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

Li Lizhi was very happy to hear Sun Simiao's explanation.

Xiao Ran was genuinely thinking of himself, but he had also mentioned other things to Sun Simiao beforehand.

Li Lizhi would not tell Li Shimin about this matter, much less offer him any advice.

Li Lizhi held the motherwort in her hand, her fingertips gently brushing against the dry leaves.

The question in her mind about "why early marriage is not prohibited" gradually became clear to her as she listened to Sun Simiao's words.

It turned out that it wasn't that her grandfather didn't want to ban it; rather, the matter involved far more than she had imagined, and it couldn't be resolved simply by "a decree."

She recalled that last winter, when she happened to pass by during a meeting in the palace, she overheard her father and ministers saying, "The border is restless, and we need to add another 20,000 border troops."

At that time, she didn't understand why adding more soldiers was so important.

Only now do I understand: where did the food for 20,000 soldiers come from?

It comes from the fields of the people.

Where did A come from?
It comes from the taxes paid by the people.

If women are all made to wait until they are eighteen or nineteen to get married, then in the next few years, farming families will have one less person to sew and work in the fields, resulting in lower harvests and naturally lower taxes.

If taxes are reduced, military pay cannot be paid, and warhorses cannot be fed. If foreign enemies attack, what will we use to defend ourselves?

It turns out that this early marriage was actually related to the stability of the border defense.

The Tang Dynasty's population is currently small, and it needs to recover as quickly as possible.

I also recalled the plague that struck Guanzhong two years ago. I heard that many villages were mostly deserted, and old people sat at their doorways crying, saying, "I'm the only one left in my family."

At that time, she only felt sorry for them, but now she understands that people don't live long these days. A disease or a drought can take away many people.

If women marry later in life, how many fewer children will they have in ten years?

Fewer and fewer people are living here. There's no one to farm the fields or weave cloth in the workshops. In a few more years, the villages of the Tang Dynasty will be empty.

The government wanted a "prosperous population," because only with a large population could the country be supported.

How can we cut off the population just to spare women from suffering?
There's also the saying I often hear from my elders: "Of the three unfilial acts, the greatest is having no offspring."

If the government really issues a ban on early marriage, the people will definitely feel that "the government is trying to cut off my family line," and they will not be convinced.

They might even secretly marry their daughters off, which would overwhelm the government and cause widespread public resentment.

My father is the emperor. What he wants is for the people to submit and for the world to be at peace. How can he turn the world's hopes around for the sake of this one thing?
For them, "being able to survive" was more important than "being healthy"—if the government forcibly prohibited it, wouldn't that be cutting off their way of life?
Finally, I remembered my grandfather often saying, "The Tang Dynasty is a vast land; it takes two or three months to travel from Chang'an to Lingnan."

She suddenly realized that in such a large country, how could the government possibly manage every single household?
People in remote areas may not even hear about the ban, and even if they do, they won't obey it for the sake of their livelihood.

If the ban becomes a mere "piece of paper," it will only make the people feel that the government is incompetent and lose its credibility.

It would be better to do it this way, allowing families with the means to recover their health before remarrying. This would not harm the overall well-being of the people, but would also reduce the suffering of some women.

Li Lizhi sighed softly and put the motherwort back into the bamboo basket.

It's not that the grandfather doesn't care about the women who marry young; it's that he has to prioritize the "great stability" of the world before he can slowly protect everyone's "small well-being."

Li Lizhi wrote Xiao Ran's message in a letter and sent it to Li Shimin.

That way, when Li Shimin bestows rewards later, he can also reward several princesses together.

Li Shimin held the letter sent by Li Lizhi, stroking it repeatedly with his fingertips.

"The credit doesn't belong to Xiao Ran alone; Fifth Sister, Sixth Sister, and Si Zi all participated, but Si Zi deserves special consideration!"

These few lines of text first brought a knowing smile to his lips, then his expression darkened, and a tender emotion appeared in his eyes.

He turned and walked into the inner hall, where he handed the letter to Empress Zhangsun, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible admiration:
"Your Majesty, look at Xiao Ran's thoughts—the entire court is eyeing the credit for the new grain harvest, but he's doing the opposite, actively sharing the credit and even specifically mentioning Si Zi first."

Empress Zhangsun took the letter and read it carefully. When she read the line, "May the new grain benefit the people, and may they all remember the humble efforts of the son of the rhinoceros," her fingertips paused slightly, and a gentle wave instantly welled up in her eyes.

She folded the letter neatly and handed it back to Li Shimin, her voice trembling with emotion.

"This child cares about Sizi even more than we do."

"I thought he only loved his child, but I never imagined that he would even share some of the credit for this great achievement with Sizi, hoping that the people would remember her kindness and accumulate some good fortune for her."

Li Shimin walked to the Empress's side, and his tone softened:
“I had long noticed that he treated Si Zi differently, but I did not expect him to be so devoted.”

"He doesn't believe in ghosts and gods, but he insists on using the benefits of the new grain to make people all over the world remember the rhinoceros."

