Chapter 345 Father and Son
"Good son, you've called me father." Hongjun, who had just been furious and looked ready to punish Wen Zhong, quickly returned to normal.
At this moment, Hongjun felt that his promise to Di Yi to remain an emperor in the next life was not in vain.
"Father, the Grand Tutor has rendered great service..."
Chang Hao wondered if his father was stupid, but Wen Zhong couldn't do it.
"Good son, you actually knew he was the Grand Tutor." Hongjun thought that his son was indeed clever.
Chang Hao fell silent. Wen Zhong was somewhat desperate. "Your Majesty, you just called out, what's so strange about the young prince knowing?"
"Can the Grand Tutor rise again?" Chang Hao did not miss the opportunity to win people's hearts. Although if he successfully ascended the throne, given the Grand Tutor's deeds, he would still do his best for him.
But sincerity and diligence are different.
"Since the prince has pleaded for you, I will forgive you this time, but you must not do it again next time," Hongjun warned. If Wen Zhong were to break into the palace again and again, it would waste a lot of his time.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Your Highness." Wen Zhong breathed a sigh of relief. Although a cultivator like him could not be executed, he had promised the ancestors of Yin Shang that he would do his best for Yin Shang, so he could not go back on his word.
Hongjun was displeased again, "Why call him 'Little Prince'? Zishou should be the Crown Prince."
Chang Hao was stunned again. Was his "father" trying to flatter him to death?
He's only a few years old, and he's already the crown prince. Just wait for his brothers to turn against him in the future. As his 'father' gets older, he'll find him more and more unpleasant.
"I don't want to be the crown prince. What's so good about it?" Chang Hao said sincerely. If he was going to be anything, he would just be the king. He could really skip the crown prince thing.
"What nonsense are you talking about? I am the king, and you should be the crown prince. When you grow up, your father will abdicate and you will become the king. We will be the most noble father and son." Hongjun tapped Chang Hao's little nose. He had not forgotten that Chang Hao had two older brothers. If no crown prince was appointed, Chang Hao would have to pay his respects to them.
He then turned to Wen Zhong with a cold face and said, “Since the Grand Tutor is here, I believe you have heard my meaning clearly. Go to all departments and convey my decree. Tell the Grand Historian to choose an auspicious day as soon as possible, and the Grand Sacrificer to prepare for the sacrifice. Once the ceremony is complete, I will appoint the prince as the Crown Prince.”
"Your Majesty, won't you reconsider?" Wen Zhong was worried that the king might act impulsively. Prince Zishou had just been born; what if he didn't grow up properly? What if the king didn't like him later...?
"No need," Hongjun said without even glancing at Wen Zhong, waving his sleeve to signal Wen Zhong to leave quickly. "My son, you are still young. How about you live with your father in Qiankun Palace?"
"Alright, I'll do whatever Father says." Chang Hao smiled, showing no sign of resistance. In the face of survival, everything else was insignificant.
The palace is a dark place. Since he woke up, his birth mother is gone, and all he has is his 'father'. He has zero confidants and zero trustworthy eunuchs. Now that he is alone in the palace, he can only wait to die.
Wen Zhong looked at him, a living, breathing person standing there, while the king treated him as if he were nothing, preoccupied with chatting and laughing with the young prince.
Knowing that the king was determined to establish a crown prince, he had no choice but to retreat and convey the king's decree. Now, Chaoge was about to become lively.
Wen Zhong silently comforted himself, thinking that the young prince was already quite intelligent at such a young age, and as the queen's son, he was of noble status, so there should be no problem.
Hongjun didn't care about the excitement or the chaos; once he was determined to do something, no one could stop him.
Incense smoke curled upwards, ceremonial music resounded, and civil and military officials stood on either side. Chang Hao, dressed in a black sacrificial robe with gold thread, walked steadily and calmly up the steps. Although young, he already showed the demeanor of a great man.
