Chapter Forty-Two: Ma Xiuying

"Choosing a stage" was a phrase often used in the underworld of Jianghuai, meaning to pledge allegiance to one of the two leading figures—Zhu Yuanzhang or Liu Yizhi. At the very least, before the autumn harvest, they needed to solve the problem of feeding several thousand mouths.

But this was also Chang Shan's greatest headache. "This matter can't be rushed. There are still two stages; I want to see them both."

His nephew, usually steady in temperament, grew impatient at this moment. "Uncle, what's there to see? When the old general was alive, we followed them, but now we're waiting for rice to cook—we're waiting for you to make the decision."

Although aside from Zhu Yuanzhang and Liu Yizhi, Guo Tianshu and Zhang Tianyou were also recruiting troops in Jianghuai, with Guo Tianshu as the Marshal of Chuzhou and Zhang Tianyou as Right Deputy Marshal, the second-in-command, neither was seriously considered.

Guo Tianshu was too young, unable to command authority. If not for being Guo Zixing's eldest son, he would have been at best a captain, and some even doubted if he was a competent one. Joining him would likely yield poor results.

Zhang Tianyou was a decent option, but with Zhu Yuanzhang and Liu Yizhi being superior alternatives, and Zhang Tianyou already commanding his own circle—one notorious for its exclusivity—he was only considered when there were no other options.

Despite having only Zhu Yuanzhang and Liu Yizhi as choices, Chang Shan's indecisiveness grew more severe. "I know the family is waiting for rice to cook, but this can't be rushed. We need to see the stage first; we can't decide just by meeting a performer, can we?"

He wanted to meet Zhu Yuanzhang and Liu Yizhi, the two Chuzhou military marshals, in person before making up his mind. Though their wives were in Chuzhou city, he felt women couldn't make household decisions—this needed to be discussed face-to-face with the marshals.

Ma Xiuying shared his view. Despite her heavy pregnancy and occasional pains, her greatest concern now was Liu Yizhi's crossing north of the river. "After so much painstaking planning, all to keep Guo Yunyu from raising her head, but now that Marshal Liu has crossed the river, it's our turn to lower our heads. Both inside and outside the city, those with ambitions must be planning how to present gifts to Marshal Liu!"

She was speaking with Zhu Yuanzhang's nephew, Zhu Wen Zheng, the most trusted kinsman. "Aunt, you should think positively. Since Marshal Liu has crossed the river, things will be easier for Uncle in the south!"

But anything related to Guo Yunyu left Ma Xiuying uneasy. "Whenever I think of Guo Yunyu basking in glory, my heart feels stifled."

Guo Yunyu was Guo Zixing's eldest daughter; Ma Xiuying was his adopted daughter. The two sisters always found themselves competing whenever matters arose.

Ma Xiuying was, in name, an adopted daughter in the Guo household, but in reality, her status was not much above that of a servant, while Guo Yunyu at the time was the quintessential heiress. Yet fortune changed hands; Guo Yunyu nearly married into the Zhu family as a concubine. Ma Xiuying felt that, despite her husband's shortcomings, he was far superior to Liu Yizhi.

Though the prosperity of Chuzhou and Hezhou was the fruit of both Ma Xiuying and Guo Yunyu's labor, Ma Xiuying always believed the land belonged to Zhu Yuanzhang. She and Zhu Wending had prepared to put Guo Yunyu in her place, but Liu Yizhi's arrival across the river rendered their plans futile.

In chaotic times, society was the epitome of male dominance. Both Ma Xiuying and Guo Yunyu could only step forward through their husbands or power. Now that Liu Yizhi was in Chuzhou, the city belonged to him. Zhu Wending lowered his voice, "Aunt, however dazzling Marshal Liu may be, he can't stay long in Chuzhou. The elite of the Chaohu navy are all in Jiangnan; he can't abandon them. If we hold our ground, we'll eventually deal with Guo Yunyu."

Zhu Wending made a fair point, but Ma Xiuying remained tense. "The problem is, a few days is enough to turn Chuzhou upside down. Many people still don’t know Liu Yizhi has returned; once they do, those Green Army commanders and captains will rush to him first. Looks like drastic measures are needed!"

Though young, Zhu Wending knew how to please his aunt. "Aunt, please don't worry, don't let it affect the pregnancy!"

Ma Xiuying sighed before replying. "Wending, you know your uncle has always wanted to take a concubine."

Zhu Wending was instantly nervous, too flustered to respond. Zhu Yuanzhang had just married a distant Guo family branch as a concubine, and he couldn't understand why Ma Xiuying was bringing up old business.

Ma Xiuying continued, "You also know, in chaotic times, besides husband and wife, only the closest kin can be trusted. Someone from the north approached me, saying he had an adopted daughter—truly a noble lady—and hoped she could warm your uncle’s bed and help me with some chores. I didn't agree at the time."

Zhu Wending immediately understood. Taking a concubine didn't require Ma Xiuying's approval, so approaching her meant ulterior motives. Unlike the Guo family branch, who was only for show. "Is it from Yangzhou, Haozhou, or Xiao County?"

Ma Xiuying went on, "But I didn’t entirely refuse, since this marriage alliance comes with three or four thousand troops behind it."

The moment he heard "three or four thousand troops," Zhu Wending grasped the situation. No wonder the terms included both warming Zhu Yuanzhang’s bed and assisting Ma Xiuying—such a force could demand so much. "Aunt, are you planning to agree?"

Ma Xiuying replied helplessly, "I have no choice. We can't let those three or four thousand men be drawn over to Chaohu. If Chaohu gets them, your uncle and I won't be able to keep them under control."