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

Li Tai's speech began by addressing the principles of Confucianism, the hierarchy between ruler and subject, and the laws of the dynasty, firmly establishing his moral high ground. He then promised to petition the emperor on behalf of everyone, and many students of the Imperial Academy, who already harbored reservations, were now subtly tempted by his words.

Then he adopted the tone of an elder admonishing a junior, stating that he would arrest Li Xiang and bring him to the palace to report. He clearly wanted to use his seniority and status as a prince to intimidate Li Xiang, forcing him to be bound by etiquette and not dare to speak out against him in public.

Those present were all well-versed Confucian scholars who valued the fundamental principles of morality and etiquette. If Li Xiang were to publicly contradict the Imperial Uncle, he would be seen as rebellious, rude, and unreasonable, losing his sense of righteousness and becoming unable to win people's hearts.

Li Tai had long since figured out how to deal with his nephew, who repeatedly made outrageous remarks and acted rebelliously: only by silencing him and debunking his arguments could he gain the upper hand.

The surrounding common people and students all knew perfectly well that Li Xiang was the backbone of today's petition at the palace gates. All eyes were now on Li Xiang, waiting to see how he would respond and what choice he would make.

To Li Tai's surprise, Li Xiang stepped out from the crowd, looked at Li Tai calmly, and said, "Since the King of Wei is willing to step forward to plead our case, that would be wonderful."

His tone suddenly sharpened as he changed the subject: "But if I may be so bold as to ask Your Highness, how will you convey the people's opinions to His Majesty after entering the palace? And how will you advise His Majesty on how to deal with the officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel involved in this matter?"

Li Tai frowned slightly, but replied calmly, "The matter of cheating in the imperial examinations is of great importance and involves many people. It is too early to speak on this. We should wait for the Censorate and the Court of Judicial Review to thoroughly investigate before handing the matter over to His Majesty for a final decision."

"I see." Li Xiang nodded slightly, then pressed on, "Then may Your Highness make a promise before the thousands of scholars and commoners outside the Vermilion Bird Gate: that from now on, children from humble backgrounds will be able to take the imperial examinations on equal footing with children from aristocratic families, that they will be selected based on their talents, and that there will be no more favoritism based on social status or manipulation by powerful figures?"

Upon hearing this, Li Tai's expression immediately darkened.

His original plan was quite simple: he only needed to secretly increase the number of examination slots for those from poor families afterward to appease public opinion, and the storm would gradually subside.

However, to publicly promise that commoners and noble families would have complete equality and that there would be no distinction based on social status in the imperial examinations would be tantamount to openly standing against the powerful families of Guanzhong and Shandong, which would be equivalent to personally offending the entire aristocratic court. He simply could not agree to it.

They could only vaguely deflect the issue, saying, "The regulations for selecting officials are a major ceremony of the dynasty, and the weight of this matter should be left to the Emperor's judgment."

"It's the Holy Judgment again! Everything is attributed to the Holy Judgment!"

Li Xiang's expression suddenly turned cold, his gaze sharp as a blade: "King Wei, holding the esteemed position of a prince, prides himself on being courteous and respectful to scholars. Does he truly lack even the slightest sense of self-respect and responsibility when faced with justice and right and wrong?"

"You..." Li Tai was caught off guard and questioned in public. He was stunned and his face turned pale.

Before he could recover, Li Xiang spoke with resounding force, revealing the inner turmoil in front of everyone without leaving any room for negotiation: "Su Xu, the principal of the Ministry of Personnel, has been serving in the Prince of Wei's residence for many years, assisting with important matters and compiling the 'Kuodi Zhi' for Your Highness. He is Your Highness's trusted and close advisor!"

"Wei Wanshi, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, is the son of Wei Ting, who is the most trusted advisor in His Highness's household, and is relied upon as his right-hand man!"

"Now that the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Rites are suspected of colluding with the Imperial Academy to monopolize the imperial examinations, can Your Highness truly set aside personal relationships and disregard factions to genuinely advocate for the plight of those from humble backgrounds and urge the severe punishment of the officials involved?"

