Now that he has become emperor and has no shortage of professional talents under his command, Liu Hong has brought up this long-shelved idea once again.

"Your Majesty, I am foolish and ignorant, please enlighten me!"

In Cao Song's view, since the emperor raised this question, he must have his reasons. As his subjects, even if they had a solution, they should wait for the emperor to propose it before they could implement it.

"As the saying goes, 'Like father, like son,' and I believe this saying also applies to grain crops!"

"Humans can strengthen themselves through learning and cultivation, and so can plants. You might as well start from this point!"

Everyone nodded in agreement; cultivating superior varieties and increasing yields was indeed a viable method.

Seeing that everyone seemed to understand, Liu Hong continued, "With the autumn harvest just around the corner, you gentlemen might as well go to the fields and take a walk, select the strongest and densest plants, study the reasons for their growth, and then cultivate them accordingly, just like my Imperial Guard."

Cao Song's eyes lit up. "Your Majesty is truly a sage. I have lived a life of mere survival, yet I am not as insightful as Your Majesty in a single word."

Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong, standing behind Liu Hong, couldn't help but exchange a glance. This old man Cao's flattery skills were so superb.

Liu Hong smiled and waved his hand: "Fine words are useless. Only tangible results will make me happy."

Liu Hong then continued, "No matter who it is, as long as they can achieve something, I will not only bestow titles and official positions upon them, but also erect monuments and write biographies for them, and even build temples and shrines for them, so that their fame can last for generations to admire and worship them."

"Hiss~" Liu Hong's words made everyone present gasp.

Erecting monuments and writing biographies, building temples and shrines—such things were rare in ancient times; they were things only sages could enjoy.

"Your Majesty, we will do our utmost to live up to your expectations."

The officials, led by Cao Song, knelt down one after another, their expressions agitated and their faces flushed. Compared to the above, high-ranking positions and generous salaries were nothing but dirt in their eyes at this moment.

Liu Hong nodded in satisfaction. Although this matter was a long and arduous task, Liu Hong believed that as long as he persevered, it would eventually be accomplished.