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

Chapter 101 The Zheng family of Xingyang, they are truly good people!

"—Therefore, His Majesty issued an edict that henceforth, the imperial examinations will select officials solely based on their talent and learning, regardless of their family background or social status, ensuring that the best are chosen and the rankings are fairly determined!"

"From this day forward, all scholars from humble backgrounds may pursue officialdom, completely eliminating favoritism and backroom deals in the examinations, and restoring true justice to all scholars!"

"Your sincerity and righteousness are understandable. His Majesty is merciful and has pardoned your gathering at the palace gate. Disperse quickly and do not linger, disturbing the peace of the city's people."

Sun Fujia slowly stepped out of the Vermilion Bird Gate Tower, looked at the thousands of scholars and common people gathered below the city, and loudly recited the imperial edict.

The moment the words were spoken, the entire Imperial Street erupted in excitement.

The long-suppressed shouts and cheers exploded out, soaring into the sky in layers.

Countless scholars in plain clothes embraced each other and sighed, some with tears in their eyes, as the pent-up frustration of many years was released in one day.

The scions of collateral branches of the aristocratic families also looked relieved, as the barriers of social class that had hindered their path forward had finally loosened. The people who had stopped along the street also showed joy on their faces and spread the news to each other.

The solemn and dignified atmosphere of the previous petition was swept away, and the entire Imperial Street transformed into a sea of ​​jubilant people. Laughter rose and fell, and the righteous songs that had just echoed through the city gates turned into waves of celebration.

At this moment, Chang'an was several times more lively than on the Lantern Festival!

It was only because the emperor promised to reform the imperial examination system.

The sounds of celebration resounded throughout Chang'an!

"Gentlemen!" Amidst cheers, Wang Xuance stood up, raised his arm, and addressed the many scholars and students behind him, saying, "This is all thanks to His Majesty's boundless grace."

"We should be here to thank Your Majesty for your great kindness!"

"Brother Xuan Ce is absolutely right, we should thank His Majesty for his great favor!"

"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!"

The scholars expressed their gratitude in unison, their voices echoing throughout Chang'an.

Sun Fujia glanced at Wang Xuance with considerable surprise, thinking to himself that there were indeed formidable figures among the scholars from humble backgrounds.

This man's simple expression of gratitude was tantamount to making all these scholars from humble backgrounds pledge their loyalty to the emperor. It effectively tied the fairness of the imperial examinations for those from poor families to the emperor's prestige.

In terms of temperament and methods, he was far superior to Song Shenzhi, Dong Jiming, and others.

"Minister Sun!" Amidst the jubilation, Song Shenzhi and other students crowded around Sun Fujia, whispering, "His Majesty is determined to reform the imperial examination system, but what about His Highness?"

"Is there an imperial decree to release His Highness?"

"You needn't worry." Seeing Song Shenzhi and the others' concern for Li Xiang, Sun Fujia nodded with satisfaction. With talented scholars and loyal ministers, even those from humble backgrounds could rise to prominence in the Tang Dynasty. It was no wonder that scoundrel valued those from humble backgrounds so highly.

"His Majesty has already stated clearly in court that Your Highness's beating of Zheng Langzhong is nothing more than youthful indiscretion."

"In a moment, take him to the East Market and fake an execution to frighten the imperial grandson. In reality, just give him a few lashes to appease Zheng Shi, and that will be the end of it."

"What!" The group's expressions changed drastically. Song Shenzhi said indignantly, "How can you humiliate His Highness like this in public!"

"Please be patient," Sun Fujia waved his hand, stopping them.

"The Zheng family is deeply entrenched, and Your Majesty should give them an explanation. A few lashes for the child's misbehavior should silence the Zheng family. If they continue to harass the imperial grandson in the future, they will be in the wrong."

"Moreover—although the imperial grandson has the ambition to achieve great things, he has repeatedly taken risks and angered His Majesty on several occasions."

Recalling Li Xiang's arrogant behavior, Sun Fujia shook his head and smiled bitterly.

"A little punishment can temper his character. If he continues to be so arrogant and loses the emperor's favor, then it will be a disaster."

Sun Fujia recalled the register in his arms—the Crown Prince might be rebellious, but he was by no means as incompetent as the common people said.

Even if, by a mere one in ten thousand chance, it is possible to—

The succession of the Tang Dynasty's ancestral temples must proceed smoothly and in accordance with the established rites and moral order; this is what all the loyal and upright officials desire!

Even if it's just a matter of chance, we can't just sit idly by and watch that brat lose the Emperor's favor.

Song Shenzhi and the others were unaware that many thoughts had already crossed Sun Fujia's mind.

They were still indignant on Li Xiang's behalf, but Sun Fujia's advice was indeed reasonable. So they all suppressed their resentment.

Dong Jiming suddenly asked, "Will the Zheng family members go to witness the execution?"

"They suffered a crushing defeat at the court assembly, and to vent their anger, they might go and witness the execution," Sun Fujia said.

"How can that be!" Song Shenzhi and the others stood up indignantly. "How can we allow His Highness to suffer the humiliation of such despicable people!"

"We're going to the East Market too! To stand up for His Majesty and show him courage! We want to see if those aristocratic families dare to humiliate His Highness in front of us!"

"Absolutely! I'll go too!"

"We will go too, willing to serve Your Highness!"

The dozen or so scholars who had followed Li Xiang all expressed their opinions.

"Alright, you may go if you wish, but do not make a fuss, and do not reveal His Majesty's intention to frighten the imperial grandson." Sun Fujia smiled helplessly.

These young men don't even realize that the brat is going to be stripped naked and beaten with a board.

The more people gather around to watch, the more humiliated that brat will become.

With a whoosh, the lock was released.

