Chapter 600 incorporated into the law
Empress Wu sat at the head of the table, her face solemn as she watched the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau speaking passionately to the crowd below. In truth, she was smiling.
"Haha, I didn't expect that Li San Niang would take both overt and covert approaches. I originally wanted to keep her in check, but now that she's been exposed, it's really not easy to keep her in check anymore."
Although the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau was persuaded by the old physician Gao to submit a memorial on behalf of Li San Niang, neither the old physician Gao nor Li San Niang knew that the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau was not going to explain things according to their expectations, since they were unable to attend court and meet the emperor.
Just by listening to the Imperial Physician's speech for a quarter of an hour, it is clear that the Imperial Physician is focusing on the fact that consanguineous marriage is detrimental to offspring. Moreover, since marriage between relatives is more common in aristocratic families, it is even more important to make everyone aware of the dangers of consanguineous marriage.
Meanwhile, during the recounting process, the Imperial Physician Department basically omitted Li San Niang's name. Not only was her name not mentioned, but her gender was also not specified. Instead, she was referred to as "a physician surnamed Li".
However, the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau certainly had no idea that Emperor Wu, who was calmly watching him, already knew who had made the suggestion.
Emperor Wu already knew everything the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau had to say, so he didn't listen carefully. However, the other dozens of officials present listened very carefully to every single word.
After the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau finished his long theoretical explanation, he concluded by saying, "Your Majesty, I propose that the prohibition of marriage between close relatives be incorporated into the law to fundamentally eliminate this practice."
From this day forward, all the people of my Great Tang will be strong, healthy, and intelligent. At that time, what's wrong with having countless nations come to pay homage, let alone all nations coming to pay tribute?
The words spoken by the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau were even more elaborate and grandiose than the pie in the sky that Li San Niang had painted for Mr. Bu Ke!
(Chapter 256 plot)
"Director Wang, do you have any evidence to back up your words?"
Is this proof that marriage between close relatives within three degrees of kinship would hinder the production of offspring?
The head of the Imperial Medical Bureau proudly took out a folded piece of paper from his sleeve. Unfolding it, he saw that it contained a line graph similar to the one in Li San Niang's report, with the data source noted.
"This map was painstakingly compiled from among no fewer than a thousand noble families who had been related by marriage. Ladies and gentlemen, take a look..."
In fact, many people present were already quite convinced of the statement made by the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau that "marriage between close relatives is detrimental to offspring."
It's important to know that the more prestigious and wealthy a household is, the more filth it tends to have inside.
It's just that these wealthy and powerful families are all concerned about their reputation. They care about their image, so why would they casually talk about their family affairs?
Just like the late-life daughter of the old doctor, everyone present thought of the offspring of their own families or close relatives who were married within three degrees of kinship. If you only look at it alone, it may not seem like much, but if you compare it with families who are not married by close relatives, the difference is too obvious.
For example, among the civil and military officials standing in the main hall, military officials rarely have close relatives marrying each other, while civil officials do.
Previously, it could be said that military officers' families were physically strong and more likely to produce offspring. However, after hearing the words of the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau, everyone couldn't help but think deeper. Perhaps the underlying reason was that some of them were engaged in consanguineous marriages.
Emperor Wu watched as the crowd below the stage argued back and forth with the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau. However, the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau was quite prepared on the point that consanguineous marriage would hinder offspring, and he refuted all those who had doubts about this point.
These old men really loved to argue. After about 15 minutes, they finally came to a common conclusion: consanguineous marriage does indeed hinder offspring, and for the sake of the future of offspring, it is appropriate to include the prohibition of consanguineous marriage in the law.
All the officials, from Yao Chong, who wore a first-rank purple official robe, to the fifth-rank official in a scarlet (deep red) robe, bowed their heads, put their hands together in a salute, and said in unison to Emperor Wu at the head of the table: "Please, Your Majesty, make the decision."
Emperor Wu naturally followed suit and said, "All of you, rise."
Since all the ministers agree with what Minister Wang said, then Prime Minister Yao shall take charge of this matter. Add this clause to the memorial as soon as possible and distribute it to the remaining prefectures and counties, so that my people may all be as Minister Wang said—strong, healthy, and intelligent—so that the future of my Great Tang may be even more prosperous.”
Normally, Wang Shuzheng of the Imperial Medical Bureau would have retired by now, and Emperor Wu and the court officials would naturally remember his and the Imperial Medical Bureau's contributions.
Just as Wang Dalang was about to step forward and loudly announce, "If there's nothing else, the court is adjourned," Xu Jingzhen, wearing a scarlet round-necked robe, suddenly stood up.
Xu Jingzhen, a scion of a noble family who severed ties with his clan and joined Emperor Wu's ranks, turning his blade against the very family that raised him, was truly a conspicuous figure in the imperial court.
"Assistant Xu, is there something you need to report?"
Xu Jingzhen bowed slowly and deliberately, then raised his head and said to Emperor Wu above him, "Your Majesty, the other point that Wang Shuzheng just mentioned is that, for the sake of future population, we should raise the marriage age of young women so that they can reproduce for our Tang Dynasty when they are fully grown."
Thus, our Great Tang Dynasty prospered and flourished.
When Xu Jingzhen mentioned this, Wang Shuzheng's face, which had just been smiling like a blooming chrysanthemum, suddenly drooped.
Wang Shuzheng's original intention was to mainly mention the prohibition of consanguineous marriage, while also mentioning raising the marriage age for young women. He hoped that everyone would overlook the matter of "raising the marriage age for young women." As far as he was concerned, if the Imperial Medical Bureau had done a good job, he would have done a good job, and that would be a happy thing for everyone.
Everything was fine to begin with, and Emperor Wu didn't insist on discussing the "raising the marriage age of young women" with everyone. But who would have thought that Xu Jingzhen was not a good person and actually brought this up to Emperor Wu alone!
"oh?
What is Assistant Manager Xu's opinion on this point?
"Your Majesty, according to what Wang Shuzheng said, it is natural to raise the marriage age of young women so that they can give birth to healthy offspring when their bodies are fully developed."
Your subject proposes that this clause be included in the law as well.
Before Emperor Wu could speak, a handsome young official with a fine beard, also wearing a fifth-rank scarlet robe, stepped forward. He first bowed to Emperor Wu, then stood up and turned to Xu Jingzhen, cursing loudly: "Absurd!"
ignorance!
Foolish!
Assistant Manager Xu has really lost his mind!
If the marriage age of young women is raised, even by just one year, how many fewer babies will be born in that year?
Who will bear the taxes of these unmarried women throughout the year?
And how many men will be unable to find wives this year?
Have Assistant Manager Xu ever considered all of this?
"Does Assistant Manager Xu really think he can handle all of this?"
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