The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 173 No way to survive
Ma Xun should be considered to have some abilities and skills. His medical skills have been proven, and many people say that he is the best doctor in the Ming Dynasty.

But when it comes to military talent, people who are not familiar with him think he is an outstanding general.

However, what Ma Xun is best at in the military field is marching. He can complete the task well by marching more than 10,000 soldiers in the safe territory of Ming Dynasty.

As for the rest, don't think too much about it, as it is beyond your ability.

The so-called ability of both literature and martial arts means that he has some farm skills. Ordinary people may not be able to beat him, but he is definitely not the reincarnation of the Overlord who can take on ten people alone.

After staying in the palace for a few days, Ma Xun and Liu Shuning took Wangcai back home.

Although the palace is nice, it can't compare to the comfort and freedom of your own home.

As for the fact that everyone in Prince Xu's Mansion was arranged by the emperor and the empress, Ma Xun didn't care at all, and Liu Shuning didn't have anything to worry about either.

As long as they are not thinking of running away or rebelling, these people are the most trustworthy.

It’s okay even if you complain about the emperor and the empress. There’s no need to be extremely cautious and tread carefully.

"Uncle!" Chang Mao rushed over, followed by Chang Sheng and Chang Sen who shared the same hatred for the enemy. "Why do you write poetry?"

Looking at these three nephews, Ma Xun became amused. "Ci, that's Ci, not poetry!"

Chang Mao became even angrier, "Who cares if it's poetry or lyrics! You can write poetry now, what should I do in the future?"

Chang Sheng and Chang Sen also nodded. Their uncle was a capable man and many people praised him.

Although they always felt that their uncle was idle and not doing his job properly, Chang Mao and his friends still thought that their uncle had a good temper and was capable.

Now, my uncle is so talented that people say his poetry is the best in the Ming Dynasty.

Although they felt honored to hear these compliments, Chang Mao and others felt that their future would be bleak if they were to hold themselves to such standards in the future.

These guys are also considered to be the next generation of uncles of the emperor. Not to mention their parents and sisters, many people, consciously or unconsciously, hope that they can learn from their cheap uncles.

Ma Xun found it even more funny. These guys must feel betrayed. They are usually useless, so why do their cheap uncle like you become so powerful?
Liu Shuning smiled and said, "Don't think too much. You are from a military family. Just learn how to lead troops."

"Aunt!" Chang Mao said bitterly, "Mother also said that my uncle has learned a lot of skills since he was a child, but I grew up in wealth and still have nothing to show for it. She just thinks that I have suffered less, so she wants to reduce my expenses and let me study!"

Now Ma Xun and Liu Shuning both understood that "other people's children" were some people's childhood nightmares. Parents always liked to look at the excellent children around them and set standards for their own children.

Chang Mao and his friends have suffered an unexpected disaster. Not only has their pocket money been cut, but according to the current trend, they will have to increase their academic intensity.

There were not many foreign relatives in the Ming Dynasty. Li Zhen was highly respected, and Ma Xun was now both virtuous and talented, leaving no way for future foreign relatives.

Because the existence of these two people has almost set an example, no matter how hard some future relatives by marriage try, it will be almost impossible to surpass them.

After sending away the three boys from the Chang family, Ma Xun had to deal with the flattery from the people in the mansion.

Xu E was indescribably proud. "Her Majesty the Queen loves reading, and our master also never puts down his books. Those people outside are making a fuss, but we know how talented our master is."

"You are talented just because you read a few medical books?" Ma Xun said jokingly, "If you are really that talented, why didn't anyone let me write a word?"

Xu E had even more reason, "It was difficult before, but even then, the master was still full of knowledge. If conditions were really good, a pool of water could be dyed black, and the master's calligraphy would definitely be comparable to that of the calligrapher!"

Xu E knew that Wang Xizhi washed his brush so often that the entire pond of water turned ink-colored, and Ma Xun was not surprised at all.

Ma Xiuying's maid has been with her for nearly twenty years. Doesn't she have to be smart, clever and capable?

Ma Xun smiled and refused the compliments as he had other things to do.

When he arrived at the study, the first thing Ma Xun did was to look at the official documents.

"Now it's good, I might as well be wandering outside." Ma Xun complained, "Things come one after another. It's okay that the emperor is a workaholic, he likes that. I'm not a workaholic, and I'm driven to work hard."

The truth is most likely what Ma Xun guessed. His lack of ambition is obvious to all.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying had a way to deal with it, knowing that Ma Xun still had some sense of responsibility.

So a lot of things were arranged, one after another, and it seemed that it would be best if he came forward. This method really worked.

Just look at Ma Xun now and you will know that he has a lot of errands, big and small, and he is trying his best to do these things better.

