The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 38: A single move affects the entire body
Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying were terrified for a whole day when another piece of intelligence arrived from Xuanhua.

Thanks to the miraculous healing skills of the king's uncle, General Chang woke up.

This was not only confirmed by Ma Guojiu's personal letter, but also by reports from Mu Ying and others, as well as Ma Xun's medical advice that Chang Yuchun should rest.

Zhu Biao, who already knew what was going on, took a closer look and asked, "Dad, Mom, can I take some of my uncle's letters?"

Zhu Yuanzhang glared and said, "What? You're going to tell a woman about such a big thing?"

Zhu Biao said quickly, "Lan Yu will definitely tell Uncle Chang's family about these things. Will it make Wan'er worry? I will only take what my uncle wrote and not talk about other things."

Ma Xiuying took charge and said, "Take it. Let Wan'er's mother go to Mr. Liu to ask for the bride price and the name. After all these things are done, let the second and third sons go to propose."

It is not appropriate for younger generations to propose marriage, but they are princes, so it is appropriate.

Zhu Yuanzhang was trying to restore the Han orthodoxy, which naturally included the "Six Rites".

Nacai is the first step, which is the matchmaker proposing marriage.

Asking for the name is the second step, where the matchmaker is asked for the woman’s name and date of birth.

Next was Najib, who took the woman’s name and birth date and performed divination in the ancestral temple.

Next is the gift of betrothal, also known as the gift of money, which is the gift given by the man’s family to the woman’s family.

The next step is to ask for the date. The man’s family will choose the wedding date, prepare gifts and inform the woman’s family to ask for their consent.

The sixth step is to welcome the bride in person, but this happens one or two days before the wedding when the bride’s side delivers the dowry and makes the bed, and the groom goes to the bride’s house to marry her the next day.

As for the many ceremonies on the wedding day, that is another process.

However, many people now think that the six rituals are too troublesome. In the Song Dynasty, many people chose four or three rituals, and only those powerful and wealthy families insisted on six rituals.

Watching Zhu Biao leave happily, Ma Xiuying said with emotion, "He is really your son."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said, "I think this is quite good. Wan'er is bold and aggressive, which is a good thing. Biao'er is the eldest brother, and he is good to his younger brothers and sisters. With Wan'er's help, I can save a lot of worries in the future."

Ma Xiuying also nodded, "That's true. Wan'er is also a generous woman. When she is with Biao'er, there will be no chaos in Biao'er's inner house."

Zhu Yuanzhang gently patted the back of Ma Xiuying's hand and said, "Luckily, I have a younger brother. I was able to save her from such a serious illness!"

Ma Xiuying was extremely proud because her brother had saved one of the most powerful generals of the Ming Dynasty.

As long as Chang Yuchun is alive, Xu Tiande will be restricted and there is no need to worry about one person dominating the army.

Zhu Yuanzhang said with some emotion, "My father-in-law really likes me as his son-in-law and sent me back. I had some hardships in my early years, but I have a promising future and can be of great help!"

Ma Xiuying suddenly warned, "In the future, no one is allowed to go to my house for medical treatment. He is a reliable person. He will definitely treat what he can. If he can't, don't make it difficult for him. You have seen his temper. He is afraid of favors and people asking him for help."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded repeatedly, "My temper is a little soft, and I am afraid that some people in the court will go to him to plead for mercy. Look at his temper, it's okay if he is honest, but the main thing is that he will not refuse people."

Ma Xiuying was not worried about that much. "I am timid. No matter how many people want to get close to me, I will get close to them. You said that Li Shanchang, Wang Guangyang, and Hu Weiyong did not try to win me over?"

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately laughed. Some people thought their methods were secretive and really thought they could hide it from the emperor and the empress!

While Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying were chatting, another urgent report was delivered.

This also made Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying very satisfied. Li Wenzhong arrived in time and Chang Yuchun quickly made some arrangements after waking up. The war situation in the north would not change.

When Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying felt relieved, the Chang family was in chaos for a while.

Fortunately, Zhu Biao brought accurate information, and Ma Xun's letter also gave Chang Lan and Chang Wan confidence, but they still had the necessary worries. It's good that the person is okay, just send him back to recuperate!
Ma Xun knew nothing about what was happening in the capital thousands of miles away. He went to He Da and asked, "What happened to Wangcai?"

