The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 196: United Against External Oppression

Li Zhen reached out and took the bag that Ma Xun was carrying, and Ma Xiuying had no choice but to take Ma Xun back first.

As soon as he entered the room, Li Zhen, who had a stern face, became even more unhappy. "He scolded his wife, bullied his brother-in-law, and now he's smashing the cup! What? Do you want to beat your wife and brother-in-law? That's how you show off?"

"Brother-in-law, that's impossible!" Zhu Yuanzhang complained, "Brother-in-law, I really don't want to argue with them. I am the emperor and I have to think about the country."

Li Zhen asked directly, "The land and the country? The land and the country belong to you, Zhu Chongba? My sister-in-law is the queen, what can't she say? You are the sky and she is the earth. If you have something to discuss with her, is this okay?"

Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang was about to speak, Li Zhen continued, "If this is really a matter of state, I will confess my guilt. I shouldn't take advantage of my age in front of the emperor. I am guilty!"

Zhu Yuanzhang hurriedly supported Li Zhen, "Brother-in-law, what's going on?"

"Chongba, you are the emperor." Li Zhen said earnestly, "You can be angry, but you can't say such nonsense. Harsh words hurt people like the coldest summer. Even if you are angry, you shouldn't say those words to your wife!"

Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang didn't say anything, Li Zhen continued, "Let's not talk about my sister's affairs. Your brother-in-law has such a character. Is it wrong for him to protect the second brother? The king and the minister, you only say that the king and the minister are close, no matter how close they are, do you still have any human feelings?"

Zhu Yuanzhang hurriedly explained, "Brother-in-law, it's not that I'm unreasonable. I'm doing this for the sake of my reputation, and I also need to win the hearts of the Mongols."

Zhu Biao said, "Dad, this will only make the second son dissatisfied with me."

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately glared at Zhu Biao fiercely and said, "If you hadn't sent the message privately, things wouldn't have gotten to this point and your mother would have had to go back to her parents' home!"

Li Zhen looked at Ma Xiuying and said in a friendly manner, "Sister-in-law, I am too arrogant. Chongba has his own considerations, and you and my younger brother have your own thoughts. Let's talk in a friendly manner. How can we go back? Isn't this making a fool of ourselves?"

Then Li Zhen turned his firepower and was stern to Ma Xun, "And you, the emperor and the empress were arguing about government affairs, and it would have been fine if you didn't help advise them. But did you encourage the empress to go back? If you beat the minister, then beat the minister. What's so difficult about that?"

Ma Xun was about to cry, "Brother-in-law, I really didn't hit the Shangshu!"

Li Zhen immediately seemed to be relieved, "It's good that the Shangshu was not beaten, then it's not a major issue of the government. Then your brother-in-law won't be embarrassed. I will risk my reputation and say that it was me who ordered it. They won't embarrass me."

Zhu Biao was the happiest person, it was good to have an uncle who was highly respected. In a few words, the quarrel turned into a matter of his uncle beating the Shangshu.

The reason for the previous quarrel also changed, and it became the disagreement between the emperor and the empress caused by the punishment of Ma Xun.

Ma Xun is sometimes a master at interrupting, but now he is nothing compared to him.

Li Zhen is an expert at making confusion. For a moment, even if everyone wanted to explain, they didn't know where to start.

Li Zhen knew the source of some conflicts, but he just relied on his status and age to stabilize the situation first.

I am a 70-year-old man and am usually confused. The only thing I know is that I shouldn't argue when I am angry. It will only make the argument worse and hurt the relationship. I should sit down and talk in a friendly manner first.

Li Zhen sat down first, looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and asked, "Chongba, if it is a family matter, then I will listen to it shamelessly. If it is a state matter, then I will take my leave."

Zhu Yuanzhang was even more helpless, "Brother-in-law, this is a state affair as well as a family affair."

Zhu Biao said quickly, "Uncle, let's discuss this behind closed doors first. This is how it's always been done. It's just that this time there's something wrong, the voices are a little louder."

Li Zhen seemed to understand. "Then how about we talk it out among ourselves first, and then discuss it in the court?"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and Ma Xiuying sat down. With brother-in-law Li Zhen present, no one could lose their temper.

Li Zhen said, "Zhongba, I have heard about the incident. Tell me, what do you think?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Brother-in-law, the second son is the King of Qin, and there are some things that should be considered for the country. I am not partial, I am helpless."

Seeing that Ma Xun was about to speak, Li Zhen stopped him directly, "Wait until your brother-in-law finishes speaking. The loudest voice is not the most important thing. You have a bad temper. After this matter is over, I will fine you your salary!"

Salary, Ma Xun doesn't rely on salary to live at all.

Besides, if he was fined his salary today, the Queen might find a reason to reward him tomorrow.

Zhu Biao felt that his uncle was still powerful, and with just a few words he downgraded his uncle's case again. The so-called punishment was just a formality.

Zhu Yuanzhang pointed at Ma Xun and said, "He only knows how to pamper the second son. The second son is the King of Qin, so he should at least consider the country."

"He is protecting your son, is there anything wrong with that? He is a junior, how can he not protect him?" Li Zhen disagreed at first, but then said, "But what you said is reasonable. The second son is the King of Qin, and we can't just consider personal feelings."

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately felt proud, thinking that his brother-in-law was sensible.

