The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 108: Seeking a Position
The kings were given titles, but the civil and military officials did not seem to have much to say about it.

The main reason is that all this was already expected and it was inevitable.

Even in the Song Dynasty, which was relatively strict with royal family members, the princes and grandsons of the emperor still received titles.

But now many people are feeling uneasy and are looking forward to the next highlight.

The enthronement of the prince has little to do with them, but the enthronement of meritorious officials is closely related to the interests of many people.

Countless civil servants and military generals are eagerly waiting. Even though everyone is aware of their own contributions, who doesn't hope to get a higher title?

Especially those whose contributions are not particularly significant, or those who think they can go to a higher level.

At this time, we definitely hope to make a sprint, maybe a miracle will happen!

Ma Xunan lived a stable life at home, because many things had nothing to do with him and he did not think he had such a status.

But this is obviously just what he thinks. In the eyes of others, this uncle of the king still has some weight.

Say a few nice words, help and plead, and not only will you be promoted, you might even get a higher rank.

"Uncle, Li Xiang is here." Chang Mao ran over and reported the news, "And Uncle Tang and Uncle Tang are here too."

Ma Xun felt speechless because apart from Tang He, he didn't have a very good relationship with the rest of the people.

The so-called Huaixi nobles were not necessarily a monolithic group; some of them had closer relationships than others.

No matter how much you complain, you still need to show enthusiasm on the surface. As the saying goes, don't hit a smiling person.

What's more, Ma Xun is a so-called good man who seems to have a good relationship with everyone, so he can't just refuse visitors.

"Prime Minister Li." Ma Xun was very enthusiastic, "Brother Tang, Brother Tang."

This is the advantage of being young. When you meet someone, you call him "big brother". There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. The more courtesy you show, the less blame you will get.

Be polite. It won't hurt to say something nice.

As for the so-called face or no face, it has long been unimportant to Ma Xun.

Li Shanchang smiled and joked, "Everyone knows that the king likes quietness. He didn't even offer us a sip of hot tea when we, the bad guests, came to visit."

Tang He said carelessly, "Prime Minister Li, you are joking. I have always been a humble and polite person. Even if I don't like someone, as long as I enter his house, I will still give him a cup of tea."

Li Shanchang and others thought it made sense. No matter how little respect was given, superficial courtesy was still necessary.

Then Chang Mao next to him spoke up, "Last time Yang Xian came home, my uncle didn't serve him tea. My uncle is just feeding the donkey here, there's not even a seat."

Li Shanchang and others were stunned for a moment. This was really unexpected for them. After all, everyone knew that the king's uncle had a good temper.

Try not to offend anyone if you can, but I didn't expect that he was too lazy to even be polite to the once popular Zhongshu Zuocheng.

Ma Xun immediately said to Chang Mao, "Go make some tea, it's none of your business. When adults are talking, children should not interrupt."

Seeing Chang Mao leaving happily, Li Shanchang and others were all laughing.

Chang Yuchun looks like a rough man, but he has a meticulous mind. Just look at the kids from the Chang family and you will know.

This means we have become real relatives with the King's uncle, so there is no need to be polite at all.

Ma Xun explained cheerfully, "That man is not from Huaixi, and he said bad things about Baoer in front of me, so I don't bother to pay attention to him."

Look, this makes sense and there is nothing wrong with it.

Li Shanchang immediately smiled and said, "That's true. That person has always been domineering. He got carried away with a little power. He deserves his current fate."

Tang He and Tang Shengzong both nodded. Although Yang Xian was executed, these people in Huaixi would not feel sad. Not only did they have no dealings with each other, but there were even some conflicts of interest.

Tang He, Li Shanchang and others were obviously not bad guests, and they could not just talk in the yard, otherwise if Wangcai suddenly yelled, something would be wrong.

Especially what Chang Mao said just now, if he continued in the yard, it would definitely make people think too much.

Although Chang Mao is not a good talker, fortunately he is quite capable. When he saw everyone sitting down, he served them tea in a proper manner, spoke sweetly and called people over.

Li Shanchang got straight to the point and said, "We are about to confer honors on our meritorious officials. I wonder what the uncle-in-law thinks?"

Ma Xun spoke the truth, "I am quite ashamed to say this. In my early years, I did not know that I was related to Her Majesty the Queen, and I have been wandering outside and have never served Your Majesty. Now, because of my late father and the Queen, I am said to be granted a title. I am really ashamed."

Li Shanchang said quickly, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. You have treated Her Majesty the Queen and His Majesty the Crown Prince with your skillful hands. This is a great contribution to the country."

Tang He and Tang Shengzong also nodded repeatedly, with expressions showing approval. They did not think that these were just polite remarks, but facts.

Li Shanchang continued, "Prince uncle led his army to rush to Qingyang at full speed. Everyone in the army knew that it was Mu Ying and Lan Yu under the command of the prince uncle who were the first to break into the city!"

