Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Huo Xian was very adept at negotiating terms with the emperor, and everyone else was used to it.

As for Liu Che, he treated these things with a normal attitude and did not think there was any problem at all. As long as it was not too out of line, he would accept it all. Even if it was a little out of line, he would discuss it carefully.

Special matters need special treatment. It is one thing, but the main thing is that Liu Che himself broke the rules many times.

It is acceptable for close people to bargain with him over small matters.

As for the emperor's banquet, it was even more common in everyone's eyes. After all, everyone knew that the emperor liked to enjoy himself. Even though the treasury was empty, it did not stop the emperor from enjoying himself.

It's nothing more than that this time the Queen, the Crown Prince and others are also invited to the banquet, which is a relatively rare thing. In the past, in such occasions, the presence of the Queen and the Crown Prince would not be considered first.

Wei Zifu came over holding Huo Wuyou and asked quietly, "Is the general here?"

Liu Ju and Liu Jin hurriedly saluted. This father and son had a good reputation in the court and the country because they usually performed well.

In terms of etiquette alone, ten Huo Xian tied together are not as good as either Liu Ju or Liu Jin.

Liu Ju immediately replied, "I came. I didn't want to trouble him, but the general insisted on coming."

Wei Zifu sighed and said, "General, Shan'er is wholeheartedly for you and me. As for today's incident, Shan'er is worried that there is some rift between you and His Majesty."

Liu Ju fiddled with Huo Wuyou's little hand and said, "I have seen everything the general and Shan'er have done. They have been working hard to ensure that my position as crown prince has been secure over the years."

Liu Ju had long understood this truth. If it were not for the continuous efforts of Wei Qing and Huo Shan, his current position as crown prince might not be so secure.

With Wei Qing as a stabilizing force, those evil spirits, monsters and demons basically did not dare to have any ideas about the prince.

Huo Xian was a loyal minister to the emperor, but anyone with a discerning eye could see that he only recognized the crown prince. If anyone showed any evil intentions towards the crown prince, the Marquis of Guanjun would really kill them with a knife.

What's more, Wei Qing advised the emperor on the basis of righteousness, and Huo Shan acted as a mediator between the two sides. These were things seen by many people, and these things were never concealed.

When they arrived at the main hall, Wei Zifu asked, "Where are your majesty and the Marquis of Guanjun?"

A eunuch immediately replied, "Your Highness, the Champion Marquis has gone to get some snacks, and he is taking Your Majesty with him."

Liu Ju took a closer look at the table and immediately said in dissatisfaction, "You have no sense of propriety for the food that the Champion Marquis likes to eat? Is this little bit enough for him to eat?"

Wei Zifu was also a little dissatisfied. Everyone knew some of Huo Xian's hobbies. Now it was indeed prepared, but it still seemed a little insufficient.

The eunuch quickly explained, "Your Majesty the Queen and Your Majesty the Crown Prince, the prince is angry and said that he ate too much tonic food in the past few days, so he lost some weight. But the prince didn't want to eat less, so he dragged His Majesty to the kitchen."

At this point, Wei Zifu and Liu Ju were speechless. They thought that when Huo Shan could control his mouth, he would be truly mature.

But think about it, it's not necessarily the case. Some people can't control their mouths even when they are old. It's really nothing that Huo Xian likes to eat snacks.
Zhang Cang, who followed Liu Bang in conquering the world, was also a powerful figure. In his later years, he had no teeth in his mouth and could only survive by drinking human milk, so he let some women serve as his wet nurses.

He had many wives and concubines, about a hundred of them. He no longer had sex with any of them who had become pregnant or given birth to children. Zhang Cang finally died when he was over a hundred years old.

The "anecdotes" about this prime minister and the Marquis of Beiping are also talked about with great relish, but there are reasons for this. However, many people only focus on the curious part.

Therefore, Huo Xian felt at ease in many cases. Compared with those done by some powerful people, his deeds were nothing but insignificant things and were not worth mentioning at all.

The weak Wei Qing was supported to the palace, and Liu Ju hurriedly arranged, "Hurry up and prepare some charcoal for the general."

Wei Qing smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am just not very mobile, so I am not too worried."

"The general is afraid of cold and heat, and he can't move around too much. How can I not worry?" Liu Ju complained, "You are really a fool. Shan'er wants to see Chu Wu, so why did you come here?"

