Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 241: Crisis of Domination
Liu Che looked at Huo Shan, full of suspicion and warning, "Shan'er, if you are so unreliable again, I will not bring you with me next time."

Huo Xian retorted unhappily, "Your Majesty, why are you blaming me again? I didn't do anything wrong this time."

"You haven't done anything wrong?" Liu Che was so angry. "In Kaifeng, you rode a horse in the county. When you came with me, you couldn't tell the difference between wheat seedlings and millet. You acted like a nobleman in every way you spoke. Who dared to talk to you?"

Cao Zong also added fuel to the fire and said, "Your Majesty, it's not just that. The Marquis of Guanjun is also picky, complaining about dirtiness here and there, and thinking that the village elders are sour and smelly. How can he be like an inspector of the people's livelihood!"

Liu Che nodded with satisfaction, and then said, "Even with his condition, he could still lead his army on an expedition of thousands of miles and fight for a year. I still can't figure out how he fights!"

"He's very picky. He'll take a bath if he can." Cao Zong said, "When we were trapped in the battle against the Xiongnu, we were short of water. When he saw water, everyone else drank it, but he was busy washing his face."

Not to mention Liu Che, even Madam Xing was laughing beside them, but they had no doubt that this was something Huo Shan could do.

Up to now, Huo Xian no longer drinks raw water. At the very least, he has to boil the water. Boiled water is what he drinks the most.

While changing his clothes, Huo Xian said, "Your Majesty, it's not that I'm bold. Your Majesty looks like a real nobleman. With that kind of bearing, who dares to look down on me? At most, I'm just pretending to be a nobleman."

Liu Che felt that what Huo Xian said made sense. After all, he had been in a high position for so many years, and his demeanor was indeed unmatched by ordinary people. He could also inadvertently display his unparalleled majesty.

Huo Xian continued to complain, "Besides, I must protect His Majesty. I think some people think that His Majesty is kind, which is a bit too much."

No matter how much he complained, he still had to continue his incognito visits when it was time to do so. This was also an extremely important thing for Liu Che.

Huo Xian didn't take the current situation too seriously. It seemed like he had messed up a few things, but it was harmless and no one took it to heart.

Huo Xian returned to the tent in frustration and couldn't help complaining to Lin Mei, "It's so hard to do things nowadays. If you do a good job, it's your duty. But if there's even a little trouble, it becomes my fault! Where can I go to seek justice!"

Lin Mei quickly comforted Huo Xian and said, "Your Excellency is a subject, so you must naturally do your duty. Your Excellency is very capable and is deeply trusted by His Majesty. Many matters of His Majesty still cannot be arranged without Your Excellency."

Huo Xian thought about it and felt that it made sense, so he asked, "After we go out, is there anyone bullying you here?"

Lin Mei quickly replied, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. Everyone is very disciplined. I am also blessed by Your Majesty. Everyone treats me well."

There seems to be nothing wrong with this, it is like looking at the face of Buddha instead of the monk. Huo Xian is highly regarded and respected by the emperor, so Lin Mei naturally benefits from it, and indeed no one would think of provoking her.

Not to mention Madam Xing, even noble ladies like Wei Zifu and Princess Pingyang would give Han Yunniang and Lin Mei some face. The reason was naturally that they knew that Huo Shan favored these two concubines.

Huo Xian smiled and then asked, "Have you gotten used to being out for a while?"

Lin Mei said with some emotion, "I remember going to Chang'an when I was a kid and thinking that everything outside was the same. After I came out and saw it, I realized that I was so ignorant. The trees and mountains outside were all different."

Huo Xian couldn't help laughing and said, "We've only just scratched the surface. Next time I have the chance, I'll take you to the grasslands or the Western Regions. The scenery there is completely different! Let's go to Jiangnan again. They all say that the scenery there is more detailed."

"You, you dare to think so!" The tent was opened, and Liu Che said helplessly, "I have always felt that Chang'an cannot contain you. When you are free, you want to run outside."

Lin Mei quickly saluted and sat up straight, while Huo Xian straightened his body slightly. It was not surprising that the emperor ran to his tent, mainly because they were very close.

"Jiangnan?" Liu Che said with a smile, "You are thinking of going to Chu, right? You didn't go to Chu this time, and you didn't go to Nanyue, and you are still thinking about these things."

Huo Xian smiled and said, "I'm also thinking of going to the Yangtze River. I heard there are alligators there, so I plan to catch a few to see for myself."

