Chapter 330: The Crown Ceremony

As Deng Sheng's eldest son and the first heir to the throne, Deng Hao was destined to live under the gaze of countless people since the day he was born, and his words and deeds need to be cautious. As a father, Deng Sheng also had great expectations for Deng Hao and arranged for the two talents, Huangfu Song and Murong Hao, to teach him since childhood. Although Huangfu Song and Murong Hao were also teaching Deng Han, Deng Yu, Deng Zun and Deng Fu, it is undeniable that the two put the most effort and energy on Deng Hao.

The pressure Deng Hao has been under great over the years, especially Deng Sheng's reluctance to become a crown prince. In addition, Deng Sheng's much favor for Deng Zun has led to a lot of discussions among the government and the public, saying that Deng Sheng plans to wait until Deng Zun grows up and becomes a crown prince. It is impossible to say that Deng Hao has no worries, especially as his younger brothers grow up and show unparalleled talent, Deng Hao's worries are increasing day by day.

Although Deng Sheng did not clearly say that Deng Zun should be the crown prince, all the behaviors Deng Sheng showed on Deng Zun made people imagine, which made Deng Hao, the eldest son, feel even more pressured. It was not until Deng Hao took office and walked directly in the three provinces and six ministries that this kind of discussion was weakened, but it did not completely disappear. Therefore, after becoming an official, Deng Hao tried his best to show himself that the emperor paid attention to. After he gave birth to Wang Changsun for Deng Sheng, he finally took the position of the crown prince that he had been waiting for for more than ten years. At this moment, Deng Hao felt an indescribable relaxation in his heart.

With the arrival of the ceremony of establishing the crown prince, Wancheng gradually became lively. All the governors, prefects, and generals of various guards from all over the country came. Even if they could not come in person, they would send envoys to congratulate him. Deng's younger brother, Chu, also sent envoys to congratulate him on the establishment of the crown prince.

On the morning of September 15, 20th year of Qianyuan, Deng Hao was pulled up to dress up by a group of eunuchs and palace maids. Today is Deng Hao's day. After today, Deng Hao is not only the eldest prince of Deng, but also the prince of Deng, the future heir, and his status have changed drastically.

The eunuch and the palace maid dressed the prince's clothes for Deng Hao, while Deng Hao stood in front of the bronze mirror, with a expressionless face, allowing the eunuch and the palace maid to play with. There was no trace of turmoil in his eyes, and he was very calm. Su Qingqing also hugged the little Deng Huan and looked at Deng Hao with a smile. After today, she will become the crown prince's concubine and the future lord of the palace.

At this time, Deng Sheng was already sitting on the throne in Jingyang Hall, and the civil and military officials were ranked on the left and right. The auspicious time had arrived. As the head of the three provinces and the envoy of the establishment of the crown prince ceremony, Cui Hao stepped out and bowed to Deng Sheng and said, "Report to the king, the auspicious time has arrived!"

Deng Sheng on the throne had no expression on his face and replied silently: "Let's start!"

"Here!" Cui Hao responded, then turned to face the civil and military officials in the court, and shouted: "The ceremony of establishing a crown prince begins now, and the eldest son of King Xuan, Hao, will enter the palace to meet him!"

With Cui Hao's shout, accompanied by the eunuch, Deng Hao slowly walked into Ganyang Palace in the prince's costume, and knelt down to Deng Sheng and said, "My son Deng Hao pays homage to his father, I wish his father a great success forever!"

Deng Sheng nodded and said to Cui Hao: "Cui Qing, announce the order!"

Cui Hao took out an edict and read in front of the civil and military officials of the court: "I often hear that the foundation of the country is the foundation of the country. Since King Wuzhuang ascended the throne in the 16th year, I have twenty-three years since I ascended the throne in the 19th year of King Wuzhuang. Now I have the eldest son Hao, who is wise and courageous, and has both civil and military officials, and is deeply supported by the government and the people. I am suitable for the ancestral temple. Then I submitted a letter to the emperor and the empress, the ancestors and the country, and made the eldest son Hao the crown prince. In the future, I will participate in political affairs, assist the king, and benefit the country and the people!" After reading, Cui Hao closed the edict.

Deng Hao, who was kneeling on His Highness, shouted loudly: "I thank the king for his kindness. Today I will do my best to assist the king and support the country and the people!"

"Please give the crown prince a crown!" Then Cui Hao shouted again. Deng Sheng slowly stood up from the throne, walked to Deng Sheng, took the crown exclusively of the crown prince in the eunuch's hand, brought it to Deng Hao with his own hands, then helped Deng Hao up, and said in a deep voice: "From today, you will be my eldest crown prince Deng. You should keep in mind the teachings of ancestors, not forget your original aspirations, support the country, and benefit the people!"

