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

Chapter 104 The First Free Fighting Tournament of the Eastern Market of the Tang Dynasty

This is indeed a memorial.

It is a legacy that reveals the true nature of "Confucianism" and exposes the absolutely shameful secrets behind the "family learning" of aristocratic families!

It was also a memorial presented to the emperor, sowing discord between him and the powerful families, causing them to drift apart from each other from then on!

Only someone who doesn't value their life would dare to say such things.

Zheng Renzhe never expected that Li Xiang would make such a final, desperate act when he thought he was going to die.

How could they be so crazy?!

"Father, this—"

"How can we stop it?"

Completely terrified, Zheng Jingzhi looked helplessly at Zheng Renzhe, who had fallen off the chair and was yelling at him. His helpless expression was even worse than crying.

Do powerful families want to manipulate the emperor? Do they want to control and define right and wrong in the world?

Even though he himself was from a prominent family and had always been proud of it, he had never thought of such an arrogant thing!

Zheng Ren scrambled to his feet, his head covered in cold sweat, his eyes filled with extreme panic and ruthlessness.

Although it was just a subconscious roar, looking at his terrified and helpless son, only one thing remained in his mind—he absolutely could not let that brat continue to spout nonsense!

He steadied himself, abruptly lifted the carriage curtain, climbed out, and stood on the carriage shaft, saying, "This boy's mind is in complete disarray before his execution; he's spouting nothing but false speculation and baseless accusations!"

He was no longer thinking about how to vent his anger. All he could think about now was ending this farce as quickly as possible.

If this brat continues to spout nonsense, I'm afraid that when my son and I return, we'll really have to choose a gravesite first!

At this moment, Li Xiang was still delivering a passionate speech on the stage.

Meanwhile, below the stage, a group of commoners and scholars couldn't help but whisper amongst themselves.

"This—is Your Highness's statement too biased? The commentaries of the classics by sages throughout history have all been made with impartiality—"

"The sages acted out of public interest, but that doesn't mean their descendants share that same spirit. If they weren't trying to monopolize Confucianism, why would those powerful families hoard their own rare and precious works by their ancestors, unwilling to share them with others?"

"I think His Highness makes a good point. There are indeed too many commentaries on the classics—those aristocratic scholars can quote the commentaries of the sages no matter what they say or do, as if the commentaries were written specifically for them."

Discussions rose and fell, the atmosphere was chaotic, and everyone was filled with doubt and skepticism.

However, whether they believed it or not, many of the impoverished scholars present ultimately harbored a greater degree of doubt in their hearts:

Is it possible that Confucianism could become a tool for powerful aristocratic families to manipulate people's hearts and control the court?

Just then, a man suddenly emerged from the carriage, stood on the carriage shaft, and shouted.

The scholars, who were still hesitating and arguing, suddenly turned their attention to him!

"Who is this?" someone asked quietly.

"This man is Zheng Gong, the Left Assistant Secretary of the Secretariat, from the northern branch of the Zheng clan of Xingyang. His son is the one who passed the imperial examination this year—"

"This is the person His Highness beat in front of the Vermilion Bird Gate."

"The Zheng family of Xingyang? Why are you rushing out of the carriage?"

Originally, only half of the scholars from humble backgrounds present believed Li Xiang's words, but after Zheng Renze shouted this, even those scholars who were absolutely skeptical began to have doubts.

If this didn't happen, why rush to deny it?

Is he feeling guilty?

Zheng Ren was only focused on ending the farce and preventing Li Xiang's "last stand" from reaching Li Shimin's ears. He failed to notice that his behavior was causing the scholars to look at him strangely.

"Minister Sun, it's noon! Why haven't you carried out the execution yet?!"

He was still urging him on, thinking that the brat should finish his beating and leave so that the farce could come to an end.

But they forgot that the vast majority of people present were unaware that Li Xiang was actually only to be flogged—

"Well, well! This man rushed to carry out the execution before His Highness the Imperial Grandson could finish his memorial, trying to silence him? What else could it be but a guilty conscience?"

"These powerful and influential families are only interested in exploiting us poor and humble people!"

"You treacherous villain! How vicious your heart is!"

