Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 240 This Is Not Chang'an

Chapter 240 This Is Not Chang'an

Kaifeng is an ancient city. Zhuanxu, one of the Five Emperors, was granted the title of Gaoyang in his early years for his contribution in assisting Shaohao. Then in the Spring and Autumn Period, Duke Zhuang of Zheng built a city near Zhuxian Town to store grain and named it Qifeng.

Then it continued to develop, and the Wei State moved its capital here, which was also called Daliang. However, during the Warring States Period, the Qin general Wang Ben blocked the Yellow River embankment, diverted the Yellow River water into the Honggou, and flooded the Daliang city.

The name Kaifeng was decided during the reign of Emperor Jing of Han Dynasty to avoid the emperor's name, and the name Kaifeng has been used ever since.

Today, Kaifeng is just one of the larger counties in Henan County, and the capital of the entire Henan County is in Luoyang (Luoyang).

Liu Che was in a good mood. Although Kaifeng was not an important city, it at least had some foundations. It did not look so desolate now, and people's livelihood seemed to be good.

In the tavern, Huo Xian looked at the turbid wine in front of him with disdain, "This wine looks turbid and hard to swallow. I have no appetite and don't plan to drink it."

Liu Che took a sip leisurely, and then commented, "You are really a person who never tires of fine food. Well, I am too lazy to talk about you, and there is no point in talking about you."

"It's not just me, other people are like this too." Huo Xian seemed to be justified, "Many powerful people are even more extravagant, why do you have to blame me? Is it because I'm young and look easy to bully?"

Cao Zong, who was standing next to him, lowered his head and smiled, thinking that Marquis Guanjun was still as unreasonable as ever and was very good at confusing some concepts.

There was nothing wrong with what Huo Xian said. Some powerful people did have a more extravagant lifestyle. He was only extravagant on the surface, while some powerful people were extravagant beyond measure in private.

But when it came out of Huo Xian's mouth, it seemed as if everyone else was unanimously excluding and suppressing him, which made it a little hard to tell how to evaluate it.

The owner of the wine shop came over cautiously and said, "Sir, this is a small wine shop. We don't have anything special like cooking right now."

Liu Che was not surprised by this. "Is there anyone who can cook in the city?"

The boss immediately replied, "There is a wine shop. The owner has a relative who serves a noble in Chang'an."

Although Huo Xian invented cooking nearly ten years ago, it is still not popular. Even in Chang'an, not every household cooks.

First of all, an iron pot is difficult for many people. The smelting of the Han Dynasty is more developed than that of the Xiongnu. The texture of the iron pot is also very particular and it is not so easy to make.

Looking at Huo Xian and Cao Zong, the shop owner said enviously, "Sir, your two grandsons both look wealthy and heroic."

Liu Che became proud and pointed at Huo Xian and Cao Zong, "These two have been on the battlefield and fought against the Xiongnu. They fought with the Marquis of Guanjun. Do you know the Marquis of Guanjun?"

This time, not only the shop owner became curious, but several drinkers nearby also became interested and kept looking at Huo Xian and Cao Zong.

The shop owner was very excited and said, "I heard that the Champion Marquis Seventeen went to the battlefield? He captured the Xiongnu crown prince?"

"That's not the crown prince! He's the prince of the Xiongnu!"

"What do you mean by Zuo Xian Wang? Just by hearing his name, I know he is a vassal king!"

"No wonder I felt that my father-in-law was no ordinary man. Anyone who could go to war with the Champion Marquis must have made military achievements!"

Liu Che pointed at Huo Xian and said, "This one is not married yet. If there is a suitable one in the family, please talk to her about marriage."

"Not married yet?"

"The followers of the Marquis of Guanjun must have been chosen by a nobleman. How can a girl from an ordinary family be worthy of him?"

Liu Che still very much enjoyed chatting with a group of people like this. As for whether Huo Shan and Cao Zong were a little uncomfortable, he didn't care about that.

Huo Xian moved a little, looking at the eyes that were looking at him, and he wanted to complain. He felt that he was brought out just to satisfy the emperor's vanity.

Isn't it obvious? Chatting with a group of strangers is just to let these people praise his bravery and some of his achievements.

In the eyes of the emperor, all these belonged to him. After all, he had trained two generations of champion marquises, which was the best proof of his outstanding ability.

