The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 52 Family Matters
Ma Xun’s current situation is that if he is well fed, the whole family will not be hungry. Besides, he does not have to worry about his livelihood, so he seems to be very free.

After leaving Liu Bowen's mansion, Ma Xun did not return to his own house, but just asked He Da to go back and bring the prepared local specialties.

Master Chang Mao was not at the gate of the mansion, but when the guards saw Ma Xun coming, they not only did not stop him, but greeted him warmly and sent someone to tell Chang Yuchun.

We are all acquaintances, there is no need to be so polite.

When they arrived at the main hall, Ma Xun said, "Brother Chang, would you like me to take your pulse?"

Ma Xun didn't know how to take a pulse, he only had a vague understanding. But everyone believed that he was a miracle doctor, and they would feel at ease if he took the pulse.

Chang Yuchun immediately smiled and stretched out his hand, "That's great. I don't trust those quack doctors."

Chang Lan also said, "Little brother, it's a blessing that you are here, otherwise how would my whole family survive!"

Ma Xun smiled and said, "We are all family, so there is no need to be polite. Wan'er and the others followed the prince in calling me uncle. Can I watch Brother Chang get into trouble?"

Chang Wan blushed, but she also agreed with these statements.

Ma Xun restrained his smile and asked, "What did those people in the Imperial Hospital say?"

Chang Yuchun answered without thinking, "Those quack doctors are unreliable. What they say doesn't count."

Chang Lan immediately said, "They say that your elder brother Chang has a deficiency of qi and blood, and an excess of liver fire. I don't think so. He is so strong, how can he be weak?"

Ma Xun smiled and said, "It's similar to what I thought. The Imperial Hospital told Brother Chang to rest and recuperate for a while, right? I also asked the imperial physician in the palace a few days ago and saw a prescription. Just rest and recuperate."

Everyone in the room was happy about this. In fact, everyone knew clearly whether those people in the Imperial Hospital were capable or not.

Chang Lan said with some concern, "Little brother, those people in the Imperial Hospital are seeking to be safe, so will they not dare to use medicine?"

"All medicines are poisonous. Brother Chang, just rest and recuperate for a while." Ma Xun said half-truthfully, "I am not good at recuperation either. The prescription given by the Imperial Hospital is suitable for Brother Chang."

Hearing what Ma Xun said, Chang Yuchun's family felt more at ease. This was the effect of Ma Xun's pulse diagnosis. They would still doubt what others said, but what Ma Xun said was credible.

Chang Yuchun said with some worry, "I have been nursing for two months, and it should be time for me to recover. There will be a war next year, can I make it in time?"

"I don't think it should be a big problem. I would like to follow Brother Chang to fight, but the palace won't allow it." Ma Xun said somewhat depressed, "If I can't catch up next year, Wang Baobao will be kicked out."

Chang Yuchun felt both regretful and happy. "As long as I can catch up, there's no need to rush. Next year, Xu Da and I will join forces to destroy Wang Baobao, and in two years, I will take you to fight the Yuan Emperor!"

If you think about it this way, it is really possible. Now that Xu Da and Chang Yuchun have joined forces, it is hard to say whether Wang Baobao can escape to Helin.

Chatting and laughing with Chang Yuchun's family, I could feel that the relationship between the two families had become noticeably closer.

In the past, because of Ma Xiuying and Zhu Biao, Chang Lan and others took care of Ma Xunduo. But now there is more recognition, this is the real brother (real uncle).

Ma Xun was in a good mood after having a free meal. He returned to his residence after dark. It was better to go to bed early and get up early. Although there were some night entertainments, he was not very interested in them.

Early in the morning, Xu E called out softly, "Master, you should get up."

Ma Xun rubbed his eyes, a little puzzled, "Moth, why is it so early?"

Xu E explained, "Master, you instructed yesterday to have Mu Fengshi bring the children here, and they are all coming."

According to his previous habits, Ma Xun would sleep until he woke up naturally. But with just one word from his cheap uncle, the nephews or nephews' wives would rush over with their children.

Ma Xun shot himself in the foot and quickly got up and washed.

Mu Chun, who was full of vigor and strength, knelt down as soon as he arrived at the main hall and said, "Greetings to my great uncle."

"Come here." Ma Xun said with a smile, "Uncle Grandpa doesn't read and his handwriting is not good, so I'll give you the ink, paper and inkstone."

