The Zongzheng Ling was given by Li Xiaogong!
This fellow was perceptive. As early as the first time Li Shimin proposed institutional reform, he had guessed that things would never go smoothly.
Especially the imperial clan!
But he himself was of the imperial clan, and moreover, the Zongzheng!
In terms of public duty, he should fulfill his obligations as a subject.
But in terms of private matters, he should seek welfare for the imperial clan.
This way, he could very well be caught in the middle.
So, he deliberately provoked Fang Er, and Li Shimin, being very cooperative, exiled him to Australia.
This Zongzheng Ling was secretly given to Fang Er at that time!
Upon seeing this, Li Daozong was immediately silenced.
Watching the Tiger Regiment escort him away, Li Chengqian cupped his hands towards Fang Er.
"Duke Anguo, I have a matter, may I ask for your advice?"
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, please speak freely."
"My father the Emperor intends to reform the system. I wish to be the pioneer. For over a month, the imperial clan has colluded with noble families, bringing disaster to the common people of the realm."
"For the sake of fairness in the trial, I intend to select representatives from various industries in Chang'an to attend as observers."
"I wonder if this matter is feasible?"
Li Chengqian's attitude was respectful, but his words carried the tone of someone managing affairs.
"Hahahaha, what is not feasible!"
Upon hearing this, Fang Er laughed heartily. He stepped forward, placed his right hand on Li Chengqian's shoulder, and said earnestly.
"Remember! You have nine Grand Protectorates, and three hundred and sixty thousand troops!"
"Behind you, are the billions of common people of the entire Great Tang!"
"As long as your actions are correct, regardless of whether they are reasonable or not, go ahead and do them!"
"As long as His Majesty is still here, this sky will not fall!"
With that, he put his hands behind his back and, laughing again, walked out of the royal residence.
Li Chengqian watched his retreating back, and once again recalled the eight words Fang Er had spoken in the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.
Unrestricted, fearless!
Yes, as long as it is for the good of the common people of the realm.
Then why should I be afraid?
He couldn't help but clench his fist and scan everything in the royal residence.
"Search thoroughly! Do not let any clue slip!"
"Yes!"
Duan Zhixuan quickly cupped his fists in response.
At this moment, in Li Chengqian, he seemed to see Li Shimin as he was in his youth.
Humble and willing to accept advice, decisive and resolute!
Soon, notices were posted outside the various districts of Chang'an city.
Each district would select one representative to enter the court for deliberation, totaling 108 people.
These 108 people were further divided into commoners, scholars, artisans, merchants, soldiers, and foreigners, with 18 in each category.
As soon as the news spread, the entire Chang'an city was instantly abuzz.
"My heavens... when did we common folk ever have such qualifications?"
"Tsk tsk tsk, in my opinion, they'll at most be allowed in to listen, and then pass on the message."
"Nonsense... Didn't you see what it says on there? It says 'deliberation'! Not 'listening to deliberation'!"
"It's just that with so many people in Chang'an, how will the court choose?"
"Heh heh, it's not the court choosing people, it's the Crown Prince choosing people!"
"Do you know what 'disciple of the Son of Heaven' means? If you get chosen this time, you'll be a bona fide disciple of the Son of Heaven!"
".............."
The matter of selecting people naturally did not require these commoners to worry.
When Li Shimin learned of this, he immediately dispatched Qi Wudao.
Fang Er also sent Lai Yifa to Li Chengqian's side.
The Hundred Riders Guard and the Eastern Depot cooperated, and with such a simple background check, the progress was remarkably fast.
Three days later, the grand court session was held as scheduled.
At four-thirty in the morning, the palace gates opened.
Officials of the seventh rank and above in the capital, and the recently selected civilian representatives, filed in and walked towards the Guangshang Square outside the Taiji Hall.
In the square, marks had already been made with lime, and chairs had been set up.
On the backs of the chairs, paper strips with names were also affixed.
After everyone had found their seats according to their names, and seeing that Li Shimin had not yet arrived, they couldn't help but start discussing.
"This time, it seems to be no simple matter!"
"Indeed, when have chairs ever been prepared like this before?"
"I wonder if it has something to do with the Tiger Guards apprehending people everywhere these past few days?"
"Look at those dirt-covered peasants, when did they ever qualify for a seat in the palace?"
"........."
And the so-called dirt-covered peasants, as the officials referred to them, were all sitting up straight and daring not to speak.
It was a rare opportunity to enter the palace, and moreover, to deliberate!
This bragging right could last a lifetime!
No one wanted to be thrown out of the palace by the eunuchs for saying something they shouldn't have.
In front of the Taiji Hall, the dragon throne covered in bullet marks had been moved out.
In addition, there was another dragon throne, but it was made of ordinary pine wood, placed on the steps.
Positioned between the officials and the golden dragon throne.
"Silence!"
Suddenly, a sharp voice rang out from speakers positioned all around.
The incessantly discussing officials immediately fell silent, earnestly tidied their robes, and corrected their posture.
Deng Deng Jie appeared beside the dragon throne, surveyed the surroundings, and then shouted again.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
"Long live Your Majesty!"
Everyone stood up at the same time and bowed respectfully towards the dragon throne.
Li Shimin's figure appeared from one side of the Taiji Hall, walked slowly to the dragon throne, and stood beside it.
"Rise, be seated!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The officials took their seats, while the representatives looked at Li Shimin with excitement.
The Emperor!
Alive!
This is quite nice..........
Li Shimin's gaze also shifted from the officials to the representatives, and he nodded at them with a smile.
This made the representatives even more excited.
The Emperor smiled at me!
Hahahaha, does this count as being blessed by the imperial aura?
Damn it, my son will be named Junxiao. I'll go plant the seeds as soon as I get back after the court session!
At this moment, Li Shimin suddenly spoke. He slowly said to everyone.
"Today's court session has nothing to do with me."
"Therefore, I will only observe. Everything will be led by Chengqian!"
Saying this, he pointed to the wooden dragon throne and looked behind him.
"Crown Prince, you may step forward. That chair is your seat!"
"Your son obeys the decree!"
Li Chengqian cupped his hands, stepped forward, descended a few steps, and sat on the wooden dragon throne.
"Reporting to Your Highness the Crown Prince, I, Ren Yiyan, the Left Assistant Minister of the Censorate, have a memorial to present!"
As soon as he sat down, a Censor stepped forward.
Originally, at this time, Li Chengqian should have delivered an opening speech, saying some official platitudes, or introducing the theme of this grand court session.
It was evident that this Censor had overstepped.
During his regency, although Li Chengqian attended court sessions, they were regular morning audiences, attended only by the ministers of the Six Ministries, the Left Deputy Censor, and the two Prime Ministers.
At most, a few other officials with special matters requiring an audience with the Emperor were present, totaling no more than twenty people.
Now, this was his first time presiding over a grand court session with six to seven hundred people.
This inevitably made him a little nervous, his palms in the sleeves of his four-clawed dragon robe were already damp with sweat.