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

"Your Highness, the paper and pens you requested have been purchased!"

Song Shenzhi held a stack of papers, and several other students beside him held ink sticks, brushes, and inkstones, making it a complete set of the Four Treasures of the Study.

"The prices here are truly astonishing. Just this one ream of ordinary mulberry paper is a full 30% more expensive than in the West Market!"

"Song Shenzhi said. His words still carried a hint of heartache."

"To save some money, you would rather travel several miles to the West Market of Chang'an to buy things, just to get the best price."

"Those who can afford to buy property in Chongyi Ward are all nobles, and the shops here naturally cater to the nobility as well."

"They can buy paper and pens whenever they want; they wouldn't care about such a small amount of money," Sun Fujia said.

The one who felt the most pain was actually the old Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. This group of people were either from poor families, or were clerks from the Court of Judicial Review, or were some poor imperial grandson who had been driven out of the Eastern Palace.

The group of people were all penniless, so Li Xiang suddenly suggested that Song Shenzhi go and buy some paper and pens. After looking at each other, only the old temple minister had the ability to pay.

"Grandson, what is the reason for leading me to this Chongyi Ward?"

"Since we're investigating the case, the next step should be to investigate the Ministry of Rites or the Ministry of Personnel. What are we doing here in Chongyi Ward?" Sun Fujia asked Li Xiang.

Li Xiang: "Huh? Didn't we say we were going to give the aristocratic families a good thrashing?"

A handsome young man, accompanied by a large group of people, spoke these words with righteous indignation. Many passing ladies couldn't help but cast curious glances at him.

Ignoring Sun Fujia's even darker face, Li Xiang continued, "Investigating the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel, ultimately, aren't they investigating people?"

"Since we're looking for people, why don't we go to these powerful families and clans first and find out who the suspects are?"

He took out the list of those who passed the imperial examination in the seventeenth year of the Zhenguan era from his pocket and examined it carefully.

"Well, fortunately, most of the guys on this list live in the vicinity of Chongyi Ward, Anren Ward, and Kaihua Ward, which saves a lot of travel time."

"So, you really intend to break into every house one by one?" Sun Fujia pointed to the gate behind him that read "Zheng Mansion" and said.

"Oh dear, isn't it because you, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, are here? Since it's the Court of Judicial Review handling a case, how can you say it's an intrusion?" Li Xiang blinked, looking completely harmless.

Sun Fujia rubbed his forehead, somewhat regretting that he had just been moved by this brat's impassioned speech.

A lifetime of illustrious reputation...

"Then why do you suddenly use my money to buy these writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones?"

"When the Dali Temple handles cases, it must enforce the law in a civilized, open, and transparent manner! It must be something that convinces people of its fairness and justice," Li Xiang said.

"These pens and papers are law enforcement records. They are used to record our words and actions during the interrogation process, so that they can be passed down to future generations."

"Shenzhi, this matter is now entrusted to you. Remember, we're pioneering the handling of this case. Make sure you remember every detail!"

"only!"

Song Shenzhi hugged the brush tightly to his chest, his face full of excitement, as if afraid that someone else would snatch it away.

It's actually going to be passed down to future generations! Doesn't that mean it's a job like that of a court historian or official historian?

As long as he holds onto this pen tightly, perhaps in the future, Song Shenzhi will also be able to become famous for future generations based on these records?

"To record the interrogation process with paper and pen, so as to pass it on to future generations..." Sun Fujia stroked his beard thoughtfully. As a veteran of criminal investigation, he immediately noticed that this approach had many commendable aspects.

A group of students secretly vied for the paper. In the end, Song Shenzhi held the brush, Dong Jiming held the paper, and another person carried the inkstone. They all followed behind Li Xiang with serious expressions, as if they had received a sacred mission.

Meanwhile, Li Xiang had already knocked on the Zheng residence's door. The doorman peeked out from the crack in the door and, seeing such a large group of people gathered outside, became extremely wary.

"The Dali Temple is investigating a case, open the door!" Li Xiang said.

Such a young boy? The Dali Temple?

