The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 183: Seeing the wise and thinking of others
Among the seven dukes, twenty-eight marquises and three earls of the founding Ming Dynasty, the one who is the most relaxed now is Liu Bowen, because he has retired.

Everyone else is busy now and basically has their own job.

Ma Xun may be an exception. He holds many official positions and seems to have a lot of responsibilities, but compared with other dukes and marquises, he does not sit in the government office or manage affairs.

He looks like a rich and idle man, and seems to want to get involved in everything. He just doesn't care about some specific political affairs.

He can't be considered a firefighter, but now he just moves bricks wherever they are needed.

The 59-year-old Guangde Hou Huagao came to the Prince Xu's Mansion. He was from He County. He had followed Yu Tonghai and others to be pirates in Chaohu Lake, and then defected to Zhu Yuanzhang.

This man had considerable military achievements in his early years, but he changed after the founding of the country.

Whenever there was a war, he would claim to be sick and refuse to accept any mission. When asked to train as a sailor, he declined on the grounds that he was not used to it.

Most of the other noble ministers now have missions or are patrolling the border, except Hua Gao, who refuses to obey orders.

Zhu Yuanzhang could do nothing about him because Hua Gao was an old friend and he could only be tolerant of him. Also, this man seemed a little timid and had no sons, only nephews.

Now Hua Gao is staying in the capital, requesting to guard the imperial city.

"Uncle of the Emperor." Hua Gao could not help but complain when he saw Ma Xun, "His Majesty sent you to escort the Crown Prince out for an outing, and the troops of our army have not been dispatched yet, right?"

Ma Xun was stunned and asked, "Bao'er didn't send troops?"

Hua Gao, who liked to slack off, thought of too many reasons, but he never expected Ma Xun to say such words with a look of surprise.

It's simply a drop in the ocean. It's a pity that Duke Xu is the emperor's uncle, and the emperor, empress and crown prince are all extremely close to him. If anyone else did this it would definitely be dereliction of duty, but no one thinks that Ma Xun was derelict in his duty by doing this.

There is no need to be envious, even if he is a close friend, he is still a subject.

Although some people are subjects, they are also relatives who are closely connected to them.

Although Hua Gao was helpless, he still explained, "Duke Cao is busy with the affairs of the Grand Military Governor's Office, and it is not appropriate for him to overstep his authority."

It was clearly Ma Xun who escorted the prince on the outing, but it seemed a little inappropriate for Li Wenzhong to directly arrange soldiers and horses for protection.

Ma Xun did not feel embarrassed. Many people knew that he lacked military ability.

He was also confident about some things. Even if he had not made any arrangements now, Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying must have made arrangements privately, or maybe Zhu Biao himself had arranged them.

If Ma Xun really took on all the responsibility, Zhu Yuanzhang and his family of three would probably feel uneasy.

"I'll call Wenying over in a bit." Ma Xun said to Xu E, "Ask He Da to find Wenying and ask about the soldiers and guards that will escort the prince on his outing."

Xu E didn't say much, this was a big deal. As for how her master arranged it, it had nothing to do with her.

Hua Gao naturally stretched out his right hand and said, "Uncle, please take my pulse."

Ma Xun, who was numb, simply felt his pulse and asked, "Marquis Guangde, what are you thinking? You can't be planning to go north, right?"

Hua Gao immediately shook his head. He didn't want to fight Wang Baobao. "I suffered from hardship in my early years and was weak. When I was young, I was injured a lot in battles. At that time, blood was everywhere. My body was severely weakened all of a sudden."

After hearing what Hua Gao said, Ma Xun didn't know how to respond, because what Hua Gao said seemed to make some sense.

Just like Qin Shubao, he was indeed an invincible hero when he was young. But as he got older, his health quickly deteriorated. In the final analysis, it was because he had too many injuries in his early years and did not recuperate well.

This is the case with Hua Gao now. No one knows whether he is really sick or faking it. In short, as soon as he is asked to do something, he will fall ill and be unable to get out of bed.

Ma Xun said casually, "Marquis Guangde, don't worry, your pulse is pretty good. It's just a little sluggish, probably because of your age."

Fifty-nine is not considered old in this day and age, but it is definitely not young.

Hua Gao looked at Ma Xun eagerly and expectantly, "The wife of the emperor's uncle is pregnant. The emperor's uncle's method is really powerful."

Ma Xun seemed to understand a little, but Hua Gao continued to ask, "Uncle, I am so sorry that I still have no children. Considering that I worked so hard for the throne and suffered so many injuries in my early years, can you teach me how to have a son?"

Seeing Hua Gao about to cry, Ma Xun quickly said, "The method is not hidden, many people understand it."

Hua Gao said disapprovingly, "Guo Er already has a child, and Tang Dazui's wives and concubines are pregnant one after another. Isn't it because the uncle is so close to them that he passed on the secret skills?"

Ma Xun felt that he might really be worshipped in the temple in the future. At that time, the Goddess of Childbirth and Empress Ma would be in the main hall, and he, the uncle Ma, would be the accompanying deity next to them.

Liu Shuning was pregnant, and naturally this matter was not made public, but someone with an eye could figure it out through various clues.

This wasn't a big deal. She had been married for a year and was of the right age, so getting pregnant was a natural thing.

