Drive to the Tang Dynasty, where supplies are refreshed daily!

Chapter 95 Incestuous Marriage!

“That’s no problem at all. We’ll sign it when we get back.” Li Lizhi agreed. This had already been discussed, so there were no objections.

Xiao Ran previously said that he was in charge of mining and washing coal, while Li Lizhi was in charge of transportation and sales, meaning that Li Lizhi had no access to the coal washing process.

Li Shimin was very interested in the coal washing technology, and Li Lizhi hesitated to speak, but naturally understood its value.

I really want this technology, but I don't know how to ask.

"Fifth Sister, is there anything you want to say?" Xiao Ran could tell as well.

"No, no." Li Shimin hadn't decided how to change it, so Li Lizhi naturally couldn't say anything.

It would be better to wait until you've decided what to exchange before discussing it further.

"Fifth Sister, is something on your mind? Although I have just arrived in Chang'an and don't know much about the Tang Dynasty, I might be able to offer some advice."

Xiao Ran could only offer suggestions; he certainly couldn't solve the problem that was giving even the eldest princess, Li Lizhi, a headache.

Xiao Ran was well aware of this.

"It's nothing serious, just some trivial matters," Li Lizhi said with a forced smile.

She is completely different from the previous Li Lizhi.

Previously, Xiao Ran had no contact with the so-called aristocracy and high society, but now he discovers that they also have their troubles.

It's not about food and drink; it's about much bigger worries.

Li Lizhi was unwilling to talk about it, so Xiao Ran didn't ask any further. Asking again would be a bit inconsiderate and annoying.

However, Li Lizhi was always absent-minded.

Xiao Ran was also wondering what troubles Li Lizhi might have in the sixth year of Zhenguan.

I can't remember, I can't recall anything.

Li Lizhi remained uninterested throughout. She was polite during the conversation, but the feeling she had before was gone.

Xiao Ran could clearly sense the distance between them.

Having strolled to the vicinity of the coal mine, Xiao Ran briefly explained his plans.

Li Lizhi nodded, "I don't understand these things, young master, you can arrange it. Once the coal is washed, I will arrange for someone to transport it away."

"The roads nearby don't look very good; they should be repaired," Li Lizhi said.

"I'll arrange this; the villagers can fix it." Xiao Ran didn't give any money; he went directly to Zhang Mingde to make the arrangements.

The villagers also receive dividends, so it's only right that they do some work.

Road repairs don't require hiring anyone else or paying them.

It was originally in Kaolao Village, so it's perfectly reasonable for the villagers to build it themselves.

"it is good!"

The two returned home and had Li Lizhi write an agreement, which they prepared to sign.

Xiao Ran found Zhang Jinhe and said, "Jinniang, please go and invite Grandpa over. We have something to discuss."

"Okay, I'll go right away!" Zhang Jinhe made the trip himself.

It's not appropriate for other people to go.

Zhang Jinhe didn't know what he did, but anyone named Zhang Mingde was probably connected to the village.

Zhang Mingde arrived at Xiao Ran's house soon and greeted Sun Simiao first.

Xiao Ran stood up to greet him, "Grandpa, there's something I'd like to talk to you about."

“Old Village Chief!” Li Lizhi also stood up and greeted him.

"Fifth Sister!" Zhang Mingde was still unaware of Li Lizhi's exact identity, but he knew she was a very wealthy and powerful person.

After everyone sat down, Xiao Ran spoke up, saying, "There's a lot of coal over there. I tried it before, and it's usable after processing."

"Now I want to dig it up, process it, and sell it. Fifth Sister will help with the mining, and be responsible for transportation and sales. We'll divide it according to a 40/40/20 split."

Sun Simiao, who was standing nearby, was also very curious. Xiao Ran didn't try to hide it from the others, and they all heard it.

Zhang Mingde nodded, not quite understanding why he had been called here.

The land is desolate, and so is the ability to process coal.

Li Lizhi has a certain social standing and background, so she didn't actually need to seek help from Zhang Mingde.

"My fifth sister and I will each take 40%, and the remaining 20% ​​will go to the village."

Xiao Ran's words startled Zhang Mingde and Zhang Jinhe, causing their eyes to widen.

"The money will be divided equally among the family members, regardless of how many people are in the family."

Sun Simiao put down the pestle in his hand and looked up at Xiao Ran, a glimmer of clarity appearing in his cloudy eyes.

He stroked his long beard, nodded slowly, and said with a hint of approval, "Young master's actions have indeed proven the principle of 'taking from here and using it here.'"

"Good things are easy to come by, but what is rare is this kind of selfless mind. Young man, by giving two-tenths of the profits to the village, you may seem to be reducing your personal gain, but in fact, you are ensuring that this business can last—only when people are united can things go smoothly."

"This coal is buried underground in Kaolao Village. The profits from its extraction can be shared with the villagers, which not only solves their livelihood problems but also avoids the bias of monopolizing the benefits. It can be considered a benevolent act."

