The Ming Dynasty: My sister, Empress Ma

"Your Majesty... what's wrong?"

"How old are you this year?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked slowly.

Before Ma Wenyuan could answer, Old Zhu spoke up again.

"Eighteen years old, not young anymore."

"Your sister has mentioned to me several times that since you came back from Sichuan, you've been holed up in that backyard all day, either teaching or burning sand, and there's no one to care about you."

"You're the emperor's brother-in-law, not a schoolteacher or a foreman. Don't you think I have any face left to lose?"

Ma Xiuying also spoke, her tone much gentler than Zhu Yuanzhang's.

"Wenyuan, it's not that I'm urging you."

"But look at you, Biao'er is even younger than you and is already getting married, while you, as his uncle, are still single. It's not proper."

Ma Wenyuan opened his mouth, wanting to say, "I am engrossed in the study of things and have no interest in marriage," but then thought that if he said that, Zhu Yuanzhang would probably bestow a marriage upon him directly.

In Lao Zhu's opinion, he was not as valuable as Zhu Biao.

No one could stop Zhu Biao from continuing his family line.

It wasn't that Ma Wenyuan didn't want to get married.

It's just that Ma Wenyuan was a person from a later era and wasn't used to the ancient practice of marriage before love.

"Sister, brother-in-law, it's not that I don't want to get married, it's just..."

Ma Wenyuan's mind raced, searching for a way to address the issue in a way that was both dignified and wouldn't offend anyone.

"I have been studying the principles of things lately and have not had the energy to spare. After some time, once I have sorted out the matters at hand, I will definitely consider it carefully."

Speaking of which...

Zhu Yuanzhang probably felt he had pushed his brother-in-law to his limits, so he softened his tone and picked up the binoculars again.

"This is a good thing."

"Firstly, in military campaigns, scouts standing on high ground can clearly see the enemy's flags, troops, and camp layout ten miles away, allowing them to discover and plan ahead of the enemy."

"Secondly, in naval battles, standing on the mast and on the lookout tower allows one to spot enemy ships half an hour earlier and seize the windward and upstream positions. Thirdly, when defending a city, one can detect enemy movements in advance and make timely deployments."

After Old Zhu finished speaking, Ma Wenyuan paused and continued,

"If you point it at the night sky, you can observe the stars. You can see the mountains and valleys on the moon very clearly."

Zhu Yuanzhang raised an eyebrow. "There are grooves on the moon?"

"I have not seen it with my own eyes, but according to the records in the books from the West, it is indeed so."

"Once I have made a telescope with even greater magnification, my brother-in-law will be able to take a look."

One good thing about Lao Zhu is that he has some education, though not a lot.

If this were said by a great Confucian scholar like Song Lian, it would certainly be met with skepticism.

But Old Zhu didn't have any, and he wasn't sure if there were any books about this kind of thing.

"Wenyuan, let me ask you, what are your plans regarding the manufacture of this telescope?"

To keep it a secret, or to make it public?

Is it exclusively for royal use, or is it widely available in the military?

Ma Wenyuan was prepared and cupped his hands in greeting.

"I believe that the telescope is a vital military and national instrument, and its manufacturing method should not be disclosed to outsiders."

"I can write down the detailed drawings and procedures in a booklet and submit it to the Ministry of War for safekeeping."

"What the army needs can be specially manufactured in my workshop, and its outflow will be strictly controlled."

"As for transparent glass, I have figured out a stable formula that can be mass-produced. In addition to making lenses for telescopes, it can also be used to make windows and mirrors, which will benefit the country and the people."

"I suggest that these two things be handled separately: the telescope should be kept secret, while the transparent glass should be widely publicized."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with slight satisfaction.

This is a good approach; it avoids hiding core technologies as private property, while also preventing them from being completely handed over to enemy countries.

"Granted."

Zhu Yuanzhang said two words briefly, then added another sentence.

