lovenovelstory Chapter 6 The Second Northern Expedition is about to begin
Chapter 6 The Second Northern Expedition is about to begin
"That's our Chongba brother and sister-in-law! Tiande, you're wonderful in every way, but you're being too formal. We're all family."
Tang He chewed on fatty meat, sipped some wine, and savored the lingering fragrance on his lips and teeth, his hands covered in grease.
Xu Da shook his head and chuckled after hearing this, then pointed at Tang He in front of him and said, "It's only because the Empress is here that Tang He, with your temperament, would have gotten into big trouble sooner or later."
"Then we must wish our sister-in-law a long and healthy life, and boundless happiness."
Tang He continued talking to himself, completely oblivious.
He really didn't believe that brothers who had grown up together could become estranged.
……
Majia Village, Wang Xiucai's private school.
As evening approached, the clouds on the horizon were tinged with the glow of the sunset, illuminating a crimson hue.
When it was time to cook dinner at home, the children in the private school, who were about the same age as Ma Xiuying, carried their schoolbags filled with books for learning to read and write, and followed the school's rules as they walked out one after another.
But as soon as they left the private school, the children scattered in all directions, revealing their free and unrestrained nature.
Ma Xiuying, however, walked calmly among the children, appearing as mature as a young man.
The children didn't care, but in the eyes of Wang Xiucai, who was watching them leave from the private school, this appearance was exceptionally eye-catching.
"Grandpa Ma's grandson is precocious, which is rare, truly rare. Perhaps he can really learn a thing or two from him, and even if he doesn't pass the imperial examination, he has a three-tenths chance of becoming a scholar."
Wang Xiucai, a scholar who studied in the countryside, taught children in this village for many years.
Even during times of war.
He had once held a job in the county thanks to his status as a scholar, but now that he is old, he has retired back to the village and set up this private school to support his family.
Over the years, with frequent wars, he still has this keen eye.
The stream gurgled downstream, and Ma Xiuying followed several children downstream. When they reached the edge of the village, she could see smoke rising from her own courtyard in the distance, presumably because they were cooking.
She took a deep breath, quickened her pace, and soon arrived home.
Looking around, there was no one in the courtyard.
Only rustling sounds came from the direction of the kitchen.
After placing the books in the side room, Ma Xiuying went into the kitchen.
Inside the house, a woman was using a blowpipe to start a fire in the stove. A large pot on the earthen stove was boiling water, and the firewood underneath was making a "chirping" sound.
"Awen, you're back from the private school?"
When Ma Xiuying's mother, Wang Shiyun, saw her standing in front of the door, she waved to her, "Your father and grandfather went up the mountain to collect firewood. Wait in the yard first, and we'll call you when the meal is ready."
Looking at Wang Shiyun at this moment, Ma Xiuying was reminded of her deceased parents.
Only after becoming a parent do you truly understand how difficult things are for them.
Ma Xiuying's nose tingled slightly. She tilted her head back to calm herself down, then walked over to Wang Shiyun, squatted down, took the bellows, and blew hard: "Mom, I'll help you."
"Go away, go play somewhere else, stop fooling around."
Wang Shiyun stood with her hands on her hips, ready to grab her brat's ear and give him a good scolding, but when she glanced down, she was immediately stunned.
Ma Xiuying's movements were quite impressive.
"Dad is right. It's always good for children to study. They've only been gone for half a day, and there's already a lot of change."
"That's because you taught me well, Mother."
Ma Xiuying also complimented her mother.
Upon hearing this, Wang Shiyun's lips curled slightly, and a hint of reminiscence flashed in her eyes.
As the daughter-in-law of the Ma family, Wang Shiyun was no ordinary peasant woman, but a young lady from a once-prosperous family.
Although her family was not originally high-ranking officials, they were still associated with officials and gentry. It was only because of the war that she married Ma Xiulin, the only son of the Ma family.
I heard that it was Grandpa Ma who personally approved the marriage.
It must be said that Mr. Ma's vision is indeed unique.
