The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 56 The Ming Dynasty Can't Live Without Me
Although he was annoyed by Feng Sheng's reckless behavior, Zhu Yuanzhang was still pleased with Ma Xun's progress.

"Uncle." Zhu Biao came and bowed warmly. "I was wondering if you would be able to enter the palace for the first time next time, but I didn't expect you to come so soon."

Ma Xiuying looked at Ma Xun and said jokingly, "Even your nephew can see that you don't like to enter the palace. Is there anyone who treats you like a brother or uncle?"

Zhu Yuanzhang handed the secret letter to Zhu Biao, "This is the arrogant and brave general you will be in charge of in the future. If your uncle hadn't been so cautious as to let Mu Ying and others stay in the army, Feng Zongyi might have returned to Guanzhong with an army of more than 100,000!"

Zhu Biao did not speak. After reading the letter carefully, he said, "This man is so bold! Father, he will be conferred a title of nobility next year, and he can only be a nobility!"

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head and said, "He still needs to be conferred the title of Duke. His elder brother's contributions should still be remembered."

Zhu Biao was puzzled. "I take Feng Cheng and Hua Wei with me all day. Since I have made contributions, why don't I give it directly to Feng Cheng?"

Feng Cheng's father was Feng Guoyong, Zhu Yuanzhang's first military advisor, and Hua Wei was the son of Hua Yun, one of the Twenty-Four Generals of Huaixi.

"They lack a title, and they are too young." Zhu Yuanzhang said, "When you become the head of the family, you should know that titles cannot be given lightly."

Ma Xiuying looked at Zhu Biao and said, "Tomorrow I will accompany your uncle to see Prime Minister Li. Do you know what to do?"

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "I know. Advise the Prime Minister not to be too close to uncle. He doesn't like those favors. Uncle has repeatedly refused to attend the banquet before. In fact, it was not allowed by father."

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately glared at Zhu Biao, then laughed, "He might really hate your uncle."

Zhu Yuanzhang and his men knew very well what kind of person Li Shanchang was. They would not do anything to Ma Xun now, simply because he had a special status.

Zhu Biao then said, "Uncle is a master. Since the Prime Minister is ill, we have to ask uncle to help."

Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying smiled and nodded, looking at Zhu Biao with eyes that could not hide their admiration and satisfaction. The prince they had carefully trained was so thoughtful.

But Ma Xunhuang, if I show my medical skills to others, it would be a joke.

Ma Xiuying looked at Ma Xun and said, "We can't trust some people in the Imperial Hospital. Prime Minister Li has made great contributions and is now determined to retire. Your brother-in-law has to consider these things."

Ma Xun was surprised, "Prime Minister Li wants to retire?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile, "At his age, he can retire and return to his hometown to enjoy his old age. Otherwise, he may feel unhappy that I have promoted Yang Xian and Wang Guangyang."

Ma Xun roughly understood it in his heart, but he still said cautiously, "If you really see something, you can't blame me if I can't cure it."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and said, "You don't need to treat me, you just need to go and see me."

This is another big pit. Li Shanchang is really unavoidable.

After all, he is from Huaixi and has a very good relationship with Tang He and others. Even many people do not simply regard him as a civil servant.

It is easy to enter the palace but difficult to leave it, which is reflected in Ma Xun. After chatting, he returned to his small courtyard in the palace to live.

The next afternoon, Zhu Biao came over and said, "Uncle, let's go meet Prime Minister Li."

Ma Xun asked with concern, "Has General Xu gone to Guanzhong?"

"They left in the morning, and the messenger also rushed to Guanlong with the imperial edict." Zhu Biao said helplessly, "I hope nothing serious will happen. Wang Baobao should not be underestimated."

Ma Xun could only say, "Mu Ying, Tang He and the others did not obey the transfer order, so it should not disrupt the war."

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "Uncle also helped a lot. This time it seems that it was the third brother and the others who disobeyed the general's orders. However, they have the imperial edict in their hands, and they can see which people in the army are arrogant and domineering because of their achievements."

There is no doubt that military leaders like Feng Sheng will be suppressed.

Ma Xun also recognized these things, "Not only are troops mobilized without authorization, I am more worried that some dignitaries will become wealthy and violent and tyrannical after becoming rich."

Zhu Biao nodded, but he seemed to be optimistic. "Uncle, there is no need to think too much. Just restrain the arrogant soldiers and generals. Not all the meritorious officials of our Ming Dynasty are domineering people."

The two chatted all the way until they arrived at Li Shanchang's residence.

