Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 74 What a Dandy Should Look Like

Guanglu Xun Xu Ziwei and Changping Hou's son Wei Kang began to head north, bringing with them some laborers and craftsmen to build a city across the border.

Huo Xian wrapped his cloak tightly around him, jumped off his horse and ran straight to the mansion.

"My Lord, drink your ginger tea." Han Yunniang brought the ginger tea and said, "I added some sugar on purpose, it should suit your taste."

Huo Xian picked up the ginger tea and took a sip. "It's really good. Have you been feeling comfortable in the mansion these days?"

Han Yunniang smiled and said, "I feel comfortable in the mansion. I can read books and do needlework in my spare time. I don't have to please everyone. The people in the mansion are also friendly."

Huo Xian said jokingly, "That's true. I have no rules here, so you don't have to be careful everywhere."

Just as he said there were no rules, Chen Ju came running over in a hurry, "My Lord, the spearhead you requested is ready!"

Chen Ju came running over happily, holding a spear with a sharp blade in his hand. Looking at it carefully, he found that there were eight sides, which meant the blade had been sharpened.

Huo Xian looked at it carefully, then approved and said, "This must have been made by someone using sword-making skills. The eight sides are not that good."

"If you want to use it, then it must be the best!" Chen Ju said as a matter of course, "Your Majesty, is this a little long?"

Because the sharp edge of the lance head is about 60 centimeters long, the lance handle and the lance head need to be equipped with an oblong hammer, which adds up to more than 80 centimeters.

Huo Xian smiled and said, "Not long. My halberd is longer than ordinary guns and spears. Remember to add some iron nails or iron teeth to the hoop."

There is nothing to worry about the spear head, the main thing is the spear handle. We are still constantly improving the craftsmanship and spending a lot of money to make a spear handle for Huo Xian that is tough enough and not too heavy.

"The Crown Prince had someone send us armor earlier." Chen Ju continued, "The last time you went to war, your armor was a little damaged."

Huo Xian was immediately amused, "Why is my armor damaged?"

Chen Ju said seriously, "How come there is no damage? The heavy armor plates on the outside are damaged in several places, some of them have arrow holes, and the chain mail inside is cracked!"

"Okay, okay, let's change it." Huo Xian also complained speechlessly, "My heavy armor outside and chain mail inside, each one of them is a good thing!"

Han Yunniang advised, "Your Majesty is of noble status. No matter how good the armor is, it is not worthy of you. Armor is for self-defense. How can you not respect yourself?"

Chen Ju immediately found the gorgeous woman more pleasing to his eyes. Originally he thought that she was too gorgeous, but he didn't say much.

But now, those who can advise you and respect you are good people!
"You don't understand." Huo Xian explained, "When ordinary soldiers go into battle, if their armor is damaged, they just replace the armor. My armor doesn't have any major damage, so I replaced it all right away."

Han Yunniang continued to persuade him, "Your Excellency is of noble status, how can you care about a set of armor? The damaged armor can be given to others, how can you take the risk!"

Chen Ju now liked Han Yunniang even more. He also meant the same thing. The prince's armor should be the best. If it is damaged, you can't just replace the armor pieces. The best way is to replace the whole thing.

As for the damaged ones, just give them to others. They are priceless treasures.

Huo Xian smiled and did not argue, because there was no point in saying anything.

Huo Xian looked at Chen Ju and asked, "Have those carpenters I found been able to make a plow?"

"Not yet." Chen Ju replied, "What they made is not easy to use and not flexible. Go and have a look in a few days. Those people are all fools!"

No matter how clever and skilled the craftsmen were, Chen Ju still thought they were stupid. The prince had said how to make a plow, but the craftsmen hadn't made it yet.

It only shows that other people are stupid, not that your idea is wrong.

Huo Xian was not surprised. "It still needs to be improved. I only know the appearance. I need to continue to study the inner qualities. Let's wait and see."

Technological inventions are not that easy. Huo Xian knew about the curved plow, but he only had its shape. He was still not very clear about the series of internal components, and he was still constantly trying.

At this time, he is the only one who can grasp the general direction and let the craftsmen make continuous adjustments, research, improvements and deepening.

This matter is urgent, but it is also not urgent.

Improving productivity and improving labor efficiency are naturally very important things.

Using the current method of plowing the fields with two oxen pulling a pole, not much can be plowed in a day.

As for some people saying that although grain production was low in ancient times, the per capita land area was large, etc., that is too unreasonable.

Without harvesters, tillers, etc., a farmer's family of four may not be able to take care of more than ten acres of land. Farming is a matter of time, so how can you take it slow?
Huo Xian is now thinking about manufacturing the curved plow as soon as possible and promoting it earlier, so that more land can be reclaimed and more food can be produced for the Han people.

Fighting a war is a test of comprehensive national strength. Without sufficient national strength to support it, the country will eventually be in turmoil and the people will suffer.

Huo Xian still has some sense of urgency, but he doesn't run around heartlessly all day long.

Gongsun Jingsheng ran over happily, "Shan'er, the general and his men will be able to return to the capital within 15 days!"

"Uncle, congratulations." Huo Xian said jokingly, "By then, you will be the son of a marquis and will be able to inherit the title in the future."

Although the rewards had not yet been announced, everyone thought that Gongsun Ao and Gongsun He could be reinstated this time. Including Zhao Anguo, this time four marquises were conferred in one battle.

