The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 4 Sister and brother recognize each other
Ma Xun was nervous because he had basically guessed Zhu Yuanzhang's identity.

He really didn't expect that Zhu Yuanzhang, who was hundreds of miles away, would arrive almost immediately after he arrived in Suzhou.

But if you think about the fact that Zhu Yuanzhang was a famous hardworking emperor in history and a horse-riding emperor who stood out in troubled times, all this seems understandable.

But I was still nervous and scared. It goes without saying that I had to rebuild China, drive out the Tartars, and so on.

But he was also famous for his strict and harsh governance and for launching numerous large-scale purges. Some people also said that he was harsh and mean, and liked to kill meritorious officials.

On second thought, the current emperor is not the terrifying Hongwu Emperor in his later years, and Zhu Yuanzhang is still in his prime.

After the new day began, Ma Xun got up early as usual, but he was embarrassed as soon as he arrived at the yard. He was going to feed the donkey, but he saw Zhu Yuanzhang feeding the donkey.

Seeing Ma Xun's smirk, Zhu Yuanzhang asked, "What? Don't you recognize me as your elder brother?"

"I dare not, I dare not." Ma Xun was even more embarrassed and at a loss, fearing that he would be beheaded if he was not careful. "I was blind before, I hope you can forgive me."

Zhu Yuanzhang said jokingly, "Where did you learn this sour, pedantic scholar style? We are all family, there is no need to be so polite."

Ma Xun hastily stated his position, "I dare not cling to the royal family. I am just following the will of my ancestors. I really have no other thoughts."

Zhu Yuanzhang said, "It's no use talking to me. Wait until your sister comes."

Ma Xun asked cautiously, "Your Majesty, I and the Queen have not acknowledged each other as relatives."

"You will understand when you meet your sister. They have the same facial features." Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile, "Don't be afraid that your sister will not recognize you. She has been missing her parents and crying all the time these years. It makes me sad to see her like that."

Patting Wangcai's head, Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Now that I have a brother like you, I am so happy!"

Ma Xun still didn’t know how to answer. Is it really possible to determine that they are a family just by looking at their appearance?

Although this kind of situation does exist and some people don't think there is any need for DNA comparison, Ma Xun believes that there is still a layer of separation between him and Empress Ma.

Zhu Yuanzhang clapped his hands and said, "I have nothing to do, so I'll teach you how to ride a horse. Then you can go with me to inspect the garrison."

Zhu Yuanzhang, a workaholic, has never been able to sit still. Now that he has come to Suzhou, he will check the military training of the garrison and investigate the people's livelihood.

Zhu Yuanzhang said as he walked out, "Now Fengyang Prefecture governs five states and thirteen counties, including Bozhou, Suzhou, Yingzhou, Sizhou and Shouzhou. There is only one thousand households in Suzhou."

Ma Xun didn't quite understand this, and Zhu Yuanzhang continued, "What about you, do you want to learn literature or martial arts in the future?"

Ma Xun said quickly, "All right, all right, I will obey the emperor."

"Why are you being so polite?" Zhu Yuanzhang said jokingly, "I am your brother-in-law, so I have to take care of you. You must take it seriously. Whether it is studying literature or joining the army, it is a big deal."

Ma Xun considered it and said, "Let's wait until Her Majesty the Queen comes."

Ma Xun meant to wait until Ma Xiuying came to see whether she recognized her relatives and what her attitude was.

Zhu Yuanzhang agreed immediately, "That's right, I arranged something for you! Your affairs still have to fall on your sister, she has to make the decision."

A guard brought a horse, and Zhu Yuanzhang easily climbed onto the horse and then jumped off.

"Can you ride a donkey?" Seeing that Ma Xun couldn't even get on a horse, Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and teased, "You can step on the stirrup and use the force to sit on the saddle, right?"

The guards tried hard to hold the horses and hold back their laughter, while Zhu Yuanzhang, who was always impatient, kept correcting Ma Xun's riding posture.

Sometimes it's because he sits too straight, sometimes he steps too hard in the stirrup, or sometimes he holds the reins too tightly, and so on.

It took a long time for Ma Xun to learn how to ride a horse.

But this is just the most basic riding skill, just to make sure you don't fall off, and it is not real riding skill.

Ma Xun felt very uncomfortable getting along with Zhu Yuanzhang. The aura of this grassroots emperor was too strong, and it was impossible to have a relaxed conversation with him.

Especially Zhu Yuanzhang's frequent deliberate care and concern made Ma Xun feel uncomfortable, but he had no way to raise any objections.

