The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 7 Protecting the Calf

Ma Xiuying found her brother, Zhu Yuanzhang found his brother-in-law, and now Ma Taigong has been buried, it’s time to respond to Tianfu.

In the early years of the founding of the country, there was still a lot to do.

Ma Xun sat in the carriage and asked worriedly, "My brother-in-law is the emperor, so just a few people will be enough?"

Ma Xiuying smiled and said, "Your brother-in-law has led troops before. In the early years of the war, he was able to defeat the enemy with a smaller force many times, and he was the one who led the troops outside."

Hearing what Ma Xiuying said, Ma Xun felt that it made sense. When conquering the world, Zhu Yuanzhang often led the army himself.

Zhu Yuanzhang led troops in battles, including taking the 24 generals of Huaixi to the south to capture Dingyuan, crossing the river to capture Yingtian Prefecture, and fighting Chen Youliang in Poyang Lake. His strength lies not only in his strategy, but also in his military talent.

Zhu Di, the naughty boy, stopped on his horse and said, "Uncle, I will teach you how to ride a horse!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Chong rushed out, "Get out!"

The future Emperor Taizong of the Ming Dynasty (Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty) fled in panic, chased by his second and third brothers on horseback.

Ma Xun said with some envy, "My nephews are all very good at riding. They must have practiced a lot, right?"

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "It was a chaotic time. When my brothers and I were born, our father was still crossing the river to attack Yingtian Prefecture. We practiced military skills diligently since we were young. We wore hemp shoes and bound our legs. We rode seven-tenths of the time and walked three-tenths of the time when we traveled. We also practiced martial arts in the martial arts arena."

No wonder Zhu Chong, Zhu Gang and Zhu Di in history all had outstanding military abilities.

To be more precise, Zhu Yuanzhang's sons may be cruel and absurd, but most of them have outstanding abilities, especially in military affairs.

Ma Xun looked at Zhu Biao and asked, "What about you?"

"I have learned a little bit, but I am not as good as the second brother and his brothers." Zhu Biao said with a smile, "I have been studying with great scholars since I was a child. Apart from poetry and classics, I am not as good as my brothers in other aspects. Uncle, you see I am innocent and pure, how can I have the ability of my brothers?"

Ma Xun thought Zhu Biao was being modest. "You are wrong to say that. You are the crown prince, and governing the country is the most important thing."

Ma Xiuying immediately said happily, "My little brother is also knowledgeable. After you respond to Tianfu, follow Biaoer to study."

Accompany the prince to study?
Ma Xun said quickly, "Sister, I can only read, how can I read!"

Ma Xiuying immediately said, "You should study just to learn to read! Studying can help you gain knowledge. Our family has a long tradition of poetry and literature, and our ancestors even passed down the Jinshi degree!"

That was many years ago, and he was a Jinshi during the reign of Emperor Renzong of the Northern Song Dynasty.

Seeing Ma Xun's unhappy look, Ma Xiuying continued, "Little brother, you have to understand me. My parents care most about their children's education. I have been well-read since I was a girl. You have been wandering around with your father, and you can read and write. It's time for us to study!"

Zhu Biao nodded repeatedly, he still admired his grandfather very much.

My mother is not just well-read. If she were not a woman, maybe everyone in the world would have the surname Ma!

My uncle's handwriting is terrible, his pen-holding posture is not right, and his handwriting is extremely ugly and huge, but my uncle can read. Think about it, my uncle has been wandering around since he was a teenager, isn't it because my grandfather taught him well and laid a solid foundation!

It’s been delayed. If my uncle had studied hard for a few more years, he would definitely have become a great scholar or a doctor!

Zhu Yuanzhang came back on his horse and asked, "You all seem to be having fun. What are you talking about?"

"The fourth child is so arrogant that he wants to teach his uncle how to ride a horse!" Ma Xiuying said with a smile, "You'll give him a couple of slaps later. He's so young and doesn't know how to restrain himself. He even dares to act in front of his elders."

Ma Xun immediately advised, "Sister, the fourth child has no bad intentions. I don't know how to ride a horse, and the children are just trying to help me."

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he felt even more determined to beat the fourth child. "Little brother, listen to your sister. The fourth child is a little outrageous. It's true that he is good at riding, but he shouldn't show off in front of his elders!"

Ma Xiuying continued, "Biaoer and I persuaded the younger brother to study at the Daben Hall and let him follow Biaoer."

