The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 126 Beating Other People's Children
Many people know clearly what titles and official ranks they should be given.

Especially after Li Shanchang failed in his attempt to ask for a title on behalf of Emperor Shengzong of Tang, everyone understood more clearly that this was a foregone conclusion and there was no room for negotiation on the issue of conferring titles on meritorious officials.

There is no need to be discouraged if you feel that your title or official position has been lowered. It may seem that you have lost the best opportunity to achieve success, but there are still plenty of opportunities.

Mu Ying and Lan Yu do not have any titles now, but they will be granted the title of Marquis or Duke in the future. Tang He and Fu Youde are only Marquis for the time being, but they can also be granted the title of Duke if they make new contributions.

There is nothing much to discuss about Ma Xun's title. His father is Ma Taigong, the first prince to be conferred in the Ming Dynasty. Even if he was conferred posthumously, he was still a prince.

After all, Zhu Yuanzhang posthumously conferred titles on his three elder brothers, namely King of Nanchang, King of Xuyi, and King of Linhuai, who were theoretically all princes.

At the beginning of the year, Zhu Yuanzhang posthumously conferred the title of King of Chuyang on his adoptive father Guo Zixing.

What's more, Ma Xun's superb medical skills saved the queen and the prince, which is an absolute credit.

If it is inappropriate to say that he is a military general, Xu Da and Chang Yuchun will have to find someone to talk to. The Battle of Qingyang was the most brutal one in the Northern Expedition. It was Ma Xun who first broke the city and captured and killed the enemy general.

No one could criticize Ma Xun's background, title and military achievements because he was legitimate and stable. Otherwise, he would be an enemy of the emperor and empress, and the Huaixi nobles headed by Xu Da.

Satisfied, Ma Xun left the palace, and in a good mood, he said, "Go back one by one, and follow me to the military camp tomorrow!"

Chang Mao and the others were overjoyed, but just as they turned around and tried to run, they heard an angry shout, "Are you going back just like that? How rude!"

Chang Mao and the others braked suddenly and bowed quickly, "Thank you for your teachings, uncle. We'll take our leave!"

Seeing Ma Xun nod, Chang Mao and others ran away.

He Da said with great admiration, "You are indeed capable, my uncle. Children of this age are the most difficult to discipline, but they are all obedient in front of you."

Ma Xun smiled and said, "I am just using the tiger's skin as a banner. If it weren't for the majesty of the Emperor and the Empress, I wouldn't be able to do this."

As if afraid that He Da would not believe it, Ma Xun said, "In the past, let alone the children of officials, even if I met the children of landlords and gentry who were a little arrogant, I would avoid them for fear of conflict with them."

He Da blurted out, "If there really is a conflict, the prince's uncle is skilled in martial arts, so you can kill him and run away. You won't have anything to worry about anyway."

This is why they have nothing in common to talk about. Everyone knows Ma Xun's background and experience.

He thought that it was better to have less trouble than more, and that taking a step back would give him a broader view, and he was afraid of any trouble.

People like He Da just think that the worst that can happen is they kill someone and run away. The world is so big that there is no place where they can't find a place to stay.
As the conversation was not going well, Ma Xun turned around and left, and He Da seemed to realize that he had said the wrong thing. He scratched his head with a silly smile and then glared at the guard next to him.

Ma Xun found Liu Shuning and said happily, "The emperor recruited talented people and assisted the meritorious officials to promote his ideas. The ingenious plans and great plans for the Central Plains were often attributed to Ji, so he was called Zifang in the army and Zhuge Liang for his ability to interpret the talisman."

Liu Shuning's eyes lit up, and she asked hurriedly, "But is it the imperial decree from His Majesty to my father?"

Ma Xun nodded and continued, "Appoint him as the founding minister of the country, the minister of virtue, the senior military officer, and the general of the army, and grant him the title of Earl of Sincerity, with an official salary of 240 stones, and let his descendants inherit it from generation to generation."

Zhu Yuanzhang praised Liu Bowen as "my Zifang" more than once. Although it was praise at times, it was rare for a civil official to be granted a title in the Ming Dynasty.

In the civil service system, Liu Bowen was second only to Li Shanchang, so even if he was not a duke or a marquis, it was not unacceptable.

Ma Xun's "spoiler" in advance also made Liu Shuning very happy, because this was finally settled.

After all, there are a lot of discussions about ennobling meritorious officials now. Not only are the people involved anxious, but their families are also worried.

After Liu Shuning was happy, she quickly asked, "Your husband's Xu Guogong has also been decided, right?"

"Yes, you will be the wife of a duke in a while." Ma Xun said jokingly, "Not to mention the first batch of meritorious officials, even if you are the next meritorious official, you will be the youngest and the most noble."

Liu Shuning was beaming with joy. Ma Xun was conferred the title of Duke. Unless something particularly drastic happened, she would be conferred the title of Lady of Imperial Concubine.

The Ming Dynasty followed the Song Dynasty system and granted titles and imperial edicts to officials of the first to fifth ranks.

However, there are differences here. For bestowing titles on officials, the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War must first approve the position and name of the person to be bestowed, and then the Hanlin Academy will draft the text according to the format.

When it came to the conferring ceremony, the Secretariat would copy it, and after verification by the Imperial Edicts Office, it would be stamped with the imperial seal and issued.

If one has outstanding achievements, he or she will have the opportunity to receive an imperial decree of honor, which is referred to here as an imperial edict.