The wooden threshold was opened, and Li Xiang, who was fast asleep in the haystack, was groggily awakened. His first words were: "Hmm?"

Did they give him a last meal before he was executed?

Outside the prison gate, Sun Fujia's lips twitched uncontrollably.

He tried to keep a straight face and sighed. He took a food box from the jailer and placed it in front of Li Xiang with a sorrowful expression.

"Your Highness—after you have finished your meal, please come with this old minister."

"Leave?" Li Xiang was taken aback, only then realizing that the prison door was wide open and that Sun Fujia had come in person.

"Where to?"

"East Market." Sun Fujia tried to put on a solemn expression.

"East Market?" Li Xiang was taken aback, then overjoyed!

The execution ground in Chang'an was located under an old locust tree in the East Market! Hou Junji died here not long ago.

"What else is there to eat!" Li Xiang sprang to his feet, ignoring the lunchbox, and dragged Sun Fujia out.

Going back to Crazy Thursday with a sugary drink, isn't that better than this Tang Dynasty's last meal before execution?

"Father, are we really just going to let this go like this?"

Inside the Zheng family carriage, Zheng Jingzhi, his face full of resentment, tugged at Zheng Renzhe's sleeve and asked.

Having passed the imperial examination, Zheng Renzhe was riding high. He was waiting for the Ministry of Personnel to appoint him to a fertile and prosperous place, so that he could hold an official position and leave his name in history.

Who would have thought that, first humiliated by that brat grandson of the emperor, he would now be stripped of his official rank and title?

The imperial edict sounded nice: "The appointment of officials is temporarily suspended," and they are required to retake the imperial examination before the decision is made.

But family members know their own situation. Zheng Jingzhi couldn't even recite the classics properly. Without the protection of his family, how could he pass the imperial examination?

Not to mention, the imperial court also intended to reform the imperial examination system.

If he fails the imperial examination and loses his official position, wouldn't that tell the world that Zheng Jingzhi is incompetent and a fraudster who tries to get ahead?

"Shut up! Because of you, my unfilial son, I have lost all face!"

Zheng Ren cursed. His face turned even redder due to his anger.

"Who could have imagined that that brat would leave behind such a contingency plan? He actually incited scholars from humble backgrounds to petition the emperor again—with them as an excuse, His Majesty will naturally be happy to use the will of the people as a pretext to warn and suppress our aristocratic families."

"His Majesty's decree has just been issued, so we cannot attempt the imperial examinations in the short term—you should focus on your studies. If you fail the special imperial examination, see how your father will deal with you!"

Zheng Jingzhi shrank back, feeling extremely guilty. Then he said indignantly, "His Majesty is truly confused."

"Those peasants are crude, stupid, and of lowly birth. How are they any different from animals? No matter how many animals there are, they don't speak human language! Why listen to them! You'll only offend us nobles for them!"

Zheng Renzhe glared at his son but did not refute him. Instead, he said, "His Majesty rose from Guanzhong and has always used the powerful families of Guanzhong to balance the power of the Shandong aristocratic families."

"In recent years, many of our Shandong aristocratic families have intermarried with the powerful families of Guanzhong. His Majesty has long intended to promote people from humble backgrounds in order to balance the two factions of Guanzhong and ours."

"Those born into humble circumstances and without any real power can only rely on the imperial authority. Only such people can Your Majesty truly trust and utilize."

"Sun Fujia, Ma Zhou, and others who have risen to prominence in the court in recent years are all of this type."

'

However, a foundation built over millennia cannot be severed by a single word from Your Majesty. Even if the power to administer the imperial examinations were temporarily returned to Your Majesty, it would only be a temporary respite.

"It is not easy for those from poor families to enter school, but we have a family tradition of learning. As long as we uphold our family tradition, given time, we will surely rise again. This is the foundation left to us by our ancestors."

"They'll get what's coming to them then," Zheng Ren said through gritted teeth.

"6

"Father, but who knows how long we'll have to wait then!" Zheng Jingzhi said indignantly.

"That scoundrel has repeatedly bullied and humiliated me, I hate him! I only want to avenge him!"

"Yi Yun, a wise man keeps his talents hidden until the right time to act." Zheng Ren glanced at his son. "I came to witness the execution today so that you could ease your mind."

"If you're still not satisfied, you can go up and humiliate that brat a few times—hmm? Isn't that brat in that car?"

""

Ahead, a carriage from the Dali Temple slowly came to a stop. A man in shackles jumped off the carriage, but was still looking around. It was none other than that brat Li Xiang.

When Zheng Jingzhi saw Li Xiang, he felt an inexplicable surge of anger rising from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.

He immediately stopped his carriage and jumped off.

Zheng Renzhe's expression also darkened. He got out of the car and, together with his son, looked towards Li Xiang's direction.

Zheng Jingzhi was furious. As he walked, he was plotting how to take advantage of the brat's fear and unease to frighten and humiliate him.

But when Li Xiang saw them, his eyes lit up, and he came over, dragging his shackles with a clanking sound.

"Oh dear! Brother Zheng! Uncle Zheng!"

"We misunderstood you! We really misunderstood you! The Zheng family isn't just bragging, they're truly amazing!"

"I never expected you guys to be so capable! You handled this brilliantly! Absolutely brilliantly! Absolutely brilliantly!"

"It's a pity I don't know where your graves are—otherwise, when I get back, I'll offer a few more sticks of incense at your graves!"

"What a kind person! The Zheng family of Xingyang, truly a kind person!"

Li Xiang spoke earnestly, shaking Zheng Jingzhi's hand repeatedly, and a few tears of emotion actually welled up in his eyes.

Zheng Jingzhi looked bewildered, his belly full of harsh words stuck in his throat, frozen in place.

What is this kid up to now?