With such a good daughter-in-law who took good care of her husband and children, the Ma family suddenly produced two scholars.
Although he has not yet achieved official rank, Ma Xiulin has been studying literature for many years, and Wang Xiucai, the scholar at the village private school, has already made his prediction.
He at least passed the county-level examination.
At that time, being respectfully addressed as "Young Master" in the fields of Majia Village would be a great honor.
However, after the county examination, there is the prefectural examination, and after the prefectural examination, there is the provincial examination. Only by passing these three stages can one be considered to have passed the county-level examination and become a scholar.
They would be exempt from corvée labor, not required to kneel before officials, and allowed to wear blue robes.
Most importantly, for the Ma family, this also represents a glimmer of hope for them to be exempted from their military household status.
Being a military household is a good thing compared to being a poor peasant, but it is also a bad thing. Not to mention that the Ming Dynasty is currently preparing for its second Northern Expedition in order to completely eliminate the remaining forces of the Yuan Dynasty in the northern grasslands.
When conscription is in effect, ordinary people may still have room to refuse, but for these sons of military households, at least one person in each generation must join the army.
As we all know, war can kill people.
While Ma Xiuying blew on the fire, Wang Shiyun was also busy, rolling up her sleeves and chopping vegetables with a cutting board. The mother and son worked together in the kitchen, achieving twice the result with half the effort.
That evening, Wang Shiyun specifically mentioned that Ma Xiuying had helped with the cooking, which immediately earned her praise from everyone in the family.
Ma Xiuying lowered her head shyly. Being praised like a good child by a group of people who were actually younger than her made her feel a little embarrassed, even though she was indeed a child herself.
But the more she acted this way, the more her family members loved to tease her.
"Alright! Master, dinner's ready."
Ma Xiuying quickly shouted loudly.
"You brat, do you even know what shame is?"
Grandpa Ma continued joking.
The Ma family didn't have any rules about "not speaking while eating or sleeping," and Ma Xiuying didn't care about such things either. Even in the palace, she wasn't particular about these rules, and the family finished their meal chatting and laughing.
After the meal, Wang Shiyun and Ma Xiulin cleared away the dishes and went to the kitchen to wash them.
Afterwards, the family gathered again in the courtyard.
The moonlight was beautiful tonight, bright and clear, but the atmosphere at the Ma family's house became heavy.
Ma Xiuying carried a stool and sat down. She then saw Wang Shiyun in the courtyard looking troubled. Wang Shiyun said in a deep voice, "Father, Uncle Zhang and the others have all gone back to the Hundred Household Office one after another."
"Is this leave about to expire?"
As soon as Wang Shiyun finished speaking, the impatient Ma Xiulin immediately became anxious: "So fast? Dad, it's only been less than half a month. In previous years, it usually took at least a month!"
"There's only one holiday a year, that Commander Sun is really going too far."
Ma Xiulin was filled with righteous indignation and angrily cursed in a deep voice.
Upon hearing this, Ma Xiuying's expression darkened slightly.
How could the corruption in local health stations have become so severe in such a short time?
It should be noted that the establishment of military garrisons throughout the present-day Ming Dynasty territory is a recent phenomenon, dating back only about six months.
It was already so corrupt from the beginning. If it is not curbed, not to mention these trivial matters, even military farms and military pay will be in trouble.
"Rank can crush you. It's already pretty good to be working under someone else. At least Commander Sun hasn't made a move on the military fields yet, otherwise, we wouldn't even be able to afford to pay for Wen's schooling."
As soon as Grandpa Ma spoke, Ma Xiulin, who had been angry just moments before, fell silent.
The worst thing is to compare things.
Sun Baihu was indeed excessive, but compared to the other Baihu officers in Zhongli County, he was actually the tallest among the short.
Aside from his excessive emphasis on law within the garrison, which led to some overcorrection, incorruptibility, and ruthlessness, he was otherwise quite competent.
Otherwise, if this exploitation continues, deserters will likely appear in the garrisons once war breaks out.