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

Chapter 98 Changsun Wuji puts the overall situation first!

After Li Lizhi finished speaking, she gave all the prepared data to Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun.

Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun were initially confused, but the more they looked, the more they felt something was wrong.

"How terrifying!" Li Shimin frowned.

As a wise and ambitious emperor, he naturally understood what these things meant for a country.

If it were just casual talk, it wouldn't have such a huge impact.

However, the difference becomes very clear when comparing consanguineous marriages with non-consanguineous marriages.

“Father, each of these households has an address. You and Mother can send someone to verify them,” Li Lizhi added.

“My dear girl, I will naturally believe what you have said.” Li Shimin also realized that this matter could not be delayed.

Empress Zhangsun immediately thought of Li Lizhi and Zhangsun Chong, "The girl and Chong'er are also close relatives!"

Li Lizhi remained silent, leaving the matter to Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun.

“This is of great importance; we must go to Kaolao Village.” Li Shimin felt that this matter could not be delayed.

"Alright!" Empress Zhangsun nodded and began preparing the carriage and other necessities.

If Li Shimin, Empress Zhangsun, and others were going, the two little princesses would definitely join in the fun.

They called Li Wu and Zhang Anan, and the group left the palace.

"Mother, why are we going now?" Princess Chengyang remembered that it was always in the morning, but this time it was a little late.

"Because Father has something very important to do!" Empress Zhangsun said, holding the little princess.

"Hehe~" The little princess didn't care when it was; she was happy as long as she could go.

"I want to play with Third Sister~ and Little Black too~"

The carriage stopped directly in front of Xiao Ran's house, and the sound of dogs barking could be heard.

Soon Xiao Ran brought San Niang out.

Xiao Ran was also puzzled as to why they were coming at this time.

"Uncle, Madam"

"Nephew, you've bothered me again." Li Shimin got off the carriage.

Empress Zhangsun, Li Lizhi, and several others came down one after another.

"Aha~" The little princess was as excited as ever.

Seeing the two little sisters, Third Sister was also happy.

Seeing the two little princesses get out of the car, Xiao Hei sidled up to them and nuzzled against them.

The little princess gave Xiao Hei a big hug.

The group entered the courtyard and saw that Sun Simiao was also there.

Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun took the initiative to go over and greet them.

They all worked together tacitly and did not reveal the identities of Li Shimin and the others.

Zhang Erya was unaware of the situation and quickly helped entertain Li Shimin and his entourage.

Without Xiao Ran saying anything, Zhang Erya brewed a cup of green tea for everyone.

Before getting down to business, let's have Empress Zhangsun have a follow-up examination to check on her recovery.

Li Shimin also took the opportunity to check it out.

Judging from the battle wound records of the Six Steeds of Zhaoling, Li Shimin must have had many old wounds throughout his life of fighting.

These six warhorses that accompanied him in conquering the world are all marked with the imprint of blood and fire.

During the fierce battle outside Luoyang, "Sa Lu Zi" was shot in the chest with an arrow. When Qiu Xinggong pulled the arrow out for it, Li Shimin was trapped in the enemy's formation.

During his battle with Liu Heita, "Quanmaogua" was struck by nine arrows, his saddle soaked with blood.

"Shifa Chi", "Qing Zhui", "Te Le Biao" and "Bai Ti Wu" also have records of being hit by arrows, ranging from four to more than ten.

If even warhorses were like this, how could Li Shimin, who led the charge, have escaped unscathed?

After taking Li Shimin's pulse, Sun Simiao carefully examined his complexion and tongue coating before slowly saying, "General, this ailment is an old one accumulated from your early years of fighting. It needs to be healed slowly and cannot be rushed."

"Although the skin and flesh of the arrow wound on my back have healed, the blood and qi in the meridians inside are still congested, and it aches and swells whenever it is cloudy or rainy. Before going to bed at night, you can boil ginger in water, scald a towel, and apply it as a hot compress for half an hour to dispel some of the cold."

As Sun Simiao spoke, he lightly pointed to the corresponding spot on his back with his fingertip, "You must not catch a cold again, and you should not stay up all night to handle affairs. If your blood and energy are depleted, old injuries will easily flare up again."

Turning his gaze to his left shoulder, Sun Simiao's tone became even more somber: "This blunt force injury on your shoulder has damaged the tendons and bones."

"Avoid lifting heavy objects or doing jobs that require vigorous arm swings. I'll prescribe some topical ointment for you; change it daily to make things a little easier."

Finally, his gaze fell on Li Shimin's right leg, and Sun Simiao sighed:

"Falling from a horse injures the tendons and bones, and long-distance travel or standing for long periods of time is most dangerous. General, you are probably not able to travel far now. In the future, when you travel, make sure the carriage is padded with thicker padding so that your leg bones are not subjected to further shocks."

Sun Simiao gave many instructions.

Xiao Ran was also watching from the side. Sun Simiao's attitude towards Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun was the same as his attitude towards everyone else in the village.

He did not look down on the villagers, nor did he fawn over Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun.

Xiao Ran was completely convinced; he truly treated everyone equally.

In Sun Simiao's eyes, they were all patients.