It just so happened that Ma Xun's method of preparing for pregnancy seemed to have some effect, allowing Guo Ying, Tang He and others who originally had difficulty in having children to start accumulating strength in advance.

Even Zhu Yuanzhang, this is his own ability, but now some people are making far-fetched claims, thinking that it was some of Ma Xun's methods that worked. God bless you, if it really worked every time, I wouldn't have been urged for a year!

Seeing that Hua Gao was about to cry, Ma Xun could only say, "I'll sort out the method and have someone send it to your house. But I can't guarantee whether it will work or not."

This is just a method for eugenics, it is not 100% certain. Hundreds of years later, there are still many small advertisements posted on telephone poles. Medical science is developing so fast, but there are still people who are troubled by these things.

Hua Gao looked so grateful that he burst into tears. "I was reluctant to leave because I was afraid that the inheritance of the incense would be cut off. Otherwise, I would be too ashamed to face my ancestors."

Not having a son is a huge psychological pressure for many people, but Hua Gao shouldn’t think so.

It was true that he had no son, but he had a nephew. However, the title could not be passed on to the nephew.

If the person dies, the title will be gone too. After working hard all his life, he only earned a fourth-rank commander-in-chief for his nephew.

Ma Xun could only persuade him, "Marquis Guangde, don't worry, he is only fifty-nine, anyone in their sixties or seventies can also give birth."

Hua Gao lowered his voice and asked in a low voice, "Then could you trouble your uncle to go to my house and take a look? I'm sure there's nothing wrong with me. Who knows, maybe the problem lies with my wives and concubines."

Ma Xun calmed himself down. Several of his wives and concubines were unable to have children. Could he really blame others for this?

"Marquis Guangde is overthinking." Ma Xun said with a smile, "Maybe it was because he was busy with wars in his early years that he was delayed. As long as he calms down a little now, things may turn around."

After finally getting rid of Hua Gao who wanted to stay, Ma Xun finally breathed a sigh of relief.

What the hell is going on? When did I, the great Duke Xu, the greatest poet and the greatest doctor of the Ming Dynasty, become the one specializing in infertility?
Although this matter was somewhat ridiculous, Ma Xun still had to make the necessary preparations, including some methods to prepare for pregnancy, and he really did not intend to hide it.

Ma Xiuying has been compiling them into a book, but in the final analysis, these methods may not always work.

However, as long as it can play a certain role, it has value.

Mu Ying came with Mu Chun, "Uncle."

"Uncle."

"Muchun, come here." Ma Xun looked at the chubby Muchun and waved with a smile, "Hurry up and let me see how much weight you have gained!"

Mu Chun, who was seven years old, ran over and said, "Uncle, I want to train with you too!"

Ma Xun smiled and encouraged, "Study first, then train. Only after you understand some principles can you understand military affairs. There is no need to rush to train now."

Mu Ying is also a typical example of a man who is both civil and military. Although he does not have a title yet, he will soon have military merit if he is given the opportunity.

It is said that Li Wenzhong had outstanding military talent, and Mu Ying was not inferior. All he lacked were some opportunities.

Mu Ying smiled and said to Mu Chun, "Just listen to your great uncle. He always slacks off when you are asked to study. Look at your great uncle. Not only is his writing talent amazing, but his military exploits are also outstanding. Look at your second uncle. His writing talent is amazing!"

Mu Chun was thoughtful. His father was a man of both civil and military talents. His second uncle, Li Wenzhong, Duke of Cao, was a famous general known throughout the world. Many great scholars also liked this Duke of Cao.

Including the prince's uncle, who was eloquent, well-read, and often taught him to read and study military strategies.

Now this great uncle is equally powerful. Although Mu Chun does not plan to study medicine, he also wants to be the best poet in the world like this great uncle, and even if his military exploits are not the best, they must be at least as good as his great uncle!

Mu Chun said seriously, "I will study hard when I get back, and I want to be like my uncle!"

Mu Ying said happily, "When you see a virtuous person, you should strive to emulate him. You are surrounded by elders with high moral character and outstanding abilities, and they all love you, so you should study hard!"

Ma Xun said lovingly, "The child is still young, so let's not talk about this. Bring him with you on the outing. I just want to ask if the arrangements for the soldiers and horses to escort the outing have been made."

Mu Ying couldn't help but want to complain. His uncle seemed fair, but he was not even strict when treating the younger generation.

The younger the age, the more pampered they are.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wu was like this, Li Jinglong was like this, and now Mu Chun is like this too. As long as they are young, they are cute no matter how you look at them.

Once they reach adolescence, they have to be watched all day long, for fear that they will have a rebellious period or learn bad things.

However, Mu Ying hurriedly said, "The arrangements for the soldiers and guards have been made. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has personally reviewed it, and my second brother also thinks that the arrangements are sound."

Ma Xun nodded and asked again, "Did you arrange this or was it your second brother?"

Mu Ying replied, "I arranged it."

Ma Xun was completely relieved now. "That's good. Since it's you who arranged it, it must be good. Please help me arrange it. I will go back to Fengyang after the outing."

Although Mu Ying was older, Ma Xun was able to give him orders easily. This uncle was not called an uncle for nothing, as he became more and more skilled in giving orders to the younger generation.

(End of this chapter)