The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 67: Do I still have to take charge of the imperial examination?

Ma Xun, who was preparing to do something big, entered and left the palace on the same day. The treatment after getting married was indeed different.

Wangcai behaved very freely. He felt free once he returned home and could move around the house without any restrictions.

After seeing Ma Xun, Liu Shuning asked, "Does my husband have any important matters the day after tomorrow?"

Ma Xun found it funny. "Don't you know what I'm busy with every day? Is there something wrong?"

Liu Shuning explained, "Dad asked us to go back if we have time, saying that there are some things to discuss."

Ma Xun immediately became excited, "Since there is something going on, let's go now. Anyway, there is not much to do at home, so as to avoid our father-in-law saying something bad about us."

Liu Shuning quickly stopped him and said, "Since you said the day after tomorrow, then let's go the day after tomorrow."

Ma Xun's execution ability is very strong sometimes. He will act immediately when he says he will go out, without any hesitation. This is completely different from some wealthy families who send visiting cards before visiting or invitations before entertaining guests.

Liu Shuning has also gotten used to a lot of changes. Since she married Ma Xun, she has become more casual about etiquette.

For example, after marrying Ma Xun, she should normally return to her parents' home on the third day after marriage, but she stayed in the palace on the third day after marriage.

As Ma Xun's wife, she now visits relatives and friends whenever she has time. She can't refuse the hospitality of the Chang family next door, the Mu family a little further away, and the Xu and Tang families even further away, so she has to visit them all.

Ma Xun didn't go out because the heads of the families were fighting outside, and sometimes he didn't care much about these etiquettes. But as a female family member, Liu Shuning had to consider these.

Liu Shuning suddenly said, "Husband, I've been thinking about it, should I try the copper tube?"

Distillation. Ma Xun attaches great importance to distillation and is also trying to improve some processes. Liu Shuning naturally knows this as well.

"Copper pipes?" Ma Xun said, "I've thought about that too. Iron pipes are prone to rust, and even fine steel is not enough. Let's give it a try. This is the only way we can do now."

Liu Shuning continued, "If it still doesn't work, try using Liuli?"

Ma Xun originally thought that he was willing to spend money, but he didn't expect that his wife was even more willing to invest in experiments.

After hearing Liu Shuning's suggestion, Ma Xun also became serious. "Maybe we can really give it a try. Although it is difficult to popularize it on a large scale now, we can first produce results and then consider mass production."

Liu Shuning found it difficult to digest Ma Xun's words at once, but she gradually figured it out.

Ma Xun continued, "It's a good idea to do this. Anyway, it's hard for everyone to enjoy these things now. Once there are some good things, we can slowly promote them to the lower levels."

This is how science develops. Sometimes, after inventing something, you really can't immediately put it into mass production. First make the thing, and then think about other things later.

Liu Shuning also said, "I thought so too. Since we want to see if the alcohol can be used for disinfection, let's get it out first."

Alcohol, this is the word Liu Shuning got from Ma Xun. The Duke's Mansion is often full of alcohol. They bought a lot of wine and distilled it repeatedly to extract the so-called alcohol.

Ma Xun said, "The palace may send someone over in a few days. If I'm not at home, you can take care of those craftsmen."

Liu Shuning did not refuse and said, "Then try to make those tools as my husband said."

Ma Xun drew a lot of drafts, or found some existing equipment to improve, etc. It may not be effective, but you can experiment and improve it first.

Ma Xun was busy with things outside and was conducting experiments continuously. As a good wife, Liu Shuning was also not idle and was helping out as much as possible.

When a husband and wife are of one mind, they can accomplish great things.

Ma Xun started brewing wine again. He was not very satisfied with the alcohol, but something was better than nothing. He would use it for experiment in two days.

The young couple came to the Liu family for a rare occasion, and the Liu family’s guards were a little dazed for a moment.

Liu Bowen was also in a daze. Before his daughter got married, the uncle would come to visit every now and then. But after the wedding, it was a rare thing to see him once in a while.

Ma Xun greeted enthusiastically, "My son-in-law greets my father-in-law." Liu Shuning also hurriedly bowed, "My daughter greets my father."

