The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 156 Foolproof

There is never a shortage of princes, generals, and powerful young men at the feet of the emperor, and naturally there is also a shortage of anecdotes.

Nowadays in Yingtian Prefecture, one can often see several young men in gorgeous clothes sitting on tall horses, each of them wearing a martial arts uniform, and accompanied by some guards holding whistle sticks.

In the past, everyone would keep their distance, as these teenage boys might be the children of some high-ranking official or noble family.

Of course, I heard that these young men have had a hard time recently. They were caught riding horses in a busy city by the emperor's uncle. After being punished by standing in the corner, they were taken to the barracks for training.

However, these young men are now staring at those people dressed as Confucian scholars, hoping to catch these people who look like scholars making mistakes so that they can take credit for it.

Normally they were treated as children, and it was only with great difficulty that they were given formal jobs.

They are all like they are full of energy, some even taking chicken feathers as their own authority.

There were also those who were prudent and would directly block the entrance to some civil servants’ mansions, and would ask everyone entering and leaving whether they were scholars and whether any of their relatives were going to take the imperial examinations.

Such a big commotion spread quickly. These sons of nobles who could not afford to offend were all ordered by Xu Guogong, the chief examiner of the first subject of the Ming Dynasty, to severely punish scholars from submitting essays to civil and military officials.

As a result, some scholars who wanted to stay with their clan elders or neighbors moved away in a hurry. Even if they thought they had a clear conscience, no one dared to let any gossip spread about them.

Ma Guojiu wanted to crack down on cheating in the imperial examinations, and even the slightest suspicion would be seized upon by him.

Not only the scholars who are about to take the exam do not dare to take the risk, but the civil and military officials now wish they could immediately distance themselves from some of the scholars.

The uncle of the emperor was aloof and sometimes inflexible. Moreover, the emperor and empress trusted him immensely, so he did things without any regard for human feelings.

Didn’t you see that the eldest son of Duke Zheng brought people from the Five Cities Military Department to inspect the Imperial Examination Hall every day? It is said that those people from the Ministry of Rites have been tortured to death and now they are suspecting that the wall of the Imperial Examination Hall is not high enough and that someone has climbed over it to cheat.

God bless you, the gates of the Imperial Examination Hall will be closed at that time, and there will be guards inside to maintain order.

"Dad, my uncle is really good." Zhu Biao was very impressed. "I am most afraid of injustice in the imperial examination. I am afraid of gossips when it is my first imperial examination in the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Yuanzhang also nodded and said, "Your uncle is very thoughtful. With his commotion, the people will think that the selection of officials must be fair."

Zhu Biao also smiled and said, "That's the truth. The leakage of test questions and the protection of examiners are the things that the imperial examination fears the most. With my uncle doing this now, who would dare to have anything to do with these scholars?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao as if testing him, and asked, "Anything else?"

Zhu Biao was stunned. He thought carefully for a long time before asking, "My son is stupid and can't think of anything else."

Ma Xiuying smiled and said, "Your uncle deliberately let the sons of nobles go to the streets. These people will be kept for you in the future. Now they are working for you, so you still have to remind some people to stay away from civil and military officials."

Zhu Biao suddenly realized, and then said, "No wonder those guys are showing off all day long. Master Song also said that no one in his mansion dared to go out, and there were people following them wherever they went."

"Those guys don't have official status and I don't have their orders. They are just doing things according to your uncle's words." Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile, "Your uncle is a bad man. If these guys cause trouble, then they will just make trouble."

Ma Xiuying glanced at Zhu Yuanzhang with dissatisfaction, and then said to Zhu Biao, "Your uncle is indeed slippery. Now the people think that this is the will of the court. When the civil and military officials mention this matter, they can only say that your uncle is acting recklessly."

Zhu Yuanzhang said earnestly, "The good thing about the children of nobles is that sometimes they don't have to take responsibility for their actions. The imperial decree doesn't have to be made public, just let people do the work. Your uncle has learned this well."

Although those sons of noble families did not hold official positions, everyone knew that they could not be provoked.

If you provoke these people, you will provoke the Huaixi people. Moreover, each of them was arranged by Ma Xun, and behind this big Buddha were the emperor, empress, and prince.

Ma Xiuying said, "Some things may be unavoidable, but you have to create momentum first. Once the people believe and accept it, many things will not be too complicated."

"The same principle also applies to employing people. You are the crown prince, and it is enough for your subordinates to get things done." Zhu Yuanzhang also said, "You should be tactful when doing things. Sometimes you can't be too rigid."

Seizing every opportunity to teach Zhu Biao was also the usual practice of Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying.

Zhu Biao is going to get married this year and is now also learning how to govern.

However, there is still a lot to learn, especially how to employ people.

In the plan of Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying, once Zhu Biao had an heir, he would be able to observe government affairs immediately and legitimately, and then he could handle state affairs openly, instead of being taught how to handle things step by step as he did now.

While the family of three was talking, Zhu Chong asked for a meeting.

Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Chong said with a sad face, "Father, my uncle asked me to stay in the military camp tomorrow and accompany my second brother to inspect and arrange the troops to escort the hometown."

"This is a good thing, why are you complaining?" Zhu Yuanzhang was unhappy, "You are the leader of the kings, you should do these things!"