Muchun took it happily. Not all the children looked miserable after receiving the homework.

Most of Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying's adopted sons were good at both literature and martial arts, with Li Wenzhong, Mu Ying and Xu Sima being the best among them. Ma Xun then said to Mu Fengshi and Xu Sima's wives, "From now on, if I'm in Beijing, those who recognize me as their uncle should bring their legitimate sons here during festivals and let me know their legitimate sons' birthdays in advance."

Mu Fengshi and others stood obediently and listened to the lecture. Even though Ma Xun was younger, he had a higher seniority.

The people present were naturally happy about Ma Xun's words. They all knew Ma Xun's status. Before, they were just worried that they would not be able to get in if they wanted to recognize him as their uncle.

Ma Xun then said, "Okay, I won't tell you the rules. I don't understand them. You should recognize me as your uncle and bring your children over to visit. I have things to do."

I called a group of people over, gave them some gifts, talked to them a few words, and everyone was very happy.

No one thought that this was a hassle because Ma Xun had a status.

Ma Xun, who had important business to attend to, changed into a Taoist robe and was about to go out with Wangcai by his hand. As soon as he went out, he saw Master Mao next door.

Chang Mao jumped over and said, "Uncle, I read the Art of War all night last night. Shall we go find the Chief Censor?"

"You can read the Art of War in two days. I'm going to discuss the way of being an official today." Ma Xun patted Chang Mao's shoulder and was very satisfied with this child. "If you are thick-skinned, I will give you a good sword when the time comes."

Chang Mao nodded immediately, "Then I'll go back and take a look, uncle. How about I run around and say that I'm learning the art of war now?"

Ma Xun thought it made sense and said, "That's fine, but your father is very good at leading troops."

"That's different. I can't learn my father's military tactics." Chang Mao said with reason, "I learned from my uncle, and my uncle took me to seek advice from people everywhere."

It’s settled!
When Liu Lian heard the news that Ma Xun was coming, he was stunned and hurried out of the house, "Uncle, my father hasn't left the court yet!"

Ma Xun smiled and said, "I was afraid of missing the time, so I hurried to deal with my family affairs and came here. But now that I'm here, I can't leave, right?"

Ma Xun had said so much, so Liu Lian naturally had nothing to say. Moreover, since they had already made an engagement and set a wedding date, there was no need to be too formal.

Liu Lian sat beside him, and Liu Shuning brought tea over. "Uncle, have you settled things in the mansion?"

"There's not much to do at home." Ma Xun said with a smile, "I'm just the boss and don't care about anything."

Liu Shuning tried to make amends by saying, "The prince is busy with military and national affairs, so he naturally doesn't need to worry about trivial matters in the palace."

Mentioning this, Ma Xun became excited, "Speaking of which, my house has three courtyards, and I always feel that it is a bit wasteful, with a lot of empty space."

Liu Shuning also knew what Ma Xun's mansion looked like, and asked, "Does the prince want to make some changes?"

"I think it's pretty good to live here now, but it would be nice if we could make some changes." Ma Xun said, "Do you think we should make it more elegant or more practical?"

Liu Shuning pondered for a moment and said, "The three courtyards of the Prince's Mansion are enough now, but if the Prince has children and more wives and concubines, I'm afraid it will not be enough."

Ma Xun and Liu Shuning began to discuss the renovation of the courtyard and so on. There were many things that needed to be considered.

"How much money does the prince's mansion have now?"

"I don't know, but there shouldn't be any shortage."

"Does the uncle know how much grain the farm produces?"

"How would I know? I've been fighting outside this year. Are you talking about the farmland outside the city or the granted land in my hometown?"

Not to mention Liu Shuning, even Liu Lian next to her was speechless. This uncle of the emperor really doesn't care about family affairs at all!

Liu Shuning asked again, "The Prince's Mansion is a gift from His Majesty. If we build it, will it be an act of usurpation or overstepping the boundaries?"

This is a big deal. Bricks, tiles, door beams, all of these are strictly according to levels.

"According to the Duke's calculations, I can't plant too many flowers in my house. What do you think of bamboo?"

In order to have both marriage and love, you should lay a good emotional foundation in advance. You can’t just rush into the bridal chamber after the veil is lifted!
(End of this chapter)