Wei Qing smiled and said, "It's rare that he wants to watch singing and dancing, so I came to join in the fun. Xian'er is not feeling very safe, and although she looks like nothing has happened, she is actually very anxious."

As a general, Wei Qing could understand Huo Shan's current condition very well.

Even for an invincible general, it is normal to be very anxious before a battle. Sleepless nights and extreme anxiety are also the norm before some major battles.

Wei Qing was like this, and Huo Xian was not much better. It was not because they were worried about the war or had no confidence in victory. It was simply because the war was coming and they would definitely be nervous.

What's more, they have to pretend to be confident and calm on the surface to stabilize the morale of the army. All of this is indeed a huge pressure for many generals.

It is also very common for a general to be exhausted and physically broken after a war, or for a general to fall ill directly after a war. In the final analysis, it means that their physical and mental limits have been collapsed.

Liu Ju was also well aware of this and whispered, "He has been busy eating and sleeping these days, and no one has said anything about him. Shan'er was not like this during the previous expedition."

"This battle is different. Xian'er naturally takes it seriously." Wei Qing sighed and said, "If it were me, I'm afraid I wouldn't be better than him."

Liu Ju had nothing to say, because this was the decisive battle with the Huns. The significance of this war did not need to be explained, and everyone knew it.

The safety of an army of more than 100,000 directly affected the future direction of the Han and Xiongnu countries. Needless to say, the pressure on a young man in his early twenties like Huo Xian was natural.

So now everyone seems to be more tolerant of him, even a little indulgent.

I love him very much, so it doesn't matter if I give in a little more at this time. Even if he makes some seemingly ridiculous requests, it doesn't matter.

Wei Zifu also smiled and said, "Xian'er may be noisy, but he knows his limits. The last time he saw Chu Wu, was it in Bowang Garden?"

Liu Ju smiled and nodded, "It's been more than a year. I arranged it last time. He went to Bowang Garden to help me recruit talents. I don't think he is very enthusiastic about Chu Wu. The mansion still doesn't have any singers or dancers."

"It would be best to send a few cooks, but it's a pity that the cooks in his mansion are better." Wei Qing complained with a smile, "This child doesn't really like anything. I think he just likes fighting." For a moment, Wei Zifu and Liu Ju didn't know what to say, because this seemed to be the fact.

It seems that there is nothing wrong with Huo Xian liking beautiful women, but he just likes those who are more gorgeous and charming. At first glance, you might think he is a lustful person.

But if you really understand Huo Xian, you will know that he is not that keen on women. Most of the time it is just instinct, or you can say it is a physiological need.

It seems to be true that he is greedy and loves gourmet food. But when the army is outside, one bite is enough, and he is not so particular about food. Huo Xian is only picky when he is in Chang'an.

Even if Chu Wu was good, it would be fine if the Guanjun Marquis's Mansion did not keep dancers. Some powerful people wanted to "please the emperor" by offering dancers, but Huo Xian basically refused them directly.

Some of his hobbies are often superficial, and his real passion is fighting.

So it is okay to say that Huo Xian is a playboy, but if you really think that he only knows how to enjoy himself and that you can control him in this way, then you are obviously thinking too much.

As they were talking, Liu Che's voice of complaint could be heard, "Your mouth is already blistered, and you're still eating! Just keep it warm. I think you'll get sick from eating this way and that sooner or later!"

"I'd rather eat myself sick than go hungry." Huo Xian's voice sounded confident, "Being able to eat is a blessing. Eating delicious food is a real enjoyment. The worst that can happen is that you'll just roll around on the bed afterwards."

Such shameless and willful words make others not know what to say, and these twisted logics seem to have some effect.

After all, for greedy people, taking some risks is nothing in order to satisfy their appetite.

Seeing Liu Che, everyone also saluted. They were all close to the emperor, but the etiquette between the emperor and his subjects was obviously necessary.

Liu Che waved his hand and said, "No need to be so polite. It's rare for the general to be willing to enter the palace."

Huo Xian followed up and said, "Your Majesty, the general is even more reluctant to enter the palace than I am. I can still appreciate the Chu dance, but the general doesn't understand it very well. Only by talking to him can he understand the beauty of the Chu dance."

Wei Qing smiled and said, "Marquis Guanjun still underestimated me. When it comes to the beauty of Chu dance, I can still see some of it, but not as well as Marquis Guanjun."

