The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 20 Smart Man

Ma Xun, who wanted to work hard, returned to his mansion and began to rest again. During this period, he became whiter and his cheeks were no longer sunken. He finally had some charm.

He Da ran to the study and said, "Uncle of the King, the fine horse given by His Majesty has been delivered."

Ma Xun immediately became interested and asked curiously, "What kind of horse is it? A Ferghana horse?"

"There are no such things as Ferghana horses. They are just common war horses and riding horses." He Da explained, "War horses are hard to tame and have violent temperaments. It's not easy for the prince to ride them now. The horses sent here are all docile riding horses for the prince to practice riding skills."

Ma Xun became even more interested. "Your Majesty taught me horse riding before, but I just didn't practice it. I can ride a donkey, so it shouldn't be difficult to ride a horse."

Ma Xun, who was preparing to practice riding, said, "The mansion is still a little small, should we practice in the barracks or outside the city?"

"Let's go outside the city. The barracks are also training now." He Da suggested, "Besides, the prince is going to the army. If those soldiers see that the prince can't ride a horse, they will definitely sneer at him in private."

Ma Xun said angrily, "You were a soldier, so what do you think you are?"

He Dali said confidently, "I used to be a soldier, but now I am not in the army, so what if I call them soldiers?"

OK, fortunately it's not "thieves and soldiers", "soldiers" is considered a civilized term.

Wangcai was a bit irritable, as he was used to occupying the stable all by himself. When he saw the "tall horses" next to him, he started to bark anxiously. He became even more anxious when he saw Ma Xun patting the horses' necks and touching their faces.

"Uncle, Wangcai understands human nature." He Daxi said with a big smile, "He can't run, and it's hard to carry soldiers, but he's not bad for riding."

Ma Xun said with some amusement, "These horses can be taken to other places to be raised. Wangcai is different after all."

He Da and others had no objection. Wangcai was not just a livestock. It was the donkey that accompanied the king's uncle from Fujian back to Suzhou. The one-year-old donkey dragged the coffin of Prince Xu for more than half a year. The emperor and the empress both liked this donkey.

What's more, apart from its love of barking, it is also very human-like, so it is normal that people like it more.

Ma Xun had just left the house when Chang Mao, who was running around the street, ran over and asked, "Where are you going, uncle?"

"Go practice horse riding." Ma Xun said with a smile, "Why, do you still want to teach me?"

Chang Maotian was fearless and said immediately, "Uncle, I have been practicing horse riding with my father since I was a child. I can shoot arrows from a horse and hit a target fifty steps away!"

This 'Master Chang' is also a weirdo, extremely arrogant. It is no exaggeration to say that he is a second-generation rich kid.

But looking at Chang Mao, who was only thirteen years old, Ma Xun didn't care much, "Go and get a horse. I want to see what you are capable of."

Then Ma Xun reminded him, "Be sure to tell your mother, don't run away without telling her."

Chang Mao ran towards the mansion in a flash, obviously overjoyed.

When Chang Mao appeared again, he was indeed leading a horse and Chang Wan.

Chang Wan bowed slightly and said, "It is true that your uncle wants to take you to practice horse riding."

Chang Mao couldn't help but complain, "Sister, I'm telling the truth. How dare I lie to you and mother!"

"I'll take him out. I'm not good at riding horses, but this guy said he's an excellent rider. I'd like to see for myself." Ma Xun said with a smile, "Besides riding and archery, does he have any other skills?"

Chang Wan explained, "Uncle, don't let him fool you. His riding skills are not superb, and his archery skills are average. He is good with a knife. Everyone in the family uses guns, but he just likes to use a knife."

Ma Xun asked with great interest, "Is it a short sword or a long sword?"

"Knife" is a general term. The weapons used by the cavalry and infantry of the Ming Dynasty included waist knives. Although firearms are developing rapidly now, the knife is still a standard weapon.

"I like to use a long sword, preferably a machete." Chang Mao said first, "I am very strong, and I will definitely be able to cut the Tartars in two with one sword. I am also good at using a short sword, and I use a saber."

The saber is said to have evolved from the Tang Dynasty's Mo Dao, and was a weapon for infantry during the Song Dynasty. However, it is not short, and is said to be more than three feet, which is one meter long. Chang Wan looked at Chang Mao and said, "Since your uncle is willing to take you with him, you should follow him to practice horse riding. Don't be presumptuous, or you will be in trouble when you come back!"

