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

Outside the imperial city, beneath the Vermilion Bird Gate.

How dare someone say that!

Princes and generals, I would rather be kind!

Li Tai was so shocked that he took several steps back, and the princely demeanor he had been trying to maintain on his face could no longer be preserved.

Even the scholars from humble backgrounds standing behind Li Xiang were somewhat taken aback. Song Shenzhi hesitated for a moment, then said to Li Xiang:

"Your Highness, is there something inappropriate about what you've said?"

"What's wrong with it? Is it because it's treasonous?" Li Xiang snorted.

"Those powerful clans, are they made of clay?"

"Without a do-or-die mentality, how can one contend with them?"

"Furthermore, if the powerful clans and treacherous eunuchs continue to press the issue, what's so surprising about someone actually marching into Chang'an along the Vermilion Bird Imperial Street?"

Li Xiang remained fearless. Behind him, the crowd, most of whom were unaware of the story of Dazexiang, continued to clamor. Wei Wanshi was already drenched in sweat, his robes sticking to his back. Li Tai was even more ashen-faced, as if facing a formidable enemy, staring intently at Li Xiang, fearing that his fourteen-year-old nephew might raise his arms and lead the dark mass of people to crash into the Zhuque City gate and kill him, Li Tai.

Just as tensions were rising, a series of hurried footsteps came from inside the city gate, and a disheveled eunuch scrambled out, panting heavily.

Without even wiping the sweat from his brow, he raised his voice and loudly proclaimed the imperial decree:

"By imperial decree—Prince Wei, Li Tai, and his grandson, Li Xiang, are to immediately ascend the city gate tower to meet the Emperor!"

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On the city gate tower, the hem of Li Shimin's dragon robe fluttered slightly as he stood beneath the parapet, watching the two people ascending the steps.

Li Tai's face was full of resentment, beads of sweat were on his forehead, his fat body was trembling slightly from going up and down the city wall, and there was still lingering fear in his eyes.

Li Xiang, however, remained nonchalant, with his hands behind his back, walking briskly, showing no fear on his face, but rather a somewhat provocative expression.

"You all go down first," Li Shimin said to the others, his narrow phoenix eyes fixed on Li Xiang.

"...Huh? Father, I just..." Li Tai was a little confused. He was already overweight, and climbing up and down was difficult enough. He had only just gotten up...

Li Shimin only glanced at Li Tai sideways, completely ignoring his astonishment and grievance.

From his position on the city wall, he had a clear view of the situation outside the Vermilion Bird Gate below. Li Tai and Li Xiang's remarks were also being relayed to him in real time.

The Prince of Wei, who held great power and was even more renowned among scholars, was overshadowed by a mere fourteen-year-old boy with just a few words.

Finally, he was so terrified by a rebellious remark that he dared not utter a word.

If he doesn't issue an edict to relieve the siege, his reputation as the King of Wei will likely be crushed in public by a mere fourteen-year-old boy.

Even if he wanted to help him out, he couldn't be bothered to say another word to his fourth son, who had repeatedly disappointed him—his disappointment had long since outweighed any compassion he felt as a father.

The imperial guards and eunuchs dared not say a word, bowed and withdrew, and even Li Tai, who looked unwilling, was quietly pulled away by Li Zhi.

In a short while, only Li Shimin and Li Xiang remained on the spacious city tower.

"If you had acted recklessly to protect your father, I might have been able to forgive you," Li Shimin said slowly, looking at Li Xiang.

"But what about today?" Li Shimin's tone turned cold.

"Under the pretext of attacking the capital, they actually intended to incite scholars and common people to storm the imperial city."

"Still spouting such arrogant words, do you even have the guts to be so bold?"

"You brat, what exactly are you trying to do!"

"You also bear the surname Li! What, are you planning to overthrow the Li family's rule just because of your own personal grievances?!"

Li Shimin's face was full of anger, and his eyes were filled with deep disappointment.

Li Xiang, however, was surveying the deserted city gate tower, wondering if he would be executed by an edict from the enraged Emperor Li Er if he were to attempt to assassinate the emperor at this moment.

