Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 235 Small moves

Everyone is already familiar with what the emperor's tours are like, and this is all accumulated through experience.

The emperor did not go out on tour every year, sometimes he went out once every two or three years. But sometimes, it was normal for him to go out two or three times a year.

In terms of time, going out for more than half a year is a tour. Going out for three days, ten days or half a month is also a tour.

Those farther away would go to places like the East China Sea, while those closer would visit places like Linfen and the Yellow River. His tours did not necessarily involve a large number of troops or a long journey, but no matter what, they would be careful.

Cao Zong naturally knew what to do. When it came to pleasing the emperor and figuring out his thoughts, he could not catch up with Huo Shan even with his flattery.

As for the fact that Cao Zong had already taken sides, Huo Xian knew it, and so did Liu Che, but everyone just turned a blind eye.

In fact, in the eyes of many people, Huo Xian was very close to the prince.

After Huo Xian finished chatting with Cao Zong, he ran to the Prince's Mansion, "Uncle, uncle!"

"Cousin, be quiet!" Liu Jin was anxious, and pulled Huo Xian's arm and said, "My Lord is discussing government affairs with the ministers, how can you make a loud announcement?"

Huo Xian nodded, not treating himself as an outsider at all, "Send someone to tell your mother that I will have dinner here, and prepare some of my favorite food."

Liu Jin's eyes lit up. His mother was only a concubine until now. In other words, Liu Jin was not the prince's legitimate son, but only the prince's eldest son.

Huo Xian then said, "Take me to the front hall. I want to see who is discussing matters with my cousin."

Liu Jin was startled and asked quickly, "They are all officials of the Crown Prince, not the ministers and officials in the court."

"No need to think too much." Huo Xian felt that Liu Jin was smart. After all, he was born into a royal family. "Since I'm here, I naturally have to go and take a look. I also need to formally pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Liu Jin had no choice but to take Huo Xian to the main hall and quickly sent someone to report.

Huo Xian had just stood still when he heard the eunuch summon him, "Xuan Da Sima Huqi General."

This was not a formal occasion, but it couldn't be said to be a private gathering either. Huo Xian also understood the rules. "Your Highness, I am Huo Xian. I pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Liu Ju stood up with a gracious expression and walked forward with a smile, "You don't need to be polite, Marquis Guanjun. Why are you here at this time?"

"Your Majesty is going on a tour, and I am ordered to supervise some matters." Huo Xian said with a serious face, "When Your Majesty leaves the city, the Crown Prince should lead the remaining officials to see you off."

No one found this strange. It would be a big deal if the prince did not leave the city to see the emperor off when he went on a tour.

Huo Xian also continued, "In addition, I will be the escort along the way. The Prime Minister will drive the car, the general will accompany him, and the Crown Prince will lead the way and escort with me."

Liu Ju was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "I know, I am discussing these matters with the ministers. Marquis Guanjun, please sit down and listen and participate in the discussion."

Not only Liu Ju, but all the officials of the Eastern Palace were also looking at it eagerly. Everyone knew who Huo Shan represented.

Huo Xian complained a little. He thought that the emperor was testing him and the prince was not much better. He would try to cheat people whenever he got the chance.

Whether it was Liu Che or Liu Ju, they were indeed very good to Huo Shan, but it is also undeniable that sometimes their starting point was politically motivated.

For example, now, if Huo Xian sat down, even if he didn't say a word, in the eyes of others he would be the Marquis of Guanjun specially sent by the emperor to listen in, which would bring more authority to the crown prince and so on.

Liu Jin acted quickly and immediately brought in supplies and arranged for someone to bring in drinks, fruits and other snacks.

Others didn't know Huo Xian's preferences, but some people in the East Palace knew. Unless it was an extremely formal occasion, this champion marquis would sit in an awkward position, either leaning crookedly or eating snacks.

"I'm just listening. If I find anything wrong, I'll be rude." Huo Xian was helpless and could only speak, "If I really say something wrong, I hope Your Highness will forgive me."

Huo Xian took a seat naturally, that is, the first seat on the left under the crown prince's seat.

Liu Ju smiled and began to arrange and deploy some things. Huo Xian basically said nothing throughout the whole process, and other people basically did not ask for his opinion. At most, they just looked at him from time to time.

Occasionally he would eat some fruits and snacks. He was originally kneeling quite straight, but gradually his body became crooked and he was almost lying sideways.

