Thirty, Young Master Ma Zhi Xiong

  Ma Zhi-xiong, 41 years old, a holder of the juren degree. In terms of writing poetry and articles, he is not as good as Old Master Ma, because Old Master Ma was a jinshi (a higher degree) and had a jinshi pole erected in front of the Ma family gate, while he only managed to become a juren. To catch up with his own father, he wanted to have another jinshi pole erected at the Ma family gate, so after becoming a juren, he studied hard for nine more years, during which he took the imperial examination three times, but still failed to pass.

  His dream of standing two imperial scholar flags at the gate was shattered, he abandoned his studies and turned to business, opening a rice store in Xi'an Prefecture. Unexpectedly, although he didn't succeed in his studies, he proved to be a first-rate businessman, and under his management, the Ma family's rice store grew from small to large, developing rapidly, eventually surpassing many smaller rice stores and becoming one of the most famous merchants in Xi'an Prefecture.

  Because of his cleverness and capability, Old Master Ma handed over the management of the family to him. However, he stayed in Xi'an for years on end, so household matters had to be left to the useless Second Young Master. Ma Zhi Xiong was also worried about his second brother, so he left behind Ma Qian Jiu to assist...

  This time, Master Ma received a letter from Ma Qianjiu, saying that the second young master had made trouble with the people of Pianyuan and fought with Zhang's family in Chengcheng. The Ma family was at odds with the two county magistrates, which scared him. He thought to himself, "How can ordinary people fight against officials? The Ma family should only maintain a good relationship with the county magistrate, how could they possibly fight with them?" He hastily dropped his work and rushed back from Xi'an Prefecture.

  To guard against accidents, Ma Zhi Xiong brought back his personal bodyguard and driver, as well as fifteen knife-wielding men. These sixteen people had followed him for many years, possessing both ability and loyalty.

  Zhu Yuanzhang saw Ma Zhi Xiong's black carriage arrive at the entrance of the Ma family mansion, and fifteen knife-wielding men suddenly dispersed, lining up in two rows by the gate. Then the curtain was lifted, and a middle-aged uncle jumped out of the carriage. He wore an ordinary cotton scholar's robe, thick-soled cloth shoes, had a square face, short whiskers, and a resolute and calm expression, with wise light shining in his eyes.

  Ma Qianjiu ran out of the big yard and immediately knelt down on the ground with a "thud" when he saw Ma Zhiyong, his eyes filled with tears: "Young Master, you're finally back."

  "Hmm! Qianjiu, get up and talk." Ma Zhixiong waved his hand.

  "Master Da Shao has been lingering in Xi'an for over a year, and I'm truly worried to death about you..." Ma Qianjiu said as he stood up, speaking of his parting emotions.

  "Qianjiu, you know my habits... let's not talk about this anymore. I'm back to handle proper business." Ma Zhixiong walked towards the courtyard while saying: "Tell me about the situation with Zhang's family in Cheng City... what is the current relationship between our two families?"

  Ma Zhi-xiong returned in a hurry and did not know that Chen Guan-yu, the county magistrate of Baishui, had been overthrown. The Ma family had gained an ally in the form of the Shenyi family, and the Zhang family of Chengcheng had also retreated. At present, he still grasped the situation as it was a few days ago when Qi Guanshi had just died and Ma Qianjiu wrote to him.

  Ma Qianjiu's spirit was lifted, and the recent events were truly worth talking about. He walked towards the hall with Ma Zhixiong, speaking quickly from the beginning of the Xiguan Village incident, recounting each event slowly...

  As he watched the two figures disappear behind the door, Zhu Yuanzhang's mouth slightly curled up. This Ma Zhiyong is not bad, coming home and immediately starting to work, a diligent person. If it were Second Master, I'm afraid he would first take a bath, eat a meal, listen to some music, and then tease the maidservants before reluctantly listening to matters.

  At this time, Bai Shui Wang patted his shoulder and laughed: "Brother, you're in the limelight lately. The maids in the inner courtyard have taken a liking to you. When your clothes get dirty, someone rushes to wash them for you. When your buttons fall off, someone rushes to sew them back on. When are you going to find me a sister-in-law?"

  Zhu Yuanzhang was taken aback and lost his smile: "Wang Ergou, you're not being loyal by saying this. You know as well as I do that I don't like these girls."

  "Hey! You don't like any of these, so what kind do you like?" Wang Er said discontentedly: "I think all these girls are fine, big butt, can give birth, guaranteed to carry on the family line. Big chest, got milk, having a kid won't go hungry."

  Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head and smiled: "You marry a wife just to have a child and nurse? Don't you have any other pursuits?"

  "Hey, isn't that what women are for? What else can they be used for?" Wang Er smiled and said.

  "No wonder no one wants you..." Zhu Yuanzhang jeered at him.

  "Never mind, let's not talk about women. Let's go practice boxing together! Lately, your body has been getting stronger and stronger, I've been thinking, who is more powerful between you and me?" Wang Er rubbed his fists and was eager to give it a try.

  "Of course, you are more powerful." Zhu Yuanzhang immediately admitted defeat. He was aware of his own martial arts skills and although he had a lot of combat experience, due to his physical limitations and strength, at most he was only slightly stronger than an average person. Against ordinary soldiers, he could be slightly superior, but if he encountered a tall and powerful warrior with refined martial arts skills, he would not stand a chance.

  In his previous life, Zhu Yuanzhang had also desperately practiced martial arts, wanting to be both literary and military. Later, when Chang Yuchun came to rely on him, he saw his face and loudly said: "I want to be your vanguard general."

  Zhu Yuanzhang laughed at that time: "What makes you want to be the vanguard as soon as you come? Why don't you start from a small soldier?"