Liu Bowen smiled and said, "No need to be polite. After all, you have started a family now. You must put your husband's family first and not your parents' family."

Liu Shuning replied respectfully, "My daughter will follow my father's teachings and observe the virtues of a woman."

Ma Xun was listening nearby. Since Liu Bowen was teaching his daughter, he didn't want to say much. But after thinking about it carefully, he felt that there was something fishy in his father-in-law's words.

It’s better not to think too much about it. Thinking too much can lead to internal friction, which is not a good thing.

Liu Bowen then asked some questions and then asked Liu Shuning to go back to the inner house to talk to her sister-in-law and sister.

Looking at Ma Xun who was sitting next to him drinking tea, Liu Bowen asked, "Uncle, what have you been busy with recently?"

"I'm busy with court affairs. I've been walking around the Grand Commandery these days." Ma Xun spoke without hesitation, looking like he was busy with official duties. "My father-in-law also knows that I have been blessed by the emperor, so I should be busy with state affairs."

Liu Bowen felt that Ma Xun's words made sense, and that normal people should understand it this way. But he didn't know how Ma Xun got the confidence to say these things, and he said them so naturally.

Liu Bowen was silent for a moment before he said, "Uncle, I remember that in addition to leading the work of the Grand Military Governor's Office, you are also the Prince's Junior Tutor and the head of the Imperial Academy."

Seeing Ma Xun nod, Liu Bowen asked, "It has been four months since you returned from the expedition last year. How many times have you inquired about the Imperial Academy?"

Ma Xun thought about it carefully and said, "I have asked about the Imperial College several times, but I am not very knowledgeable, so I can't say much."

Liu Bowen asked directly, "Does the uncle know who is the current chief academician of the Imperial College?"

Ma Xun was speechless for a moment. He asked about some matters of the Imperial College and learned that the current Imperial College had been planned and built since Zhu Yuanzhang conquered Nanjing, and that it had been working hard to cultivate scholars and civil servants.

Seeing that Ma Xun was speechless, Liu Bowen asked again, "The court intends to hold the first imperial examination next year. Since the uncle of the emperor is in charge of the Imperial College, shouldn't he be more involved in these matters?"

Ma Xun was even more stunned, "The court hasn't held the imperial examination yet?"

Liu Bowen thought it was ridiculous, and after being speechless, he said, "Of course there are academy examinations and provincial examinations, but there is no joint examination yet."

Ma Xun suddenly felt pressured, and then asked uncertainly, "I am the head of the Imperial College. If there is really an imperial examination, will it be hosted by the Ministry of Rites?"

Liu Bowen took a deep breath to calm himself down, "Uncle, do you think that His Majesty asked you to lead the Imperial College, and you only care about the Imperial College?"

Seeing Ma Xun nod sincerely, Liu Bowen was speechless.

After a while, Liu Bowen said, "Since your majesty has asked your uncle to lead the Imperial College, your uncle should be responsible for the cultural governance and education of the country. The Imperial College is an important cultural and educational institution of our Ming Dynasty, and the first exam will definitely be based on the students of the Imperial College."

In theory, the purpose of holding imperial examinations to select scholars is to select the most talented people in the world.

However, the Ming Dynasty had just been established, and culture and education still needed to be further developed.

Therefore, the first imperial examination was held, and most of the candidates were from the Imperial Academy. After all, this was the highest institution of learning in the Ming Dynasty, and the most talented students in the Ming Dynasty were basically from the Imperial Academy.

Ma Xun asked tentatively, "How can I preside over the imperial examination if I don't have enough knowledge?"

Liu Bowen said, "The emperor's uncle only needs to take care of this matter. The Minister of Rites and the Imperial Academy's chief academic officer will help you."

Ma Xun was relieved that he had someone to help him. Otherwise, he was really worried about whether he could handle this matter.

If the first imperial examination of the Ming Dynasty had seen cases of North-South list fraud and cheating, he would be too ashamed to face anyone.

Liu Bowen continued, "The Imperial College's chief academician will be here soon. Wei Guan, along with me and Master Song, were summoned to serve your majesty. He has talent and political achievements, so you can ask him more questions."

(End of this chapter)