This is the difference. A woman can automatically receive a title according to her husband's official position. But if she has made great contributions, the emperor will personally confer the title on her, and she is a true imperial lady.

Even the term "Madam" cannot be used casually. Only the wife of an official of the first or second rank can be called "Madam". Going down the ranks, the third rank is called "Shu Ren", the fourth rank is called "Gong Ren", the fifth rank is called "Yi Ren", the sixth rank is called "An Ren", and the wives of officials of the seventh rank and below are called "Ru Ren".

Without title or rank, she can only be called "wife".

Seeing Liu Shuning's happy look, Ma Xun smiled and joked, "From now on, when Taishan sees you, he will call himself 'your humble official'." Liu Shuning said coquettishly, "My husband always teases me! Even if I get the imperial decree, I am only an official, and I will not show off in public."

Ma Xun became proud and said to Liu Shuning, "It's okay to go out and show off. We should enjoy life to the fullest. We should keep a low profile, otherwise someone will always provoke us."

Liu Shuning said seriously, "My husband has such a good temper. I don't think anyone would bother Brother Chang."

Ma Xun thought about it carefully and said, "That's true. Although Brother Chang is generous and has good relationships with many people in the army, and his prestige is high, there are very few people who bother him."

Liu Shuning continued, "Brother Xu also has a very good temper. He is so humble and respectful that Li Xiang and others would not bother him. Even Bao'er is humble and polite, and I have never heard of anyone bothering him."

Liu Shuning is now accustomed to the change in status, and basically calls Xu Da, Chang Yuchun and other Huaixi nobles "big brother".

Li Wenzhong, who was thirty years old, and Mu Ying, who was almost thirty years old, were both "Baoer" and "Wenying".

Age is not a problem; seniority is what matters, and one should address people based on the closeness of their relationship.

Ma Xun smiled and said, "I will use these brats to show my authority and let people see the majesty of the king's uncle. It just so happens that His Majesty will give me the royal whip these two days, maybe I can use it someday."

Liu Shuning became curious, "Beating the king with a whip? Why does it sound like a drama?"

The Yuan Dynasty's zaju was very powerful, and many of the stories that are familiar to later generations originated from Yuan zaju.

Dramas like "The Injustice of Dou E", "Romance of the West Chamber" and "A Chinese Ghost Story" are basically dramas from the Yuan Dynasty.

At this time, Luo Guanzhong and Shi Nai'an were probably constantly improving "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and "Water Margin", which were also constantly enriched and expanded based on the work of their predecessors.

Ma Xun smiled and explained, "It's because those little brats are difficult to discipline, so my brother-in-law gave me a teaching stick. It's just right for me to use it, and I can discipline those princes and nobles."

Liu Shuning offered advice and said, "My husband, children of this age are naughty. Although there is a ruler given by His Majesty, they cannot be beaten easily. If you beat them too many times, they will not be afraid anymore."

Ma Xun couldn't agree more, "I think so too. We should let these children know how to be afraid. If you beat them too much, they will just become skinny."

People beat their children on rainy days, or they have nothing to do.

Ma Xun and his wife were thinking about how to beat other people's children in a more deterrent way and how to beat children in a more effective way.

These are all serious matters. After all, although Zhu Chong, Chang Mao and other guys come from good families and live a life of luxury, they rarely suffer bullying outside.

But they are also used to wielding swords and guns, and they have often served in the army, so it is inevitable that there will be some bumps and so on.

It may be a bit of an exaggeration to say that they have thick skin and tough flesh, but they definitely won't cry for help if their skin is broken.

In history, many of the sons of the founding nobles of the early Ming Dynasty died on the battlefield. Even the eldest sons of dukes and marquises were considered to be the right thing to do to follow the army.

The power of the nobles in the early Ming Dynasty and the power of the nobles after the Battle of Tumu are two different concepts.

It is impossible for them to live a life of luxury. These children of nobles may be dissolute, but they have not given up some basic military training.

The couple chatted and spent a happy day.

At the beginning of a new day, Chang Mao and others consciously went to the gate of Prince Xu's mansion to "stand guard".

Zhu Chong dismounted and asked gloatingly, "Little brother, why are you still standing? It's just riding a horse, how many days have you been standing?"

Deng Zhen quickly winked at him. He and Zhu Chong were quite familiar with each other. The reason was very simple. Zhu Chong would go to his sister whenever he had something to do. How could they not be familiar with each other?
Zhu Chong glanced at He Da standing next to him, and after understanding what he meant, he patted his chest and promised, "I will go and plead with you right now, and my uncle will definitely forgive you!"

Zhu Gang and others couldn't stand it anymore. Although the second brother boasted a lot in front of Deng Zhen, he was very honest in front of his uncle.

Deng Zhen was somewhat expecting his future brother-in-law to help plead for mercy. After all, he was the King of Qin, and the king's uncle would definitely give him face.

Now we have to stand in the corner every day as punishment, and it’s not just standing there.

You have to stand straight, with your hands close to your thighs, shoulders open, etc. My uncle calls it "standing at attention." How can you stand at attention like this in the military?

I felt like I was falling apart after standing for a day, and my whole body ached. My uncle really tortured me!

Chang Mao didn't think that His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin would be able to succeed in his plea. If it really was useful, he would have pleaded long ago.

He even suspected that it wouldn't be long before these princes would become brothers in distress, and it would be fun if they all stood together in punishment!
If you think about it carefully, there is no doubt that with my uncle's character and the princes' character, they cannot escape standing at attention!

(End of this chapter)