The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 76: Continue to Add Burden

When he went to court, he unexpectedly encountered a power struggle, which surprised Ma Xun a little, but not too unexpected.

There has always been power struggles in the court, so it is normal for people to fight for power and profit.

However, Yang Xian and Hu Weiyong seemed to be a little too anxious. They were eager to defeat Wang Guangyang, eager to take control of the Secretariat, and wanted to completely replace Li Shanchang, who had retired and returned to his hometown, to become the Prime Minister of the Ming Dynasty.

Once they have entered the officialdom, many people are determined to climb up the career ladder; they want to taste the pleasure that power brings.

A young eunuch quietly appeared, "My Lord, His Majesty has summoned you."

Ma Xun could only say goodbye to Liu Bowen and head towards Wuying Palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang was reviewing the memorials seriously, as if he didn't see Ma Xun. Ma Xun seemed to have nothing to do, standing in the Wuying Hall in a daze.

After looking up at Ma Xun, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but sigh. His brother-in-law was too stable. Even if he wanted to put pressure on him, sometimes it didn't work.

This trick would definitely work if it was just last year when I got it back to him. If I expressed the slightest dissatisfaction, my brother-in-law would definitely be cautious.

But this trick couldn't be used at that time because Ma Xun was too cautious and was still unfamiliar with his family.

Now, after a year, my brother-in-law has become bolder, but his calm personality has not changed. Deliberately leaving him aside will not work.

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke up, "Do you know about the impeachment of Wang Guangyang?"

"I don't know. I just asked him, and my father-in-law may not know either." Ma Xun told the truth, "But I can't guarantee whether he really doesn't know or is pretending to be unaware."

Looking at the cunning Ma Xun, Zhu Yuanzhang asked again, "What do you think?"

Ma Xun considered carefully and said, "I am not familiar with the affairs of the court. If you ask me, I think there must be a fight going on."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed. "If you had some ideas, you could help with the affairs of the court. But you just want to study and teach people skills. What do you think?"

"Your Majesty asked me to manage the Imperial Academy, so I went to see it." Ma Xun said very calmly, "As an official in the Governor's Office, I will find a way to take care of the wounded."

There is absolutely nothing wrong with saying this. People who don't know might think that Ma Xun, the uncle of the Emperor, is the most loyal person in the Ming Dynasty and has never been lazy at all.

Zhu Yuanzhang subconsciously felt that it made sense, and then he didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "Okay, if you say so, I will really give you a promotion and a reward!"

"Don't get involved in the affairs of the Secretariat. I still want to see what these people are thinking." Zhu Yuanzhang immediately said, "I heard that Yang Xian came to see you a few days ago?"

Ma Xun also replied, "Well, at that time he invited me to impeach Wang Guangyang, but I didn't agree."

Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a moment before he said, "This Yang Xian is quite courageous. I want to see what he wants to do!"

Zhu Yuanzhang still trusted Yang Xian, who had been with him for more than ten years. In some positions, such a nail could also play a role.

However, such trust is also decreasing. Although Yang Xian seemed to be quite courageous in the past, he was not as complacent as he is now.

We will continue to see Yang Xian's performance and see if his true colors are revealed after he takes charge of the Secretariat. There are still some things he needs to do, and Zhu Yuanzhang needs a new structure for the Secretariat.

Zhu Yuanzhang then asked, "What have you been busy with these days?"

Ma Xun replied, "I am watching the training of those medical officers. I think they can be used. The war in the court has not yet ended."

Zhu Yuanzhang did not express his opinion. Although he felt that the current medical officers and medical assistants were sufficient, it would not be a bad thing if more capable ones could be trained.

Ma Xun also continued, "The issue of gunpowder is still under study, but the clues are not clear yet, so it may take some time." Zhu Yuanzhang was about to sigh again. His brother-in-law really didn't like fighting with anyone in the court. He just wanted to be a craftsman or a doctor.

Seeing that Ma Xun was about to speak, Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Go to the Imperial College more often and have more exchanges with the Ministry of Rites. Next year, the first imperial examination will be held, and you will be the chief examiner."

