The emperor faked his death? Never mind, I will ascend the throne directly!

Li Chengfeng frowned, his thoughts wandering, as if he was back in the bustling poetry gathering in Luodu, Xijing.

The excitement was theirs, but he didn't feel any relief at all.

He only remembered that the guards at the entrance of the poetry gathering arrogantly accepted bribes and refused to let in the poor students.

Poor family? Ridiculous!

In this world, where are the truly poor? They are just pitiful creatures manipulated by the powerful.

"Song Qing," Li Chengfeng suddenly spoke with a meaningful tone, "I remember back in Luodu, the Western Capital, that the guards at the entrance to the poetry gathering actually blatantly accepted bribes. How absurd!"

"I think this imperial examination system is already rotten and full of corruption! Otherwise, how could those guards have the courage to be so arrogant?

He walked to the imperial desk, picked up a roll of memorials, and slammed it hard on the table.

"Every year during the imperial examinations, I hope to select true talents to serve the country."

"But now it seems that the imperial examination has become a tool for some people to make money!"

Song Zelin shuddered with fear. He understood that His Majesty was really angry.

Li Chengfeng took a deep breath and suppressed the anger in his heart. He understood that the root of the problem lay in the imperial examination system itself.

He paced back and forth in the imperial study with his hands behind his back, thinking about countermeasures.

After a moment, he stopped and said, "Pass on my decree to summon all the poor students from the provinces and the capital to come to the capital. I want to meet them in person!"

After a brief thought, Song Zelin understood Li Chengfeng's intention.

The drawbacks of the imperial examination system became increasingly apparent, and it had reached the point where it had to be changed.

Li Chengfeng's move was to use the voices of students all over the world to build momentum for the reform of the imperial examination system.

"The minister obeys the order!"

……

Ten days later, Liu Zhenshan's memorial arrived as expected.

Li Chengfeng was reading in the imperial study, with a sneer on his face.

He picked up his pen and directly rejected Liu Zhenshan's request, and wrote a letter to appease him.

The letter was full of polite words like "Stay at ease and guard Xijing, the court cannot do without you, the King of Pingxi."

After receiving this reply, Liu Zhenshan looked at the letter for a long time and couldn't calm down.

He didn't expect Li Chengfeng to refuse!

Logically speaking, his voluntary application to hand over military power was equivalent to telling Li Chengfeng that he was quitting his job as the King of Pingxi.

This was consistent with Li Chengfeng's desire to eliminate him, so he should have happily agreed.

Now not only did he reject it sternly, but he also gave himself a reassurance.

He found it increasingly difficult to see through the young emperor.

"Grandpa, what's wrong with you?"

Li Chenghao, who was standing by, was very puzzled when he saw Liu Zhenshan's expression changing from gloomy to bright.

After he read the memorial and Li Chengfeng's letter.

"Humph, this little emperor must be scared!"

Li Chenghao looked disdainful, "He must have realized his mistake and regretted it now!"

Liu Zhenshan looked at Li Chenghao, feeling somewhat shaken.

"I originally thought that Li Chengfeng was able to rise to the top, and that he wouldn't be so easy to deal with."

Apart from the initial uprising to force the crown prince to abdicate, Li Chengfeng became famous in one battle.

Since ascending the throne, he has not accomplished a single major task. On the contrary, he has repeatedly complied with the ministers in the court.

Li Chenghao disagreed: "Grandfather, you worry too much."

"He only has the support of Song Zelin and He Sheng, the Marquis of Zhenguo! If we really raise an army, he will still be no match for you, Grandfather."

"Chenghao,"

Liu Zhenshan spoke, his voice as deep as an ancient well: "What you said...maybe there is some truth to it."

"Grandfather, this little emperor is still a child, and he's just relying on the support of those two old guys, He Sheng and Song Zelin."

Li Chenghao's face was filled with pride, as if he were a wise man who planned everything. "If we really come to the fore, can he still turn the tables?"

"Having said that, we can't underestimate the enemy."

"This Li Chengfeng looks weak, but he is actually very thoughtful. His previous attempt to force the emperor to abdicate was a clear example of this."

Liu Zhenshan waved his hand, shutting up Li Chenghao's retort: ​​"In short, don't act rashly."

"Now that Li Chengfeng wants us to stay in Xijing, let's wait for the right time and seize this great kingdom in one fell swoop!"

A fierce glint flashed in his eyes, like a dormant beast. "Chenghao, you will leave immediately and secretly go to the people. Contact your old subordinates and spread the news that the prince is still alive to stir up the people's hearts."

"Remember, this matter must be carried out in secrecy and no word should leak out!"

When Li Chenghao heard this, he was immediately excited. His grandfather finally decided to stand up for him!

"Grandfather, rest assured, your grandson will definitely fulfill his mission!"

After saying this, he couldn't wait to leave the study, as if he had already seen the glorious scene of himself ascending the throne.

Liu Zhenshan looked at Li Chenghao's departing back and sighed.

Then he picked up Li Chengfeng's letter, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it hard on the ground.

In the capital, the streets that used to be a bit solemn are now extremely noisy.

The cries of hawkers, shouts, and the rumble of carriages and horses interweave together to form a noisy symphony of the city.

The news that Li Chengfeng summoned students from all over the country was like a stone thrown into a lake, causing ripples that quickly spread to every corner of the empire.

For students from poor families, this is undoubtedly great news.

How many students who study hard have great talents but lack connections, and can only watch those playboys occupy high positions with the help of their parents.

Now, His Majesty the Emperor is going to summon them personally and give them a fair chance to compete. How can they not be ecstatic?

"Have you heard? The Emperor wants to personally summon us students!"

A ragged scholar excitedly grabbed his companion's hand, his eyes shining.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

"That's right! Our poor students have finally made it!"

"Now, let's see how arrogant those children from aristocratic families can be!"

His companions were equally excited, their faces flushed. "Those ignorant and uneducated dandies who relied on their ancestors' influence can no longer act so arrogantly!"

The two smiled at each other and walked towards the busiest restaurant in the capital, where students from all over the world gathered and were discussing the summons enthusiastically.

Similar topics were constantly heard in the streets and alleys of the capital. Students from poor families ran around to tell each other, their faces beaming with joy, as if they saw the hope of getting their names on the list of successful candidates and bringing honor to their families.

However, those children of the powerful and wealthy who usually acted arrogantly were now as wilted and drooped as eggplants hit by frost.

This decree is a signal, a signal to subvert the system.

It also means that once the imperial examination system is reformed, their greatest advantage - family background - will disappear.

In the past, they could easily obtain official positions based on the merits of their ancestors.

But if this system were to be changed, the emperor would most likely remove the threshold for applying.

They have to compete fairly with those children from poor families. How can they not be nervous?

"Dad, what should I do? If the imperial examination system is really reformed, I will..."