The rebellious grandson of Emperor Zhenguan of the Tang Dynasty: Please, Your Majesty, be called Cro

Chapter 100: Imperial Power Sets the Tone, Imperial Examination System Reformed!

At this moment, nearly a thousand people had gathered outside the Vermilion Bird Gate again, and the number was still growing.

The imperial examination results were just released in April, and many students who had previously passed the provincial examinations had also heard that a grandson of the emperor had petitioned the imperial court to reform the examination system.

Therefore, at this time, Chang'an was filled with a large number of candidates from the provincial examinations who were anxiously waiting for the results. Their resentment towards the powerful families who controlled the examination halls and monopolized official careers had long been ingrained in their bones.

Therefore, when Wang Xuance brought news that powerful families were making every effort to frame Li Xiang at today's court assembly in an attempt to completely extinguish any hope of reforming the imperial examination system, all the poor scholars in the land were filled with righteous indignation.

And it wasn't just those from humble backgrounds who spoke out this time.

The reason why powerful families are so deeply rooted and intertwined is precisely because their clans are large and their branches are numerous.

However, precisely because of this, there are also countless oppressed and marginalized offspring within its ranks.

These collateral descendants were well-versed in poetry and literature from a young age and possessed family learning. Their talents were often no less than those of the direct descendants, but they had no way out: the Tang Dynasty's imperial examinations selected no more than a hundred people each year, and all the spots were taken up by the direct descendants of high-ranking families, leaving no room for the collateral descendants.

Despite their extraordinary talents, they ultimately found no good way out: some managed the family's estates and shops, working for the family's benefit for life, while others humbled themselves as advisors to powerful figures, struggling to survive by relying on others.

A few ambitious individuals could only travel around seeking official positions, currying favor with the powerful and wealthy, becoming protégés of influential officials, or trying to become sons-in-law of noblemen, all in an effort to gain a sliver of an opportunity to enter officialdom.

This group of people, though seemingly born into aristocratic families, were in fact also victims of the monopoly of powerful clans. The resentment and bitterness they harbored were no less than those of scholars from humble backgrounds.

When the poor students of the Imperial Academy and the poor scholars from all over the country passed through the city in groups, it shook the entire city of Chang'an. Naturally, the children of these aristocratic families also heard the news.

At first, fearing the consequences from their clan and wary of the laws of the court, they only dared to call upon their friends and watch from afar, and dared not rashly join forces.

But when a group of scholars from humble backgrounds knelt outside the Vermilion Bird Gate, the resounding "Ode to Righteousness" rose to the sky, every word frank and every sentence powerful, instantly piercing through everyone's cowardice and forbearance.

"We study the classics precisely to realize our ambitions! Those from the direct line of succession monopolize fame and fortune, while we, with our talents but lacking ability, are destined to waste half our lives and be subservient to others?"

"If a poor family dares to petition the emperor and fight for justice, are we, the scholars of the gentry, any less righteous? Why should we bow down and accept our fate, willingly submitting to shackles!"

"The imperial examination system is fair; it does not discriminate between scholars and commoners, but only between those with talent and learning!"

The shouts resounded, and the sounds of poetry overlapped. Countless descendants of aristocratic families, who had endured for many years, finally broke down, their blood boiling, and resolutely broke through the shackles of social class to join the petitioning queue.

Even ordinary people were deeply moved by the scholars' sincere and unyielding spirit and their determination to serve the public.

Which family doesn't have children and grandchildren who study hard and strive for progress? Which family doesn't hope that their descendants can use their knowledge to rise above poverty and escape a life of toil and hardship?

Everyone can see it: powerful families monopolize official positions, leaving no way out for those from humble backgrounds!

Although the common people could not recite poetry, they spontaneously gathered on both sides, standing silently and bolstering the crowd.

The forces of the poor, the collateral branches of the aristocratic families, and the hearts of the common people merged into one. Outside the Vermilion Bird Gate, a massive crowd surged forth, and songs of righteous indignation resounded through the heavens, their momentum far surpassing that of when Li Xiang had previously petitioned the emperor alone!

The city gate guard, witnessing such a grand scene, was terrified. Fearing that the situation would escalate and cause a popular uprising, he dared not delay for a moment and immediately dispatched someone to Taiji Palace to urgently report to the Emperor.

