The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 120 Self-inflicted Trouble

Ma Xun felt that there was no need to worry too much about Liu Bowen.

Because Liu Bowen saw many things more thoroughly, there was no need for reminders at all.

There is no need to think too much about Liu Jing's affairs, mainly because this second uncle has outstanding abilities and is quite experienced in dealing with people.

So you just need to build a bridge, and the rest has basically nothing to do with him.

As a son-in-law, Ma Xun is now becoming more and more recognized, so Liu Bowen also gave some of his most valuable books to Ma Xun.

It didn't matter that Ma Xun didn't like literature or classics. Liu Bowen passed on all his knowledge of military affairs, astronomy and geography to Ma Xun.

As for how much Ma Xun can digest, that depends on his ability.

Ma Xun proudly held Wangcai's hand and said to Liu Shuning, "Taishan used to get annoyed when he saw me, but now I think my eldest and second uncles are not as popular as my father-in-law."

Liu Shuning smiled and said, "Husband, don't be happy. Father always encourages people to study. As long as husband studies hard, father is basically willing to teach."

Ma Xun was even more dissatisfied, pointing at the cart pulled by Wangcai, "Taishan is willing to give such a large pile of books to other people?"

Liu Shuning couldn't refute it now. Her father did like to teach and educate people. But he would definitely not be willing to give away the treasures he collected and the books he annotated personally to anyone other than his successor.

Just when Ma Xun was feeling proud, he suddenly heard the sound of horse hooves and a burst of loud shouting.

Ma Xun turned his head and looked over, immediately unhappy, "Get off the horse!"

The three brothers Chang Mao, as well as Wang De, the son of Wang Bi, Tang Ding, the son of Tang He, and Deng Zhen, the son of Deng Yu, were all removed from their posts.

Ma Xun looked around and said to He Da, "Go find a stick!"

Chang Mao and the others no longer dared to smile and lowered their heads.

The guards around them wanted to stick their heads into their crotches for fear of being troubled by the horses.

Ma Xun pointed at the street and asked, "Can't you see the vendors along the street, or the pedestrians? You are excellent riders, and you have the ability to show off on the battlefield. Who taught you to ride horses in the city?"

Tang Ding whispered, "My father rides a horse too!"

"How dare you talk back!" Ma Xun was furious and said directly, "I won't talk about your father's affairs for now, but you will be in trouble if you fall into my hands!"

Then Ma Xun said to the guards of these noble young men, "Go back and tell your master and mistress that if they want someone, go to my house!"

Then Ma Xun said to He Da, "Go and ask if anyone along the way is injured or has suffered financial losses. These guys have rich families and they paid me double the compensation!"

This time it was Liu Shuning who was leading Wangcai, while Ma Xun was holding a stick, driving the group of dejected teenagers back.

Before I even got home, Chang Wan from next door came to the street and said, "Uncle, my parents said they didn't discipline them well. Please discipline these good-for-nothings. They asked for it if they were beaten to death or maimed."

This statement was of course an exaggeration, but it was obvious that Chang Yuchun and Chang Lanshi wanted Ma Xun to help discipline the three boys in the family.

The three brothers of the Chang family were even more dejected. They were close to Ma Xun to begin with, and they would definitely become the targets of being killed as a warning to others.

And if nothing unexpected happens, after their uncle has finished punishing them, they will continue to be punished when they return home.

As Ma Xun arrived at the door, a young man stepped out and said, "Uncle, my father said that he is busy with military affairs. My brother is arrogant and unruly, so please discipline him."

The young man who was speaking was Wang Bi's second son, Wang Zheng, and Wang Bi and Lan Yu were close friends.

Wang Bi, known as the "Double-Sword King", served successively under Deng Yu and Chang Yuchun. He once chased Zhang Shicheng to the point where he almost drowned.

"Sister." Tang He's wife, Mrs. Hu, said enthusiastically, "You just returned to your parents' home?"

Liu Shuning quickly greeted her and said, "Hello, sister-in-law. Thank you for coming here in person."

Hu took the stick from Ma Xun and hit Tang Ding's butt hard with it. "Who did you learn this arrogance from?"

After beating the man, Mrs. Hu took Liu Shuning's hand and asked, "Are these all your father's collection of books? My family is in need of scholars, why don't you send the boy and the girl here?"

Ma Xun stopped immediately, "Sister-in-law, this is inappropriate."

"Why not?" Mrs. Hu was unhappy and said with a frown, "Old Tang is stupid and busy fighting. I am an ignorant country woman. My good child has been wasted with us. He must follow the prince's uncle!"

I just saw these guys riding their horses in the street, so I didn't want to discipline them.

But now, the three boys of the Chang family were disciplined. Tang He, Wang Bi and others seemed to think they had seized the opportunity and legitimately sent their eldest sons over.

This is a golden opportunity. It was difficult to ask for it before, mainly because I would be rejected if I asked. Now, someone will give me a pillow when I doze off, or Ma Xun handed it to me himself.

Although Tang He, Wang Bi and others were all military generals, they also understood Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying, and knew Ma Xun's character.

