It is precisely because the "Complete Book of Agricultural Administration" contains so much content on famine preparedness, and also includes cold-resistant and drought-resistant crops such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn, that the emperor was so anxious.

Once the Complete Book of Agricultural Administration was published, the emperor would issue an imperial decree declaring it a must-read for all local officials. He would even use it as a textbook to recruit a large number of agricultural officials through examinations.

Food is the most important thing for people, and the Ming Dynasty’s rice bowl must be as stable as possible.

As long as the people can have enough food to eat, the world will not change even if there is a tyrant ruler.

"Your Majesty, please revoke your order." Xu Guangqi bowed again and interrupted the emperor's thoughts.

After the Liao Dynasty was successfully pacified, the emperor wanted to reward the meritorious service. On the list of those who were to be conferred titles were Xu Guangqi and Sun Yuanhua, as well as Sun Chengzong, Yuan Keli, Xiong Tingbi and others.

Xu Guangqi's purpose in meeting the emperor was to humbly decline the offer of a title. However, the emperor's thoughts shifted, and he turned his attention to the unfinished manuscript of the Complete Book of Agricultural Administration.

The emperor waved his hand and said, "My mind is made up. Xu Qing, there is no need to decline. Well, if there is nothing else, please take your leave!"

Xu Guangqi: “…”

Unexpectedly, the emperor was so straightforward and didn't allow any more words. Xu Guangqi was stunned for a moment and had no choice but to stand up and leave.

The reward was given after the Liao Dynasty was pacified, just to seize the opportunity and make it more grand, but it did not necessarily go to the military generals who had killed the enemy in battle and made great contributions.

If we talk about Xu Guangqi's achievements, just the successful trial of growing sweet potatoes in the north was enough to make him a noble. Sweet potatoes may not look big, but how many lives can they save during a disaster?

There was also Sun Yuanhua, who invented guns and cannons, which enhanced the combat effectiveness of the Ming army, reduced casualties among soldiers, and also made great contributions to the pacification of Liao.

Moreover, the emperor's way of granting titles was different from before. It was no longer hereditary, but lifelong.

Zhu Youxiao was quite averse to hereditary succession, except for the succession to the throne. After adopting the lifelong system of conferring titles, he was less worried about the proliferation of vassalage. After all, when someone died, their title was revoked!

Of course, these are not the ultimate reasons why the emperor wanted to confer titles.

Originally, the bestowal of titles was based on military merit. During the Hongwu and Yongle reigns, although more titles were bestowed, this principle was basically followed.

However, during the Jiajing period, the policy of awarding prizes stagnated, and this policy was inherited by subsequent monarchs.

However, during the late Ming Dynasty and the Southern Ming Dynasty, the situation changed again. The monarchs began to confer titles on a large number of people, leading to an proliferation of titles.

In fact, whether it is stopping rewards or conferring titles on a large scale, it is an abnormal phenomenon, which makes the title lose its original incentive function and significance.

Confer titles when they are due, reward rewards when they are due, and use merit as the standard. Is that so difficult?

Even worse were the emperors who used titles as a pretext for not keeping their word. For example, Emperor Jingtai issued a decree that anyone who killed Bayan Temur or the eunuch Xining would be granted a title, but when someone succeeded, Emperor Jingtai refused and awarded someone else instead.

The practice of issuing imperial edicts promising to confer titles had already existed in the Ming Dynasty. It was called the Imperial Edict of Conferring Titles and could be used to inspire and boost morale during wars.

He offered a reward to the whole world with titles, but when an official came to fulfill his promise, he did not keep his promise. The emperor's words were simply bullshit.

There was also Li Chengliang, who was praised by his contemporaries as the most powerful military officer in the past two hundred years. Without the help of Zhang Juzheng, he would not have been able to obtain the title of Earl of Ningyuan.

