Rumors

  Zhu Yuanzhang was desperately digging through his memory bank for that period of time at the end of the Ming Dynasty. He had been drifting in the sky for hundreds of years, from the 31st year of Hongwu until he saw the fall of the Qing Dynasty and the establishment of New China. In such a vast memory, there were many unclear places. Major events were remembered very clearly, such as on March 19th of the 17th year of Chongzhen, Emperor Chongzhen took his own life, marking the end of the Ming Dynasty. For example, on February 12th, 1912, Puyi abdicated, marking the fall of the Qing Dynasty. However, for some minor events, he needed a certain amount of time to recall them.

  What he is thinking about now is what the final outcome of the eunuch party will be. This relates to the future of the imperial family and will also relate to his judgment, he will only choose the path that maximizes his benefits and helps him stand out the most.

  The fragmented memories were slowly pieced together by him. In August of the seventh year of Tianqi (1627), also this August, the Carpenter Emperor died of illness, and his brother, King Xian Zhu Youjian, ascended to the throne. This was the last emperor of the Ming dynasty, Chongzhen Emperor. Chongzhen Emperor hated Wei Zhongxian extremely. In September, he would expel Wei's backer, Madame Ke, from the palace; in October, he launched a verbal attack on Wei through officials; and in November, he removed Wei from his position and sent him to guard the ancestral tomb in Fengyang... The eunuch party led by Wei Zhongxian would be completely finished.

  It seems that the prestige of the Shi family can still be maintained for half a year, but after half a year, when Emperor Chongzhen takes action against the eunuch party, the Shi family will inevitably fall into a situation where the family is broken and the people are scattered. At this time, going to the Shi family as a major manager is not as safe as being a cowherd in the Ma family.

  After careful consideration, Zhu Yuanzhang raised his head and first gave Ma Qianjiu a grateful glance to show his gratitude for his support. Then he turned to Shen Dabao and bowed with his fists: "Zhu Ba has no virtue or ability, it is the blessing of this life that Master Shen has taken notice of him. However, people are not like trees and plants, they can't be unfeeling. I have been a cowherd in the Ma family for many years, and was promoted by Second Young Master and Manager Ma. I would like to repay the great kindness of the Ma family with my life, and really don't want to go anywhere else. Please forgive me, Master Shen."

  As soon as these words came out, Ma Qianjiu was overjoyed, while Dahe and Second Master were filled with disappointment.

  "Alright, since you put it that way, I won't force the issue. Being loyal to one's master is not wrong."

  The second young master said unpleasantly: "You don't know how to behave, you've annoyed the eldest brother, you useless killer."

  Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Second Master quietly and didn't say a word.

  "Alright, let's just keep drinking and not talk about anything else." Shandai picked up his wine cup, but for the rest of the time, no one drank with gusto. After a few cups, Shandai got up to leave, and Ershaoye's face also turned gloomy, without even saying goodbye, he directly turned around and went downstairs.

  Ma Qianjiu finished settling the bill and came out, but Er Ye had already gone far. A large group of servants in green clothes and small hats surrounded him, swaggering on the streets of Baishui County, and several poor girls who passed by the side of the road were pulled by him to touch their hands, scaring the girls pale, with tears in their eyes. Fortunately, this was a big street, so Er Ye couldn't go too far, and these girls could barely escape unharmed.

  Ma Qianjiu and Zhu Yuanchang followed far behind, and couldn't help but shake their heads at the same time.

  Zhu Yuanzhang gently pulled Ma Qianjiu's sleeve and said in a low voice, "Ma Guan Shi, brother owes you one today, but the following days may not be easy for me, I hope you can help me with a small favor."

  "What's the matter? Just speak up!" Ma Qianjiu was not in a good mood now, and he didn't like looking at Er Shaoxia. But when he looked at Zhu Ba, he felt very comfortable. Today, he had done a great service for the Ma family, and then refused the invitation of the Shen family, showing that he was capable and loyal to the Ma family with all his heart, and he hadn't misjudged him.

  Zhu Yuanzhang said in a low voice, "You also saw the attitude of the second young master today. After returning, he may deal with me. I'm afraid it's hard to stand firm in the Ma family. I hope that Manager Ma will speak a few good words for me to the eldest young master and have the side house handed over to him."

  "Hmm?" Ma Qianjiu's heart sank slightly, and he said: "That's right... I shouldn't say this as a subordinate, but... with Second Young Master's temperament, you won't have an easy time from now on. Don't worry, after our conversation last time, I've already sent someone to rush to Xi'an Prefecture to invite Eldest Young Master back to take charge of the situation. He should be back soon."

  Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said no more.

  When everyone returned to the Ma family's courtyard, the sky was already near dusk, with red clouds of sunset hanging in the air, and shadows covering the fields.

  The entrance of the Ma family's compound was crowded with people, including many long and short workers returning from the fields, a large group of servants in green clothes and small hats, and even a group of maids who usually stayed in the inner courtyard... All these people were waiting for the result of the government case.

  Upon seeing the second young master return, the servants and maids erupted into a chorus of delighted shouts: "The second young master is fine, he's back!"

  "Go quickly and inform Master, Madam, Third Miss..."

  The servants and maids rushed up, surrounding the second young master in the middle, heading towards the inner courtyard.

  Then Ma Qianjiu and Zhu Yuanzhang walked back side by side, a group of servants from the front yard hurried to welcome them, surrounding Ma Qianjiu, chattering: "Manager Ma, you're back, please come in quickly..."