  Chang Yu sprang up and displayed his martial prowess, astonishing everyone in the hall.

  Zhu Yuanzhang then realized that he could not defeat Chang Yuchun even if he practiced for a lifetime... Later, he stopped practicing martial arts and left the fighting to Chang Yuchun and Xu Da, only taking charge of strategy, and the world was easily obtained.

  So Bai Shui Wang Er agreed to spar with him, and without hesitation, he admitted defeat in one move.

  "You're really no fun, you didn't even put up a fight and you've already admitted defeat." Wang Er grumbled discontentedly for a few sentences: "I'm not going to bother with you anymore, I'll go patrol the surrounding villages. Recently it's been peaceful and quiet, nobody has come to cause trouble, and all my energy has nowhere to be used."

  Wang Ermao took big strides and walked far away, while Zhu Yuancheng sat quietly by the side of the field, not moving. He knew that it wouldn't be long before Ma Qianjiu told Master about what had happened recently, and he would be summoned over. Now running around everywhere was no better than sitting here waiting quietly.

  For Zhu Yuanzhang, Master Ma Zhi Xiong was a good connection. He connected the remote small county of Baishui with Xi'an Prefecture. If he stayed in Baishui County for his whole life, he wouldn't know if he would have the opportunity to rise above. But if he could follow Master Ma's lead to Xi'an Prefecture, perhaps there would be a chance to soar to great heights.

  But Zhu Yuanzhang's heart was also very confused, he had been hesitating recently, if he really got an opportunity to mix into the imperial court, or become a small official, or become a teacher, or become a county magistrate... or even become the prime minister of the Grand Council, or even let himself become the emperor, how should he save the Ming Dynasty?

  What method can be used to help this fallen and almost incurable Ming Dynasty escape its suffering?

  "Zhu Ba Ge... Zhu Ba Ge... The stable boy is calling you to hurry up and go to the front hall."

  A sudden voice exploded in Zhu Yuanzhang's ear, pulling him back from his reverie, and it turned out that the housekeeper from the front yard had come to call him.

  Zhu Yuanzhang tidied up his thoughts and walked into the Ma family's large courtyard. As soon as he entered the yard, it was the front yard martial arts arena. Fifteen knife-wielding men were scattered randomly around the arena, either sitting or standing. Zhu Yuanzhang calmly passed through them and arrived in front of the main hall.

  The bodyguard who was rushing to catch the bus was standing in front of the door, with a straw in his mouth. When he saw Zhu Yuanzhang approaching, his eyes instantly locked onto Zhu's footsteps, and after looking at him for a few moments, he suddenly opened his mouth and laughed: "Your physique may be weak, but your aura is not bad, your lower body is stable, and your eyes are sharp! You've killed people before, haven't you?"

  Zhu Yuanzhang's eyebrows slightly furrowed, this person has very sharp eyes.

  The bodyguard liked to observe the passersby around him, taking in every detail, and eliminating all potential dangers. Zhu Yuanzhang's gait was not like that of an ordinary villager, so the bodyguard took notice and immediately spoke up to probe.

  Zhu Yuanzhang knew that he had aroused suspicion in himself, and it was useless to lie to such a person. He nodded at the bodyguard and said in a low voice: "I killed someone before I surrendered to Ma's family, do you want to expose me to the government?"

  "Haha…… I've killed 27 people, do you want to expose me? You'll have to pay the price first!" The bodyguard emphasized "27" and a hint of murderous aura seeped out from his body, as if he was showing off to Zhu Yuanzhang before saying: "Go in! Don't harm my master, or I'll definitely kill you."

  "How dare I be unfavorable to the young master? Ha ha!" Zhu Yuanzhang sighed: "Twenty-seven, really a lot! Killing people like hemp, admirable."

  Zhu Yuanzhang's tone seemed to be genuinely admiring, without a hint of sarcasm. The bodyguard listened with great pleasure, his face flushed with pride. In fact, as a bodyguard, it's better to keep a low profile. He wasn't usually a showy person, but Zhu Yuanzhang's earlier walking posture gave him a sudden urge to say something. Faced with potential danger, he couldn't help but show off his skills, trying to intimidate the other side with his past achievements and prevent them from making any rash moves.

  Zhu Yuanzhang walked into the hall and disappeared behind the gate. The bodyguard suddenly felt a bit strange: What can I do with a humble servant like him? Even if his walking posture had some evil spirit, he was still just a country bumpkin. What's wrong with me? Am I scaring myself for no reason?

  Zhu Yuanzhang walked into the hall, Ma Zhiyong sat in the middle chair of the main hall, with Ma Qianjiu sitting beside him. The two were obviously just chatting, and Ma Qianjiu's face still had a hint of excitement after their high-level discussion. Ma Zhiyong's expression was calm and steady, it was unclear whether he was sad or happy.

  When he saw Zhu Yuanzhang walking over, Ma Qianjiu immediately called out: "Zhu Ba brothers, come quickly to pay respects to the young master."

  Zhu Yuanzhang walked slowly over, bowed to Ma Zhiyong and said: "The humble one has seen the young master." When he bowed, his head had to be slightly lowered, so he couldn't see Ma Zhiyong's face, but he could feel that the other's eyes were fixed on him, sizing him up.

  After a long while, Zhu Yuanzhang finally heard Ma Zhiyong say in a low voice: "I've already heard about this matter from Qianjiu. You did very well, extremely well! Moreover, you refused to surrender to the Shenyi family, showing your loyalty to the Ma family... From now on, I will reuse you."

  "What? He's praising me as soon as he opens his mouth? Zhu Yuanzhang thought he would first intimidate and then show kindness, but unexpectedly, he directly praised him, and couldn't help but feel a shock in his heart: This person is extremely good at winning people over."