The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 115 Resources Request (Subscription Request)
Ma Xun returned to the courtyard and saw Liu Shuning and said, "Taishan has got what he wanted. He will submit a memorial tomorrow and will probably be able to retire and return home within three days."

Liu Shuning was delighted at first, but then she became a little worried, "Husband, did something happen in the court?"

"That's good news. Taishan wants to go back home, and I don't want him to get involved in any trouble." Ma Xun smiled and comforted him, "Let's pack up and leave the palace tomorrow."

Plans cannot keep up with changes. I had originally planned to "hide from the limelight" in the palace and stay there for a few days, but now it is obviously not possible.

Since Liu Bowen is going to retire and return to his hometown, as his son-in-law and daughter, we must go to see him off.

While Ma Xun and Liu Shuning were chatting, a maid came over and whispered, "My Lord, the Queen has summoned you."

Ma Xun was not surprised at this at all. It had always been like this. As long as he lived in the palace, Ma Xiuying would definitely call him over for dinner and chat as long as she had time.

If he did something, even if it was insignificant in the eyes of some people, Ma Xiuying would brag about it.

The couple followed the maid to the Qianqing Palace, which was Zhu Yuanzhang's bedroom.

Seeing Ma Xun, Zhu Yuanzhang was quite proud, "I am really capable. Those scholars have always been self-righteous and thought they were full of knowledge, but now they dare not show off in front of you."

Ma Xun said modestly, "Brother-in-law, you are too kind. In the art of divination, those people may not dare to compete with me. But most of them think that this is a minor art and not worth mentioning."

After hearing what Ma Xun said, Zhu Yuanzhang also felt that it made sense. The correct principles believed by those scholars were the teachings of Confucius and Mencius.

But then Zhu Yuanzhang smiled happily, "Since you know all this, you should work harder. You are so smart, if you focus a little, you will definitely become a great scholar."

Ma Xun quickly said, "Brother-in-law, what I learned can also be helpful to the court and the world!"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked, "Then how can you help? Measuring the height of a mountain or a house is useful, but it's not very useful."

Ma Xun thought for a moment, then said, "Brother-in-law, numerology is not only used for accounting and planning. I also want to extend it to physics and chemistry, which are also very useful."

Afraid that Zhu Yuanzhang would not believe him, Ma Xun explained, "Brother-in-law, do you know why many of the steels refined by the court are relatively brittle?"

Zhu Yuanzhang quickly asked, "Little brother, do you know these principles?"

Ma Xun explained, "This is mainly because there are impurities in the iron during smelting. In addition to these, there are also cold brittleness and hot brittleness. Adding impurities or removing impurities can improve the quality of iron."

The Ming Dynasty seems to have no shortage of iron now, and the method of frying steel is no longer new. In addition, there are also methods such as pouring steel.

In order to ensure the sharpness of the weapons, there are also steel-clamping and steel-wrapping methods. In terms of cold weapons, the Ming Dynasty today can be considered to have advanced technology, and Ma Xun basically does not need to worry about anything.

Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to be thinking about something, and suddenly asked, "Since you know so much, how did you end up like that in your early years?"

Ma Xiuying was unhappy and scolded, "Zhu Chongba!"

"Brother-in-law, everything I'm going to do now will cost a lot of money to produce results." Ma Xun said seriously, "These are all basic things, they can be regarded as the foundation. Ordinary wealthy families can't afford it, nor are they willing to afford it."

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly realized, "You set up a school at the foot of Jiming Mountain, are you going to teach these?"

"Let's try it first. I think it will be very useful." Ma Xun said in a flattering manner, "Brother-in-law, what I taught you is really very useful. It may cost a little more, but it's not too outrageous."

Zhu Biao immediately said, "Dad, I think we should let uncle try. If we don't let uncle try, he will definitely not be willing to give it a try."

Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying understood this truth very well. Ma Xun was truly a member of the Ma family. He was stubborn and obstinate like a donkey. If there were things he was not allowed to do, he would do them secretly.

Ma Xun continued, "Brother-in-law, let's talk about gunpowder. It's considered chemistry. I've always wanted to improve it, but I don't have enough manpower and money to research something better."

Zhu Yuanzhang asked in dissatisfaction, "Isn't the current gunpowder good enough?"

To be honest, today's gunpowder is very good, basically reaching the "golden ratio" of "two parts of saltpeter: yellow gold and three parts of charcoal".

Ma Xun said, "Why can't it be improved? Gunpowder was invented by alchemists. It seems that its use in military affairs can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty, and it was widely used in the late Song Dynasty. It has only been a few years, and the firearms in the army have been replaced several times."

After hearing what Ma Xun said, Zhu Yuanzhang began to think deeply. He was of course very clear about the power of firearms.

But it was also because of this that, while Zhu Yuanzhang was proud of the power of Ming Dynasty's firearms, he also hoped to obtain more powerful firearms.

There are still many enemies around, and even if those enemies are eliminated, if the military power is strong, the Ming Dynasty can become more prosperous.

Ma Xun must have hoped to get the support of Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao, because the investment in basic science is very large, and the results may not be seen immediately.

