The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 152 Strange knowledge
The Huagai Palace was bustling with activity. The people here were not either rich or noble, but simply "noble".

Even earls like He Zhen and Wang Guangyang were well-known figures in the outside world. They could either govern a region or serve as the "deputy" of the Secretariat.

Li Zhen, Ma Xun, Xu Da, Chang Yuchun and others were either royal relatives or powerful generals who held military power.

Zhu Biao appeared so magnificently, with several younger brothers, really younger brothers.

Zhu Chong and others simply showed up and said hello, and were then arranged by Zhu Biao to go to a side hall.

Everyone is used to this, and among all the princes, only the crown prince can attend some formal occasions.

After the other princes showed up, they were arranged to have a 'banquet' in a side hall, preventing them from having any other thoughts in every way.

Zhu Biao had just arranged for his younger brothers when Zhu Yuanzhang appeared with the gait of a dragon and a tiger, and all the nobles hurriedly saluted him.

Zhu Yuanzhang was in a good mood and said, "No need to be so polite. In a few days, on New Year's Day, there will be a banquet, but it will not be as lively as gathering with all of us brothers who fought for the world."

Many people were happy when they heard this. We are all heroes who followed the emperor. We followed him when he returned to his hometown to recruit soldiers.

As for many people in the court, they came to join the throne because they saw that the emperor was about to seize the country, or because the emperor had already become the emperor.

Looking at the hall full of meritorious officials, Zhu Yuanzhang was even more emotional, "Now you all have titles and are all important officials in the court. I am the emperor now, so I naturally cannot treat you unfairly!"

Regardless of whether they were truly grateful in their hearts or felt that it was all as they deserved, everyone in the Huagai Hall stood up to express their gratitude.

"Just remember this, the big job is not done yet!" Zhu Yuanzhang said, "This country is not unified yet, you can't be lazy!"

Sichuan had not been recovered yet, and Yunnan, Guizhou and other places had not been incorporated into the territory, so Zhu Yuanzhang was still anxious.

Ma Xun couldn't help but let his imagination run wild. He didn't feel that the country had already been unified, but if he thought about it, there were some differences between the current unification and the future unification.

Especially in places like Yunnan and Guizhou, it makes people think more.

People in later generations have become accustomed to it, but before the Ming Dynasty, Yunnan and Guizhou were rarely ruled by the Han Chinese regime.

There was the Dian Kingdom in the pre-Qin period, the Southwestern Yi in the Qin and Han dynasties, and the Nanzhao Kingdom from the Sui and Tang dynasties to the Song dynasty.

The Yuan Dynasty then ruled Yunnan and Guizhou, but it was not until the Ming Dynasty that the Han regime truly began to rule Yunnan and Guizhou and incorporate these places into the Central Plains.

After Zhu Biao toasted everyone, he came to Ma Xun and asked, "Uncle, why don't you go drink with the uncles?"

"I can't drink more than them, so I'd rather not join in the fun." Ma Xun looked at Zhu Biao and said worriedly, "Biao'er, drink less. You're not suitable for drinking too much at your age."

Zhu Biao lowered his voice and said, "Water, the bowl is full of water. He started to drink a few glasses, and when his face turned red, he switched to water."

Zhu Biao then smiled and said, "In fact, most of these uncles know it in their hearts, but they just don't reveal it."

It makes sense to think so. Zhu Biao was followed by a eunuch holding a wine jug. When the eunuch saw that Zhu Biao's wine glass was empty, he would pour wine for him, but those nobles would not pour wine for the prince.

Chang Yuchun came staggering over with a wine jug in his hand, "Prince, uncle, let's go drink, what are you talking about here!"

"Brother Chang, you will definitely be criticized when you go back." Ma Xun couldn't help but complain, "If your sister-in-law says something about you, Wan'er will also say something about you."

Chang Yuchun sat down and said, "Then I'll take a break too. Those people can drink too much. It would be bad if they get drunk and make a fool of themselves."

Zhu Biao and Ma Xun were not surprised at all that Chang Yuchun had a sensitive mind under his rough appearance. If Chang Yuchun had no scheming at all, he would not have become Zhu Yuanzhang's confidant.

Zhu Biao then said earnestly, "We are all family, so we won't say anything empty. Uncle Chang, can you please stop encouraging my uncle to go to war? My uncle mentioned it a few days ago, but I was scolded by my mother."

This is definitely an exaggeration. If Ma Xun was really scolded, it must be him. Zhu Biao just complained a few words, and Ma Xiuying would also be a little dissatisfied.

Chang Yuchun said solemnly, "Prince, it was not me who instigated my uncle. He was the one who wanted to go to war. Although my uncle is a scholar, he is also a man of great courage. Which real man doesn't want to destroy the Tartars?"

Ma Xun nodded vigorously. If he missed the chance, he would have no chance. According to the current trend, it was hard to say whether there would be a great victory in Buihuerhai in the future.

Zhu Biao complained even more, "My uncle has been married for almost a year and there is still no news. Wan'er and I will also get married next year. My parents are urging me to get married. What's going on?"

Ma Xun's pressure is increasing day by day, and Liu Shuning's pressure is probably even greater because everyone is urging her to do her job.