Chang Mao nodded repeatedly. His parents were reluctant to beat him, but his sister was really merciless when she beat people.

Ma Xun smiled and said to Chang Wan, "Go to the Censor's Mansion later and borrow some books for me. Ask more about medical books, or ask about some books on agriculture and government affairs."

Chang Wan smiled and asked, "Uncle, should my niece be able to borrow the book or not?"

Chang Mao immediately interrupted, showing off his prowess, "Sister, uncle told you to borrow a book, so you must get it!"

"Shut up!" Chang Wan spoke quickly, but her hands were even faster. She had already slapped Chang Mao on the head. "It's okay if you don't understand what you read, but you can't use your brain?"

Ma Xun thought for a moment and said, "Go ask first, ask if there are any methods of treating injuries, or some good methods of brewing wine."

Chang Wan immediately became serious and said, "Uncle, His Majesty has not lifted the prohibition on alcohol. Although there is a lot of alcohol in the capital now, there is still not enough food."

When Zhu Yuanzhang was conquering the country, he strictly prohibited alcohol in order to save food. Hu Sanshe, the son of his general Hu Dahai, made alcohol privately, but was executed by Zhu Yuanzhang.

Ma Xun understood this and said, "Go ask first. I will definitely not brew wine privately to make money."

Chang Wan thought about it carefully, and asked with a smile, "Then my niece will definitely find out some secrets, but I don't understand them very well. How about I ask you in person when the time comes?"

Ma Xun said admiringly, "No wonder you can become the Crown Princess, just do it!"

Chang Wan said with some embarrassment, "Uncle, I'm doing something for you, how can you tease me like this!"

Chang Mao, who was standing next to him, was completely confused. He understood every word his uncle and sister said, but why couldn't he understand them when they were put together?

It is so difficult to understand what these smart people say and do that Chang Mao thinks he should not think too much about it as those are not his areas of expertise.

Chang Mao followed Ma Xun out of the city and found an open area to practice riding.

During a break in practice, Ma Xun asked, "Do you go to the military a lot?"

"A lot. I often follow the Second and Third Princes to the army." Chang Mao replied, "Uncle, I also saw you in the Great Hall. His Majesty also asked me to study with the princes, but I am not used to it."

Ma Xun gloated, "Then I shouldn't have brought you out to ride horses, otherwise you would have to go to the main hall to study."

Accompanying the prince to study is a very glorious thing in the eyes of some people, but for some people it is torture.

Ma Xun felt it was torture, and even an active person like Chang Mao felt it was torture.

Ma Xun asked again, "When did your father go to war?"

Chang Mao replied, "I have been away all these years. The Northern Expedition was in October of the year before last. Duke Xin was the general and my father was the deputy general. Last year, Dadu was captured and renamed Beiping, and the Yuan Emperor fled north. This year, I have been in Shanxi and Shaanxi. I heard that the Yuan Emperor is still determined to do evil."

Ma Xun nodded and asked, "How is the war going now?"

Chang Mao said proudly, "Emperor Yuan thought he had a chance, but he was defeated by the general and my father. My father fought to Shangdu Kaiping, and the general is now in Shaanxi. The Yuan people will not get any good results!"

Today, the Yuan Dynasty has retreated to the grasslands. Shanxi has just been pacified, and now only Shaanxi is left. However, when facing Xu Da, the situation of the Yuan people is becoming increasingly difficult.

As for Emperor Shun of Yuan, he fled to Shangdu Kaiping after Dadu Beiping was captured. As a result, Chang Yuchun pursued him relentlessly, captured Kaiping, annihilated all the remaining Yuan troops, and seized 10,000 vehicles, 30,000 horses, and 50,000 cattle.

Chang Yuchun was not only a fierce general, he was also a man of unparalleled commanding talent and had never been defeated in his life.

The military power of the Ming Dynasty advanced rapidly under the leadership of Xu Da and Chang Yuchun. Li Wenzhong, the so-called third horse, was able to make great progress not only because of his own outstanding abilities, but also because of the strong support of Zhu Yuanzhang.

It’s better to continue practicing riding. Ma Xun is not even as good as a grain of rice in front of these people!
(End of this chapter)