The title of Marquis of Wei Kang was also won by Wei Qing.

Gongsun Jingsheng asked hurriedly, "But there are rumors outside that His Majesty is unwilling to give more rewards. Can the title be restored?"

"Yes, uncle, don't worry. We have made great achievements this time." Huo Xian said, "How can the general and I report our military achievements falsely? Who of those who inspected the military achievements is dissatisfied now?"

Gongsun Jingsheng also understood this truth, but no one could figure out what His Majesty meant.

"Xian'er, I'll take you hunting in a couple of days." Gongsun invited respectfully, "Go hunting bears and tigers in winter, when the fur is dense and soft."

Huo Xian's eyes lit up, and he looked forward to it. "Count me in! It's a pity that I didn't go hunting in the fall. I just happen to be free, so I'll go hunting in a couple of days."

Hunting is one of the main forms of entertainment for wealthy families in this era.

Even though he had a beautiful woman by his side all day long in the mansion, or watched singing and dancing, it was fine for a day or two.

But it won't be good for a long time, Huo Xian still likes exciting and interesting life. Hunting is really addictive.

Gongsun Jingsheng was even happier when he heard Huo Xian agreed. He also knew that Huo Xian was hard to invite to a banquet, let alone a hunting party.

Looking at Gongsun Jingsheng who left happily, Huo Xian also felt a little helpless.

Everyone says he is a playboy and so on, but Gongsun Jingsheng is a true playboy. Not only does he like eating, drinking and having fun, he also likes to associate with the children of some powerful families.

If one day Gongsun Jingsheng really extended his claws to military expenditures, Huo Shan might have to "execute Ma Su with tears".

Only then will some cracks appear in the so-called Weihuo Group.

Now the general Wei Qing was naturally shocked, and Gongsun Ao, Gongsun He and others did not dare to have other thoughts. Zhao Po Nu and others also gathered around Huo Xian more and more.

Although the subordinates of Marquis Changping and Marquis Guanjun disliked each other, that was also the case with "there is no first in literature and no second in martial arts", and they all wanted to prove that they were more powerful and get more resources.

However, since Huo Shan was able to mobilize some of Wei Qing's subordinates, Wei Qing could naturally also mobilize the subordinates of Huo Qubing and Huo Shan.

The real boss of the Weihuo Group has no conflicts, and some of his subordinates have some minor conflicts, which are actually not worth mentioning. They will not stop it because it will make the emperor happy.

Since he was planning to go hunting, Huo Xian returned to the palace again.

Seeing Huo Xian's anxious look, Liu Che asked, "Why are you in such a hurry? Are you worried about something?"

"Find a bow." Huo Xian said shamelessly, "I'm going to go hunting and find a bow that matches my status."

Liu Che was amused, "You are a military marquis, claiming to be skilled in archery and horse riding, but you can't even draw a bow?"

"Of course I have bows in my house, but they are not worthy of my status." Huo Xian was almost rummaging through the boxes and cabinets. While looking at the bows hanging on the wall, he said, "The bows in my house are either too soft or too hard, or they are for riding and shooting, not for hunting."

Huo Xian is not making this up. Bows are divided into three types: Huben bow, eagle bow, horn bow, road bow, strong bow and so on.

There will be short bows with average power but suitable for mass production, long bows for infantry combat, horn bows for cavalry combat, and short bows for hunting and the imperial guards.

If one is concerned about status, some bows may be made with luxurious craftsmanship, such as lacquer bows.

“Don’t rummage around!” Seeing Huo Xian was about to take the bow, Liu Che became anxious, “You can’t use that bow. I’ll find you another one!”

"I want a lacquered bow. It seems that this trip has been to some powerful people." Huo Xian took down the bow and tugged at it, ignoring Liu Che's attempts to stop him. "It's a little hard, I'll take it back in two years!"

Liu Che was helpless against Huo Xian's shamelessness, "Chun Tuo, go get some bows!"

Still not satisfied, Liu Che scolded, "General Huqi, you don't care about military affairs, but go hunting with those playboys. Is there anyone like you?"

"There is no military affairs for me to worry about right now. What else can I do if I don't go hunting?" Huo Xian said, "How about I help Your Majesty to discuss the mobilization of the army? We will definitely need to mobilize troops to attack Dayuan next year."

Liu Che immediately scolded, "Go hunting, you are not allowed to interfere in this matter!"

"I was talking about business, but His Majesty didn't allow me to interfere. I wanted to hunt, but His Majesty said I wasn't doing my job." Huo Xian complained, "I knew His Majesty urgently summoned the general back just to conquer Dayuan."

Madam Li, who was sitting on the side, was secretly delighted. It seemed that His Majesty still doted on her!

Liu Che smiled and said, "You are the only one in the world who can guess my thoughts the best. I asked the general to come back because I was thinking about Dayuan. Go hunting and don't say anything!"

Huo Xian said, "What if someone asks me to go hunting?"

Liu Che smiled and said, "If you make blind promises, you can just fulfill them yourself. If you don't make promises, how can those people force you?"

Seeing that Huo Xian was silent, Liu Che said proudly, "There is no need to test me. I have my own ideas on how to attack Dayuan. I don't need you, General Huqi, to do it for me!"

(End of this chapter)