The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 22 I Have a Good Uncle
Ma Xun was a little worried as his scientific research was not going well.

Nowadays, most of the wine is fruit wine and rice wine, the alcohol content is not high, and he doesn't know how to make wine, etc.

Now I am thinking about distillation, but I don't have those sophisticated instruments yet. I am thinking hard about chemistry and want to use the hydration method, but I still have no idea.

He didn't dare to think about penicillin because there was no strain of the bacteria, and misusing it might bring harm to relatives and friends.

He is now focusing on the research of allicin and sulfonamide antibiotics, but is still stuck on the distillation technology.

It costs money to make these devices.

Although Ma Xun's family is wealthy and he is not short of money for the time being, he can also find the best craftsmen in the world.

However, due to the limitations of today's productivity level, his requirements may not be met.

Ma Xun was very depressed, scratching his head. He still didn't read enough of the "Barefoot Doctor Manual". If he had known it would be like this, he would have memorized the "Militia Training Manual" by rote.

One only regrets not having read enough books when one needs them. Ma Xun secretly hated his own lack of talent and knowledge.

"uncle!"

A shout broke Ma Xun's concentration and he hurried out of the study.

Zhu Chong was holding a pile of books and said attentively, "My mother knew that my uncle was studying military tactics and medical books, so she asked me to bring the books over."

"Put it in the study quickly." Ma Xun said with a smile, "Why did I ask you to come here? Just let someone come out casually."

As Zhu Chong walked, he said, "My mother complained that my uncle didn't go to the palace, and my father was still nagging me a few days ago."

Ma Xun counted with his fingers and said, "I will enter the palace tomorrow. Let me know when you return."

Zhu Chong said flatteringly, "Uncle, didn't you say you've been riding outside the city these days? Why don't you take your nephew with you?"

Ma Xun immediately became alert, "You are a prince, how can you go out casually?"

"I used to work in the military camp with the third and fourth brothers, marching like the soldiers." Zhu Chong said proudly, "Although my uncle often goes to the military camp these days, if he really wears leg wraps, he can't compare to me!"

Zhu Chong was not bragging. He and his brothers were very familiar with the military camp.

Ma Xun still asked worriedly, "Did your mother set a time to return to the palace?"

"Just let me go back before the gates of the palace are closed." Zhu Chong said flatteringly, "It doesn't matter if the gates are really closed. I will just stay at my uncle's place. What else can anyone say?"

Ma Xun thought about it and it made sense, so he said, "Then go call Chang Mao. He has been teaching me horse riding these days."

Zhu Chong sneered and said unconvincedly, "Uncle, Chang Mao is just bullying you because you don't ride horses often. Among those of us who grew up together, Wang De is the best rider, followed by the fourth brother."

Ma Xun asked, "Who is Wang De? Why haven't I seen him before?"

Zhu Chong replied, "Wang Bi's eldest son is also from Huaixi. He used to follow my father-in-law, and now he follows General Chang."

Ma Xun felt something was wrong when he heard it, "Your father-in-law? When did you get married? Why haven't I heard about it?"

"My father-in-law is Deng Yu, and he will definitely be granted the title of Duke." Zhu Chong said with a shameless face, "I am the same age as his daughter, and we have been together since childhood. When my eldest brother and sister-in-law beat us, my wife and I cried."

Ma Xun's heart skipped a beat. In history, Zhu Chong's main wife was Guanyin Nu, the sister of Wang Baobao, who was the prototype of Zhao Min.

However, Zhu Chong did not like the principal wife and locked her up in the cold palace, only giving her leftovers and rotten fruits.

Although Deng Yu's daughter was a concubine, she had a very good relationship with Zhu Chong. Zhu Chong was lawless, he built a dragon bed in the palace, dressed Deng in the queen's clothes, and enjoyed torturing the palace ladies with Deng.

Zhu Chong seemed okay in the capital, but his true colors were revealed once he became a fiefdom.

Ma Xun said with emotion, "You brothers are amazing. You all arranged your own marriages. Is it the same for the third and fourth brothers?"

Zhu Chong said proudly, "They can't do that. They don't have childhood sweethearts. I learned this from my eldest brother. Whenever something goes wrong, my eldest brother always takes the brunt of it."

Zhu Chong happily ran to the next door, and soon he heard the noises of some naughty kids making a lot of noise, and the three brothers of the Chang family appeared together.

"Uncle, my aunt is at my house." Chang Sen said first, "My mother invited someone to teach my aunt how to do needlework for my sister."