Zhu Biao could actually understand Zhu Chong. Although Zhu Chong and others were very familiar with the military camp, they were princes after all.

They usually live in luxury, but now they are sent directly to the military camp. They have to be prepared to endure hardships.

Even if Zhu Chong will not really suffer, his quality of life will definitely decline compared to his current life.

Ma Xiuying criticized unhappily, "Your uncle hopes you can improve, so why doesn't he let the third and fourth brothers stay in the barracks? It's because he thinks you have some skills!"

Zhu Chong was really about to cry. My uncle bullied me for a long time because I deserved to be bullied!

Look at what my father and my mother said. Why didn't my uncle bother others but me? Isn't it because he values me that he bothers me?
Zhu Biao also said earnestly, "This time you are leading your brothers back home, there will definitely be a lot of things to do. Start gaining experience in advance so that you can share the worries of your father." Zhu Chong could already sense that his future was bleak, so he started to get things done before he even left the capital.

When I return to my hometown, I don’t know how many things my uncle will have to arrange for me. If I don’t do well, not only will my uncle scold me, but my father and mother will also probably take action.

There is no one to talk to if I want to reason. The only person I can count on is my uncle, who will definitely stand with my uncle and give me earnest advice.

Seeing Zhu Chong leaving with a sad face, Zhu Yuanzhang became even angrier. Among all his sons, only Biao'er was the one who was worry-free and capable.

"I still have to tell my younger brother that the second brother is useless." Ma Xiuying said unhappily, "He is good in every way except that he spoils his children too much."

Zhu Yuanzhang also said unhappily, "It is natural for an uncle to beat his nephew. When we are not here and Biao'er is not here, he will at most say a few words."

Zhu Biao thought about it and it seemed to be true. Although his uncle had beaten the second son and several others, it was always with clear intentions. Usually he mainly criticized and educated them and rarely used physical force.

Ma Xiuying was even more angry. "They always say that we spoil our children. What kind of person is he? If the second child and the others are useless, it's all because of him spoiling them!"

Ma Xun, who was unaware that he was almost accused of "misleading students" and "spoiling his children", carefully read the report sent by Wu Kan, then smiled and set it on fire.

The family background of the deputy examiner, the test setter, etc. must be checked clearly, as well as who their teachers are, their students and old friends, etc.

These are naturally the work of Zhu Yuanzhang and others, but Ma Xun still needs to know about them.

It seems that there is not much to worry about now, because not only Ma Xun attaches importance to this matter, but the whole court attaches importance to it.

After all, it was the first imperial examination of the Ming Dynasty, and no one dared to make a mistake.

Satisfied Ma Xun felt that things were going according to plan and felt very good.

Liu Shuning's face turned red, she was a little excited and a little nervous, "Husband, my period hasn't come yet."

Ma Xun was stunned for a moment, then he calculated that it was already five days late, and said, "Stretch out your hand."

Liu Shuning immediately stretched out her hand, and Ma Xun decisively felt for her pulse.

Judging from Liu Shuning's pulse, the frequency is very high, almost more than 100 times a minute. And it is short and strong, which is consistent with the characteristics of slippery pulse.

Although anemia, rheumatism and other diseases may also cause slippery pulse, if a woman has a slippery pulse without any disease, it can be judged that she is pregnant.

Ma Xun took a deep breath and suppressed his excitement. "He Da, go to the palace immediately and ask the pediatric doctor from the Imperial Hospital to come over. Go on horseback!"

He Da turned and ran. This was a big deal.

Liu Shuning was even more excited and nervous, "Husband, are you pregnant?"

"I'm not sure, there are signs of slippery pulse." Ma Xun said with a smile, "Relax, this matter is not urgent."

Can you not be in a hurry?

Liu Shuning is really anxious now.

Xu E also smiled happily and quickly supported Liu Shuning, "Madam, be careful."

Ma Xun was speechless. "It's only been less than two months. What's there to be careful about?"

"I almost forgot that the master is a miracle doctor." Xu E smiled and supported Liu Shuning, "Master, do you want to go and tell His Highness the good news?"

Liu Shuning also immediately looked at Ma Xun. Logically speaking, she should send someone to report the good news.

As for the fact that you can’t tell others about the first three months of pregnancy, there is no problem with that.

But Ma Xiuying is obviously not an outsider. If Liu Shuning is really pregnant, she must go and tell her the good news immediately.

"Let's wait until the imperial physician comes." Ma Xun was a little anxious. "Send someone to urge him. Why hasn't he come yet?"

Ma Xun was obviously very happy and could hardly wait.

Seeing Ma Xun's expression, Liu Shuning was naturally happier. She actually felt that she must be pregnant, otherwise her husband would not be like this.

Xu E obviously shared the same view. Asking the imperial physician to come was just an extra insurance policy. His master's medical skills were unmatched by those imperial physicians combined.

My master felt my pulse and diagnosed the disease in less than two months. Isn’t he a miracle doctor?
Ma Xun was sitting there feeling restless when he suddenly heard footsteps.

"Little brother, are you pregnant?"

"With the blessing of my parents, our family has an heir!"

"Uncle and aunt, great joy!"

I called the imperial physician, not the emperor and his family of three!
(End of this chapter)