After all, once Wei Hong ascends the throne, they, as his subjects, will also be facing those powerful and influential families.
After following the prince for so many years and going through countless trials and tribulations to finally get to where we are today, no one wants the fruits of their labor to be picked by others, especially those who didn't contribute anything before.
As for the capital, once the prince ascends the throne, it will become a desolate wasteland that no one wants. People from the surrounding areas will inevitably gather in the new capital. At that time, without them having to attack, the capital will fall apart on its own.
Perhaps someone will even take the initiative to conquer and offer it up to the prince in order to please him, without costing them a single soldier.
"This method is good, but it needs a suitable reason, otherwise it may be difficult to convince the public."
After pondering for a moment, Cui Hao spoke.
Each dynasty had to have a reason for moving its capital. They couldn't just say it was to prevent powerful families from seizing power, could they?
If those people find out, it might cause unnecessary backlash.
"No need to think of reasons, there are ready-made ones."
Wei Hong said.
“I once swore to my late father that I would never initiate a rebellion or attack the capital unless the royal family wronged me during my lifetime.”
"Although the late emperor and Your Majesty wronged me first, outsiders don't know what oath I made back then. Let's just remove that part and say that I promised my late father that I would never attack the capital."
These words surprised everyone, even Cui Hao was slightly astonished.
They had never understood why the prince was always so tolerant of the court. Even when he was suspected and distrusted, he never took the initiative to send troops, and he even forbade them to mention attacking the court and taking its place.
So that's why...
This matter involved the past between Emperor Gaozong and Wei Hong. After listening, everyone simply nodded and said nothing more, then withdrew to discuss where would be suitable as the new capital.
As for the relocation of the capital, it will naturally be announced to the public only after everything is properly arranged, so as not to be used by those with ulterior motives to spread the news and cause any disturbances.
Only Cui Hao remained, helping Wei Hong tidy up the desk while saying, "Your Highness never explained so much about what you wanted to do before."
Wei Hong glanced at the military report in his hand and gave a faint "hmm": "It's a matter of great importance, so I said a few more words."
Cui Hao chuckled: "It concerns the Princess Consort, so it is indeed a matter of great importance."
Wei Hong tightened his grip on the military report slightly, then continued reading without paying him any attention.
Cui Hao didn't say anything more. He packed his things and left, shaking his head and chuckling as he left the study.
As everyone was talking about the later parts, they all overlooked the prince's initial statement that they would discuss it after the princess gave birth safely.
Even if it were to relocate the capital, it could actually be put on the agenda soon. Even if building a new palace would take some time, it would be fine to move there temporarily first.
The reason why the prince was unwilling to ascend the throne now was simply because he knew that once he took the throne, he would have many things beyond his control.
Putting aside other matters, now that the princess is pregnant, the officials will surely take this opportunity to fill his harem.
However, if the princess gives birth safely, they will no longer be able to use this as an excuse.
Moreover, once the eldest son is born, the princess's position will be completely secure.
Rather than saying he was afraid of being manipulated by noble families, it would be more accurate to say he was afraid of those people manipulating the princess.
In his eyes, no noble family or wealthy capital city mattered as much as the princess.
Chapter 125 Guest Appearance
"Ziyi!"
Cui Hao greeted Guo Sheng, who was two shades darker than before, his eyes full of smiles.
With the Southern Yan army withdrawing, Wei Chi was unable to cause any trouble, so Wei Hong recalled Guo Sheng to help manage the relocation of the capital.
He didn't need to worry about those trivial matters, but the guards after the new capital was established would definitely be the most trustworthy people.
Wei Hong handed the matter over directly to Guo Sheng, instructing him to select the men and make the necessary arrangements.
Guo Sheng hadn't seen Cui Hao in a long time. He walked up to him in a few steps and patted him heavily on the shoulder: "Ziqian!"
The two, having been separated for so long, naturally had much to say to each other, but before catching up, they needed to see Wei Hong first and give him instructions on recent military affairs.
Cui Hao had come specifically to welcome Guo Sheng for this reason. Before returning to his residence, he instructed Guo Sheng, "Grand Tutor Yao is currently at the Prince's residence and frequently goes in and out of the front and back courtyards. If you happen to run into him, remember not to contradict him in front of the Princess, so as not to cause her any trouble."
Guo Sheng had already thought about this before he returned, and upon hearing this, he replied, "Don't worry, the princess is pregnant. How could I not know such a thing?"
Just as Cui Hao was about to nod in satisfaction, he heard him say again, "I bullied that old man behind his back!"
Cui Hao: "..."
Although this was not what Cui Hao wanted to hear, given Guo Sheng's personality, it was already quite an achievement that he could refrain from clashing with Grand Tutor Yao in front of the Princess. He didn't say much, only saying, "Just know what's important for you, and remember to put the Princess and the child in her womb first in everything."
"I know, I know. I also hope that the Princess will give birth to the Prince's child soon."
As Guo Sheng spoke, he patted his purse.
"On the way back, I heard that the abbot of the Buddhist temple outside the city has returned after many years of wandering. Many people are lining up to see him and ask for a good luck charm or something that he will personally bless."
"I had nothing better to do, so I went and asked for one too. I'll have the prince give it to the princess later."
Cui Hao was slightly taken aback, then chuckled: "Don't you never believe in this kind of thing?"
"Well... isn't it better to believe it's true than not? Anyway, it doesn't take much effort, and I just brought it back on the spur of the moment."
The amulet he'd casually brought back was soon placed on Wei Hong's desk. Wei Hong picked it up, examined it carefully, and asked, "Is this... useful?"
