Chapter 347 Merit
Chang Hao received 50,000 slaves from Hongjun in one day. Although he was also troubled by the problem of their resettlement, he was fortunate to be the crown prince.
After he was made crown prince, his private army and small court were not yet established due to his young age.
However, he owns dozens of manors that can provide for all his needs, including food, clothing, housing, and transportation. Currently, all his needs are being taken care of by Hongjun, and not a single penny has been taken from his private coffers.
Therefore, Chang Hao's private treasury yielded a great deal of wealth every year, making his life ten thousand times more comfortable than that of Wei Ziqi and Wei Zhongyan, who were struggling to receive their salaries from Empress Jiang.
Chang Hao didn't mind bringing all of these out to "mess around." In this game, he was truly going to fight against the heavens, the earth, and people, finding endless joy in it. Who could possibly be more unlucky than him?
These estates naturally included fertile fields, perfect for settling the elderly, women, and children, while strong slaves could be recruited to train an army. These slave soldiers could also guard the estates when not in use, and the produce from the land would provide food and supplies, creating a virtuous cycle...
In case of trouble, it's for saving your life.
Taking advantage of the opportunity to settle the slaves, Chang Hao thoroughly investigated the more than twenty gardens closest to Chaoge. By dividing and winning them over with promises of great benefits, and by using the guards summoned by the token to intimidate them, he eliminated a number of corrupt officials and firmly grasped control of the manor.
General Huang Gun, who was guarding him, saw this and was pleased that the Crown Prince was so decisive at such a young age, but he was also worried that the Crown Prince was too bloodthirsty and might become cruel and ruthless after he ascended the throne.
"Alright, my son, let's do it this way. Anyone who opposes me will be killed without exception. Anyone who dares to do anything behind my son's back deserves to die." Hongjun even hoped that Chang Hao would implicate others.
Chang Hao's finger trembled as he pointed at the manor manager. Was this Di Yi out of his mind?
Huang Gun couldn't hide his worry. "Your Majesty, can you please stop making things worse? If you continue to teach the Crown Prince so carelessly, how far will he go?"
Chang Hao glanced at Hongjun. His father really didn't mind making things worse. Perhaps, Di Xin's cruelty couldn't be entirely blamed on Di Xin himself.
"Your Highness, excessive killing may offend the will of Heaven. It would be better to execute only the ringleaders and demote the accomplices to slavery, sending them to the border cities to repair city walls or tombs," Huang Gun proposed a practical solution, sincerely hoping that His Highness would adopt it.
Chang Hao gave Huang Gun an approving look. Who said military generals are brainless? He thought Huang Gun was quite clear-headed.
“General Huang is right,” Chang Hao said, seemingly considering the matter. Just as Huang Gun thought His Highness would take his advice, Chang Hao changed his tone, “Once the emperor’s order is issued, there is no reason to change it. Kill without mercy.”
The order to kill caused a massive uproar, shocking both the newly transferred officials to the Star-Picking Manor and the slaves being supervised and cleaned of their own filth.
Chang Hao wasn't incapable of accepting Huang Gun's suggestion, but if he readily listened to Huang Gun's advice and changed his original execution plan, some might think he was soft-hearted and easily deceived.
They will always think they can easily sway his orders or actions, trying to steer him in the direction they want him to go.
Chang Hao's biggest need right now is time. He has no intention of wasting time and energy arguing with those inside and outside the court. Once he ascends the throne, he will be the only voice in the court.
“Do whatever the king says. Don’t try to control my son’s thoughts. He will be the future king of my Shang Dynasty, understand, Huang Gun.” Hongjun stood behind Chang Hao and supported Chang Hao’s actions in a practical way.
Chang Hao was extremely surprised. He really couldn't sense any malice from Di Yi. Could it be that he had really misunderstood Di Yi?
Could it be that Emperor Yi is such a bizarre and doting parent, spoiling his youngest son without any principles? Chang Hao was skeptical. It was really hard to believe that a king would have such a mindset, fearing that his son would grow up straight, so he taught him to be crooked in every way possible.
