The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 9: Freshly-Cooked Uncle Ma
Ma Xun lived in the palace and became a neighbor of Li Zhen.

One is the emperor's brother-in-law, and the other is the emperor's brother-in-law. They seem to be very suitable.

Early in the morning, Li Zhen came with Li Jinglong, "Little brother, are you up?"

Ma Xun hurried out of the house and said, "Brother-in-law, get up."

Li Jinglong immediately called out in a baby voice, "Uncle Grandpa."

No matter whether Li Jinglong is the first generation of war god of the Ming Dynasty, the chubby little kid is lovable. "Come here, uncle will give you money to buy some fruit."

Li Zhen complained with a smile, "Little brother, you just arrived in the capital, and His Majesty has just rewarded you with some money and property to settle down. What kind of words did you give to the child?"

Ma Xun smiled and said, "I am the elder, so I naturally like the younger. I have no worries about food and clothing now, so what do I need those extravagant fortunes for?"

As he said this, Ma Xun stuffed a jade pendant into Li Jinglong's hand and said, "Take it. Our Jinglong will definitely be a gentleman in the future!"

Seeing his grandson looking over for help, Li Zhen said, "I cannot refuse a gift from an elder. Please accept it."

Li Jinglong happily accepted the jade pendant, and Ma Xun couldn't help but sigh that Li Zhen was worthy of being a model of the royal family.

Li Zhen waved his hand and said, "Come to my place for dinner. Brother, I am old and may say something unpleasant. Hard work makes one proficient and idleness makes one lazy. I cannot let my martial arts skills go to waste."

Ma Xun said quickly, "My brother-in-law is teaching me that I have been a little lazy these past few days."

"It's good to take a break. Ordinary people still have some time to rest." Li Zhen said, "Little brother, are you used to living here now?"

Ma Xun thought about it and told the truth, "The courtyard is comfortable, but I'm not used to being served. The day before yesterday, I got up to watch over the night and saw a little girl sitting on a cushion and dozing off. How could I stand it?"

Li Zhen understood Ma Xun's feelings. They were all people who had come from poverty, so naturally they were not used to being served for a while.

Li Zhen advised, "If you are not used to having someone guarding you at night, let them rest in the hut next door. Your Majesty will definitely be unhappy if no one is waiting on you."

Ma Xun could understand, but still said, "I'm so young and strong, I don't need so many people to serve me. I feel uncomfortable thinking about having someone to help me get dressed."

Li Jinglong said in a baby voice, "Uncle, I don't want to wear clothes, please help me put them on."

"You are a child, so I will help you dress yourself." Ma Xun said with a smile, "When you grow up, I will dress you by yourself."

Li Jinglong said in a baby voice, "Uncle, I like Wangcai."

Ma Xun turned his head and looked towards the yard, saying, "You'll go and mess with that stupid donkey soon. It's been eating and braying all day, and it's getting fat."

Li Zhen's breakfast is still relatively simple, without any delicacies from land or sea. Even though he is of noble status now, he still maintains some of the qualities of an old farmer.

The food must be finished, and even Li Jinglong cannot leave leftovers in the bowl.

Ma Xun had just finished his meal when a guard came hurriedly and said, "Greetings, Lord Marquis, Uncle King, His Majesty has summoned Uncle King to study in the hall."

Here I am. The work of accompanying the prince in his studies has officially begun.

Li Zhen immediately smiled and said, "I'll help you take care of Wangcai while I go to school."

Ma Xun, with a sad face, followed the guards to the main hall, and he looked very embarrassed before he even sat down.

Led by Crown Prince Zhu Biao, the seven princes saluted him and called him uncle.

Zhu Yuanzhang now has ten sons, but those who are too young did not come to school.

This was just the beginning. Mr. Zhu had his first son when he was nearly 30 years old, and he was still able to have children when he was over 60. This is the result of long-term persistence and accumulation of strength.

Song Lian and other university scholars, doctors and others finally met the legendary Uncle Ma, who was tall, dark and thin, with short hair, and looked like he had just returned to secular life not long ago.

Song Lian also examined him carefully and found that this uncle of the emperor could read and had some education, but that was all. He could not be considered to have much knowledge.

While the other princes were reading, Ma Xun listened quietly, often feeling drowsy.

However, he persevered and often read some history books to kill time. He did not study hard, but he did not disrupt the class order. If any of his nephews did not study hard, he and Zhu Biao would teach them after class. He played the good cop and Zhu Biao played the bad cop, which frightened Zhu Di and others.

