Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 219 Awakening
Shanglinyuan is a good place. Not only does it have beautiful scenery, but it also has many pavilions and attics, providing plenty of places for people to enjoy the scenery or have fun.

Today, Bowang Garden is very lively, and people from other schools that have declined due to the rise of Confucianism now gather here.

Mainly because they wanted to join the crown prince, these people hoped to change the reality of the decline of the school with their knowledge. However, these people probably did not realize that Liu Ju was actually the same and attached more importance to Confucianism.

In the final analysis, some Confucian doctrines are more in line with the interests of the rulers. This is the fundamental reason for abolishing all other schools of thought and respecting Confucianism alone.

Even though Liu Ju now has a persona that is friendly to the wise, it is because he is the crown prince and needs to use such a persona to gain more support and backing from the people. He needs such a good reputation to continuously consolidate his position.

Perhaps he could indeed discover some talents in this process, but once he became emperor, he would most likely choose the school of thought that could better maintain his rule, just like Liu Che.

Apart from some neglected disciples of the schools, the Bowang Garden has changed now. There are many warriors riding horses and shooting arrows here, showing their bravery.

All this is somewhat different from the previous Bowang Garden, naturally because Huo Xian is here. Many people who are determined to join the army are now working hard to demonstrate their abilities.

Huo Xian spat out the melon seed shells. Of course, they were not sunflower seeds, as sunflowers were also native to America. But watermelon seeds were also okay to eat.

"Uncle, the warriors under your tutelage are quite ordinary." Huo Xian said bluntly, "Looking at these people, few of them can hold high positions in the army."

Liu Ju said, "Don't jump to conclusions. Although he lacks personal bravery, he may have the ability to lead troops. But now it seems that there are indeed fewer warriors. It's normal for you to look down on these people with your high standards."

Huo Xian asked with a smile, "Are there any knights who would like to join my uncle? If there are such people, let them come out and show themselves. I want to see what they are capable of being knights."

"I'm afraid you'll catch them when they come!" Liu Ju said jokingly, "Everyone in Chang'an knows that you don't like knights-errant. I do have knights-errant under my tutelage, but I don't want them to show up in front of you."

Liu Ju did not hide anything at all. He knew for sure that Huo Shan did not like knights-errant, but he was the crown prince and it was impossible for him to do everything according to Huo Shan's wishes.

It is one thing to value Huo Shan, but if everything is done according to Huo Shan's preferences, then the prince can neither expect a stable position nor the trust of the emperor or the ministers.

As for the fact that Huo Xian didn't like knights, it was no secret. Although there were still many knights in Chang'an, few people dreamed of becoming the next knight Ju Meng.

Even if he thinks he has Ju Meng's ability, he will not think that Huo Xian is Zhou Yafu, and the ranger will not have a good fate under the hands of the Champion Marquis.

Huo Xian said nonchalantly, "That's true. In the past, there were rangers who wanted to follow me, but now I haven't seen any rangers come to my house to deliver business cards for a long time."

Liu Ju said earnestly, "Xian'er, you really need to pay attention to your reputation. The knights-errant don't like you, and the dignitaries and gentry also have some complaints about you. Tell me yourself, who in Chang'an City likes you?"

There are so many people he has offended that Huo Xian can't even count them all. It seems that he has offended some "mainstream groups" and has no intention of getting close to them. Huo Xian is really a "Huo Buqun".

However, Huo Xian obviously didn't care about those things. "I don't like those red tapes, I don't like those social practices, I just enjoy settling scores and taking revenge!"

Huo Xian's words left Liu Ju speechless for a moment, and he didn't know how to refute it at all.

Based on his understanding of Huo Xian, this is indeed Huo Xian's character. It is very normal for him to do such a thing. It is not surprising at all.

In some ways, as a monarch, Huo Shan's character is actually a good thing. He doesn't have to worry about being too successful or having other thoughts.

It's just that as an elder, Huo Xian is so out of tune with the crowd and only cares about his own pleasure, which makes people feel bad.

After spending a day in Bowang Garden, Huo Xian felt that he had done what he was supposed to do. He chatted and laughed happily with Liu Ju, which was enough. This was indeed the purpose of his coming here.

Although he also believed that there were talented people in the opposition, and maybe he could dig out a gem from somewhere, but the probability was relatively low, and there were more talented people in the court or the army.