Old Zhu's eyes lit up and he said, "Great! Biaoer grew up rich and comfortable, and I know how hard it is to make ends meet and I have good character, so I'm the most suitable person to follow Biaoer." Ma Xiuying smiled and nodded, saying, "I think so too. Although I've suffered, I can read, and I'm Biaoer's elder, so I can follow him and give him advice and guidance."

Ma Xun didn't want to accompany the prince to study, so he said, "Brother-in-law, sister, I can only read, and I am afraid that if I follow my nephew, he will miss his studies."

Zhu Biao advised, "Don't worry, uncle. I have many meritorious and mature people around me. The main hall also stores various ancient and modern books. Famous scholars take turns to give lectures to me, and there are more than ten talented people from the Imperial College to accompany me in reading."

Ma Xun felt even more pressured when he heard this, "This, with my level, it would be a joke if I went there."

Zhu Biao continued to persuade him, "Uncle, I am the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty. The most important thing is to have a righteous heart. Once the heart is righteous, everything can be done. If the heart is not righteous, all desires will attack. I must be taught with practical knowledge, not by learning from ordinary scholars who only memorize rhetoric."

Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying nodded with satisfaction. Their eldest son was as outstanding as ever, and his knowledge far exceeded that of his peers.

Ma Xun could not help but look at this prince who was almost the most powerful in history. Although his words and deeds were very much like those of a well-read Confucian scholar, his style of doing things and so on were completely different from those of a pedantic scholar.

Zhu Chong, who had failed in his attempt to kill Zhu Di, came back and said, "Father, mother, we will be able to cross the river soon."

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Zhu Biao and said, "Boss, you go and make the arrangements."

Zhu Biao jumped off the carriage immediately, and a guard came over with a horse.

Watching Zhu Biao mount the horse skillfully and leave in a graceful manner, Ma Xun felt indescribably envious.

Zhu Yuanzhang was happy and said proudly, "It's good that my son has grown up and can do things for me. Let my son take care of the fleet crossing the river and the officials welcoming us."

Ma Xiuying smiled and nodded. She had similar thoughts to Zhu Yuanzhang. As long as there was an opportunity for training, she would definitely let Zhu Biao train without hesitation.

As for the crown prince, he is definitely treated differently. All important officials in the Ming Dynasty court have been given official positions in the Eastern Palace, which means that the emperor and the crown prince share the same team.

The purpose was to have the crown prince act as regent while Zhu Yuanzhang was away on military campaigns, so that the generals and prime ministers could assist him.

As soon as Zhu Yuanzhang got into the carriage, Zhu Jingru immediately brought him a cup of tea.

"Little brother, your Wangcai needs to be cleaned up." Zhu Yuanzhang said jokingly, "I just went to take a look and saw that lazy donkey was slacking off again."

Ma Xiuying was the first to defend her, "How did Wangcai offend you? He is still young, shouldn't he take a rest now?"

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Ma Xiuying and said, "Wangcai has worked hard to drag his father-in-law's coffin back from a long distance. It hurts me to see him become so thin. Other people's male donkeys should be bred when they are two years old, but Wangcai only wants to eat and play now. This is not okay!"

Ma Xiuying understood immediately and said, "It's time to punish him. He is so disappointing!"

Zhu Jingru and Zhu Jingxian immediately covered their mouths and laughed. Their father and mother were not talking about Wangcai at all, they were criticizing their uncle!
Zhu Su, who was hiding in the carriage, said, "My uncle is just like a donkey. He just likes to eat and play!"

In the blink of an eye, Ma Xiuying pressed her most beloved youngest son onto her lap, tore off Zhu Su's pants, and slapped him.

Ma Xun quickly grabbed the crying Zhu Su and said, "How old is the child? How can you hit him? Just say a few words. What will happen if you hit him until he cries?"

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately spoke up, "Little brother, don't protect this child!"

Ma Xun protected Zhu Su behind him and said, "Old Five is right. Wangcai is a little stupid sometimes. Don't you allow people to tell the truth?"

Ma Xiuying and Zhu Yuanzhang both found it funny that the younger brother's character of protecting his child was exactly the same as theirs.

Ma Xun was no longer so cautious during these days of getting along. Both Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying attached great importance to family affection and really treated him as their younger brother and took good care of him.

Since this is the case, Ma Xun will of course protect his nephews.

(End of this chapter)