The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 47: The Governor in Charge of Education

As they got closer and closer to the capital, Ma Xun didn't seem to feel any homesickness.

He didn't know where his hometown was, and he didn't seem to care much about it. He just took things as they came and just had a place to stay.

However, Ma Xun was still happy to return to the capital, not only because he had relatives and friends here, but also because the living conditions here were better.

Xu Da and other generals were obviously very excited. They had been away from the capital for too long and they would be able to see their families when they returned.

Just after crossing the Yangtze River, a Tang rider came on horseback to report, "General, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is leading all the officials to welcome the general back from the Longjiang Pass."

Longjiang Pass and Longjiang Shipyard are located in this port. Next to it is Yifeng Gate, which is the west gate of Yingtian Prefecture, and Yingtian Prefecture has a total of thirteen city gates.

Xu Da and others immediately began to tidy up their equipment and then sped up their pace towards Longjiang Pass.

Zhu Biao, who was as gentle as jade and had an elegant temperament, was smiling as he stood at the head of all officials to welcome the triumphant crowd.

Xu Da and others jumped off their horses and hurried forward.

"Your Highness Xu Da has been summoned back to the capital to pay his respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. May His Royal Highness live forever."

Zhu Biao immediately stepped forward and supported Xu Da's arm. "The general has made great contributions in the Northern Expedition. Father is very happy to hear the victory news. He has specially ordered me to welcome the general."

Xu Da quickly said modestly, "I am terrified!"

Zhu Biao helped Xu Da up and immediately took a few quick steps, "Uncle, please stand up quickly. How dare a nephew accept your great courtesy?"

Ma Xun was a smart man, and he quickly said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince is the foundation of the Ming Dynasty, and foreign officials dare not overstep their authority."

"Uncle!" Zhu Biao said in a somewhat blaming tone, "Uncle, you said that, but it makes it difficult for me to face the emperor and the queen mother. How can I have the face to pay tribute to my grandfather?"

It is good to just listen to this. If Ma Xun stood there at this time, not to mention the impeachment memorials from the waiting officials, which would immediately overwhelm the emperor.

By then, even Ma Xiuying would be implicated. If her brother disrespects the country, that would be unacceptable!

You can be closer in private, but you have to be polite in formal occasions. You must maintain this sense of propriety.

After helping Ma Xun up, Zhu Biao also asked the accompanying soldiers to stand up.

Then he said to Xu Da, "The general has made great contributions, and I should personally drive the car to welcome the general into the city. However, the general is the commander of the army, so it is best for him to ride a horse."

Naturally, no one had any objection. The prince came to greet him personally, which showed that the emperor recognized Xu Da. If the prince really drove the car, Xu Da would not dare to sit in it.

Zhu Biao then said to the officials, "Second brother, third brother, come over and hold the horses for the general and uncle."

Xu Da and Ma Xun were both cautious and modest people, so they quickly refused. Although it has been a privilege for the prince to drive a car or lead a horse since ancient times, it was not the right time yet.

When Wang Baobao is really driven away or Emperor Yuan is captured, then the prince will be allowed to lead the horses. The Northern Expedition has not been completely successful yet.

Since Xu Da and Ma Xun refused, it became that Zhu Biao rode in front, with Xu Da and Ma Xun following on the left and right, but each was half a body length behind Zhu Biao.

Zhu Chong and Zhu Gang followed behind on horseback, while Zhu Di proudly rode on a horse and led a donkey. The fifth prince was younger, so he was not allowed to leave the palace.

The team entered Yingtian Prefecture from Yifeng Gate in a mighty manner and headed directly towards Zhengyang Gate.

There were many people watching along the way. Although the people of Yingtian Prefecture had become accustomed to the army's frequent triumphant returns over the years, this time was different. This time it was a great victory in the Northern Expedition.

The north has been basically conquered and Guanlong has been settled. What a great event!
Zhu Chong suddenly urged his horse forward a few steps and whispered, "Uncle, my aunt must be ahead. Mother sent someone to tell her yesterday."

Ma Xun turned his head and whispered, "Don't talk nonsense, don't ruin her reputation."

Zhu Biao smiled and said to Ma Xun, "Uncle, the third brother is right. The marriage has been arranged some time ago, and uncle only needs to wait until after the Lantern Festival to get married."

Zhu Chong took credit and said, "Uncle, I went to propose marriage for you!" Zhu Gang was very angry and said quickly, "Uncle, I went too. My second brother was the guest of honor and I was the accompanying guest."

This is incredibly efficient!
While talking, Ma Xun saw a carriage not far away. Chang Lan was standing on the carriage waving happily, and the person standing next to her was not Chang Wan, but Liu Shuning.

