The Ming Dynasty: My sister, Empress Ma

Ma Wenyuan has passed away.

They haven't completely left yet.

They stayed in the palace.

They didn't completely stay in the palace.

It wasn't until now that Ma Wenyuan realized that Li Zhen didn't actually live in the palace.

It is located west of Xuanjin Bridge outside Xi'an Gate.

The Ming Dynasty imperial palace was divided into two parts: the imperial city and the inner city.

The west gate of the imperial city was named Xi'an Gate, and the west gate of the inner city was named Xihua Gate.

Although the "Veritable Records of the Ming Taizu" records that on the Jia Chen day of the first month of the third year of Hongwu, Zhu Yuanzhang "ordered the construction of the residence of the Imperial Son-in-Law Li Zhen west of Xuanjin Bridge at Xihua Gate".

However, this section clearly uses the names of the two doors interchangeably.

"So, the area where you live is nominally part of the imperial city, but in reality it isn't?"

After dinner, Ma Wenyuan followed Li Zhen and Li Jinglong for a stroll.

Logically speaking, out of politeness, Ma Wenyuan should address Li Zhen, the elderly man, as "you" (formal), even if they were of the same generation.

However, this word is no longer used as a term of respect.

The character "您" (nín) has existed since the Song Dynasty, and it was used in plural forms to refer to you all.

It wasn't until the mid-Ming Dynasty that it was used as an honorific title, as seen in examples in Dream of the Red Chamber.

Some people believe it is a new word that appeared in the late Qing Dynasty.

In short, I've never heard of Ma Wenyuan.

"yes."

Li Zhen smiled as she looked at her younger brother, with whom she had no blood relation, and said, "The Emperor values ​​me highly, but I can't just take advantage of that, can I?"

"Actually, I should live in Hangzhou, Bao'er is there."

"There's nothing wrong with living a peaceful and comfortable life in the capital."

"Then why are you unwilling?"

"uneasy."

Ma Wenyuan suddenly understood.

Indeed, the palace is very uncomfortable for most people who dislike power and money.

Ma Wenyuan was like this, and so was Li Zhen.

"Grandpa, who is Bao'er?"

Li Jinglong held Li Zhen's fingers and looked up curiously.

"That's your father, and Li Siben is also your father."

"Do I have that many fathers?"

Li Zhen patted Li Jinglong's head helplessly, finding it somewhat amusing.

The Xuanjin Bridge under the setting sun, with its many shadowy figures, has a unique charm.

"Gong Cao Guo."

A middle-aged man, or rather an old man, walked towards us.

He looked to be in his fifties or sixties, with white hair and beard, and his face was full of wrinkles, but he looked very healthy and not at all old.

Li Zhen nodded indifferently.

"Lord Han, you've returned home?"

"Yes, I just finished discussing matters with the Emperor and it's time to go home."

Li Shanchang stroked his beard and looked at Ma Wenyuan. "This must be the Imperial Brother-in-Law, right?"

"I wouldn't dare."

Ma Wenyuan bowed to Li Shanchang.

We still have to give some face to this Left Prime Minister who is second only to the emperor.

After all, these days, his words carry more weight than those of the Crown Prince.

"That's great. Remember to visit me in a few days when you're done with your work."

"it is good."

Having said all he wanted to say, Li Shanchang strode away.

Watching his departing figure, Ma Wenyuan was still somewhat curious about this first prime minister of the Ming Dynasty.

"Approachable on the outside, but ruthless on the inside."

Li Zhen chuckled and said, "Treat this person with respect, but don't associate with him too much."

"Yes," Ma Wenyuan said, indicating that he understood.

Examples are right in front of us. For instance, Wu Yuannian's Li Yinbing and Yang Xisheng were dismissed because they offended Li Shanchang's power.

According to unofficial historical records, Li Yinbing died from his injuries, and Yang Xisheng had his nose cut off.

"It probably won't be long before this person retires."

Li Zhen turned Li Jinglong around, still wearing a smile on her face, looking quite amiable.

Seeing that Ma Wenyuan remained silent, Li Zhen became somewhat curious.

"Don't you want to ask why?"

Before Ma Wenyuan could answer, Li Zhen suddenly remembered something and said, "No, His Majesty said you are very smart. Do you know why?"

Ma Wenyuan answered truthfully.

"The Duke of Han is arrogant and spoiled, which displeases the current emperor. He should prepare a way out for himself."

