Chapter 21: The Idle Rich

Ma Xun led a very fulfilling life. He typically woke up after eight in the morning, washed, and then spent time in his study researching various subjects. He was busy organizing data and untangling threads of information, all in the pursuit of his goals: developing granulated gunpowder, improving firearms, researching rudimentary antibiotics, and purifying alcohol. These were projects that would eventually require significant focus and investment to achieve even modest results.

After lunch, he would head outside the city with Chang Mao and others to practice horsemanship. They were making slow but steady progress and were now basically able to manage a light trot. Following his riding practice, he would go to the military camp, where, accompanied by Mu Ying, he would begin to learn the fundamentals of military life, such as troop counts, weapon configurations, and the hierarchy of command. It was a fulfilling existence, one befitting a man of wealth and leisure.

In the evening, Ma Xun remarked, "Mu Ying, the Art of War states: First, measurement; second, estimation; third, calculation; fourth, balancing; fifth, victory. Terrain gives rise to measurement; measurement gives rise to estimation; estimation gives rise to calculation; calculation gives rise to balancing; balancing gives rise to victory."

Mu Ying listened patiently; this was from the "Military Disposition" chapter of Sun Tzu's Art of War.

Ma Xun continued, "I just don't quite understand—besides looking at their armaments, how else can one distinguish a strong army from a weak one?"

Mu Ying thought carefully before replying, "Uncle, should I be learning this yet?"

Ma Xun slowed his horse and said, "We’ve come this far. Do you think you should know?"

Mu Ying immediately realized the implication and quickly said, "Then my knowledge is too shallow; I do not understand. The Censor-in-Chief is well-versed in military strategy, and his second son is as well. Shall we pay a visit and ask for their guidance?"

Ma Xun laughed heartily and replied, "Every two days that you don't understand something, we shall go to the Censor-in-Chief’s house to seek enlightenment. As they say, reviewing the old to learn the new is beneficial for you as well."

Mu Ying suppressed a smile. Although he was slightly older, he always considered himself a junior in Ma Xun's presence. Furthermore, in all his time with Ma Xun, Mu Ying never felt that his uncle was overbearing.

The guards at Liu Bowen’s residence had grown numb to these visits; from afar, they recognized the Imperial Brother-in-Law. He was here to seek "guidance" again. He was the kind of unwelcome guest one simply could not refuse.

Liu Lian and Liu Jing, the two brothers who were reading at home, had also grown accustomed to this, and they hurried to the main hall to receive their distinguished guests.

After taking a sip of tea, Mu Ying said, "My son, Mu Chun, is being quite troublesome, so I must head back first."

Liu Lian, also losing his patience, said, "I have never understood military strategy well. Second brother, you should discuss it properly with the Imperial Brother-in-Law."

As the second son of Liu Bowen, Liu Jing had been studious since childhood, well-versed in the classics, fond of discussing strategy, and deeply invested in military tactics. In history, he would eventually follow Tang Shengzong to suppress uprisings. During the Jingnan Campaign, he would present sixteen strategies to Li Jinglong, though unfortunately, none were adopted. Later, he would resign and live in seclusion. After Zhu Di ascended the throne, Liu Jing, having been brought back to the capital, continued to address Zhu Di as "His Highness," explicitly declaring him a usurper, and ultimately took his own life in prison.

After the others had left, Liu Jing looked at Ma Xun with a smile. "Imperial Brother-in-Law, shall we continue our discussion on military strategy?"

"Let's discuss it. I’m truly terrified inside," Ma Xun complained. "His Majesty might send me out to drill troops, and I don't have the skills for that."

Liu Jing consoled him, "You need not worry, Imperial Brother-in-Law. If you are sent to train troops, you will certainly be provided with experienced officers and strong soldiers. As long as you are open to advice, you will surely succeed."

Ma Xun realized, "So, as long as I don't speak nonsense and let my subordinates do the actual training, it will be fine?"

Liu Jing smiled without answering. Everyone knew whether or not the Imperial Brother-in-Law possessed any military talent.

Ma Xun looked at Liu Jing and asked, "You are still a commoner, aren't you? If His Majesty sends me to train troops, can I bring you along? I can see you have talent and learning; how about joining me?"

Liu Jing was tempted, but felt conflicted. "Imperial Brother-in-Law, the court is full of generals and marshals. How could someone with my shallow knowledge have the ability to serve in the military?"

Liu Jing was only twenty, in the prime of his youth; how could he not feel a surge of ambition? It was just that he knew his father was disliked by the Emperor, and as someone from the Zhejiang-East faction, he had no standing in the military.

