Qubing was fighting, there were many Huns in his army. The Huns who had surrendered to the Han Dynasty fought very hard against their former compatriots and indeed made many military achievements.

Huo Xian did bring some Huns with him when he went out to fight several times, but compared to the Huns who surrendered, he preferred to use Han people, and even did not make much use of some of the former Huns.

This made many people feel anxious. Now that they had become subjects of the Han Dynasty, they naturally wanted to achieve great things and maintain their wealth and glory.

Many people wanted to go to war. Except for Wei Qing and Huo Shan, no one complained about having too much fiefdom or too high an official position. It was difficult to climb to a higher position without making achievements.

This time it seemed that the opportunity had come. Huo Xian, the Grand Marshal, finally thought of the Huns who had surrendered. It could also be said that he thought of the former Guanjun Hou tribe.

Huo Guang and Jin Midi had their own ideas and pressures, and things they had to consider, but Huo Xian had his own ideas and arrangements.

Although they seem to be officials in the same dynasty, they are not united in everything and everyone looks at interests differently.

Liu Che came over and looked at Huo Xian and asked, "Have you figured out these things?"

Huo Xian said in distress, "I'm streamlining it. I'm thinking about how to arrange some things. Your Majesty, give me another three days, and I should be able to get these things done."

Liu Che glanced at the map and said disdainfully, "If you don't concentrate, you won't be able to fix these things even if you are given another ten days. Focus on my affairs first. You will have plenty of opportunities to go out and play in the future."

This made Huo Xian a little embarrassed and speechless, but he argued, "Your Majesty, you can't say that. I think we can have the best of both worlds. What's the point of going out alone!" Liu Che laughed, but still reminded, "This trip is not for sightseeing, Xian'er, you really should focus. What's the situation outside now, don't you have any idea?"

Huo Xian naturally knew that the outside world was in some chaos. It was certainly not a nationwide turmoil, but there were more and more refugees in Guanzhong, the people were facing increasing pressure to survive, and there were small-scale uprisings in many places.

These are all facts. Huo Xian is aware of this, and Liu Che is even more aware of this, but everyone generally believes that this is not the most fundamental threat.

Once the threat from the Huns in the north is eliminated and this mortal enemy is dealt with, we can focus on solving some domestic problems.

In Liu Che's view, only by solving the real hidden dangers can he develop with peace of mind. So even if the pressure is getting greater now, he will persist in fighting against the Huns without wavering.

In his view, this is a fundamental issue, and it is something that cannot be questioned at all. Anyone who dares to oppose his strategy will inevitably be liquidated.

Even the crown prince cannot do this. He can only follow the emperor's will on this matter. After defeating the Huns, there will be no external threat. Then the Han Dynasty will have a comfortable external environment and can develop with peace of mind.

Huo Xian briefly discussed the route of the tour with the emperor and also simply asked the emperor for his thoughts, and that was about it.

It is true that he has some ulterior motives, but he certainly would not do anything that would put the cart before the horse. He cannot bear the responsibility.

Even if he is the emperor's confidant and seems to be arrogant because of his favor, he should have some sense of propriety and should not act completely on his own will. Huo Xian obviously would not do that.

After returning to the Marquis of Guanjun's mansion, Chen Ju said, "Lord, there have been many people who sent me visiting cards these days, many of whom are old friends. Are you really going to ignore them?"

Chen Ju felt distressed just thinking about it. Although the general did not like to form factions at that time, the Marquis of Guanjun's Mansion was very lively at that time. There were many dignitaries in the army, especially the new nobles who had risen to prominence by virtue of their military exploits.

But now, our lord has gone on several expeditions, and there are many generals and marquises who have followed him to make meritorious deeds. However, our lord has returned to Chang'an and basically is unwilling to pay attention to those people.

Huo Xian smiled and said, "You go to the Crown Prince's Mansion and ask. I'll go to Bowang Garden in a few days to see how the Crown Prince has arranged it."

Chen Ju immediately wrote this down, as it was a serious matter. Although Chen Ju was a bit more serious as a warrior, he also knew the status of the prince and understood that the two generations of champion marquises supported the prince.