Hesitation, anger, and frustration found an outlet in an instant, and the crowd began to surge in the opposite direction towards Zheng's carriages and horses on the outer perimeter.

"What are you all doing?"

Zheng Ren exclaimed in alarm. These powerful and noble families had never taken these scholars from humble backgrounds seriously. This time, it was only a subconscious remark. But now, he realized: those words had not only sown discord between the aristocratic families and the emperor, but also between the aristocratic families and the scholars from humble backgrounds—

"You—you want to rebel?!" Zheng Ren shouted sternly, his voice barely concealing his fear, trying to maintain the air of a high-ranking official from a powerful family.

At this moment, the scholars from humble backgrounds were filled with anger, having just passed through the Vermilion Bird Gate and knelt before it, and having just been shocked to hear of the despicable thoughts of these high-ranking families.

They were no longer afraid of powerful and influential families.

Moreover, His Highness sacrificed himself to pave the way for the poor and needy, yet these powerful and wealthy families still tried to cover up their crimes even in their dying moments!

Who is loyal and who is treacherous, who is public and who is private, is already crystal clear!

Someone in the crowd raised their hand first, and a rotten leaf of cabbage flew through the air, accurately smearing Zheng Renzhe's sanctimonious face.

Snapped!

A soft sound.

But it was like tolling the death knell for the collapse of aristocratic families!

"Who!" Zheng Ren felt a foul stench fill his mouth and nose, making him almost vomit. He peeled the rotten vegetable leaves off his face and roared instinctively, wanting to find the culprit.

However, the next moment...

Mud, spoiled fruit, rotten eggs, rotten vegetable leaves, and countless other miscellaneous items were all thrown at Zheng's carriages and horses!

Densely packed, flying everywhere!

"A hypocrite who deceives the world and steals fame!"

"Occupying family education, monopolizing official careers, and deceiving the people!"

"Today I'll show you the fury of us commoners!"

Countless scholars rushed forward in anger and surrounded the carriage. The humiliation of their family status, which had been suppressed for decades or even centuries, finally erupted at this moment!

At first, he was just throwing random objects, but after a while, he completely lost control of his emotions.

The martial spirit of the Tang Dynasty was abundant, and several passionate scholars and commoners rushed forward, grabbed the reins of the carriage, and kicked the wooden planks of the carriage fiercely. Some even reached out to try to pull Zheng Renzhe off the carriage!

Clang! Boom!

The luxurious and exquisite carriage of the noble family suddenly shook violently, the curtains tore, and the wooden frame trembled.

Zheng Jingzhi, inside the carriage, was already terrified, huddled in a corner, trembling, completely devoid of the arrogance of a noble son.

They only dared to tremble in fear amidst the sea of ​​poor people!

Zheng Renzhe had already been dragged off the carriage, and in the chaos, he was punched several times by someone. Zheng Jingzhi was also recognized and shouted at to get out.

Even the other prominent families who wanted to see Li Xiang make a fool of himself were recognized and surrounded by others.

Countless punches and kicks rained down on the carriage floor and shafts. Those usually imposing and dignified noblemen could only cower in fear inside their carriages, trembling with dread. Some of these young men tried to shout and intimidate the crowd, but they were often met with a beating in return.

A series of muffled thuds followed.

"This—you wait! Don't do anything reckless! Don't do anything reckless!"

Sun Fujia was almost going crazy. He never expected that Li Xiang would only say that he wanted to present a memorial, but it turned into such a scene!

He didn't have time to blame Li Xiang; he hurriedly led the officials of the Dali Temple to control the situation.

If someone were to die in such a situation, it would be an absolutely horrific incident!

On the execution platform, Sun Fujia led his soldiers and officials, and even the burly man with a fierce face, who was supposed to be the executioner, jumped down from the platform to maintain order.

In the end, only Li Xiang was left standing awkwardly on the high platform, bewildered in the wind.

He never expected that old man Zheng Renzhe would suddenly jump out, divert all the hatred, and turn the scene into a free-fighting match in Dongshi!

"Uh—no—"

"Why did it suddenly change like this?"

"So, are you going to kill me or not?"

>