The two of them traveled through the Tang Dynasty to open a supermarket, and the little Sizi was sup

Chapter 145 The Wedding is Cancelled!

Outside the Taiji Hall, cicadas chirped incessantly, and the summer heat, mixed with the fragrance of locust blossoms, wafted between the vermilion-lacquered pillars.

When Changsun Wuji stepped into the palace, the first thing he saw was the electric fan not far from Li Shimin.

Changsun Wuji was somewhat excited when he heard that Li Shimin had summoned him.

I think it's possible that I'll be reinstated.

Li Shimin recognized his abilities, and his loyalty was beyond question; Changsun Wuji was well aware of this.

Previously, it was only Empress Zhangsun who had been preventing it.

Changsun Wuji was ready to return to the imperial court.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

"Wuji, no need for formalities, sit down and let's talk!" Li Shimin put down the book "A Study of Marriages Among the Aristocracy" in his hand, and when he stood up, the marks left by the bamboo mat on his knees had not yet faded. "Today, I specially asked the Imperial Kitchen to cook some chilled mung bean soup. It's rare for us brothers to have some leisure time in the summer. Let's have a bowl to cool off first."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The eunuch brought a bowl to Changsun Wuji.

Changsun Wuji took a sip, looked at Li Shimin with anticipation, and asked, "I wonder what Your Majesty has summoned me for?"

"There's something I need to discuss." Li Shimin picked up the survey data and asked Zhang Anan to give it to Changsun Wuji.

"You take a look at this first."

Changsun Wuji took the Xuan paper with a bewildered look, not knowing what Li Shimin meant.

"I have learned something in the past two days: marriage between close relatives is forbidden, as it carries great harm."

At first, Changsun Wuji didn't understand, but after hearing Li Shimin say this, he roughly understood what it meant.

“Close relatives… No, according to His Majesty, aren’t Lizhi and Chong’er also close relatives?” Changsun Wuji suddenly realized.

Changsun Wuji's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately sensed something was wrong.

He felt that his beloved daughter-in-law was about to be lost.

Li Shimin nodded slightly, "Yes! Lizhi and Chong'er are close relatives!"

"Wuji, you've seen the results of these investigations. The harm of incest is obvious. How many babies die from it every year in the Tang Dynasty?"

"During the great chaos at the end of the Sui Dynasty, seven out of ten households in the country were lost, and now the population of the Tang Dynasty is sparse."

"Population was extremely important to the Tang Dynasty."

Li Shimin spoke at length about the importance of close relatives to the development of the Tang Dynasty.

However, Changsun Wuji knew that there was no need to tell him these things, since he was no longer serving in the court.

Li Shimin said that these were not his true intentions.

"There was no such saying before. Since ancient times, the belief has been 'marrying within the family to strengthen the bond.' I suspect many people will find this hard to accept and will feel resistant. I suggest canceling the marriage between Lizhi and Chong'er, announcing it to the world, so that the royal family can set an example. Anyone who does not comply will be severely punished."

Changsun Wuji was not confused; he knew what outcome Li Shimin wanted.

"Alas, this is the only way now, and I'm sorry to have to make things difficult for the two children." Li Shimin was actually quite satisfied with Changsun Chong. Changsun Wuji quickly said, "If Chong'er and Lizhi really get married, and if any children die young or women suffer difficult childbirth in the future, that would be our fault as parents. Compared to that, it's nothing."

Changsun Wuji suddenly stood up and bowed deeply to Li Shimin, saying, "Your Majesty understands even more clearly that this action is not only for the sake of the royal bloodline, but also to break the old custom of incestuous marriage throughout the land."

"We were able to conquer the world on horseback back then, and now we are going to write a new chapter in the marriage certificate. I am willing to be the first to write this chapter, so that the world knows that the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty has never been about petty calculations of 'marrying relatives together,' but about the grand vision of 'embracing all rivers'!"

“Prohibiting consanguineous marriage is of great benefit to the development of the Tang Dynasty’s national strength. Even if there are some obstacles, it must be implemented.”

Li Shimin was very pleased, as Changsun Wuji had not disappointed him.

"Back then, you followed me into battle and said, 'Speed ​​is of the essence in war.' Today, you sever this marriage, which demonstrates 'decisiveness is of the essence in governance.' With a minister like you, why should I worry about implementing new policies?"

The cicadas in the hall suddenly chirped clearly. Li Shimin took off his jade belt, removed the mutton-fat jade pendant engraved with the words "Zhenguan", and tied it around Changsun Wuji's waist: "This is the jade pendant I wore when I ascended the throne. I'm giving it to you today."

Li Shimin patted Changsun Wuji on the shoulder, his voice filled with rare intimacy, "Tomorrow at the morning court, you will read out the 'Edict Prohibiting Marriage Between Close Relatives,' starting with the marriage of Lizhi and Chong'er, so that all the civil and military officials can see what 'putting public interest before private interest' and 'being a minister of the state' truly mean!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey!" Changsun Wuji quickly replied.

Li Shimin really wanted to keep Changsun Wuji to help him in the court.

It can also be sensed that Changsun Wuji is a restless person who also wants to contribute to the Zhenguan era.

However, remembering what Xiao Ran had said, Li Shimin had no choice but to abandon the idea.

Although many things have changed, that's just human nature; Li Shimin didn't want to take any risks.

If anything were to happen to Changsun Wuji or the Changsun family, Li Shimin would not be able to face Empress Changsun.

"You are a great contributor to the Zhenguan era, the one with the greatest merit."

"I have never doubted your abilities or your loyalty."

"I also want to keep you in the court," Li Shimin said with a hint of helplessness, "but I also have my own unavoidable difficulties."

"Your Majesty, I understand. I am already satisfied with this." Changsun Wuji thought that Li Shimin's helplessness was due to his sister, Empress Changsun.

"Now, under Your Majesty's rule, the Tang Dynasty is thriving, and the world is at peace. The court is full of talented people, so whether or not we have ministers doesn't really matter."

"Today, I am honored to share mung bean soup with Your Majesty in the Taiji Hall and to be able to set a new standard for wedding customs in the Tang Dynasty. This is already a great honor."

When Changsun Wuji's robe sleeves fell down, the embroidered xiezhi pattern on the cuffs was revealed. Although it had faded a little, it was still vivid. "The Changsun family now has a fief of three thousand households, and all the children are studying at the Imperial Academy. Her Majesty the Empress often says, 'Contentment brings lasting happiness.' Although I am dull-witted, I understand the principle that 'the moon wanes after it is full.'"

“Chong’er is of marriageable age, so Lizhi is no longer a suitable match. There are several other princesses of marriageable age, so choose one!” Li Shimin continued, “Sixth Princess Yuzhang is also a good choice. Although she is not the Empress’s biological daughter, she was raised by the Empress and treated as her own.”

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!" Changsun Wuji hurriedly said, "Marriage between close relatives is prohibited, so we can't let others take advantage of the loopholes. According to Your Majesty's blood relationship, although Princess Yuzhang and Chong'er are not related by blood, they are nominally cousins. We can't give others room to manipulate things; we must be thorough."

"Indeed, you're still as thoughtful as ever, always able to think of things I've overlooked."

"Ananda, go and get some instant noodles or fruit. If that's not enough, go to the Lizheng Hall to find the Empress." Li Shimin gave Changsun Wuji some special rewards.

These are things that money can't buy.

The next step was to convene civil and military officials to discuss the issue of consanguineous marriage and begin to promote it throughout the Tang Dynasty.

The marriage between Li Lizhi and Changsun Chong was thus canceled without any gossip.

(End of this chapter)