Chapter 8: Visiting Relatives
The emperor had been away from the capital for half a month, and the empress and crown prince had left over ten days prior, yet the governance of the Ming Dynasty remained uninterrupted.
Since Zhu Yuanzhang took on the title of Prince of Wu, Li Shanchang had served as the Right Chancellor. After founding the Ming Dynasty, Li Shanchang was appointed as a Senior Grand Master of the Silver Blue Honor and Virtue, and Supreme Pillar of the State, participating in the decision-making of military and national affairs.
Previously, when Zhu Yuanzhang toured Bianliang, Li Shanchang stayed behind to manage affairs, handling all matters flexibly without needing to report.
Many knew that Li Shanchang was the emperor’s trusted aide, his right-hand man. Even now, though a civil official, those old comrades from Huai West respected him deeply.
Li Shanchang led the officials to welcome the emperor and crown prince, who were the only ones to appear publicly.
The empress, along with other children, entered the imperial city directly, and the Marquis Ma from the Ma family remained a figure known only by name, never seen.
“Little brother, take a rest first,” once at the palace, Ma Xiuying arranged matters, “I’ll find a place for you to stay soon, so you can settle down and stay close to us.”
Ma Xun felt it was improper and said, “Sister, I’m a man, an adult, how can I live inside the palace?”
Ma Xiuying replied, “You can. Why not? I’ll take you to see our brother-in-law soon.”
Seeing Ma Xun’s puzzled expression, Zhu Jingxian explained, “Uncle, mother means our uncle-in-law.”
Ma Xun immediately understood—it was referring to Zhu Yuanzhang’s brother-in-law Li Zhen, now the Ming Duke of the First Rank, General of the Left Guard, and Marquis of Grace, the father of Li Wenzhong.
Ma Xiuying smiled, “Brother-in-law Chongba is excellent—filial, friendly, honest, frugal—a model for the clan. You must learn from him. Having such a virtuous elder is a blessing.”
Ma Xun sat somewhat awkwardly, for he was now inside the Qianqing Palace, the emperor’s residence.
Ma Xiuying busied herself packing, aided by her two daughters, while Ma Xun was left with nothing to do.
After a long time of idleness, Ma Xun heard footsteps and immediately stood up. Zhu Yuanzhang returned with Zhu Biao.
Upon seeing Ma Xun, Zhu Yuanzhang said, “Little brother, the palace is grand, isn’t it? Stay here with peace of mind. You won’t have to worry about food or drink anymore.”
Zhu Biao smiled, “Wangcai was sent to the Imperial Stables too. If you miss him, uncle, we can take you to see him tomorrow.”
Ma Xiuying called from inside, “Chongba, do you still want that robe?”
Zhu Chongba quickly walked into the inner room, “Of course I do! My robe is fine—don’t throw it away.”
Zhu Yuanzhang was extremely frugal, and Ma Xiuying was a model of the imperial household. Though now empress, she still personally prepared Zhu Yuanzhang’s meals daily, and even took care of the princes’ food and clothing.
She lived a thrifty life, leading by example; her clothes were worn and patched repeatedly, refusing to replace them with new ones.
She even set up a loom in the Kunning Palace, weaving silk and satin with her two daughters, then distributing these royal-made goods as gifts to elderly, lonely widows.
The leftover fabric was cut into clothes and bestowed upon princesses and consorts.
Zhu Biao excused himself and entered the inner room, emerging a moment later carrying a bundle. “Uncle, you should wear new clothes. Father’s old robes are worn out.”
Zhu Yuanzhang followed, saying, “Your uncle is young; he must wear new clothes. Your brother-in-law is older, so old clothes will do.”
Ma Xiuying appeared, holding her two daughters by either hand, “Let’s go see brother-in-law.”
Ma Xun hurried after them, curious, “Brother-in-law, does the eldest brother-in-law live in the palace now?”
“Your eldest brother-in-law is sixty-six. I feared we might not have many chances to see him, so I found him a residence in the inner city,” Zhu Yuanzhang explained. “I’ll find a place for you nearby, too. If you don’t want to live with me and your sister, you can live alone.”
Ma Xun was initially happy but suddenly felt something was odd.
After all this talk, wasn’t he still living inside the palace?
Zhu Yuanzhang patted Ma Xun’s hand and said, “When I was young, my family was poor. I wasn’t happy when my sister got married. Though your brother-in-law’s family was wealthier, he was more than twenty years older than my sister.”
Along the way, Zhu Yuanzhang shared family stories, recounting how Li Zhen had cared for his father-in-law’s family.