There is no distinction between high and low, noble and base.

Li Shimin humbly accepted Sun Simiao's instructions.

Li Shimin was also very polite to people like Sun Simiao.

After preparing the prescriptions for Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun, Li Shimin finally got down to business.

Take out the survey data that Li Lizhi had prepared beforehand.

"Old sir, regarding what you said before about close relatives not being able to marry, Fifth Sister went back and investigated, and here is the investigation report." Li Shimin handed the Xuan paper to Sun Simiao.

Sun Simiao frowned, not finding it too surprising.

However, the impact of these data was too great, and even Sun Simiao could not remain calm.

Sun Simiao held the two pieces of paper, his fingertips tracing the densely packed numbers, his withered fingers trembling slightly.

He has practiced medicine for over seventy years and has seen countless infants die young and disabled children. Yet, even with these bloody facts laid out on paper and compared line by line, his heart still feels heavy, as if a boulder is pressing down on it.

"As expected... just as I thought."

He sighed deeply, his voice filled with profound weariness and sorrow.

“Old sir, this marriage alliance is a long-standing tradition, and we were unaware of it before!” Li Shimin looked at Sun Simiao, “Why did you suddenly discover this?”

Sun Simiao looked at Xiao Ran and said, "The old man just felt something was off before, but didn't think much of it. It was the young master who pointed it out."

"Nephew, compared to cousins, isn't the situation more serious?" Li Shimin had this question.

“They’re the same,” Xiao Ran said. “Cousins ​​share the same paternal genes, while first cousins ​​share the same maternal genes. There’s not much difference.”

Although I don't know what 'gene' means, I roughly understand what Xiao Ran meant.

“The most serious issue is between siblings, right?” Li Shimin understood what Xiao Ran meant.

“Yes, this is the most serious case. They have similar genes from the same parents. When two people like this get married, their children are more likely to get sick.” Xiao Ran nodded.

Sun Simiao gently placed the sheet of Xuan paper filled with data on the table, his knuckles tracing the surface. His gaze fell on the children playing in the corner of the courtyard, and his voice carried a sigh tinged with melancholy:
"I used to lament the fickleness of fate, but now I realize that some of the 'fickleness' is actually the knot in people's hearts that has not been untied."

"Bone breaks can be set, but the deficiency in the blood can never be made up... If it can reduce the suffering of the children in the future, it's worth it for this old man to make a few more trips."

Li Shimin picked up the teacup, his fingertips lingering on the warm surface. When he looked up, his gaze was deep and serious, but his tone carried an unmistakable solemnity:
"I've kept the old man's words in mind."

“All children in this world are the apple of their parents’ eye, and there is no reason for them to suffer.”

"After I get back, I will definitely settle these accounts one by one, and I will not dare to be negligent in the slightest."

Sun Simiao knew very well that whether this matter could be changed depended on Emperor Li Shimin.

Otherwise, people from other places will continue to form close-knit relationships. And all sorts of tragedies will continue to unfold.

Xiao Ran was knowledgeable in theory, but Sun Simiao was more qualified to speak on the specifics.

Now we eat three meals a day, and by dinner time it's completely dark.

We've reached an agreement, and it's just the right time to have a meal together.

Everyone loves the food at Xiao Ran's place, and since they're already here, there's no reason not to enjoy a meal here.

When the three little girls get together, they'll even pass food to each other.

Zhang Dalang also returned, his forehead still wrapped in a cloth.

Li Shimin now knows about Zhang Dalang's situation.

I'm not worried!

After dinner, when the group went back, Xiao Ran took a flashlight.

"Uncle, it will get dark tonight, take this with you," Xiao Ran said.

Li Shimin was surprised when the lights came on, not knowing it was for lighting.

This is much brighter than a lantern.

"Wow~" The little princess was delighted, finding it very interesting.

"Little Nangjun, let me see you~"

Xiao Ran turned on the flashlight and handed it to the little princess, saying, "Here you go, Sizi."

The little princess took the flashlight and shone it into the distance, where she saw a very clear beam of light.

"Hehe~ Fun~"

The little princess shone the flashlight, "It's bright!"

"Wow, that's awesome!"

The little princess wanders around everywhere.

The people of Kaolao Village can see the pillar of light in the darkness.

Li Lizhi took it and tried it out, "This is really bright!"

"This is a flashlight, used for lighting up at night," Xiao Ran said.

Princess Chengyang and Third Sister didn't know before, and Xiao Ran had never taken it out to use.

Li Shimin did not stand on ceremony with Xiao Ran.

Bring a flashlight.

However, on the way back, he didn't light the way for Zhang Anan.

He held her in the little princess's arms the whole time; the little girl loved to shine her light on the night sky.

A beam of light kept flickering in the night sky.

Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun doted on the little princess, so they didn't say anything.

As long as the two little princesses have fun.

Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun sought out Xiao Ran and Sun Simiao to confirm the matter of their close kinship.

This was a pleasant surprise from Xiao Ran.

On the way back, Li Lizhi was in a good mood.

As expected, the engagement can now be dissolved.

With the dangers of incestuous relationships looming, Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun could no longer allow Li Lizhi to marry Zhangsun Chong.

