Chapter 38: One Move Sets the Whole Body in Motion

After a day of agonizing suspense for Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma, another intelligence report arrived from Xuanhua. Thanks to the miraculous skills of the Empress’s brother, General Chang Yuchun had awakened.

This news was confirmed not only by a personal letter from Ma Xun but also by reports from Mu Ying and others, including medical instructions from Ma Xun advising General Chang to rest.

Zhu Biao, who had already been briefed on the situation, carefully examined the reports and asked, "Father, Mother, may I take some of my uncle's letters?"

Zhu Yuanzhang glared at him and said, "What for? This is such a major matter; are you going to go gossip with the womenfolk?"

Zhu Biao quickly explained, "Lan Yu will certainly tell the Chang household about these things. Why let Wan'er worry? I will only take what my uncle wrote; I won't mention the other details."

Empress Ma took charge and decided, "Take them. Later, have Wan'er’s mother go to Master Liu's residence. See that the betrothal gifts, the inquiry of names, and all these ceremonies are properly arranged. Have the second and third princes deliver the gifts."

It would be inappropriate for junior members of the family to deliver betrothal gifts, but since they were imperial princes, it was entirely fitting.

Zhu Yuanzhang was striving to restore the orthodox traditions of the Han people, which naturally included the "Six Rites" of marriage. The first step was the *Nacai* (proposing a match through a go-between), followed by *Wenming* (inquiring about the bride’s name and birth date). This would be followed by *Naji* (divining the auspiciousness of the match at the ancestral temple), *Nazheng* (presenting the betrothal gifts), *Qingqi* (selecting and proposing the wedding date), and finally, *Qinying* (the groom personally coming to escort the bride).

While many commoners in the Ming Dynasty considered the Six Rites too cumbersome—often opting for simplified versions—the nobility insisted on strictly adhering to them.

Watching Zhu Biao leave in high spirits, Empress Ma remarked with a sigh, "He really is your son."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed. "I think this is quite good. Wan'er is spirited, which is a fine thing. Biao is the eldest brother and treats his younger siblings well. With Wan'er to help him, he will save himself a lot of trouble in the future."

Empress Ma nodded in agreement. "That is true. Wan'er is a woman of broad character; with her by Biao’s side, there will be no chaos in his household."

Zhu Yuanzhang gently patted the back of Empress Ma’s hand. "It is fortunate that your brother was there; he managed to save him from such a perilous illness!"

Empress Ma felt an indescribable sense of pride. Her brother had saved one of the Great Ming’s most formidable generals. With Chang Yuchun alive, Xu Tian-de would be kept in check, ensuring no single military faction grew too powerful.

Zhu Yuanzhang said with some emotion, "My father-in-law must truly favor me, this son-in-law, to have sent your brother back to us. My brother-in-law faced hardships in his youth, but he has grown into a man of great capability who can be of immense help!"

Empress Ma suddenly warned, "Don't allow people to go to my brother’s residence seeking medical treatment from now on. He is a cautious man. He will certainly treat those he can, but do not make things difficult for him if he cannot. You have seen his temperament; he dreads social entanglements and fears being pressured."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded repeatedly. "My brother-in-law is indeed a bit too soft-hearted. I worry about certain people in the court trying to beg favors from him. You know his nature—he is content to be diligent and modest, but his real weakness is that he doesn't know how to refuse people."

Empress Ma was not overly worried. "My brother is timid. Many want to attach themselves to him, so he only keeps close to those he truly trusts. Tell me, haven't Li Shanchang, Wang Guangyang, and Hu Weiyong tried to win him over?"

Zhu Yuanzhang burst into laughter. Some people thought their schemes were hidden, truly believing they could deceive the Emperor and Empress!

As they chatted, another urgent report arrived. This one left them highly satisfied: Li Wenzhong had arrived in time, and after Chang Yuchun woke up, he had quickly made arrangements, ensuring no variables would threaten the northern front.

