The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 176 Building momentum
Not talking while eating and not talking while sleeping is something only people of high standards would do.

Liu Shuning has long been accustomed to chatting about family matters while eating, not only at home, but also when in the royal family, she would participate in some topics.

It is impossible for them to be quiet when they sleep. Once the couple closes the door, they might just lie in bed and gossip about something.

It can be said that Liu Shuning has become a "bad boy" since she married Ma Xun, and some of the rules she was taught at home are no longer applicable here.

Liu Bowen felt very relieved. He asked some questions about his daughter before Ma Xun came back. Then, looking at his daughter's expression, he felt more and more that his daughter had made the right choice to marry.

"Dad, if you come to the palace tomorrow, I will accompany you." Liu Shuning took the initiative to speak, "My husband also advised me to walk around in moderation, so that I still have some face in front of His Majesty."

Liu Bowen became curious, "How can you face His Majesty?"

Liu Shuning said proudly, "After all, she is my brother's wife. Your Majesty will give her some face out of love for me."

Ma Xun also smiled and said, "Father-in-law, just listen to Shu Ning. It's appropriate for her to accompany you to the palace, and she can also go and talk to my sister."

Liu Shuning would definitely not be able to meet Zhu Yuanzhang. Given Zhu Yuanzhang's feudal and conservative character, he would never be alone in a room with Liu Shuning, let alone take the initiative to talk to Liu Shuning.

As for Liu Bowen's entry into the palace, it was mainly because ministers came to Beijing to pay homage to the emperor.

Whether the emperor meets the emperor or not is his business. It would be wrong for a minister not to pay homage.

Liu Bowen looked at Ma Xun and asked with concern, "Let's not talk about those things for now. Did your in-laws say that something happened in Taizhou when you were born?"

Calculating the time, Ma Xun was born around the time when Fang Guozhen started his rebellion in Taizhou. This was one of the anti-Yuan rebel armies that was even earlier than Zhu Yuanzhang.

At that time, Liu Bowen was still an official of the Yuan Dynasty, and he hoped that the Yuan government would suppress Fang Guozhen in time.

"But did you find her?" Liu Shuning asked excitedly, "My mother-in-law is from Taizhou. Did you find out about her?"

Liu Bowen said helplessly, "I did hear some, but it doesn't count. He is now the emperor's uncle, and many people are pretending to be his relatives, and some people say they are his old friends."

Ma Xun laughed immediately, "My friend? If he was really my friend, he would have come to the capital to find me a long time ago. Don't worry, father-in-law, I will call out anyone who claims to be my friend, and there won't be a single mistake."

For a moment, Liu Bowen and Liu Shuning didn't know how to answer. After thinking about it carefully, they felt bad.

It has been two years since Ma Xun was found by the Emperor and Empress, but many things have not stopped.

There were many people who pretended to be his friends, and some who said they had done him a favor. It was said that the prince even ordered the punishment of those who had bullied Ma Xun.

Ma Xun was born in Zhejiang and wandered to Fujian. Many officials sent people to investigate Ma Xun's past and, most importantly, to find the remains of Ma Xun's mother.

But I have no impression of Ma Xun, the person involved, let alone other people.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying were very concerned about this, not because they doubted Ma Xun's identity, but simply because they hoped that Ma Xun would not have any regrets, which was also a way to show filial piety to Ma Taigong.

After Liu Bowen retired, he did not just compile books. He naturally could have looked for clues when he returned to Zhejiang. It's a pity that there is not much information until now.

This cannot be blamed on anyone else. We only know that Ma Xun's mother, Lin, was a refugee, and the vague information is that she should be from Taizhou area.

We can only blame the chaotic times. People are living in poverty and are displaced. Those who flee just want to survive. How can they have any other thoughts?

Ma Xun seems to have no concerns about some things, mainly because he feels that those things are indeed beyond his ability.

Even though he is now the powerful Duke of Xu, and even if the emperor and empress are trying their best to help him, it is not certain that he can do it.

Some things must be strived for, and it would be best if they can be achieved.

But if you still can't complete it, there's no need to force it. It's not necessarily a bad thing to let things take their course.

As the chief examiner, Ma Xun had no choice but to stay in bed, so he got up early. However, Liu Bowen and Liu Shuning obviously got up earlier.

Liu Shuning joked, "It's rare for my husband to get up so early."

Ma Xun retorted, "I never stay in bed when I have something important to do, so I definitely can't be lazy during this period. After the examination is over, I won't get up until noon."

Liu Bowen smiled and asked, "I don't have a place to live in the capital right now. If I really live with my son-in-law, will it bother you if friends and relatives come to visit?"

Ma Xun said directly, "Don't worry, father-in-law. Your friends can come if they want. I'll just serve them a cup of tea. For the sake of a good reputation, I can also chat with them, as long as they don't mention politics."

Liu Shuning said with some anger, "Husband, how can you say that."

Liu Bowen was very happy. "Since you said so, I will welcome any relatives and friends who want to visit me. But you are busy with the imperial examination, so I am afraid it will be difficult for you to come and talk to us."