By the time they arrived at the palace, it was already very late, and the princesses had already gone back to rest.

Only Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun remained.

"Your Majesty, what about the marriage of Lizhi and Chong'er?" Empress Zhangsun asked proactively.

"Naturally, it can only be canceled. I guess many people are unwilling to do so. They are still used to the idea of ​​strengthening ties through marriage, so this incident serves as a good example."

"If the royal family does it this way, then the common people can implement it better."

Empress Zhangsun nodded, "That's right. We've been preparing for so long, we should inform my brother as soon as possible."

Changsun Wuji was very satisfied with Li Lizhi as his daughter-in-law. Li Shimin had started preparing the dowry four years ago, and Changsun Wuji had also been preparing it for a long time.

Hearing that he can't marry her now must be a disappointment.

"Empress, it's more appropriate for you to discuss this matter. Wuji will listen to you," Li Shimin said.

Although Empress Zhangsun was his younger sister, her status was special, and Changsun Wuji was genuinely afraid of her.

"Alright! We'll discuss the marriage arrangement after the court has given its decision," Empress Zhangsun said.

The annulment of Li Lizhi and Changsun Chong's marriage will definitely require an imperial edict.

Li Shimin was confident he could persuade others to agree to ban marriage between close relatives.

People like Fang Xuanling, Li Jing, Wei Zheng, and Ma Zhou would never oppose such a thing.

Li Shimin and his officials were determined to make it happen, and it was useless for others to object.

The next day, Li Shimin summoned his civil and military officials to discuss the matter, and the officials from the Six Ministries went to investigate again.

On the third day, an imperial edict prohibiting marriage between close relatives was issued, along with the annulment of the marriage between Li Lizhi and Changsun Chong.

Li Lizhi was quite happy, though, because Changsun Wuji and Changsun Chongtian were devastated.

Standing in the Lizheng Hall, Changsun Wuji had mixed feelings.

She was originally supposed to take Fang Xuanling's place, but Empress Zhangsun refused.

Empress Zhangsun was dissatisfied with Li Shimin and forced Zhangsun Wuji to resign.

As a result, Changsun Wuji is now forced to stay at home in retirement.

Originally, he wanted to marry Li Lizhi, the eldest princess, to maintain the wealth and status of the Changsun family, but now that idea has fallen through.

The illegitimate princess was not a good match for Changsun Wuji's eldest son, while the legitimate daughter was a close relative born to Empress Changsun.

This is a bit awkward.

When Li Shimin betrothed his eldest daughter, Princess Changle, to Changsun Chong, not only did the dowry far exceed the prescribed standards, but he also specifically emphasized that she was "born of the Empress and beloved by both the Empress and the Emperor."

This marriage, imbued with strong political symbolism, was essentially a confirmation of the Changsun family's status as the "first meritorious family in the Lingyan Pavilion."

"Chong'er is of marriageable age now, so Lizhi is out of the question. How about marrying Liu Niang? Although Liu Niang isn't a direct descendant, she was raised by the Empress and treated like her own daughter."

Li Shimin wanted Princess Yuzhang to marry Changsun Chong in place of Li Lizhi.

Changsun Wuji suddenly stood up, bowed deeply to Li Shimin, and said in a solemn but unwavering tone: "Your Majesty, you must not!"

When he looked up, all personal resentment had vanished from his brow, replaced only by reverence for the law.

"His Majesty issued an edict prohibiting marriage between close relatives in order to eliminate old abuses and let the people of the world see the harm of 'marrying relatives together.' If our family were to marry Sixth Sister now—even if Sixth Sister is not the Empress's biological daughter, the people of the world would only know that she was raised by the Empress and is His Majesty's biological daughter, and they would definitely say, 'Even the royal family is like this, why be so harsh on the common people!'"

"When a new policy is first established, the worst thing is to change it frequently or to treat internal and external policies differently."

Changsun Wuji stepped forward, his voice deep and resonant, “I am a relative of the emperor’s family and also a minister assisting in governing. If even my family takes advantage of this loophole of ‘nominal authority,’ then the decree will become a waste of paper! In the future, when local officials adjudicate cases, the people will surely say, ‘If the son of Lord Changsun can marry a princess, why can’t I marry my cousin?’ How will the new policies be implemented then?”

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the outside of the hall, as if he had already foreseen the rumors and gossip:

"Moreover, I share the same fate as Your Majesty and know best how many eyes are watching from the shadows. If this matter goes through, someone will surely take the opportunity to attack you for 'abusing power and disregarding the law,' which will not only damage Your Majesty's prestige but also tarnish the reputation of the Sixth Consort and chill the hearts of the people—this is absolutely not what I want to see."

"I will find a suitable family for Chong'er's marriage myself, and I will not take advantage of the royal family in any way."

Changsun Wuji bowed deeply, his words resounding, "Your Majesty, I implore you, for the sake of the long-term success of the new policies and for the sake of reducing suffering for children throughout the land, do not set this precedent."

"The royal family should set an example for the world and completely block this path so that the prohibition of marriage between close relatives can truly take root in people's hearts and become a national policy!"

(End of this chapter)