While the Emperor and Empress found peace of mind, the Chang household had been in a state of chaos. Fortunately, Zhu Biao brought accurate information, and Ma Xun’s letter gave Lady Chang and Chang Wan'er confidence, though the natural worry remained. As long as he was alive and sent back to recuperate, that was enough.

Thousands of miles away, Ma Xun was oblivious to the events in the capital. He called over He Da and asked, "What is going on with Wangcai?"

He Da chuckled. "I think it’s just gotten used to carrying things. A couple of days ago, I let it carry some weapons, and then it wouldn't let me take them off. I had no choice but to let it keep carrying some of our gear."

Ma Xun took a closer look and said, "The armor is too heavy; send that to the supply train. Let Wangcai carry my sword, spear, and clothing. My entire fortune depends on this donkey."

Wangcai let out a few braying sounds and rubbed its face against Ma Xun’s arm. Traveling across the country was no burden for it. Ma Xun patted the donkey’s head and wondered, "You are calm because of the summer heat, but why were you so quiet in the spring? Wangcai, you need to show some initiative—they say donkeys are in heat all year round!"

Wangcai, not understanding Ma Xun’s profound intentions, suddenly curled its upper lip to show its teeth. Ma Xun immediately understood and poured some water from his flask for it.

Wangcai was free-spirited and didn't follow the supply train behind. Usually, Ma Xun rode his horse in front, and the donkey followed at its own pace, only coming to Ma Xun for fodder whenever they made camp. Because of Ma Xun, Wangcai was well-treated and popular wherever they went, never lacking high-quality feed. It was no longer the thin, scrawny donkey from six months ago, but a sturdy beast with a glossy coat and plenty of flesh.

Mu Ying rode up and said, "Uncle, it will be time to make camp soon."

Ma Xun replied directly, "There are too many men for me to coordinate; you go handle the camping. I have only one request: although we have recaptured Guanzhong, we must remain vigilant."

Mu Ying and the others were used to these reminders from Ma Xun and never felt they were unnecessary. The war in Qingyang was not over; Yuan reinforcements could appear in the Guanzhong or Gansu regions at any moment, so caution was warranted.

Many were concerned about Chang Yuchun’s condition and the movements of Ma Xun’s group. Lan Yu ran over excitedly, saying, "A messenger from General Xu has arrived, ordering the Imperial Brother-in-law to increase the pace of the march."

Ma Xun asked, "Very well, I will certainly speed up. How is the situation in Qingyang?"

Lan Yu spoke with confidence, "Just as before: Regional Commissioner Yu Tongyuan is leading elite cavalry west of Qingyang, Deputy Commander Gu Shi is to the north, Councilor Fu Youde is to the east, and Assistant Commander Chen De is to the south. Although there were minor setbacks, Commander Feng Sheng is now stationed at Yima Pass, thirty miles west of Qingyang. With Jingzhou recaptured, the General no longer faces the danger of being attacked from both front and rear!"

This was unequivocally good news. The Ming army had reversed the previous passive situation, regaining the initiative in the Battle of Qingyang. Ma Xun and the others needed to push their forced march to arrive as early as possible, increasing the odds of capturing the city.

As they hurried toward Guanzhong, Ma Xun’s confidence grew. It wasn't because he was a military genius gaining experience, but because good news kept pouring in: first, Li Wenzhong had broken the siege of Taiyuan, then immediately headed toward Yanmen Pass to relieve the siege of Datong. From Xu Da came the news that the Battle of Qingyang was about to truly begin; the outer defenses were cleared, Wang Baobao’s army was unable to advance, and Qingyang was about to become an isolated city.

War was like that—one link connected to another. Chang Yuchun had not died, and though that had delayed them by two days, the timely orders and the forced march had made up for the delay. With Li Wenzhong breaking the sieges of Datong and Taiyuan, the Yuan plan to distract the Ming forces had been thwarted, allowing Xu Da to concentrate on Qingyang. Ma Xun and the others were also marching hard, and the concentration of superior Ming forces meant they held absolute initiative.

They had to be fast; otherwise, the battle would be over before they even arrived!