This is also determined by the actual conditions. After all, the current educational resources and so on can be said to be monopolized. The way to enter the officialdom basically depends on recommendations, nepotism, etc. People in the opposition do not have so many opportunities.

After a busy day, Huo Xian ran to Jianzhang Palace, "Your Majesty, there are really all kinds of people on my cousin's side!"

Liu Che snorted coldly and said, "What's wrong? You went to Bowang Garden and now you are speaking ill of the prince."

Huo Xian was not afraid and continued, "I took a look today and found that there are not many people with great abilities. Many people have nowhere to go and can only stay with their cousin uncle for warmth."

Liu Che smiled and criticized, "If you spread this, you will offend some people again. There are still some talented people under the prince, and they are not as bad as you say!"

"Who knows!" Huo Xian said without any taboos, "I saw some people who are not very capable, but they think of their uncle's support. If they really have ability, they would not go to their uncle's school."

Liu Che did not say anything about this. No one knew the situation of Liu Ju's followers better than him. The current situation was also what he wanted to see.

As an emperor, Liu Che did not like anyone taking away power from him, not even the crown prince. But even if he wanted to live forever, there were some things he needed to be careful about.

So he gave Liu Ju some power and asked him to recruit some talents in Bowang Garden. However, those who went there were indeed not recognized by the mainstream school of thought. This was the situation promoted by the emperor.

Give Liu Ju the opportunity to exercise, but the opportunity is limited. Let him recruit talents and cultivate his reputation, but all this must be within the scope allowed by the emperor, and his reputation and prestige cannot be too great.

People who are truly capable can get the opportunity to be recommended by serving under the general or the prime minister, and they may also be appreciated by the emperor.

Huo Xian could understand all these things, and Liu Che and Liu Ju were naturally more aware of them. The father and son also tacitly maintained a balance and did things tacitly.

Huo Xian continued to talk nonstop, "I took a look and I don't think many of them can become military marquises. There is not even a brave warrior. When they enter the army, they can only be a lieutenant at most, and a lieutenant in a frontier county."

Liu Che asked, "Since you have seen it all, why don't you go and think of a solution for the prince?" "I don't want to go to Bowang Garden. I used to listen to people talking about scriptures and doctrines. It was really boring." Huo Xian sighed and said, "I have to go now. People outside think that the prime minister and I have fallen out."

Liu Che smiled a little, "You have made some progress. You know that you should go to Bowang Garden now. Otherwise, there will be more gossip outside, which will not be good for the prince or you."

Huo Xian nodded repeatedly and said, "That's right! If Wei and Huo had a falling out, my uncle would be in trouble. When my uncle and I are chatting and laughing, many people feel relieved and can't let their imagination run wild."

Liu Che was accustomed to Huo Shan's unbridled and outspoken nature. Over the years, the only people who spoke like this to him were Huo Qubing and his son Huo Shan. He really didn't know what suspicion was.

However, Liu Che was not annoyed by these things. Apart from the fact that he had different feelings towards Huo Qubing and his son Huo Shan, it was also because other people had been respectful and cautious towards him over the years, including the queen and the crown prince.

Liu Che smiled and said, "It's time for you to go out and walk around. You haven't been worrying about those things in these years."

Huo Xian was not embarrassed and told the truth, "I have children now, so I am naturally prudent. Otherwise, I would not have gone to Bowang Garden."

Liu Che glanced at Huo Xian. This kid really spoke without thinking. This time Huo Xian went to Bowang Garden. He had been there several times before. This was not the first time he had been there. He talked about it as if it was something new.

Huo Xian didn't care about that and continued, "Your Majesty, I have learned my lesson and I am ready to hold a grand banquet in the palace."

Liu Che smiled and asked, "You have really made progress. Now you know how to do some serious things. That's right. You are the Marquis of Guanjun, and your mansion should be lively and bustling."

Huo Xian nodded vigorously and said what he thought, "Your Majesty, I don't remember when I was a child. But they say that when my grandfather was there, the Marquis of Guanjun's mansion was very lively, and all the retainers from my uncle's side went there for shelter."

Liu Che smiled and said, "That's what happened. At that time, your father-in-law was a new noble, and many of the people who followed the general went to the Marquis of Guanjun's mansion."

"I think it's still your Majesty's fault." Huo Xian came to the conclusion, "At that time, your Majesty valued Aweng when he went to the Marquis of Guanjun's Mansion, so his influence was even greater. Now your Majesty doesn't promote my retainers, so I'm worried!"