Seeing that Huo Xian did not raise any objections throughout the whole process, not only Liu Ju was happy, but all the officials in the Eastern Palace were also happy.

If Guanjun Hou didn't point out any faults, then it proved that everyone's arrangement was fine. Even if there were some details that needed to be improved later, it didn't matter. If Guanjun Hou heard any shortcomings, that would be a big problem.

After the others left, Liu Ju said with a smile, "Well, now that we are done, there is no need to be so serious."

Huo Xian slowly stood up and said, "Uncle, this is why I don't like going to court. I can't understand what you guys are talking about, and I can't fall asleep. Eat, but don't make any noise."

"Don't understand?" Liu Ju said jokingly, "I think you heard it the most clearly, and you have your own ideas. So, is there anything wrong with this arrangement?"

Huo Xian smiled and said, "There are not enough officials to see us off. It doesn't matter if the ministers are more tired, but I am afraid that the scene will not be grand enough."

Liu Ju sighed. In fact, he didn't want to see all the officials who stayed behind run to see the emperor off when he went on a tour. Otherwise, the grand scene was one thing, and the running back and forth was another.

"The adjutant will stay behind, and all the chief officers will follow us to see you off." Liu Ju smiled and said, "This is also the way of a minister. If you hadn't said it, it would have almost caused a big mistake."

Huo Xian just smiled. In fact, it was normal for officials to see each other off. Many officials wanted to show off in such occasions.

However, some of Liu Ju's worries were very well-founded. It was one thing for officials to run back and forth, but Chang'an also needed to be stable when the emperor was out of the city. If anyone took the opportunity to cause trouble, it would be a disaster.

Seeking stability is definitely not a bad thing at this time, and it can even be regarded as the most important thing Liu Ju should do. This should be done not only when the emperor is out of the city, but also during the entire tour.

Liu Ju looked at Huo Xian with a smile, "You often visit your uncle and rarely come to my place, which is fine. It's rare for you to eat here."

Huo Xian said with a bitter face, "I would like to come, but if I come too often, I guess my uncle will be unhappy."

"You come here often, do you think I am happy?" Liu Ju joked with a smile, "You have a lot on your mind. Even if you come here often, who can say anything about you? Tell me yourself, who treats you as an outsider?"

Huo Xian could only say, "It is because I am not an outsider that I can't help but think too much. I feel uneasy when I see Jin'er like that. I will go to His Majesty and say something to see if I can bring Jin'er along." Liu Ju's eyes lit up, but he immediately said, "If His Majesty agrees, that would be the best. If His Majesty doesn't like it, you must not cling to him."

If the emperor took his eldest grandson Liu Jin with him when he went on tour, it would be the best thing for the prince's party. They could just hang up lights and start celebrating.

But if you think about some of the emperor's performance, you naturally shouldn't have too high expectations for this.

As the emperor's first son, Liu Ju was the apple of everyone's eye when he was born. His birth proved that the emperor was capable, but the deposed queen Chen Ajiao was not.

Liu Ju's position had always been relatively stable. He was made the crown prince at an early stage, and had Wei Qing and Huo Qubing as his assistants in the court. It seemed that he had nothing to worry about.

But Liu Ju sometimes felt unhappy because he was not the most favored son among the princes. In fact, the emperor's favorite son was the "youngest son" Liu Bo.

If you think about it more, the emperor's favorite nephew was Huo Qubing, and his favorite grandchild was Huo Shan.

Liu Ju did not spend much time in front of the emperor, and Liu Jin, the emperor's eldest grandson, appeared in front of the emperor even more limited times.

This is the reality, Liu Ju and Liu Jin are aware of it. This is also the reason why they value Huo Xian so much, not only because of his ability, but also because they want to maintain the relationship.

What was maintained was naturally not the relationship between the monarch and his subjects, but because as long as Huo Xian's position was stable beside the emperor, no one in the court would dare to frame the prince.

When Shi Liangdi saw Huo Xian, she immediately smiled and said, "Xian'er, I got some pork earlier and stewed it according to your recipe."

The predecessor of soy sauce, "sauce", has existed since the Shang Dynasty. Although some seasonings are insufficient now, Huo Xian still thought of many ways to satisfy his appetite. Braised pork is no longer new.

Liu Ju laughed and joked, "For this piece of meat with less mutton smell, Shan'er killed all the piglets in Chang'an!"

