The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 24: The Uncle Who Takes the Credit
The official position was too high, which made Ma Xun feel a little embarrassed, because he understood what it meant to be unworthy of the position.

But if you think about it carefully, there seems to be no need to feel too guilty. This is just an honorary position. As the emperor's brother-in-law, no one will care too much about his abilities. This identity is enough.

There is no need to think too much about the rest, everyone can understand what is going on.

After two lifetimes as a human being, this is my first war. I feel excited but also uneasy.

The Ming Dynasty had been established, but the war had not really stopped, and fighting was still going on in the north.

The Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun were recovered, but Emperor Yuan still looked southward. Xu Da and Chang Yuchun were still worried about Wang Baobao, who was entrenched in Gansu and Lanzhou. There was even a possibility that Beiping would be retaken.

He is an extraordinary man in the world. Even Xu Da cannot easily defeat him.

Although he was defeated by Xu Da, Chang Yuchun and Li Wenzhong, once he seized the opportunity, the Ming army might be defeated.

The shameless Ma Xun rode his donkey to the Censor-in-Chief's Mansion again. As long as one is thick-skinned, nothing will be a problem.

Liu Lian looked at Ma Xun and asked, "Uncle, are you here to learn about military tactics today?"

"Yes, it's about the Art of War." Ma Xun took the initiative to say, "If you are not interested in these, you can go back to the study to review your studies. I will discuss it with you."

Liu Lian was not polite either. There were many bad guests coming, and everyone knew it.

Ma Xun not only came to ask Liu Jing for advice on military tactics, but also to meet Liu Shuning.

I have never seen such an rude person. They haven't even been officially engaged yet, but he keeps running to the Censor's mansion for no reason.

Liu Jing, who was dressed in a Confucian robe, clasped his fists and bowed, "My Lord, I am sorry for the inconvenience."

Ma Xun became serious, "Second brother is so talented, it would be a waste if he doesn't use his knowledge on the battlefield. Second brother also wants to make achievements on the battlefield, isn't that right?"

Liu Jing immediately replied, "What good man doesn't want to achieve great things and become a noble or general? Although I am not very talented, I am also determined to serve my country."

But Liu Jing smiled bitterly and said, "My uncle must know that my father is from eastern Zhejiang."

Zhu Yuanzhang had many generals under his command, and not all of them were from Huaixi. Some were from all over the country.

However, some basic court structures had already been formed. People from Huaixi such as Li Shanchang and Xu Da were very united and had extremely close relations with the emperor. This was also the prototype of the military honor group.

Liu Bowen and other people from eastern Zhejiang were mostly civil officials, and they had a bad relationship with military heroes. If Liu Jing wanted to join the army, he would be suppressed from the beginning.

Ma Xun naturally understood this, but he still asked, "If I let you join the army with me, would the Chief Censor be reluctant to let you go?"

Liu Jing reacted and asked uncertainly, "My uncle is already training in the army. If he transfers me to the army as a staff member, my father will certainly not object."

Ma Xun smiled happily, "Are you willing to join the army? Well, if we really go to the north, are you willing?"

"Of course I am willing, I just didn't have the chance before!" Liu Jing said excitedly, "Now the imperial court and the Yuan court are fighting, if we miss this battle, I'm afraid we won't have another chance."

These are things that any discerning person can see. Although the Yuan Dynasty retreated to the grassland, it still had a certain amount of strength.

The Northern Expedition has not yet ended. If the soldiers led by Xu Da succeed in the Northern Expedition, the Ming Dynasty will no longer have any strong enemies, and the only remaining forces will be the separatist forces in the southwest.

For Liu Jing, he must have been depressed because he had no place to apply what he had learned throughout his life.

In the past, he had no chance at all, and there was no place for him in the army, but now it is uncertain.

Although the uncle had never led an army and did not have much military talent, he had status. As the queen's younger brother, this status was enough to make those arrogant and powerful generals in the army give him face.

As they were talking, Liu Shuning came forward with tea in her hand, "Is the prince going to the war?"

Ma Xun smiled and said, "We will set out in a few days, but I am only rewarding the army, not going on an expedition."

Although she was worried, Liu Shuning still said, "Then I wish the uncle a triumphant return."