Chang Hao walked through the ceremony with a cold face and a stiff demeanor. His two older brothers, Wei Ziqi and Wei Zhongyan, were not very old and did not know how to hide their emotions. They glared at him with full of dissatisfaction.
Chang Hao knew that things were going to get interesting in the future.
Bi Gan, Shang Rong, Wen Zhong and other loyal ministers exchanged glances. Fortunately, the crown prince seemed alright, so this result was not unacceptable.
Hongjun sat high above, watching Chang Hao smoothly complete the procedures. He walked towards Chang Hao, holding the Crown Prince's golden seal in his hands, clearly eager to bestow it upon Chang Hao.
"Your son pays respects to Father King. May Father King enjoy good health and longevity." Chang Hao stopped before the last nine jade steps and performed the three kneelings and nine prostrations ritual.
Hongjun, who was sitting on the throne, suddenly felt dizzy, but fortunately it was only for a moment. "My son, please rise."
Hongjun stood up and personally handed the Crown Prince's golden seal to Chang Hao. Feeling the weariness of this body, Hongjun frowned slightly. This Emperor Yi's body was not durable.
"Thank you, Father." Chang Hao held up the golden seal with both hands. Today he was the Crown Prince, and tomorrow he would be the King. He was already in the game and should carefully plan for the future.
…………………………
"Father, shouldn't I have a few teachers to teach me?" Chang Hao tentatively extended a small corner.
"No need, Father's teaching is enough," Hongjun rejected without hesitation.
Chang Hao's eyes flickered, but he didn't persist and withdrew his probing tentacles. Since the court was wary of him interfering, he could only start with military power.
"I'm feeling a bit bored. I'd like to go for a walk outside the palace. I've never seen what Chaoge City is like before." Chang Hao knew that his 'father' would definitely grant him this small request.
“Alright, let’s change clothes, and I’ll take you for a walk.” Hongjun immediately agreed, only ordering Huang Gun to lead a squad of soldiers from the disguised village to accompany and protect them.
As for how many more are hidden in the shadows, Hongjun pretended not to know.
Given Hongjun's previous personality, it would have been impossible for him to agree to lead troops to protect him. However, arguing with the general was also annoying, and after a few times, Hongjun became too lazy to bother with it.
Chaoge is very ancient, and Chang Hao admired the city of Chaoge as if he were visiting a historical site.
But then they saw a group of city gate guards leading a long procession into the city. The people being led were dressed in rags and were so dirty that their faces were not visible. There were men, women, young and old, and many toddlers.
"Who are those people?" Chang Hao asked Huang Gun, pointing to the seemingly endless line, already having a guess in his mind.
Chang Hao is desperately short of manpower, but he has quite a few slaves. If they could be brought under his command, Emperor Yi should be able to allocate him a manor.
“Your Highness, those are slaves,” Huang Gun said matter-of-factly.
"Whose slave?" Chang Hao then asked.
Huang Gun: "Of course they are the king's slaves." In Chaoge City, besides the king, who would dare to openly gather so many slaves?
"Father, why are you conscripting so many slaves?" Chang Hao asked.
Chang Hao knew exactly what decrees Emperor Yi issued every day, and there had been no recent plans to repair the city walls and palaces.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to live somewhere high up? I ordered the construction of the Star-Picking Tower for you. When you grow up, it can serve as your palace.” Hongjun didn’t hide anything from Chang Hao, although he secretly wanted to give Chang Hao a surprise.
Chang Hao's face turned completely black. His father was determined to ruin his reputation. This was not a pleasant thing to say.
He did mention wanting to live on a higher place, but that was because he had recently started secretly cultivating and discovered that there was more spiritual energy at higher places; it was just something he said casually.
“Father, I don’t want the Star-Picking Tower,” Chang Hao said with a forced smile. “If I live too high up, I’m afraid I’ll fall down.”
“It’s alright, I’ll catch you,” Hongjun replied immediately, his words flowing smoothly.
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