The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 36: Family members can use it with confidence
Along the way, Ma Xun learned from various intelligence and analysis that there would be a major battle in Qingyang, and the battle was currently intense.

However, everyone was optimistic about the outcome of the war. They felt that with Xu Da, Chang Yuchun and others leading the troops, not to mention Zhang Liangchen in Qingyang, even Wang Baobao would be completely defeated.

But now they know that the situation in Qingyang is not so optimistic, and can even be described as very dangerous, which makes them feel a little panicked.

Although panicked, Ma Xun still insisted on his previous opinion after discussing with the medical officer.

Chang Yuchun must rest. He cannot run around or work too hard now. Otherwise, he might die halfway after being rescued.

Although Chang Yuchun was anxious, it was useless to be anxious. He had no strength at all. He could only sit for a while and eat some porridge. He had no appetite at all.

In such a situation, not to mention fighting, even marching is a luxury.

Ma Xun was talking to Chang Yuchun and trying to calm him down. The patient needs a good mood to recover better.

Around three o'clock in the afternoon, Mu Ying came running over happily, "Uncle, General, my second brother is here!"

In the blink of an eye, a horse carrying a majestic knight came.

Although Li Wenzhong is dark-skinned in his military uniform, he has sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and is very heroic. He is indeed a very handsome man. The emperor's nephew is the Ming Dynasty version of Huo Qubing.
Li Wenzhong came running over and knelt down, "Nephew Li Wenzhong, hello to uncle!"

Ma Xun immediately stepped forward to help Li Wenzhong up, "No need to be polite, we are all family."

Li Wenzhong did not stand up and insisted on kowtow three times, "When I was fourteen, I went to Chuzhou to join Your Majesty. If it were not for the Queen's careful care and patient teaching, I would not be where I am today!"

Ma Xun was still pulling him, saying, "Then go talk to the queen, why are you telling me all this!"

Mu Ying, Xu Sima and others beside him could understand Li Wenzhong's feelings. They were the ones who truly felt the same way. If the queen hadn't taken them in, they would have long since become dead bones on the roadside.

This is not just a matter of saving their lives. Her Majesty the Queen not only took them in, but also taught and trained them very patiently, allowing these orphans to gain knowledge and abilities, leading to where they are today!
In the past, they felt that they had no way to repay their uncle, because their stepmother was now the queen, and they could only be loyal and filial. But now it was different, because their stepmother had a younger brother, so they would definitely be extremely grateful to this uncle.

Li Wenzhong insisted on finishing the ceremony and stood up. He then looked at Chang Yuchun and said, "Uncle Chang, I told you to lead the vanguard and I would lead the main force. Now you have fallen off your horse and I have to rush back."

Chang Yuchun laughed and scolded, "Why not learn from someone else? Learn from your elder brother!"

Li Wenzhong chuckled. He was intelligent, studious, well-read, and good at writing poetry and singing. When he was not fighting, he would wear Confucian scholar's clothes. Who wouldn't praise him as a scholar!
But his elder brother Zhu Wenzhen was a different person. He used to hang out with people like Chang Yuchun, Tang He, and Deng Yu, drinking and bragging, looking like a dandy and reckless man.

Chang Yuchun didn't joke and said, "Your uncle said I'm useless."

Ma Xun immediately explained, "Brother Chang, you are talking nonsense. You just need to rest for a while. I don't think you have any sequelae."

Li Wenzhong said dissatisfiedly, "Uncle Chang, you still have the mind to joke at this time?"

"I've experienced so many life and death experiences that I've let it go long ago." Chang Yuchun said indifferently, "I'm just afraid of missing out on important matters and failing to honor your majesty's instructions."

Ma Xun hurriedly continued to persuade him, "Brother Chang, you have to consider my nephew and Wan'er. If you are gone now, what will happen to Wan'er?"

Chang Yuchun glared, "Now that I'm gone, your brother-in-law won't acknowledge the marriage?"

Although Zhu Biao and Chang Wan were not engaged, everyone knew it.

Ma Xun said, "If you are gone now, will Wan'er have to observe mourning? The prince is always worried that my marriage will delay him. I will get engaged this year and marry next year. From what he says, he will marry Wan'er in two to three years at most."

Chang Yuchun thought it made sense and said quickly, "Then I can't die. I can't delay Wan'er."