"Isn't it just because you're worried that Si Zi's health is weak, and you want to pray for 'the protection of all people' for her? Your thoughtfulness is even more meticulous than mine as her father."

He paused, recalling Xiao Ran's demeanor during the previous discussion of rewards—"not coveting official rank, only seeking stability"—and then said:
"He could have used his merit in the new grain harvest to ask for official positions and land, which I could have granted. But instead, he thought of sharing the credit first, and it was all for the benefit of others."

"Our children, and the villagers who helped us in the village. I really didn't misjudge people who are so selfless and loyal."

Empress Zhangsun smiled and said, "Now that we are dividing up the credit, it's not so that Sizi can gain any fame. It's because we are afraid that the blessing of this 'meritorious service to the world' will protect Sizi for a long time."

“We, as parents, also hope that our son can grow up safely. He, an outsider, has thought of us first.”

She turned to look at Li Shimin, her tone becoming more solemn: "From now on, we must treat him well. He is not greedy for titles and honors, so we will protect his safety in Kaolao Village and his experimental fields."

“He dotes on Sizi, so we will treat him like our own son or nephew, so that he knows we appreciate his kindness.”

Li Shimin nodded and placed the letter on the table.

He suddenly realized that what Xiao Ran had shared was not merit, but a pure act of kindness, which was more precious than any title or reward.

Li Shimin said to Empress Zhangsun, "We need to add more of the 'County Earl of Agriculture and Millet' and the experimental fields that we discussed before."

"The reward for Kaolao Village should be generous, after all, it is thanks to Sizi. It also lets Xiao Ran know that he is protecting my child, and I will protect his intentions and this new grain that can feed all the people."

Empress Zhangsun looked at Li Shimin with eyes full of agreement: "Yes, he gave Sizi the blessing of 'the people's longing,' and what we should give her is the protection of 'peace and tranquility.'"

“From now on, Xiao Ran is someone our family can entrust to us.”

The imperial edict was ready the next day. Knowing that there was an imperial edict, the people of Kaolao Village and the surrounding area all gathered together.

The news about potatoes and corn had already spread.

Such an unbelievable thing would naturally not be believed by others.

However, the people of Kaolao Village believed in Xiao Ran, as did the people of the two nearby villages.

There had been two imperial edicts before, so everyone was familiar with them.

This time, it was Wang Shen who helped receive the imperial edict.

[Emperor's Decree of the Tang Dynasty:]

It is said that agriculture is the foundation of the state, and millet is the livelihood of the people. Since ancient times, wise rulers have valued agriculture to ensure the well-being of the people and to implement benevolent policies to secure the state.

Now, living in Xiaoran Village, I have devoted myself to cultivating three new grains.

Potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn. The yield of potatoes is 4,500 catties per mu, sweet potatoes 6,000 catties per mu, and corn 1,200 catties per mu. This far exceeds the yield of millet and wheat, which can relieve the hunger of the people and supplement the fodder shortage of the border troops. It is truly a miraculous achievement that benefits the world.

I commend their loyalty, remember their achievements, and acknowledge the hard work of all participants. Therefore, I hereby issue this decree to express my gratitude and reward them, and to encourage agricultural work.

I. Appreciating Xiao Ran:

You are hereby granted the title of "Count of Agriculture and Grain", with a nominal fief of 700 households and a real estate of 10 hectares. The land will be allocated to Kaolao Village nearby to support your continued research on new grain production techniques.

Another hundred acres were allocated as the "Royal New Agricultural Experiment Field," and the Ministry of Works was ordered to supervise the construction of cellars, mills, and irrigation canals. The Ministry of Revenue allocated special funds to meet the needs of experimentation and the dissemination of agricultural techniques.

An "Agricultural Academy" was established in Kaolao Village, allowing the villagers and their children to learn the methods of planting new grains.

The Ministry of Revenue dispatched an agricultural official to assist in recording agricultural techniques, compiling them into a book, and distributing it to all prefectures and counties, thus avoiding the deviations of "oral transmission."

You are hereby granted the title of "Border Army Agricultural Advisor". If you encounter difficulties in the trial planting of new grains in the border area, you may send an envoy to consult with us.

If you wish to personally go and provide guidance, you may use the gilded token bestowed by me to mobilize the post stations along the way, and your food and lodging will be provided by the government.

I hereby grant you twenty elite Imperial Guards, disguised as villagers or laborers, to protect your home and experimental fields, preventing wicked people from coveting them and foreign spies from infiltrating, and ensuring the safety of you and the new grain.

You are exempt from corvée labor and taxes for three generations of your immediate family members. If a family member needs medical treatment, they can go to the nearest state or prefecture government hospital free of charge.

Children who need to attend school are exempt from tuition fees when enrolling in the official schools of the prefecture.

The Ministry of Works was ordered to manufacture two sets of agricultural implements according to the design of the five-pronged rake and corn thresher you provided.
One is a commonly used tool to help you with farming.

Adorned with gilded decoration, it was bestowed as a family heirloom to commemorate your great agricultural achievements.

Starting this year, every year when the new grain is harvested, I will send envoys to Kaolao Village to express my condolences, inspect the cultivation of the new grain, and bring back samples to comfort me.

