The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 72 No wonder you died so quickly!
Ma Xun could probably guess a little about the motive behind Yang Xian's visit, but even though he had guessed it, he just listened quietly.

Be it party struggles or intrigues in the court, he doesn't want to get involved, because that is a battlefield without the smoke of gunpowder.

Yang Xian didn't care about that. He smiled and asked, "Uncle, do you know why His Majesty let General Xu take the position of Right Prime Minister?"

Before Ma Xun could speak, Yang Xian said, "Prime Minister Li is very talented, and it is not for me to judge. However, Prime Minister Li is kind on the outside, but he is very harsh on the inside, and he often suppresses others. General Xu was appointed to the Secretariat to check and balance Prime Minister Li."

Ma Xun glanced at Yang Xian and said, "Prime Minister Li has now retired and returned to his hometown."

"No, no!" Yang Xian said quickly, "Uncle, you don't know. Prime Minister Li recommended Hu Weiyong to the Secretariat before he was old. This man is from the same hometown as Prime Minister Li, and it is said that he intends to marry his niece to Prime Minister Li's nephew."

Many people knew that Yang Xian and Li Shanchang had a grudge against each other, but there were very few people who would put the conflict openly like he did.

However, looking at the high-spirited Yang Xian, he could understand these things. He was suppressed by Li Shanchang before and couldn't breathe, but now he has turned the tables and is naturally outspoken.

Although Xu Da and others held official positions in the Secretariat, those military generals basically did not interfere in the affairs of civil officials.

In his opinion, now that Li Shanchang has retired and returned to his hometown, he will naturally leave the central government, and his previous power and prestige will slowly dissipate, which is not a cause for concern.

Wang Guangyang, Hu Weiyong and others were not a concern as their qualifications were similar. However, Wang Guangyang had a dignified and steady character, and was tolerant and self-restrained. Yang Xian had plenty of ways to deal with him.

Although Hu Weiyong had the support of Li Shanchang, he started his career at a low point and does not have much power now, so there is nothing to be afraid of.

Liu Bowen, Song Lian and others were not as qualified as Yang Xian, and were not trusted by Zhu Yuanzhang, so this required even more consideration.

Seeing that Ma Xun was silent again, Yang Xian became anxious, "Does the emperor know what your majesty is thinking?"

Ma Xun still smiled but said nothing. Yang Xian continued, "I am the only one from the north in the Secretariat. The rest are all from the south."

Ma Xun praised him and said, "Then you are also a capable person."

Yang Xian became proud. When Zhu Yuanzhang conquered Yingtian Prefecture, Yang Xian came to him and was immediately given an important position. He was not only in charge of documents, but also a member of the inspection team. Mao Xiang and others were all his subordinates.

Yang Xian looked at Ma Xun and asked, "Uncle, do you know why Prime Minister Li retired?"

Ma Xun said perfunctorily, "Of course, Prime Minister Li is ill."

"No, no, no." Yang Xian said quickly, "The uncle of the emperor has just arrived at the court, so he may not know that Prime Minister Li is in charge."

Ma Xun couldn't help but look at Yang Xian. No wonder you were executed just a few months after taking charge of the Secretariat after Li Shanchang retired!
It doesn't matter if you are successful or confident, but not only will you make enemies everywhere, you will also lose the trust of the emperor, which is a way to death!

Yang Xian didn't care about that and continued to educate Ma Xun, "Uncle, you don't know that although Prime Minister Li suppressed the people of East Zhejiang, he only used his confidants, and it seemed that he was intentionally forming a party. Your Majesty is very dissatisfied with this. Now that Prime Minister Li has retired, it is time for Your Majesty to take control of the Secretariat again."

Ma Xun asked curiously, "What's the point of you telling me this? I'm not an official in the Secretariat."

Yang Xian immediately said, "Wang Guangyang is Li Shanchang's accomplice. I am going to impeach Wang Guangyang. Please sign your name, uncle."

Ma Xun was a little unhappy. "I've already said that I'm not an official of the Secretariat. Impeaching the Right Prime Minister, who is a second-rank official, is not a good idea, right?"

Seeing that Ma Xun was unhappy, Yang Xian suddenly said, "Uncle, do you know that I was also in Zhejiang back then?"

Ma Xun watched Yang Xian's performance, wondering how this man who was so proud of himself could continue to act.

Yang Xian said directly, "At that time, the Left Deputy General was the Right Prime Minister of the Provincial Government, in charge of military affairs, and I also accompanied him to assist him. However, the Left Deputy General did not listen to me and was close to Confucian scholars Tu Xing, Sun Lu, Xu Yuan and others, all of whom had worked for Zhang Shicheng."

