Inside the Deyang Palace, Liu Hong, who was sitting in meditation, suddenly opened his eyes upon hearing a faint call, his gaze intensely shining.
The other officials also turned around and looked out of the hall.
"Report!!"
Just then, a guard rushed into the hall and bowed to Liu Hong, who was seated at the head of the table.
"Your Majesty! Tens of thousands of people, including students, workers, commoners, and some soldiers, have gathered outside the Southern Palace to petition Your Majesty!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Hong immediately stood up and walked outside.
"The people have petitioned, and I shall go there myself. All of you, please follow me...!"
"promise!!"
Chen Fan, Hu Guang, Li Ying, and others responded loudly and followed closely behind.
As soon as Liu Honggang stepped out of the main hall, the two thousand soldiers guarding outside immediately straightened up, then swung their right hands to their chests and gave a military salute.
"We pay our respects to Your Majesty!!"
Liu Hong raised his hands in a gesture of respect: "All soldiers, no need for formalities!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!!"
Then Wang Yue stepped out from behind Liu Hong, looked at the two thousand soldiers, and shouted in a deep voice:
"Destination: Nangongwai Square, let's go!!"
"promise!!"
Two thousand soldiers responded loudly, then turned around at the same time, the rear ranks becoming the front ranks, splitting into left and right ranks to pass through Deyang Gate and march towards the outside of the South Palace.
Let's go!
After saying this, Liu Hong, surrounded by the crowd, followed behind a group of soldiers.
The group then passed through the last palace gate, and the majestic palace walls of the Southern Palace came into view.
Hearing the still rising cheers outside the palace, Liu Hong's lips curled up slightly, and he walked with a light step.
Soon, Liu Hong and his group arrived at the palace gate.
Wang Yue also came forward and bowed to Liu Hong.
"Your Majesty, are you preparing to ascend the tower, or...?"
"I wish to summon my people in person!"
"promise!!"
Wang Yue respectfully accepted the order, then stepped to the palace gate and looked at the guards.
"Open the palace gates!!"
At Wang Yue's command, the heavy palace gates were slowly opened, and two thousand guards rushed out of the palace and stood in front of the palace walls.
"The Emperor has arrived! Silence!"
As the two thousand soldiers shouted in unison, the sounds outside the palace abruptly ceased.
Everyone stood on tiptoe, craned their necks, and looked into the palace with reverence.
Before long, Liu Hong's figure appeared in everyone's sight.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!!"
Led by a group of instructors from the Military and Political Department, the workers and civilians at the front bowed to Liu Hong in unison.
"No need for formalities!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!!"
Liu Hong's eyes gleamed as he surveyed the people before him and asked in a low voice:
"What is the purpose of your visit?"
Zhou Zheng stepped forward and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, we have come to petition on behalf of the people of the land!"
What is the request?
"We humbly beseech Your Majesty to establish numerous schools and protect our descendants!"
After speaking, Zhou Zheng bowed to Liu Hong once again.
"We humbly beseech Your Majesty to protect our descendants!!"
In an instant, the workers, common people, students from poor families, and students of the Yuan, Yang, and Xun families in the square also shouted in unison and bowed their heads.
The students of the Imperial Academy and the scholars who were left standing alone in the center of the square, looking bewildered, were particularly conspicuous.
Liu Hong looked up, his expression grave.
"And you? What is your request?"
As soon as Liu Hong finished speaking, everyone present turned their heads in unison.
Facing the cold gazes of the crowd, Li Qing, who was in the lead, unconsciously swallowed and was unsure how to answer.
"His Majesty is asking questions, why do you not answer...?"
Wang Yue, who was standing to the side, focused his mind and asked in a loud voice.
Why not answer?
The soldiers present also shouted in unison.
"Your Majesty...we...we have come for the same reason!"
Halfway through their conversation, Li Qing and the others lowered their heads nervously.
They knew that if they voiced their opposition, the angry workers and civilians would likely erupt in a rage and tear them to shreds.
Faced with a petition from tens of thousands of people around them, they ultimately chose to comply.
Seeing this, Liu Hong nodded, a hearty smile appearing on his face.
Liu Hong, with a solemn expression, surveyed the crowd before him and said in a loud voice:
"Your requests are very reasonable. I will certainly follow the will of Heaven and satisfy the people's wishes!"
From this day forward, all scholars, gentry, commoners, and merchants of our great Han Dynasty may, upon applying through the government, establish their own schools and enroll all those who wish to study!
As Liu Hong finished speaking, the thousands of soldiers around him shouted in unison, ensuring that every word of Liu Hong's words reached everyone's ears.
"Your Majesty is wise!!"
Tens of thousands of workers, peasants, and students from impoverished families at the scene were all overjoyed and praised the event in unison.
"Now that I have granted your request, you should all disperse immediately and return to your posts. Do not cause any disturbance!"
"We will obey Your Majesty's command!"
"Alright, everyone, leave now!"
After saying that, Liu Hong waved to the crowd and then turned and walked into the palace.
"We respectfully bid farewell to Your Majesty!!"
Only after Liu Hong's figure disappeared and the palace gates closed did the tens of thousands of people present stand up straight.
Everyone stared silently at the two closed vermilion palace gates before them, their eyes slightly reddening.
The entire square fell into a brief and eerie silence.
"Hooray! We did it! Our children can read and write now..."
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