Chapter 25: The Supreme General of the State
Page 1/3
Ma Xun was not particularly worried about the upcoming “expedition.” Xu Da, Chang Yuchun, Li Wenzhong, and Feng Sheng were leading the main forces in the northern campaign, with Deng Yu commanding a separate detachment in support. Five of the founding “Six Dukes” of the Ming dynasty were directing this war. Generals like Fu Youde, Tang Shengzong, Tang He, and Guo Xing were also in the army, marking the peak of Ming military strength.
Even if Ma Xun went north, he was basically just a figurehead, there to offer rewards to the troops. After changing into his armor, Ma Xun stood before a bronze mirror, examining himself. “I do look somewhat like a general—strong and vigorous!”
Xu E smiled and said, “It would be better if you were a bit more burly, sir, but fortunately your broad shoulders support the armor well.”
He Da added, “This armor used to belong to His Majesty. I recall that when we fought Chen Youliang, the Emperor wore this very armor.”
Ma Xun was accustomed to Zhu Yuanzhang giving clothes he didn’t wear to relatives; he and Li Zhen were responsible for wearing the garments the old Zhu discarded.
Ma Xun lowered his head for a careful look, then sighed with relief. “Fortunately, it’s not presumptuous.”
He Da immediately laughed and explained, “At that time, His Majesty hadn’t even proclaimed himself king yet; how could it be considered presumptuous?”
Indeed, Zhu Yuanzhang was patient—building strong walls, accumulating grain, and delaying his royal proclamation. While some rebel leaders declared themselves kings after capturing a county, Zhu only claimed the throne after defeating Chen Youliang.
Xu E patiently reminded him, “Sir, don’t mind the heat. Be sure to wear silk garments underneath. Although your armor is tight, an arrow piercing through might be stopped by the silk layer.”
“It’s easier to pull out an arrow if there’s silk; otherwise, it would go straight into the flesh,” He Da chimed in. “The Imperial Uncle is a nobleman—don’t be stingy with clothes.”
Ma Xun readily accepted the advice but grew curious. “E Zi, from what you say, have you fought in battle before?”
He Da helped explain, “As mentioned before, she was with the Empress in Hexian County. After we crossed the river, the Yuan Mongols harassed Hexian, and Her Highness led the defense, even standing on the city walls.”
Xu E continued, “That year, Chen Youliang nearly broke through the capital. I accompanied the Empress on patrols, though unfortunately, I never personally killed any enemies.”
Looking at the gentle and kind Xu E, Ma Xun immediately sensed that she was indeed a heroine among women. His own elder sister was a heroine in troubled times; her confidante could never be a simple person.
Ma Xun suddenly felt a bit disheartened. “So, does that mean I’m the only one in our household who’s never fought?”
“You must be joking, sir. Besides the guards, only Min’er and I have worn armor,” Xu E laughed, helping him fasten his cloak. “But she’s timid and only dares to cry while helping pull out arrows.”
“Min’er—the chubby cook in the kitchen?” Ma Xun felt immense pressure. “So, what does that make me?”
He Da and the others laughed heartily. They lived very comfortably in the Imperial Uncle’s residence. Although their lord was a nobleman, he never lost his temper over trifles and loved to joke with everyone.
Truly, as the Empress’s brother, he was kind and caring toward his subordinates.
Page 2/3
Less than a month after the Duke left the palace to open his residence, all the maids in the household had been married off, and the wives, daughters, and descendants of He Da and others were arranged to live on the Duke’s estate.
The Duke’s residence was more than just a mansion; the Emperor had granted him an entire estate district.
An “estate district” referred to a region. Ma Xun’s estate was in Lingbi, Suzhou. However, this was a “remote holding.” Outside the capital prefecture of Yingtian, Ma Xun had fifty hectares of estate land.
After donning his armor, Ma Xun was about to leave when Wangcai, the donkey, trotted over with clattering steps. Ma Xun froze instantly.
I am the illustrious General Who Pacifies the Nation, the future Duke of Xu—am I really going to ride a donkey into battle?
“Go away!” Ma Xun pushed Wangcai’s head aside. “This doesn’t fit the scene. When you come near, all my aura disappears!”
Wangcai immediately began to bray loudly. Everyone in the Imperial Uncle’s residence was used to Wangcai’s occasional howling.
It was because the Duke doted on him and couldn’t bear to scold or punish him.
“Lead it along; you all lead it and have it follow,” Ma Xun told He Da. “When I fight, I’ll ride a horse, but behind me will be a donkey.”
If he really lost, he’d tie Wangcai to a cart wheel. Then he could compete with the legendary cart driver of Gaoliang River. Both would be donkey cart drivers, but his clever Wangcai would surely run farther!
Just as Ma Xun left the residence, the three Chang brothers came running up. “Uncle, take us to war with you!”
