The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 140 The family is counting on you

Ma Xun performed his duties loyally and conscientiously in the Grand Marshal's Office, carefully discussing his views on medical care and how to further enable them to apply what they have learned.

All of this not only requires advice from a professional like Ma Xun, but also requires generals like Chang Yuchun and Tang He to combine their ideas with reality.

Only with such a model can we better utilize the resources at hand and bring into play their true value.

For two days in a row, Ma Xun came to the Grand Military Governor's Office to "work", and many people were surprised by his conscientiousness. But there was no need to be surprised, because he did not do nothing.

Ma Xun and Liu Shuning were called to the palace again. Ma Xiuying was so happy and proud to see her brother and sister-in-law were so successful.

Looking at Ma Xun, Ma Xiuying asked, "Your medical officers can now be of great use. I heard from your brother-in-law that many people in the army are happy."

"Sister, it's a bit early to praise me now." Ma Xun said with a smile, "I think we should wait until the battle is over before we talk about it. How useful are my medical officers and how much room for improvement there is, we won't know until the battle is over."

We still need actual combat, only on the battlefield can we see how valuable these medical officers are.

Ma Xiuying was a little disgusted. "Do you have to go to the battlefield to see it? Now these people are helping to treat the wounded soldiers of the Beijing Guards, can't you see it?"

Ma Xun insisted on his point of view, "These people from the Beijing Guards only suffered minor injuries during training, which are not difficult to treat. When they are injured on the battlefield, their true abilities can be seen."

As if seeing that Ma Xiuying didn't believe him, Ma Xun continued, "What I teach is surgery, which is about treating battlefield injuries. Don't I have to go to the battlefield to see it?"

At this moment, Ma Xiuying didn't know what to say, mainly because Ma Xun's point of view seemed very correct.

Stubborn, it’s really hard to describe such a stubborn person.

Sometimes Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying both felt that Ma Xun was a bit strange, so it was okay to scold him. But if they praised him, he would feel uncomfortable and would never accept it.

Ma Xiuying looked at Ma Xun and asked with a smile, "You have been in the Grand Commander's Mansion for the past two days. Do you think there is anything wrong with it?"

"There's nothing wrong with it. Although these people in the army are rough, it's fun to get along with them." Ma Xun said, "But they are kind to me because of my sister."

Ma Xiuying refused to admit this. "That's because you have a good reputation and high moral character. They all look down on you. If you weren't good enough, they wouldn't treat you like this even for my sake."

This is what Ma Xiuying thinks. She has always felt that Ma Xun is the best brother in the world and it is only natural that others should respect him.

What? This is the queen's brother? That is just the least noteworthy of her brother's countless merits.

Sometimes she even felt sorry for Ma, thinking that if it weren't for his status as the king's uncle, her brother would have achieved more.

It's all because of his status as the king's uncle that his younger brother is so careful with his words and actions and always puts the overall situation first.

This is also the reason why Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying were a natural match. They naturally look at their own family through a thick filter.

Ma Xun chuckled and said, "Sister, although some people in the army have made great military achievements, they just don't seem to abide by the law."

"Arrogant soldiers and brave generals have always been like this. Your brother-in-law is also worried about this." Ma Xiuying said helplessly, "It was like this when we were conquering the world. It will definitely be even more difficult to control in the future."

These things were reflected when the meritorious officials were rewarded, and those dukes and marquises who received the red book and iron certificate were all aware of it.

If you look at the inscriptions on the iron certificates, many of them record their faults, many of which are punishable by death.

Ma Xun said, "My brother-in-law will have something to worry about in the future. These people may do more evil in the future."

"Don't we still have you?" Ma Xiuying said with a smile, "In the past, when we were fighting for the country, they were very useful, and we could only turn a blind eye to some things. Now that your brother-in-law is ruling the country, we can't let those people harm the country."

Ma Xun could only nod his head. Some people felt like the sky was falling when they mentioned killing meritorious officials. They thought it was mean, vicious, etc.

However, some people don’t care at all why those heroes were killed. They just think that killing heroes is intolerable.

If some of the current nobles do not change their tempers and restrain themselves, Ma Xun will not help them plead for mercy if they are really punished in the future.

Ma Xun looked around carefully, "Where's Lao Wu?"

Ma Xiuying smiled and said, "Let him live outside first. He's old. Let him move out and stay for a few days to see if it works."

Zhu Su had always been with Ma Xiuying, and in fact, the other princes were similar. But when they were about ten years old, they were basically given their own palace.

Looking at his two nieces, Ma Xun said, "It's good to have these two girls around now, but they shouldn't just be taught needlework. They should also learn some books."

Zhu Jingru immediately said, "Uncle, I have read a lot of books. Although you love reading, you are definitely not as good as me when it comes to the meaning of scriptures."

Zhu Jingxian also nodded vigorously beside him. They were basically convinced of Ma Xun's "knowledge".

But at most it could only be "half-served", because they all knew that Ma Xunxue was a miscellaneous student and he hardly understood the meaning of the classics.

