Chapter 7: Protecting One's Own

Ma Xiuying had found her younger brother, and Zhu Yuanzhang had found his brother-in-law. Now that the funeral for Master Ma was complete, it was time to return to Yingtian Prefecture.

In the early years of the founding of the dynasty, there was much to be done.

Ma Xun sat in the carriage and asked with concern, "Brother-in-law is the Emperor. Is such a small escort enough?"

Ma Xiuying smiled and replied, "Your brother-in-law led armies for many years. Back when he was fighting to conquer the realm, he often won against superior numbers, and he always led his troops in person."

Hearing this from Ma Xiuying, Ma Xun found it reasonable. During the wars of conquest, Zhu Yuanzhang had frequently led his forces personally. From the southern expedition to Dingyuan with the twenty-four generals of Huaixi, to leading his troops across the river to capture Yingtian Prefecture, and the great battle against Chen Youliang at Lake Poyang—Zhu Yuanzhang had always been at the front. His strength lay not only in strategy; his military talent was absolute.

Zhu Di, the mischievous boy, reined in his horse and called out, "Uncle, let me teach you how to ride!"

Before the words had even faded, Zhu Shuang rushed out, shouting, "Get lost!"

The future Ming Taizong (Emperor Chengzu) scurried away, chased by his second and third brothers on horseback.

Ma Xun said with a hint of envy, "My nephews are all such skilled riders. They must practice quite a bit, right?"

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "Times were chaotic back then. When my brothers and I were born, Father was still crossing the river to take Yingtian. We have practiced military skills since childhood. We wore cloth shoes and wrapped our legs in leggings from a young age. Seventy percent of our travel was on horseback and thirty percent on foot, and we drilled in martial arts at the training grounds."

No wonder historical figures like Zhu Shuang, Zhu Gang, and Zhu Di possessed such exceptional military capabilities. To be more precise, while many of Zhu Yuanzhang's sons might have been cruel or dissolute, most possessed remarkable abilities, especially in the military sphere.

Ma Xun looked at Zhu Biao and asked, "What about you?"

"I learned some, but not as well as my brothers," Zhu Biao said with a smile. "I spent my childhood studying with great Confucian scholars. Aside from classical poetry and scriptures, I am not as skilled as my younger brothers. Uncle, look at me—fair-skinned and gentle—I lack their prowess."

Ma Xun felt that Zhu Biao was being modest. "You shouldn't say that. You are the Crown Prince; governing the country is what matters most."

Ma Xiuying immediately said happily, "My younger brother has insight. Once you return to Yingtian, you should go study with Biao'er."

Accompanying the Crown Prince in his studies?

Ma Xun quickly said, "Sister, I am only barely literate. How could I possibly study!"

Ma Xiuying immediately retorted, "It is precisely because you are barely literate that you must study! Reading brings wisdom. Our family has a tradition of scholarship; our ancestors were even presented scholars (Jinshi)!"

That had been many years ago—back in the Northern Song Dynasty during the reign of Emperor Renzong.

Seeing Ma Xun's reluctance, Ma Xiuying continued, "Little brother, you must be considerate of me. Father and Mother valued the education of their children above all else. Even as a woman, I was raised to read the classics. You wandered with Father, yet you still learned to read and write. Our family is meant for scholarship!"

Zhu Biao nodded repeatedly from the side; he had always held his maternal grandfather in high regard. His mother was not merely well-read; if she had not been a woman, perhaps the realm might have borne the name "Ma."

His uncle's calligraphy was unsightly, and he held his brush incorrectly—the characters were grotesque and oversized—but he was literate. Thinking of how his uncle had drifted from place to place since the age of ten, it was clear that his grandfather had taught him well and laid a firm foundation. It was just unfortunate; if his uncle had studied properly for a few years, he would surely have become a great scholar or doctor!

Zhu Yuanzhang returned on horseback. "I see you are all laughing. What are you talking about?"

"We were saying that the fourth child is arrogant, trying to teach his uncle how to ride!" Ma Xiuying laughed. "You should give him a hiding later. He is too young to be so unbridled; he dares to be insolent in front of his elders."

Ma Xun immediately interceded, "Sister, the fourth child meant no harm. I don't know how to ride, and the children were just trying to help me."

Once Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he felt even more determined to discipline his fourth son. "Little brother, listen to your sister. The fourth child is indeed out of line. It is true he is skilled at riding, but he should not be so showy in front of his elders!"

Ma Xiuying continued, "Biao'er and I are trying to convince my little brother to study at the Great Ben Hall, to follow Biao'er."

