Upon hearing Yuan Feng's sudden remark in Deyang Palace, Liu Hong couldn't help but give Yuan Feng a strange look.

How come all these people have learned from Cao Song? Only influencing others, never to leave? How can such talented people not be sent to the Research and Manufacturing Bureau?

However, it seems that Yuan Feng now regards Gongshu Lian as the college's prized possession, so it's unlikely that he'll release him easily.

Liu Hong thought for a moment, then said, "Ahem~, Minister of Works, I naturally know he is a PhD from the Engineering Institute! However... a talent like Gongshu Qing should spend more time exchanging ideas with the Research and Manufacturing Bureau and Marquis Moyang!"

After all, only in this way can he learn more, and then... only then can he create more useful things for the engineering school! Sikong, don't you agree?

Yuan Feng immediately understood the Emperor's meaning: exchange? He feared that after only a few exchanges, Gongshu Lian would be given the title of Director of the Imperial Workshop and sent there. How could that be allowed?

Yuan Feng rolled his eyes and then said, "Oh, Your Majesty is right. If it's just a 'simple' exchange, then it's fine!"

"Um?"

Liu Hong was slightly taken aback. This old man Yuan really knew how to exploit loopholes! Where in this world is there such a "simple" exchange?

Seeing Yuan Feng's unyielding attitude, Liu Hong sighed inwardly, realizing he had no choice but to resort to his trump card.

Then Liu Hong said softly, "Of course, it's not enough for Gongshu Qing to just go to the Research and Manufacturing Department. Marquis Moyang should also go to the Engineering Academy more often!"

Hmm... However, for their convenience in communicating, I think we could add a doctorate in engineering to Marquis Moyang's title. What does the Grand Commandant think?

Upon hearing the Emperor's words, Yuan Feng's eyes lit up. He had been eyeing Mo Shang for a long time and had begged countless times, but the Emperor simply refused to release him.

Now that the emperor has finally relented, he is naturally overjoyed. With the title of engineering college, he will naturally have plenty of ways to get Mo Shang and Gongshu Lian to contribute to the future of his engineering college.

So Yuan Feng said with a smile, "Your Majesty is right. In order to facilitate communication, I think that Doctor Gongshu should also be given a position as a supervisor in the Research and Manufacturing Department!"

"Yes! Sikong is right!"

Seeing that Yuan Feng finally relented, Liu Hong nodded in satisfaction. As long as Gongshu Lian accepted the title of Research and Manufacturing Bureau, he had plenty of ways to get the stuff in Gongshu Lian's belly out and contribute to the future of Research and Manufacturing Bureau.

And so, Liu Hong and Yuan Feng, sharing the same thoughts, quickly reached an agreement.

Although Liu Hong could have used the emperor's name to forcibly recruit Gongshu Lian into the Imperial Workshop, he did not do so.

After all, he had just made great contributions to the School of Engineering and become the face of the School of Engineering. It would be inappropriate for us to poach him like this.

The development of the Research and Development Division is important, but the College of Engineering is equally important, and I would never do anything that favors one over the other.

Moreover, Liu Hong intends to transform the Research and Manufacturing Division into an institution similar to a future research institute. Its research results will need to be disseminated through several colleges. Therefore, they are not independent of each other, but rather have a complementary relationship. Only in this way can both continue to progress.

The current situation of Mo Shang and Gongshu Lian is precisely the beginning of promoting communication and exchange between the two.

Before long, Chen Fan, Hu Guang, and Li Ying followed Song Dian into the Deyang Palace.

After the emperor and his ministers exchanged greetings, Liu Hong also informed Chen Fan and the others of the good news.

Like Liu Hong, Chen Fan and the other two were overjoyed to learn of the significant increase in iron production, and they looked at Gongshu Lian, who was sitting to the side, with the same care they would give him.

Gongshu Lian, who was seeing the emperor and these bigwigs in the court for the first time, felt the strange gazes of the crowd and sat down next to Yuan Feng with his head down, just like Mo Shang had done before.

Seeing Gongshu Lian sitting there helplessly, Liu Hong couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Craftsmen are one of the most important backbone forces in a country's development, yet they have always been despised by the world.

As a result, very few people were willing to become craftsmen. Although his previous bestowal of titles and honors upon Mo Shang had attracted the attention of some people and drawn some to join, it was still far from enough for the Han Dynasty.

Improving the social status of artisans is a long and arduous task!

Then Liu Hong looked around at everyone and said with a smile, "Alright, you all know how important it is for the Han Dynasty to increase iron production."

Gongshu Qing deserves the greatest credit. What do you, the other ministers, think of his reward?

As soon as the emperor finished speaking, before anyone could react, Yuan Feng immediately stood up.

"Your Majesty, I believe that the merit of Doctor Gongshu is equivalent to that of opening up new territories, and he should be granted the title of Marquis of a Thousand Households!"

As Yuan Feng finished speaking, everyone in the hall except Liu Hong was startled by his words. Chen Fan, Hu Guang, Li Ying and the others looked at Yuan Feng with surprise.

Gongshu Lian, standing to the side, also went completely blank for a moment, even feeling as if his breathing had stopped. He just stared blankly at Yuan Feng beside him.

"What Sikong said makes sense!! This achievement is indeed equivalent to conquering new territories!"

Liu Hong nodded, agreeing with Yuan Feng's statement and acknowledging Gongshu Lian's contributions.

"Your Majesty, I believe that what the Minister of Works said is absolutely right. Such merit is enough to be recorded in history, and it is not unreasonable to grant him the title of Marquis of a Thousand Households!"

After the initial shock, Li Ying immediately echoed the sentiment. As the Grand Commandant in charge of the military affairs of the Han Dynasty, he naturally understood the importance of increasing iron production.

With more iron, more weapons and armor can be forged, taking the military strength of the Han Dynasty to a new level. At that time, the army will be invincible wherever it goes, able to fight wherever it wants. This will indeed be a great achievement in expanding territory, and being ennobled as a marquis is well-deserved.

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