Chapter 7: When the realm flourishes, the people suffer; when it falls, the people suffer!

Li Shimin's breath caught as he recalled the incident three days ago involving Chen Yan and Princess Gao Yang, and his eyes showed a hint of awkwardness.

According to the reports sent back by the informants, Marquis of Weinan Chen Yan and Princess Gao Yang started fighting as soon as they met.

Even the maids on both sides got involved in the brawl.

If we were to forcefully call it a destiny‑matched union, it does seem rather unsuitable.

Li Shimin let out a slight sigh, waved his hand and said, "Wushe, you may go down first."

"Yes, His Majesty!"

Wushe, as if granted a pardon, performed a respectful bow and slowly withdrew from Lizheng Hall.

Li Shimin then turned his gaze to Chen Yan, softened his tone and said, "Zi An, I have already issued an edict, and everyone in Chang'an City knows it. If I now issue an edict to dissolve your marriage with Princess Gao Yang, how will the world view me, and how will they view Gao Yang?"

"The arrow has already been shot; how can it be retrieved?"

As he spoke, Li Shimin earnestly added, "Zi An, I know you are a clever person; don't put me in a difficult position, okay?"

Hearing this, Chen Yan could only sigh helplessly.

How could Chen Yan not understand Li Shimin's words?

In this feudal era, once the Son of Heaven issues an edict to announce to the world, there is truly no way to retract it.

But to force him to marry Gao Yang, he really finds it hard to accept.

At this moment, Empress Changsun also spoke, "Zi An, I know that three days ago Gao Yang was at fault first, causing you grievance."

"When the time comes I will properly reprimand her and will not let her be so arrogant; what do you think?"

Having spoken this far, Chen Yan also realized he could not continue, lest there be a suspicion of threatening Li Shimin with the salt‑making method.

After a moment of contemplation, Chen Yan nodded, "Since it is so, then please, Your Majesty, grant me a Death‑exemption Gold Medal."

"A Death‑exemption Gold Medal?"

Chen Yan's request left both Li Shimin and his wife at a loss.

Earlier, Li Shimin had even considered that Chen Yan might demand money, land, or a higher title.

But he did not expect Chen Yan to actually want a Death‑exemption Gold Medal.

Li Shimin found it somewhat amusing, "Zi An, what use is this thing to you? Do you really think I would kill you?"

Chen Yan replied seriously, "I certainly know Your Majesty would not kill me, but I feel the matter with Gao Yang is not yet resolved."

If one day I really can't restrain myself and strike again, the Death-exemption Gold Medal just happens to be able to shut others' mouths, so that others won't say I repeatedly, again and again, disrespect the royal majesty.

Li Shimin: "......"

Empress Changsun: "......"

Li Shimin burst out laughing in exasperation, "You are at least a fine son of our Tang Dynasty; your ancestors were towering heroes, so why must you clash with a woman?"

Chen Yan fell silent for two seconds, then sighed, "Your Majesty, it's not that I have a problem with a woman; it's that neither Gao Yang nor I can get past each other."

Hearing that, Li Shimin was at a loss for words.

At that moment, a vague regret stirred in his heart.

Originally, there were many eligible princesses in the Imperial Family, so why was Princess Gao Yang married to Chen Yan?

Now this situation makes everyone uncomfortable.

"......"

Chen Yan steadied himself and decided to change the subject, "Your Majesty, shall we continue discussing the salt‑making method?"

Li Shimin's eyes lit up, "Very well, Zi An, go ahead."

Chen Yan organized his thoughts and said calmly, "The salt‑making method may sound difficult, but in practice it is not; it merely involves crushing, washing, dissolving, and repeatedly purifying and filtering."

"These procedures I will write down later; as long as Your Majesty follows them, you can produce this fine salt."

At this point, Chen Yan paused briefly and continued, "Moreover, the reason I can claim that fine salt will be abundant is that I have discovered a massive salt mine within Weinan County."

"I have investigated, and that type of salt mine is not unique; similar ones exist elsewhere."

"As long as we have enough manpower to extract these salt mines and then apply my method, the fine salt will be as plentiful as we need."

After hearing Chen Yan's words, Li Shimin furrowed his brows, a hint of doubt in his eyes, "Zi An, it's not that I don't trust you, it's just..."

"When did Weinan County acquire a salt mine?"

Empress Changsun seemed to recall something and hesitated, "Zi An, you can't be referring to that poisonous salt mine, can you?"

Chen Yan laughed, "Your Majesty is correct; this fine salt is actually extracted from that poisonous salt mine."

"Is that true?" Li Shimin could no longer sit still, sprang up abruptly, his eyes flashing.

He certainly knew of that poisonous salt mine; in the past many commoners, driven desperate, tried to eat that poisonous salt mine.

Resulting in mild cases of dizziness and blurred vision, and severe cases of instant death.

Since then, the populace has shunned that poisonous salt mine.

Li Shimin did not expect that Chen Yan's fine salt was actually refined from that poisonous salt mine!

How could this not fill him with surprise and excitement?

If he mastered Chen Yan's salt‑making method, wouldn't he have an endless supply of fine salt?

The monopoly held by the aristocratic families would be completely shattered!

Li Shimin forced his surging excitement down and said earnestly, "Zi An, do you truly intend to hand this salt‑making method over to me?"

"Of course." Chen Yan nodded without hesitation and added, "However, I also have a condition; if Your Majesty agrees, I will present the method with both hands."

"Tell me, anything except matters concerning Gao Yang, I will grant you," Li Shimin said solemnly.

Hearing that, Chen Yan twitched the corner of his mouth, fell silent for two seconds, then softly said, "Your Majesty, possessing this salt‑making method, coupled with salt mines that require only minimal labor to extract, brings the cost down to a staggering level."

"Therefore, I hope Your Majesty will not, like those aristocratic families, exploit fine salt to amass wealth."

At this point, Chen Yan recalled that the day he first arrived in this era coincided with last year's great drought.

While strolling in Weinan County with Qing'er, Chen Yan had seen countless refugees fleeing the disaster.

Yellow-faced, emaciated children, and starving people with bellies swollen like drums— their eyes vacant, their steps faltering, as if they were walking skeletons.

Those numb faces still haunt Chen Yan's mind to this day.

Honestly, that scene truly moved him deeply.

If Chen Yan wanted to make money, he really had far too many ways.

He could take money from the Meritorious Nobles, from wealthy merchants, and also from officials and even the emperor.

But he could not take money from the common people.

Because those common folk merely to survive have already exhausted themselves, covered in wounds.

Chen Yan took a sip of tea, and suddenly felt its fragrance was no longer as sweet as before, carrying a hint of bitterness.

"Peaks gather like a crowd, waves surge like anger, the mountains and rivers inside and out— the Tongguan Pass road!"

"Gazing toward the western capital, my heart hesitates!"

"At the heartbreaking place where Qin and Han once traveled, myriad palaces have turned to dust."

"When the state rises, the people suffer; when it falls, the people suffer."

"......"