The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 54 Be wise and protect yourself
The popular Ma Xun went to visit again, this time to Xu Da's mansion.

When they arrived at Xu's house, Xu Da smiled and asked his three sons and one daughter to pay their respects to Ma Xun.

Xu Yungong and Xu Tianfu, the one who just learned to walk was Xu Zengshou who was killed by Zhu Yunwen. The six-year-old daughter was the future Empress Xu, Zhu Di's wife.

Looking at Xu Yungong, Ma Xun had a headache. "Brother Xu, Yungong is so young, how can I take him out to play? He should be at least twelve or thirteen years old before I can take him out to play!"

Xu Da laughed and said, "He may be a little young, but you are his uncle, so just take care of him."

Xu Da had children late and his first wife died early. It was not until he crossed the Yangtze River that he married Xie Zaixing's youngest daughter under the arrangement of Zhu Yuanzhang.

Speaking of which, Xu Yungong and his cousin Zhu Tiezhu are the same age, both nine years old.

Xu Da then said with some emotion, "I am away from home all year round, and I am the only one who can make decisions at home. I have been unable to let go for many years."

Ma Xun looked at Xu Da cautiously and asked, "Brother Xu, there are some things you should talk to His Majesty about. You are from the same hometown, and you are a general."

Xu Daduo was a smart man, so he said directly, "It's not my place to mention family matters. It's okay if I don't want to mention it, this matter is troublesome in the first place."

Ma Xun decisively chose to keep silent. Everyone knew what Xu Xie's situation was like. She could only blame herself for having a "good father".

Not to mention that she was cheated, her sister Zhu Xie was also badly cheated. Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying liked Zhu Tiezhu, their great-nephew, but were unwilling to see Zhu Xie, their niece-in-law.

Seeing that Ma Xun was not fooled, Xu Da asked, "Brother, what are you going to do next year?"

"I was originally worried about the Grand Commandery, but now I think it's nothing more than giving me an official position." Ma Xun said with a smile, "I'm not afraid of being laughed at by Brother Xu. I will accept the title of Grand Commandery if His Majesty appoints me as the Grand Commander."

Xu Da immediately smiled with relief, "That's how it should be. Whether you intervene or not is another matter. The meaning is different whether you are in that position or not."

Ma Xun also brought up the matter and said, "Brother Xu, I plan to find a group of careful and calm young people in the army, preferably those who can read and write. What do you think?"

Xu Da asked cautiously, "Why do you recruit these people?"

"As I said before, teach them to take care of and treat the wounded." Ma Xun said, "Although the Imperial Hospital has sent medical officers, this is not enough. They also need to provide nursing care."

Xu Da immediately remembered that Ma Xun had indeed mentioned these things. "It's not difficult. With your status, you can easily find the right person in the army. But I'm afraid it would be a thankless task for me to do this."

Ma Xun smiled and said, "Someone has to do this thankless job. I want to chase the enemy to the north and seal the wolf's lair, but I don't have that ability!"

Ma Xun was aware of some of his own abilities, so he shouldn't deceive himself into thinking that he could sweep the world with 100,000 people, because that was not his path.

Xu Da asked again, "I am now in charge of the Imperial College, why don't I select some talented people from the Imperial College?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Da himself laughed. The profession of doctor was not considered high in today's era. Once you went to the Imperial College, you might be appreciated by the emperor or nobles and become an official at any time.

Ma Xun said, "It would be best if someone is willing to come, but no one is willing to come. It's better to be in the army. If anyone talks too much, I can go and cause trouble for them, right?"

Seeing Ma Xun's expectant eyes, Xu Da thought carefully and said, "If there are civil officials who impeach you for this matter, you can push the matter to me and Lao Chang. For minor matters, just let Tang Dazui come forward!"

If it were other people or other things, Xu Da would not be so proactive, but Ma Xun is a person and what he can do, so he is worthy of support.

Ma Xun asked with concern, "I also talked about this at my father-in-law's house yesterday. He was most worried about my joining the Secretariat."

Xu Da said, "If you can avoid joining the Secretariat, don't do it. If it weren't for the order from His Majesty, I wouldn't want to join the Secretariat. You are better than me. You can ask the Queen to plead for you."

Ma Xun immediately expressed his concerns, "But the things I do are probably under the jurisdiction of the Secretariat."

