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

This is... the art of imperial power!

Li Xiang's resounding questions, every word and phrase, pierced through the innermost secrets of imperial strategy, revealing the true essence of imperial rule that no one dared to utter aloud!

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire Hibiscus Garden became even noisier, and even the emperor's majesty was somewhat overwhelmed.

Changsun Wuji, Xiao Yu, Chu Suiliang, and other senior officials all kept their lips tightly closed and their brows furrowed.

The group exchanged glances, their eyes filled with surprise and uncertainty, while their hearts were already churning with turmoil.

Li Shimin himself also stiffened slightly, and his pupils suddenly contracted.

Such insightful and penetrating arguments, which directly address the essence of power politics, are not something that an ordinary young person could fully comprehend, much less utter casually.

Even Li Zhi, the Prince of Jin, who always kept his head down, pretended to be kind and gentle and not involved in disputes, couldn't help but raise his eyes in astonishment. His gaze toward Li Xiang revealed an indescribable strangeness and surprise.

My usually unremarkable nephew is actually... this sharp-witted?

After a long silence, Li Shimin forcibly suppressed the fear in his heart, his face as cold and still as a deep pool, and with the majesty of the emperor, he asked in a deep voice:

"Who privately taught you these heretical doctrines and sophistry?"

"Who taught you this? Do you really need someone else to teach you such a principle?"

Faced with Li Shimin's stern questioning, Li Xiang showed no fear whatsoever. Instead, he sneered, his tone full of undisguised sarcasm:

"Your Majesty has reigned over the world for seventeen years, ruling the Tang Dynasty and sitting atop the highest throne. Yet you cannot even see through or explain the most basic principles of being a ruler and governing a country. Instead, you come to ask me who taught you. Is this not laughable?"

"What, Your Majesty? Do you want me to teach you some more?"

These words directly offended Li Shimin, whose expression instantly darkened. He suppressed his anger and retorted in a deep voice, "Why should I need you to teach me!"

"What you call decisive killing and abandoning benevolence to use force is nothing more than the tyrannical way of conquering in chaotic times."

"Now that the world is unified and all hearts are at peace, the flames of war have long since dissipated. The Tang Dynasty has no need for a domineering new emperor who relies on force to oppress others."

"What we need is a sage ruler who personally practices benevolent governance, transforms the people through virtue, and wins the hearts of all people, making the world submit to him!"

"I wish to establish an heir based on virtue, choosing a wise and benevolent ruler who can bring peace to the nation and pacify the world. What is wrong with this?"

"Establishing an heir based on merit? The way of the king and the wise ruler?" Li Xiang laughed loudly, his laughter full of mockery and disdain.

"Since ancient times, the way of the king has prioritized primogeniture to establish the foundation of the state and reassure the people. Your Majesty was not originally the eldest son of the legitimate wife; you ascended the throne only by taking advantage of the fratricidal strife at Xuanwu Gate. Your ascension to the throne can hardly be considered legitimate!"

"He has his own background to rely on, yet he talks empty words about royal morality, trying to force the people to continue to submit to a crown prince who is not the legitimate heir?"

"Absolutely ridiculous!"

Li Shimin's face darkened further.

"Furthermore, what constitutes 'virtuous'?" Li Xiang's tone grew increasingly sarcastic. "Is it simply being in accordance with His Majesty's wishes and gaining His Majesty's favor? Or is it being praised by Confucian scholars and officials?"

"If simply pleasing His Majesty is enough to be considered virtuous, then those who spend their days fawning over the Emperor, neglecting state affairs and the people's suffering, merely gathering scholars to write a few books under their own names, staying at home to stir up public opinion and cultivate their reputation, can all be hailed as virtuous kings, is that so?"

These words were a direct attack on Li Tai. Li Tai's face suddenly froze, his body trembled slightly, and he almost lost his composure and stood up. Fortunately, Wei Ting, who was beside him, hurriedly grabbed his hem and barely managed to calm him down.

Li Xiang continued, "If many praise him, he can be called virtuous. Then all he needs to do is comply with the wishes of the Confucian scholars and officials, and he can gain a reputation for virtue!"

