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

Chapter 168 Li Er is so incompetent, we must submit a proper memorial!

In just three to five days, the line "Drawing a sword to cut water only makes it flow more, raising a cup to drown sorrow only makes it more sorrowful" spread like wildfire throughout the entire city of Chang'an.

Poor scholars eagerly copied the text, while scions of noble families circulated it among themselves. In the taverns and teahouses of both the East and West Markets, wherever scholars gathered, they would invariably recite, "With soaring spirits and boundless thoughts, we yearn to ascend to the heavens and grasp the bright moon." Even if the scholars who accompanied Li Zhi to Baqiao kept quiet, Lu Zhaolin, Wang Xuance, and others who went with Li Xiang would not let them have their way.

All the causes and consequences were naturally spread out without missing a single word.

Now everyone in Chang'an knows that Prince Wei, Li Tai, and the deposed Crown Prince, Li Chengqian, fought to the death, their feud lasting for years. When Li Tai was demoted and left the capital, all the officials avoided him, but only Li Chengqian's son, Li Xiang, saw him off alone (Prince Jin, Li Zhi, was so inconspicuous that he was long forgotten by the people of Chang'an).

Imperial family affairs and interpersonal entanglements—the long-standing feud between the Crown Prince and the Prince of Wei was wiped clean, a tale most beloved by the common people. Li Tai's public praise of Li Xiang as a once-in-a-century prodigy added even more legendary color to the story.

The story became more and more detailed and moving as it was told, eventually reaching the bustling Pingkangfang, a place known for its nightly revelry.

The courtesans of the brothel were adept at gathering tales of contemporary scholars and literati. In just two days, they composed new songs based on the old stories of Ba Bridge. Amidst the gentle sounds of string and wind instruments, their melodious voices sang of the desolation of the Ba River, the sorrow of Li Tai's solitary exile, and the unyielding spirit of the young Li Xiang, who was unafraid of imperial power and valued loyalty and righteousness. The songs always ended with those two soaring lines of poetry, both melodious and generous, drawing applause and cheers from the guests.

Merchants, failed scholars, and idle young men from wealthy families frequented this place day and night. After listening to the music, they would inevitably chat and discuss it in hushed tones.

Some lamented that Li Xiang was a prodigy in his youth, with a heart full of ambition, yet he was trapped by the infighting within the royal family; others pitied Li Tai for spending half his life vying for the throne, only to end up with nothing, his only solace being a poem sent by the son of his former enemy. The conversation then inevitably turned to Li Shimin, who resided in the Taiji Palace.

"Your Majesty has spent your life on war, creating the prosperous Zhenguan era. You are indeed a wise ruler for all time. But when it comes to family matters, you are truly—"

"One rebellious son is somewhat forgivable; two rebellious sons can at least be considered a misfortune for the family; but Your Majesty—"

"Such poetic talent is truly a gift from heaven, yet he had to risk his life and rebel in order to defend his father—alas."

These whispers initially circulated quietly in the private rooms of the wineries and Pingkang Ward, with no one daring to speak out loud. However, more and more people began to talk about them.

Ordinary people don't understand the checks and balances in the imperial court or the difficulties of emperors; they can only distinguish between good and evil people's hearts through a good story or a good poem.

In their eyes, Li Xiang, who was loyal and righteous and whose writing was brilliant, was a talented young man and a filial son, while Li Tai, who was down on his luck and had let go of his resentment, and Li Chengqian, who missed his brothers, were both pitiful people.

On the contrary, Li Shimin, who reigned supreme, indeed became, in the eyes of the people, a cold-hearted ruler who tore apart his own family and buried his virtuous grandson.

"Hey, young master Li, are you heading out of the town today?"

Under the big locust tree in Longqingfang, the plump Aunt Pang greeted Li Xiang, who was riding on horseback, while fanning herself.

In Chang'an, rumors spread because of Li Xiang's poem, and Emperor Li Shimin's reputation among the people of Chang'an plummeted, while Li Xiang's fame rose even higher.

