Tang Dynasty: Consort Wu? Your Majesty, please address her as the Crown Prince's Consort.

As for the matter of a marriage alliance with the royal family, although it is a pity that he cannot marry Chang Le, it is nothing compared to the issue of succession in the Changsun family.

Moreover, His Majesty has other princesses of marriageable age. Given His Majesty's high regard for him, he will surely choose a suitable princess to marry into the Changsun family.

Meanwhile, Li Chengqian received some news.

Inside the study, Mao Xiang knelt on the floor and began to speak:

"Your Majesty! I am incompetent; I have lost contact with all my brothers in the palace."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian couldn't help but narrow his eyes slightly.

"Oh ho! The old man's made his move?"

Li Chengqian was not too surprised by Li Shimin's purge of the Embroidered Uniform Guard spies.

If my old man really only had this much strength on the surface, he wouldn't be called the greatest emperor of all time.

Thinking of this, Li Chengqian immediately waved his hand at Mao Xiang and said:

"No problem! Don't worry about the palace. Just keep a close eye on those powerful families and preserve all evidence of their illegal activities!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

……

After Mao Xiang left, Li Chengqian couldn't help but look towards the palace, muttering to himself:

"Tsk tsk tsk! How stingy! It's just sending a few people to the palace, is it really that big of a deal?"

……

Time flies, and the year is over in the blink of an eye.

Today is the first grand court assembly of the year, and almost all officials in Beijing will be attending.

Inside the Taiji Hall.

Li Shimin sat high on the dragon throne, surveyed his ministers, and began to speak:

"I won't waste any more words. I'll just mention a few important matters first."

First, the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Rites must coordinate to ensure the fairness of the imperial examinations during the spring. In addition, the Imperial Guards must manage the security of Chang'an.

Then, after the imperial examination, the Crown Prince's wedding will take place. The Ministry of Rites will prepare all the necessary arrangements, the Ministry of Revenue will allocate funds, and the Ministry of Rites will execute the arrangements.

Then comes spring plowing, which is of paramount importance. Local government offices must urge the people to carry out spring plowing, and local government offices must distribute good seeds on time. Any problems should be reported immediately.

……

Li Shimin listed out a series of major events in detail.

Almost everything, big or small, was involved, but each and every one of them was a major issue concerning the lives of countless people.

The officials below were responsible for identifying and addressing any shortcomings and assigning relevant personnel to carry out the tasks.

It must be said that although many of these officials did not get along with each other on ordinary days, they were never ambiguous when it came to important matters.

Even Li Chengqian had to admit that such efficiency was extremely rare even in the five-thousand-year history of China.

Otherwise, how could they have created the prosperous reign of Zhenguan?

Besides Li Shimin's strong abilities, the ministers during the Zhenguan era were also quite capable. Even the aristocratic officials who were usually a hindrance in handling state affairs were quite competent.

Otherwise, how do you think Wang Gui got into the position of prime minister?

Besides being from the Wang clan of Taiyuan, he was indeed exceptionally capable. Otherwise, given Li Shimin's personality, no matter how noble your birth, he would never have allowed you to sit in such an important position!

Once everything was arranged, Li Shimin finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Do any of you, my esteemed ministers, have anything else to say? If not…"

Before Li Shimin could finish speaking, Changsun Wuji stepped forward.

"Your Majesty! I have a memorial to present!"

Upon seeing that the visitor was Changsun Wuji, Li Shimin couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.

"allow!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Your Majesty! My investigation has revealed that 60% of offspring born from marriages between close relatives within three generations suffer from deformities, intellectual disabilities, or genetic diseases.

Your Majesty, I believe this matter is of great importance, and the court should enact corresponding laws to restrict it.

These words caused an uproar throughout the court.

Especially those officials from aristocratic families.

Wang Gui immediately stepped forward and spoke:

"Lord Changsun, is what you say true? You should know that consanguineous marriage is not uncommon in the Tang Dynasty!"

"Nature is the truth," said the divine physician Sun Simiao himself. I even sent people to investigate, and found that 60% of the offspring born from more than 100 close relatives had serious problems.

However, to ensure a more thorough investigation, Your Majesty, please order a full investigation!

Upon hearing this, everyone was restless and echoed Li Shimin's sentiments:

"We, your humble servants, second that it is of utmost importance. We urge Your Majesty to order a full investigation!"

Looking at the ministers below who all agreed, Li Shimin couldn't help but frown without the slightest hesitation.

"I grant your permission! The Ministry of Revenue will handle this matter and investigate all cases of consanguineous marriage within the capital!"

……

Liangyi Hall.

After the grand court assembly, Li Shimin kept Changsun Wuji behind.

"Auxiliary machine, why did you suddenly start paying attention to this?"

Faced with Li Shimin's question, Changsun Wuji did not hide anything and immediately answered truthfully:

"Your Majesty! It was His Highness the Crown Prince who told me that he heard Your Majesty intended to marry Princess Changle into the Changsun family, so he came to persuade you."

Upon hearing this answer, Li Shimin was somewhat surprised, but mostly pleased.

In his view, the rebellious son was considering Chang Le's happiness.

As Li Shimin's most beloved daughter, he naturally did not want Chang Le to have any problems with her offspring in the future.

Thinking of this, Li Shimin couldn't help but nod and say:

"Alas! Let's wait for the investigation results. But don't worry, Fuji, even if Changle can't marry into the Changsun family, I have other princesses. Yuzhang is a well-educated and gentle girl. What do you think, Fuji?"

Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji naturally had no questions.

He quickly bowed and thanked them.

"Your Majesty, I thank you!"

He had actually guessed this outcome before he even arrived.

Although Your Majesty has many princesses, among those of marriageable age, besides Princess Chang Le, there are only Princess Yu Zhang and Princess Gao Yang.

It seems that Princess Gaoyang was planning to marry into the Fang family, so now only Princess Yuzhang remains.

However, this is already the best possible outcome.

Upon seeing this, Li Shimin couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Don't be so polite. We've been brothers for many years, and I've long wanted to arrange a marriage between our children—it would be like strengthening family ties!"

Li Shimin's words warmed Changsun Wuji's heart.

He and Li Shimin knew each other since childhood and were good friends. Later, Li Shimin married his younger sister, and their relationship became even closer.

When the retired emperor raised an army in Taiyuan, he followed Li Shimin in his campaigns, offering advice and strategies.

During the Xuanwu Gate Incident, when some people wanted to use divination to predict good or bad fortune, he stepped forward and directly interrupted them, which made Li Shimin make up his mind.

"Why cast a divination? Does it mean we'll just quit if the result is inauspicious?"

"Eight hundred it is! Let's strike first!"

"With the King of Qin wielding his bow and Yuchi Jingde holding his spear, who in the world can stand against them?!"

"I want to...control... all the armies in the land!!!"

Scenes from that year flashed through their minds as if they were yesterday.

For a moment, even the two people standing at the pinnacle of power in the Tang Dynasty couldn't help but have tears in their eyes!