AWB Chapter 1092: Lao Ma’s Plan vs. Ming Zhao’s Plan
Chapter 1092: Lao Ma’s Plan vs. Ming Zhao’s Plan
When General Ma heard this, he remembered that Qin was the Empress Dowager's close friend.
No one knows how many bad things Qin said to others behind his back. The Empress Dowager must have learned to speak the same language as the Emperor.
In the eyes of the retired emperor, he is now a completely heartless and cruel bastard who treats his wife and children harshly.
Xiao Yunde looked at Old Ma's pale face and knew what was going on in his mind. "You don't have to speculate. Qin has never said a word about you outside. After all, you are the father of her children. If she says something bad about you, it will only bring shame to the children."
When General Ma's thoughts were exposed, his face turned red and white, and he lowered his head in embarrassment.
"When Qin eloped with you, it caused a huge uproar. She didn't need to tell anyone about it; everyone knew about it. She was a woman who acted on impulse. Even if you don't remember her for abandoning her honor to follow you, you should remember that she gave birth to two wonderful sons for you. And you're actually going to punch her in public today? Your son said he'd fight to the death, even if he had to be tied to the execution ground, for anyone who even touched his mother would do so."
Old Ma felt wronged, "But I'm his father, doesn't that mean he doesn't have to be filial to me?"
"That depends on how you treat him. If you haven't fulfilled your responsibilities as a father, how can you have the confidence to accuse him of being unfilial?" Xiao Yunde couldn't help shaking his head.
"I was defending my country at the border! I..."
"That's why I said you're a good general, but not a good husband or a good father. Besides, Ma Chuyang's eagerness to protect his mother is also filial piety!" Xiao Yunde was tired and waved his hand, "You can think about it yourself."
How come a man who is good at marching, fighting and guarding the border is such a mess when it comes to household chores?
Seeing the impatience on the face of the retired emperor, Old Ma bowed and took his leave.
He wandered alone among the winding corridors of the building when suddenly a sudden enlightenment struck him. If Qin Shi had not been sworn brothers with the Empress Dowager, why would she bother with such trivial household matters?
Even when he was at his most respectable, he never had the honor to talk to him.
Thinking of this, cold sweat broke out on Lao Ma's forehead, soaking through his silk inner garment. As soon as the ship docked, the veteran, who had spent half his life in the military, quietly left the ship and presented a petition to the court asking for his remains.
Emperor Wenxuan's imperial edict read, "You have dedicated half your life to military service, and have rendered great service to the country. I grant you one hundred and twenty mu of permanent farmland outside the capital, which will provide for your descendants; one hundred and fifty taels of silver for your retirement; and six rolls of palace satin for all seasons, for your daily needs. I also grant you a pair of green jade wine vessels with dragon-patterned designs, inscribed with the words 'Retire after Success'. I hope you will enjoy a drink in your spare time, recalling your journey across the frozen rivers."
Such a reward is in line with the normal retirement rules and also saves the veteran's reputation.
General Ma was feeling disappointed, but he was also a little narrow-minded and still remembered the grudge of his youngest son kicking him into the river.
In a fit of rage, he gave all his land, silver, and palace satin to his eldest son Ma Chuyi.
Ma's intentions were clear. First, he wanted to win over his eldest son and prevent him from alienating him. Second, he completely abandoned his youngest son, expressing his dissatisfaction with his youngest son's wife.
The third point is that Qin Shi had always claimed that he had not taken any household allowance, so he would give all his retirement income to his son as household expenses. After a hundred years, he would always have someone to see him off to his grave.
My wishful thinking went into action, and I felt so relieved. I felt like I had gotten a great revenge on my youngest son.
Look, you don't respect me, your father! I won't give you anything!
Unexpectedly, Ma Chuyi, the eldest son of Old Ma, was a man of integrity. He was disgusted by his father and wanted to reject his father's provocation with a righteous look.
He was furious when he heard that his father was going to hit his mother. That was because he wasn't there at the time. If he had been there, he would have definitely kicked her again.
But Ma Chuyi has a wife, Ming Zhao, who is more calculating than General Ma. When she heard that her husband wanted to refuse General Ma’s “inheritance”, what could she do?
"It's father who is wrong, but there's nothing wrong with the land and money. Why should you refuse it? Isn't it better to keep it? If he wants to give it to us, we will take it. If you don't take it, you will have to see him off to the end of his life in the future." Ming Zhao's abacus beads almost hit her husband's face.
However, Ma Chuyi had been married to Ming Zhao for many years, and he knew that although his wife loved money, she never did anything reckless. If she said that, she must have a reason. "What are you going to do?"
"Just accept it. What else can we do? Father wants to sow discord between us and my second brother and his wife. We can just take the money he gives and give it to my second brother and his family. Plus, mother will treat him well and make him mad! Besides..." Ming Zhao said with a shrewd look on his face, "If we refuse so much of the family property, those blood-sucking leeches from your Ma family will be clamoring for it. Why should we let them get away with it? Your last name is Ma, and your children's are also Ma. We are qualified to take this money. Otherwise, just change your surname to Ming."
When Ma Chuyi heard his wife's words, his body trembled and his pupils dilated.
I feel that those who listen to their beloved wives will definitely have a smooth life.
Ma Chuyi accepted General Ma's retirement award with peace of mind and sincerity. At the instigation of his beloved wife, even the few times he called "father" sounded particularly sincere.
Old Ma felt comforted, thinking that at least he had a son who was on his side. He was not a man of many ideas, so he happily stayed at Bixia Pass for half a month.
The eldest daughter-in-law, Mingzhao, served him attentively and handled everything properly. With the experience of the second daughter-in-law, who was flamboyant and childless, the old general's criticism of Mingzhao's business and social life had mostly faded, and he even felt that a capable daughter-in-law was better than one who only caused trouble.
His grandson was diligent and studious, which gave him hope of restoring the glory of the Ma family; his granddaughter was even more graceful and elegant, not only with a beautiful appearance, but also with a good knowledge of poetry, books and etiquette, and an extraordinary conversation.
The eldest son, Ma Chuyi, became more calm and capable, and managed the Bixia Pass military camp in an orderly manner.
In particular, Ming Zhao often spoke well of him in front of his grandchildren, saying, "Grandfather gave you land, property, and money. You must remember this."
The grandchildren all expressed their opinions in front of him, saying that they would be filial to him in the future.
Satisfied, Old Ma handed over his property and returned home, taking only the pair of jade wine vessels with dragon-pattern designs inscribed with the words "Successful Retirement".
It was proof of his life's achievements, so naturally he had to carry it with him.
As soon as Lao Ma left, Ming Zhao sneered, "Just wait and see, your Lao Ma family is about to be turned upside down. When your father returns home, he'll be drunk by his close family members until not a drop of blood is left."
Ma Chuyi felt that his wife was good in every way, except that she kept calling him "your Ma family" or "your dad, your dad", which made him feel uncomfortable.
But he couldn't correct it, because his beloved wife didn't treat his family members as her own.
For example, his beloved wife gets along well with his mother Qin Fangfei, writing to her every few days. She also has a very good relationship with his younger brother Ma Chuyang, and now she is getting along with his sister-in-law Chi Shuang.
Ma Chuyi read Ming Zhao's latest letter. The ink dripped onto the snow-white paper, and it recounted everything that Old Ma had done. It also clearly stated the couple's intentions in accepting the property, without any ambiguity.
The letter ended with, "Zhao Zhao misses you guys so much! Where is your ship at? Why don't we pack up and go after you right now? We can also let the children see what it means to 'read ten thousand books, but not as good as travel ten thousand miles.'"