The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 80 How can this not be progress? (Please subscribe for the third update!)
Zhu Di's wish failed because Ma Xun did not intend to help plead for mercy.

This was not because he intended to help establish Zhu Biao's prestige, but because Zhu Di skipped school to rob bird nests, which was unacceptable.

Being naughty is acceptable, but skipping school is not.

Zhu Biao punished Zhu Di by making him copy books, stand in the corner, accept extra lessons from the imperial lecturer, and submit policy papers.

Zhu Di paid a heavy price for skipping school, as his workload suddenly increased several times. He couldn't be lazy because there were many people watching him.

After teaching Zhu Di a lesson, Zhu Biao said affectionately, "Uncle, since the beginning of spring this year, my breathing has improved a lot, and now I don't feel my heart beating so hard."

"That's not good enough. Although you should do less strenuous activities now, you still have to exercise as you should." Ma Xun said with a smile, "You can practice the Five Animals Exercises and the like. I'll sort out Tai Chi later."

Zhu Biao asked in confusion, "Taiji? The Book of Changes has Taiji, which gives birth to the two yin and yang. The two yin and yang give birth to the four images, and the four images give birth to the eight trigrams."

This is a misunderstanding. The "Tai Chi" that Zhu Biao mentioned is ancient philosophy, but what Ma Xun intended to teach was Tai Chi.

"I learned the boxing technique a while ago." Ma Xun boasted, "It can be regarded as a method of strengthening the body by learning from the experience of predecessors. It is suitable for you and your mother."

There is a debate about who the founder of Tai Chi is. Some say it was from the Southern Liang Dynasty, some say it was Xu Xuanping, and some say it was Zhang Sanfeng.

Zhu Biao immediately smiled and said, "Then I have to practice hard."

Ma Xun then warned, "You must not get tired, whether you are reading, listening to lectures, or helping your father with government affairs, you must not get tired."

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "I don't have the ability to help with government affairs now, I can just go and listen occasionally."

Zhu Biao, the crown prince, was indeed treated differently, although he hardly supervised the country and governed the country now. However, when he was only sixteen years old, Zhu Biao was often called to Wuying Hall to listen to Zhu Yuanzhang and important ministers discuss politics.

Many times, Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying also patiently guided Zhu Biao in reviewing memorials and handling government affairs, explaining everything patiently, no matter how big or small, without keeping anything to himself.

This is a fantasy drama for most princes in history. Zhu Yuanzhang was completely defenseless against his beloved son. The more capable his son was, the prouder he was.

While Ma Xun and Zhu Biao were talking, Liu Shuning was teasing Li Jinglong. She liked children very much, but also felt some pressure.

They have been married for more than three months and still haven't gotten pregnant, which has made many people anxious.

Normally, there was no need to rush, as Ma Xiuying gave birth to Zhu Biao three years after marrying Zhu Yuanzhang. But now she was looking forward to Ma Xun and Liu Shuning having a child as soon as possible, and three years was absolutely not allowed.

"Uncle!" Zhu Su ran over happily, "Uncle, did you miss me?"

Ma Xun looked at this 'little nephew' warily and said, "You'd better not follow me to 'study medicine', that will only mislead others."

Zhu Jingru and Zhu Jingxian saluted politely. The three younger children stayed by Ma Xiuying's side.

"You are ten years old now, you should be more stable." Ma Xun pointed at Zhu Di who was facing the wall and said to Zhu Su, "Look at your fourth brother. He doesn't study hard but robs bird nests. He should be punished by your eldest brother!"

Zhu Di, who was facing the wall, became even more depressed. Not only did his uncle not plead for him, but he also added insult to injury!

Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying came and looked at Zhu Di who was facing the wall without saying anything. Since Biao'er had already been punished, that was enough.

"It's so difficult to get you to the palace. The last time I went to the palace, I stopped by after attending court." Ma Xiuying complained, "There are only two of us at home, don't you want to talk to me more?"

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "Mother, my uncle doesn't want to enter the palace. He feels freer outside the palace."

Ma Xun glanced at Zhu Biao. This nephew was unreliable and sinister. "Sister, I'm busy with work. My bow needs to be made. Those doctors are just starting out, so I have to keep an eye on them."

"Besides these, don't you pay much attention to other important matters?" Ma Xiuying glanced at Liu Shuning, and then said earnestly, "Little brother, you should know what you should be busy with."

Ma Xun said immediately, "I'm counting the days and helping Shu Ning recuperate. Sister, if I want to have a baby, I want a big fat boy."

Hearing Ma Xun say this, Ma Xiuying was happy, "It's good to think so!"

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately asked curiously, "Calculate the date? What date?"

Ma Xun explained, "Medicine says that if you calculate the date accurately, the chances of getting pregnant will be higher."

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes lit up, and he quickly said, "Then you have to teach Biaoer a lesson."

Ma Xiuying couldn't help but look at Zhu Yuanzhang. She knew her husband too well. If nothing unexpected happened, Chongba would also be thinking about this knowledge. Having many children and more blessings has always been his idea.

If you can give birth to a son efficiently, that would be the best thing.

Li Zhen also said at this time, "Little brother, if there is such a good idea, you have to teach Baoer, because he has few offspring."