Just being realistic, it is normal not to be pregnant after one year of marriage. There is no such thing as a 100% sure thing.

If there is no movement after a while, Ma Xiuying will definitely be anxious to find a concubine for Ma Xun, and wait until they have a child.

Chang Yuchun understood immediately and said, "I don't think there is anything to worry about. Everyone in the capital knows that the emperor's uncle is the best at having children!"

"Brother Chang!" Ma Xun said dissatisfiedly, "Your words are harsh to the ears. Is that what you would say?" Guo Xing came drunk and was happy to see Ma Xun, "My method is still effective. I have to kowtow to you."

Ma Xun quickly said, "Brother Guo, are you making fun of me?"

Guo Ying, who was also drunk, couldn't be stopped. "Thanks to my little brother, otherwise I wouldn't have had any offspring! Don't stop me, I'll kowtow to my little brother!"

Guo Xing said quickly, "Don't stop me! I only have one son, and my second son didn't have a son before! If it weren't for me, my second son wouldn't have a son either. You have to kowtow!"

The more I listened to this, the more uncomfortable I felt. It’s hard to say whether Guo Ying has a son or not, but what does this have to do with me!
Tang He also stumbled over, "Then I'll kowtow as well. My method is really effective. I will definitely have many sons in the future! When I see my parents and aunt, I will speak loudly!"

Tang He's parents died early, so he lived with his aunt's family.

Being granted a title of nobility or a general is certainly a cause for joy, but for some people, continuing the clan bloodline is even more important.

"Brother Tang, can you please stop joining in the fun?" Ma Xun said in a panic, "Forget about Brother Guo, you already have children, it has nothing to do with me!"

Guo Ying was very proud. "Listen, everyone. You can't kowtow to him, but I can!"

The reading comprehension score was full marks, mainly because other people were cheering and thought it was as they should be.

There was nothing he could do, because Guo Ying had no children before. In the past, it was inconvenient to be on the expedition, but this time it was different. After listening to Ma Xun's suggestions, there was movement.

Guo Ying felt that the name he had prepared for several years had finally come in handy, so his son would be called "Guo Zhen" from now on.

If he is really a son, he would definitely not be the prince consort Guo Zhen in history, because he would have been born at least a year earlier.

Now in the capital, not only some nobles know the tricks to increase the fertility rate, some information has also begun to spread to the public.

Zhu Yuanzhang also joined in the fun. He must be happy that his old brother had a child.

Watching Ma Xun's flustered and awkward look was another kind of fun, because this brother-in-law always looked calm in the face of emergencies.

Li Shanchang, Wang Guangyang and others could not help but shake their heads. Ma Xun's relationship with those people in Huaixi was getting better and better, especially with those people who were His Majesty's confidants, they had already formed a group.

It has almost become a fantasy to want to win over this uncle of the emperor. If you want to fight with some people in the future, you may not have any chance at all.

After all, Ma Xun's identity and status are special, and the strategies he came up with with all his heart might not be as effective as a joke made by the uncle in front of the emperor, empress and prince.

It was already difficult to weaken the core power of the emperor, and now with Ma Xun dealing with this core power with ease, the pressure on some people is increasing day by day.

Ma Xun seemed to have done nothing, but his existence was a deterrent to many people.

What's more, he also helped the emperor and the empress to continuously establish medical treatment for the wounded, and helped the empress to provide charity and increase the population, etc., all of which were to win the hearts of the soldiers and the people!

This uncle of the emperor who seemed to be not competing for anything was more difficult to deal with than Xu Da and others, because everything he did was to constantly consolidate and enhance the prestige of the emperor and empress among the people and to win over the powerful and wealthy.

After the noisy banquet, Liu Shuning's pretty face flushed, "I can't hold my liquor well, I drank a little today."

Ma Xun also complained, "I knew I couldn't avoid it. With Sister-in-law Chang around, I have to drink."

"Sister-in-law Chang protected me and didn't let me drink too much." Liu Shuning said with a smile, "Some other sisters-in-law urged me to drink, so I couldn't refuse."

That’s right, it’s normal that Ma Xiuying and the wives of some founding heroes sometimes couldn’t get along.

Because many of those middle-aged women are born as village women, if they only know how to enjoy themselves over the years, they will become the kind of domineering and vulgar "ladies".

Liu Shuning also said, "My husband probably doesn't know that many noble families have good news now. Some sisters-in-law are happy, and some are not so happy."

Those who have difficulty in having children in their family will certainly be happy, but if they already have a legitimate son and he is not favored, then they may not be happy.

After all, although Zhu Yuanzhang emphasized the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children, the inheritance of titles was also based on legitimate and illegitimate children.

But not everyone loves the legitimate son, not to mention that even if some families have a son, he may not be the legitimate son.

"We can't control these things." Ma Xun stretched out his hand and held the warm and soft jade. "I counted with my fingers, and it seems that the time is right again!"

Although they have been married for nearly a year, Liu Shuning still feels shy sometimes.

Sometimes she really wondered what Ma Xun was learning when he was wandering around. The most important thing was that he had taught her a lot of strange knowledge now.

Get down to business. If Ma Xun wants to have more freedom and be treated as a real adult, he has to have a child. This is a prerequisite!
(End of this chapter)