"My grandson has been skilled in archery and horse riding since he was young, and is strong enough to lift a tripod. He is a figure like the Overlord of Chu." Liu Che was very confident and said with a smile, "He used an iron club earlier, and ordinary people can't wield it."

A middle-aged man asked curiously, "Sir, I heard that the Champion Marquis's men are all knights wearing heavy armor. Is your grandson also one of them?"

"Both of my grandsons are good at this!" Liu Che was proud. "The total amount of armor they wear weighs 50 kilograms. With weapons and arrows in their hands, how can the Xiongnu resist them?"

Although the young man was a little skeptical, he also said with emotion, "No wonder the Huns can't beat us! With such a strong army, the Huns will be defeated sooner or later."

Liu Che glanced at the young man and said, "At your age, you should serve in the army. Where did you serve before?"

The young man did not dare to neglect and quickly replied, "I served in the county before, and I didn't have the honor to go out and fight the Xiongnu. I heard that the court is now fighting in the Western Regions, and I don't know where there is anything good to fight!"

If it came to fighting the Huns, many Han people would be extremely supportive, because they were mortal enemies and it would not be an exaggeration to say that it was a fight to the death, not to mention that there was a feud going on for generations.

However, for places like the Western Regions, many people felt that there was no point in fighting. They subconsciously believed that it was a remote place and that conquering it would actually be of no use.

Even though Zhang Qian had previously traveled to the Western Regions and brought back a lot of things, it could be considered a great geographical discovery.

But it still cannot change the cognition of many people, especially ordinary people. How can they have the opportunity to know more things?

Liu Che actually didn't care at all about the people's skepticism. It was probably because he felt that even if these people didn't understand, it was very normal.

How could these ordinary people know about the world affairs, and naturally they did not understand the importance of the Western Regions, which was understandable. Even in the court, there were many ministers who did not understand.

What's more, Liu Che was often questioned throughout his life, just like the Empress Dowager who liked the teachings of Huang-Lao and questioned the Confucianism advocated by Liu Che, and just like how no one dared to fight the Huns back then.

Facts have proved that Liu Che won. If those who doubted him saw the achievements he has made now, they would naturally keep silent and praise him for his efforts against all odds. Sometimes it is not surprising that Liu Che is so confident and constantly proves that his strategy is correct. At this time, even arrogance can be understood.

Liu Che, in a good mood, looked at the people around him and asked, "Tell me which of my two grandsons looks more promising?"

A white-haired old man said, "The guy next to him looks promising. He must have been in the military. He also fought with the Marquis of Guanjun. I'm afraid he must be a military marquis, right?"

The lieutenants dare not think about it, because they are high-ranking officials. Most of the lieutenants in Chang'an are two thousand stones, and the lieutenants at the border are also considered to be in high positions. The military officer is very good, in charge of 500 people.

"I also think he is from the military. He looks very aggressive." A strong man said, "I don't think he is a military officer. He might be a military officer or a captain. Military officers don't have as much momentum as him."

Cao Zong glanced at Huo Shan complacently, and then felt that there was no sense of accomplishment compared to Huo Shan. The man was leaning lazily, and did not look like a soldier at all.

"My grandson has made great progress!" Liu Che was even happier and said, "This is my eldest daughter's son, my grandson. Although he is young, he is very capable. His grandfather passed away early, but this child has not been wasted."

Many people looked at Cao Zong with admiration and sympathy, but most of them were relieved, thinking that this was the typical case for other people's children.

The shop owner was a little curious, "Sir, I don't think your other grandson is in the army? He looks fair and doesn't seem strong. How could he be able to follow the Marquis of Guanjun?"

This is judging a person by his appearance. Huo Shan is not a big and strong man, which does not fit the image of an elite warrior in some people's minds.

Liu Che laughed and said proudly, "My grandson is even more capable, and Marquis Guanjun likes him the most. Shan'er, go show him to the village elders and lift up the millstone at the door."

There is less entertainment in this day and age, so when there is something exciting to watch, naturally many people will come over to take a look. This is a new thing.

It is easy to tell that a distinguished person has come to Kaifeng. From his clothes, it can be seen that he is probably a nobleman, and the followers he brought with him also look tough, and ordinary people would not dare to provoke him.

Clothes make the man, and saddles make the horse. In today's era, the simplest and most direct way to judge a person's identity is to judge by his clothes. Freedom to dress in any way is simply impossible in this era.