  "Tell us what happened today?" Ming Dynasty Zhu Chongba 29

  Zhu Yuanzhang was surrounded by a group of long and short workers from the side house, Bai Shui Wang Er walked up and gave Zhu Yuanzhang a punch on the shoulder, laughing: "Brother, are you okay? Did your butt get spanked?"

  "It's nothing!" Zhu Yuanzhang smiled faintly.

  "Zhu Ba Ge, how is this lawsuit going today?"

  "Zhu Ba Ge, quickly tell me, how was it resolved in the end?"

  Zhu Yuanzhang raised his hand and smiled, "Everyone, don't be in a hurry. Today's matter is not convenient for me to discuss. You all just wait a few more days, news will come out from the front and inner courts."

  "Zhu Ba Ge, you're not being loyal now. You're the one in charge of our side courtyard, but you didn't say anything about this matter. Now we have to go ask around in the front and inner courtyards," a long-term worker said with a big laugh.

  Zhu Yuanzhang smiled but did not speak. Today's matter involved his place too much, if he told the story himself, it would be suspected of being boastful, and he wouldn't make such a low-level mistake. It was better to let the servants from the front and inner courts spread the word, which would have a more effective impact than him telling it himself.

  Things turned out to be just as Zhu Yuanzhang had expected, and a few days later, all the details of this matter spread from the front yard and backyard of Ma's family, and at the same time, they also spread to both sides of Xigou Village and Shenzhai.

  The villagers of Xigou Village, the servants of the Shan family, the servants of the front yard of the Ma family, and the servants of the inner yard of the Ma family each told their own version of what happened that day to those around them. Later, Ma Qianji also spread the story of what had happened at the San Gu Xiang wine banquet.

  These stories are a bit disjointed, because everyone sees things differently, and no one knows the whole story. In the Sheng family hall, Zhu Ba's conversation with Sheng Da involves the Donglin Party and the Eunuch Party, and Ma Qianjiu doesn't dare to say too much, so this story is even more shrouded in mystery.

  However, no matter how complex the story is, it can't stump those who are determined to figure it out, especially readers with insight. Someone listened to all these fragmented stories and finally pieced them together in their mind into a complete story, only then did they understand what role Zhu Ba had played in this matter.

  "Zhu Ba is so fierce..."

  "It's really too amazing..."

  "This is simply turning over one's hand for clouds and covering one's hand for rain!"

  "It's not about being great or secondary, the key is loyalty. Those who are loyal to their masters are more worthy of respect..."

  "Loyalty, Filial Piety, Benevolence, Righteousness, Etiquette, Wisdom, and Faithfulness, with Loyalty being the first..."

  Rumors like this began to spread in Xigou Village, Shanjia and Majiayuan, and then radiated out to the surrounding areas, spreading wider and wider. The long and short workers of the Ma family finally knew why Zhu Ba didn't tell them the story himself, if he did, it would be a naked show-off.

  This thing was passed on for several days, and it became more and more absurd as time went on.

  County Magistrate Chen Guanyu has started to submit his resignation and wants to retire, so the spring tax collection has been suspended for the time being. Originally, he had to "sit in court and compare grain" every day, catching up with villagers who failed to pay their spring taxes and beating them with a board on their buttocks, but these two days have not done this thing.

  The poor people of Baishui County breathed a sigh of relief, and kind-hearted people again attributed this to Zhu Ba's credit. Some said that it was Zhu Ba who had prayed for the people, so this year's spring tax was delayed.

  The poor people didn't know whether this was true or false, anyway they only knew that after the case that day, Chen Guanyu indeed no longer sat in the rice shop, so the fake became real, and Zhu Ba's reputation rose to new heights overnight.

  This legend has it that Zhu Bajie's image was further elevated. ?? Late Ming Zhu Chongba 29

  A few days later, Old Master Ma, who never interfered with anything and just quietly enjoyed his retirement in the inner courtyard, unexpectedly sent twenty taels of silver to Zhu Yuanzhang through the steward of the inner courtyard, commending him for his "meritorious service" in saving their master. Two days later, Third Miss Ma again dispatched her maid, Zixincai, to deliver several sets of new clothes and shoes to him, seemingly also as a way of thanking him for saving her second brother.

  Although Second Master is muddle-headed and useless, the Ma family still has a few sensible people.

  After this incident, the three young ladies were strictly forbidden from coming to the side house to find Zhu Ba's maidservants again. However, this only stirred up their romantic feelings, and they found all sorts of excuses to sneak into the side house. One day someone would send Zhu Ba a pair of socks, the next day someone would help him weave a handkerchief, and the day after that someone would offer to wash his clothes... This unusual enthusiasm left Zhu Ba crying with laughter, and he had no choice but to hide in the fields from dawn till dusk.

  The Zhang family of Cheng City seemed to have been intimidated by the power of the Shan family, and for a long time they did not take any action again, and life began to return to calm...

  One day at the end of February, at noon, the sun was shining brightly, and the sun was shining directly on the ground from straight above, with only a small shadow squeezed under his feet. Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the edge of the field, discussing some insights on boxing techniques with Bai Shuiwang Er.

  Two people were chatting casually, when they suddenly saw a black carriage coming from afar on the yellow earth road in front of the Ma family's large courtyard. The carriage was not showy and had no luxurious decorations, just like a black box. However, the coachman's skills were impressive, with a light flick of his whip producing a loud cracking sound, clearly a seasoned professional. Fifteen robust men escorted the carriage, each riding a fine horse and wearing a waist knife, exuding an air of ferocity.

  "It seems like a formidable figure has arrived!"

  Bai Shui Wang nodded and said in a low voice: "The most powerful person of the Ma family is back! This is Young Master Ma Zhi Xiong's carriage..."