Inside the Taiji Palace, the halls were cold and silent.

Li Shimin closed his eyes and listened quietly to the endless chanting that pierced through the palace walls outside, and his heart suddenly felt clear and enlightened.

Previously, he had always been concerned about his reputation, wary of powerful families, and worried that their dissatisfaction would cause trouble. He had always tried to mediate and smooth things over, unwilling to completely disrupt the balance of power in the court.

But now, when the powerful families are threatening him with public opinion, forcing him, the emperor, to make a decision, he suddenly understands what Li Xiang said: The Tang Dynasty belongs to the people.

If the people unite, even these seemingly invincible aristocratic families will find it extremely difficult to resist!

He suppressed the turmoil in his heart, concealed all his emotions, and slowly walked back to the throne, his gaze sweeping over the noble families and ministers below, who were still prostrating themselves and huddled together to force him to abdicate.

"Minister Zheng," Li Shimin said in a calm yet powerful voice, "you just claimed that you acted in accordance with the will of Heaven and the people, and that all your actions were for the sake of the court, the nation, and the public good."

"Then I shall ask you, why are over a thousand scholars kneeling at the palace gates, chanting righteous indignation, pleading for justice, and vowing to reform the imperial examination system? What do these thousands of voices amount to?"

"this--

Zheng Renze froze abruptly, the color draining from his face instantly, leaving it ashen, and cold sweat pouring down his forehead, soaking through his court robes.

His earlier righteous indignation and unwavering confidence were now utterly shattered. His body trembled slightly, and his lips moved several times, but he couldn't utter a single word of rebuttal.

The "public opinion" that he had previously regarded as his greatest weapon to suppress imperial power suddenly reversed course and slapped all the noble families and ministers in the face.

Most of the aristocratic officials kneeling around him were visibly panicked, their hands and feet ice-cold. They looked at each other, their eyes filled with nothing but endless chaos and despair. The overwhelming momentum they had just displayed, which had forced the emperor to abdicate and overpower the imperial authority, vanished in an instant.

Li Shimin looked down coldly, his words as heavy as thunder: "I have been on the throne for many years and have always known that governing the country is inseparable from the noble families. I have always been lenient with you, balanced the various parties, and given you enough dignity and favors."

"But my leniency is not a license for you to take advantage and become insatiable!"

"Why did Li Xiang publicly humiliate you and provoke the aristocratic families? Because you have blocked the path for those from humble backgrounds and monopolized the imperial examinations! You have enjoyed all the benefits of the court and inherited privileges for generations, yet you are still not satisfied, refuse to yield, and relentlessly push forward until you are wiped out!"

His tone suddenly turned stern, his anger penetrating to the bone: "What a group of loyal and virtuous ministers! To protect their own family's status and personal interests, and to save face for the court, they actually joined forces to force the emperor to abdicate and manipulate the political situation, forcing scholars from all over the country to gather in the capital and petition the emperor!"

"The oppressive rule of Emperor Yang of Sui led to the loss of the people and the alienation of powerful clans, resulting in the collapse of the country and the destruction of families—all within just a few decades!"

"Now that the world is at peace and the land is tranquil, you dare to stir up unrest among scholars and incite public unrest for your own selfish grudges and personal gain!"

"Does everyone think that my precious sword is not sharp enough?"

With a final, furious shout, the dragon's might exploded, reverberating throughout the hall.

The officials below trembled violently, and countless people were so frightened that their legs went weak and they collapsed to the ground, not daring to look up at the emperor's face.

In the past, these powerful ministers might have dared to use their deathbed remonstrances and their integrity as a shield to argue against the emperor and resist imperial power.

But at this moment, the righteous songs of the people outside the palace continued to resound, and the hearts of the people were clear and bright. All their righteousness, all their excuses, and all their confidence collapsed.

The "public opinion" they relied on to check and balance imperial power and control the court has now completely backfired, becoming a sharp blade that buries their selfish desires.

Even the most deeply rooted families and clans could not bear the heinous crime of "inciting popular uprising and shaking the foundation of the nation"!