"He Da." Ma Xun shouted, "Go to Wucheng Bingma Division and ask the military commander to go to Yingtian Prefecture Yamen and wait for him tomorrow. By the way, go to Yingtian Prefecture again and tell the prefect to return to the yamen after the court session tomorrow."

The rank of the prefect of Yingtian Prefecture is the third rank, which is two ranks higher than the fourth rank prefect of the local government. "Uncle of the emperor." He Da looked at Ma Xun and said seriously, "I am just a guard. I don't hold any official position."

He had every reason to say this. He was not an official or a staff member, so he did not need to run errands for these matters.

To be more strict, he couldn't even enter those government offices if he wanted to.

Ma Xun was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "I don't often go to the government office, and there is no lawyer around, so you have to run errands for me. Otherwise, I can run errands myself, is that appropriate?"

Faced with Ma Xun's shamelessness, He Da could only admit it, "Then you have to give me a badge and a letter of credit, otherwise if I really stop you, it will be a loss of face for you."

This shows the disadvantage of Ma Xun's "dislike of going to work". Working from home for a long time makes it difficult for him to even write an official document.

"You decide." Ma Xun said with a smile, "If all else fails, I can go to the Grand Commandery and get you an official position. Can I really stop it for you?"

He Da refused immediately. He didn't need an official status. It would be a bondage for him. He was more comfortable in his current state.

After He Da left, Ma Xun thought about it carefully and said, "Go and call Chang Mao over."

It didn't take a moment for Chang Mao to come over breathlessly. "Uncle, do you want to talk to me about something?"

"You are young and know many people." Ma Xun said, "Your sister can't go out much now, you should go to various prefectures and ask where is the best place to go for an outing."

Chang Mao's eyes lit up and he said, "Jiming Mountain is not good, I know a place where I can hunt tigers!"

Last year, this guy failed to beat the tiger but came back with a bruised face and nose. He still has such thoughts now.

"Let's just go for an outing, why fight a tiger!" Ma Xun said directly, "Choose a place with beautiful scenery, and your sister will also go there. Also, the venue should be spacious. There will be no spring hunting this year, and the sons of nobles will have to perform martial arts in front of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Chang Mao became even more excited. "Uncle, are we testing archery or horsemanship this time? Why don't you go talk to the prince and ask him to train us with swordsmanship this year?"

The second generation of nobles generally did not waste their time, and although it was unlikely that they would surpass their predecessors, they generally would not bring disgrace to the family.

Ma Xun refused directly, "It's not my turn to offer advice on this matter. You should go and ask more questions first. Remember, you have to have both beautiful scenery and a vast site. Don't go to the Imperial Examination Hall these few days. Take the guards to the mountains for a walk."

Chang Mao agreed immediately. This task was tailor-made for him.

He already had a good relationship with the noble families and visited them frequently. Now that he was just a teenager, no one would say much even if he entered and left the inner courtyard.

Let him take the guards to find a place for an outing, etc. These tasks are not too difficult, but if done well, he can also show his face in front of the prince.

Ma Xun had good intentions, even though Chang Mao was born as Zhu Biao's direct descendant.

But direct descendants are direct descendants, and ability is ability. We cannot let Chang Mao "repeat the same mistakes" and continue to make big and small mistakes.

Liu Shuning brought tea and asked with a smile, "Why did you see Chang Mao rushing out in such a hurry again?"

"Let him do the work." Ma Xun said jokingly, "Others can be ordered around, but I still think these guys are the most convenient to order around."

Liu Shuning also has this feeling. Although many things can be done by official people, it seems more legitimate.

It’s just that Ma Xun’s habit is to call his nephews and nephews first. When these guys are not convenient to show up, he will consider those officials.

Ma Xun didn't think there was anything wrong with doing this, and Liu Shuning also thought that this arrangement was appropriate.

Since Ma Xun is the emperor's uncle, he has some natural connections with the Huaixi nobles.

Even though he seemed to keep his distance from some nobles, he should still win over some people for the royal family.

Even Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang needed some confidants and brothers, and Ma Xun, the emperor's uncle, should also understand the principle that a hero needs three helpers.

Liu Shuning became serious and asked, "My husband, you should think about taking a concubine. If you don't take a concubine, people will say that I am jealous, which is not a good thing."

Ma Xun was at a loss for words. "I'm not in a hurry, so why are you? I'm busy with work all day long, so I don't have the mood to go looking for women. Besides, it's so good to have such a simple home now. If there are too many people in the house, it might become a mess."

Liu Shuning persuaded him, "Husband, don't worry. My sister has taught me a lot of ways to manage the household."

Ma Xun didn't know what to say at this moment. Although Zhu Yuanzhang had more than a dozen wives and concubines, his backyard was stable.

Having said that, Ma Xun still felt that it was too early to consider taking a concubine.

Let's finish some serious things first. My uncle Ma is a pillar of the country. How can he only care about love and romance!

(End of this chapter)