Ma Xun then spoke up, "Brother-in-law, everyone knows what kind of personality the second son has. He is the King of Qin, and I know that your majesty has good intentions. But how can you let the second son live like this in the future? How can you let Biaoer deal with the second son?"

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately became angry, "What dare you do, second brother? Huh?" "Don't say anything first." Li Zhen immediately looked at Zhu Yuanzhang, "You are so angry, can you please talk properly?"

Ma Xun continued, "Your Majesty and sister have always favored Biao'er, and I think this is good. The second son has always been dutiful over the years and has never dared to have other thoughts. This is because he is sensible and Your Majesty and sister taught him well."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly. The second brother’s performance in some things was indeed satisfactory.

Ma Xun continued, "The prince will definitely marry a noble, and everyone knows this. If the second son cannot marry the girl from the Deng family, it clearly means that you don't believe in him."

Zhu Yuanzhang said unhappily, "If you don't believe him, how can he be the King of Qin?"

"He can choose the King of Qin?" Ma Xun immediately retorted, "He is the second son of the emperor, only one year younger than the crown prince. Look at the court, is there anyone that the second son wants to make friends with? Speaking of the second son, other than liking to fight, when has he ever been interested in government affairs?"

Hearing what Ma Xun said, no one present objected.

In some things, Zhu Chong did a good job. This second prince, who seemed to be a natural threat to Zhu Biao's position, never made people feel that he would threaten the position of the crown prince.

Ma Xun continued, "His parents are partial to him and are wary of him. How do you expect this child to cope with the situation in the future? Will he do something outrageous again in the future? Only in this way can people feel at ease?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was even more unhappy, "How can this be possible?"

Ma Xun asked, "Why not? Let him marry Wang Baobao's sister, wouldn't the second brother think too much? He has been smart since he was young, and he knows a lot of things without saying them. When he is enfeoffed and there is no one to control him, he will do whatever he wants. Should we let Biaoer take action then?"

Zhu Yuanzhang slammed the table with his eyes wide open, but Li Zhen spoke up immediately, "What I said makes sense. When parents are partial, their children think too much. Back then, my family was considered wealthy, with five brothers and sisters. I am the eldest and should have inherited the family property, but my brothers complained too much about parents, causing unrest in the family and almost angering my mother to death."

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't know what to say at this moment, as he knew something about his brother-in-law's family affairs.

When Li Zhen's father had just passed away, his brothers were clamoring to divide the family property. Li Zhen directly said that he would not divide the family property for the time being because his mother was still alive. He could give the land and house to his brothers, but they had to be filial to his mother first.

Even now, if Li Zhen finds the relatives who were stranded outside, she will bring them back.

Li Zhen's virtues were not only evident in front of Zhu Yuanzhang. He had always been a model of excellent character and an outstanding patriarch.

Some of the things he said were convincing enough, and this was true practice.

Ma Xun could only say, "Parents' partiality makes people think too much. Now they treat the second child like this? If they get a little extreme, should we blame him or Biao'er?"

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent. He did not think about mental health. He always felt that as a father, it was his natural duty to take care of his sons, and his sons should be obedient and not disobey him in any way.

Thinking about it now, the examples Li Zhen mentioned and those mentioned by Ma Xun are not impossible to happen.

Zhu Biao also spoke up, "We, as children, have seen the loving relationship between our parents and the harmonious family. The second son is also a loyal person. If he is really not allowed to marry someone from the Deng family, he would not dare to disobey, but he would certainly feel uncomfortable."

Zhu Yuanzhang was even more at a loss as to what to say. He couldn't say he knew all of his sons' personalities, but he was relatively familiar with the older ones.

It seemed that Zhu Chong would be able to fulfill his wish by making Deng his concubine, but in this era, status was sometimes more important than anything else.

Ma Xun said with great approval, "It is impossible for my brother-in-law not to have thought of the thoughts of those civil servants. He has forced the second brother into a corner and set a trap for the civil servants to make trouble for in the future."

Ma Xiuying spoke up, "You are the one who thinks badly of people. Those civil servants are biased towards Biao'er."

Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to refute, but suddenly said, "That's right! Song Lian is the prince's teacher, so he should make plans for the prince. The prince and the meritorious official are married, and this matter cannot be discussed. You are the only one who thinks the worst of people all day long."

Ma Xiuying continued, "If the second son doesn't marry the girl from the Deng family, who will he marry? Biao'er is young and has little experience, so he is easily panicked. You are just making a fuss based on rumors. What nonsense!"

Ma Xun was a little slow to react, and Zhu Biao was also confused.

Zhu Yuanzhang was so distressed, "It was not explained clearly in the court, and Bao'er stopped it. You had to make a scene and let the world know about it? You even hit the Shangshu, how can I protect you?"

"For such outrageous behavior, you will be fined half a year's salary and confined to your home for a month." Ma Xiuying said expressionlessly, "No officials are allowed to visit you. You must reflect on your actions behind closed doors!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was a little worried. "Just deduct his salary, why should I put him under house arrest? I can go back home and talk to my second son, so that he won't think too much if he hears it."

Ma Xiuying said directly, "If you don't stop him and just let him go, how can you maintain the law of the court? Can the uncle of the emperor beat the minister?"

Li Zhen said cheerfully, "I did something wrong. I will go back home and rest for half a month."

Zhu Yuanzhang also realized that if Ma Xun was really put under house arrest, this kid would be so happy. If he was given enough food and drink, he could stay at home for ten days or half a month.

Are these penalties considered punishments?
(End of this chapter)