Your permanent farmland and experimental fields are for agricultural experiments only and may not be sold, mortgaged, or abandoned.

If one has no interest in farming in the future, one must hand over the land and agricultural documents to the government to ensure that the skills are not lost.

The title "Nongji" was established for meritorious service. If his descendants did not inherit agricultural merit, the title "Nongji" would be removed when inheriting the title, and he would only be called "Founding County Earl" to uphold the system of "no title without merit".

II. Appreciation of the participants in the planting: Li Mingda, Li Fanyin, and others personally worked with Xiao Ran to cultivate the new crop, holding plows and hoes, identifying potato seedlings, and protecting the potato fields. Although they were of noble birth, they did not shy away from working in the mud and made small contributions.

Each was bestowed with one hundred bolts of brocade and one hundred taels of gold to recognize their labor and to comfort their hearts.

Third, appreciate Kaolao Village: The villagers of Kaolao Village helped Xiao Ran reclaim land, protect seedlings, and spread messages. They worked together to ensure the success of the new grain harvest, and their contributions were indispensable.

The entire village was exempted from half of its taxes the following year, and a thousand bushels of grain seeds were awarded to help with spring planting, as a token of appreciation for the villagers' sincerity.

IV. Erecting a Stele: The prefectural government was ordered to erect a "New Farmers' Beneficiary Stele" in a prominent location in Kaolao Village.

The inscription details the beginning and end of Xiao Ran's cultivation of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn, as well as the efforts of Li Mingda and others. I hereby inscribe this decree on the side of the stele so that future generations may know my heart of valuing agriculture and respecting the virtuous, and know the reason why new grains benefit the world. May it be remembered forever and inspire farmers all over the world.

Announce it to the world, and the envoys will hear about it.

The moment the imperial edict was read aloud, the silence of the threshing ground was shattered by a thunderous roar of jubilation.

The villagers of Kaolao Village either jumped up while holding each other's arms or bent down to wipe the wetness from the corners of their eyes. Even the most reserved people couldn't help but shout a few words.

Someone ran up to the edge of the field to tell the news to those still working in the fields.
The people from neighboring villages who came to watch stood at the village entrance without moving an inch. Some clung to the fence to look inside, while others huddled together and sighed softly.

Watching the bustling scene of the people of Kaolao Village carrying wooden stools and wine jars, and seeing the burning light in their eyes, I could feel envy in their voices.

A child tugged at an adult's clothes and asked, "When will our village be able to have such a good life?" The adults did not respond.

He gazed longingly at the coarse cloth flag fluttering in the wind on the threshing ground in Kaolao Village.

Li Lizhi handed the imperial edict to Xiao Ran, "Young master, what do you think?"

"It's great, it has everything you need." Xiao Ran really couldn't find any fault with it.

This is what Xiao Ran wanted.

The credit goes to the little princesses; I won't take it all for myself.

This was something Xiao Ran had planned long ago.

Li Lizhi relayed the message, and Li Shimin cooperated fully.

After all, this was about sharing credit among the princesses, so Li Shimin naturally agreed.

Beside the glass stove, not only Li Kecheng and Chu Mo were there, but Li Tai was also present.

"Young master, you're so biased!" Li Tai said with a smile, "You've given so much credit to Sizi and the others."

"It's common knowledge that the young master dotes on Sizi." Li Ke was quite surprised.

This time, Xiao Ran gave a lot.

This is something that many people don't understand.

Others might not know, but Xiao Ran knew that this little girl was deeply resentful.

Perhaps this time we can change things.

Li Lizhi was puzzled when she saw Xiao Ran take out corn, sweet potatoes and potatoes.

These were all refreshed on the RV, not planted before.

Xiao Ran didn't want anything to eat; instead, he packed it all up in a box.

"Young master, what are you doing?"

"I also need to think about my own life's important matters!"

Hearing Xiao Ran's words, Li Lizhi was even more confused, "A major life event?"

“Yes! My favorite young lady is in a hurry. I’m not in a hurry, but I don’t want her to be looked at differently by others. I’ll prepare the betrothal gifts and settle this matter first.” Xiao Ran looked at Li Lizhi with amusement.

Realizing what was happening, Li Lizhi blushed instantly, knowing that this was a joke.

"Hmph! That's pretty much it!"

"I just don't know if my future father-in-law will accept these betrothal gifts," Xiao Ran said with a smile.

Xiao Ran wants to take advantage of his achievements to ask for another marriage.

Li Shimin could not refuse such betrothal gifts as corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, and the civil and military officials of the court could not say anything.

Xiao Ran is no ordinary person now, and his title is quite fitting.

Although he couldn't compare to a princess, he was still quite good, belonging to the aristocratic class and worthy of being called a princess.

"I'll arrange for someone to deliver it to the young master!" Li Lizhi offered.

Xiao Ran shook his head, "How can I let Fifth Sister handle this? I'm afraid my beloved wife will misunderstand."

"I'll go find my fifth uncle myself and ask him for help. He'll definitely agree to this favor." (End of Chapter)