Xu Da also became serious, "Little brother, you have to remember this. The Secretariat and the Grand Military Governor's Office have long been separated. Previously, there were still literati in the Grand Military Governor's Office, but now it is our military merits who have the final say. As for the Secretariat, Lao Chang, Bao'er and I are all here."

Military institutions like the Grand Military Governor's Office were highly independent and Zhu Yuanzhang was in control of them. However, in places like the Secretariat where civil officials seemed to have their say, the emperor would interfere.

Xu Da then became curious, "You should ask His Majesty or the Queen about these things. If that doesn't work, the Crown Prince can help you. You ask me, isn't that embarrassing for me?" Ma Xun said a little embarrassedly, "They always feel that they owe me something, how can I open my mouth so easily? Otherwise, before I even set up my stall, many people would be lining up outside with gold, silver, and jewelry in their hands."

Xu Da thought about it and it made sense. Regardless of how the Queen treated Ma Xun, Xu Da was also very clear about the Emperor's attitude towards his brother-in-law.

Once Ma Xun said he wanted to do something, he would arrange it clearly. However, some things seemed to be arranged, but they might not be according to Ma Xun's wishes.

The chat with Xu Da was quite pleasant, mainly because our personalities were similar.

After lunch, Ma Xun just said goodbye when a guard said, "Uncle of the King, His Majesty has summoned you."

It seemed that people had already arrived outside Xu Da's mansion and were waiting.

Ma Xun was overwhelmed. He didn't want to enter the palace because it was easy to enter but difficult to leave.

They were brought all the way to the Qianqing Palace. Ma Xun greeted them, and Ma Xiuying, who was weaving, took a look and then continued weaving.

Ma Xun looked around and found a way to resolve the embarrassment, "Your handwriting is wrong, this stroke is a left stroke. It should be light and short, and it would be better if there is a tip."

Zhu Jingru, who was copying calligraphy, said, "Uncle, did you make our mother angry?"

"No!" Ma Xun denied it flatly, "Practice your calligraphy well. I'll keep an eye on you two."

Ma Xiuying couldn't help it, "You taught them to write? How can you have the nerve to say that you taught them to write!"

"I can speak but I can't write. I'm like boiling dumplings in a teapot. I can't pour out the goods." Ma Xun said confidently, "I can't write, so how can I tell whether other people's handwriting is good or not?"

Ma Xiuying didn't know what to respond for a moment, because the twisted ideas Ma Xun said seemed to make some sense.

"Why don't you ask me and your brother-in-law about things you don't understand in the court?" Ma Xiuying was no longer willing to tolerate it and asked directly, "You can trust outsiders but not your own family?"

Ma Xun said hurriedly, "Those involved are confused, but those who are on the sidelines can see things more clearly. I will go ask them for their opinions first, and then I will definitely ask for your opinion."

Hearing what Ma Xun said, Ma Xiuying seemed to calm down, "So what do you think?"

Ma Xun said, "I am in the Grand Military Governor's Office. If my brother-in-law wants to give me a promotion to the Secretariat, I must help me refuse it."

"It's too late!" Ma Xiuying was a little amused, "You just look for some mature and cautious people who like to protect themselves to give you advice. All you think about is how to save your life."

Ma Xun was anxious, "If I go to the Secretariat, I will be swallowed up by those people!"

Ma Xiuying said calmly, "You will not be allowed to join the Secretariat in the next two years. You can do what you like. But you must remember that our Ma family is a century-old family, and now the incense is counting on you."

A century-old family?

After all, our ancestors were wealthy, so we can be considered a prominent family.

Ma Xun then asked, "Then Prime Minister Li invited me, should I go?"

Ma Xiuying looked at Ma Xun and asked, "What about you? What do you think?"

"I don't want to go, and I don't want to associate with him." Ma Xun said, "Although he is from Huaixi, he is not on the same path as me."

Ma Xiuying nodded with relief, "You still have to go. He has invited you more than once or twice. You have to give him some face. After all, he is your brother-in-law, Xiao He."

Seeing that Ma Xun was still a little worried, Ma Xiuying said, "Let Biaoer go with you. It's time for the Prime Minister to restrain himself."

Could it be that I am involved in the court struggle?

(End of this chapter)