Alligator, also known as the Yangtze alligator.

Liu Che sighed and said, "You should also calm down. I am getting older and older, and I haven't been able to find an opportunity to live forever in the past few years. There are some things you should consider. I still count on you to protect me."

"Your Majesty, it's too early to think about that." Huo Xian said with a smile, "I was counting on Your Majesty to teach Wuyou well in the future. I've also thought about it, and I'm afraid I may not be able to teach Wuyou well."

Liu Che waved his hand and said, "I don't have that intention. You can take care of Wuyou by yourself. Whether you have ability or not, it's your business. I also owe you the Huo family. Should I support you for three generations?"

Huo Xian whispered, "When the time comes, leave a piece for me in front of my grandfather's tomb. Your Majesty will give Wuyou another official title. By then, the three generations of champion marquises will accompany Your Majesty."

Lin Mei was horrified when she heard this. This was simply cursing the emperor. How could she say that?

"Wuyou?" Liu Che said with a smile, "I have never taken care of that child, so there is no need for me. It would be better if you can live longer. If you really live longer, you should accompany me and your grandfather in the future."

No matter how many emperors Huo Xian served, or how many dynasties he served as, his official position was conferred by Liu Che, so even if he was buried with the emperor in the future, he could only be buried in Maoling.

After Huo Shan was appointed as the Commandant of Imperial Chariots, he became a subject of Emperor Wu of Han. Even if he made greater achievements in the future, it would be impossible for future emperors to snatch the title of subject of Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che.

Liu Che looked at Huo Xian and asked, "I have visited some villages these past two days. What do you think of the situation now?"

Huo Xian said quickly, "I don't think it's very good. It seems that many of the lands are not owned by the common people, but by the dignitaries. No wonder there are refugees in Guanzhong and the common people have no land to farm."

Liu Che laughed. Even if Huo Xian was a little unreliable at times, it was not a big deal. He was only unreliable in some unimportant matters.

When it comes to serious matters, this kid is very reliable and never hides anything. He doesn't care whether he offends people or is disliked.

People always say that since he, the Grand Marshal and General of the Cavalry, never attends court, people seem to think he knows nothing, but he knows everything about the court and the affairs of the world.

This is not favoritism, but Huo Xian has simply proved it time and time again with his performance.

Huo Xian looked at Liu Che seriously and said, "Your Majesty, I am a marquis of ten thousand households, and Cao Zong has more fiefs. He must have more than 20,000 households, right?"

Liu Che smiled and said, "The number of households in Pingyang is as high as 23,000. His situation is different from yours. When Emperor Gaozu founded the country and rewarded people for their contributions, Prime Minister Cao ranked second. You can't compare with him." That's true. Cao Zong's ancestor was Cao Shen. This is 'Xiao rules Cao follows'. Even if Wei Qing and Huo Qubing made great contributions, it doesn't mean they can jump to the top overnight.

Liu Che continued, "Besides, you also know that the situation of Pingyang Marquis's Mansion is special. Cao Zong's mother is my daughter, and his grandmother is my sister. Can you compare this?"

There is nothing wrong with what he said. Two generations of princesses married two generations of Pingyang Marquis, and they were all the closest people. The special status of the Pingyang Marquis' lineage is really not comparable to that of ordinary people.

The accumulation of several generations of people also has an extraordinary foundation, which is not something that Huo Qubing and Huo Shan can surpass all at once.

Liu Che looked at Lin Mei, then said to Huo Xian, "I executed Chen Jiao a few years ago, and my young daughter is still a widow."

Huo Xian was immediately overwhelmed. "Your Majesty, I've said too much that I won't marry! Besides, Princess Yi'an is already over 30 years old and doesn't want to be a princess anymore."

"Why not? She's only thirty!" Liu Che said seriously, "If we really get married, the fiefs of Tangyi Marquis and Longli Marquis will all belong to you. I'm not talking nonsense to you, every marquis has a master to marry!"

This is also a matter of habit. Princess Yi'an married her aunt's son. In the Western Han Dynasty, it was normal for brothers and sisters to marry. Don't apply the prohibition of marriage within three generations to the Western Han Dynasty.

Huo Xian kept shaking his head, "It's still not possible. There's a generation gap."

"What's the difference in generation?" Liu Che cursed directly, "Do you really think you are my grandson?"