"It's not difficult. Just come in the afternoon." Ma Xun said with a smile, "I was imprisoned in the Imperial Examination Hall by other soldiers and officials, but I went home directly in the evening."

This approach seems to be a little wrong, but it is normal. As the examiner, Ma Xun does not need to seek to be the same as others in everything. It is normal to have some privileges.

Ma Xun really didn't care much about some of Liu Bowen's friends coming over, and there was really nothing to care about.

After all, those people were Liu Bowen's friends and had nothing to do with him, Ma Xun. He just came over to chat with them for the sake of Liu Bowen and Liu Shuning's face and to show his upbringing.

There is actually no need to think too much about other things. When it comes to political affairs, Ma Xun can simply choose to withdraw, and no one can force him at this time.

Moreover, given Liu Bowen's cautious character, he would not make things difficult for Ma Xun. Now that he had retired and returned to his hometown, he would naturally be reluctant to mention some political affairs. Otherwise, he would not have retired happily in the first place.

Ma Xun continued to supervise the exam, while Liu Bowen and his daughter Liu Shuning went into the palace, each with their own things to do.

Not long after the exam started, a guard came running over and said, "My Lord, the Crown Prince is here."

Ma Xun immediately stood up and hurried to the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall with several officials.

"See His Highness the Crown Prince."

"See His Highness the Crown Prince."

Zhu Biao smiled and raised his hand and said, "No need to be polite, my lords. This is the imperial court's talent selection ceremony. I came to see how talented my Ming Dynasty students are."

Many people felt quite excited about this, especially some officials from the Ministry of Rites.

This prince was the standard template of a crown prince in the eyes of some people. He had been studying classics with great Confucian scholars such as Song Lian since he was young. In addition, he usually had a kind and gentle appearance, which naturally made scholars feel close to him.

Especially compared to the increasingly domineering and powerful emperor, many scholars hoped that the prince could speak for them and fight for their interests.

As for what this prince was like, many people really don’t know. It can only be said that Zhu Biao’s personality was too good, and Zhu Yuanzhang and others also took the blame for him a lot.

After letting the others leave, Zhu Biao asked, "Uncle, how is the student doing today?"

"I can't write essays, you know that." Ma Xun answered in a low voice, "But I heard a few deputy examiners say that I'm afraid they think the students' talents are average."

Zhu Biao was a little disappointed, but he still smiled and said, "This is also expected. My uncle knew the clues when he took the test before."

Ma Xun asked quietly, "So you plan to admit fewer scholars in this subject?"

There is no final conclusion yet on how many people will pass the first imperial examination of the Ming Dynasty, which is in line with some customs of the Ming Dynasty.

During the Song Dynasty, it was normal for two to three hundred people to pass the imperial examination at one time, but in the Ming Dynasty, it was very likely that only a dozen or twenty people were recruited at one time, and one or two hundred was also possible.

Zhu Biao said, "We need at least 120 people. Although they are not very knowledgeable, they are still outstanding people."

There is nothing wrong with saying this, as those who can take part in the imperial examination are all Juren, which is considered a talent in this world.

They just lack the ability to be amazing, and they are much better than most people of this era.

Since the court is short of officials, we should recruit these people first. If they cannot become prime ministers or pillars of the country, they can go to govern the local areas.

Zhu Biao immediately said, "After this exam, my uncle will teach the students in the Imperial College more about how to govern the people. The court is planning to build water conservancy projects, and we will let the students in the Imperial College provide guidance when the time comes."

Many people think that students in the Imperial College only know the Four Books and Five Classics, but the reality is not so.

Many people in the Imperial College were capable. In history, Zhu Yuanzhang often sent these students from the Imperial College to various prefectures and cities to guide and organize the people to build water conservancy projects.

Including when Zhu Yuanzhang killed many officials in order to rectify the administration of officials, he directly employed some of the more outstanding students in the Imperial College.

Ma Xun understood what was going on and said, "That's a good thing. It's good for these people to gain some experience. When they become officials in the future, they can also benefit the people."

Recruiting talents without any restrictions is also a characteristic of Zhu Yuanzhang.

Now, for some high-ranking officials in the Ming Dynasty, don’t even mention their background. It’s not only Jinshi and Juren who can enter the Secretariat.

Including some wealthy people, and even those who could not even be considered as officials, as long as they had talent and ability, they could get an official position, or even become important officials in the court.

Zhu Biao took a test paper and looked at it, his brows furrowed more and more.

Then he looked at the student standing with his hands down and said, "What is etiquette? It is the governance of affairs. A gentleman has his affairs, and he must govern them. Governing a country without etiquette is like a blind man who has no friends."

Ma Xun took a look at the crown prince who spoke Confucian classics fluently and could only admire him.

The student was even more excited and ashamed, "I am a student of little talent and learning, and I made a mistake in the examination of the question. Please punish me, Your Highness."

Look, this is the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty. He took a look at the students’ test papers and pointed out the problems specifically.

As for the fact that the voice was a bit loud and seemed to remind the candidate, it doesn't matter.

After this examination is over, Ma Xun will send people to publicize the prince's outstanding talent all over the streets, and even these candidates are far inferior to him.

(End of this chapter)