The Ming Dynasty is just beginning to be established and there is still a lot of work to be done.

Now there is indeed a certain amount of "activity space" that allows Ma Xun to make some changes in scientific development at this node, but this also requires sufficient support. In the final analysis, some traditional inertial thinking, or pressure from all aspects, will make some of Ma Xun's "heresy" seem very different.

It is very necessary to gain the support of the emperor and obtain more resources.

Liu Shuning plucked up her courage and asked in a low voice, "Sister, when will the meritorious officials be honored?"

Ma Xiuying smiled happily, because under normal circumstances, Liu Shuning would address her as "Your Majesty the Queen" and almost never call her "sister".

"It should have been done a long time ago. You are my Ma family's daughter-in-law!" Ma Xiuying patted Liu Shuning's hand affectionately and said, "I will confer the title of meritorious official next month. Tell your father not to rush back."

Zhu Yuanzhang turned his head to look at Liu Shuning and said, "Your father and you are both cautious people. I will give you a definite answer. Your father was conferred the title of Earl, Earl of Sincerity."

As if she was afraid that Liu Shuning would feel inferior, Ma Xiuying said, "Among the civil servants, only your father and Wang Guangyang were granted titles, and Prime Minister Li is a Duke."

Ma Xiuying also said, "There is another He Zhen who was also made an earl, but he surrendered too late."

He Zhen surrendered too late, and he had a chance to establish his own regime in Lingnan. Of course, if he had not surrendered, he would have been defeated and killed.

Han Zheng, Cao Liangchen, Yang Jing, Lu Ju, Mei Sizu, Huang Bin and Hu Mei did not take a wait-and-see attitude but took the initiative to submit when the situation in the world was unclear, so these seven people will all be conferred the title of marquis.

Ma Xun asked, "Then I, Taishan, am the head of the earls?"

"When you die, you can be buried with the ceremony of a marquis." Zhu Yuanzhang said unhappily, "This is to give you face. His family has hereditary title of earl."

"It's all hereditary, but it sounds like a special favor." Ma Xun complained, and then asked, "What about me, the Duke? Should I be demoted in the future?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was confused. "Demote? Demote what?"

"Some titles in the court are hereditary, and some are not." Ma Xun said, "I was granted the title because of my late father and sister. If mine is hereditary, what will happen to my descendants in the future?"

Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying were extremely happy about Ma Xun's broad-mindedness, and Zhu Biao was also extremely happy.

However, Zhu Biao quickly said, "Uncle, my grandfather was posthumously conferred the title of Prince a few years ago. At that time, my uncle had not yet returned, and only giving him the title of Duke was a demotion. Besides, didn't my uncle have military merits? This must be hereditary, and I'm just waiting for my younger brother to be born!"

Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying had considered these things, which was why they sent Ma Xun to fight last year, so that the patches could be applied in advance so that no one could find fault with them.

If the descendants in the future confer titles on the father-in-law or uncle of the emperor, the highest they can offer is marquis, and it cannot be hereditary.

If you really want hereditary succession, that's fine. You can learn from the uncle of the founding emperor who made military achievements and then proposed hereditary succession, and even downgraded it to a lower rank!
Liu Shuning said to Ma Xiuying a little embarrassedly at this time, "Sister, my sister-in-law is not pregnant yet. Let's not talk about the family title for now. In the future, our hometown still needs descendants to take care of it. It's time for the king's uncle to take a concubine."

Knowing the overall situation, this is the real knowing of the overall situation.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying were very satisfied with Liu Shuning's initiative to find a concubine for Ma. This is also a requirement for women in this era, especially for women from wealthy families.

"It's too early to bring this up now." Ma Xiuying said with a smile, "Whether it's the prince or the one who stays at home in the future, I think the legitimate son is the best."

Zhu Yuanzhang also nodded and said, "That's right. You and my younger brother should hurry up and take care of this matter. There's no need to be too anxious."

It would be a lie to say that there is no hurry, as Ma Xun is the only child in the Ma family.

But Ma Xun and Liu Shuning are not very old, so there is no point in worrying about some things.

Ma Xun then asked, "Where's Biao'er? Should I go get ready with my brother-in-law?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said happily, "Next April, when Biao'er gets married and is honored as a meritorious official, you can follow your eldest brother-in-law to preside over the ceremony."

Zhu Yuanzhang thought it was most appropriate for Li Zhen and Ma Xun to ask for a name and propose marriage.

Ma Xiuying said jokingly, "It has to be decided soon, otherwise my brother will become the brother of the Chang family."

Zhu Yuanzhang also joked, "What are you telling Chang Mao? Why don't you let him serve the court properly? Why do you want him to learn to take money but not do anything?"

Ma Xiuying and Zhu Biao were both stunned. Is this what the younger brother (uncle) said?

Ma Xun was not surprised that the emperor knew his every word and action. Except for Wangcai, who was brought back by himself, all the others in his mansion were arranged by the emperor and empress.

There is nothing to worry about. Ma Xun has no intention of rebelling, nor does he have any dissatisfaction with the emperor and empress.

Just live your life peacefully, and don't think too much about other things, you're just asking for trouble.

(End of this chapter)