The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 154 Hongmen Banquet

The busy Ma Xun had just been out of the palace for two days when he was summoned back into the palace again.

"Your brother-in-law and nephew will be here soon." Ma Xiuying said to Ma Xun with a smile, "The New Year is over, it's time to get down to business."

Ma Xun knew what was going on and replied, "The Imperial College's chief academic officer came to see me today. Why was Wei Guan demoted?"

"It's because your nephew felt that he didn't get along with you at all, so he demoted him." Ma Xiuying replied with a smile, "You are in charge of the Imperial College, and it must be inconvenient for you to get things done if the chief priest doesn't get along with you. Wei Guan is quite capable, so it would be best if he were sent to be a prefect."

This is Zhu Biao. Although he felt that Wei Guan was hindering Ma Xun in the Imperial College, he would not kill him directly.

After all, Wei Guan still has some ability. When the Ming Dynasty is short of civil servants, we should make the best use of their talents. At most, Wei Guan is not suitable for the position of Jijiu of the Imperial College, but he may be good in other positions.

"Wang Yi is not much better, but he may be more cautious." Ma Xun said sarcastically, "After choosing and choosing, they are all from eastern Zhejiang."

Ma Xiuying understood this logic very well, but this was the current situation in the Ming Dynasty.

There was a shortage of civil servants, and among the scholars, there were very few great scholars with some reputation and prestige. After selecting and choosing, they basically chose people from the circle in Zhejiang East.

Then the two siblings chatted, and Ma Xiuying suddenly asked, "Do I not have much time left?"

Ma Xun was shocked and a little panicked, "What's wrong? What's wrong?"

"You're a doctor, what's wrong?" Ma Xiuying stared at Ma Xun's expression, as if she wanted to find some flaws. "I have a respiratory disease to begin with, and I didn't pay much attention to it in the early years. It's time to recover."

Ma Xun didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "What nonsense are you talking about! You are in good health and have been very careful in the past two years. What could possibly happen?"

Ma Xiuying was like a detective possessed, saying, "At the end of last year, Shu Ning was trying to find out about my situation in a roundabout way. Your eldest nephew has always been filial, and the second nephews have also been attentive these days. And your brother-in-law, when did he ever become so obedient to me?"

This time Ma Xun was really at a loss whether to laugh or cry, as this mistake seemed to be a bit too big.

But if you think about it carefully, it seems that some misunderstandings are normal. When doctors advise people to "eat well and drink well", it will definitely make people think too much.

Ma Xun explained, "I'm embarrassed to talk about this. It's a woman's matter. At your age, you tend to think too much. Do you often lose your temper for no reason, or cry for no reason?"

Ma Xiuying nodded subconsciously. These situations did exist, and she was even very upset sometimes. Why couldn't she control her temper? Life was good now, why was she more prone to daydreaming than in the past?
"It's called menopause." Ma Xun was no longer embarrassed and said, "I didn't want to ask at first because I felt embarrassed. I reminded my brother-in-law and nephew, and they did nothing wrong. It's just that you think too much."

Ma Xiuying immediately became more concerned and asked carefully about some things about menopause.

After asking, I was relieved. It seemed that it was indeed a misunderstanding. But I also felt that Ma Xun's medical skills should not be publicized too much. A young man would treat women's diseases.

If this gets out, Ma Xun's reputation will be ruined and the Ma family will be laughed at by many people.

Ma Xiuying immediately understood, "So that means I couldn't control my temper, so your brother-in-law gave in to me?"

"You can't say that. It's because you two have a good relationship." Ma Xun said, "It's just that my brother-in-law is good. There are many husbands out there who don't care about these things. You still accuse me of being hypocritical."

Ma Xiuying smiled and nodded, she obviously agreed with this.

Although Zhu Yuanzhang's identity was constantly changing, the feelings between the two people did not change.

Regardless of whether Ma Xiuying was the adopted daughter of the Marshal, or Zhu Yuanzhang was a general suspected by the Marshal, or they were the current emperor and empress, the two were first and foremost husband and wife, and there was no talk of monarch and subject relationship.

"You are not allowed to tell your brother-in-law about this." Ma Xiuying reminded him, "Now I calculate that I have one or two years of good life. While your brother-in-law is giving in to me, I will abuse my power."

Ma Xun really didn't know what was going on between the couple, and he didn't want to get involved. At this time, he could only nod vigorously. Ma Xiuying was his sister, so he naturally sided with his sister.

Besides, Ma Xiuying's so-called "abusing power and authority" was just talk, and she knew her limits.

As the two continued to talk, Zhu Yuanzhang came with Zhu Biao, "My little brother is here."

"Brother-in-law." Ma Xun stood up and greeted, "Biao'er."

Ma Xiuying rolled her eyes at Zhu Yuanzhang. Although Zhu Yuanzhang felt puzzled, he didn't care. Girls are sentimental and sensitive nowadays, so give in more.

Besides, I am careless and my temper has become worse and worse since I became the emperor. Maybe I did something wrong without knowing it. There must be a reason for my sister's temper!
"Uncle has to go to court tomorrow." Zhu Biao hurriedly tried to smooth things over, saying, "Tomorrow we have to issue an order to make uncle the chief examiner. This matter has been decided for a long time, why hasn't the order been issued yet? The second son and the others have to issue an order before they can go back to their hometown."

