The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 172 Family and State Affairs
After finishing the perfunctory conversation with Li Shanchang, Song Lian and others, Ma Xun and Li Wenzhong went to Rouyi Palace while chatting.

Whether it is Duke Xu or Duke Cao, even if they are the left and right governors of the Grand Governor's Office, they are just younger brothers and nephews when they arrive at Rouyi Palace.

"sister."

"aunt."

After saying hello, Ma Xun started to complain, "Sister, why did my brother-in-law have to talk about that poem in the court?"

Li Wenzhong spoke first, "Uncle has literary talent, so he must become famous. The court has been short of civil servants since the uprising. It is still the same now. Since uncle has literary talent, he must become famous."

"Second brother is right." Zhu Biao also said quickly, "Although my uncle will definitely say that poetry is a minor art, it is helpful to the literary style of our Ming Dynasty. My parents will definitely be happy to see it happen."

Liu Shuning also took the initiative to speak up, "Husband, I think what my brother-in-law is doing is the right thing to do. My husband has literary talent, which will only make scholars admire him."

Li Zhen held Li Jinglong in his arms and asked kindly, "Your uncle has made great progress. Is this a good thing?"

Li Jinglong didn't understand much, so he happily agreed, "Good thing."

This time, Ma Xiuying didn't even need to say anything. The people present praised her so much that Ma Xun had no chance to refuse even if he wanted to.

"It will be hard for me to write good poems in the future." Ma Xun warned, "If I really have to write poems, have someone write them in advance so I can copy them later."

Ma Xiuying smiled and said, "You definitely don't like the poetry of those people. You planned to go on a spring outing two years ago but didn't make it. Go this year."

Ma Xun didn't know what to say for a moment. He always felt that his sister had "bad intentions".

The year before last, I had planned to go on an outing with Liu Shuning to cultivate our relationship, but it ended up being a thousand-mile march.

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "That's great. When the weather gets warmer in a few days, I will take the noble sons and scholars out for an outing. When the time comes, I will trouble my aunt to bring the noble women along."

Li Wenzhong also said, "I have always been thinking about Qushui Liushang. It just so happens that my uncle is in charge of the imperial examination and has a talent for poetry. How about letting my uncle judge it?"

Zhu Biao followed up by saying, "I have the same idea. If I can produce one or two good works, it will be a great story."

Ma Xun had always known that Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying were good at taking advantage of situations, and their eldest son was also good at taking advantage of situations.

Things like outings have always been a tradition, but in the past they were more of a display of the emperor's grace, with a slight element of evaluating scholars.

But now that Ma Xun has a reputation as a writer, he must create a good story to highlight the Ming Dynasty's cultural achievements in addition to its military prowess.

Those civil servants in eastern Zhejiang or Jiangnan should also take a good look. They are not the only ones with literary talent in the Ming Dynasty. The poems of the King's Uncle are currently the best in the Ming Dynasty!

"Then I'll take Jinglong with me." Ma Xun waved his hand, "Jinglong, can I take you to climb the mountain?"

Li Jinglong immediately shook his head, "If Grandpa doesn't go, I won't go either."

Now everyone was praising Li Jinglong for his filial piety. Li Zhen looked very pleased and insisted that it was Ma Xun's good teaching that made Li Jinglong so filial.

Zhu Biao smiled and looked at Ma Xun, "Earlier, my uncle asked Chang Mao and others to patrol the streets to prevent students from submitting their works to officials. I'm afraid that this will no longer work in the future. Students should think about submitting their works to my uncle."

Seeing Ma Xun's speechless expression, Ma Xiuying was the happiest. "Your father always looked down on my Ma family. My ancestors were all scholars. Even when they encountered difficulties, they did not change their duty of passing down poetry and books."

Zhu Biao said quickly, "Mom, what you said is wrong. My mother has always been admired by my father. Mom followed my grandfather for twelve years, and my uncle followed my grandfather for ten years. They both learned a lot."

Ma Xiuying was satisfied with Zhu Biao's words, and she said proudly, "Although your grandfather is a little too straightforward, he is still very powerful at heart. Look at me and your uncle, and you will know how powerful our Ma family is!"

Although this might be Ma Xiuying's self-praise, no one present thought it was an exaggeration.

The two most convincing works of Ma Taigong are here. One is the female Zhuge Ma Xiuying who has been well-read in poetry and books since childhood, and the other is Ma Xun who has a lot of knowledge but his talent is not concealed.

Li Zhen also smiled and said, "Sister, Chongba regretted not being able to see Mount Tai before. What kind of a good family must this be to have raised you and my younger brother."

"Brother-in-law, you are too kind." Ma Xiuying was very respectful to Li Zhen and said with a smile, "In the end, the Zhu family and the Li family are better. The brothers are harmonious and the children are filial. This is what a harmonious family is like."

People from the Ma family praise the Zhu family, and people from the Zhu family praise the Ma family. This is what harmony means.

Zhu Biao felt as if this was another lesson for him because he was about to get married.

But he had no objection to this. He was not only the eldest son in the family, but also the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty, so some of his affairs were not just simple family matters.