After following Zhu Yuanzhang to inspect the training and other situations of the Qianhu Suo, Ma Xun returned to the post station to take care of Wangcai, the stupid donkey.

He only knows how to eat all day long and doesn't know how to share other people's worries.

Zhu Yuanzhang was not idle after returning to the post station. His bedroom was lit with candles.

"I believe that in ancient times, the rulers who founded a business must have a virtuous queen as their internal support to help them achieve great things. When the world is at peace, they must honor their relatives to repay their kindness."

Zhu Yuanzhang, who came from a humble background, could not write well, but his handwriting was neat and powerful. His literary talent was not necessarily outstanding, but he could write well. Mao Xiang spoke cautiously, "Your Majesty, the Queen will be in Suzhou the day after tomorrow."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said, "The queen is a little anxious. Go and arrange for the purchase of some offerings and sacrifices, and prepare some mourning clothes."

Mao Xiang seized the time to handle these things and did not dare to delay for even a moment.

Ma Xun became more and more uneasy, even though Zhu Yuanzhang treated him very well and it seemed that he didn't have to worry about being cut into pieces.

But the matter has not been truly concluded yet, and no one can guarantee what the future trend will be.

Another day passed in Ma Xun's sleepless nights. Early in the morning, he did not see Zhu Yuanzhang coming out of the house opposite.

After feeding the donkey, Ma Xun said to a guard, "I should go to the temple."

The guard immediately said politely, "Please do as you wish, sir."

Ma Xun then asked, "Is that noble man going?"

The guard just smiled and said nothing. He could not reveal the whereabouts of the emperor.

There was nothing more to say, so Ma Xun did not ask any more questions. It was useless to ask, and it would not do him any good.

He still walked on two legs. Although he had learned to ride a horse, Ma Xun still felt it was very bumpy and it was more comfortable to walk.

When Ma Xun was walking towards the small temple, a team of medium-sized people was heading towards it.

Zhu Yuanzhang held Ma Xiuying's hand and said, "Sister, I have suffered a lot, but I look energetic. I have a broad mind and a good character. I am a good child."

Ma Xiuying wiped her tears and said, "When I think of him wandering around at the age of ten, I feel bad. Chongba, please do me a favor. Bring my little brother back to Yingtianfu, okay?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was unhappy, "Sister, what are you talking about? He is my brother, of course I have to take care of him!"

Ma Xiuying couldn't help crying. "All these years I thought I was the only one, but I didn't know I had a younger brother. Finally, I have someone in my mother's family!"

"I'm still here, and Biao'er is still here!" Zhu Yuanzhang hurriedly comforted her, "Sister, don't cry anymore. Your brother is back, and your father-in-law is back too, we're happy!"

She was homesick, especially about to meet her brother whom she had never met before. Ma Xiuying was even more excited and nervous, not knowing what kind of person her brother was.

When they arrived in front of the small temple, Ma Xiuying stood there crying as she looked at the thin, dark-skinned young man with medium-length hair.

Ma Xun was also stunned. He looked at Ma Xiuying at the door and spoke after a while, "Sister?"

Ma Xiuying immediately started to trot, her steps a little unsteady, "Little brother, why don't you come to me? How can you be so cruel that you didn't come to me all these years!"

Ma Xun was at a loss as to what to do, neither helping nor persuading anyone, so he could only look to Zhu Yuanzhang for help.

Old Zhu immediately supported Ma Xiuying and said, "Sister, kowtow to your father-in-law."

Ma Xiuying came back to her senses immediately and wiped her tears, "Ah."

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his hand and a group of maids came forward and dressed Ma Xiuying in mourning.

Ma Xun just stood there in a daze, allowing the eunuchs and maids to put on mourning clothes for him.

Suddenly Ma Xun became anxious, "Your Majesty, this is inappropriate!"

Ma Xiuying also turned her head and looked to the side, "Zhongba, you are the emperor!"

Zhu Yuanzhang, who was wearing mourning clothes, immediately said, "Sister, please stop trying to persuade me! Wearing mourning clothes for my father-in-law is what I should do."

Ma Xiuying didn't say anything either, she just pulled Ma Xun to the side and knelt down.

Zhu Yuanzhang turned around and waved, and five boys and two girls, all dressed in heavy mourning, came over.

I took a look at the elegant young man leading the group. Could this be Crown Prince Zhu Biao?
"The filial son Zhu Chongba and his filial grandson Zhu Biao pay homage to their father-in-law!"

After Zhu Yuanzhang saluted, Ma Xiuying and Ma Xun immediately returned the salute.

This is how siblings recognize each other, this is how relatives meet.

(End of this chapter)