Old Zhu’s eyes lit up. "Excellent! Biao'er has grown up in luxury and is accustomed to comfort; my little brother understands the hardships of life and has a sound character. He is perfectly suited to accompany Biao'er."

Ma Xiuying nodded with a smile, "That is what I was thinking. Although my brother has suffered, he is literate and is an elder to Biao'er; he can offer counsel and keep him in line."

Ma Xun did not want to accompany the Crown Prince in his studies, so he said, "Brother-in-law, Sister, I only know a few characters. I fear that following my nephew will hinder his academic progress."

Zhu Biao comforted him, "Uncle, do not worry. I am surrounded by veteran officials of merit and virtue. The Great Ben Hall holds all kinds of ancient and modern texts, famous scholars take turns lecturing me, and there are a dozen talented students from the Imperial Academy to accompany me."

Upon hearing this, Ma Xun felt even more pressured. "This... with my level, I would be a laughingstock."

Zhu Biao continued to persuade him, "Uncle, I am the heir to the Great Ming. What matters most is to rectify the heart. Once the heart is righteous, all things can be accomplished; if the heart is not righteous, all manner of desires will attack it. I need to be taught practical learning, not just memorize the flowery prose of ordinary scholars."

Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying nodded with satisfaction. Their eldest son was as excellent as ever, with insights far beyond his peers. Ma Xun could not help but look at this person—who could arguably be considered the most powerful Crown Prince in history. Even though his every word and action resembled a well-read Confucian scholar, his style of doing things was entirely different from that of a pedantic bookworm.

Zhu Shuang, having failed to catch up to Zhu Di, returned. "Father, Mother, we can cross the river soon."

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Zhu Biao and said, "Eldest, go and make the arrangements."

Zhu Biao immediately jumped off the carriage, and a guard quickly brought his horse.

Watching Zhu Biao mount with ease and ride off gracefully, Ma Xun felt an indescribable sense of envy.

Zhu Yuanzhang was pleased and said proudly, "It is good when a son grows up; he can handle tasks for me. Crossing the fleet, the officials meeting us at the outskirts—let my son handle it all."

Ma Xiuying nodded with a smile. Her thoughts were much the same as Zhu Yuanzhang's; as long as there was an opportunity for training, she would never hesitate to let Zhu Biao take it. As the Crown Prince, he naturally received different treatment. All the high-ranking officials of the Ming court held additional titles in the Eastern Palace, meaning the Emperor and the Crown Prince shared the same administration. This was so that when Zhu Yuanzhang was away on campaigns, the Crown Prince could govern, making it easier for the generals and prime ministers to assist him.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat in the carriage, and Zhu Jingru immediately brought him a cup of tea.

"Little brother, your 'Wangcai' needs to be disciplined," Zhu Yuanzhang teased. "I went to check on it just now; that lazy donkey is slacking off again."

Ma Xiuying immediately defended her brother. "How did Wangcai offend you? It is still young; shouldn't it be allowed to rest?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Ma Xiuying and said, "Wangcai dragged the father-in-law's coffin thousands of miles, which was hard work, and my heart aches to see it so thin. But other people's male donkeys are ready to breed by the age of two. Wangcai only thinks about eating and playing—this will not do!"

Ma Xiuying understood instantly and said, "Then it should indeed be disciplined; it is far too disappointing!"

Zhu Jingru and Zhu Jingxian covered their mouths to hide their laughter. Their Father and Mother were not talking about Wangcai at all; they were criticizing their uncle!

Zhu Su, huddled in the carriage, piped up, "Uncle is just like the stupid donkey; he only likes to eat and play!"

In the blink of an eye, Ma Xiuying grabbed her favorite youngest son, pinned him across her lap, pulled down his trousers, and brought her hand down.

Ma Xun quickly snatched up the crying Zhu Su. "The child is so young, how can you hit him! Just say a few words; hitting him until he cries is unseemly!"

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke up immediately, "Little brother, do not protect this child!"

Ma Xun shielded Zhu Su behind him and said, "The fifth child is right—Wangcai is indeed stupid sometimes. Are people not even allowed to speak the truth?"

Ma Xiuying and Zhu Yuanzhang found this amusing; Ma Xun’s instinct to protect his kin was exactly like their own.

In the days they had spent together, Ma Xun had become less cautious. Both Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying were people who valued family ties above all else, and they truly treated him as a younger brother, looking after him in every possible way. Since that was the case, Ma Xun would naturally protect his nephews as well.