These words struck like a thunderclap from a clear sky, reaching the ears of everyone standing before the Vermilion Bird Gate.

The students, who had just been somewhat swayed by Li Tai's gentle words, suddenly became serious upon hearing this, instantly realizing that while Prince Wei appeared to be mediating fairly, he was actually deeply entrenched in the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Rites, with countless private factions connected to him.

"Insolence!" Hearing the commotion erupt again, Li Tai panicked and quickly adopted the demeanor of an elder, reprimanding, "I am your uncle!"

"When it comes to righteousness, let alone a close uncle, what does it matter if it's a close grandfather!" This fatso must be out of his mind. He can talk back to Li Shimin, and he still wants to use seniority to suppress me?

His expression was stern, and an aura of righteousness emanated from him. He stared directly at Li Tai and rebuked him sharply:

"The rise and fall of the state and the fairness of the land are of paramount importance! As a prince of the royal family, King Wei does not think of speaking up for the people, but instead tries to suppress me with his rank, status, power, and seniority. How can he win the hearts of the people?"

"Now that I dare to kneel before the imperial palace and plead with Heaven, I have already disregarded honor, disgrace, fortune, and misfortune! Even if it truly tears a hole in this gloomy sky, I will have no regrets!"

"Gentlemen! Fellow villagers!"

"Do you still remember why we have gathered here before the Vermilion Bird Gate today?"

"Who has blocked the path for those from poor families to enter officialdom? Who has extinguished your hopes for a promising future?"

"And who is it that arbitrarily controls the imperial examinations, monopolizes official careers, and cruelly deprives ordinary people of their right to study, serve their country, and establish themselves in society?"

"It is precisely those powerful and influential aristocratic families who occupy the court! It is precisely these corrupt officials who collude with each other!"

"They control the imperial examinations, blocking the path for people from poor families like us to advance!"

"It is they who, based on their social status, have forcibly divided people into different classes!"

"They have cut off the path for those from poor families, leaving us, with vast knowledge and learning, without the opportunity to serve our country or bring glory to our families!"

"If we allow them to entrenched themselves in the court and control everything, we will be the ones suffering today, and our descendants will suffer tomorrow!"

"For generations to come, children from poor families will never be able to hold their heads high, forever oppressed by their social class and exploited by the powerful!"

"Your descendants will live in a world devoid of justice and light, where they will be controlled and enslaved by powerful clans and ministers!"

His words were passionate and impassioned, each word a tear of blood, striking the deepest wounds in the hearts of impoverished scholars and ordinary people. The echoes reverberated before the Vermilion Bird Gate, moving everyone present and reigniting their emotions.

"Your wives, children, and parents have worked hard, tilling the fields or spinning cloth, to support your studies and your entry into the Imperial Academy, hoping that you will make something of yourself." Li Xiang stretched out his hand, and the clamor of the crowd immediately subsided, with everyone listening quietly as he continued his sermon.

"And some people hope you will live a life of humility, a life of ignorance, a life lived like livestock!"

Upon hearing this, not only the students, but also the common people, and even the military commanders and imperial guards listened attentively with solemn expressions, while some even seemed to have a glint of fire in their eyes.

"They want to seize all wealth and power. They think that through power and intrigue, they can make you serve them like slaves for generations to come!"

"They think themselves noble, they think themselves wise, they think everyone is afraid of death." Li Xiang looked at Li Tai, then at Wei Wanshi, whose face was pale, and finally at the tall Zhuque Gate tower.

Their gaze seemed to penetrate the Vermilion Bird Gate and reach the depths of the nine-layered palace.

"But they forgot that even a common man has courage; they forgot that justice exists in the world."

"They've forgotten, 'Are kings and nobles born with a special destiny?'"

Li Xiang shouted!

In an instant, Li Tai, Wei Wanshi, the city gate guard, and a group of aristocratic officials and their sons who had been secretly observing and inquiring around them appeared.

Even on the city gate tower, Li Shimin was leaning on the parapet, looking down at this place.

Their expressions all changed drastically!