Zhu Yuanzhang also smiled and said, "Our family has already decided on this, and everyone outside knows about it. This is an interesting thing to do, so everyone has forgotten about it." This is the reality. Everyone knows about this matter, so they forgot to follow the process.

Zhu Yuanzhang then spoke up, "This is a good time for you to lead the Five Cities Army. Since you are the chief examiner, you will need officials and soldiers to guard the Imperial Examination Hall."

Ma Xun said worriedly, "Brother-in-law, this is inappropriate, right? The Wucheng Bingma Division is responsible for patrolling the capital to catch thieves, dredging the streets and ditches, prisoners, and fire bans."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said, "The father of the princess of a prince or duke has no official position, so he will be appointed as a military commander or deputy commander. You can take charge of it now, since you have official positions in the Grand Military Governor's Office and the Secretariat anyway."

The Bingmasi are the public security and urban management department of the capital, so they have a huge responsibility.

And in theory, the Five Cities Military Command is under the Ministry of War, but its official title is the 'Military Command', which you can tell is under the jurisdiction of the Grand Marshal's Office.

This is the check and balance. In the final analysis, the daily defense of the capital is too important, and this matter needs to be balanced.

Zhu Biao also said, "Didn't your uncle say that he would go back to his hometown? It would be a good opportunity to send some people from the Imperial Guards' Office over there. We must not make any mistakes in the first joint examination."

Zhu Yuanzhang echoed the words, "Last time when Chang Mao and his gang rode their horses in the downtown area, I wanted to let your uncle take charge of the Wucheng Bingma Division. Your uncle is kind and dignified, he knows how to sympathize with the people, and he is not afraid of the powerful."

"That's right. Uncle is in charge of the Five Cities Military Department. Who among the nobles' children would dare to break the law or cause trouble?" Zhu Biao also hurriedly praised, "Besides, Uncle is currently training troops and has military merits. He is the most suitable person to be in charge of the defense of the capital."

Ma Xiuying suddenly interrupted and said, "He is now the Right Commander of the Grand Commandery, but he is not in charge of the Beijing Guards. The people he trained were assigned to the Five Cities Military Department. The Right Commander should have some soldiers at least."

Ma Xun felt dizzy. He suddenly felt that this was the Hongmen Banquet. Unfortunately, it was too late to run away.

The family of three was bewitched by this drug. If Ma Xun did not take charge of the defense of the capital, he would be disloyal and unfilial, and would not know how to share the worries of his sister or care for his nephew.

What's more, his moral character is known throughout the world and respected by the nobles. He is the most suitable person to be in charge of the Five Cities Military Department and ensure the daily order of the capital.

Fearing that he would be further burdened, Ma Xun said, "After I finish inspecting the Imperial Examination Hall, I will take the second brother and the others back home."

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately said, "That's right. You should take them back to their hometown first. Train them with the requirements of marching along the way, and provide them with food and shelter when they get back to their hometown."

Zhu Chong and others will definitely not suffer when they return to Fengyang, and some tasks will be arranged for them.

Ma Xun asked, "What about the errand? Biao'er asked me to check if the nobles have invaded the land or committed any illegal acts, and to see if the native people have oppressed the people who moved here later. Can you guys do this?"

"Uncle will investigate openly, and the people in the Imperial Guards' Office will investigate secretly." Zhu Biao suggested, "It would be best if the second sons are able to share uncle's worries. Sooner or later, they will have to take care of things."

It would be better to assign some tasks to Zhu Chong and others that they can do. If I were not sensitive, I might not have understood the meaning behind it.

Seeing Ma Xun nod, Ma Xiuying said, "Biao'er is your nephew, and so are the other two. They are young, and not as steady and experienced as Biao'er. Although leaving them in your hometown won't cause them to be bullied, they are just too ignorant to be fooled."

Ma Xun understood and said, "I will settle them first and then go back to Suzhou. After the examination, I will go to Fengyang. Anyway, it's close, and I like to travel around."

Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying were very happy. Zhu Chong and others naturally did not have to worry about no one to serve them when they returned to their hometown. However, they also had to worry about these guys being deceived by someone with ulterior motives, or letting them learn some bad habits.

It would be best for Ma Changxu to go over and take a look. After all, this elder can control Zhu Chong and others.

He is young, in good health, has a high enough status and relatively ample time. Only Ma Xun can lead the team to travel between the capital and Fengyang. No one else is suitable.

Zhu Yuanzhang's family of three was busy with state affairs, so it was even more inappropriate to let the seventy-year-old Li Zhen run back and forth.

Ma Xun calculated carefully and realized that he would be very busy next.

But when I think about it carefully again, why do I feel like I am going to become a Jinyiwei?

This won’t do. I cannot be the commander of the Royal Guards’ Mansion, otherwise there will be more trouble in the future!

After the Hongmen Banquet, Ma Xun had more responsibilities that he could not shirk, and there were many things that seemed to be something only he could do.

I'll make some plans when I get back. Time is tight and the task is heavy, so there's no chance to be lazy.

"The Five Cities Military Command and the Imperial Guard Commander's Office, luckily they know that I don't have the ability to subdue the imperial guards." Ma Xun patted Wangcai's head and said, "Just wait and see, it would be normal if the two of us brothers became the governors of Yingtian Prefecture one day!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's family really trusted him!
(End of this chapter)