Others couldn't help laughing as well. Sometimes they couldn't help but sigh that this champion marquis would do anything to enjoy himself and satisfy his appetite.

Huo Xian couldn't help but complain, "Now these pigs grow fast and don't smell like mutton. What a great contribution I have made! But now, everyone is making fun of me!"

"That can't be helped. It's your fault for buying too many piglets when you were testing the waters." Liu Ju even joked, "It would be best if you could be less extravagant and hedonistic."

Just laugh it off and don't take it to heart. If he were like Wei Qing, that would make people think too much.

Do more "absurd things" just for the sake of pleasure, etc., then everyone will feel happy and will encourage him to do so.

Liu Ju and others did not talk much with Huo Xian about political affairs, but just chatted about family matters.

Shi Liangdi smiled and said to Huo Xian, "Xian'er, when I went to mother's place the day before yesterday, I saw Wuyou smiling."

Huo Xian was surprised, "Don't they say that babies will smile as soon as they are born?"

Liu Ju said unhappily, "You really have never raised a child. It is true that a child will laugh when he is born, but the laughter at that time is just laughter, not the laughter made by adults."

This made Huo Xian speechless for a moment. Although he already had a son, it seemed that he was "taking care of the birth but not the upbringing" at the moment.

Huo Xian's parenting experience was basically zero. He would probably wait until Huo Wuyou grew up a little bit, then he could bring him home to raise. It was definitely not suitable for him to raise a child at this stage.

Shi Liangdi smiled and said, "Wuyou has grown up a bit now, and the more I look at him, the more he looks like you. Especially his eyebrows and eyes, they look exactly like you!"

Liu Ju also said, "I heard from my mother last time that Wuyou really looks like Shan'er."

This is obviously a good thing. Huo Xian still hopes that Huo Wuyou looks like him.

After eating and drinking, Liu Ju naturally personally escorted Huo Shan out of the Prince's Mansion.

Although they are juniors, they still need to observe proper etiquette. After all, Huo Xian is the Marquis of Guanjun, the Grand Marshal, and the General of the Cavalry. The monarch and his subjects are now relatively equal.

Huo Xian slowed down his pace and said to Liu Qie, "Uncle, I just mentioned something to my uncle yesterday. This time when His Majesty is on a tour, you have to prepare for the war."

Liu Ju knew what was going on, and then he said, "I know, but now the court is short of money and the people are in trouble. It's really too difficult."

"I know these things are very difficult, but there is no other way." Huo Xian said directly, "Your Majesty, this is also a test for my uncle. These things can only be done by my uncle."

The treasury was short of money, but the emperor had no intention of compromising himself. He continued to enjoy himself when he should, and continued to search for immortals when he should. In order to achieve his own great achievements, he also needed to continue preparing for war.

Therefore, if there are things that offend people, the prince will take the blame. The prince will be in charge of preparing for the war and raising military expenses.

When the time comes, the crown prince will naturally bear the blame, because many things were done when the crown prince was regency.

Liu Che would not feel sorry for his son. He cared more about himself.

Huo Xian whispered to Liu Chuan, "Uncle, I know that the treasury is empty and the people are in trouble, but this time, you must get things done."

Liu Ju nodded and said, "I know this in my heart. We can't delay this matter. We must fight the Xiongnu this time. We must win the war. The court can't afford a big war."

Liu Ju had no objection to things like fighting wars. What he had always opposed was large-scale wars, as he felt that such wars would place too great a burden on the court.

But now Liu Ju also knew clearly that he had no say in fighting the Huns next year or the year after. Anyone who opposed the emperor's policy at this time would be the emperor's enemy and would be liquidated.

Huo Xian whispered, "Your Majesty has given great power to my cousin. If some officials in the court are dissatisfied, I will see if I can deal with them."

Liu Ju was stunned for a moment, and then quickly said, "Xian'er, you are really too bold to say that!"

According to some of Huo Xian's statements, she was simply encouraging the prince to take advantage of the time when he was regent to eliminate some dissidents, which was something Liu Ju dared not think about.

Huo Xian chuckled, "Some things cannot be done too much, and they also require your majesty's approval."

Liu Ju also understood what Huo Xian meant. It was okay to make some moves, including those involving some ministers who did not seem to be particularly powerful.

The emperor would give him enough power. Since he had drawn a big pie, he would have to give him certain benefits. Even a wise man like Liu Ju actually had some enemies!
(End of this chapter)