"The army has already returned victorious. I just sent some food, fodder and wine over there." Ma Xun said with a smile, "And Mu Ying is with them. I'm just here to announce the imperial decree. How can I have the chance to kill the enemy?" Liu Jing and Liu Shuning also felt that Ma Xun was telling the truth, and the emperor and the empress had no reason to let him go to the Northern Expedition.

Liu Jing and the others could all see that Ma Xun was not knowledgeable about military affairs. The Ming Dynasty now had countless powerful soldiers and generals, so it certainly did not need this uncle of the emperor to lead the troops.

Moreover, any discerning person could see that the Emperor and Empress loved this uncle of the state. Granting him a mansion was just external appearance. The fact that the princes would go to the Duke's Mansion whenever they had time was the best proof.

Ma Xun continued with a smile, "I am not very talented and well-educated. I am neither good at literature nor martial arts. Your Majesty is worried when you see me. Find an opportunity for me to show my face, so that people all over the world won't laugh at me."

Liu Jing objected with a smile, "The emperor's uncle is an excellent doctor, and everyone in the capital knows it. If it weren't for his noble status, people seeking medical treatment and medicine would have already broken through his door."

This statement is a bit exaggerated, but some people believe it. Rumor has it that it was the King's Uncle who cured the Queen and the Crown Prince of their respiratory diseases.

That's a respiratory disease, and many people feel frightened when they hear it.

Ma Xun knew his own limitations. "If they really came, they would definitely return disappointed. I don't have any medical skills, I know that."

Liu Jing and Liu Shuning both felt that Ma Xun was a little modest, as his medical skills were recognized by the imperial physicians in the Imperial Medical Bureau.

Even if one is only good at treating respiratory diseases, it is a remarkable skill. The imperial physicians in the Imperial Medical Bureau all have their own strengths, and not everyone can treat all diseases.

Ma Xun looked at Liu Jing and said seriously, "Then it's settled! I'll find a way to transfer you to the army in the next two days, and you should pack up and prepare to follow me north."

Liu Jing stood up and said seriously, "You are too kind, my uncle. Joining the army is also my ambition."

Ma Xun smiled very happily. Although he was most likely not going to the battlefield to kill the enemy, he should still make more preparations.

It is always good to have many skills, and it is never too much to have a few reliable people under your command.

As soon as Ma Xun returned to the mansion, Mu Ying came over and asked, "Uncle, are you ready for the expedition?"

"Are you here to embarrass me?" Ma Xun said very unhappily, "I was ordered to reward the army, but you insisted that I was on a northern expedition. Don't you know what's going on better than me?"

Mu Ying quickly said, "Uncle, this is the Northern Expedition. Recruiting troops and transporting baggage are both important matters. His Majesty has appointed you as a general, so he naturally values your prudent conduct."

Ma Xun originally thought it made sense, but suddenly he felt something was wrong, "Wait, wait, you make me the general? Didn't you say you are the chief general?"

Mu Ying said seriously, "Of course, my uncle will be the general, and I will be his deputy general."

mascot.

Ma Xun understood his situation instantly. "Your Majesty really thinks highly of me by letting me be a general. As the deputy general, you will be fully authorized to handle the matter. I have approved it."

Mu Ying said more seriously, "I will obey my uncle's orders!"

Ma Xun then said, "The second son of the Chief Censor is quite talented. I would like to recruit him as a staff member. Is this possible?"

"Sure, why not?" Mu Ying said without thinking, "My nephew will give the order to recruit him to serve as an advisor to the army."

It was really a matter of words. Ma Xun's status as the emperor's uncle was indeed useful. The most important thing was that Mu Ying understood that such an arrangement was harmless, so he arranged it.

Mu Ying was the deputy general, but everyone knew whose opinion would be the main one if something really happened.

Only someone like Mu Ying, who is extremely loyal to the emperor and the empress, would willingly accept the arrangement to help Ma Xun.

He was the one who did the job, but the benefits went to Ma Xun, the emperor's uncle.

It’s embarrassing to think about an uncle trying to take away the credit for his nephew’s work.

This may just be the beginning. Now they are stealing the credit from Mu Ying, and in the future they may steal the credit from Li Wenzhong.

Thinking of this, Ma Xun's face began to turn red. Such a shameless thing had now been arranged.

(End of this chapter)