Chen Zilong turned his inquiring gaze towards Wang Jizhong. Seeing Wang Jizhong nod, he continued, "Wait until the 27th for the last issue of the year. It will contain a New Year's message for the long live."

Wang Jizhong added, "It will be like this every year from now on. Your Majesty is going to wish the people of the Ming Dynasty a happy new year. This is the first time in history that His Majesty is going to wish the people of the Ming Dynasty a happy new year."

"Your Majesty is truly a benevolent ruler of all ages," Mao Wenlong said, bowing. "Your majesty has exercised benevolent governance, benefiting the people. And you have condescended to offer New Year's greetings to your subjects. This is truly admirable."

Chen Zilong also bowed to Nan and said, "Your Majesty is also a wise and benevolent ruler, and rewards and punishments are clear. When I left the capital, I heard from my master that Your Majesty wanted to reopen the reward system of conferring titles, and my master would be among them."

Mao Wenlong's eyes lit up, but he immediately suppressed his excitement and asked, "Lord Xu is well-versed in ancient and modern knowledge, and is proficient in both Chinese and Western studies. He deserves the title."

"My master has written a memorial and will select a date to appear in the palace for an audience. Your Majesty, please revoke your order." Chen Zizhuang smiled helplessly and said, "The nobility should be based on military merit. My master does not want to invite criticism."

Granting nobility based on military merit was naturally a boon for soldiers. Although this principle was upheld during the Hongwu and Yongle reigns, it subsequently deviated from the norm, becoming a dream that countless soldiers could only dream of but struggled to achieve.

As long as the title of nobility could be restored, Mao Wenlong believed that he would have great hope.

Even if he loses to Xiong Tingbi this year, his achievements in pacifying Liao are not that great. But the system of "reopening the title system" has been established. As long as he stays in Liaodong and waits until the slavery is eliminated, he should be able to obtain the title, right?

Mao Wenlong could wait for three to five years, but if the emperor simply refused to confer a title like his predecessors, there would be no hope at all.