"That's a rare treat!"

Sun Simiao nodded approvingly.

Zhang Mingde stood up excitedly, "Young master, this is too much! This 20% profit is no small amount when divided among every household!"

Zhang Mingde was well aware of what all this meant.

With this income, we won't have to worry about taxes in the future.

Zhang Jinhe was surprised, but then thought it was normal; this was something Xiao Ran was capable of doing.

Zhang Erya heard it too, but didn't say a word.

Zhang Erya thought everything Xiao Ran did made sense.

“Grandpa, this is all we should do, there’s no need for that. In the future, when we need to mine and wash coal, we’ll need the villagers’ help. I definitely can’t do it all by myself.”

Zhang Mingde excitedly grabbed Xiao Ran, "This isn't just helping the young master! This is the young master doing a favor for the village!"

“Grandpa, please tell the villagers that the road needs to be repaired first, otherwise it will be inconvenient to transport the goods out.”

"Alright, alright, this is only right. I'll go and inform the villagers right away." Zhang Mingde didn't stand on ceremony with Xiao Ran.

This is for the benefit of the village.

Li Lizhi and Princess Yuzhang smiled, understanding that Xiao Ran had completely established himself in Kaolao Village.

Offering such benefits would make it impossible for the villagers to reject Xiao Ran.

They integrated very well.

Soon, the people of Kaolao Village gathered under the big locust tree, and Zhang Mingde told them about Xiao Ran's situation.

As soon as Zhang Mingde finished speaking, the crowd fell into a deathly silence, which was then followed by an uproar.

My great-grandfather picked his ear. "Village head, say it again? Two-tenths of the profits, divided equally among the households?"

"I'm just an old man who was thinking of getting by day by day, but I never expected to benefit from the young master's good fortune... Count me in for the road repair job!"

A group of teenagers huddled together, rubbing their hands together with excited eyes: "Mining coal? Washing coal? That sounds amazing! Young men, just call out if you need help, we've got plenty of strength!"

"That's right! From now on, if anyone dares to say a bad word about the young master, I'll be the first to object!"

Looking at the commotion before him, Zhang Mingde raised his hand and pressed down, his voice hoarse:
"Quiet down, everyone! The young master said that the road must be built before coal can be transported! Each household must contribute one person, and we'll start work tomorrow morning! Anyone who tries to slack off or try to cut corners will be punished!"

"it is good!"

"no problem!"

"Two people from my family!"

The responses rose and fell, causing the locust tree leaves to rustle and fall to the ground.

Some of the impatient ones had already gone home to get their hoes, muttering as they walked, "We need to widen the road as soon as possible, so as not to delay the young man's good time..." Sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves, shining on their smiling faces, warmer than the autumn sun.

After collecting the persimmon frost, Li Lizhi and Princess Yuzhang left early.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Li Lizhi is unlikely to come next time.

In fact it does.

As dawn broke, before the roosters of Kaolao Village crowed, a large, dark mass of people had already gathered under the old locust tree.

The men carried hoes and shovels, their trousers rolled up to their knees, revealing their muscular calves.

The women carried bamboo baskets filled with cornbread and water bags, some of them leading half-grown children—the children clutching small hoes, standing on tiptoe, gazing at the distant dirt road, their eyes shining like stars.

Zhang Dalang was also in the crowd; it wouldn't be appropriate for him to be absent from such an event.

With almost everyone present, Zhang Jinhe led a group of people to repair the road.

Xiao Ran and Zhang Jinhe had discussed the specifics of where and how to repair the structures.

If Zhang Jinhe hadn't been a woman, she might have been the next village head.

Zhang Erya also went over to help prepare the meals.

Zhang Mingde paid for the millet and other groceries for cooking upfront, and the cost will be deducted from their payment later.

We can't let Zhang Mingde pay; we should split the cost equally.

If we discuss it beforehand, everyone will be able to accept it.

Zhang Mingde, the old village head, is usually quite dutiful and fair.

My great-grandfather was old and could no longer swing a hoe, so he would squat on the ground and pick up stones. His withered fingers, like eagle claws, would pry out the broken bricks embedded in the mud one by one.

“The young master has shown us a way out; we can’t let people talk behind our backs.”

The young men, barely out of their teens, worked the hardest, shirtless as they carried thick wooden poles to pave the roadbed, shouting work chants: "Heave-ho—give it your all—"

The shouts were so loud they made the wild chrysanthemums by the roadside sway.

The women were mixing mud on the side, mixing chopped wheat straw into the clay, and patting it firmly, saying that this would prevent the road from sinking in.

The children weren't idle either; they truly mobilized the entire village to repair the road.

Xiao Ran arrived a little late, and Sun Simiao and San Niang went with him.

Upon seeing Xiao Ran arrive, they all greeted him warmly, "Young Master!"

"Xiao Langjun!"

Xiao Ran was a little embarrassed, but responded with a smile.

Zhang Mingde couldn't do it himself, but he watched from the sidelines.