Ma Xun was stunned for a moment and wanted to refuse, "Brother-in-law, although I can read, my talent and learning are definitely not as good as those people."

"I'm not asking you to take the imperial examination. You are just the chief examiner." Zhu Yuanzhang said immediately, "We can't let the scoundrels disrupt the rules. You have to keep a close eye on everything, big or small. This matter can only be done by you."

Ma Xun couldn't refuse this because he was only responsible for the imperial examination and was not required to mark or examine the papers.

Although the Ming Dynasty was the first to hold the imperial examination, there are many things that can be learned from it. The imperial examination in the Northern Song Dynasty had established sufficiently complete rules.

The method of anonymous examination was proposed in the Northern Song Dynasty to ensure the fairness of the imperial examination as much as possible.

The Ming Dynasty now tentatively decided to hold the imperial examination every three years, each time on the 9th, 12th and 15th day of the second lunar month.

The first test consists of three questions on the Four Books and four questions on the Classics. The second test consists of one essay, five judgments, and one optional question on imperial edicts, imperial decrees, and memorials. The third test consists of five questions on classics, history, and policy.

Although the court attached great importance to the first imperial examination of the Ming Dynasty, most people were actually not very optimistic about it.

The Northern Expedition had not yet been completely completed, Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou had not been recovered, and the chaotic times had not even completely ended. Naturally, the culture and education at this time were not very good.

But no matter what, the imperial examination must be taken when it is time, this is inevitable.

Ma Xun suddenly felt a little stressed as he had another task. "The second brother came to my place yesterday and asked me to confer titles on the kings. Hasn't that been decided yet?"

"You will continue to attend court tomorrow. No matter what happens, you must report it tomorrow." Zhu Yuanzhang said, "The second sons should go back to their hometown first, and I will give them the title of king in a few days."

Ma Xun also did not mention things like vassal kings, because the vassal kings in the early Ming Dynasty seemed to have fiefdoms, but these vassal kings were fundamentally different from those in the early Western Han Dynasty.

They had no administrative power in their fiefdoms. Even though they had the so-called three guards of the vassal kings, the military power was actually in the hands of the emperor and the court.

The most important thing is for the princes to guard the important places. This is also a necessary measure right after the end of the chaotic times. It is also to completely take back the military power from those arrogant and powerful generals.

Seeing that Ma Xun seemed to be about to run away, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly said, "It's okay to make some small things at home, but don't make gunpowder at your doorstep."

Ma Xun said quickly, "I know my limits and I will definitely not make gunpowder in the city."

Zhu Yuanzhang said somewhat unsatisfiedly, "If you need a bow or armor, just tell me. What good things can you make yourself? You are my brother, so why would I be reluctant to give you a sword, a gun, a bow and arrows?"

Zhu Yuanzhang watched every move of Ma Xun, so there was no secret at all.

Ma Xun immediately said, "Brother-in-law, I am thinking about fighting the Tartars again. I want to make a hard bow and a heavy bow. It would be great if I could nail the Tartars to the ground with their armor on!"

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard what Ma Xun said, he laughed and thought that Ma Xun was daydreaming.

The Song Dynasty had heavy weapons such as the Dahuang Crossbow, but the crossbow bed was too heavy and inconvenient. And today's hand crossbows are not necessarily more convenient than firearms and bows and arrows.

This is how cold weapons developed. The weapons of the Han and Tang dynasties were powerful at the time, but they were not considered advanced in the Ming Dynasty.

Ma Xun wanted to make a bow that could be used with both the person and the armor, which was no problem, as there were some brave generals in the army who could use a hard bow. But to equip it on a large scale and let ordinary soldiers use it was too much to think about.

Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang didn't believe him, Ma Xun didn't explain much. The bow he wanted to make wasn't difficult, and he could make a preliminary trial soon, and then he would see the results.

By that time, we will have enough say, and facts will speak louder than words!
(End of this chapter)