Huo Xian then looked at Liu Mo and Zhao Hexi, "Uncle Liu, Uncle Zhao, you guys take a look at the list. I can't remember the old people from before. I will hold a banquet in my house in ten days."

Liu Mo and Zhao Hexi became excited all of a sudden and asked quickly, "Sir, what do these old men mean? Are they the ones who went on the expedition with the general before?"

"Yes, no matter if they are marquises, generals, or lieutenants, as long as they are close to Aweng, even commoners can come." Huo Xian said with a smile, "Don't invite those who have accompanied me to fight in the past few times. I will arrange it when the time comes."

Let the four great generals go and invite those who have connections and resources left over from the time of Huo Qubing. As for some of the new nobles now, just watch for the arrangements and they will definitely be invited.

The four generals were undoubtedly the happiest and proudest about Huo Xian's enlightenment, and sometimes they even became anxious beside him.

The powerful people in other families are extremely keen on maintaining relationships and so on. They all stick together, and some dignitaries are trying to win people over everywhere. This is something that everyone takes for granted.

However, the Marquis of Guanjun didn't care about those upstarts who wanted to come and join him, and he didn't even seem to want to maintain some of the past relationships. The Marquis of Guanjun's Mansion was really deserted.

The generals did not keep retainers or scholars because they had high prestige. Moreover, even the generals had good relations with some dignitaries, unlike the princes who were so aloof and arrogant.

After all, he is the general's son. The general used to be too disdainful to maintain these relationships. It was always others who came to him on their own accord. However, the general only likes to use people who can fight, and doesn't care about their background.

Huo Xian continued, "Go and ask someone to hurry them up. Uncle Zhao and An Guo are not in Chang'an, so at least a few people from their side should come."

Chen Ju immediately said, "Let Zhao Po Nu's second and third sons come. He also has a son-in-law. I don't like that Hu man, so let him come as well."

"Uncle Zhao will definitely scold you if he sees you. Both his father and son are marquises!" Huo Xian said jokingly, "Alright, let An Guo's brothers come over, but they can't be honored guests. Ask them to help with things."

Zhao Hexi said, "They are here to do something. If they really think of themselves as honored guests, they will definitely not be allowed to come. I will go there later and ask them to run errands to send out invitations when I host a banquet for everyone."

Liu Mo also said, "This is a good idea. We are old enough and have enough status, so we should go and invite those who are present in person. We can't be impolite. For the others, let the boys from the Zhao family go and invite them."

Huo Xian couldn't help but laugh, "So that means my Guanjun Marquis Mansion is the most rude. I don't go to invite you personally, but instead let you go. Others will say that I look down on others!"

Chen Ju and others were not annoyed. They were Huo Shan's subordinates and his most trusted family generals. They could represent Huo Shan to a certain extent, but they were just his subordinates after all.

If we really strictly follow today's etiquette, some people have to be invited by Huo Xian in person, that's respectful. Huo Xian now lets his family members go to invite them, and those who don't know will definitely think it's impolite.

As for asking Zhao Po Nu's second sons to invite people directly, that is even more rude. It is a joke that the affairs of the Guanjun Marquis' Mansion are now being handled by the descendants of the Xieye Marquis.

But Chen Ju and others don't care. Zhao Po Nu will be happy if he knows it, because Guanjun Hou and Xieye Hou (from Piao Hou) were once a family and they are the most steadfast allies.

Huo Xian stretched lazily and said, "Treat me, treat me. I am a person of my status and I still have to think about treating others, but no one wants to treat me. It's really boring!"

Chen Sanlang, who was standing next to him, couldn't stand it any longer. "My Lord, I'm going to go out and complain a little. Tomorrow, a bunch of dukes and ministers will come to the gate of the mansion to deliver visiting cards in person."

Huo Xian looked around and said, "Chen Wan, come here!"

Chen Wan, who had been squatting at the door, ran over happily. These were all family members, unlike some other families where there were strict rules and classes!
(End of this chapter)