The gatekeeper looked at Li Xiang, then at Sun Fujia behind him, who was indeed wearing an official robe, and was filled with doubt and surprise.

Sun Fujia's face darkened. He pulled Li Xiang aside and then clasped his hands in front of the doorman, saying, "I am Sun Fujia, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. I have been ordered by His Majesty to enter the palace to inquire with Zheng Gong, the Left Assistant Minister."

"Please inform us."

The Dali Temple is a legitimate government office, not a place of cruel officials. How could it be so disrespectful? Sun Fujia glared fiercely at the brat who was ruining the reputation of the Dali Temple.

"Oh! Please wait a moment, everyone. I will inform the head of the family right away."

The gatekeeper caught a glimpse of the silver fish pouch at Sun Fujia's waist and dared not delay. He quickly pushed open half of the side door of the mansion and ushered them into the inner chamber, while he hurriedly went to the back of the mansion to inform them.

The group went to a side room to rest, where a servant from the Zheng family served them refreshing sweet water.

Li Xiang sat with his legs spread wide, took a sip of honey water, looked around, and then, in front of Zheng's servants, clicked his tongue in praise:

"Truly worthy of being called the Zheng family of Xingyang, one of the five prominent families and seven renowned clans."

"Be careful, remember this: The extravagance of Zheng's residence is comparable to that of the Ganlu Palace. Even the gatehouses and side rooms are decorated with pepper-colored walls."

"Upon seeing us arrive, they offered us honey water."

"Yes, Your Highness." Song Shenzhi immediately picked up his brush and began to write down the notes, causing the servants' expressions to stiffen.

After the servants left, Sun Fujia secretly grabbed Li Xiang and asked, "What exactly do you intend to do?"

"Could it be that you're trying to fabricate charges to bring down these powerful families? Let me tell you, these families have survived for centuries; they're all shrewd and cunning."

"Regardless of what happens in private, there will never be any evidence of overstepping the rules or engaging in unauthorized selection processes in public."

"It's alright, it's alright." Li Xiang took another sip of honey water.

Sweet things were a rare sight in ancient times, as evidenced by the fact that even on his deathbed, a certain Skeleton King longed for a sip of honey water. Why not drink your fill?

This damn Tang Dynasty... I miss my favorite soda.

"As for questioning, we'll go from house to house and ask until we find something out." Li Xiang put aside his extraneous thoughts and winked at Sun Fujia.

"If you ask too many questions, maybe they'll start to feel guilty themselves?"

He was certainly there to cause trouble, but not to fabricate charges.

Sun Fujia was skeptical. Before long, the doorman returned and welcomed them into the inner hall.

In the hall, Zheng Renze, the Left Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, sat high on the main seat, his face full of hostility.

His son, Zheng Jingzhi, was attending him. When he saw Li Xiang and the others enter, he gave Li Xiang a provocative look.

"Hmph!" Zheng Ren let out a cold snort as soon as Li Xiang and the others stepped into the hall.

"You're really showing off!"

"Minister Sun, who is in charge of criminal justice, should have been impartial in judging cases and rectifying the atmosphere of the court. However, he allowed his son to bully my son first, and then brought a group of officials to our door without cause, pressing us step by step and deliberately provoking us."

"Our Zheng family of Xingyang is the most prominent family in Guandong, with a lineage spanning over a century. Our descendants are all well-versed in the classics and history, and strictly adhere to etiquette and law. Everyone in the world knows this!"

"What, do you all think the Zheng family has no one left, so you come here to bully us?"

With a century of family heritage, Zheng Renze, having held a high position for many years, naturally possessed the demeanor of a leader.

At this moment, he waved his long beard, his voice and expression were fierce, and he directly labeled Sun Fujia, Li Xiang and others as wicked villains who had come to his door without manners.

His shout seemed to lower the temperature in the hall.

Li Xiang curled his lips. Who was this old Deng? Never heard of him. Why did he act like he was even more arrogant than Li Er?

He turned and instructed, "Be careful, remember this."

"When he saw us arrive, Lord Zheng boasted a lot."