The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 105 New Discoveries and Surprises

Fame, wealth and power are just passing clouds to Ma Xun, and these are not what he pursues.

The most important thing is that there is no need to pursue it. It doesn’t necessarily mean that he is so noble, but that some things are useless to him.

Therefore, it is better to push the credit and so on to the prince. This way, it will be good for you, for me, and for everyone, and everyone will feel happier. This is the most important thing.

Satisfied Ma Xun went home after finishing his work. Teaching students in accordance with their aptitude is not a trivial matter.

Ma Xun found Liu Shuning and said, "Please spend the next two days to see if there are any family mottos or articles on educating children."

Liu Shuning asked in confusion, "Husband, are these useful now?"

"It's useful. My nephews are going to learn skills from me." Ma Xun said sarcastically, "I can't teach them how to march and fight. I can only teach them how to behave and do things in accordance with their conscience."

Liu Shuning immediately said, "I think all the princes have memorized "The Memorial to the Emperor on Leaving the Capital" by heart. Even Wu Hou has "The Instructions to His Son"."

Seeing Ma Xun nod, Liu Shuning continued, "The Family Instructions of Yan is also very good, but I'm afraid Your Majesty might not like it."

Ma Xun asked curiously, "What's wrong? Although I haven't read "Family Instructions of Yan", I have heard of it to some extent."

"My husband probably doesn't know that it involves believing in cause and effect and worshipping Buddha." Liu Shuning replied, "Her Majesty the Queen also said before that the princes are not allowed to read Buddhist scriptures."

Ma Xun nodded immediately and said, "That's right, then we should remove some of them, let them watch what they should watch, and don't learn what they shouldn't watch. They are all young now, and it's time to cultivate their character."

Liu Shuning also felt that what Ma Xun said made sense. All the princes were in their teens.

At this time, you naturally need to pay attention to your moral character. If you really develop bad habits, it will be difficult to change them in the future.

Liu Shuning is fluent in "The Family Rules of Wen Gong" and "The Family Instructions of Zhu Xi", and her level is obviously not comparable to that of a half-baked person like Ma Xun.

Educating nephews well is obviously not a trivial matter, and Ma Xun and Liu Shuning have to put some thought into it.

Neither of them has any children yet, so it is a daunting challenge to teach a group of rebellious teenagers.

This also makes Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying happy. They have so many big and small things to do now that they are too busy to handle them all, so it would definitely make them happy if someone could help teach the children.

After all, Ma Xun is of high seniority and his character is trustworthy, so he is the best person to take care of the baby.

Ma Xun and Liu Shuning were still busy giving ideological and moral education courses to Zhu Chong and others, while some people seemed very anxious.

Xu E came hurriedly and said, "Master, Madam, Li Xiang's followers sent a visiting card, saying that they want to visit you tomorrow."

Liu Shuning looked at Ma Xun in surprise. Didn’t Prime Minister Li retire? Why did he come to visit?

Ma Xun was speechless, he originally thought it would take two days. But judging from the trend, Li Shanchang probably did not go home first after returning to the capital, but came to Ma Xun to get "medical advice".

"Is he still outside?" Ma Xun said, "Just give me a definite answer. I will definitely welcome him tomorrow. It will be a great honor for Prime Minister Li to visit us."

That’s all I can say. Li Shanchang wants to visit, and we can’t turn away such a guest.

After Xu E left, Liu Shuning asked, "My husband, is Prime Minister Li coming here this time to discuss the enthronement of the princes, or is it for something else?"

"I don't know either. I guess it's the enthronement ceremony for the princes, and he wants to come to watch." Ma Xun complained, "After watching the ceremony, it will take another two months for the grand ceremony to confer titles on meritorious officials. The old man is too old to travel."

Liu Shuning spoke cautiously, "I don't know about the court affairs, but Prime Minister Li has always been lenient on the outside but harsh on the inside. When Prime Minister Li retired, did he resent you?"

Ma Xun was not too worried about this. "Why would he bother me for no reason? We don't interfere with each other. With His Majesty and the Queen protecting me, I don't have to worry too much."

Liu Shuning thought about it and felt that it made sense. It was true that Li Shanchang had great power in the court, but he was also a smart man. There was no need for him to provoke Ma Xun, the emperor's uncle.

Even if everyone has some problems in their hearts, they appear to get along well on the surface, and the probability of tripping each other up is not high.

After all, with Ma Xun's position, even if Li Shanchang was defeated, it would not benefit Li Shanchang in any way and would only offend the queen.

Whether Li Shanchang was powerful or jealous of talented people, it had nothing to do with Ma Xun. He would not go to the Secretariat anyway, so he could not be considered as Li Shanchang's political enemy.

So Li Shanchang just returned to Beijing. It really had no impact on Ma Xun. He just had to continue to busy himself with his own affairs.

Chang Mao appeared with a bruised face and limping. It was not because he was beaten, but it was obvious that he had failed in hunting.

Seeing Ma Xun gloating, Chang Mao said indignantly, "Uncle, my mother asked me to come here to ask for medicine."

Ma Xun couldn't help but complain, "You don't have any at home? You are a military family, so you must have medicine for injuries at home." "We do have some at home, but my parents still think we should come to my uncle for medicine." Chang Mao also sat down with peace of mind, "Anyway, my uncle must be the best at using medicine, no one can compare to him."

