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

"Your Majesty, I implore you not to approach the city gate! Or please allow me to close the Vermilion Bird Gate immediately—a large crowd has gathered outside, and their presence is imposing. If any rebels were to risk attacking the gate and harm Your Majesty's health, I would be condemned to death!"

At the foot of the gate tower of Zhuque City, the garrison commander knelt on one knee, his forehead beaded with cold sweat, and his voice was strained.

Since he had been stationed at the Vermilion Bird Gate, he had never seen such a large gathering of people. He was already flustered, and when he saw that His Majesty had come here in person, he was even more frightened and trembled all over.

Li Shimin did not utter a word, nor did he stop walking. He led Li Tai and Li Zhi, along with several imperial guards dressed in black armor and carrying long swords, directly up the stone steps of the city tower.

He was once the King of Qin who commanded thousands of troops and swept across the land, and the Emperor of Tang who pacified the world and created the prosperous Zhenguan era. Having experienced countless battles and bloodshed, what is there to fear from a mere thousand unarmed commoners and students?

But when he stepped onto the city wall, leaned against the cold parapet, and looked down at the city below...

Even though he had prepared himself mentally, a hint of undisguised astonishment still flashed across his face—the scene outside the Vermilion Bird Gate was even more magnificent and shocking than he had expected!

Below the city gate, the open space in front of the Vermilion Bird Gate was densely packed with people, a dark mass that stretched as far as the eye could see, even blocking the wide Vermilion Bird Avenue.

Dozens of students from the Imperial Academy, dressed in neat Confucian robes, stood side by side in front of the Vermilion Bird Gate, their backs ramrod straight as pines.

Behind the student were thousands of onlookers—some were ordinary people in short brown clothes with weathered faces, some were merchants carrying loads of goods with dusty clothes, some were elderly people with white hair and canes, and many were poor students in plain scholar's robes, all whispering among themselves.

The warriors, armed with iron rulers, were trying to maintain order on Zhuque Street and disperse the crowds. However, their numbers were few, and their efforts were insufficient to meet the ever-growing influx of people from all directions.

Even more surprisingly, several military officers forgot their duties, their iron rulers hanging at their sides as they stared blankly at the front of the crowd, their faces full of emotion, seemingly also infected by this sorrowful and resolute momentum.

Li Shimin's gaze finally fell on the short figure in blue at the front of the crowd—it was none other than that brat Li Xiang.

Li Xiang stood tall and proud, his arms outstretched, as if shouting something.

With each shout, the impoverished students in front of him would erupt in deafening cheers, their resounding voices soaring into the sky; even many of the onlookers behind him were moved by his sincerity and determination, and joined in the shouts.

The shouts rose and fell, gradually coalescing into a powerful force that made the wooden beams of the city tower tremble slightly!

From the perspective of ordinary soldiers, these scholars from humble backgrounds were already in a state of high morale and united will. Li Shimin thought to himself: This morale is no less than that of his most elite soldiers.

At such a young age, in such a short time, he was able to gather a crowd and create such a spectacle... Li Shimin narrowed his phoenix eyes, forcibly suppressing the shock in his heart.

"Bluebird".

"Father, I am here." Li Taizheng stared blankly at the massive crowd below the city, his mind reeling from the sight before him. Hearing Li Shimin call him, he snapped out of his daze and quickly composed himself and bowed.

Li Shimin looked down at the city below with a deep gaze, his tone icy: "You shall handle this matter today."

"You must disperse the crowd of scholars and commoners, and then seize that brat and bring him before me."

Prince Li Tai of Wei has always been fond of literature and has recruited talented people. He enjoys a high reputation among the scholars in Chang'an and is respected by them.

Li Shimin had his own considerations at this moment. He intended to let Li Tai handle the matter, hoping that Li Tai could use his reputation among scholars to appease people and quell the situation.

Subconsciously, he also didn't want his son, on whom he now placed so much hope, to be outshone by a young and arrogant brat in terms of prestige, presence, and popular support.

"...Yes." Li Tai crossed his arms, glanced at the crowd below, and felt a little apprehensive.

Since the incident at Furong Garden, Li Tai knew that Li Shimin had seen through his ambitions. He also knew that Li Shimin's recent order for him and Li Zhi to participate in court affairs was intended as a test and comparison.

Today's matter is a major test facing him.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the unease in his heart, and once again put on the composed demeanor befitting a King of Wei, slowly walking down the city wall.

He is the King of Wei, the most promising heir apparent to be made crown prince. Compared to a powerless and worthless illegitimate grandson of the Li family, the common people would be more likely to believe in him, the King of Wei.

-----------------

Wei Wanshi had shouted himself hoarse. He tried to coerce, plead, and even try to bribe the students, but nothing could compare to a simple incitement from this brat Li Xiang.

His noble lineage and the prestige he held as an official of the Ministry of Rites had long since vanished and were now utterly useless.

His failure to persuade these students to leave, leading to their gathering and disturbance at the city gates, will undoubtedly result in severe punishment from His Majesty.

Wei Wanshi was drenched in sweat, completely disoriented. Only when he saw the figure in purple robes and a jade belt appear inside the city gate did he seem to regain his composure, exclaiming with delight, "Your Highness, Prince Wei!"

"The King of Wei?"

"This humble general pays his respects to Your Highness, the Prince of Wei."

"Your subject pays respects to the King of Wei..."

Prince Li Tai of Wei, as the only prince with real power in Chang'an City second only to the emperor, naturally commands the highest prestige among officials and common people.

Upon hearing that the King of Wei had personally come to the Vermilion Bird Gate, the people immediately fell silent, and the students also looked over with burning eyes.

The King of Wei has come; he must be here to give them justice!

"Are you gathering your comrades, inciting ordinary citizens, blocking the imperial road, disturbing the gates, and causing trouble to violate the law, threaten the court, and bring disaster upon your families?"

These words carried great weight, and the students fell silent as soon as Li Tai finished speaking.

Song Shenzhi glanced at Li Xiang, and seeing Li Xiang nod, he stepped forward and said:

"Your Highness, we are not deliberately causing trouble. We are simply wronged and have nowhere to appeal. Therefore, we have no other choice."

"I have absolutely no intention of violating the law."

Li Tai knew that to resolve this incident, suppression alone was not the way to go; a combination of kindness and firmness was necessary.

"Most of you come from humble backgrounds and have studied diligently for over a decade, hoping for fairness in the imperial examinations and a path to advancement. I understand your desire for learning and your yearning for justice, and so does my father."

"But understanding is one thing, acting recklessly is another!"

"I have always loved the books of sages and I know what righteousness is. As for your request for fairness in the imperial examinations, I can go to the palace on your behalf and report to His Majesty the truth. The court will investigate and handle the matter accordingly and give you an explanation."

"But now, disperse immediately! Don't listen to the instigation of that treacherous person!"

"Otherwise, if things go awry, don't blame me for not standing up for you!"

Li Tai's gaze swept over the crowd, finally settling on Li Xiang.

"As for you, Li Xiang."

"As a member of the Li clan, instead of remaining obedient and law-abiding, you incited scholars and coerced the common people, leading the blocking of the palace gates and disrupting the court. As your uncle, I have a duty to discipline you! Since this matter originated with you, come with me to the palace to meet the Emperor and await his judgment!"

He adopted the demeanor of an elder and reprimanded Li Xiangdao.