The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 147: Buddha of Ten Thousand Families
How could Zhu Yuanzhang become emperor? Even if something happened suddenly, he would immediately think of some plans to maximize his benefits.

But everyone obviously had no objection, because Ma Xun didn't care about some "false reputation".

There is no harm in maximizing benefits. He has already gained enough, so naturally he has to pay something.

The family dinner ended like this, and Zhu Yuanzhang called for a sedan chair to carry Ma Xun back to the courtyard. Although he repeatedly refused, it was useless. After all, his leg was injured and it hurt to walk.

The imperial concubines left with their children. Thinking about this family banquet, it was really terrifying.

After everyone dispersed, Zhu Yuanzhang said with lingering fear, "Sister, you have to hurry up on this matter. Children are greedy and have been choked to death."

"All the nannies in the palace will have to learn these methods from now on." Ma Xiuying said, "Earlier, some of the methods I taught you were inappropriate, but now it seems that they are still useful."

Zhu Yuanzhang and others knew what Ma Xun taught in school.

I had taught Chang Yuchun the rescue method at the beginning, and there was also the idea of "artificial respiration". It was a bit inappropriate to even mention it, blowing air into a person's mouth, what kind of nonsense!

But looking at it now, those methods might really be able to save lives!

Zhu Biao suddenly said, "The more I get along with my uncle, the more I worry that he will run away one day."

Ma Xiuying said unhappily, "Your uncle has married now and found me. What can he run away for? Run away and become a savage?"

"Mom, maybe my uncle really thinks it's better to be a savage." Zhu Biao said worriedly, "Everything my uncle has learned, doesn't he want to be a hermit?"

Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying deep in thought, Zhu Biao explained, "Some hermits seek fame and reputation, but my uncle really wants to escape from the world. He was a monk, but his heart is full of Taoism."

Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying didn't know what to say because what Zhu Biao said made sense.

Zhu Biao continued, "Taiji, the Book of Changes has Taiji, which gives birth to two opposites, two opposites give birth to four images, and four images give birth to eight trigrams. He does not seek fame, wealth, or status, and he takes things as they come."

Zhu Yuanzhang was also a little worried. "He also likes to look at the stars and study astronomical phenomena, and he also treats illnesses and saves lives when he has nothing to do. Thinking about it this way, he really wants to escape from the world. Besides, he is interested in the customs and landscapes of various places, and always wants to travel around."

Ma Xiuying was already feeling insecure. "Now that he's a duke and married, how could he be willing to give up his biological sister?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said directly, "If you are not doing well, I will definitely find a way to stay. If he sees that you are doing well, then it is hard to say."

Zhu Biao also continued, "I don't dare to let my uncle get angry now. He is very stubborn. If I really make him unhappy, he might run away with Wangcai."

Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying stopped talking. They had mentioned this as a joke before.

But it’s different now. The more I understand Ma Xun, the more I realize that some of his concerns are not jokes.

Ma Xiuying said immediately, "He won't run away now. We kept a close eye on him last year and he didn't run away. Now that he has a wife, and when we have children, he will be even less likely to run away."

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao looked at each other and thought it made sense. But they were also worried. Ma Xun's personality was hard to change. If his offspring grew up, he might get discouraged and want to run away.

By that time, he might really travel around the world. After all, it is impossible to keep an eye on him all the time.

The more Ma Xiuying thought about it, the more worried she became. She muttered to herself, "We have to urge him to have a child sooner rather than later, or he'll run away someday!"

Zhu Yuanzhang also said, "I talked to him about this before. We two fake monks talked about Buddhist scriptures, but we didn't know much about them. But he knew a lot about Taoism."

Zhu Biao continued, "My uncle knows a little about Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, but he is not proficient in any of them. He studies so many different things just out of interest. He has no intention of leaving the world, but is determined to avoid it."

Ma Xiuying looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao and said, "You two must remember his kindness. I suffered in poverty in my early years, but I never caused any trouble for you after I came back. He worked hard to learn, and he never kept anything to himself for the sake of the country."

Zhu Yuanzhang said quickly, "Don't worry. I often feel lucky. Our relatives are the best. It's rare to be an emperor like me. I have never been troubled by relatives' affairs."

Zhu Biao also said quickly, "Dad, Mom, the moral character of my aunt and uncle is well known to the world, and it is also a blessing for us young people. With the guidance of my aunt and uncle, my brothers and sisters will not learn bad things."

Ma Xiuying was very satisfied, proud and complacent, "My Ma family has a good family tradition, and my father taught me well. You should bear with him for wanting to escape from the world. He suffered a lot in his early years, so he is a little sensitive."

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao also agreed that Ma Xun's desire to escape from the world was simply because he was lonely and helpless in his early years and somewhat discouraged about the world.

If Ma Xun knew this, he would definitely cry out that he was wronged. He would not run away unless it was a life-or-death moment. His life now was comfortable, much better than living in the open air.

Besides, I can't run away now. I have a big family to worry about. I will definitely be more careful in the future.

