Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 244 Hindsight
As they got closer and closer to Mount Tai, Huo Xian remained very calm. This was not his first time here, so he naturally didn't think it was anything new; he was used to it.

But for many people, coming to Mount Tai means something different and is extremely meaningful.

Sima Qian once again found Huo Shan, who was busy with everything. He had no choice. The Marquis of Guanjun was in a high position and had a lot of power, so it was not easy to meet him.

Although he felt that the Champion Marquis was not as arrogant and domineering as the rumors said, he still felt that it was difficult to deal with him. The so-called scholars and celebrities would not be looked up to by the Champion Marquis.

Not everyone is a great general. A great general will give respect to those who don't give him face, and will show even more respect to talented people. But for a champion marquis, if you respect me one foot, I will respect you ten feet.

It is difficult to deal with someone like Huo Xian because no one knows what words will make him unhappy.

The Grand Historian seemed to have a special status, but the gap between his official position and his rank was too big, and he had no title, so it was difficult for him to meet Huo Shan.

Looking at the "Biographies of Zhang Shizhi and Feng Tang" in his hand, Huo Xian couldn't help but laugh. It was a bit unexpected that this article was written by Sima Tan.

But it's normal if you think about it. When Sima Qian wrote "Records of the Grand Historian", he used a lot of manuscripts and materials used by Sima Tan.

"Feng Tang is getting old," Huo Xian concluded, smiling, "Some things should be left for future generations to comment on."

It is no wonder that Huo Xian said, "Feng Tang is easy to grow old, Li Guang is hard to be granted a title", which is already commented on by countless literati. But the current situation is that Sima Qian may not have written about the fact that Li Guang is hard to be granted a title.

And even if he wrote it down, he probably wouldn't dare to bring it to Huo Xian, otherwise he would definitely be ridiculed by the champion marquis, and he still had big things to do next.

Sima Qian immediately complimented him, saying, "Your Excellency has great literary talent. My father was quite regretful, so he left this article behind."

Huo Xian did not comment, and then asked, "You have a good relationship with Feng Sui, right? Since you are the Grand Historian, shouldn't you be less emotional? I read your grandfather's articles, and most of them sympathize with the losers."

Sima Qian was a little unhappy, "Sir, I am the Grand Historian. I have read ancient books and conducted research before I started writing. How can I have any personal feelings?"

"Really?" Huo Xian said mockingly, "If that's the case, it's a good thing. I'm just afraid that some people are close to you, old friends, or feel sad, and you will empathize with them and feel sorry for them."

Sima Qian suppressed his anger and said, "Sir, as the Grand Historian, I am naturally impartial. If I don't have this stance, how can I leave behind a convincing history book?"

Again, the value and significance of "Records of the Grand Historian" is not something that Huo Xian can say much about, because its significance is indeed there.

However, Huo Xian also had his own opinions on some of Sima Qian's positions, etc. He never thought that Sima Qian was absolutely objective and neutral when writing the book. This was his point of view.

Although Sima Qian was somewhat unhappy, he still had something to ask for help. "Sir, I have read my father's manuscript. Can you tell me about the expedition to the Western Regions and Dayuan?"

Huo Xian stood up and said, "I guess you have asked many people about the expedition to Dayuan. Go ask others later. The army has returned now. Come back and ask me if you have any questions."

Sima Qian was speechless for a moment, although he really wanted to get a lot of first-hand information from Huo Shan and wanted to know more details.

But it was obvious that he did not have such a great deal of face in front of the Champion Marquis. The Champion Marquis, who was busy with official duties, promised to ask him again if he had any questions in the future. This was considered a very respectful act.

After all, although historians have a certain status, they do not have the power to make everyone cooperate with their work. Most of the time, these historians just observe and record from the side.

After sending Sima Qian away, Huo Xian was quite helpless, "These people are stubborn and stubborn, and it is really difficult to serve them."

Liu Mo immediately said in a flattering manner, "Sir, if this person comes again next time, I will stop him. These people are really hard to get along with, and they are not on the same path as us."