Zhu Yuanzhang returned to the Qianqing Palace after a busy day of government affairs and asked, "Brother, why don't you come to visit us these days?"

Ma Xiuying said somewhat unhappily, "He is used to being alone, too self-reliant. I heard that he is not even used to being served by others."

Zhu Yuanzhang chuckled and said, "Even after getting rich, he still isn't used to it. Let him do whatever he wants. Don't force him to be a noble. Let him do whatever he wants."

Ma Xiuying nodded and said, "Of course I understand this, so I'll just tell the people in his yard not to be so attentive."

Zhu Biao, who was silently reading the memorial, said, "We can't just ignore it. My uncle is a generous person and doesn't punish people for trivial matters. But if there are no rules, the people under him will lose their duties."

Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying were very satisfied with Zhu Biao's opinion. Ma Xun could be more lenient with his subordinates. However, those people should not be arrogant and break the rules. They should be managed.

Zhu Yuanzhang then asked, "How is your uncle doing in school?"

"I tried my best not to fall asleep, and just read a book by myself." Zhu Biao said with a smile, "My uncle likes to read history books just like my mother, and he often discusses it with the doctor in private when he doesn't understand it."

Ma Xiuying looked at Zhu Yuanzhang proudly and said, "My brother has made great progress, right?"

Zhu Yuanzhang also laughed, and then said to Zhu Biao, "Take him out for a walk in a few days and visit your uncles."

Zhu Biao asked uncertainly, "Which uncles should we go to? Many of them are fighting outside now."

"Then it's up to you." Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to be irresponsible and said, "When the time comes, you can take Mu Ying with you. You can go to whichever house you want to go to. Anyway, just take your uncle with you."

Ma Xiuying brought the food and said, "Well, your uncle is almost going crazy because he is locked up in the hall. Besides studying in the main hall, he just likes to tease Jinglong."

Zhu Biao immediately became very interested, "Mom, I'm going to go look for someone suitable to marry my uncle!"

This was a big deal, and Ma Xiuying immediately became serious, "Biao'er, what are you thinking?"

Zhu Biao said, "Ordinarily, we should find a noble family for my uncle, one that is suitable for our family. But my uncle has a gentle personality, and I am a little worried."

Zhu Yuanzhang asked calmly, "What is there to worry about?"

Zhu Biao explained, "Dad, my uncle is gentle and kind. Although he is not well educated, he is sensible and humble. Many people from noble families are a bit domineering after getting rich. I am afraid my uncle will not look down on him."

Zhu Yuanzhang said jokingly, “I see that you have the mind of an emperor, and think that your uncle is a relative by marriage, and you shouldn’t associate with the nobles who lead the army.”

Zhu Biao, who was teased, was not in a hurry and continued to analyze, "Can my uncle talk to a village woman? With my uncle's personality, what would he do if he met a shrew? Find me an aunt who should at least be well-educated, gentle and virtuous."

Zhu Yuanzhang also laughed, "That's true. With your uncle's temper, he might be bullied by a shrew! If he really finds someone who has no sense, I guess we won't even be able to talk to each other."

Zhu Biao looked at Ma Xiuying cautiously and said, "My uncle has high standards, so I guess he'll have to find someone who's better looking."

Zhu Yuanzhang was immediately annoyed, "What bad habits do you have! Your uncle is so old now, he needs to find a woman who is well-educated and good at bearing children, and then he can take a concubine later!"

Ma Xiuying also said with a cold face, "They also said that he has become rich but still has not forgotten his original intention. Who did he learn this bad habit from?"

In the eyes of Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying, marrying a virtuous wife is the most important thing, and now having children comes first, followed by taking concubines and then women.

Zhu Biao spoke weakly, "Dad, Mom, isn't this the nature of men? Although my uncle is a little darker and thinner, he is still handsome. Besides, if it were me, I would also want a beautiful and fierce wife."

Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying reacted immediately, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, "Your parents' orders and the matchmaker's words, you want to decide your own marriage?"

Zhu Biao said quickly, "Hasn't it been decided a long time ago? The Chang family girl and I have been childhood sweethearts, and I like her."

Zhu Yuanzhang said angrily, "Your Crown Princess can only be her, okay? What? Are you afraid that I will become the emperor and change your Crown Princess?"

Looking at her son's silly smile, Ma Xiuying was also amused, "Your marriage is nothing to worry about. Now it's time to find a wife for your uncle!"

(End of this chapter)