Chapter 56: The Ming Dynasty Cannot Do Without Me

Although annoyed by Feng Sheng’s reckless behavior, Zhu Yuanzhang was nonetheless pleased with Ma Xun’s progress.

“Uncle,” Zhu Biao arrived and greeted warmly with a bow, “I was wondering if you’d come to the palace right after the New Year’s Day celebrations, but I didn’t expect you to arrive so soon.”

Ma Xiuying glanced at Ma Xun teasingly. “Even your nephew can tell you don’t like going to the palace. Who else would be so indifferent as a younger brother or an uncle?”

Zhu Yuanzhang handed a sealed letter to Zhu Biao. “These are the arrogant and unruly soldiers you’ll have to manage in the future. If your uncle hadn’t been cautious and left Mu Ying and the others in the army, Feng Zongyi might have led over a hundred thousand troops back to the passes!”

Zhu Biao fell silent for a moment before reading the letter carefully and then said, “This man has guts! Father, when you confer titles next year, he can only be made a marquis!”

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head. “He must be made a duke. We must remember the merits of his elder brother as well.”

Zhu Biao looked puzzled. “I’m always with Feng Cheng and Hua Wei. If they have merits, why not give the title directly to Feng Cheng?”

Feng Cheng’s father was Feng Guoyong, Zhu Yuanzhang’s original chief military advisor, and Hua Wei was the son of Hua Yun, one of the twenty-four generals of Western Huai.

“Less a title, and they are too young,” Zhu Yuanzhang explained. “When you take charge, you’ll understand that titles cannot be handed out lightly.”

Ma Xiuying looked at Zhu Biao and said, “Tomorrow, accompany your uncle to see Prime Minister Li. You know what needs to be done, right?”

Zhu Biao smiled. “I know. Convince the Prime Minister not to get too close to my uncle; he doesn’t like such favors. Father forbade my uncle from attending banquets before.”

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately glared at Zhu Biao, then laughed. “He still holds a grudge against your uncle for that.”

They all knew well what kind of man Li Shanchang was. Now that he wouldn’t make any underhanded moves against Ma Xun was simply because of his special status.

Zhu Biao added, “Uncle is a miracle worker. Since the Prime Minister is ill, he must call on you to help.”

Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying smiled and nodded, their eyes full of admiration and relief. The crown prince they had carefully nurtured was thoughtful and thorough.

But Ma Xun was anxious inside. Taking his medical skills out here was almost a joke.

Ma Xiuying looked at Ma Xun and spoke first. “We don’t trust some people at the Imperial Medical Institute. Prime Minister Li has served faithfully for so long and now wishes to retire. Your brother-in-law has to consider these matters.”

Ma Xun was surprised. “Prime Minister Li wants to retire?”

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled warmly. “At his age, he can retire and enjoy his remaining years. Or perhaps he’s displeased that I favor Yang Xian and Wang Guangyang.”

Ma Xun roughly understood but still spoke cautiously. “If I detect anything, but cannot cure it, please don’t blame me.”

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed. “You don’t need to cure him, just examine him.”

This was another complicated matter; Li Shanchang was truly inescapable.

After all, he was also a man from Western Huai, closely connected to Tang He and others. Many didn’t simply see him as a mere civilian official.

---

It was easy to enter the palace but difficult to leave—that was clearly evident for Ma Xun. After chatting, he returned to his small courtyard inside the palace.

The next afternoon, Zhu Biao came over. “Uncle, let’s go see Prime Minister Li.”

Ma Xun asked with concern, “Has General Xu already left for the passes?”

“He set out this morning, carrying an imperial edict to Guanlong,” Zhu Biao said somewhat helplessly. “Hopefully, nothing drastic will happen. Wang Baobao is not to be underestimated.”

Ma Xun could only say, “Mu Ying, Tang He, and the others didn’t obey the orders, but it shouldn’t disrupt the battle.”

Zhu Biao smiled. “Uncle, you helped a lot. This time it looks like Third Brother and the others disobeyed orders. But since they have the edict in hand, we can see who in the army is arrogant and overbearing.”

A military leader like Feng Sheng would undoubtedly be suppressed; there was no doubt about that.

Ma Xun agreed. “It’s not just unauthorized troop movements I worry about—I’m more concerned about some high officials and wealthy men who, after gaining power, oppress and bully the countryside.”