Huo Xian immediately put on a playful smile and said, "Your Majesty, I can't marry a princess anyway. It's okay if she's younger, but it's not okay if she's too old. Besides, Princess Yi'an isn't pretty."

Liu Che, who was originally worried about his youngest daughter's marriage, immediately stopped trying. This rebellious Huo Shan was so desperate that he dared to say anything!

Huo Xian continued, "If this really happens, I will be in trouble in front of His Majesty. If that happens, I will definitely not behave honestly, and I will be punished for disrespecting the princess."

Liu Che actually didn't doubt this at all. In fact, there were some princesses and their husbands in the Han Dynasty who didn't have a good relationship, and they would play with each other. But they had to be harmonious on the surface, otherwise it would be bad to cause a scandal.

"You are just like your grandfather!" Liu Che said helplessly, "At that time, I wanted to let your grandfather marry the princess. It would be great if he was my son-in-law. No matter how much I scold him, it won't work!"

"My mother must be a great beauty!" Huo Xian said without thinking, "Anyway, I don't want to get married. It will be troublesome if I get married. I have to consider the relationship with my mother's family even if I have to marry someone of equal status. How tiring!"

Liu Che was speechless for a moment. Huo Xian's twisted ideas did make some sense. It really made him speechless.

Whether it was Lin Mei or Han Yunniang, they were all concubines. They had some status in the Guanjun Marquis's mansion, but many people outside did not recognize them. If there really was a Guanjun Marquis's wife, she would be from a high-ranking family.

By then, they will be two marquises, or even between the royal family and the marquis. If something bad really happens, it will be embarrassing for everyone because this is a political marriage.

With Huo Xian's personality, he is like a wild horse that has broken free from its reins, running around happily everywhere. Who can control him?

Huo Shan was definitely not a good match, and Liu Che was more or less aware of this. But when he thought about his own little daughter, he realized that she was not someone he could rest assured about.

Liu Che waved his hand and said, "Xian'er, have you ever thought about why the land is being annexed like this?"

The issue of land annexation can be said to be something that the ruling class of every dynasty has considered, and there are various means to restrict it, but most of them have very general effects.

The land annexation in the Western Han Dynasty is getting worse and worse, and everyone knows this. Even if there are various measures, they are still only treating the symptoms and not the root cause.

In fact, there is only one fundamental reason for this situation, and that is the lack of productivity conditions!
Huo Xian thought about it carefully and said to Liu Che, "Your Majesty, the loss of the Qin Dynasty must not only be due to tyranny, right?"

Seeing the emperor nod, Huo Xian said, "I think the country has been stable for a long time, so the powerful and even some wealthy families have gradually gained money, and they seize the opportunity to seize the farmers' land."

Liu Che smiled and nodded. There were many cases of land annexation, and the most direct manifestation was the powerful class taking away land from the people.

It can be when people suffer from disasters, when people go bankrupt, or some other means. Ordinary people's ability to resist risks is relatively lacking.

Once these powerful people see an opportunity, they will naturally not be polite. With land in hand, the people who have lost their land will become dependent on them, and the powerful people will become richer and the people will become poorer.

This kind of situation not only occurred in the Western Han Dynasty, but also in any dynasty. It even became a situation that repeated itself over and over again in history. When the people could no longer survive, they would start to revolt.

Huo Xian looked at Liu Che tentatively and asked, "Your Majesty, I think it's not that easy to take back the land of these powerful people, right?"

Liu Che did not deny it either, "It's difficult, how difficult it is!"

Huo Xian also thought it made sense. The emperor had great power, but he represented the ruling class and was the biggest representative of the landlord class, so naturally he also needed to consider the interests of these people.

Therefore, some seemingly simple and crude methods are just for consideration. Because if they are really implemented, the first people who will be dissatisfied are the landlords, and that will also shake the foundation of the rule.

Huo Shan could understand this logic, and an emperor like Liu Che naturally knew it better. He knew that this would not be an easy matter.

Seeing Huo Xian's gloomy face and deep thoughts, Liu Che smiled and said, "Think about it carefully, and tell me when you come up with a solution. I won't blame you if you are wrong."

After saying this, Liu Che left. He really didn't expect Huo Shan to give some reliable advice.

He has a lot of talented people under his command, but none of them can give any reliable suggestions, so naturally there is no need to expect Huo Xian to come up with any solution to the problem.

After all, in Liu Che's eyes, Huo Shan had no other abilities except being able to fight wars and having a clear understanding of some things.

(End of this chapter)