However, looking at his thin arms, he wisely abandoned the plan—Li Er probably wouldn't see any threat at all; at most, it would be considered treason.

As for treason, haven't you plotted enough already?

"Does Your Majesty think I want to rebel against the Li family's rule?" Li Xiang asked. Seeing that Li Xiang didn't care about his anger at all, and even had a mocking expression, Li Shimin felt several veins throbbing on his forehead.

"It's ridiculous that His Majesty reacted as if I were about to rebel with just the phrase 'Are you born with a special destiny?'"

"This further proves that His Majesty is nothing more than a foolish ruler."

"What did you say?" Li Shimin's voice deepened.

But Li Xiang didn't care. The reason he obediently went to the city when Li Er summoned him was to provoke Li Er again. Why would he be afraid of his imperial power?

Ignoring the howling wind, he walked to the parapet and pointed to the large crowd gathered outside the Vermilion Bird Gate:

"Your Majesty believes that the Tang Dynasty belongs to the Li family. But when I asked you, 'Are kings and nobles born with special privileges?' you panicked and hastily summoned me here."

"Today I am the only one shouting this. But if one day millions shout it together, will the Tang Dynasty still be the Tang Dynasty of the Li family?"

Li Shimin narrowed his phoenix eyes, his gaze unfriendly.

"What, do you think that just because you can incite the people and cause chaos, you can threaten me here?"

"Incitement? No, no." Li Xiang shook his head, his gaze towards Li Shimin filled with even more mockery.

"Your Majesty subconsciously felt that the people were all foolish and lacked wisdom. Therefore, he believed that the people were easily instigated and regarded them as a threat to the Li family's empire and the Tang Dynasty."

"Yet, it is the countless ordinary people from humble backgrounds who diligently cultivate the fields and harvest the crops in spring and autumn to feed everyone under heaven."

"Across the vast borderlands, those who don armor, wield weapons, and fight to defend their land are countless ordinary people from humble backgrounds."

"The silk reeling, cloth weaving, and exquisite craftsmanship that provide clothing and necessities for all people are provided by countless impoverished families."

"It was still the countless ordinary people from humble backgrounds who paid taxes to support the country, ensuring the salaries of officials and covering the expenses of the court!"

"This world does not belong to the Li family, but to the people! Even if the Li family emperors are gone, and replaced by the Zhao or Zhu families, the world will still be the world!"

"So-called emperors, so-called Li family, so-called Li Shimin, are nothing more than those who gather power over the people of the world, and thus are able to govern this world!"

"The Tang Dynasty belongs to the people! The world belongs to the people! Without the support of the common people, how can there be imperial power?"

Li Shimin was slightly moved, and Li Xiang continued:

"Your Majesty has been in a high position for too long, and has become arrogant and conceited. It seems that you have forgotten the people and subconsciously regard them as ants."

"Are kings and nobles born with a special destiny?" This is not the rebellious utterance of a traitor, but a truth universally acknowledged by all!

"I was simply speaking out for the people, simply stating the truth."

"Even so, Your Majesty feels uneasy. Doesn't this show that Your Majesty also knows in your heart that you have mistreated the common people?"

Are you afraid that my words will awaken the people and overthrow your Tang Dynasty?

"Nonsense!" Li Shimin exclaimed, flicking his sleeves. "How could I not know the principle that the people are the water and the ruler is the boat?"

"But the ills of aristocratic families are deeply entrenched and cannot be resolved overnight. I intend to proceed gradually, but you are instead inciting scholars from humble backgrounds to cause trouble and inciting the people to act recklessly!"

"This is merely a momentary act of pleasure; it will only ruin my grand plan!"

"What a fine 'gradual approach'," Li Xiang scoffed. "Is it going to be like choosing a crown prince, raising poisonous insects and instigating them to kill each other; or is it going to employ imperial tactics, playing the game of checks and balances in the court, the art of power struggles?"

"Holding the reins of power, chanting the slogan 'The people are the water, the ruler is the boat,' yet only daring to hide deep within the palace, manipulating conspiracies and intrigues?"

"If Your Majesty is old, why not abdicate sooner! Clinging to the throne, are you trying to hinder the people?"