Ma Xun originally wanted to teach them something practical, like how to manage a household, but then he changed his mind and decided not to. The meaning of the classics was also important, and there were some great principles in them that needed to be understood.

So as long as it is some serious book, he can read it. It doesn't necessarily have to be something he thinks is useful.

Ma Xun waited and waited, but Zhu Yuanzhang didn't come, which was fine, as he had a lot of political affairs to deal with. But Zhu Biao didn't come either, which made Ma Xun feel troubled.

The room was full of women and he was the only man there. Now he was sitting there awkwardly with nothing to do.

After dinner, Ma Xiuying said, "After the New Year, you should go back to your hometown. First go back to Zhongdu, and then go to your hometown."

Ma Xun nodded as soon as he heard it, but he was a little worried, "Sister, it's my duty to go back to my hometown. Even if I go back to Zhongdu, my brother-in-law can't go. Isn't Baoer in the capital?"

If the emperor was too busy to handle ceremonies such as ancestor worship, etc., it would usually be done by members of the royal family or noble relatives, and that was no problem.

But now the princes are generally not old enough, so the external relatives have to do the job. Ma Xun feels that Li Wenzhong is more qualified to return to Fengyang.

Ma Xiuying said, "Bao'er has military duties, you have to do these things."

Ma Xun had even less objection, as his identity sometimes meant he was a natural "worship official".

"When the time comes, take the second, third, and fourth sons with you." Ma Xiuying said, "Just go to Fengyang. There's no need to take them back to Suzhou."

Ma Xun was slightly stunned. "I take them to Fengyang, and then leave them there?"

Ma Xiuying nodded and said, "Well, these guys can stay in Fengyang for a few days to train the soldiers."

It is normal for a prince to live in the imperial hometown. Zhu Di’s fat son Zhu Gaochi was born in his hometown of Fengyang.

However, Ma Xun was still a little worried, "The children are too young now. Isn't it inappropriate to let them live in their hometown now?"

Ma Xiuying said, "What's inappropriate? You've grown up now. When they run to both sides, you can run to both sides too. Fengyang is relocating people now, and some meritorious people have returned, so someone has to take charge."

Ma Xun understood all of a sudden. He was just worried about the behavior of some arrogant generals. But now Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying have already started to take action and are preparing to punish the nobles.

Zhu Chong and others returned to the imperial hometown of Fengyang to take charge and prevent some illegal nobles from becoming too presumptuous.

Although some dukes and marquises are still busy with military affairs, their relatives and clansmen are still in Fengyang.

In addition, with some people migrating to the Zhongdu Fengyang, there might be some chaos in order.

There must be a person of importance in charge of Zhongdu. After all, no one knows whether a ragged old man is the emperor's childhood friend, or whether a young man in luxurious clothes has an uncle who is a duke or marquis.

Under such circumstances, Zhu Chong and others were a deterrent in Fengyang. Even though they were only teenagers, they were princes of the Ming Dynasty.

"We need to take care of the second sons too. They don't know the sufferings of the people." Ma Xun said, "I am always worried that the second sons will break the law and disturb the people. Their moral character needs to be taken care of."

Ma Xiuying said unhappily, "Your nephews are so disappointing, you can't bear to see them do well?"

Ma Xun was also a little embarrassed because he seemed to be worrying too much.

Judging from the current performance of Zhu Chong and others, they are all smart and motivated, but he is worried that these nephews will become cruel and tyrannical princes.

Ma Xun, who was embarrassed, said quickly, "I hope the children will be better! I like the second child. He has read a lot of books and is good at military strategy."

"The third child is more powerful. When it comes to fighting, this kid is better than the second child." Ma Xiuying said with a smile, "The third child is careful and attentive when it comes to military strategy. He can understand what your brother-in-law said."

Although this may be due to the filter factor, Ma Xun did feel that Zhu Gang had a good talent in military affairs.

Ma Xun thought about it carefully and asked, "Then the Fengyang garrison wants them to train the troops?"

Ma Xiuying nodded. Her sons would not just be idle princes who indulged in eating, drinking and having fun. They would have to contribute to the country and share the pressure with their fathers and brothers.

Therefore, these princes must also work hard to make progress. At this age when learning skills is the right time, they must work harder and learn some real skills.

Ma Xiuying then looked at Ma Xun and Liu Shuning, "Old Five has moved out now, and I don't have much to do. Your brother-in-law also said that we can't grow flowers in the palace now, so he plans to open a vegetable garden for me to take care of."

Ma Xun and Liu Shuning immediately lowered their heads and kept silent. If the emperor and empress were to quarrel, they couldn't stand by and fan the flames.

Ma Xiuying continued, "It's definitely not possible for me to grow vegetables. I haven't learned it since I was a child. I can take care of children, but I don't want to take care of his children. I have to take care of the descendants of the Ma family and give an explanation to my parents."

Ma Xun quickly expressed his opinion. This was also a serious matter. "Shuning and I are working hard. We will definitely let you have a nephew next year!"

Ma Xiuying said unhappily, "Last year you said it would happen this year, but now you're pushing it off to next year! You better work harder, our family is counting on you!"

(End of this chapter)