Many people may doubt Ma Xun's medical skills, but the Chang family is the one who trusts him the most. If anyone dares to question Ma Xun's medical skills, the Chang family will get angry.

Ma Xun ordered, "Go boil some eggs, and bring some safflower oil. Go wash your feet, and I'll take a look at your ankles."

Safflower oil has a long history and has been used to treat bruises and injuries for a long time.

I touched Chang Mao's ankle carefully, luckily it was not sprained, just a scratched knee. Looking at the bruised face and nose, they were all external injuries.

"Yunnan Baiyao?" After seeing Chang Mao off, Ma Xun was suddenly shocked, "Sanqi!"

Ma Xun may not be able to make Yunnan Baiyao, as the formula is said to be top secret. But Panax notoginseng should be available in Yunnan.

Don’t ask why such a common thing is not available in the Ming Dynasty. It’s simply that the understanding and research of some things requires a process. Yunnan Baiyao only existed in the Qing Dynasty.

Panax notoginseng was introduced to the Central Plains in the middle and late Ming Dynasty. In the Qing Dynasty, it was regarded as the best ginseng for replenishing qi, and Panax notoginseng for replenishing blood. They have the same taste and effect, so it is called ginseng Panax notoginseng, which is the most precious Chinese medicine.

Yunnan Baiyao cannot be produced, but Panax notoginseng can be used. It not only has the effects of nourishing blood and resisting inflammation, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, but also can dilate blood vessels.

He then went to the Imperial Hospital and asked someone to look for some ancient books, and then asked someone to ask detailed questions in Yunnan and other places.

After all, the Central Plains region is still very unfamiliar with Panax notoginseng, but some local people may have already known some of its therapeutic effects and functions.

Thinking about this, Ma Xun still felt a little excited and expectant. It seemed that he could do something again.

Whether or not he was a famous doctor was not particularly important to Ma Xun, because he most likely would not diagnose or prescribe medicine for anyone, or treat their illness.

However, some of the things he did seemed to have a significant impact on the Ming Dynasty's medical system and so on. At present, he can be regarded as a major promoter.

When I think about it this way, I still feel a little proud. There is obviously no harm in doing more things that benefit the country and the people, and we should do such things well.

The famous doctor Ma Xun got up early and started to get busy. The whole mansion didn't have to be busy as well. After all, it was just a simple entertaining for Li Shanchang, and there was no need for anything special.

Forget about sweeping the yard, etc. It's not New Year's Day, so there's no need for a thorough cleaning.

When the emperor came, he might have to set up an incense table, but if you think about it carefully, when Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying came, Ma Xun didn't have time to set up an incense table, and he didn't even lead everyone in the mansion to go out and welcome them.

So now Ma Xun just opened the middle door to welcome guests, which was considered very formal and no one could complain about it.

Li Shanchang, who had been unemployed for more than half a year, got off the carriage and said, "My Lord, I haven't seen you for a long time. I miss you very much."

Ma Xun also said politely, "I heard that Li Xiang is recuperating in his hometown, and I miss him all the time."

Hearing what Ma Xun said, Li Shanchang immediately said, "Thank you for your concern, my uncle. I followed your doctor's advice and rested, and my illness has healed!"

Oh my god, there’s no need to be so anxious!

We just met and you said you were in good health. If you think so, why did you come to my place?
Although he complained in his heart, he still had to put on a show of working hard. "Then congratulations, Prime Minister Li. I see that you have a rosy complexion and are in high spirits. You must be healthy and well."

The two of them were like close friends regardless of age, chatting as they walked, as if they had met many times before and there was no need for false courtesy or false formalities.

As soon as we arrived at the main hall, Xu E brought tea.

Li Shanchang took the tea with a smile and said, "I have to come to confer titles on the princes. Previously, I served as the envoy of ceremonies when Your Majesty conferred titles on our ancestors and appointed empresses and princes."

Ma Xun said politely, "I do know this. Previously, it was Prime Minister Li who determined the six-department system, discussed the mourning clothes for officials and civilians, and discussed the ceremony of paying respects to the Eastern Palace."

In fact, it did not go that far. Zhu Yuanzhang entrusted Li Shanchang to discuss and execute all matters, including determining the titles of mountains, rivers, gods and spirits throughout the world, and rewarding meritorious officials.

Li Shanchang is the well-deserved number one steward of the Ming Dynasty. In terms of his ability and contribution alone, he is indeed irreplaceable in this position.

No one denies Li Shanchang's importance and contribution to the Ming Dynasty. Even Yang Xian before him had always aimed to catch up with Li Shanchang.

To boast that one can surpass Li Shanchang is to overestimate one's own abilities and bring disgrace upon oneself.

Even though some people think that Li Shanchang was valued and able to make contributions because he joined Zhu Yuanzhang relatively early, his knowledge of historical events, his quickness in making decisions, his restoration of the coin making method, and his mining and iron smelting are not something that everyone can do.

Without the ability, it would be impossible for him to always be Zhu Yuanzhang's right-hand man and the only civil official of the Duke.

(End of this chapter)