Huang Gun's heart skipped a beat, and he knelt on one knee to plead guilty, saying, "Your Majesty, I have overstepped my bounds. Please calm your anger."
Hongjun looked at Huang Gun, and thought that it was quite annoying to hear honest advice every day. Chang Hao was shocked that he could actually see what Di Yi was planning to do. Something was wrong.
Just as he was about to stop him, Hongjun spoke up quickly: "Since you know you've overstepped your bounds, pack your things and go back to your hometown to guard the city gates."
Hongjun was a capricious person who spoke whenever he felt like it, and Chang Hao, who had observed this, was too late to stop him.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me... I will never dare to do it again." Huang Gun's legs went weak, and his heart was filled with unbearable grief. His loyalty to the emperor and his patriotism...
"Father, General Huang meant well and was doing it for my own good. He deserves to be punished like this. Please don't be angry. Let General Huang get up." Chang Hao had become numb to this line of reasoning; this was a common performance for him.
He had pleaded for mercy from Shang Rong, Bi Gan, Wen Zhong, Wei Ziqi... and now Huang Gun was added to the list.
Chang Hao had no choice but to plead for him. If Di Yi drove away all the capable people, he wouldn't need to bother anymore and might as well just retreat into the Daoist sect.
Wait a minute, Chang Hao suddenly realized that it wasn't impossible. He could secretly cultivate the Dao now, and if he had no capable generals under his command in the future, he could simply lead the army in person, preferring to die on the battlefield rather than live a life of dishonor.
"Get up, considering that the prince pleaded for you." Hongjun immediately changed his attitude.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince." Huang Gun was speechless. The Crown Prince said that once the king's order is issued, there is no reason to change it, but the king changes his orders immediately without any principle. Which of these two is the king?
……………………
Chang Hao dared to act, so naturally he had ways to change the people's opinion of him. What could be easier to win people's hearts than the people's livelihood?
"Father, please take a look." Chang Hao carefully took out a modified, simple stone mill and told his father about its wonderful uses, beginning another round of probing.
He conceived of this stone mill to improve the work speed of the slaves on the manor, and along with the stone mill came many other tools.
Hongjun noticed something different the moment Chang Hao entered. Chang Hao's original golden light of merit was tightly sealed within his body, but today was different; wisps of golden light of merit reappeared between Chang Hao's brows.
The stone mill is nothing special, but it can reveal Di Yi's true intentions. If Di Yi obstructs the process and the stone mill is taken away, Chang Hao won't be bothered; it's just a small thing.
Hongjun glanced at it, but it clearly didn't register with him; his mind was focused on the golden light of merit between Chang Hao's eyebrows.
This rudimentary thing could never have reached him before; the prince has truly suffered.
“If you think it’s good, then promote it.” Hongjun immediately summoned the affairs officer.
Before long, officials in charge of the royal family's specific affairs, such as the Director of Works, the Steward, the Shepherd, the Cart Master, and the Wine Master, hurriedly arrived at Qiankun Palace.
Chang Hao couldn't help but chuckle. He couldn't figure out who to call his father. It was a miracle that the Shang Dynasty hadn't changed hands yet.
To prevent him from testing the waters, and because Di Yi was completely oblivious, Chang Hao explained, "This concerns the people's livelihood. If Father orders its promotion, it will surely win the hearts of the people."
Did you hear that? This can win over some people's hearts. Let him promote it, and then those hearts will be his.
"Really?" Hongjun examined the stone mill more closely. "If it truly has such a wonderful use, you must do your utmost to promote this item to the Crown Prince."
Hongjun wasn't stupid. He hadn't yet grasped the role of popular support, but when he thought of the sudden appearance of golden light of merit, he understood.
Chang Hao gave Hongjun a deep look. Perhaps, he was just being paranoid.
No matter how his 'father' behaves, it cannot stop Chang Hao from gradually taking over all military and political affairs. If his 'father' continues to treat him this way, he will always be his most filial son.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com