Zhu Biao nodded but remained optimistic. “Uncle, don’t overthink it. The unruly soldiers just need to be restrained. Not all of our Ming dynasty’s meritorious officials are overbearing.”

They chatted all the way until they arrived at Li Shanchang’s mansion.

“I, Minister Li Shanchang, respectfully welcome His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Prime Minister, no need for such formality,” Zhu Biao replied with a smile. “I heard you were unwell, so Father and Mother specially sent your uncle to check on you.”

Li Shanchang was momentarily caught off guard. He hadn’t invited Ma Xun for a medical consultation.

Ma Xun bowed politely in return. “Ma Xun pays respects to Prime Minister Li.”

Li Shanchang smiled and returned the bow, then addressed Zhu Biao, “My old ailment is nothing to trouble your uncle over.”

This was indeed interesting.

Li Shanchang then introduced some people: his younger brother, the Deputy Minister of the Court of Imperial Stables, Li Cunyi, and his eldest son, Li Qi.

In the main hall, Zhu Biao naturally took the seat of honor while Li Shanchang accompanied.

Li Shanchang sighed a little, “I heard your uncle had returned to the capital and wanted to visit more, but since your uncle had just returned from the campaign, this is our first chance to meet.”

Ma Xun apologized, “Prime Minister Li, please forgive me. I am but a humble countryman, unfamiliar with court etiquette, and thus cautious in my actions.”

Li Shanchang’s graying hair made him look like a kind and generous elder. “Uncle, you make me feel too formal. When His Majesty was pacifying the south, I pledged my loyalty. Despite the Guo family’s efforts in Chuzhou to sway me, I remained loyal to His Majesty.”

Who hadn’t earned some credentials, who hadn’t shown some ability?

To become the head of all officials, Li Shanchang had held the top civilian position since joining Zhu Yuanzhang’s ranks.

---

Zhu Biao laughed. “Prime Minister, don’t mention the Guo family before my uncle.”

Li Shanchang quickly apologized. “The Crown Prince is right. I am old and foolish.”

Seeing the Prime Minister's complexion, Ma Xun felt this didn’t look like genuine illness. If Li Shanchang stirred things up, it might backfire on him.

Zhu Biao then said, “Uncle, please examine the Prime Minister. He has served the state with great merit and is a pillar of the nation. Please be thorough.”

Li Shanchang smiled kindly and extended his hand. Ma Xun calmly placed his fingers on Li Shanchang’s pulse.

With Ma Xun’s rudimentary medical knowledge and some impromptu pulse-taking skills, he doubted Li Shanchang was truly feigning illness.

With a worried expression, Ma Xun said, “Prime Minister, you are likely overthinking, which has caused an irregular heartbeat.”

Li Shanchang was momentarily stunned. “Uncle, what is an irregular heartbeat?”

Ma Xun explained offhand, “It’s nothing serious, just that the heartbeat speeds up or slows down. Rest and recuperation will naturally improve it.”

Li Shanchang sighed heavily, “The north is not yet pacified, and countless supplies must still be transported. The court’s legal codes and regulations are not yet completed. It is truly unsettling!”

The legal codes, later known as the Great Ming Code, were still being urgently compiled.

Li Shanchang continued, “His Majesty has entrusted me to assist with the six ministries’ organization, the enfeoffment of princes, the rewarding of meritorious officials, and the compilation of the History of Yuan. I dread disappointing the emperor’s grace.”

Indeed, the Ming dynasty truly could not do without Prime Minister Li.

Zhu Biao hurried to comfort him. This was one of Ming’s strongest pillars, a vital beam supporting the empire.

After sitting at Li Shanchang’s residence for over an hour, Zhu Biao and Ma Xun departed.

Upon seeing Ma Xun, Zhu Yuanzhang asked directly, “Is Prime Minister Li really ill?”

“Just a minor ailment; rest will suffice,” Ma Xun answered cautiously. “If anything serious were wrong, he would grit his teeth and keep going.”

Ma Xiuying suddenly realized, “So he’s not really ill?”

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed in exasperation. “You and Li Shanchang are both such sentimental types! He complains to me about being ill and wanting to retire, yet busies himself promoting his proteges and eliminating rivals in the Secretariat. Is that retirement?”

Ma Xun said nothing. Historically, Li Shanchang’s death seemed somewhat unjust, but it was inevitable.

He repeatedly declared retirement but never really left the court; he claimed to be seriously ill before sixty, yet at seventy-seven, he was still lively and meddling in politics. The emperor was nearly worn out by him!