In history, Chang Yuchun died suddenly of illness, and Zhu was extremely sad. Although Zhu Biao and Chang Wan's marriage was a political marriage, it did not change because of Chang Yuchun's sudden death.

As soon as Zhu Biao reached the age of 18, he took Chang Wan away. Before Chang Wan's mourning period was over, she was married to the East Palace by Zhu Biao in a grand ceremony and was immediately appointed as the Crown Princess. Chang Yuchun looked at Li Wenzhong and said, "Now you lead the army to help Qingyang, but first go to Datong to repel the Yuan Tartars."

Li Wenzhong responded, "Uncle Chang means that the Yuan Tartars are now divided into many groups, hoping to tie up our reinforcements and make it impossible for us to go to Qingyang?"

Chang Yuchun nodded and said, "Your uncle Xu has sent a message before. He has stationed troops in various important places. But the enemy in Datong is very strong. You need to repel the Yuan Tartars first, so he can be at ease to besiege Qingyang."

Li Wenzhong nodded, then became a little worried, "But His Majesty's order is for us to go to Qingyang."

"If we rely on asking for instructions to fight, it will delay everything." Chang Yuchun said decisively, "It will take at least seven days to go back and forth. You know that speed is of the essence in war. We must first resolve the crisis in Datong before we can capture Qingyang."

Li Wenzhong nodded immediately, "I will listen to Uncle Chang and lead the troops to Datong."

Chang Yuchun smiled and said, "I am the deputy general. You obey my orders. Your uncle will not blame you. It is the same for you. I am alive now, and you must obey my orders."

Mu Ying and others nodded. There was nothing wrong with what Chang Yuchun said. As long as he was alive, his military orders would naturally prevail.

Chang Yuchun suddenly said, "Uncle of the Emperor, you lead the troops to Qingyang."

Ma Xun was stunned for a moment, panicked, "Brother Chang, I can't do it. I don't have that ability."

"You have no ability, but you have status." Chang Yuchun said, "You should have been sent to Kaiping, but Baoer wants to go to Datong, and the army must be brought to Qingyang. I let the generals in the army obey your command, your status is suitable."

Li Wenzhong and others knew that there was some truth in doing so, but it was also a bit reluctant because everyone knew that Ma Xun was not capable enough.

Chang Yuchun turned his head and looked at Mu Ying, "You go to Kaiping to guard it, and I can only give you one guard."

Mu Ying quickly spoke up, "General, I have an imperial decree. His Majesty and His Highness have asked me to stay by my uncle's side no matter what."

Chang Yuchun turned his head and looked at the others. "Then choose one person to go to Kaiping. Just one guard will do. Choose one from my army. There is no danger there except for clearing out the bandits."

Mu Ying and others naturally understood that Kaiping was mainly concerned with maintaining stability and did not have much war pressure, so sending a guard was enough.

Chang Yuchun then looked at Ma Xun and said, "You are the brother-in-law of His Majesty and the younger brother of the Queen, so your status is the most suitable. Just bring the army to Qingyang. I think it's appropriate to have Mu Ying and Lan Yu assist you."

Ma Xun had nothing to say, so he could only bite the bullet and say, "Then, I'll listen to Brother Chang."

Chang Yuchun smiled and said, "Sometimes you have to use your own family. Your eldest nephew led 20,000 people to block Chen Youliang's 600,000 troops for more than 80 days. Your brother-in-law is cruel. He went to rescue the young Ming King first and then to relieve the siege of Hongdu. Why? It's safe to use your own family. When the time comes, you can just use the banner of 'General Guarding the Nation'. We only have two of them in the Ming Dynasty."

Ma Xun looked miserable, and the pressure was about to overwhelm him in an instant.

Li Wenzhong immediately complained, "Uncle Chang, you are still scaring my uncle at this time!"

Mu Ying and the others were also laughing with their heads down. They could see that Chang Yuchun was trying to scare Ma Xun.

The real danger was that Li Wenzhong led his army to relieve the siege of Datong, while Ma Xun led the main force of the army to Qingyang, which was not dangerous and he was still only responsible for marching.

The officers in the army are all veterans and powerful people, so this is not difficult.

After arriving in Qingyang, there was naturally General Xu Da, so there was no need for the king's uncle to take charge of the situation alone!

However, everyone felt relieved when they saw that Chang Yuchun was still in the mood to make a joke.

Although General Chang encountered an accident and cannot go on the expedition, the situation is still controllable and there is no need to worry too much!
(End of this chapter)