“Get lost!” Ma Xun sat atop his horse, proud and spirited. “When I finish the battle, you’ll at most be low-ranking soldiers under my command!”
Chang Sheng protested loudly, “My father is a great general, and my uncle is powerful! I don’t want to be a lowly soldier under you; I want to be the vanguard general!”
Ma Xun’s heart skipped a beat. Chang Yuchun—the current Chang Yuchun was still alive and had driven the Yuan Emperor into a humiliating retreat.
He must find a way to save Chang Yuchun. Xu Da, Li Wenzhong, and Feng Sheng could hold their own against Wang Baobao, but with the undefeated Chang Yuchun added...
Thinking this through, Ma Xun spurred his horse toward the palace. He was about to formally receive his imperial orders to lead the army north.
Upon entering the palace, Ma Xun was led to the east side of the Imperial Ancestral Temple. There stood the shrine to Prince Xu. Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying had established a tomb and temple for Ma Taigong in Suzhou, and a memorial hall had been built in the palace for convenient worship.
Seeing Ma Xun’s imposing demeanor, Ma Xiuying felt both proud and heartbroken. “You should be enjoying a comfortable life in the capital, yet you have been wandering for so long and now must go north again.”
Ma Xun smiled. “Sister, I’m used to wandering. Besides, I’m only twenty. How could I enjoy peace at this time? The old man would be very pleased to see me so imposing.”
Ma Xiuying thought for a moment before asking, “Do you want to search for your mother’s remains?”
“I do want to. I only know she’s in Zhejiang, but the old man never elaborated,” Ma Xun sighed. “Once the world is peaceful, I’ll go find her. For now, I can only pay respects.”
Ma Xiuying took great care of Ma Xun, even ensuring his mother’s spirit tablet was enshrined in the memorial hall. The family genealogy and tombs in their hometown were also arranged.
This meant Ma Xun was the legitimate son of Ma Taigong’s later wife, not born of a concubine.
Page 3/3
After the ritual, Ma Xiuying held Ma Xun’s hand and carefully gave him instructions—not only about the current mission but also about which officers and soldiers could be trusted.
While Ma Xiuying earnestly gave her advice, Zhu Yuanzhang was not idle.
He directly ordered General Who Pacifies the Nation Ma Xun to lead the Left Yulin Guard and the Flying Bear Guard north.
The Ming dynasty’s Wei system had basically taken shape. When Zhu Yuanzhang was titled Prince of Wu, he abolished all auxiliary military commanders and established seventeen elite guard commands. The Yulin Guard and Flying Bear Guard were among the most representative.
These were the “Twelve Elite Guards” directly under the emperor. More special was that the Ming Wei system was vast and complex, divided between the emperor’s own capital guards and the guards under the Grand Commander’s office.
Ma Xun commanded the emperor’s personal guards, independent of the Grand Commander’s office—a force most loyal and battle-hardened under Zhu Yuanzhang’s direct control.
At court, Liu Bowen hesitated, uneasy about sending his prospective son-in-law to war. Although he had little contact with Ma Xun, he knew Ma had almost no military knowledge.
Li Shanchang and Hu Weiyong, however, believed it necessary to win Ma Xun’s favor, as both the emperor and empress doted on their Imperial Uncle immensely.
The Yuan Emperor looked south, still scheming to advance southward.
Though Wang Baobao commanded over a hundred thousand troops around Gansu and Lanzhou, the fighting had paused for the moment, and the Yuan Emperor had fled from Kaiping.
Now, sending this Ma Imperial Uncle north was more for show. Any talk of rewarding the troops was just a pretense.
By year’s end, when Xu Da, Chang Yuchun, and others returned victorious, Ma Xun would be with the army, earning legitimate military merit.
The two most powerful guard units were assigned under Ma Xun’s command, with Mu Ying and Guo De appointed as commanders.
Mu Ying was the adopted son of the emperor and empress; Guo De was the younger brother of Consort Guo Ning, Guo Xing, and Guo Ying. Both were trusted by the emperor and had distinguished military records.
Though not on par with top generals, these seasoned commanders were now under Ma Xun’s leadership. Who could argue?
What frustrated Li Shanchang, Hu Weiyong, and the others was that they had arranged the supplies and logistics, but it was Ma Xun who would receive them in the north.
Naturally, the credit would belong to this Imperial Uncle.
To elevate this Imperial Uncle, the emperor and empress showed no shame. They were blatantly pressuring Li Shanchang and others, clearly fostering a new faction outside the Huai West group.
Previously, only Li Wenzhong was seen as a power player, but now with Ma Xun added, the imperial relatives might rival the Huai West and Zhejiang factions.
With the empress’s backing, the imperial relatives could rise rapidly. Even if they couldn’t suppress the Huai West faction, they could become a thorn in their side.
As for the civil officials and Zhejiang faction, they would just have to accept being the third wheel.