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

Sun Fujia's silence did not last long.

Under the sharp gaze of Li Xiang, the anxious look of Kong Yingda, and the expectant, tense, or gloating stares of three thousand students, he remained silent for only three breaths before speaking: "Does Your Highness, the Imperial Grandson, have any concrete evidence?"

"How could Minister Sun so easily believe this scoundrel's nonsense!" Before Li Xiang could respond, Kong Yingda impatiently interrupted.

"I was personally appointed by His Majesty to oversee the Imperial Academy, managing Confucian education and the examinations of students throughout the realm. Every step I have taken has been in accordance with His Majesty's wishes and the established regulations. How can there be any talk of monopolizing quotas or blocking the path of the poor?"

Li Xiang completely disregarded Kong Yingda's defense, his gaze remaining fixed on Sun Fujia, his tone calm and resolute: "The evidence is not hard to find—simply examine the number of students from humble backgrounds who passed the preliminary examinations at the Imperial Academy and were granted permission to participate in the imperial examinations each year from the Wude to the Zhenguan eras, and then compare that with the number of students from aristocratic families who passed the examinations. The shady dealings will be immediately apparent, enough to confirm the facts of the corruption."

He glanced at the poor students in the corner: "As for evidence, only those who can't lie will learn to do so."

"Let these students from humble backgrounds compete on the spot with those from aristocratic families who have passed the preliminary and intermediate examinations. It will be clear who is superior, who has real talent and learning, and who is just relying on their family background and rote memorization to get by."

"Minister Sun is an upright man, devoted to the country. Is there anyone willing to step forward and clear the name of scholars like you from humble backgrounds?"

Li Xiang knew all too well that in this era, gaining admission to the Imperial Academy was already incredibly difficult, and for those from humble backgrounds, it was virtually impossible. For them, studying was the only way to defy fate and the only hope to escape the shackles of social class.

Therefore, their thirst for knowledge and their obsession with improvement must far surpass that of the aristocratic sons who had family connections and favored teachers, and who could live comfortably even without learning, and even enter officialdom through their connections. It was impossible for such hardworking students from poor families to be able to pass the simple examinations controlled by Kong Yingda over several years, as he claimed.

Before he could finish speaking, Li Xiang caught a glimpse of the poor scholars' appearances—after hearing that Li Xiang had brought them out, some of the scholars were so shocked that they even subconsciously lowered their heads to avoid Li Xiang's gaze.

They were afraid of being drawn into this conflict.

"Never mind... I'm sure Minister Sun can find out whether these people are truly talented or not," Li Xiang said, shifting his gaze away.

He didn't blame those scholars from poor families; the imperial examination system was still in its infancy, and the Tang Dynasty was still dominated by the aristocratic class.

They have been oppressed for too long.

But Li Xiang's averted gaze still caused Wang Xuance and the others standing in the crowd to feel a sting.

Sun Fujia pondered. He too came from a poor family and struggled to study in his youth. Because he was literate, he served as a minor official during the Sui Dynasty.

After the founding of the Tang Dynasty, he submitted to the Tang and was transferred to the position of legal officer in Wannian County. Wanting to advance further, he participated in the imperial examination in the fifth year of the Wude era and became the top scholar. After the Xuanwu Gate Incident, he was appointed as the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

He himself came from a poor family, so he knew exactly how difficult it was for children from poor families to get ahead through education! If it weren't for the founding of the Tang Dynasty, and if he hadn't joined the Qin King's army, he would probably still be just a lowly official from a poor family.

He was confident that his talent was in no way inferior to that of the sons of the aristocratic families!

but……

Sun Fujia shook his head again. His expression remained serious as he said, "I cannot comply with what the Imperial Grandson has said."

"Firstly, the quality of students' academic performance is determined by the Imperial Academy's doctors and officials through monthly examinations and year-end tests, which follow a fair system. This is the prerogative of the Imperial Academy's Chancellor, and our Court of Judicial Review has no right to interfere."