He Da smiled and said, "I guess it's used to carrying things. I let it carry a knife and a gun a few days ago, and it didn't want to take it down. So I can only let it carry some things."

Ma Xun took a closer look and said, "The armor is a bit heavy, so send it to the baggage area. Let Wangcai carry my swords, guns, and clothes. This is the only thing I can rely on for my small belongings."

Wangcai barked twice and rubbed Ma Xun's arm with his donkey face. Traveling around the country was no pressure for him at all.

Ma Xun touched Wangcai's head and was puzzled. "It's hot in the summer so I'm calm, but why are you quiet in the spring? Wangcai, you need to be more active. They say donkeys can be in heat all year round!"

Wangcai didn't understand Ma Xun's painstaking efforts, and suddenly his upper lip turned up, revealing his teeth.

Ma Xun immediately understood and took out his water bag to pour some water for Wangcai.

Wangcai was very free, he didn't follow the baggage train behind. Usually Ma Xun rode in front, he followed behind, letting the horse do what it wanted. After setting up camp, he ran to Ma Xun to ask for fodder.

Also because of Ma Xun, Wangcai is treated very well, is welcomed wherever he goes, and has no shortage of high-quality concentrated feed.

The current Wangcai is no longer the skinny donkey half a year ago, but a strong donkey with bright fur, fat and strong body.

Mu Ying rode over on horseback, "Uncle, it's time to set up camp."

Ma Xun said directly, "There are too many people and I can't arrange them. You go and set up camp. I have only one request. Although Guanzhong has been recaptured, you still have to be careful and guard against it."

Mu Ying and others have also become accustomed to Ma Xun's reminders, and they do not think that these reminders from Ma Xun are unnecessary worries.

The war in Qingyang has not ended yet. Several reinforcements from the Yuan court may appear in Guanzhong and Gansu at any time, so we should be careful.

Many people are concerned about Chang Yuchun's situation, and are also concerned about the movements of people like Ma Xun.

Lan Yu ran over excitedly and said, "General Xu's messenger has arrived, ordering the uncle to speed up the march."

Ma Xun asked again, "Okay, I will definitely speed up. How is Qingyang doing?"

Lan Yu said confidently, "Before that, the Minister of State Yu Tongyuan led the elite cavalry to the west of Qingyang, the Deputy Governor-General Gu Shi was to the north, the Councillor Fu Youde was to the east, and the Deputy Governor-General Chen De was to the south."

"Although there have been some minor incidents, the governor Feng Sheng is now stationing troops at Yima Pass, thirty miles west of Qingyang. Now that Jingzhou has been recaptured, the general will no longer be in danger of being attacked from all sides!"

This is absolutely good news. The Ming army has reversed the previous passive situation, and the initiative in the Battle of Qingyang has been regained by the Ming army.

Ma Xun and others needed to make further forced marches. They had to reach Qingyang as soon as possible to increase the army's chances of capturing Qingyang.

As he rushed towards Guanzhong, Ma Xun's confidence continued to accumulate and increase.

It’s not that he is a military genius, but he has gained a lot of experience in such marches.

Instead, good news kept coming. First, Li Wenzhong led a large army to advance rapidly in Taiyuan and lifted the siege of Taiyuan. Then, they immediately left Yanmen Pass to prepare to lift the siege of Datong.

The good news from Xu Da was that the Battle of Qingyang was about to begin, the cleanup of the periphery had been basically completed, Wang Baobao's army would find it difficult to advance, and Qingyang would soon become an isolated city.

War is like this, one thing after another.

Chang Yuchun did not die, although it delayed him for two days. However, the military order was issued in time and the whole army made up for the two days' delay by forcing the army to march.

Li Wenzhong quickly lifted the siege of Datong and Taiyuan, blocking the Yuan army's plan to disperse the Ming army, so Xu Da could besiege Qingyang with confidence.

Ma Xun and others were also on a forced march, and the Ming army's superior forces were constantly gathering. This was an absolute advantage and initiative!
We still have to hurry, otherwise the war will be over but Ma Xun and his men will still be on the way!

(End of this chapter)