Ma Xun was very irresponsible and said directly, "No riding today! He Da, send the second prince back to the palace!"

Zhu Chong was anxious and very angry, "Uncle, you don't keep your word, you don't keep your moral integrity!" Ma Xun didn't care about that, "Where is the person who sent the second prince? Take him back quickly, I don't have time to quarrel with you."

What a bunch of brats, how could they know what serious business is!

Xu E hurried over and said, "Master, change your clothes. Let's put on Taoist robes to appear closer."

The so-called Taoist robe was worn at home by many men in the Ming Dynasty.

With a straight collar, a large front and slits on both sides, this kind of clothing was considered as one of the main daily attire for everyone from the emperor to the common people.

Ma Xun readily accepted the suggestion, so Xu E continued, "Master, with the silk ribbon, appears to be more approachable and easy-going."

It's nice to wear jade around your waist, but since you're wearing a Taoist robe, don't wear it. A silk ribbon would be more appropriate.

Although Zhu Chong continued to yell, it was of no use. Chang Mao and Chang Sheng were already beating Chang Sen. It was all because the third child was not careful enough that his uncle would not take them out to play.

After changing his clothes, Ma Xun immediately took Chang Sen's hand. This good boy was also stubborn. He didn't cry even when being beaten up by his two brothers. He glared at them with an expression that said, "I will definitely beat you back when I grow up."

Seeing Chang Lan and the others, Ma Xun was the first to complain, "Sister-in-law, Chang Mao and Chang Sheng beat up Chang Sen for no reason. I was afraid that the brothers would quarrel, so I didn't dare to take them out of the city to ride horses."

Chang Lan understood everything, and said with a smile, "The three brothers fight several times a day, don't take it to heart."

Looking at Liu Shuning, Ma Xun asked, "Are you doing needlework?"

In response to Ma Xun's question, Chang Wan joked, "Uncle, I'm not good at sewing, so I'd like to trouble my mother to invite my aunt."

Liu Shuning blushed and said unhappily, "If you say that again, I won't come!"

Chang Lan stood up with a smile and said, "Wan'er, come with me to pick some silk threads, and then come back to ask your aunt for advice."

Chang Wan immediately stood up with a smile, and Liu Shuning couldn't stop her.

The empty main hall was occupied by Ma Xun and Liu Shuning. Liu Shuning was fidgeting with a red face as this was the first time she was alone with Ma Xun.

After an awkward moment, Ma Xun took the initiative to speak, "Is she really not good at needlework?"

Liu Shuning said jokingly, "Wan'er has some basic skills in needlework, and she can do things like stitching. I'm afraid the prince-in-law doesn't understand these. Wan'er's needlework is probably only slightly better than the prince-in-law's horsemanship."

Ma Xun's face turned red. "Why are you talking about me for no reason? What have you been busy with these days?"

Liu Shuning's face turned even redder. "Do some needlework."

Ma Xun thought for a moment and asked tentatively, "I see the weather is good, how about going for an outing in a few days? I haven't walked around the capital yet, and I heard there are many places with beautiful scenery here."

Liu Shuning said, "Your Majesty will go on the spring hunt in a few days. If Her Majesty the Queen accompanies him, I should also go."

Ma Xun said directly, "Spring hunting is spring hunting, can I still go to the women's place? Call the eldest brother and the second brother, and I will call some young ones, it will be more lively with more people."

Chang Sen appeared mysteriously, leaning against the door and asking, "Is the prince coming? If the prince comes, he must call my sister."

Ma Xun thought it made sense and looked at Liu Shuning, "If I invite you, your father will definitely not want to let you go. Then I will try to invite the prince, will that work?"

Liu Shuning's face turned even redder, and she whispered, "In previous years, the prince would go on an outing, and most of the young men from Huaixi would accompany him. Young men from Zhejiang East like us couldn't go with him."

That's all, Ma Xun was very confident, "Then wait for my good news, I will enter the palace tomorrow."

Chang Sen was anxious, "Is the prince coming? We have to call my sister!"

Ma Xun was so angry that he wanted to hit someone, "What are you doing here?"

"My mother told me to do that!" Chang Sen said confidently, "My mother said if my uncle is rude, I have to call for help!"

Chang Lan is really a rough but thoughtful person. Although she created opportunities for Ma Xun and Liu Shuning, she is not completely indifferent to Liu Shuning's situation.

It was just a short time together, which is rare in this day and age.

The protection of men and women, although not as strong as it was in the middle and late Ming Dynasty, has already taken shape.

(End of this chapter)