Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

At that time, Xu Fu reported that there were three sacred mountains in the sea, named Penglai, Fangzhang and Yingzhou, where immortals lived.

This also makes some of the mythological stories that have been circulated before more credible. At the end of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, many legends about immortals and the immortal realm were widely circulated among the people. Among them, the East China Sea Fairy Mountain and Kunlun Mountain were the most magical and the most widely circulated.

After so many years of development, and continuous enrichment and derivation in later generations, it will also become the source of the Chinese mythology system.

Liu Che had great expectations for Sanxian Mountain, but before that he felt a little depressed.

He guessed correctly. Huo Xian brought a dozen young women with him. Objectively speaking, they were all pretty. But they were not stunning either. They were just ordinary beauties.

This must have lacked appeal to Liu Che, as there was never a shortage of beautiful women around him.

Huo Xian said confidently, "Your Majesty, these are the beauties presented to you. I think they are young and pretty. But no matter how I look at them, I don't think these people are worthy of your Majesty's liking."

Liu Che did not comment on this and looked at Cao Zong, "Do you know these things?"

Cao Zong then became honest and replied, "Your Majesty, I know that the counties and prefectures have presented beauties and auspicious signs to me. But you stopped me, saying that I have to carefully examine them before reporting them to Your Majesty."

There is no doubt that Huo Xian was usurping the throne, but how could he stop the people and things that were being presented as tribute to the emperor?
But it is not a problem to say that Huo Xian was loyal to his duties, because the emperor had high vision and did not care about ordinary people and affairs, which saved him time and effort.

Huo Xian continued, "I am very experienced in doing things. I have accepted the people and the things. If the things are verified, I will send them to Your Majesty if they are useful. If they say that those people are cheating, I will have them beaten up."

Liu Che naturally knew that Huo Shan was exaggerating and would not beat anyone, but he would ask the officials to hold him accountable.

Huo Xian continued triumphantly, "Take the beauty too. Either send her back to Chang'an and let Her Majesty the Queen arrange for her, or keep her and send her to the residences of the marquises and generals."

There is naturally nothing wrong with such an arrangement. There was still a certain amount of population trading in the Western Han Dynasty, so don't talk about human rights and so on now. That is not realistic.

Most of these beauties will not enter the palace, but they will be sent to the mansions of the powerful. Whether they can make the class jump depends on their means and opportunities.

Liu Che was naturally a little disappointed that there was no impressive beauty, but he was used to it.

Liu Che was also clear about his own vision. He had seen all kinds of beauties when he was in Chang'an. This meant that the great beauties in the eyes of ordinary people were just that in his eyes.

Huo Xian rode away on his horse again. This time, Cao Zong accompanied the emperor. The emperor always needs a reliable general by his side.

Ma Heluo rode up on horseback and said in a flattering manner, "Sir, the road ahead is flat, we can go faster."

"I know." Huo Xian said calmly, "It's just that we are exhausted now. We have been out for more than two months. You are not tired, but many people just rely on their legs, which is not easy."

Ma Heluo was speechless for a moment. It was said that the Marquis of Guanjun was too noble to care about his people. Many people also felt that this young marquis simply could not see the hard work of his subordinates.

But if you think about it carefully, this may also be a misunderstanding. The relationship between Guanjun Hou and the rich and powerful is indeed ordinary. Guanjun Hou may not share the same joys and sorrows with some ordinary soldiers.

However, it seemed that Guanjun Hou never criticized the soldiers and others, and he could even be seen playing Cuju with some soldiers occasionally.

The answer is that this game has existed since the Warring States Period, and now it is used as a method of training troops in the Han Dynasty.

The first generation champion Hou Huo Qubing liked to play Cuju during the intervals between major battles, and the second generation champion Hou also liked this game.

Ma Heluo didn't care about Huo Xian's attitude and continued to flatter him, "Your Majesty said before that you are the best at understanding the emperor's intentions and that you will definitely bring in a beautiful woman as a tribute. It is really admirable that the emperor and his subjects know each other so well."

Huo Xian was a little surprised. "Did your majesty really say that I would bring the beauty with me?"

Ma Heluo seized the opportunity and said immediately, "How dare I speak nonsense in front of you, Your Excellency? Pingyang Hou and others were also here at the time. Your Excellency will know the answer if you ask."

Ma Heluo was not afraid of leaks, etc. This was not a leak at all. It was just that this Champion Marquis was too difficult to deal with. There were too many people who wanted to have a good relationship with him, but they couldn't find an opportunity.