Li Zhen’s wife was Zhu Yuanzhang’s second sister, Princess Xiaoqin. Zhu Yuanzhang was very grateful and fond of Li Zhen and his family.
As for his eldest sister, Zhu Yuanzhang refused even to speak of her. She had married Wang Qi Yi and never once asked about her birth family.
“Brother-in-law!” Zhu Biao called out confidently as they entered. “Brother-in-law, we’re here.”
An elderly man with graying hair appeared, dressed in worn robes, holding the hand of a chubby toddler.
Though over sixty, Li Zhen’s complexion was ruddy, and he must have been quite handsome in his youth.
Li Zhen smiled and greeted, “Chongba, you’re back! Ah, so this is little brother?”
Ma Xun immediately bowed, “Little brother Ma Xun pays respects, brother-in-law.”
“Jinglong, bow to your uncle,” Li Zhen patted the chubby child’s head and asked, “Have I taught you your manners?”
The little boy promptly prostrated himself meticulously, “Nephew Li Jinglong pays respects to uncle.”
Could this rosy, chubby child be the first war god of the Ming Dynasty?
Zhu Biao handed the cloth bundle to Li Zhen, complaining, “Father’s clothes are patched again and again and he won’t throw them out. He’s the emperor; he can’t keep wearing tattered clothes. Brother-in-law, these old robes are for you.”
Ma Xun originally thought nothing of it, but then he suddenly felt uneasy.
Li Zhen was now a marquis, yet he wore a bright red robe—no issue there. The real problem was the dragon embroidered on his chest.
Upon closer inspection, the dragon had five claws.
A dragon robe. A proper dragon robe!
Li Zhen grumbled, “Crown prince, I have enough clothes. I’m grateful for the emperor’s favor, granted because of Princess Xiaoqin. But I wonder what merit I have to deserve such an honor?”
Zhu Yuanzhang quickly interrupted, “Brother-in-law, these are really just my old robes. It’s a pity to throw them away. I wanted to give them to little brother, but they’re not suitable for his age, so I can only give them to you. If you really don’t want them, we’ll have to discard these fine silks.”
Li Zhen immediately inspected the robes, reluctant to part with them. “Throwing them away would be a shame. I’ll wash them.”
Then, affectionately taking Ma Xun’s hand, Li Zhen asked, “How old are you this year?”
“Twenty,” Ma Xun replied.
“Jinglong is well-grown. I like how he looks,” Li Zhen said happily, pointing at the child.
“He’s greedy and playful, no sign of a farmer’s son,” Li Zhen laughed.
Zhu Yuanzhang said, “Brother-in-law, I plan to have little brother live in the courtyard next door. He’s alone and has no one to care for him. Please watch over him. He’s like a stubborn donkey who brays, but we cherish him.”
Li Zhen promptly replied, “I will watch over little brother and make sure no one bullies him.”
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled at Ma Xun, “Don’t underestimate your brother-in-law. When your nephew Bao’er defended Yanzhou, Zhang Shicheng’s invasion caused panic, but your brother-in-law managed military affairs as a proxy. In just six days, Yanzhou stabilized. When your nephew defended Hangzhou, your brother-in-law again took charge of military matters, using both kindness and authority to pacify the surrendered troops.”
Indeed, all of Zhu Yuanzhang’s relatives were formidable figures, including his nephew Zhu Wenzheng, who with only twenty thousand troops held off Chen Youliang’s six hundred thousand army for over eighty days.
There was also nineteen-year-old general Li Wenzhong, who defeated Zhang Shicheng and continued to win victories during the northern campaigns.
Even Li Zhen, appearing an ordinary old man, was a capable man of great skill—if not for his age, he might have achieved immense military merits.
Zhu Yuanzhang was genuinely close to his brother-in-law. While generals often left their families in the capital, Li Zhen accompanied Li Wenzhong in the field during campaigns.
When Li Wenzhong defended Yanzhou, Li Zhen followed; when Li Bao’er guarded Hangzhou, Li Zhen went there to care for him.
Now, with age, he remained in the capital.
In the past, to care for his brother-in-law, Zhu Yuanzhang often sent people to Hangzhou to inquire about his daily life. Now, to see him every day, he had arranged a residence for him inside the palace, with Crown Prince Zhu Biao and others frequently visiting.
Truly, this kind-hearted, honest, humble, and filial elder was worthy of being a model for the Zhu family.
He was a genuine relative, a kin whose closeness deepened with time.