The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 79 Everyone uses me as a gun

As Zhu Yuanzhang's least capable relative, Ma Xun did not feel any pressure at all.

It is a good thing that Li Wenzhong has made great contributions. When he comes back, he can take charge of the Grand Marshal's Office and help the emperor control the military power. Ma Xun, the nominal right marshal, can continue to remain in hiding.

The three armies have all achieved success and the external environment has stabilized. People can now feel at ease and start to focus on domestic affairs. They can then continue to recuperate and rest.

For some people, it is time to start fighting for power because the time is ripe.

Under the siege of Yang Xian, Hu Weiyong and others, Wang Guangyang had to be exiled back to his hometown, and the struggle in the Secretariat became increasingly brutal.

Zhu Chong and several other princes returned to Fengyang. When they returned to the capital, it was time for them to be crowned kings.

Ma Xun came to the foot of Jiming Mountain again, and Chen Zhidong said with some boasting, "Uncle, it seems that wiping the wound with alcohol is indeed useful."

"I've always thought it would be useful, but unfortunately the alcohol production is not enough now." Ma Xun said with a smile, "The wounds will be less festering, and it can save a lot of soldiers."

Chen Zhidong also hurriedly said, "Boil the cloth in hot water will also work. I also think the wound should be washed first."

Debridement is very necessary and is also a key part of treating trauma.

Ma Xun doesn't have to worry too much about wound suturing, as hemostatic drugs are now available. However, Ma Xun cannot produce more effective ones, so he can only continue to study and research.

Seeing Ma Xun passing by the gate of the Imperial College, Wei Guan quickly said, "Uncle of the Emperor."

Ma Xun was a little confused, "What's the matter?"

"Uncle of the Emperor!" Wei Guan was really anxious. "You are in charge of the Imperial College, and His Majesty also intends to let you preside over the first talent selection ceremony of the dynasty. Shouldn't you be more attentive?"

Ma Xun nodded, but then said, "I haven't studied much, and besides, I don't need to decide the questions. I'll just pay more attention to the exam."

Wei Guan's heart skipped a beat. Although it was rumored that the emperor's uncle presided over the first imperial examination, it was just a rumor. From the emperor's uncle's words, he could also realize that he actually knew about this matter.

Since the emperor's uncle did not attach much importance to the imperial examinations and the Imperial Academy, Wei Guan had some other topics to talk about.

Looking at Ma Xun, Wei Guan said worriedly, "Uncle, the Chief Censor is being attacked by Hu Weiyong. Do you know about this?"

Ma Xun was stunned for a moment, "Why is he criticizing?"

Wei Guan quickly replied, "Wang Guangyang has returned home, and the Secretariat is now short of positions. Everyone in the court understands that the Chief Censor is most likely to join the Secretariat."

Seeing that Ma Xun was silent, Wei Guan continued, "Hu Weiyong is greedy for power. He is originally from Huaixi and has a grudge against us people from Zhejiang. Now that Prime Minister Li has retired, Hu Weiyong must not want to see people from Zhejiang enter the Secretariat."

Ma Xun looked at Wei Guan and said, "I am also from Huaixi."

Wei Guan immediately tried to win him over, saying, "Of course I am not the emperor's uncle. I was born in Zhejiang and drifted to Fujian, but I am a Zhejiang native after all. Now I am Brother Liu's son-in-law, and I am even more of a Zhejiang native!"

Ma Xun would not appreciate such solicitation and goodwill. He did not want to confine himself to the ranks of Huaixi nobles or Zhejiang east civil servants.

Seeing that Ma Xun was still not in a hurry, Wei Guan continued, "Hu Weiyong is jealous of talented people and is a man who likes to scheme for personal gain. If he were to take charge of the Secretariat, it would be a disaster for the country!"

Ma Xun looked at Wei Guan and asked, "Then what should I do?"

Wei Guan said without thinking, "The emperor's uncle has always been wise. Since he knows that Yang Xian is narrow-minded and that Hu Weiyong is jealous of talents, he should report it to your majesty."

Ma Xun was puzzled, "Why didn't you report it to His Majesty?"

Wei Guan quickly said, "I will report this to Your Majesty, but Your Majesty will certainly take my words seriously, as my uncle is a calm and steady person."

Are you using me as a gun?

When Yang Xian impeached Wang Guangyang, he wanted to win him over. Now Wei Guan and others want to overthrow Yang Xian and Hu Weiyong, and they still want to use him as a gun.

Ma Xun doesn't think he is a sucker, so why do everyone seem to think he is easy to cheat?
Yang Xian and Hu Weiyong may have their shortcomings, but these civil servants in eastern Zhejiang are not necessarily perfect. The people in eastern Zhejiang also want to control the Secretariat and attack their political enemies.

Li Shanchang is gone, and Wang Guangyang is also down now. Yang Xian does not have much foundation in the civil service system, and Hu Weiyong has little experience.

This is the opportunity for the civil officials in eastern Zhejiang. As long as they control the Secretariat, they can have a good fight with those people in Huaixi!

It's okay for me to take the lead in requesting to confer titles on the kings. There is no way to refuse that, and it's also not a sensitive thing to do.

But now they are asking me to be a pawn to attack my political opponents one by one. Isn’t this not a good idea?

What's more, those people may not necessarily have a grudge against Ma Xun!
Ma Xun, with a cold face, was unwilling to talk more with Wei Guan. Each of these people had bad intentions and wanted to use him to eliminate their political enemies.

Wei Guan sighed as he looked at Ma Xun's back. He had to go and persuade Liu Bowen. It would be a waste if he didn't seize such a good helper as the king's uncle.