Ma Xun said quickly, "Of course, but this method is not always effective. I have to say it in advance. It can only increase the probability, not make it always successful."

Ma Xiuying said directly, "I know. If it really works, I will take care of my nephew now." Ma Xun suddenly felt a headache, "Sister, Biaoer should get married next year, right?"

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately said happily, "Yes, we will get married next year. I will make your nephews kings next month, and when Tiande and Baoer come back, I will confer titles on them."

After driving Wang Baobao and others to Mobei, Zhu Yuanzhang felt relieved. It was also inevitable that he would confer honors on meritorious officials and reward them according to their merits for the first time since the founding of the Ming Dynasty.

Ma Xun asked tentatively, "I was conferred the title together with Baoer and the others? That's not appropriate, I didn't join the founding of the country."

"Do you want to give you a special title?" Ma Xiuying said with a smile, "If you want to show off, I can give you a special title."

Ma Xun said without thinking, "Then I'd better be conferred with them. This is inconspicuous."

Being conferred together would also attract a lot of attention, but since there are so many people, relatively fewer eyes would be on Ma Xun.

Hearing Ma Xun say this, everyone in the room laughed. This was his style, to be low-key as much as possible. He didn't like things that were too much in the spotlight, and it would be better if no one paid attention to him.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Li Zhen and said, "Brother-in-law, you and Baoer will be conferred the title of Duke together. I have thought about it, and we will confer the title of Duke of Cao on both of you."

Li Zhen said quickly, "Zhongba, it is enough for me to be the Marquis of Enqin. Baoer has military merits, so he should be made a Duke. There is no precedent for father and son to have the same title."

In history, there were cases where fathers and sons, or brothers, were conferred titles at the same time, mainly because of their great contributions.

As for the same title, it is naturally inherited by the son after the father's death.

It is new that both father and son are Duke of Cao.

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said, "That won't work. Otherwise, when we go to the court, your brother-in-law is a marquis and the others are dukes. How can you pay respect to them? Besides, Bao'er is your son. How can he have a higher title than you?"

Ma Xun also joked, "Brother-in-law, Bao'er is a junior, it is only natural for you to take some of his credit, that is what he should show respect to you."

Everyone was stunned for a moment, and then they started laughing. Ma Xun's weird logic seemed to make some sense.

The lively family dinner began. After eating and drinking, Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Little brother, the fighting in the Secretariat has been fierce these days. Someone is trying to win you over, right?"

"After I arrived in the capital, many people tried to win me over. I avoided them as much as I could." Ma Xun said, "Brother-in-law, don't worry. I won't get involved in those things."

After hearing what Ma Xun said, Zhu Yuanzhang naturally felt relieved. The affairs of the Secretariat were rather complicated, and he didn't want Ma Xun to get involved.

But he was also a little disappointed. His brother-in-law just had no interest in government affairs. Even if he urged him often, he would still go study medicine or become a craftsman if he didn't pay attention.

Zhu Yuanzhang was a little tired of this, but Ma Xiuying didn't say much.

In addition to not wanting to force Ma Xun, she also felt that Ma Xun was a relative by marriage after all, and even if he was loved by the emperor and the prince, he had to be clear about his identity.

My surname is Ma!

Zhu Biao asked curiously, "Uncle, you just said that the bow is almost done. How useful can it be?"

"How useful it is will definitely be known only after it is used by soldiers." Ma Xun said with a smile, "But my bow is very large and heavy, and ordinary soldiers can also pull it and shoot people through!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned when he heard Ma Xun say this. "Shoot through? Are you making a bow or a crossbow?"

"A bow, a heavy bow!" Ma Xun said immediately, "Although the shooting speed is a bit slow, it is not much slower than an ordinary bow. And it can penetrate armor. If you are hit by it, you will definitely not survive!"

Although Zhu Yuanzhang felt that what Ma Xun said was a bit exaggerated, he was indeed interested.

The muskets in the army now seem to be sufficient, and bows and arrows are also good, but who wouldn’t like to have more powerful and more advanced weapons?
Ma Xiuying asked with concern, "If a bow like this is made, it will definitely not be cheap, right?"

"I have tried to make a lot of them, and they do cost a bit." Ma Xun said, "But the craftsman also said that the materials are similar to ordinary bows. The cost is not much more than ordinary bows, and it can be used in the army."

At this point Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying became serious. If they could really make such a powerful heavy bow that could be used by ordinary soldiers and was not expensive to make, it would greatly enhance their combat effectiveness.

Ma Xun had no idea how powerful the Qing bow was, or whether it could be considered a powerful weapon in today's era.

But no matter what, let's make it first, the cost is not high anyway. If it is useful, then that would be the best.

It would be even better if this bow could be used in the Northern Expedition and the Battle of Horqin in two years, and if it could be effective!
If it is useless, it is harmless to put it at home as decoration.

You have to do something, especially things that seem to be within your ability. You must still do them.

Ma Xun doesn't like to make mistakes, but there is nothing wrong with trial and error in trying to produce some weapons that are not too expensive, as long as he doesn't make a big mistake in the court.

Ma Xun’s requirements are not high. Some small changes and improvements are all good things!
(End of this chapter)