Just then, Liu Shuning entered with tea. "Second brother, please have some tea. Imperial Brother-in-Law, please have some."

Liu Jing glared at his sister—did she have no sense of decorum?

Ma Xun took the tea with a beaming smile and looked at Liu Shuning. "I remember asking Wan'er to have you transcribe some medical texts yesterday; have they been completed?"

Liu Jing found this even harder to watch. This Imperial Brother-in-Law had manners, but clearly not many. How could he stare directly into a woman's eyes while speaking? It was far too presumptuous. Moreover, the Imperial Brother-in-Law's intentions were as obvious as Sima Zhao’s; either he came to the residence himself, or he sent the daughter of the Chang family under various pretexts. They weren't even betrothed yet, and even if they were, this was improper!

Liu Shuning pursed her lips and said, "Of course they are finished, though others could have done it just as well."

"That’s different. I only trust my own people with these things," Ma Xun replied. "You can probably guess what they are about; they concern the respiratory ailment."

Liu Jing and Liu Shuning fell silent. It was no secret that the Empress and the Crown Prince suffered from respiratory issues.

Just as they were speaking, a cough was heard, and the stern-faced old man, Liu Bowen, made his grand entrance.

The prospective son-in-law felt a bit intimidated by his future father-in-law. Ma Xun immediately said, "Since I have finished discussing strategy with your second son and the medical texts have been transcribed, I shall take my leave. Censor-in-Chief, until next time."

Liu Bowen nodded slightly. He dared not offer a polite invitation to stay for dinner, for this Imperial Brother-in-Law would truly take him up on it without hesitation.

Watching Ma Xun’s hurried retreat, Liu Bowen gave an unhappy snort. Seeing his daughter covering her mouth to hide a laugh, his mood soured further—she wasn't even married off yet!

In the Wuying Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang was puzzled. "My younger brother really doesn't treat us as family; he never enters the palace unless he’s summoned."

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "Uncle is busy. He’s busy studying military strategy and reading books. Yesterday, when I sent someone to invite him to study at the Grand Secretariat, he said he had sprained his waist while practicing martial arts."

Zhu Yuanzhang chuckled. "Sprained his waist? And yet he manages to run to that old scoundrel Liu’s house so often despite a sprained waist?"

Ma Xiuying tapped the table. "Master Liu, it’s Master Liu! He is about to become your younger brother’s father-in-law; is it appropriate for you to keep saying that?"

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed dismissively. "He is an old scoundrel!"

Suddenly, Zhu Yuanzhang realized something. "Is that old scoundrel about to be my elder?"

"He is a subject, and you are the Emperor!" Ma Xiuying knew exactly what he was thinking and smiled as she chided him, "Your younger brother is your brother, and you are you—what does that have to do with anything?"

Zhu Yuanzhang remained unconvinced. "That old scoundrel is getting a great bargain!"

Ma Xiuying looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "Arrange for my younger brother to go out in a few days. Whether he follows Bao'er or someone else, let him earn some military merit to bolster his reputation."

Zhu Yuanzhang said with annoyance, "My dear, look at how I’m living as an Emperor—constantly cleaning up messes for others. That 'Big Mouth' Tang He is useless; in this upcoming awarding of honors, he can forget about becoming a Duke."

Ma Xiuying was also helpless. Tang He had joined the army early and had a high starting point, but his abilities were somewhat lacking. If he were truly made a Duke, the title of Duke in the Ming Dynasty would lose its weight.

Sighing, Ma Xiuying said, "Think of another way. Find an opportunity for him to earn merit later, but for next year, only grant him the title of Marquis."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed bitterly. "I haven't even sorted out Tang He, and now there’s my brother-in-law, for whom I also need to find military merit."

Ma Xiuying retorted, "Are you unwilling?"

"How could I be unwilling? My only worry now is that there isn't enough military merit to go around," Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile. "My brother-in-law must be made a Duke next year. Even though he saved you and the Crown Prince, that alone isn't quite enough."

Zhu Biao immediately asked, "Father, Mother, Uncle has rendered great service, but would we really make him the foremost among the founding heroes?"

Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying understood Zhu Biao’s concern; such an arrangement would certainly be inappropriate.

"He cannot be placed ahead of your Uncle Xu and the others; at most, he will be ranked fourth or fifth," Zhu Yuanzhang said. "When the time comes, you go and have a word with your second brother so he doesn't overthink it."

Ma Xiuying was confident. "Bao'er certainly won't overthink it, but it’s hard to say about the others."

Zhu Yuanzhang was incomparably domineering and resolute. "Then it is not for them to decide! Whether one is made a Duke or a Marquis, they cannot all have their way! I am the Emperor, and I have the final say!"