The next morning, Ma Mingfeng got up, and he didn't care about seeing Li Xiangjun and left. In fact, nothing big happened, but one thing was indeed a huge thing for him.

Because the servant Changsheng from the mansion came to the door and said that his wife had heard that he had returned to Nanjing, she had not visited him for several days. She was very angry and told him to meet him no matter what.

Ma Mingfeng felt very ashamed. His mother was indeed very nice to him, but after he arrived in Nanjing, he did not meet her at Ma's mansion. He was really an unfilial son.

It just so happened that he had finished his work. It was rare to have a leisure time today, so he naturally had to go to see him immediately at my mother's request.

But when I first arrived at Ma Mansion, I saw a middle-aged man instructing two teenagers to practice dancing in the open space outside the front hall. Both of them looked twelve or thirteen years old, and they worked very hard when practicing.

Ma Mingfeng looked closely and saw that he knew both of the two young men, one was his younger brother Ma Xi, and the other was Cao Yuansu, the young man from the Cao family in his neighboring village. The middle-aged man was naturally Cao Yuansu's uncle Cao Zhongheng.

"It's fine for Ma Xi, but why is this Cao Yuansu at home?" Ma Mingfeng felt very strange and thought with surprise.

At this moment, he stopped practicing martial arts, and Cao Zhongheng laughed and said, "Nephew, I didn't expect to meet you here. It's so lucky."

"Isn't this a natural thing to meet me at my home? I even said 'I didn't expect'. This Cao Yuansu just said that it was too false. He showed his diligence for nothing, and he would steal it if he was a traitor. It seems that Cao Yuansu must have some conspiracy in his heart, and I can't be fooled."

However, Ma Mingfeng still said with a bright smile: "Yes, yes, we really don't meet anywhere in life. I really didn't expect to meet Senior Cao in my house."

When Cao Zhongheng heard this, his old face turned red and he smiled embarrassedly, "Actually, I am waiting for you here. You may not know that I have even resigned from my official position just to be able to come to Nanjing. I know that as the newly appointed governor of Jinghai in the court, you must urgently need a large number of talents around you. I don't have other skills, but I still have the strength. As long as you don't dislike me, you can be a veteran under your command."

Ma Mingfeng was certainly happy after hearing this. He knew the other party's ability. Even if he was not bad at all, he was not bad at all. In addition, he had been practicing martial arts for many years and had rich experience. If he was asked to join, he would have another powerful general under his command, which would of course be a good thing.

But Ma Mingfeng was a little confused. Old Cao was originally a general bannerman in Guizhou, but it was because he had nothing to do with him and had no chance to make military achievements. Otherwise, even if he was a thousand households or even a commander with his ability, there would be no problem at all.

But why do people like this willingly give up their position and rather be a soldier under their command?

However, Cao Zhongheng said with a look of embarrassment: "I know it may be dangerous to be a soldier under your command, but this is also a good opportunity to make achievements. A man who is a real man has only a lot of skills but cannot serve the country is a great regret in life. So after thinking about it, I decided to give up the position of the general flag, start with a soldier by your side, and fight for fame with one sword and one shot. It is much better than always being a general flag."

Seeing that the other party said this, Ma Mingfeng felt that it was reasonable and nodded and said, "Since that's the case, you should start with my personal soldiers. But there is one thing that makes it clear in advance. Although you are my elder, the military orders are as high as a mountain, and no one can violate it. Otherwise, let alone you, even my father, I will not be able to protect you."

"That's natural. Do you think I came to the army to get your care? I'm to be someone who is useful to you." Cao Zhongheng slapped his chest and said with a loud laugh.

Ma Mingfeng had no doubts about this, so he formally brought Cao Zhongheng into the army.

After Cao Zhongheng was admitted to the army, Ma Xi and Cao Yuansu also asked to join the army. However, Ma Mingfeng thought about it and finally did not agree. Not only that, Ma Mingfeng also kept Liu Zhaoqi, allowing them to stay in the Ma Mansion to learn literature and martial arts, learn skills, and wait two years before letting them go to the battlefield.

Although the three teenagers were a little unwilling, they remained under Ma Mingfeng's coercion. From then on, they urged each other to learn military tactics during the day and practice martial arts at night, and made great progress.

After that, Ma Mingfeng came to the main hall and finally met his mother, Li Shixiyue.

However, what is surprising is that there is a young woman standing beside my mother. This woman is pretty, dignified and quiet. The most important thing is that he actually knew her. She turned out to be Cao Yuansu's sister Cao Lingyue.

After seeing his mother, Ma Mingfeng asked in surprise: "Miss Cao, why are you here?"

Cao Lingyue's face turned red and she didn't know what to say.

But when she saw her mother say, "Lingyue's uncle and younger brother all came to Nanjing. Lingyue had no support, so she came with her. She saw that she had no support and asked her to call her mother, so she and you are not outsiders. Because of this, I did not let her avoid it."

"So that's the case. Wouldn't the child have an extra sister?" Ma Mingfeng was also very happy and hurriedly stepped forward to greet him.

Cao Lingyue returned the favor shyly, trying to open her mouth to speak, but she felt a little embarrassed.

Seeing this, his mother Li Xiyue hurriedly said, "Lingyue, you and Dalang are not outsiders, why bother to be so arrogant? You can just say anything directly."

Cao Lingyue nodded, hesitated for a moment and said, "Da Lang has worked hard all the way. I heard that Da Lang was appointed as the governor of Jinghai by the court and is responsible for business affairs. I wonder how Da Lang is preparing?"

After hearing this, Ma Mingfeng sighed softly and said, "It's so complicated, it's still too far away. The problem of the shipyard has been initially solved, but it's almost impossible to get a large number of sea boats in your time. In addition, we still lack excellent professionals with navigation technology and experience, and translators who deal with Westerners."

At this time, Cao Lingyue suddenly spoke, "Why don't you find a way to hire mature caravans and fleets? As long as they are guided, they can gradually mature, not only with low costs, but also with rapid trade in a short period of time."

"Well? This is a good idea." Ma Mingfeng suddenly realized after hearing this. He didn't expect that such a good idea would come from the hands of this ordinary weak woman. He was very curious, how could she have such a wonderful idea?

So Ma Mingfeng said in admiration: "This is really an amazing and good idea. I really don't know how you came up with it? It's really admirable."

But Cao Lingyue said, "My father was originally a businessman. I have been interested in business since I was a child. I often ask about this and that around my father, and finally learned some business knowledge. I didn't expect it to be useful today. I was so lucky."
Chapter completed!