"Make ten telescopes first; I want to reward the border generals. As for the glass, you can handle it; for the money, ask Biao'er for the allocation."

"Your Majesty, I thank you!"

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, signaling him to get up.

Just as Ma Wenyuan was about to get up, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly spoke again.

"By the way, of your four students, besides Xu Da's daughter, I remember there was also a sibling named Zeng Xiu and Zeng Qing, right?"

"Yes."

"I remember Zeng Qing is currently serving as a centurion in Wudewei."

Zhu Yuanzhang said slowly, "What do you think about appointing him as a trial commander of a thousand men?"

This is attributing Ma Wenyuan's achievements to his student.

That's not surprising.

After all, Ma Wenyuan is now the Right Vice-General of the Grand General's Office, and if he goes any higher, he will be sitting next to Li Wenzhong.

Clearly, he lacks both seniority and achievements.

"It's all up to my brother-in-law." Ma Wenyuan did not refuse.

"And there's Fang Xiaoru, right?"

After a moment's thought, Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head.

"Never mind, I'm still young, I'll think about it some more."

Old Zhu didn't like to use young people; he always felt that young people were impulsive and rash in their work.

Even someone like Guo Chong was someone Old Zhu had to hold his nose to use, let alone a young man like Fang Xiaoru.

"I think so too."

Ma Wenyuan genuinely didn't want Fang Xiaoru to get involved in the court affairs too early.

Anyway, I'm not lacking in future prospects.

As he spoke, Ma Wenyuan prepared to take his leave.

But just then...

"Don't rush off."

Ma Xiuying spoke up, "I've found you a few marriage proposals, come and take a look."

As he spoke, a eunuch brought over several paintings with both hands.

Having no other choice, Ma Wenyuan stepped forward and opened the scroll.

Abstract style, as always.

Not like Mondrian, that would be too abstract.

The Ming Dynasty at present probably doesn't have such advanced thinking.

The painting in front of me leans towards freehand style.

All Ma Wenyuan knew was that the paintings depicted young girls in their early teens.

I can't tell what they look like at all.

"So, which one do you think is suitable?"

Ma Xiuying blinked and asked expectantly.

"If you don't find one you like, that's okay, I'll help you find another one."

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly remembered something.

"Didn't Hu Weiyong's niece enter the palace last time?"

Before Ma Xiuying could speak.

Ma Wenyuan raised his hand and pointed at a painting.

There's no other way but to choose; the current situation is beyond our control.

Blindly choosing someone is better than marrying into the Hu Weiyong family.

Is that something a human could do?

Seeing that Ma Wenyuan had an idea, Ma Xiuying immediately forgot about Hu Weiyong's niece and said with a smile,

"In that case, go and see the girl in person again. If she's really suitable, then it's settled."

This is Song Lian's daughter, as indicated on the upper part of the painting.

Ma Wenyuan chose Song Lian because he was from a family of upright officials.

Marrying him would prevent you from getting into a lot of trouble.

"Yes."

Ma Xiuying was stunned.

Ma Wenyuan was also taken aback.

What does it mean?

Ma Xiuying immediately waved her hand.

"Go ahead."

This surprised Ma Wenyuan somewhat.

"Now?"

"Otherwise what?"

Ma Xiuying quickly got up and pushed Ma Wenyuan out, saying, "Of course we have to pay attention to this kind of thing."

Ma Wenyuan felt a bit numb.

Whenever he entered the palace, he would be kept there, not to mention for several days.

But eating a few meals is unavoidable.

Before coming, Ma Wenyuan had prepared himself mentally.

Unexpectedly, they are now eager to kick me out.

……

Fortunately, Ma Wenyuan did not visit the Song residence alone.

Li Zhen and Zhu Biao were also present.

Zhu Biao and Ma Wenyuan rode in the same carriage.

"uncle……"

Before Xiao Zhu could speak, Ma Wenyuan immediately interrupted him.

I visited the Chang residence a while ago.