Guo Sheng honestly shook his head: "I don't know, but I heard from the people in line that it works. They were so envious when they saw that I got this amulet. Many people have been waiting outside the temple since the abbot came back, but they haven't gotten anything yet, and they haven't even seen the abbot."
"I am really grateful to the Prince and Princess. The monk in charge of the temple knew that I was your subordinate and that I had come for the Princess, so he led me in and I obtained this peace charm without much trouble."
The believers waiting outside the temple were somewhat envious, but after hearing that he was a subordinate of the prince and had come to pray for the pregnant princess, they all felt relieved.
Over the past year, wars have broken out everywhere, and the borders have been filled with the smoke of battle. The reason they have been able to live peacefully is because the prince led his troops to defend against the enemy, and the princess risked her life to go to the capital to rebuke the emperor.
Without the prince and princess, Shangchuan would already be engulfed in war.
So they respectfully escorted Guo Sheng down the mountain, said a series of words of congratulations to the princess on her pregnancy, and then returned the way they came.
Wei Hong used to disbelieve in these things, but now, seeing the amulet Guo Sheng brought, he was somewhat tempted.
"Is that abbot still in the temple?"
"Yes, I heard that he doesn't plan to go out again for the next two years and will stay in the temple to practice."
Guo Sheng replied, then asked in confusion, "Why does Your Highness ask this?"
Wei Hong rubbed the amulet a few times with his fingers without saying a word. The next morning, before dawn, he left home with only Guo Sheng by his side.
The two headed straight for the Buddhist temple Guo Sheng had mentioned. After arriving at the foot of the mountain, they abandoned riding horses and walked up the mountain.
Not for any other reason than that it is said to be more sincere.
Wei Hong made this trip to ask for another amulet for Yao Youqing, because the one Guo Sheng brought yesterday wasn't one he had asked for himself. He always felt that it was better to ask for such things personally.
Otherwise, when he gives the amulet to Ning'er, is he supposed to tell her that Guo Sheng got it for her?
But he had never believed in these things before, and he was too embarrassed to tell others that he had such thoughts at this moment, so he secretly brought Guo Sheng with him.
When they arrived at the foot of the mountain, it was already daylight. There were quite a few people hiking up the mountain. The two of them changed into ordinary clothes and tried to find places with fewer people, so no one recognized them.
Along the way, they encountered several fortune tellers with stalls, and each of them seemed to be doing quite well, which Wei Hong found very strange.
Guo Sheng explained from the side, "The abbot of the temple has returned, and there have been many more believers coming here recently. These fortune tellers who usually do business in the city have seized the opportunity to set up their stalls here."
After saying that, he added in a low voice, "They're all liars, Your Highness, don't believe them!"
Wei Hong naturally didn't believe it; he was just curious how these people, who usually didn't have much business, suddenly had so many customers.
After Guo Sheng's explanation, they understood and stopped watching.
These fortune tellers, who claim to have unerring predictions, dare not set up their stalls too close to the Buddhist temple for fear of being driven away. Therefore, the further up you go, the fewer such stalls there are, and they are almost nowhere to be seen.
But rare doesn't mean nonexistent. When they were almost halfway up the mountain, Wei Hong saw another one.
This stall was different from the others; it was very deserted and also very... dilapidated.
The flags beside the stall were tattered and fluttered in the wind, as if they would be torn apart if the wind were to pick up too much.
The fortune teller sitting behind the table, who should have looked like a wise and sage, was wearing a tattered Taoist robe, with messy hair hanging over his shoulders. He looked even worse off than the refugees of Cangcheng.
Such attire naturally hinders business; only a middle-aged woman dressed in shabby clothes, covered in patches, who probably couldn't afford to pay elsewhere, was there to have her fortune told.
Wei Hong initially didn't want to pay attention, but he was drawn to the few lines of text on the banner.
Unlike others, the banner did not bear any pronouncements of absolute certainty. Instead, it read "Left ear hears Zen" on the right and "Right ear enters demonic possession" on the left, with the horizontal inscription "One line, two thoughts" above.
This is quite different from the other scammers; they've come up with new tricks to deceive people.
In the short time it took to glance at her, the woman finished listening to the old Taoist's words, left a coin, and left.
The old Taoist priest looked up and saw them. He chuckled and said, "Young master, would you like your fortune told? Ten taels of silver per session!"
Guo Sheng's face darkened upon hearing this: "That woman clearly charged one coin, so how come our young master is asking for ten taels? Does she think we're stupid and have too much money?"
The old Taoist priest, who was drinking water, almost choked and laughed, "I don't know if he's stupid or not, but you really are stupid."
Guo Sheng almost got into a fight with this man, but Wei Hong stopped him and led him forward.
The old Taoist priest behind them said unhurriedly, "Young master, you hold the position of Ziwei and will soon rule the world. What else could you possibly want that would require you to make this trip here?"
Guo Sheng and Wei Hong both stopped and turned to look.
"How did you know...?"
“I saw you yesterday when you came to ask for a peace charm on behalf of the prince.”
The old Taoist priest said.
Guo Sheng's heart, which had just been pounding, suddenly plummeted back to its lowest point.
He really thought he'd run into a deity! Turns out he'd only seen him yesterday, which is why he only recognized him today!
Wei Hong glanced at the old Taoist priest a few times, and then, for some reason, walked over to him.
"What are you to me?"
"That depends on what you want to calculate, young master!"
Wei Hong pursed his lips and pondered for a moment: "Could it be considered an afterlife?"
Guo Sheng gasped in shock: "Your Highness, he's a fraud!"