"But what do these people really want? No matter how high-sounding their words may be, in reality, the vast majority just crave more money and more power!"

"What they need most is a crown prince who is willing to delegate power and indulge his officials! They hope that one day the new emperor will be inactive and not interfere in any affairs!"

"They dream of using Confucian classics and the idea that 'the sage emperor governs the world by doing nothing' to deceive the monarch. On the surface, it sounds grand and dignified, but in reality, isn't it just a way to undermine the emperor's power and seize more of it?"

"In their eyes, a good emperor is one who is sidelined, has no real power, and is manipulated by his officials! That's the kind of wise and enlightened ruler they praise!"

"But is this kind of ruler truly the wise ruler that the people need?"

Li Shimin's pupils suddenly dilated, his phoenix eyes fixed on Li Xiang, his heart trembled, and he subconsciously fell into deep thought.

These words struck at the heart of the problems in the court and the very essence of the power struggle between the emperor and his ministers.

Li Xiang was well-versed in the art of debate, leaving no room for his opponent to retort. He continued to speak eloquently and bluntly: "Your Majesty boasts that you are superior to Li Jiancheng, therefore you should rightfully ascend the throne as emperor."

"These words may fool the court and the public, but if His Majesty were to actually believe them, that would be the most ridiculous thing imaginable!"

"Why was His Majesty chosen as 'virtuous' back then? It was because he held the Grand Secretariat of Shaanxi East Circuit, the Tiance Mansion, and the heavy military force of the Twelve Guards! He had countless civil officials and military generals under his command, and his power was immense. Who dared to say that His Majesty was not virtuous?"

"Whether someone is virtuous or not is never determined by their moral character, but rather by either power or military force!"

"Even so, one must first be without an elder brother before one can claim the title of emperor! Otherwise, one's claim will be illegitimate and lack legitimacy!"

"Now that Your Majesty is on the throne, your power covers the entire country, and all officials bow down. As for which prince is virtuous and which is inferior, it is entirely up to Your Majesty's word."

"But what happens after His Majesty passes away? Will the people truly believe that an emperor who is not the eldest son of the legitimate wife has a legitimate claim to the throne?"

"And then what? What if, in the future, a future emperor of the Tang Dynasty is weak and incompetent, unable to control the court?"

At this point, Li Xiang slowly raised his finger, first pointing to Yu Zhining, who was still slumped to the side, looking bewildered, then sweeping his gaze over the group of Confucian officials, including Kong Yingda, who were still unconscious: "At that time, will it be decided by these eloquent and persuasive Confucian scholars who are skilled at stirring up trouble?"

He then turned his hand and pointed to the group of meritorious officials and powerful ministers standing behind Li Shimin, led by Changsun Wuji, his gaze sharp as a blade: "Are we still going to allow these noble officials and powerful families to control the succession to the throne and decide the emperor's fate privately?"

"..."

Yu Zhining and Kong Yingda were struck dumb. One trembled all over and hung his head without uttering a sound; the other was pale but could only suppress his fear and continue to pretend to be unconscious on the ground.

Although Changsun Wuji's expression remained unchanged, his hands, which were tucked into his sleeves, unconsciously clenched tighter.

Seeing that Li Shimin was speechless, Li Xiang felt extremely pleased. He continued:

"What have His Majesty been done to by these Confucian officials! If he's already so muddle-headed, why doesn't he abdicate and become the Retired Emperor? Is he clinging to his position because he fears the Tang Dynasty will never perish?!"

"presumptuous!"

However, it was Changsun Wuji who stepped forward and stood solemnly beside Li Shimin, displaying an attitude of upholding Li Shimin's imperial authority.

"Your Majesty, this boy is spreading heresies, making irresponsible remarks about the foundations of the state, and disrespecting Your Majesty."

"They dare to distort the true path of the king, bewitch people, sow discord between the emperor and his ministers, destroy the mandate of heaven for the Li family, and disrupt the order of the Tang Dynasty!"

He bowed deeply to Li Shimin, his voice solemn.

"To prevent this child from spreading his poison, I request—that he be executed!"