The fact that the Marquis of Guanjun was harmonious but not sociable was a pity for many people, especially the imperial attendants, who were close to the emperor.

They are all Shizhong and close ministers of the emperor. They should have worked together to deal with those outer court officials, but Marquis Guanjun did not work together with them at all, nor did he have much contact with outer court officials. He just took care of himself.

Now that I have the opportunity to get closer to Guanjun Hou, I naturally cannot miss it.

Huo Xian glanced at Ma Heluo. He and his brother Ma Tong were both powerful figures. Especially Ma Tong, who rose rapidly in the army and was considered a promising newcomer.

In history, Ma Tong participated in the suppression of the rebellion of Crown Prince Li, and was therefore granted the title of Marquis of Chonghe.

As a result, when the emperor was clearing out the ministers who had participated in the suppression of Liu Ju, the Ma Heluo brothers ran to assassinate him in panic, but were captured alive by the vigilant Jin Midi.

Huo Xian had no opinion on Ma Heluo's current situation. "Your Majesty, don't always give advice. Your Majesty has his own arrangements. It's normal for you to want to please Your Majesty. I also want to please him, but I shouldn't be too flattering."

Ma Heluo was not angry at being lectured by Huo Xian, who was a few years younger than him. "Your Excellency is right. It is true that we were a little confused and did not arrange many things properly."

There is nothing wrong with saying this. To please the emperor and win his favor is something any minister would do.

Even Wei Qing and Huo Shan were not immune to this. After all, their wealth, property and life were almost entirely decided by the emperor. If they wanted to move up, they needed the emperor's trust.

It’s just that sometimes, some ministers do things too flatteringly and have no bottom line, which is the most annoying thing. Of course, some people may feel that their colleagues are involuntarily and have taken away opportunities.

When the emperor went on tour this time, many ministers felt that this was an opportunity to curry favor with the emperor, especially some close ministers, who kept offering suggestions and advice, and what they did did not seem like the pillars of the court, but rather like flatterers.

Huo Xian continued, "Where is your brother Ma Tong now?"

Ma Heluo immediately replied, "He is now serving as a general under the command of Marquis Haixi. He was originally a captain of the Southern Army and has always wanted to follow you into battle, but unfortunately he has no such luck."

Although following Li Guangli was not bad, he was still a great general in the army. Although he was only a general of miscellaneous title, he was one of the few generals in the Han Dynasty in recent years, not to mention that he had led the army alone. Huo Xian nodded and said, "That's not bad, why didn't you go when we fought in the Western Regions before?"

Ma Heluo said with some regret, "Before that, he followed the Marquis of Haixi to garrison Dunhuang, hoping that the Marquis would provide support. He only returned to Chang'an after falling ill, and thus missed the opportunity to fight the enemy with the Marquis."

This is Ma Heluo's regret, and it is also Ma Tong's regret, as they feel that the opportunity to be granted a title of nobility has been missed.

Before Huo Xian's battle in the Western Regions, although Li Guangli did not perform well and even did not make it to the battle, he still made some contributions and was impeccable in executing military orders.

If you perform well under Li Guangli, you might be appreciated by the Marquis of Guanjun.

Huo Xian still had a noncommittal attitude. Ma Tong was now considered a senior general in the army. In Chang'an and in the Northern and Southern armies, he could be a colonel, which meant he was a senior military officer. This was not the situation at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty when there were all kinds of generals everywhere.

But even so, if one wants to have his name remembered in front of Huo Xian, a captain is obviously not good enough. Various captains, generals with miscellaneous titles, and even some marquises are also trying hard to show themselves.

Because anyone with a discerning eye can see that in the next few years or even decades, if nothing unexpected happens, it will definitely be Champion Hou who will lead the army. Not only does he have the emperor's trust, he also has sufficient ability.

Even if the emperor changed, Marquis Guanjun would still be the number one person in the military and the most reliable arm of the new emperor in holding military power.

Huo Xian and Ma Heluo were chatting. Even though they didn't seem to have much contact with each other, they were familiar with each other and could be considered colleagues. Even though Huo Xian seemed to be aloof and unsociable, and didn't care about the ways of the world, it didn't mean he had no emotional intelligence.

Soon, a guard came to summon him, "Sir, His Majesty has summoned you."

Huo Xian immediately turned his horse around. Looking at Huo Xian galloping on his horse, Ma Heluo and others were extremely envious.