For the sake of the civil officials in eastern Zhejiang and the literati in the south of the Yangtze River, this uncle of the emperor must be kept under control!
Ma Xun, who was in a bad mood, had just returned home when he heard a round of applause and asked hurriedly, "What's going on?"

The guard immediately said, "Try the bow!"

Ma Xun suddenly became interested and hurried to join in the fun.

A guard stretched his buttocks and drew his bow, nocking on the arrow that was obviously thicker. The moment the string was released, the target more than 40 meters away shattered directly. Ma Xun immediately laughed, "It really is a small spear thrower!"

Seeing Ma Xun coming, Lao Zhao said happily, "Uncle, the bow is finally made!"

Ma Xun smiled and said, "I see, but I need to try more. See how stable it is and what its limit is. I think the shooting speed of this bow is a bit slow."

The guard who shot the arrow immediately said, "My Lord, this bow is indeed not as fast as the bows we have now. But it is so powerful that this arrow can even penetrate a horse's head!"

Another guard said, "It's a steady shot. If you get hit, there's no way you can be saved!"

Ma Xun was happily discussing the improvement and use of the bow with the guards and craftsmen, and the unpleasantness brought by Wei Guan immediately disappeared.

Xu E walked over with a smile, "Master, it's time to eat."

Although Ma Xun was still not satisfied, he went back to the back house to eat.

Liu Shuning smiled and asked when she saw Ma Xun, "My husband seems to be in a good mood."

"I am always happy." Ma Xun said as he washed his hands. "Now that the bow is made, we can present it as a treasure after we perfect it."

Liu Shuning asked curiously, "The army has won a great victory, but there is still a big battle?"

"The north is not stable yet. Sooner or later, we will have to fight." Ma Xun said, "The people of Mingsheng have not been destroyed yet. There are also rebellions in some places. We have to use troops."

There is no need to worry about the serious threat in the north for the time being, but it does not mean that the Ming Dynasty can completely stop fighting. There will be continuous wars in the future, but the scale will be smaller.

Hearing Ma Xun say this, Liu Shuning asked, "When will my second brother come back?"

Liu Jing followed Ma Xun into battle last year and stayed in the army the entire time.

Ma Xun said, "They should be back soon. My brother-in-law has asked Bao'er and the others to come back first."

Liu Shuning smiled and said, "This time, a lot of remnant Yuan nobles were captured. I heard that Emperor Yuan now has only one heir, and he was also captured."

Emperor Yuan Hui must have been terrified at this time. He did escape, but his son was captured by Li Wenzhong. He only had this one son.

Ma Xun smiled and said, "Not only were Emperor Yuan's children and concubines arrested, but Wang Baobao was not much better, his brothers and sisters were also arrested."

Since the Ming army's northern expedition, Wang Baobao's life has been difficult. He escaped from Xu Da twice, but lost more than 100,000 troops and almost all of his family members.

When he escaped two years ago, he was only wearing one shoe and was followed by only eighteen cavalrymen. Chang Yuchun pursued him all the way but failed to catch up with him.

He escaped again this time. Guo Ying chased him all the way. Wang Baobao crossed the Yellow River holding a piece of wood and fled to Helin in the northern desert.

Although he escaped with his wife and second brother this time, his sister Guanyin Nu and third brother Jingang Nu were captured.

Emperor Yuan Hui was going to meet Wang Baobao in Helin, where they could exchange experiences of escaping from the Ming army many times and express their sorrow for losing their families.

Ma Xun and Liu Shuning chatted and laughed, and the young couple's life after marriage was still very harmonious.

Liu Shuning felt that she had married the right person. Her husband had a good personality, was steady, peaceful, and liked to joke. He was not arrogant or domineering just because of his status as the king's brother-in-law. This was something hard to come by at any price.

Not to mention the royal family, even some scholars with good family backgrounds have many playboys.

If a woman marries the wrong man, her life will be ruined and she may even live a life worse than death.

After Xu E entered the room, he smiled and said, "Master, Madam, the Queen wants you two to stay in the palace for a few days."

Ma Xun was a little anxious, "I'm already married, why do you still let me live in the palace?"

Liu Shuning and Xu E were laughing. They all knew that Ma Xun didn't like living in the palace, but they couldn't refuse for both public and private reasons.

Because this is not only the Queen's decree, it is also the instruction from her sister.

Despite their complaints, Ma Xun and Liu Shuning still went to the palace. They didn't need to bring any luggage, as the small courtyard in the palace was always reserved for them.

"Uncle." Zhu Di, who did not go back to his hometown with them, smiled happily, "Uncle, aunt, my mother said that I have less asthma since the beginning of spring this year, and she also said that it is all thanks to my uncle."

Looking at Zhu Laosi in front of him, Ma Xun said with disdain, "You don't have to worry. It's better for you to be less naughty."

Zhu Di smiled and held Wangcai's hand and said, "Uncle, I have to plead for mercy for my nephew later. If I get caught robbing a bird's nest, my mother will definitely scold me."

Ma Xun was a little surprised. "I will be scolded for robbing bird nests? That won't do. I rob bird nests too. It doesn't matter if boys are a little naughty."

Zhu Di flattered, "I skipped school to rob bird nests, and my father and mother were unhappy."

No wonder this kid is waiting at the palace gate, he is waiting for reinforcements. Now it depends on whether his aunt and uncle can protect him, otherwise even if his buttocks don't break, he will definitely get hit by the soles of his shoes.

Ma Xun couldn't help but shake his head. This nephew was hopeless. He had been getting into trouble since he was young!

(End of this chapter)