Just when Ma Xun was feeling so heartbroken that he didn't even bother to tidy up his appearance, he suddenly felt something was wrong.

I don't know when the two guys, Zhu Chong and Zhu Gang, each carried a big flag, with the iconic "General Guarding the Country" and "Horse".

He looked even more arrogant than Ma Xun, and he enjoyed the discussions, curiosity and awe of the people.

It’s too high-profile, I don’t want it!

The team stopped outside the Hongwu Gate. Zhu Biao dismounted and raised his hand slightly, and a eunuch immediately came forward.

"By the order of the Emperor of Heaven and the Mandate of Heaven, Xu Da, the Grand General, Right Prime Minister, Duke of Xin, has conquered Shandong, Henan, Yan, Ji, Qin, and Jin, defeated the enemy, boosted the prestige of the country, and comforted the army and the people. He is worthy of being a Grand General and is awarded 500 taels of white gold and 50 li of silver coins!"

Xu Da immediately accepted the imperial edict and expressed his gratitude. This reward was neither too much nor too little, and it was also a recognition of his contribution.

Zhu Biao continued to read the imperial edict, "General Ma Xun, who has treated countless soldiers, was the first to break through the city and capture and kill the enemy general, should be the first to be rewarded with 500 taels of platinum and 50 pieces of paper currency, and promoted to the right governor of the Grand Governor's Office and the head of the Imperial College!"

Ma Xun’s brain froze for a moment. Am I the right governor of the Grand Marshal’s Office?
The first rank is two ranks higher than the six ministers!
What made Ma Xun even more speechless was that he was about to be in charge of the Imperial Academy, the highest institution of learning in the Ming Dynasty, which would be the future Imperial College!
During the Yuan Dynasty, there was an Imperial College in Peking. When Zhu Yuanzhang first settled in Nanjing, he changed the Yingtian Prefecture School into the Imperial College.

After the capital was built, the school building was rebuilt at the foot of Jiming Mountain and within a few years it was changed into the Imperial College.

Am I a civil servant or a military officer?

But it is normal if you think about it. In history, Li Wenzhong was in charge of the Grand Marshal's Office and the Imperial College at the same time, and Mei Yin, the son-in-law of the emperor, was the governor of Shandong Province.

When the Ming Dynasty was first established, many of its systems were not yet perfect. However, most dynasties were strong in military power but weak in culture in their early years, so it was normal for the emperor's confidants to take charge of key government offices.

But Ma Xun felt guilty. Li Wenzhong and Mu Ying were all-round talents who were good at both literature and martial arts. Although Mei Yin was the nephew of Mei Sizu, the Marquis of Runan, he was well-read and proficient in classics. There was no comparison!
Xu Da was happy for Ma and for himself.

After Zhu Biao read the imperial edict, except for a very small number of generals and officers who were allowed to enter the palace, the rest of the troops returned to the camp.

As soon as he entered the palace, Zhu Biao turned around and said, "Uncle, go and pay respect to grandpa, and then go to uncle."

Ma Xun had no objection and clasped his fists towards Xu Da, "Brother Xu, I'll go first."

Xu Da smiled and returned the greeting, saying, "Little brother, remember that we will have a good drink together in a few days. When the time comes, I will bring Yun Gong to your house to bother you, so please don't mind being annoying."

Ma Xun hurriedly said politely, and then led Zhu Chong and others to the direction of the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Zhu Biao and Xu Da chatted and laughed, as they were going to see the emperor and report military and national affairs.

"Uncle, have someone send Wangcai back first." Zhu Di jumped out and said, "It's not good to take Wangcai with you when we go to worship grandpa."

Ma Xun naturally had no objection and asked someone to take Wangcai away first.

Zhu Chong was very curious and looking forward to it. "Uncle, is the battle interesting this time?"

Zhu Gang also asked hurriedly, "It is said that Zhang Liangchen is a minor official, and his adopted sons have seven men and seven spears. How did your uncle capture and kill them?"

Ma Xun blushed, "Most of his seven adopted sons died on the battlefield. Qingyang was besieged by the general and his men, and they ran out of ammunition and food. Zhang Liangchen and his son jumped into a well and were hanged out and beheaded."

Zhu Di then asked, "Uncle, how did you get to the city first? Did you lead the troops?"

Ma Xun’s face turned even redder. I don’t even know how the city was breached. I didn’t even enter Qingyang City!

It has to be said that Zhu Chong and his friends are all warmongers. They are all very excited when talking about war and seem to be very yearning for it.

Let’s go and pay our respects first. It’s hard to explain what happened on the battlefield in a short time, so I won’t talk too much to the children.

(End of this chapter)