This is still relatively relaxed now. If it is more strict, there will be strict restrictions on the color of clothing fabrics, etc.

The emperor was in high spirits, so Huo Xian naturally would not do anything to spoil his mood. He should not fail to show off when it was his time to do so, otherwise the emperor would be embarrassed and everyone else would suffer.

Walking out of the tavern with brisk steps, Huo Xian looked at the millstone and was a little disgusted. But he raised it with one hand without saying anything. It was not difficult for him who was born with supernatural powers.

"This child is very strong, but he looks skinny!" Liu Che became more and more proud and said, "See, my grandson can lift it up with one hand."

This made the onlookers not know how to respond. The main point was that lifting the millstone was not that difficult. It just took some strength to do it with one hand. Most people couldn't do it.

Huo Xian took the reins from an attendant, climbed onto the horse gracefully, and then exerted force with one hand. The horse immediately kicked into the air with its front legs. Huo Xian, who was sitting on the horse's back, leaned back and kicked the horse's belly lightly with his legs.

Cao Zong couldn't help but cover his face. Liu Che was also stunned for a moment, and then he was a little bit amused.

This Xian'er is still as flamboyant as ever, and it seems that some of her habits cannot be changed even if she really wants to.

The onlookers were also dumbfounded. The young man was strong and had excellent riding skills, which was nothing wrong and admirable. But just as he rode his horse so magnificently, the county lieutenant was about to come over.

Huo Xian also reacted, but he had already run hundreds of meters before he hurriedly turned his horse around and said, "Cao Zong, pay the money and get ready to leave!"

Huo Xian rode his horse while shouting, "Hurry up, hurry up and get on the horse!"

Huo Xian jumped off his horse and casually took out a copper coin and threw it to the shopkeeper, then ran quickly towards Liu Che, "Let's go to another place, there's nothing to see here!"

Liu Che was supported by Huo Xian and walked quickly to the outside of the tavern. "You are used to making trouble and thought no one can control you. Are you afraid now?"

"What's so scary?" Huo Xian helped Liu Che onto his horse and said, "I just don't want to cause any trouble. If it doesn't work, let Cao Zong take the blame. He will be punished for these things."

Cao Zong was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, but when he thought about it carefully, he realized that this was indeed his positioning.

A group of more than 20 people rode their horses and trotted away from Kaifeng. If they ran any slower, they would really be blocked by the county lieutenant. By then, Huo Xian might be in some small trouble.

Of course, this is also based on the premise of not revealing your identity. Since you are now on a secret visit, don't reveal your identity casually, otherwise it will lose some of its meaning.

Looking at the city wall behind him, Liu Che smiled and said, "When I was young, it was the same. When I was on a secret tour, I trampled on young crops and was chased and scolded! Those followers were also ignorant, how could they do this!"

Huo Xian nodded repeatedly, "I am still the best. I was planning to show the village elders my archery skills. But after running a few steps, I saw that this is not Chang'an, so I must be stopped!"

Not to mention Liu Che, even the guards who followed him couldn't help laughing. It's really hard to describe this Marquis Guanjun.

Riding a horse in Chang'an city was actually a greater sin, but he spoke as if it was all natural.

In a small county like Kaifeng, as long as you don't overdo the horse and disturb the people, generally no one will say anything and it won't cause too much trouble.

"I am already this old, I wanted to see the people's livelihood, but you made a scene!" Liu Che laughed and scolded, "I was just looking for someone to talk to and ask about something, but you messed it up."

If you say it is embarrassing, it is a little embarrassing. If you say it is not embarrassing, I don’t think there is anything to be embarrassed about. It is nothing more than a few small jokes. It is not a real mistake.

If Huo Xian had been a little thicker-skinned, this matter would have naturally passed and there wouldn't be much to say.

Especially since the emperor seemed to be in a good mood, this meant that although there were some small jokes and accidents, they were also a blessing in disguise. The emperor's happiness was naturally the most important thing.

"Your Majesty, the county town looks fine, and the people are not in trouble." Huo Xian said, "There are so many people in the wine shop, and they are ploughing the spring fields!"

Liu Che rolled his eyes at Huo Xian. These city people wouldn’t go to the fields to farm. Not everyone has to go to the fields!

(End of this chapter)

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