Deng Hao bowed and said seriously: "My son must live up to the trust of his ancestors, devote himself to the great Deng and the people, and never give up his death!"

"I'm paying homage to the crown prince!" The ministers saluted Deng Hao.

"You are exempt from the courtesy!" Deng Hao turned around and said to the ministers, "The crown prince is also the king. From today on, Deng Hao will be the crown prince of Deng State, who is more than ten thousand people, and he will receive this courtesy.

After the ceremony of establishing the crown prince, Deng Sheng held a banquet in Jingtai Hall. During the meal, Deng Hao took turns to toasting the ministers and the guests were having fun.

That night, Deng Hao returned to Shangli Palace drunk. Shangli Palace is located on the east side of the palace and was called the Prince's East Palace by the Deng people. In this era, there was no saying of the Eastern Palace. However, when Deng Sheng decided to make Deng Hao the crown prince, he issued an edict to announce that the Shangli Palace will be the residence of the prince in the future and will be a prescribed rule. In other words, no matter who becomes the prince of Deng in the future, he will enter Shangli Palace. From that moment on, Shangli Palace was called the Eastern Palace.

After the ceremony of establishing the crown prince, Deng Hao also ended his mission of walking in the three provinces and six ministries, returned to Ganyang Palace, followed Deng Sheng to handle national affairs for Deng Sheng. In order to cultivate Deng Hao, Deng Sheng also began to hand over some not particularly important government affairs to Deng Hao for handling.

Deng Hao has been studying government affairs for many years and is very capable. With Deng Hao's help, Deng Sheng has become much more relaxed and has more time to accompany the aging Queen Mother Cui.

In October of the 20th year of Qianyuan, the north and the Central Plains began to enter the middle of winter, and heavy snow flew, and all countries in the world suspended all military operations. At this time, Chang Yuchun's army, who was fighting in Bashu, also returned to the court. Deng Sheng asked the new crown prince Deng Hao to lead all civil and military officials to go out to greet him in person, and held a banquet in the palace to celebrate the great army of the Western Expedition.

The Deng Kingdom, who took over Bashu, has completed the strategic goal of fully controlling the Yangtze River. There is only a safe southern country in the south. The southern country is very weak. If it weren't for the dangers of mountains and rivers and the miasma in the south, Deng Kingdom would have sent troops to pacify it. However, now Deng Guotu Hospital is working hard to develop medicine to overcome miasma. At the same time, Wudangwei, who is good at mountain warfare, is also training with all his strength. As long as there is a result, Deng Sheng will immediately send troops to attack the southern country and complete the unification of the south.

In the middle of winter, Qin State, which occupied Guanzhong and Xiliang, was not idle, and frequently mobilized troops. Since he was defeated by Deng State in the Battle of Shu, Qin State's plan to seize Bashu as a grain production base was shattered. The Bashu, which was stationed by Deng's army, had no opportunity to take advantage of. However, Qin State, which lacked grain production base, had a delay in solving the problem of food, which had a great impact on Qin State's struggle to dominate the world. In helplessness, Qin State had to turn its attention to the more powerful Zhao State.

Zhao State occupied nearly 70% of the fertile land in the world, and has always been coveted by Qin State for a long time. It was just a deterrent from Zhao State's strong strength. However, the plan to seize Bashu State has failed now. Under the obstruction of many obstacles, Qin State has no confidence in seizing Bashu State from Deng State. Therefore, in order to solve the problem of food, Qin State had to take the hell out of the fire and plan to seize Shangdang County, which is adjacent to Hedong County of Qin State. Once the plan to seize Shangdang County goes well, Qin State will also find a way to take the opportunity to seek a more prosperous Henan County. As long as these two counties are captured, Qin State will have the capital to compete for the world with Deng and Zhao.

To this end, Qin State gathered 150,000 troops in Chang'an, which is more than half of the troops of Qin State so far. When he went south to Bashu, Qin State lost 70,000 to 80,000 troops. This was a heavy blow to Qin State, which was inferior to Deng and Zhao's troops. Therefore, after the Battle of Bashu, Qin State had only 300,000 troops left. In addition to the troops guarding various places, these 150,000 troops were all the strength that Qin State could have. In order to hit the attack, Qin State personally sent the famous general Bai Qi as the main general, and this winter was the opportunity for Qin State.
Chapter completed!