Chapter 23: A Spring Outing Turns into a Northern Expedition

Ma Xun entered the palace once again, his primary mission being to visit his relatives. After all, the more one visits, the closer the bond.

Upon his arrival, a young eunuch greeted him, saying, "Imperial Brother-in-Law, both His Majesty and Her Highness are occupied. They have asked that you make yourself at home."

Ma Xun certainly had no objections to this; the Emperor and Empress were incredibly busy with a mountain of state affairs. The Crown Prince also had his studies and could not afford to be idle. Furthermore, Zhu Yuanzhang was a natural workaholic, and with the Ming Dynasty newly established, he was busier than ever.

Leading his donkey, Wangcai, Ma Xun headed straight for Li Zhen’s courtyard. "Brother-in-law, Jinglong!"

Li Jinglong peered over the door frame and burst into joy. "Uncle-Grandfather! Wangcai!"

Li Zhen also walked out with a smile, complaining slightly, "You don't come back to visit often after leaving the palace, little brother. How have you been lately?"

Lifting Li Jinglong onto Wangcai’s back, Ma Xun led the donkey as he replied, "I've been great. Riding horses, training at the barracks, reading at home, or sleeping in—it’s been wonderful."

Seeing Ma Xun circling the courtyard, Li Zhen quickly urged, "Don't spoil the child, and let Wangcai rest a bit."

"It's just a few steps, how could it tire him out?" Ma Xun disagreed. "Brother-in-law, I think you're the one being overly formal. You all look after me, so it’s only right that I dote on Jinglong."

Li Zhen smiled, then added, "It’s true you love Jinglong, but you shouldn't spoil him like this!"

This was Li Zhen’s honest opinion, one he often voiced to Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying, who shared the sentiment. Despite Ma Xun’s young age—only a few years older than Zhu Biao and the others—this uncle doted on his nephews from the bottom of his heart. Teasing the children was one thing, but spoiling them was another.

After playing with Li Jinglong for a while, Ma Xun asked, "What have you been busy with lately, brother-in-law?"

Li Zhen replied happily, "I've started a vegetable patch. The palace walls haven't been fully built yet, so much of the land is vacant. I’ve cleared a plot; not only do I have food for myself, but I can also share some with those in the palace."

This was typical of Li Zhen. He was a man who couldn't stay idle and always needed to find something to do. Even as the Marquis of Enqin and a General of the State, he had never lost his inherent nature as a farmer.

Ma Xun, also restless, said, "Brother-in-law, I’ve been practicing a new spear technique. Could you give me some pointers?"

Li Zhen was happy to help. Ma Xun was skilled with a staff, but that wasn't suitable for the battlefield. Even though Ma Xun would likely never see the front lines, he was now in the military, and carrying a staff didn't look very imposing.

Li Zhen observed him carefully and then said, "Little brother, I can't really advise you on this style. Bao'er and I practice a spear style based on speed and footwork. Your style is all about brute force—you’re using the spear like a staff!"

Ma Xun grew concerned. "Brother-in-law, does that mean my technique is wrong?"

"I didn't say it was wrong. Spear techniques don't necessarily have to be fast," Li Zhen explained patiently. "Your aggressive style is fine, as long as it kills the enemy. I'll think about who else in the military uses a similar style, and you two can discuss it later."

What works for others doesn't necessarily work for oneself; finding one's own path is what matters most.

By noon, a large group of children came running over noisily, and Wangcai immediately suffered the consequences. Ma Xun disgustedly used a handkerchief to wipe Zhu Su’s nose. "Go hide in the room! Are you not afraid of catching a cold?"

Zhu Su replied unhappily, "I want to play!"

"Play your head!" Ma Xun retorted. "You're a prince, yet you're a mess. Get inside, all of you, including the fourth one."

Herding these adolescents and children into the room like ducks was quite a chore. When Zhu Yuanzhang arrived, the children immediately complained, "Father, Uncle won't let us go out and play!" "Father, Uncle hit me!"

"Look at you, you clearly deserved it!" Zhu Yuanzhang dismissed them impatiently. "Go play outside!"

Ma Xun spoke up immediately, "Brother-in-law, the fifth one has a cold. It’s windy outside, and his nose is running."

Zhu Yuanzhang reached out, grabbed Zhu Su, inspected him, and wiped the boy's nose with his own sleeve.