He has become the talk of the town in Chang'an, and recently, scholars from humble backgrounds have been frequently visiting him in the neighborhood. It is difficult to keep his identity a secret from the residents of Longqing Ward who have lived there for a long time.

However, the people of Guanzhong have always been simple and honest, and even after learning Li Xiang's identity, they did not feel any fear or alienation.

They felt even closer to this young man who had been demoted to their neighborhood.

"Yes, I have to go to the Ministry of Rites to report for duty." Li Xiang greeted Aunt Pang with a smile. He later learned that this plump aunt who often gossiped under the big locust tree was actually the wife of the ward head, and her husband was also a person in the officialdom. No wonder she knew so much gossip about officials.

"Young man, you're already an official at such a young age." Aunt Pang smiled gently, but there was a hint of worry on her face. Longqingfang was already sparsely populated, with people either running small businesses or relying on renting out rooms to provide storage and lodging for merchants in the East Market to make a living.

However, the fire caused devastating damage to Longqing Ward. Many residents' houses were consumed by the flames and remain unrepaired to this day. Some residents, burdened by the loss of their goods, were forced to leave Chang'an to seek refuge with relatives or even sell themselves into slavery. Many other houses, being vacant, were left unattended after the fire, leaving behind vast ruins.

This caused Longqingfang to fall into further disrepair. Merchants, who valued good fortune most, avoided the area at all costs upon seeing its dire state. The common people found it even more difficult to make a living. In the past, people could gather under the old locust tree to chat and exchange stories of their lives.

Nowadays, most families are struggling to make ends meet, and when they sit down, they sigh deeply, filled with sorrow. Sitting here, even that is gone.

The purpose of their casual conversations was mostly to ask each other if they could find a way to make a living.

Aunt Pang finished speaking with a smile, then revealed a troubled expression. Encouraged by the women behind her, she hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "Young master, we know that you have noble blood and are now an official, so you can speak with authority in the court."

"As you can see, after that fire, our Longqingfang was completely destroyed. Most of the houses were burned down or rotted away, and no one repaired them. They've been abandoned ever since. Those empty, ruined houses stand on the street, all dark and gloomy, and it's depressing to look at them."

"Merchants hate bad luck the most. Nowadays, merchants from the East and West Markets refuse to rent houses or store goods in Longqingfang as soon as they hear it's their place. Families who used to make a living by renting houses and storing goods have now completely lost their livelihood."

Several women behind him nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with sorrow and despair.

Aunt Pang sighed deeply and continued to plead in a low voice, "We are just ordinary people, powerless and helpless. This disaster came out of nowhere, and we have no way to help."

"We dare not ask the imperial court for relief funds and grain, we only beg you, could you please put in a good word for us and ask the government to send people to repair and clean up these burned-down houses and shacks."

"Only when the neighborhood is clean and tidy, and no longer a scene of scorched ruins, will merchants be willing to come back, and we poor people will have a way to survive. If it continues to be so desolate, we people in the neighborhood will be forced to scatter and our families will be destroyed sooner or later."

"Has the situation in the neighborhood really deteriorated to this extent?" Li Xiang frowned, glancing at the haggard and sorrowful faces of everyone present.

This is the tyranny of Emperor Taizong of Tang! In the capital of the country, the people suffer such a calamity, yet the court does not try to bring peace to the people, but instead lets them perish on their own.

Li Xiang had originally planned to go to the Ministry of Rites, but he found it troublesome. If it weren't for Li Chengqian's repeated instructions over the past few days, and his promise to Yan Xiangshi, he would have preferred to stay in the courtyard.

But Aunt Pang's tearful account suddenly woke him up.

Now that he is in the Ministry of Rites, with a legitimate position, he holds the power to submit memorials and express the people's sentiments—powers that ordinary people from humble backgrounds and commoners often yearn for but cannot obtain.

Li Er is so incompetent that we must submit a memorial to him and offer our advice!

"Don't worry, ladies. I will do my best to fulfill your requests!" Li Xiangyi said without hesitation.