Zhu Youxiao believed that conferring titles based on military merit played an important role in the country. Just like the military merit title system in the Qin Dynasty, it could fully motivate military generals to be loyal to the court and become an important cornerstone for maintaining the court.

Is it necessary to wait until there are internal and external troubles before conferring titles on a large scale, so that all titles are devalued, their incentive effect is lost, and some people even refuse to obey the imperial edict?

The emperor took out the list of titles and read it carefully again. There was no general who was suppressing the rebellion in the southwest. When the rebellion was suppressed, the emperor would still reward him generously.

Moreover, rewarding the heroes who pacified Liao would greatly motivate the generals who suppressed the rebellion and speed up the process of suppressing the rebellion.

……………….

Snowflakes are falling heavily, covering the ground.

The land of Liaodong is covered in silver, which is the same as in previous years, but the feeling is different when you look at it again.

It was almost Chinese New Year, and traveling was hardly a pleasant experience. But for Mao Wenlong, it was a mixed bag, with no thought of celebrating the New Year or enjoying a good time.

After paying a visit to Xiong Tingbi in Shenyang and then to Yuan Keli in Liaoyang, Mao Wenlong led a dozen personal guards across the Liao River, passing Guangning, Jinzhou, and Ningyuan, and headed straight to the capital by land.

"This New Year, we're going to be on the way!" Gou Zhenhuai shook his head vigorously, shaking off a lot of snow, and said with emotion: "Even if it's fast, it will take seven or eight days. We'll be lucky if we can catch the fifth day of the New Year."

Mao Wenlong chuckled and said, "In that case, let's stay at a post station on the first day of the new year and celebrate the New Year."

Gou Zhen thought for a moment, shook his head again, and said, "There's no need to delay for a day. If we arrive in the capital earlier, we can experience the festive and lively New Year celebrations earlier. The post station is so deserted and boring."

"General Gou hasn't been back to the capital for several years!" Mao Wenlong sighed, his eyes narrowed as the wind and snow lashed his face. "I've been in Liaodong for over a decade, thousands of miles away from the capital."

"Seeking a title three thousand miles away." Gou Zhenhuai laughed heartily and said, "General Mao has great ambitions, I am not as good as him."

Mao Wenlong gave a wry smile. He had no such extravagant hopes. Li Chengliang had only been granted the title of Earl of Ningyuan. Compared to Li Chengliang, he was far inferior.

"After the slaves are wiped out, perhaps I can be granted a noble title." Mao Wenlong said casually, "It will take at least two or three years!"

Gou Zhenhuai deeply agreed. Mao Wenlong's military achievements in the Liaodong Campaign were certainly not the highest. Xiong Tingbi might have been able to confer a title, but even if Mao Wenlong remained in Liaodong, he would probably have had to completely annihilate the Jiannu before he could even be granted a title.

"Let's stop and rest at the post station ahead!" Gou Zhenhuai pointed with his whip and said, "It's getting late, and it's snowing like this again."

Mao Wenlong nodded in agreement, and his personal soldiers quickened their pace and headed to the post station to inform the arrangements.

This post station is not big, but the buildings and courtyards next to it are eye-catching.

Mao Wenlong, Gou Zhenhuai and others have already seen two places and know that these are inns established by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, which integrate functions such as accommodation, catering, and warehouses.

"General, sir, please come in and rest." The postman was already waiting at the door, greeting him with a smile on his face, and walked forward to lead the horse into the yard.

When Mao Wenlong, Gou Zhenhuai and others entered the post station, they saw that the conditions were rather simple, but they were all soldiers and it was normal for them to sleep in the open air, so they were not picky.

Gou Zhenhuai took out a silver coin and threw it to the postman, and ordered: "Go to the inn next door and order some delicious dishes. Your cooking skills are really-"

The postman nodded and bowed repeatedly, then turned and left.

Mao Wenlong glanced at Gou Zhenhuai, smiled and shook his head, then said to another postman, "Do you have the latest court bulletin? The Ming Forum is even better."