Chapter 3: What Do Titles Have to Do with Me!

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Ma Xun underestimated the determination and speed of the ancients; whether it was the Embroidered Uniform Guard or Zhu Yuanzhang, they all pressed forward day and night.

A typical daily march covered about thirty li, which was ordinary pace. But for urgent dispatches and the like, traveling a hundred li a day was considered conservative.

He thought that the messengers might have just arrived at Yingtian Prefecture, but who would have guessed that Zhu Yuanzhang had already completed his reconnaissance?

Xu Da, Chang Yuchun, and Li Wenzhong’s three carriages were still on the northern expedition. Zhu Yuanzhang sent a letter ordering Mu Ying to lead an army to escort the Empress and Crown Prince to Suzhou.

Ma Tai Gong had already been posthumously honored as Prince of Xu, with plans to build a temple and tomb. Now that Ma Xun had brought back Ma Tai Gong’s remains, naturally Ma Xiuying, the dutiful daughter, would come as well.

Zhu Yuanzhang was a very filial man; even before ascending the throne, he had already arranged for his parents’ tombs to be built in his hometown, Fengyang, and had decided to establish the capital there.

Ma Xun was anxious and restless, but now there was no way to escape—he was surrounded.

With dark circles under his eyes, Ma Xun finished breakfast and went to stroll in the courtyard. “Wangcai, have you eaten?”

The skinny donkey was rather uncooperative, though it was well fed—fine fodder, bean cakes, even eggs, better than what many fine horses had.

After carefully checking the feeding trough, Ma Xun felt relieved. “Although we’re being watched, we won’t be mistreated. If it’s truly unavoidable, at least we’ll die full, right?”

Diligent Zhu Yuanzhang came out of his room and greeted Ma Xun with a smile. “Little brother, up so early?”

“Just taking a walk,” Ma Xun replied. “Too bad I’m not allowed to go out; I can only wander the courtyard.”

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and asked, “Want to go see the Prince of Xu’s residence?”

Ma Xun immediately complained, “The Prince of Xu’s residence? I didn’t even have time to see what Suzhou looks like before being brought here under house arrest. The only thing I’m allowed to do daily is to offer incense to the old man’s coffin.”

Zhu Yuanzhang chuckled, “I’ll accompany you to offer incense to our ancestor. Let’s go.”

Though Ma Xun was under house arrest at the courier station, the old man’s coffin was kept in the temple beside the Prince of Xu’s tomb. Since Empress Ma had not come to acknowledge kinship, no one dared put the coffin in the ancestral hall, nor leave it unattended.

Ma Xun sensed something was amiss and looked at the guard beside him. “Big brother, do you hold a high official rank?”

“I used to be a marshal,” Zhu Yuanzhang smiled. “I’m basically their leader; they answer to me.”

The Ming dynasty had yet to officially confer titles on meritorious officials, but the Marshal’s Office and the title of marshal corresponded to the garrison and its commanding officer.

“Excuse my rudeness!” Ma Xun immediately recognized he was dealing with a person of great stature. “Big brother, may I know your name?”

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and dodged the question, still refusing to reveal his name.

When they arrived at the small temple, Ma Xun respectfully offered incense. But when he saw Zhu Yuanzhang kneeling and kowtowing as well, he immediately grew anxious.

After Zhu Yuanzhang finished, Ma Xun returned the salute and said, “Big brother, isn’t this a bit improper?”

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him and asked, “What’s improper? Only you may offer sacrifices before the Prince of Xu’s spirit tablet, does that mean I cannot?”

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Ma Xun didn’t know how to respond and said, “You haven’t been acknowledged yet; you’re bowing too early.”

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and asked, “Did the Prince of Xu leave you a jade pendant or some token? That would make things easier.”

Ma Xun felt even more frustrated. “If I had a token, I would have shown it by now. How could I be trapped here in such uncertainty?”

After offering incense, Zhu Yuanzhang said, “Come with me for a walk; let’s see how Suzhou is doing.”

Ma Xun eagerly agreed. He had been confined to the courier station and having someone in charge take him out was certainly a good thing.

As they walked, Ma Xun asked, “Big brother, how old are you this year?”

“Forty-two, with five sons and two daughters,” Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Ma Xun. “What are you trying to test? Just speak frankly.”

Though embarrassed, Ma Xun said repeatedly, “Big brother is truly blessed; having many children is a blessing!”

The realm had just been pacified; this land of Suzhou had suffered much from wars. Liu Futong and the Yuan army had battled here frequently. After Zhu Yuanzhang seized control, he continued restoring the people’s livelihood.

Especially as early spring had just arrived, the streets were even emptier. Most of the common folk looked pale and gaunt; it was hard to find enough food.

After some thought, Ma Xun asked, “Big brother, how many days will it take from Yingtian Prefecture to here?”