That's really the case. They are not the same kind of people at all, so it's normal that they can't play together now. There's nothing new about this. Huo Xian is not a popular person.

"That makes sense. If this person comes to bother me again next time, I'll stop him." Huo Xian said decisively, "I'm too busy with important things right now, so I won't bother with these people."

Liu Mo immediately said seriously, "My Lord, I have made a note of this. These people will naturally not see you. I don't like these civil servants. They always look down on this and that. If we hadn't won the battle, how could they study peacefully?"

This is creating confrontation, but Huo Xian can fully understand this and there is nothing new about it.

It is normal that scholars sometimes look down on these warriors, and it is normal that these warriors look down on some scholars.

Sometimes people have different standpoints, so naturally they look at things very differently. It is normal for people to stick together.

Liu Mo continued, "Your Majesty, you have been away fighting for many years, and we have heard many people complaining about it. They said that the court is short of money and food, but Your Majesty keeps clamoring for war, regardless of the people's livelihood and the country."

Huo Xian originally thought that all this was normal. After all, he was the one who led the army in most of the large-scale wars of the Han Dynasty, so it was normal to have such discussions.

Moreover, it is an indisputable fact that the national strength of the Han Dynasty is now exhausted. Because the war has increased the burden on the people, many people have complaints about this, which is acceptable and understandable.

But on second thought, he felt that something seemed a little wrong with these things, and it shouldn't be like this.

"Uncle Liu, you said that the scholars said I was arguing about fighting?" Huo Xian asked seriously, "Could it be that some academies are like this now?"

Academies, academic societies, etc., these can be said to have a long history.

In this day and age, some so-called upper classes monopolize the dissemination of knowledge and culture.

It was very difficult for ordinary people to even read and write, let alone see the scrolls. Those scrolls could be regarded as heirlooms.

Therefore, many schools of thought have their own academies and academic societies, where their students go to study.

Liu Mo explained, "Of course there are. Some scholars wandered around Chang'an with books and articles. When they met a noble, they would write to him. There were also many people who preached everywhere. This was common."

This is also true. In Chang'an, there were many people who thought they were knowledgeable and would stop their cars when they met dignitaries, and would offer their own works, etc. It is not easy to seek a step forward. Sometimes you need to be appreciated and recommended by a noble person.

Liu Mo said indignantly, "Now many people say that it is you who are deceiving your majesty, and it is you who want to fight these battles!"

Huo Xian suddenly felt creepy. It wasn't that Liu Mo's choice of words was bad, but he felt as if he was taking the blame and as if some things were beyond his control.

There is naturally nothing wrong with taking the blame for the emperor. In fact, someone with Huo Shan's identity is more suitable for taking the blame.

But now some scholars are unanimously claiming that Marquis Guanjun is in favor of war, and that he can even influence the emperor's decision. This matter is very sensitive.

To be optimistic, he is the Marquis of Guanjun, and he holds great importance and is able to offer advice to the emperor on such a major matter.

But now the Han people are getting poorer and poorer. If they continue to fight, it is very likely that public anger will increase.

By then, Huo Xian might be pushed out. Then the emperor would not need to issue an edict of remorse. Killing the Marquis Guanjun, who advocated war, could also calm the public anger!

That shouldn't be the case. Huo Xian didn't realize that the emperor had these thoughts, and the emperor's attitude towards him didn't become distant because he had been away for so many years.

Liu Mo didn't understand some things, but Huo Xian had some sense in his heart. He felt that this trend was very bad. It had too many disadvantages for his future, and it could even be said to be a huge hidden danger.

Looking at Liu Mo, Huo Xian continued to ask, "Uncle Liu, are these remarks widely spread in Chang'an? Have you ever noticed who said them?"

"Who are the people of the Huang-Lao school?" Liu Mo said immediately, "I have beaten a few talkative scholars before. These people only dare to say these things now because they are well fed and peaceful."

If it really was the Huang-Lao school, Huo Xian could naturally understand it. This was also a matter of standpoint. It was normal for them to have some ideas.