Huo Guang was not envious now, but full of worry. He saw his nephew riding a horse and galloping towards him. Before the horse stopped, his nephew jumped off the horse.

Even if he is an excellent rider, he can't be like this. He needs to be steady when necessary. This kid is too flamboyant and won't hold back at all.

Huo Xian walked straight to the carriage and asked, "Your Majesty, is there something you want me to do?"

Liu Che's voice came from the carriage, "Come up and talk."

Huo Xian immediately jumped on the carriage. The emperor's carriage was very spacious. "Your Majesty, I looked ahead and saw that the road ahead was smooth and there were some small villages and towns along the way. We can go and take a look."

Liu Che nodded and said, "Okay, you go and take care of the arrangements. Make sure that the people below do not go there early. I want to see with my own eyes how the people of the Han Dynasty live."

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid it's too late now." Huo Xian said directly, "Even if we don't notify them in advance, there must be some arrangements for the villages and towns along the way."

It is true that incognito visits are a way to observe people's livelihood up close. Just going there without saying hello can also allow you to see more clearly. This is indeed true.

But no matter how you look at it, even if the villages and towns along the way are not fully prepared, they will at least do some advance preparation for the "reception". It is impossible for local officials not to consider the issue of the emperor sending people to inspect.

There is definitely no harm in being more prepared, even if it seems like some of your work is in vain. It is always better than being caught, when it will be too late to regret.

Liu Che naturally understood this and said, "No matter how hard these people try to cover up, they can't hide everything. If I want to see it, I can see it!"

Huo Xian had no doubt about this. If the emperor went on an inspection tour, he would definitely see some things. By seeing the whole thing from a small part, he would naturally be able to understand a lot of things.

Huo Xian never doubted the emperor's ability, and believed that many officials could understand this truth.

Now that he knew what to do, Huo Xian made arrangements and said, "Then I will take my trusted followers with me and let Cao Zong select some people. We will go there with a small group and will be back in just half a day."

Liu Che nodded, quite satisfied with this arrangement. "This is a good arrangement, but there are some things that Cao Zong doesn't need to do in the future. He can just lead the Southern Army, and don't let him interfere in the palace guards."

This cannot be blamed on Huo Xian. It was not that he was suppressing Cao Zong. In fact, he was thinking about helping his good brother if there was any benefit.

But it is obvious that in the eyes of the emperor, Cao Zong, a marquis and relative by marriage, also has special arrangements and he still has to keep a certain distance.

A close minister of the emperor like Huo Shan can be a general if he is released, which is still unique at present. Huo Shan can take up any important or trusted position and has no problem holding multiple positions.

Huo Xian lowered his voice and whispered, "Your Majesty, this means Cao Zong must be sad. After all, he is your cousin's son!"

"Why, my grandson dares to complain?" Liu Che said jokingly, "You can't tell good from bad. If he stays in front of me for a long time, shouldn't you be squeezed out?"

Huo Xian didn't think so. "Your Majesty, what can there be between me and Cao Zong? Although we both come from wealthy families and are both young heroes, it's just that I have a good relationship with him."

"It's because we have a good relationship that I can't put you both in front of me at the same time." Seeing that Huo Shan still didn't understand, Liu Che said helplessly, "Shan'er, you have to remember this. From now on, when the crown prince is in charge, you can only be the Grand Marshal and the General of the Cavalry."

Huo Xian scratched his face and asked, "Your Majesty, my relationship with my cousin is also good."

"It's good, but he values ​​you. That's because you are capable and helpful to him." Liu Che explained patiently, "In terms of closeness, Cao Zong is closer to him because he is his nephew."

Huo Xian naturally understood the reason. Although the emperor might not care so much about family affection, blood relationship could be considered sometimes. Liu Ju was indeed closer to Cao Zong.

Huo Xian did not take it seriously. He did have a good relationship with Liu Ju, and he would have enough weight in the court in the future.

At most, he would not be as "willful" as he is now, and he would have to be more restrained. This did not matter, after all, Huo Xian's current appearance was more or less a "personality", a disguise to please the emperor.

This will be a worry for the future. It is impossible for Huo Shan to remain unchanged and think that the methods that were effective on Liu Che will also be very effective on Liu Ju.

Now we should consider some more practical things, such as how to accompany the emperor to inspect the people's livelihood, and perhaps also offer suggestions at the appropriate time.

The emperor's superstition and his enjoyment need to be dissuaded! (End of this chapter)