Liu Che also laughed, pointed at Wei Qing and said, "You? I think it's hard for you to explain clearly. You know everything about the army and the court. When it comes to eating, drinking, singing and dancing, you are not as good as Qubing and Shen'er."

Huo Xian immediately said, "General, do you know which part of mutton is the fattest and tenderest? The big one is called 'chao', and the small one is called 'he'. You definitely don't know either."

Seeing Wei Qing shaking his head, Huo Xian said proudly, "I can tell whether the sheng has nineteen reeds, seventeen reeds, or thirteen reeds. I can also tell when it borrows the sound."

Liu Ju laughed and said jokingly, "Xian'er, you are bragging when you say that, right? I see that you can only distinguish the solo and the harmony, and you may not even be able to tell when they are just filling in the gaps."

Liu Che laughed and pointed at Liu Ju, "You see through it but don't say it. He likes to show off in front of the general to show off his ability. Now that you've revealed it, how can he show off in front of the general?"

"Father," Liu Ju said with a smile, "If we point this out, Shan'er will find other things to brag about. The general doesn't know many things, and Shan'er has learned a lot. He will always find something that we are not good at to compare with you and me."

Everyone else also smiled and nodded. There was absolutely nothing wrong with what Liu Ju said.

Every man has his own strengths and weaknesses. Huo Xian is best at comparing his own strengths with the weaknesses of others. He just listens to what others are good at and will definitely not compare them.

So it’s no problem to say that he won against Ma, because before some competitions, Huo Xian had already put himself in an invincible position.

"Bring Wuyou here." Liu Che said to Wei Zifu with a smile, "I haven't seen this child for a few days. At first glance, it seems that he has gained some weight."

With Huo Xian by his side, Liu Che naturally would not pay much attention to Huo Wuyou. There is nothing to say about this.

Wei Zifu smiled and said, "Wuyou has grown up a bit, and now looks more and more like Shan'er, especially her eyes. I think they are more lively than Shan'er's, and can even be compared with Qubing."

Liu Che became even more excited when he heard this. "Bring him here so I can take a good look. Shan'er is still not as sick as before. Shan'er is more handsome and looks like his mother."

Huo Wuyou was still very supportive. He didn't cry when Liu Che held him. He just stared at Liu Che's face with some vigilance, his little fists clenched tightly and his brows slightly furrowed. This was an unfamiliar stranger, whom he didn't know.

"This child." Liu Che was in a good mood, looking at Huo Wuyou's chubby face and said, "The eyes look like he has recovered. If he loses weight, he will probably look like Shan'er, or more delicate."

Huo Xian smiled and said, "It would be good if she looks like me. If she doesn't, then I'd be worried."

Not to mention Liu Che, Wei Zifu and others couldn't help but roll their eyes at Huo Shan. This child sometimes just doesn't seem to grow up. He's already in his early twenties, but sometimes he speaks in an impatient and heartless manner.

"Okay, take him away." Liu Che said with a smile, "It seems that he doesn't like me holding him. If he really cries, it will be difficult to comfort him. The offspring of Shan'er will definitely love to cry, and will quarrel with others when he cries."

Huo Shan was still confused, but Wei Zifu and others all laughed. These were their common topics, and probably referred to some of Huo Shan's behaviors when he was a child.

Everyone was used to the fact that Liu Che just hugged Huo Wuyou for a little while. Being able to hug him for a little while already showed love for the whole family.

When Huo Qubing was alive, Huo Shan was just given a name by the emperor, without any mention of how much he loved her.

After Huo Qubing passed away, Huo Shan was immediately brought into the palace. Even though she was just a little kid of two or three years old, the emperor loved her very much.

The atmosphere seemed quite good, which was enough for many people, and it seemed to be the most meaningful thing. The emperor liked the prince more, which was enough to stabilize the hearts of many people.

The fact that the empress, who has not seen the emperor for many years, can now laugh and talk about it would be a shock to many people. This is enough to show that in the emperor's heart, the status of the empress and the prince is irreplaceable.

Even if some people seem to be very favored now, they are just ministers. How can they easily chat and laugh with the emperor?

What's more, look at the generals and the marquis, they are all powerful assistants of the empress and the prince, and their influence on the emperor is also very great.

So if you want to do something to the Queen and the Crown Prince, first consider whether you have the ability to replace the General and the Marquis of Guanjun. (End of this chapter)