Zhu Su struggled. "Uncle uses a handkerchief, but Father uses his sleeve!"

Ma Xiuying smiled as she led Zhu Su away. "Your uncle is a refined man, and your father is used to being rough. Don't learn from your father."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed. "Refined men have too many tricks up their sleeves. My little brother has grown up. How does that old saying go? 'A fair lady is a good match for a gentleman!'"

Ma Xun blushed and quickly said, "Brother-in-law, I was thinking of going for a spring outing in a few days."

"A spring outing is out of the question. Pack your things; in five days, you will head north with the army," Zhu Yuanzhang declared. "The army has won, and now you will go to reward them."

Ma Xun felt the pressure mounting. "Brother-in-law, is it appropriate for me to go?"

"You are my brother-in-law and a Captain of the Imperial Guard; why wouldn't it be appropriate?" Zhu Yuanzhang replied immediately. "You are the most suitable person to represent your sister and me. Have Mu Ying accompany you; that will be enough."

Ma Xiuying added, "You are simply delivering the decree to reward the army. The north has only just been recovered, and there are still bandits or those with ulterior motives. Have Bao'er take you to suppress the bandits. He does the fighting, and you take the credit."

Ma Xun’s face turned bright red. "Sister, how could I do that? Bao'er is the younger generation!"

"Bao'er is older than you, and his military achievements are sufficient!" Zhu Yuanzhang said. "If you really suppress a few bandit hideouts, you won't be a Captain of the Guard when you return; I can appoint you as a Commander."

Zhu Biao chimed in, "An Imperial Guard Commander—then Uncle can lead troops to guard the Imperial City."

Li Zhen laughed, "Bao'er should share the burden for his uncle. When the time comes, just give him the orders. Little brother, come to the palace before you set off; I’ll give you a family letter for Bao'er."

Ma Xiuying smiled at Li Zhen. "Brother-in-law, Bao'er is such a good child! Once he knows who you are, he will surely find ways to help. There’s no need to worry; Bao'er is very clever."

"It still needs to be made clear. Bao'er has been in the army for years and has lost some of his former sharpness," Li Zhen said with some dissatisfaction. "Chongba, Xiuying, you two spoil Bao'er too much. He is a general; he should be more careful!"

Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying just listened. Their brother-in-law was perfect in every way, except for being overly meticulous.

Ma Xun felt dazed. He had come to the palace to arrange a spring outing, but now his "field trip" had changed—it wasn't just a stroll around Yingtian, but a journey to the north.

However, he clearly had no complaints. With his current status, he had to take on some responsibilities. He could be a wealthy idler; if he just ate, drank, and played all day, no one would say anything, and the Emperor and Empress wouldn't mind supporting a good-for-nothing. But that was not what Ma Xun sought. He hoped to accomplish something.

Just like that, in a blur, Ma Xun’s departure for the front was essentially set.

When he returned to his mansion from the palace, rewards were already waiting for him: imperial horses, armor from the Emperor, a cape embroidered by the Empress, an exquisite saddle, a spear, a staff, and two waist blades.

What caused Ma Xun the most headache, however, were two command flags—one embroidered with "General of the State" and the other with "Ma."

He Daxi was beaming with joy, feeling that he finally had a chance to show his worth. "Is the Imperial Brother-in-law going to war?"

Ma Xun felt like he was sitting on pins and needles. "Isn't this a bit exaggerated? I’m just a Captain of the Guard. I don't even understand military affairs, so how am I a General of the State?"

"His Majesty personally bestowed the title, so it must be true!" He Da said with great confidence. "Imperial Brother-in-law, let me pack up. Everyone in our mansion is a veteran; the one with the fewest kills among us has at least five enemy heads to his name."

Ma Xun felt for a moment that it was a waste of talent. These fierce soldiers were merely gatekeepers in his mansion. But then he realized he was wrong: these men were arranged to be with him under the guise of being retired, but they clearly still had fighting strength. It was obvious this had been planned long ago—these loyal followers were his survival team for the campaign.

A general in the army needs loyal guards. These men, like He Da, were the most reliable confidants arranged by the Emperor and Empress for Ma Xun—fierce in combat and fiercely loyal.

Setting out on this expedition was clearly inevitable. But Ma Xun likely wouldn't have to fight any grueling battles; he was essentially going to rack up some military merit.