Ma Xun was at ease, and then asked, "Oh? There is such a thing? Then what happened?" Yang Xian said proudly, "The Left Deputy General was young at the time, so he was deceived. I reported to Your Majesty that two of the five people close to the Left Deputy General were killed, three were sent into exile, and the Left Deputy General was also scolded by Your Majesty."

Telling Ma Xun about Li Wenzhong's story, this Yang Xian is really interesting.

Yang Xian continued with a smile, "When Prime Minister Li was in power, I advised Your Majesty that Prime Minister Li was mediocre and unworthy of being a prime minister!"

Yang Xian now gave Ma Xun a vivid lesson on what it means to be arrogant and domineering.

However, Ma Xun also felt that a mad man would surely suffer misfortune. Given Yang Xian’s current condition, he would probably be executed soon.

Ma Xun smiled and said to Yang Xian, "You can just go to His Majesty and make suggestions. As for Bao'er not listening to you and getting scolded, that's his business. If I get scolded, that's my business."

Yang Xian's smile faded slightly, and he said, "My uncle has just arrived in the capital, and he doesn't know how dangerous the court is. My uncle has also received the emperor's grace, so he should naturally serve His Majesty."

"What? Impeaching Wang Guangyang is serving His Majesty?" Ma Xun said sarcastically, "Then should I also impeach my father-in-law? That's even more of a service."

Yang Xian quickly said, "You are overthinking, my uncle. Brother Liu and I have always been good friends. Although many people in Eastern Zhejiang are unbearable, Brother Liu is the exception."

Ma Xun looked at Yang Xian with a smile, and then said, "Prime Minister Li is retiring, and if Wang Guangyang is impeached again, will my father-in-law be appointed as a minister?"

Yang Xian immediately said, "Brother Liu is not suitable. He participated in the military affairs for eight years before the founding of the country. He hates evil and hates to deal with complicated affairs. He cannot enter the Secretariat."

Ma Xun smiled and said, "Then the Secretariat can only respect you."

Yang Xian was stunned for a moment, then said proudly, "You don't know, my uncle, although I am now the left chancellor, I have been blessed by your majesty and have taken charge of the Secretariat."

Ma Xun immediately laughed, "Then you can continue to be in charge of the Secretariat. There is no need to tell me some things. I am very busy now and have no time to get involved in the affairs of the Secretariat."

Yang Xian was unhappy, and he suppressed his anger and said, "Uncle, are you really not going to listen to your humble advice? Uncle has received the emperor's grace, how can I not serve His Majesty? Besides, Her Majesty the Queen has been very kind, and Uncle will also share Her Majesty's worries."

Ma Xun said to He Da impatiently, "Show him away."

He Da didn't care about that and stepped forward arrogantly, "Please come in!"

Yang Xian threw his sleeves in anger. He was indeed a country bumpkin who was not worthy of being in public. If this idiot was not the Queen's brother, he would have a thousand ways to deal with him!

I just wanted to bring him along to make meritorious deeds, just to please Her Majesty the Queen. Since he doesn't appreciate it, forget it. Wang Guangyang alone is not a concern. I can still defeat Ma Guojiu without him!
He Da, who had just seen off the guests, came over and said, "Your Majesty, there's no need to be angry. This guy is not popular with us. He's just like Mao Xiang, who only knows how to gossip and eavesdrop."

Ma Xun smiled and said, "Why should I get angry with him? This guy is overthinking. They can't even pee in the same pot. It's a waste of time to look for me."

This Yang Xian is probably too eager for quick success and instant benefits. In order to monopolize power in the Secretariat, he has resorted to all means.

As long as he can defeat people like Wang Guangyang and Hu Weiyong, he will be the next Li Shanchang!

He Dayi thought it made sense and immediately said, "These people are just cunning. Mr. Li was like this before, and this Yang Xian is also like this."

"I don't care about them. Fighting is their business. Just don't involve me." Ma Xun said with a smile, "If they really provoke me, I will go to the palace to complain immediately."

He Da laughed too, thinking that if his uncle went to file a complaint, it would definitely be useful.

Although it has only been a year since the King's Uncle was found, everyone has seen how steady and cautious he is. He has never been arrogant or domineering, and he has never asked for anything from his superiors.

If someone really offended the King's uncle and he ran to the palace to complain, the one in power would be so angry!
(End of this chapter)