Chapter 19: The Striving Imperial Uncle
Page 1/3
Early in the morning, Ma Xun was awakened by Wangcai’s barking and immediately got dressed. Although dressing was somewhat cumbersome, Ma Xun had not completely fallen into idleness and refused help putting on his clothes. Seeing Ma Xun, He Da complained, “Your Highness, Wangcai has quite a temper; it barks whenever it’s displeased.”
“Did you mix some eggs into its feed?” Ma Xun asked leisurely. “It’s light-sleepered. From now on, don’t prepare its fodder right under its nose; prepare it elsewhere and then pour it directly into the trough.”
He Da took note and said, “His Majesty once had a horse said to be a sweat-blood horse. I didn’t think it looked like one. That horse was hard to manage too, and Chen Youliang ended up shooting it.”
Xu E hurried over, concerned, “Master, it’s cold this morning; you should put on a coat.”
Ma Xun complied readily, “I’ll wash up first. Will breakfast be ready soon?”
Xu E replied, “Master, you haven’t eaten yet; how could we eat before you?”
“Don’t worry about that from now on. Eat when it’s time,” Ma Xun said. “I’m lazy and sometimes can’t get up early. You all shouldn’t have to wait around.”
Xu E hesitated, “Master, that’s against etiquette.”
Ma Xun said bluntly, “Etiquette is rigid, but people are living beings. Can one hold their bladder to death? Breakfast will be at the second earthly branch, lunch at the second quarter of the midday hour, and dinner at the second quarter of the evening hour.”
Seven o’clock for breakfast, twelve for lunch, and six in the evening for dinner — a schedule quite fitting.
Three meals a day were a luxury for common folk in this era; even some landlords might not maintain such regularity. But in noble households, this arrangement was natural.
After finishing ‘brushing’ his teeth with a willow twig dipped in salt, Ma Xun thought he should get himself a toothbrush.
Toothbrushes actually have a history—bronze toothbrushes existed as early as the Qin dynasty, and brushes from the Southern Song period closely resembled modern ones.
Ma Xun could only hope to make some minor improvements; maintaining oral hygiene was very important.
Xu E brought breakfast and said, “Master, you should soon go to the palace to offer thanks.”
Ma Xun was surprised, “Still need to go to the palace to offer thanks?”
“By ritual, you should,” Xu E patiently explained. “This residence was a gift from His Majesty. The Empress and Crown Prince also visited yesterday. You should go to the palace to show gratitude.”
Ma Xun agreed silently but was somewhat worried. “I haven’t received an imperial edict. Besides, I can’t enter the palace now.”
Xu E continued, “You can request an audience. Whether others can enter is uncertain, but if you ask, His Majesty will surely summon you.”
Ma Xun didn’t argue with Xu E on these matters. He truly didn’t understand these things, so he accepted their advice.
Page 2/3
Politeness never offends, even among relatives; when it comes to propriety, one must observe it.
After breakfast, Ma Xun led Wangcai out, followed immediately by He Da and others. No one carried swords or guns, only some held batons.
Though the capital’s security was good, it was still necessary to be prepared against reckless people who might cause trouble around nobles.
Sitting atop a donkey, Ma Xun felt uneasy, looking around. “Should I get a horse instead? The donkey is too short and doesn’t look imposing.”
He Da laughed, “Your Highness, you look imposing no matter what!”
Ma Xun didn’t know how to ride a horse, something He Da and the others were well aware of, so he could only ride a donkey.
“Next time, I’ll ride the donkey backward,” Ma Xun muttered to himself. “That’ll look more impressive. Why didn’t I save up to buy a horse back then?”
Everyone laughed. The noble uncle couldn’t even afford a horse at first, not even a poor one. Given Wangcai’s age now, the donkey had been a modest purchase.
Poverty-stricken, owning a donkey was already a blessing; many commoners didn’t even have livestock.
Ma Xun’s audience request went smoothly, almost equivalent to entering the palace directly, though not to the Martial Hall but to the Rouyi Hall instead.
That was the Empress’s office. Ma Xun had no presence in court; he was merely a noble uncle, a genuine member of the maternal clan.
Ma Xiuying was pleased to see Ma Xun. “What brings you here today?”
“E Zi said I should come to the palace to offer thanks, so here I am,” Ma Xun spoke frankly. “Politeness never offends. I won’t be formal with you; I should thank my brother-in-law too.”
Ma Xiuying smiled and nodded. “That’s right. Taking care of you is only natural. But your brother-in-law has no obligation to treat you well; when thanks are due, they must be given.”
Ma Xun hesitated, “I need to find something to do. I can’t just idle away forever.”
Ma Xiuying became serious. “What do you want to do? You say you don’t know warfare or military matters. How about arranging for you to train briefly with the army?”
Ma Xun cautiously asked, “If I join the army, won’t my brother-in-law object?”
Ma Xiuying understood his concern. She smiled and asked, “Worried that the maternal clan holding military power would displease your brother-in-law?”
Ma Xun nodded. History showed that maternal clans holding power either faced purges or caused unrest.
“You going to the army might not even become a general,” Ma Xiuying said with a smile, though her words stung. “With people like Xu Tiande around, no matter how talented you are, can you really surpass them?”
Ma Xun’s worries instantly faded. This was the early days of the founding dynasty; talented generals abounded. Mu Ying, Lan Yu, Fu Youde—these great commanders hadn’t even emerged prominently yet.
The army was truly luxurious now. It wasn’t that people lacked talent; there were simply too many meritorious officers.
Page 3/3
Historically, Zhu Yuanzhang bestowed many titles on meritorious officials, but Fu Youde was only a marquis, ranked twenty-eighth.
Lan Yu was even more straightforward; during the first grand enfeoffment, he wasn’t given any title. Not a marquis, not even a viscount.
Mu Ying, who led in pacifying Fujian and commanding various troops, also had no title at the first enfeoffment. He was a rising star, but not yet a pillar of the military.
Seeing Ma Xun’s awkward expression, Ma Xiuying smiled and said, “Let Mu Ying take you to the army first to get familiar with things.”
Ma Xun asked, “Should I inform my brother-in-law about this?”
“You’re not being made a general; I can arrange this,” Ma Xiuying said directly. “Don’t meddle in the army. Watch, listen, and ask a lot. Don’t cause trouble.”
Ma Xun nodded repeatedly. He knew his place. Entering the army, he’d be a rookie.
He would keep low profile despite his status, even if it allowed him some freedom.
The army valued strength above all. Without ability, even special status would invite ridicule.
If he recklessly tried to show off, causing defeat or worse, death, that would be disastrous.
Ma Xun asked, “Earlier my brother-in-law gave me the rank of Captain of the Camp. What position would that be in the army?”
“Just below general,” Ma Xiuying explained with a smile. “It’s enough. After a while, you’ll have a chance to tour around. Then you’ll be appointed Assistant to the Grand Commander.”
Ma Xun’s tone grew uncertain. “Assistant to the Grand Commander? That’s a second-rank official, the same rank as a Minister, isn’t it?”
“Yes, second rank for sure. You’re a noble uncle; eventually, you’ll be made a Duke, which is a super rank,” Ma Xiuying patiently explained. “Giving you a post is to ensure you have an official position, not just a noble title. Your brother-in-law and I have already arranged this.”
Ma Xun was momentarily speechless. His future seemed clearly mapped out: no need to achieve merit, a super-ranked noble title, a comfortable life.
But that wasn’t his ambition. Deep down, he wanted to accomplish something.
The early Ming era was a time of reconstruction. Simply living idly was hard to justify.
Determined to do what he could, Ma Xun, the noble uncle, was ready to strive forward!