"Young master, how do you see things now?" Zhang Jinhe asked.

"It's fine now. This repair is fine. If it's repaired thoroughly, it will last longer and avoid needing further repairs later."

Sun Simiao was not idle either; he joined in the work.

“Sir, this is absolutely not allowed!” Zhang Mingde said hurriedly, “How could I let you do this job?”

Sun Simiao put down the stone rammer in his hand, a gentle smile on his face: "Old village chief, you're mistaken. Although I'm not from Kaolao Village, I've lived here for some time. The young man treats me like family, and the villagers often bring me fresh vegetables. I remember this kindness in my heart."

"Young man is working hard for the village's well-being, and the villagers are all working together. It's only right that I, an old man, lend a hand!"

"Living in the same village is fate. Regardless of whether you are from the same village or not, let's get to work quickly, and see the benefits as soon as possible. That's the important thing."

"What the old gentleman said is very true!" Zhang Mingde was in high spirits, and he could not hide the smile on his face.

The actual coal mining has not yet begun.

Li Lizhi has also made arrangements for the transportation.

For the royal family, it's just a matter of a word.

Li Lizhi doesn't need to worry about it; someone else will take care of it.

Two days later, Princess Yuzhang arrived with her two little princesses.

This time, Princess Yuzhang and her companions also went out to check on the road repairs.

The two little princesses love excitement.

It's not busy now; almost every household is helping out, including the children.

Sun Simiao finished arranging the medicinal herbs and then helped out.

Sun Simiao was old, but he was really strong.

Cheng Tiehuan stayed with Princess Yuzhang and her three maids, while Li Wu worked alongside them.

Everyone, young and old, is busy. If you don't work here, you won't feel right.

I noticed that two children were walking abnormally.

Sun Simiao put down his hoe to check it out.

Xiao Ran and Princess Yuzhang also joined in.

The child's mother also came over, "Sir, my son Erlang was born like this, is there any treatment available?"

Sun Simiao shook his head, "Difficult, very difficult!"

Looking at the child's deformed legs, Xiao Ran said, "This kind of deformity seems to only occur in cases of consanguineous marriage."

Everyone looked at Xiao Ran, not quite understanding.

"Young master, what is close kinship?" Princess Yuzhang seemed to understand, but not quite.

“Immediate family members and collateral relatives within three generations are all considered close relatives,” Xiao Ran said.

The child's mother murmured to herself, "His father...it seems to be..."

Xiao Ran asked carefully and found out that the child's mother was from the next village and they were cousins.

“It really is consanguineous marriage!” Xiao Ran looked at the deformed child with a sense of helplessness.

The Tang Code on Household and Marriage clearly stipulates that "those who marry within the same surname shall each be sentenced to two years of penal servitude," meaning that marriage between people of the same surname, especially those from the same clan, is prohibited.

In ancient times, "surname" and "clan" were closely linked. Having the same surname often meant that they came from the same source and were close relatives by paternal blood.

This rule can be traced back to the ancient system of "no marriage between people with the same surname" in the Western Zhou Dynasty. Its purpose was to avoid ethical chaos within the clan, rather than biological considerations.

The Tang Code stipulated that "marriage between relatives within the five degrees of mourning shall be considered adultery," meaning that marriage between collateral relatives within the five degrees of mourning, such as the daughter of a brother or cousin, would be considered "adultery" and would be punished more severely.

The law does not prohibit "close relatives of different surnames" such as cousins.

For example, cousins ​​on the paternal and maternal sides, because they belong to different surnames, were not included in the "prohibition of marriage between people with the same surname" and were allowed and even common at the time, which is fundamentally different from the modern concept of "close relatives".

In this era, people were unaware that consanguineous marriage could lead to genetic diseases; their concerns stemmed primarily from ethical considerations.

Sun Simiao keenly sensed that this was a point of knowledge and quickly asked, "Young master, what are the harms of marriage between close relatives?"

Xiao Ran looked at Sun Simiao and Princess Yuzhang, his tone both firm and regretful: "Consanguineous marriage, that is, marriage between relatives who are too closely related by blood, like cousins, can easily lead to problems with their children."

He pointed to the deformed child: "For example, Erlang was born with a physical deformity. Some children are born too young and cannot be raised, or they are born with some diseases - they can't breathe, they are mentally challenged, they have incomplete limbs... These cases are far more common than in families where the children are not related by blood."

Sun Simiao frowned and said in a deep voice, "Does the young master mean that this is not a coincidence, but that it is more likely to happen when blood relatives are close?"

“Exactly.” Xiao Ran nodded. “The closer the blood relation, the more likely these troublesome things are to happen to the child. It’s not that it’s always the case, but the risk is much higher.”

Princess Yuzhang frowned. "It seems my elder sister also falls into the category of consanguineous marriage!"

Xiao Ran looked at Princess Yuzhang, "Is Fifth Sister getting married?"

"I'm getting married next year, to my cousin."

"Changsun Chong!" Xiao Ran realized.

(End of this chapter)