On his throne, Li Shimin stood tall and straight, his gaze sharp as a blade, quietly looking down at the obsequious and trembling officials.

He understood perfectly well that this young man, who seemed reckless and dangerous, had actually torn off the mask of the aristocratic families that had been disguised for a hundred years, and had helped him to change the solidified court structure and stabilize the hearts of scholars and the people.

After a few breaths of silence, no one in the hall dared to speak.

At this moment, Li Shimin spoke in a deep voice: "Draft an imperial edict."

"The imperial examination system, inherited from the Sui Dynasty, has been used to this day, but it has accumulated many problems, fails to distinguish between the superior and the inferior, and lacks fairness."

"The scholars have long harbored resentment, and many have reported corruption cases. It is time for change."

"For the sake of all the people, I have decided to reform the system: all rankings for this year's imperial examinations shall be abolished immediately, and all those who passed this year's examinations shall be temporarily suspended from receiving official appointments."

The moment those words were spoken, the kneeling officials from powerful families were thrown into disarray, their faces turning ashen. This year, the majority of the imperial examination slots had gone to the direct descendants of these aristocratic families. Abolishing the results was tantamount to severing the path to officialdom for their next generation, severely damaging the very foundation of these powerful families in the court!

Li Shimin remained unmoved and continued to issue imperial edicts, his tone solemn and brooking no argument: "From now on, a new special imperial examination will be established to reform the system of selecting officials. All those who have passed the current examination, regardless of their family background or social standing, shall take the new examination again."

"From then on, the imperial examinations will be conducted solely based on talent and learning, without regard to social background; the best candidates will be selected, and ranks will be determined fairly!"

"We must ensure that all the poor scholars and ambitious commoners in the world have a path to advancement; we must eliminate the malpractice of private favors and restore fairness and justice to the scholarly community!"

The entire hall erupted in uproar.

"Your Majesty is wise and sagacious! A benevolent ruler for all time!"

Sun Fujia, tears streaming down his face, kowtowed deeply.

Seeing this, Changsun Wuji and the other nobles from Guanzhong knew that the situation had changed and the emperor's mind was made up. They dared not voice any objections and followed suit, bowing and praising, "Your Majesty is wise!"

The political landscape at court has been completely reversed.

Li Shimin's gaze slowly fell on Zheng Renzhe, who was kneeling stiffly on the ground, looking utterly lost, and his tone softened slightly.

"As for the matter of the imperial grandson Li Xiang publicly assaulting and insulting court officials, which was indeed unacceptable."

"This young man is unruly and reckless, which is also due to my negligence in disciplining him and my excessive indulgence. Today I will punish him by taking him to the East Market and publicly flogging him thirty times, which will also humiliate him."

"So, is Zheng Qing now appeased?"

"Slap me, then give me a treat," Li Shimin asked Zheng Renzhe, leaning down to ask.

Zheng Ren was utterly exhausted and heartbroken. He had no confidence left to argue and could only kowtow dejectedly: "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your wise decision."

What was about to happen was transformed from a major crime that threatened to disrupt the court into a minor punishment for a child's misbehavior.

His heart was ice-cold, and he clearly understood that today's coup, in which the powerful families had exerted all their strength, had been a complete failure.

But he had no choice but to accept the imperial decree. It was a way out offered by the emperor.

If he doesn't comply, it's not just him; the entire Zheng family will be feared by the emperor from now on.

"Sun Fujia," Li Shimin ordered in a deep voice.

"Your subject is here."

"This matter is entirely under your jurisdiction. On the one hand, send someone to the Vermilion Bird Gate to proclaim the Emperor's will, appease the scholars and the people, and order them to disperse in an orderly manner; on the other hand, escort Li Xiang to the East Market for execution."

"etc."

Sun Fujia had just turned to leave when Li Shimin suddenly stopped him, and he turned back with some confusion: "Your Majesty?"

"When we escort that brat away, let's scare him a bit first," Li Shimin suddenly had an idea.

"There's no need to tell that brat it's just caning."

"—Uh, why is that?" Sun Fujia was taken aback.

"That brat, doesn't he spout nonsense every day, fearless of death?"

"Let him suffer this fright so that he will know what composure is in the future," Li Shimin said, stroking his beard with a hint of mischief.

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