Emperor Shengzong of Tang also flattered him, saying, "The Battle of Qingyang was so hard. General Xu besieged the city for three months but failed to break it. It was really the king's uncle who commanded the troops like a god. Not only did he break the city, but he also captured and killed Zhang Liangchen and his son!" If Li Shanchang hadn't looked so sincere, Ma Xun would have thought he was being sarcastic.

Don't hit someone in the face. Everyone knows what the rescue of Qingyang is all about.

Tang He added fuel to the fire, "It's also thanks to my kindness, otherwise we would have to go and pay tribute to Old Chang!"

Tang Dazui, just stop talking!

Chang Mao beside him nodded vigorously. His uncle was really amazing. Not only was he good at fighting, but his medical skills were also amazing.

He is worthy of being the number one expert in the Ming Dynasty!

After the pleasantries, Li Shanchang continued, "Your Majesty once summoned me to discuss the matter of conferring titles on meritorious officials, but that was more than a year ago. Now that I think about it, some of the things I said are inappropriate."

Ma Xun kept silent. His principle was to avoid such sensitive matters if possible.

What's more, some people have bad intentions and it's obvious that they want to use him as a tool.

There is no interest involved. Why should I charge into battle for your sake? I have used up my favors to help you.

Such a loss-making business cannot be done. Ma Xun understands this truth.

Seeing that Ma Xun remained silent, some people were obviously unable to sit still because their own interests were at stake.

Tang Shengzong pretended to be curious and asked, "Prime Minister Li, what's wrong with this? In the beginning, we followed the emperor to conquer the world. Those of us who are lucky enough to live to this day also know what merits we have made and what titles we can get."

Li Shanchang sighed and said, "Let's talk about Feng Sheng. He made some contributions in the past few years, and now it seems that he is capable. But this man is really rampant. Look at what he has done!"

Tang Shengzong suddenly realized and said, "That's true. I don't really accept the title of Duke. I followed him to the throne earlier. When I fought in Chizhou and Poyang Lake and defeated Chen Youliang, I made much more contributions than him!"

This is true. In his early years, Tang Shengzong's position in the army was definitely higher than Feng Sheng's.

Seeing that Ma Xun was silent, Tang Shengzong continued, "Let's say this Northern Expedition is also about conquering Bianliang and recovering Yan'an!"

Ma Xun still didn't say anything, mainly because the people in the army were so powerful. Who didn't have some contributions?

Tang He suddenly chimed in, "If Feng Sheng can be made Duke, then so can I!"

No one could find fault with the fact that Xu Da, Chang Yuchun, Li Wenzhong and Deng Yu were conferred the title of Duke of the State. Their contributions were so great and their prestige was sufficient.

Although Li Shanchang was a civil servant, no one could deny his contributions.

Even the controversial point about Ma Xun's title was that it was too low, not too high.

Now all the civil and military officials in the court knew that Ma Xun was at most a Duke, but Zhu Yuanzhang had previously posthumously conferred the title of Prince of Xu on Ma Taigong, which was the rank of prince.

That is Feng Sheng, who is currently causing quite a bit of controversy.

Tang Shengzong continued, "If he was conferred the title of Duke, it was all for the sake of Military Advisor Feng. You also know that this time, he returned to the court without authorization, which almost ruined the good situation of the northwest war. There are countless complaints in the army."

I understand, I completely understand. This is to ask for an official position, to strive for a higher position.

Tang He also said angrily, "I am also a little dissatisfied. Feng Sheng is not very capable. He made such a big mistake this time. Why should he be made a Duke?"

Ma Xun joked, "Brother Tang, logically speaking, you won't be able to be crowned Duke this time."

Tang He had a speechless expression on his face. He knew his own business well.

He also knew his situation. Although he had a long career and was Zhu Yuanzhang's guide, confidant, and childhood friend, he could only be a marquis at most in this time of conferring titles on meritorious officials.

There is no other reason, it's simply that his merits are not enough. If he is given the title of Duke, it would be unacceptable to the public.

Emperor Shengzong of Tang looked at the speechless Tang He with some envy. It was true that he was one of the Twenty-Four Generals of Huaixi, but his relationship with Zhu Yuanzhang was not particularly close.

Now, Ma Xun, the uncle of the emperor, did not have a close relationship with him. Even if he was joking, he would stop at the right time and was mostly polite on the surface.

Li Shanchang smiled and said, "Tang He's bad mouth is his fault, but Old Tang has made great military achievements and has high prestige. If he is really conferred a marquisate, he will be the leader!"

Could this be the legendary Marquis of Tang Shengzong Town?
Without his contribution, don't expect to become a Duke!

But for Tang Shengzong, he didn't want to be a marquis. Now he was working hard to pull Feng Sheng down, so that he could become a duke.

Ma Xun remembered that Dingyuan had produced many famous people. During the Three Kingdoms period, there was Lu Su, and now the civil officials are headed by Li Shanchang and Hu Weiyong.

And Emperor Shengzong of Tang was also from Dingyuan!

As for Feng Sheng, although he is from Huaixi, he is still a real fellow townsman!

(End of this chapter)