Before Emperor Wu of Han, the most prominent school of thought in the Han Dynasty was the Huang-Lao school, which advocated concepts such as recuperation, tranquility and inaction, lenient punishments and simple administration, and the self-education of the people. It also advocated that war should be a constraint on imperial power.

The popular schools of thought in the past are no longer favored by the rulers today, and some of the national policies of the Han Dynasty are also contrary to the Huang-Lao school of thought. Naturally, this will make these people feel very dissatisfied and lost, which is not what they want to see.

There was no need to think it was strange that Liu Mo and the others had taken action. Huo Xian himself was domineering and flamboyant, and the people in his mansion were actually not much better, especially the four generals.

They couldn't do things like bullying men and women, as they felt it was too embarrassing. But if someone dared to say something bad about Huo Xian, the four generals would think it was justified to beat or even kill people in the street.

Huo Xian continued to ask, "My uncle, or the generals, have never been involved in these matters?"

Liu Mo asked curiously, "Sir, why do you care about these things? We heard about them and just beat them up. Why do you need to trouble the general?"

Huo Xian was speechless for a moment. These things were perfectly normal in the eyes of Liu Mo and others. There were more than one or two people who spoke ill of their own lord. If they were encountered, they would just be beaten and taught a lesson.

The general is a man who does great things, so there is naturally no need for him to bother himself with such matters. Otherwise, he would think that the troops in the Marquis of Guanjun's Mansion are just decorations.

Although he was speechless, Huo Xian still asked, "Just tell me, have the generals known about these discussions?"

Seeing Huo Xian being so serious, Liu Mo also became serious, "My Lord, I really don't know if the general knows about these things. My Lord, these things are not serious, right?"

"It doesn't matter. I don't have a good reputation there anyway." Huo Xian said with a smile, "I just need to know the situation. When I return to Chang'an, I'll see who is gossiping behind my back!"

Huo Xian was indeed unfamiliar with the city of Chang'an. Although he was born and raised in Chang'an, he was still unfamiliar with many things and even felt somewhat isolated.

Before the age of fifteen, he spent more time in the Weiyang Palace. After the age of fifteen, he could leave the palace, but basically he traveled between the military camp, the Marquis' Mansion, and the Weiyang Palace.

After the age of seventeen, he was on military campaigns for many years. In total, he spent less than three months in Chang'an each year. Therefore, he did not have time to fully understand the news in Chang'an before he had to go out again.

After all, communication is not particularly convenient in this day and age, and if some people pay attention to information isolation, it will take even longer to get to know things.

Emperor, it is normal for the emperor to do this. Even if the emperor likes Huo Xian, he is just a minister. Compared with the country, it is very obvious which is more important.

It was normal for the prince to do so, as Huo Xian was growing up too fast. Before he was seventeen, everyone only knew that he was loved by the emperor, but in recent years, he had won battles one after another and his prestige was getting higher and higher.

Being young and having a growing prestige is not necessarily a good thing. Especially when the emperor is getting older and the prince has not yet taken control of the court, this makes some people feel uneasy.

It is not the time to discard the donkey after it has done its job. No matter how you look at it, Huo Xian still needs to stay. Whether it is the emperor or the prince, Huo Xian should be an extremely important minister in their hands.

But such an important official must not have a good reputation. Whether in the officialdom or among the people, this important official should not have too high prestige.

I hope I am just overthinking things. The current situation doesn't seem to be that critical at all, so there is no need to worry too much.

However, Huo Xian also felt that he might need to consider staying in Chang'an for a longer time, otherwise many things would be known belatedly, or even deliberately concealed, which would be bad.

The Crown Prince and Cao Zong are now very close, and Huo Shan is the one who realized it later. Gongsun Jingsheng tricked him once, and he also realized it later. Even when the Emperor seemed to be testing the Crown Prince, Huo Shan was still slow to realize it.

He used to be a self-proclaimed know-it-all, and was smugly convinced that he knew everything. But now, looking back, many things are already known by others, and he is the only one who doesn't know.

This is obviously not good. The current situation is very delicate, and it may become even more delicate in the future.

If you are always so slow to react to things, problems are likely to arise!

(End of this chapter)