Indeed, this is true. Li Shanchang's retirement is not a permanent one. He is only in his fifties now, which is the perfect age for him to make his mark.

"Continue." Li Zhen had the idea of ​​testing the younger generation.

Ma Wenyuan continued.

"Taking a step back is a strategic move to save face in front of the current leader. A smooth abdication allows one to cultivate a faction and support one's own people to rise to power, ensuring that one's power does not leak out and preparing for a future comeback."

Li Zhen paused, stroking his beard.

Who do you think he will support?

Ma Wenyuan answered truthfully, "Minister Hu."

That is, Hu Weiyong.

Ma Wenyuan became the emperor's brother-in-law, and from then on, he would have no shortage of food and clothing. So, he should do something.

The saying goes, "When you are successful, you should help others; when you are unsuccessful, you should cultivate your own virtue."

It's not good to do nothing and just wait to die, right?

Ma Wenyuan would never have done this in his past life, let alone now.

Even if we don't aspire to emulate Fan Zhongyan, we should at least do what we can.

But if you want to get things done, you have to demonstrate your abilities.

Otherwise, why would we expect Lao Zhu to provide resources without any real commitment?

Unrealistic.

This is not the time of the King of Wu, when there was such a severe shortage of people. Otherwise, Zhu Wenzheng would not have been appointed to this critical mission.

"Left Chancellor Wang will be promoted to Right Chancellor," Ma Wenyuan added.

This surprised and puzzled Li Zhen.

How did you know all this?

Indeed, he understood these things, as did most people in the court.

Who is Ma Wenyuan?

The Ming Dynasty's imperial brother-in-law, who was only found today, was once a poor scholar.

Seeing that Ma Wenyuan did not answer, Li Zhen shook her head.

"You're the kind of person who can know everything without leaving home."

"You're better than Bao'er."

"I dare not accept such praise."

Ma Wenyuan was self-aware enough to admit that comparing himself to Li Wenzhong was a bit presumptuous.

Who is Li Wenzhong?

At the age of 19, he first led troops and captured four counties in succession, killing more than 10,000 enemies.

At the age of 24, he quelled the Miao rebellion and was appointed as the Left Vice Minister of the Zhejiang Provincial Administration. At the age of 28, he captured Hangzhou and was awarded the title of Grand Master of the Palace and concurrently served as the Chief Administrator of the Zhejiang Provincial Administration.

At the age of 29, he followed Xu Da on the Northern Expedition, participating in the conquest of Shandong, Hebei, and Henan, and finally capturing the Yuan capital, Dadu.

At the age of 31, he served as deputy general to Chang Yuchun and captured Shangdu, the capital of the Yuan dynasty.

At the age of 32, he was appointed Left Deputy General, went out of Juyong Pass, went deep into the desert, captured Yingchang, and captured the Yuan Crown Prince Maidelbala, his concubines, officials, and the Song and Yuan imperial seals and gold treasures.

The phrase "the bravest of all generals, invincible in every way" perfectly describes Li Bao'er.

Ma Wenyuan tried to compare his head with this guy's.

What Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Wenyuan said about not bowing when entering the court was a lie, but this man truly did not use his name when being praised or worshipped.

Li Zhen disagreed, and said seriously.

"When Bao'er was young, he didn't have your eye for talent."

After taking two more steps, Li Zhen suddenly turned back and said,

"You shouldn't stay here with this old man; you should be serving as an official in the imperial court."

"Me too!"

Li Jinglong stretched out his little hand.

"You will surely become the God of War of the Ming Dynasty in the future."

Ma Wenyuan, having gotten his wish, bent down and patted Li Jinglong's little head.

"I just said you had a good eye, but you've misjudged me again, haven't you?"

Li Zhen scoffed, "My grandson is sure to be a spendthrift in the future."

……

The next day.

Ma Wenyuan successfully left the palace and returned to his own courtyard.

It wasn't that I was preparing to enter the court as an official, but rather that I was preparing to go to the battlefield.

Ma Xiuying initially refused, but after listening to Li Zhen's persuasion, she finally nodded in agreement.

She cherishes her younger brother, but that doesn't mean she wants to confine him in a cage like a canary.

In response, Ma Wenyuan could only be thankful that he hadn't bet on the wrong horse.

If you want to rebel against your elders, you should ask their elders to persuade you.

If Zhu Yuanzhang had been the one to persuade them, the situation would have been different.