"Secondly, the Imperial Grandson mentioned the so-called corruption case, which is unprecedented in our dynasty. This matter involves education and culture, and according to regulations, it should be handled by the Ministry of Rites. Our Court of Judicial Review has no authority over it..."

"However, the Ministry of Rites lacks the ability to adjudicate prison cases," Li Xiang said.

"According to regulations, the Ministry of Rites should issue the document," Sun Fujia said.

"Very well, I won't make things difficult for Minister Sun," Li Xiang said. "Then, I will go to the Ministry of Rites to file a complaint myself."

After saying that, he called to Liu Zhi, who was extremely uneasy behind him, "Let's go back to Longqingfang first."

"Your Highness... wait a moment." Sun Fujia stepped forward and called out to Li Xiang, who was about to turn and leave.

"This case has no precedent to follow. Your Highness is neither a direct victim of the imperial examination corruption scandal nor does he have any solid documentary evidence..." he said, his eyes sweeping over the group of silent, trembling students from humble backgrounds, then looking at Kong Yingda and the group of aristocratic students, subtly hinting:

"...Forgive my bluntness, but this case...is extremely difficult. Not to mention the Ministry of Rites, even if Your Highness were to appeal to His Majesty, you would probably only receive a reprimand and punishment from His Majesty, making Your Highness's situation even more difficult."

"Whether you come from a humble background or not is none of Your Highness's concern. Why must Your Highness..."

"Is this none of my business?" Li Xiang knew that his chance to turn his reputation around had come.

He let out a long breath and said, "Knowing it's unfair, are we just going to pretend we didn't see it?"

"As for the difficulties—the emperor listened to treacherous officials and allowed the Prince of Wei to compete for the throne, leaving behind a hidden danger for all time. I also dare to expose the ills of the dynasty and publicly criticize the monarch."

"What does this matter?"

Sun Fujia stood there, stunned, staring at Li Xiang, whose expression was stern but whose eyes showed no fear. Filled with confusion, he finally couldn't help but speak, his tone tinged with inquiry and bewilderment: "...What exactly is the reason for Your Highness's actions?"

He truly didn't understand. If it were said that Li Xiang had previously made a scene before the emperor, pleading for the deposed crown prince Li Chengqian and even threatening suicide, it could still be explained—either he was genuinely filial to his father, or he still harbored ambitions for the supreme throne.

But now, he is speaking up for these poor scholars who don't even dare to look him in the eye or stand up and say a word in agreement, risking the wrath of the entire aristocratic class, the Imperial Academy, and even angering His Majesty again. This is illogical and far too much of a loss.

"Why?" Li Xiang smiled, and to Sun Fujia's astonishment, he actually reached out and patted Sun Fujia's shoulder.

"Because heaven and earth need righteous energy."

Sun Fujia's pupils suddenly contracted!

Li Xiang, however, had already turned away with his hands behind his back, exuding an air of arrogance. This fourteen-year-old boy, at this moment, was full of the demeanor of a grandmaster.

He was heard chanting as he walked:

"Heaven and earth possess righteous energy, which manifests in various forms."

"Below are rivers and mountains, above are the sun and stars."

"In people, it is called 'vast and righteous,' which fills the vast sky."

"The imperial road should be clear and peaceful, and the court should be radiant with harmony."

"True character is revealed in times of adversity, and its deeds are recorded in history..."

"Hahaha, students, Master Kong, you are either arrogant about your talents or consider yourselves great Confucian scholars."

"But do you dare to recite this 'Ode to Righteousness' with me?"

The sound lingered, but the person was already gone.

In the courtyard, a group of people looked shocked, their hair standing on end. Even the few officials and soldiers from the Court of Judicial Review forgot that they were supposed to escort Li Xiang back.

Everyone stared blankly in the direction Li Xiang had left, and for a moment you could hear a pin drop.

The breathtaking tranquility was shattered by a gasp.

"Master Kong?" "Chancellor Kong!" "Father?"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Kong Yingda lying limply on the platform, his face ashen, having fainted again.