Fortunately, our elders are all very wise and have excellent character, so we can follow their example.

Zhu Biao could learn from the guidance in the book and the words and deeds of the elders. Even if he encountered any troubles, he could just follow their example. Ma Xun was in a good mood and said to Ma Xiuying, "Sister, after I preside over the examination, I will go back to my hometown for a while. At least I have to let the second brother and the others plant the fields before coming back."

"This saves us a lot of trouble. I was worried that you two would indulge in pleasure." Ma Xiuying said with a smile, "You can go back for a while, so Shu Ning can rest and take care of her baby."

Liu Shuning also spoke up at this time, "Sister, I am not feeling well now, and I am pregnant, should I consider taking a concubine for my husband?"

Liu Shuning’s words made Ma Xiuying very satisfied. This was the mindset that a wife in charge should have.

As the queen, she did not even consider being the exclusive favorite. Many wealthy families had three wives and four concubines, so Ma Xun was naturally qualified.

"It's a little early to bring this up. There's nothing to consider." Ma Xiuying said with a smile, "We've only been married for a year. How can you take a concubine now? Isn't that a joke?"

Liu Shuning still said worriedly, "Sister, this is not appropriate. Although I am pregnant, I cannot ignore my husband."

"Just listen to me. We'll talk about taking a concubine later." Ma Xiuying said directly, "Taking a concubine means you are virtuous and still want to take a concubine for him even though you are not feeling well."

Then Ma Xiuying turned the gun around and said, "You are usually a noble person, but you turned a deaf ear to me when I told you to take a concubine! How come you have more thoughts now that you are a Duke?"

Ma Xun cried out in injustice, "Sister, it's not good if I speak up about this matter, but I will be criticized if I don't speak up. Anyway, I'm not in a hurry to take a concubine. If I really want to take a concubine, I have to find the right person first."

Ma Xiuying was speechless. When she asked Ma Xun to get married, she was a little picky.

Although Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying had chosen the candidate at that time, Ma Xun also had his own ideas.

Needless to say now, it would be difficult for him to be "obedient" to take a concubine. He might have to find someone he really likes before he would say so.

"It's up to you." Ma Xiuying said with a smile, "You are better than many people in this respect. You don't usually go to brothels and you don't covet women."

Ma Xun thought about it carefully before saying, "I am also an ordinary person, I can only restrain myself. I will ask Chang Mao and others to go around the streets and catch a few officials who are having fun."

Ma Xiuying took it seriously when she heard it. "We can't let Chang Mao and his men do this. You have to step in. These officials are like that. They always think that the world is peaceful and they shouldn't indulge their bad habits."

Zhu Yuanzhang strictly prohibited officials from visiting prostitutes, but such a strict prohibition was not of much use.

The devil is always stronger than the good. Some officials can find ways to seek pleasure, and even talk about the "romantic scholar" and so on.

"This time when I returned to Fengyang, I felt that there were many illegal things done by the nobles and officials." Ma Xun said seriously, "If these people are not disciplined, they will cause chaos sooner or later."

Li Wenzhong also spoke up, "Your Highness, I think it's not a good idea to clean up the army right now. We should start with the civilian officials."

Li Wenzhong’s meaning was actually very simple. Now the military forces were still needed to continue fighting, so some things could be turned a blind eye.

Just give them a warning, and wait until the right time to deal with those lawless nobles.

"You shouldn't have told me this, or someone would say that the harem is not allowed to interfere in government affairs." Ma Xiuying smiled and said, "Just wait, you two will definitely complain."

Ma Xun and Li Wenzhong looked at each other. It seemed that they might indeed be treated with sarcasm by Old Zhu.

But there is no need to worry too much. After all, these things will not be taken too seriously. Just be thick-skinned and everything will be fine.

Li Zhen smiled and said, "It's okay for Chongba to know. We were just discussing some family matters. Besides, I remember when we were conquering the country, if you hadn't helped take care of many things, would Chongba have been able to gain control of the country?"

Zhu Biao immediately flattered her and said, "I have always felt that mother should take care of more things now. I learned how to manage government from you."

Ma Xiuying looked at everyone and said with a smile, "Don't try to fool me. I will be fair in presiding over the imperial examination. Bao'er, be careful in handling the affairs of the Grand Military Governor's Office. As for Biao'er, go to Wenhua Hall more often. I'll have someone send you some memorials."

This is not just a family affair, it's also a national affair, but there's nothing wrong with Ma Xiuying's arrangement.

"Bao'er, remember, don't interfere with the spring outing." Ma Xiuying reminded, "Your uncle is thinking about going to war now, but he doesn't have the ability. Let him practice a little more, there's no point in talking about fighting even if he's deploying defenses!"

Ma Xun was beaming with joy. Normally he didn't like being entrusted with important tasks, but he would not refuse when it involved something he was interested in.

There is no need to refuse the opportunity to practice more.

Seeing Ma Xun's smiling face that didn't care about money, many people began to worry.

Not only were they worried about his arrangements for defense, they were even more worried that he was determined to go to war.

You don't know how to enjoy your wealth, but instead prefer to ride on horses and fight on the battlefield. Do you have what it takes?

(End of this chapter)