Huo Guang, Jin Midi, Ma Tong and others were dumbfounded. The audacity of the Marquis of Guanjun's Mansion had refreshed their cognition time and time again, and now they actually began to blame the emperor directly.

Liu Che was also annoyed and asked, "Okay, it's my fault. I didn't create some momentum and prestige for you! Well, then, tell me, besides Zhao Anguo, who should I promote? Where are your retainers?"

Huo Xian was stunned for a moment, then said, "Zhao Chongguo, Han Zeng, and Zhang Anshi, they are all my retainers now!"

Liu Che was so angry that he laughed, "Are they considered your retainers now? They already hold official positions, and you are just a selected one. How can they be considered your retainers? Feng Dan and Zhao Congxiao, they are your followers, so they don't count!"

Seeing Huo Xian was speechless, Liu Che said sarcastically, "You have ruined your grandfather's family business. The Marquis of Guanjun's mansion was so lively before, and there were so many military marquises under the command of the General of the Cavalry. What about now?"

Seeing Huo Xian scratching his head and thinking hard, Liu Che continued to criticize, "Now I ask you to think of a promising retainer and you can't even think of one. I think you can't even remember if you have any retainers!"

Liu Che then looked at Huo Guang and asked, "You have always been concerned about the affairs of the Marquis of Guanjun's mansion. Can you tell me who in the court and the army can be the Marquis of Guanjun's retainers?"

Huo Guang quickly replied, "Your Majesty, I am stupid and have not thought of this yet."

Putting his hand on Huo Xian's forehead, Liu Che continued to ask, "Think carefully again, who have you recommended in these years? The general is so cautious, but he has also recommended people to be officials. What about you?"

Huo Xian said with a lack of confidence, "Does Cao Zong count? There is also Zhao Anguo, who was conferred a title of nobility after following me in the war. Li Guangli, Li Ling, and Feng Dan were all conferred titles of nobility after following me!"

Liu Che was amused by Huo Xian's shamelessness. "They say you, Marquis Guanjun, were born rich and powerful. Look at what you have become now. Is there anyone in the court who is close to you?"

"Your Majesty, it doesn't matter whether we are close or not. What's the point of me being close to them?" Huo Xian racked his brains and said, "And Tan Jie and Shangguan Jie, these people are following me to make meritorious deeds."

Liu Che said unhappily, "Don't even think about it. Are those people related to you? Can they be considered as your retainers? Besides Zhao Anguo and Feng Dan, can you find anyone else?"

Seeing that Huo Xian was silent, Liu Che said earnestly, "Xian'er, you are the Marquis of Guanjun, the Grand Marshal and the General of the Cavalry, how can you not have any support in the court!"

If it was other ministers who formed a clique, Liu Che would definitely be very unhappy, but Huo Shan's behavior also made him feel very disappointed.

Liu Che continued to teach, "You are the Marquis of Guanjun. Others respect and fear you because I am protecting you. Go to the court and say something. See how many people agree with you. It's embarrassing for you to be the Marquis of Guanjun!"

Thinking about it this way, it seems to make some sense. Huo Xian is indeed alone and powerless in the court.

However, this was obviously just a minor complaint in private. There was nothing wrong with Huo Xian's style, and it did not necessarily mean there were any hidden dangers.

Although Huo Xian lowered his head and looked like he was learning, Liu Che did not feel relieved. He knew the child in front of him too well, and he would forget about these things after leaving the hall and continue to do his own thing.

Liu Che sighed and said, "Your affairs are only for me. Forget it. You won't listen even if I tell you. I am too lazy to say more to you."

Huo Xian climbed up the pole and said, "Your Majesty, I know that I am short-sighted. I won't think too much about those things as long as Your Majesty is protecting me. Besides, I have made progress. I have already gone to Bowang Garden and will hold a banquet."

Liu Che smiled with satisfaction, "You have made some progress and are more thoughtful now. Why are you in such a hurry to enter the palace to express your feelings? Are you afraid that I will misunderstand that you are close to the prince?"

Although he was so worried in his heart, Huo Xian said calmly, "What is there to worry about? Your Majesty, we are going to hold a banquet, but there is no one in my house who can take charge. Your Majesty, can you lend me some people?"

Liu Che took a deep breath. He overestimated Huo Shan's awareness and underestimated his shamelessness.

(End of this chapter)