Whether you can learn real skills by following Ma Xun is not the point. What is more important is to restrain your personality and know what not to do.

What's more, Ma Xun has a big Buddha behind him, and he is trusted and loved by the prince.

Tang He, Wang Bi and others thought that this was an opportunity, so they sent their eldest son to Ma Xun, which was also to put someone in front of the prince in advance.

Seeing Mrs. Hu enthusiastically helping to move books and chatting with Liu Shuning with a smile, Ma Xun suddenly felt that he really shouldn't underestimate some people.

Tang He sometimes speaks without thinking, but he is very smart. Although Hu calls herself a country woman, she can see through many things.

Tang Ding had an even more sad face, having been beaten by his mother. It seemed that he was "exiled" to the emperor's uncle.

Although he also knew that Ma Xun was capable, the prince's uncle was not very good at fighting. He was taught riding by Chang Mao, and it was said that he could not even withstand a single move from Chang Mao.

The most important thing is that the king's uncle has a calm temperament. If you learn skills from him, it will be difficult for you to act recklessly in the future.

Moreover, they have also heard that the princes are going to train troops, so there is a high possibility that we will be directly sent into the army by the prince's uncle to be pawns and be trained well!

Deng Yu's daughter came and apologized as soon as she got off her horse. "Uncle, please forgive me. My father has gone to the army. My mother asked me to plead for my brother. Please forgive Deng Zhen for once."

This is Zhu Chong’s childhood sweetheart.

Ma Xun smiled and said kindly, "Well, now that you are here, take you back to Deng Zhen. Don't do this again in the future."

Mrs. Deng quickly said, "Uncle, mother said that my brother made mistakes because he didn't follow the rules. Please discipline me, uncle."

Aren't you here to pick someone up?
Are you here just to push the person in front of me and let me take care of this kid Deng Zhen?
Ma Xun said quickly, "Since your mother also knows about this, and you are here, take him back to Deng Zhen."

Deng firmly disagreed and said, "Uncle, my father was a general when he was less than 18 years old, and he has no time to discipline us all these years. I am careless like my mother, and there is no one in the family who can read. Please, uncle, discipline Deng Zhen for me."

After saying that, Deng turned around and left. Liu Shuning was not there, so it was difficult for Ma Xun to pull her away or stop her.

This group of cunning people are really like holding a toad and squeezing the urine out of it. They will never let go when they see the opportunity.

Ma Xun suddenly became angry and shouted at Chang Mao and the others, "Stand at the door, stand up straight!"

Then Ma Xun said to He Da, "Keep an eye on them. If anyone dares to look around or whisper, write them down. If I don't teach you a lesson, you may cause trouble in the future!"

Chang Mao took the lead and stood obediently at the door of Prince Xu's mansion, facing the wall and reflecting on his mistakes.

Not to mention that they are the second generation of arrogant nobles, but it also depends on who they are in front of.

These people dare not act recklessly in front of Ma Xun.

Almost no parents came, but they basically sent people to pass on messages. Ma Xun came back on his way and ended up getting himself into a lot of trouble.

The more Ma Xun thought about it, the angrier he got. He even started to come up with a conspiracy theory: Did Tang and these people deliberately instruct their son to ride a horse on the street just to run into his gun and then take advantage of the situation?
Ma Xun, with a sad face, sat in the yard drinking tea. He had several nephews to teach, and now a bunch of playboys were shoved in his way. His life was not going to be easy.

Zhu Yuanzhang in the palace ran to Rouyi Palace excitedly, "Sister, I'm in trouble now!"

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "Dad, there is no way my uncle is in trouble. I just talked to mom about this matter. This is a good thing."

"That's strange. You, the crown prince, know something that I don't know?" Zhu Yuanzhang said jokingly, "I don't know how angry your uncle is now. He doesn't want to cause trouble, and now there are a bunch of guys in front of him."

Ma Xiuying smiled and said, "This is a good thing. Those noble children are a little unruly. I plan to let Biaoer go over there. If I teach these people well, it will be helpful to him in the future."

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately smiled and nodded, "Sister, we have the same idea. But Biaoer needs to make it clear that these people cannot get too close to Lao Er and his men."

Zhu Biao quickly advised, "Dad, you shouldn't mention this to uncle. Uncle is cautious by nature, and if you mention this again, he will definitely be unwilling to discipline you."

Zhu Yuanzhang thought it made sense and praised him immediately, "You are really thoughtful. I think your uncle is also worried about this matter now."

"He likes to teach and educate people. Let him teach the prince first and discipline the children of the nobles." Ma Xiuying said with some 'gloating', "If he doesn't want to be in charge of officials, then let him discipline these playboys!"

The family of three was also very happy. Ma Xun happened to run into these playboys who were acting arrogantly.

Then just go with the flow and let him do some serious work and discipline these nobles. It will be helpful to Zhu Biao and the country.

The most important thing is that Ma Xun is of the right age, which will give him more prestige among these second-generation nobles, so that he can help Zhu Biao manage the nobles in the future. This is what Zhu Yuanzhang and his family of three are thinking!
(End of this chapter)