"Your Highness, Li Shanchang, is here to welcome His Royal Highness the Crown Prince." "Prime Minister, there is no need to do this." Zhu Biao said with a smile, "I heard that the Prime Minister was ill, so my father and mother specially asked my uncle to come and see him."

Li Shanchang was suddenly blocked and didn't know what to say. He didn't invite Ma Xun to see a doctor.

Ma Xun also bowed and said, "Ma Xun greets Prime Minister Li."

Li Shanchang smiled and returned the greeting, then said to Zhu Biao, "I am also suffering from an old illness, and I dare not trouble you, uncle."

This matter is really interesting.

Li Shanchang also helped introduce people, including his younger brother Li Cunyi, the Minister of the Imperial Household Department, and his eldest son Li Qi.

When they arrived at the main hall, Zhu Biao sat in the main seat as a matter of course, and Li Shanchang sat with him.

Li Shanchang said with some emotion, "I heard that the uncle of the emperor had returned to Beijing, and I wanted to visit him more often. But I didn't know that the uncle of the emperor had just returned from an expedition, and we have only met now."

Ma Xun apologized and said, "Please forgive me, Prime Minister Li. I am just a country boy. I don't know the etiquette or the court, so I am naturally more cautious in doing things."

The gray-haired Li Shanchang looked like a kind and tolerant elder. "Your Majesty, it's a bit strange to say that. When Your Majesty invaded Dingyuan in the south, I went to join him. In Chuzhou City, the Guo family tried their best to win me over, but I was only loyal to Your Majesty."

Who doesn’t have some qualifications? Who doesn’t have some abilities?
Being able to become the head of all officials today, Li Shanchang has always been the head of the civil servants since he joined Zhu Yuanzhang's army.

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "Prime Minister, don't mention the Guo family father and son in front of my uncle."

Li Shanchang quickly apologized and said, "Your Highness is right. I am old and stupid."

Looking at Li Shanchang's complexion, Ma Xun felt that he did not seem to be ill. He also felt that if Li Shanchang made such a fuss, he might end up shooting himself in the foot.

Zhu Biao said, "Uncle, please feel the pulse of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has made great contributions and is the pillar of the country. Uncle, please be careful."

Li Shanchang showed a kind smile and stretched out his hand. Ma Xun calmly placed his fingers on Li Shanchang's pulse.

Based on Ma Xun's superficial medical skills and Assault's pulse-taking techniques, he wondered if Li Shanchang was really pretending to be sick.
With a worried look on his face, Ma Xun spoke up, "The Prime Minister must be thinking too much, causing his heart rate to become irregular."

Li Shanchang was stunned for a moment, "Uncle, what is arrhythmia?"

Ma Xun opened his mouth and said, "It's nothing serious, just a faster or slower heartbeat. Just rest for a while and it will get better naturally."

Li Shanchang said worriedly, "The north has not been pacified yet, and countless food and supplies still need to be transported. In the court, the "Laws and Regulations" have not been compiled yet, which is really uneasy!"

The "Law and Order", which was later called the "Ming Code", is still under intensive compilation.

Li Shanchang continued, "Your Majesty has trusted me to assist in the six ministries, to establish the kings, to reward meritorious officials, and to compile the History of Yuan. I am truly trembling with fear, fearing that I will fail the Emperor's grace."

That being said, the Ming Dynasty really cannot do without you, Prime Minister Li.

Zhu Biao immediately comforted Li Shanchang, saying that Li Shanchang was a close and trusted minister of the Ming Dynasty and a pillar of support for the country.

After sitting in Li Shanchang's mansion for more than an hour, Zhu Biao and Ma Xun left.

After seeing Ma Xun, Zhu Yuanzhang asked directly, "Is Prime Minister Li really ill?"

"It's just a minor illness, just take some rest." Ma Xun said cautiously, "If it's really a big deal, he can hold on if he grits his teeth."

Ma Xiuying reacted immediately, "So you're not sick?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was so angry that he laughed, "You and Prime Minister Li are both hypocritical! He is complaining and shouting that he wants to retire here, but he is busy promoting his students and old friends, and busy eliminating dissidents in the Secretariat. Is he going to retire?"

Ma Xun stopped talking, because the death of Li Shanchang in history seemed a bit unfair, but it was also inevitable.

He retired time and again, but was reluctant to leave the court. He said he was seriously ill when he was less than 60 years old, and he was still alive and well and interfered in state affairs when he was 77. The emperor was almost killed!

(End of this chapter)