Zhu Yuanzhang calculated, “The Empress and others should arrive in about five or six days.”

Ma Xun grew anxious and uneasy. “Is it really the Empress herself coming?”

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed at Ma Xun’s reaction. “This concerns the Prince of Xu; naturally, the Empress must come in person. Do you think the Emperor should come instead?”

Ma Xun found this reasonable and asked, “The Empress is kind-hearted. If there were any misunderstandings, she would surely forgive me.”

Zhu Yuanzhang replied firmly, “Not necessarily. If it were other matters, the Empress might be magnanimous enough to pardon you. But concerning the Prince of Xu, there can be no mistakes.”

Then Zhu Yuanzhang joked, “When the Empress arrives, you’ll become the Prince of Xu!”

Ma Xun was momentarily stunned, then realized, “Even if the Empress acknowledges me, what does that have to do with me being the Prince of Xu?”

Zhu Yuanzhang analyzed seriously, “The late Prince of Xu had only one son and one daughter. Since you are the Prince’s son, the title naturally belongs to you.”

“Are you kidding?” Ma Xun immediately shook his head. “I have no merits; just because I’m the Empress’s brother, I can become the Prince of Xu? I am of a different surname! How could I become a prince?”

Zhu Yuanzhang regarded Ma Xun more highly. It was appropriate to posthumously honor Ma Tai Gong as Prince of Xu, but that was precisely because Ma Tai Gong had no heirs.

Guo Zixing had not yet been posthumously titled Prince of Chuyang.

Zhu Yuanzhang continued, “Even if you can’t be a prince, you should at least be a duke.”

Ma Xun shook his head. “The Emperor hasn’t yet conferred titles on meritorious officials. There are many with great achievements in court. If I were granted a title, it wouldn’t be accepted. That would throw the entire Ming system into chaos. Granting titles and stipends to relatives by marriage—do you think that’s right?”

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Zhu Yuanzhang instinctively shook his head. If future emperors followed such a precedent, the Ming rankings would indeed collapse.

It would become a lifetime of fierce battles to earn military merits, or else just have a good daughter to send into the palace!

At this critical juncture, Zhu Yuanzhang had to be cautious. Soon, the awarding of merits and the conferring of titles would begin, and many eagerly awaited it.

Ma Xun patted Zhu Yuanzhang’s shoulder and said, “Isn’t it clear now? The prince title has nothing to do with me, and I shouldn’t be thinking about dukes or marquises. Whether they acknowledge me or not is another matter—why bother?”

Zhu Yuanzhang pressed, “Are you content? You are the Prince of Xu’s heir and the Empress’s brother. If you don’t get a title, won’t people laugh at the Emperor?”

“If I got one, that would be the real joke!” Ma Xun laughed. “Enough, let’s not talk about these things. Titles are far off. I’d better go back and boil some water for a bath—my body’s filthy.”

Zhu Yuanzhang’s gaze sharpened fiercely as he looked at the guards behind him. “They don’t allow you to bathe?”

“They do,” Ma Xun replied cheerfully. “I had a hot bath earlier—it was wonderful. I’ve eaten well, and now I’m clean, with clean clothes. No complaints here.”

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, “Then when we return, we’ll boil hot water and you can bathe! I’ll help scrub your back. You’ve been away for over half a year; you must be exhausted!”

Of course, Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xun didn’t have to boil water themselves. Even though Ma Xun’s identity was uncertain and he was under house arrest, no one mistreated him, only his freedom was restricted.

Several attendants brought hot water and poured it into a bathing tub; the room was fairly warm.

Zhu Yuanzhang pointed to the tub beside him. “What, still embarrassed? You’re a grown man—be straightforward!”

Ma Xun thought it made sense. He had soaked in a large bath before; now, having a tub each was even better.

Zhu Yuanzhang leisurely splashed hot water on his chest, casually glancing at Ma Xun undressing. Suddenly, he gripped the bath towel tightly as he looked at the scars on Ma Xun’s back and calves, feeling deep sympathy.

These were whip marks; these were from being beaten.

Little brother has suffered so much, wandering alone since he was about ten years old. Despite such hardships, he still has such a generous heart—it’s truly rare!

Ma Xun contentedly rubbed his arms, flicking off mud. “Big brother, have you ever fought in a war?”

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, “Of course. Why do you want to fight?”

“I don’t even know how to ride a horse—how could I fight?” Ma Xun self-mocked. “If I went to war, I’d just be a burden, and someone else would take the credit.”

Zhu Yuanzhang confidently said, “It’s not hard. If you really want military merit, I’ll send Tiande and Boren with you. If you still don’t trust them, follow Bao’er; he can help you earn some merits.”

Ma Xun had been rubbing the dirt off his body, but at the next moment, he asked nervously, “May I ask, big brother, who exactly are you?”