Even if he gets bullied occasionally, he can endure it. After all, being bullied is only a small part of his life. Having enough food and clothing, and living a wealthy and comfortable life are his main living conditions.

Ma Xun slept comfortably until he woke up naturally, and then Liu Shuning said, "Husband, Concubine Shun has sent people to wait outside for a long time."

Ma Xun asked, "Just wake me up, there's no need to be polite."

"Old Nine, come on, if Her Majesty the Queen hadn't stopped you, you would have come to kowtow." Liu Shuning explained, "Her Majesty has also sent someone to pass on the order, you should go to Rouyi Palace when you wake up."

Ma Xun nodded and said, "I'll teach you the method from yesterday first, otherwise it will be a little inconvenient." Liu Shuning naturally had no objection, but was a little worried, "Husband, I'm not very smart, can I learn these life-saving methods?"

"It's simple, just put in some effort." Ma Xun encouraged, "Don't mention studying hard, you can learn it after watching it a few times."

Some skills are not difficult to learn, but you just don’t have the opportunity to learn them.

Ma Xun encouraged Liu Shuning. In his opinion, some first aid techniques really do not have a very high threshold.

The couple arrived at Rouyi Palace while talking.

Concubine Hu Shun immediately taught Zhu Qi how to kneel and bow. Although the two-year-old child was ignorant, he learned it very well.

Ma Xun accepted the gift with peace of mind. He still liked chubby and cute children. They were cute and fun to look at.

It’s most fun when you’re one or two years old, but it’s not fun anymore when you’re older.

Ma Xiuying sent away the attentive Concubine Hu Shun, and then asked, "Who do you think is the most suitable person to teach the method you used yesterday?"

Ma Xun replied, "The child's nanny, the eunuch or the maidservant around him can all learn it."

The word "nanny" is not a later word. It already appeared in the "New Book of Tang Dynasty". The official name of the Ming Dynasty is "baomu".

Ma Xiuying nodded and said, "Your brother-in-law and I thought the same thing before. Is this a difficult skill?"

"It's not difficult. I plan to teach Shu Ning first." Ma Xun replied, "Some eunuchs will learn from me, and I will also arrange for people from the Imperial Hospital to learn."

Ma Xiuying nodded and said, "This is the family tradition of my Ma family. If it can save more children, it will be a good deed. You should be more attentive and watch it spread among the people."

Ma Xun nodded. Some technologies don’t need to be hidden or locked in the palace. It is best to popularize some technologies.

Zhu Biao suddenly asked, "Uncle, you seem to know a lot about raising children."

"I know a few tricks, but I definitely can't take care of a child." Ma Xun said, "I just know a few things."

Ma Xiuying immediately asked, "Xiaodao, what you did yesterday was considered a Xiaodao? Then tell me, what other Xiaodao are there?"

Not to mention Ma Xiuying was very concerned, Zhu Biao also took it seriously.

Regardless of the era, the continuation of bloodlines is a big deal. Especially in an era when medical standards were not particularly advanced and infant mortality rates were relatively high, some things needed to be taken more seriously.

Ma Xun thought about it carefully before speaking, "There are some things I didn't want to mention. Now the palace is raising princes and princesses well. It's just that there are some habits that I don't think are good."

Ma Xiuying's face turned serious and she immediately asked, "Which habits are bad?"

"My brother-in-law dipped chopsticks in wine and fed it to his nephews and nieces." Ma Xun pointed the finger directly at Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "It seems like they are close, but the children are young, so this is not good. If they are touched by adults' saliva, they will get sick easily."

Zhu Biao asked hurriedly, "Uncle, are there any explanations for this in medical books?"

"Well, a little bit." Ma Xun replied, "You can ask the people from the Imperial Hospital and you will know. That's why I always don't like others to serve food to me. It's unhygienic and unclean."

Ma Xiuying's face turned ugly. In order to show his closeness and affection, her husband's favorite thing to do was to pick up food for others.

In fact, Zhu Yuanzhang cannot be blamed for some things. After all, some cognitions are constantly developing and changing.

Zhu Yuanzhang now likes to amuse children, pick up food for others, etc., and some people are still doing this hundreds of years later.

If they say something, they will also accuse people of being pretentious and say that this was how they raised children in the past.

Ma Xiuying said hurriedly, "Little brother, think carefully about what else you need to pay attention to."

"These methods may only be used by wealthy families." Ma Xun said helplessly, "I will think about it carefully and discuss it with the people in the Imperial Hospital. It would be best if I could compile a guide to raising children."

Ma Xiuying said excitedly, "If I can really accomplish this, I will be very happy!"

Zhu Biao also nodded vigorously beside him. This was not an exaggeration. Even if the methods used by the so-called rich and powerful could flow into the common people, they might really help some people.

Ma Xun immediately said, "Sister, how about using your name? Anyway, it is all the knowledge of the Ma family, and it is also passed down from our ancestors."

"Just use mother's name!" Zhu Biao spoke first, "On behalf of all the people in the world, I, your nephew, would like to thank you for your kindness, uncle!"

Ma Xun quickly dodged away as he couldn't accept Zhu Biao's gift.

(End of this chapter)