However, it was this young man who received such a great honor.

It would take time for anyone to accept this.

However, the vast majority of people still approve of Sun Jian's conferment of this title.

Without Sun Jian, the locust plague would likely have spread throughout Dagan, causing hundreds of millions of people to suffer and leaving countless dead and starving.

It is no exaggeration to say that Sun Jian saved tens of thousands of lives.

After receiving the imperial edict, Sun Jian still had one question.

He now has too many titles and honors. Putting aside his honorary titles such as General Fenwei and Marquis of Hanting, he is currently holding three other positions.

One was the Commander-in-Chief of the Tiger Guard, another was the Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, and the third was the Crown Prince's Tutor.

How the hell does he even get appointed?

Emperor Ganwu seemed to have guessed what Sun Jian was thinking and smiled.

His facial expression was completely different from how he had dealt with Qin Tai and the other man before.

He first waved to Wang De behind him.

Wang De immediately gave the order and took a painting from a maid who had been standing beside him for a long time with a tray, and walked to the front of the hall.

Emperor Ganwu once again addressed the assembled officials in a loud voice: "Minister Sun, rise. I have considered your meritorious service in disaster relief and your high expectations, and hereby bestow upon you another gift."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang De, along with hundreds of civil and military officials, unfolded the painting in his hand.

The painting depicts a towering camphor tree on a cliff, and the final signature is the emperor's own handwriting.

After seeing the painting, everyone's envy and admiration for Sun Jian deepened.

Sun Jian also took a closer look and immediately understood Emperor Ganwu's intention.

This nanmu tree, also known as golden nanmu, is an extremely rare and precious type of wood.

Due to its sturdiness, durability, and excellent ductility and corrosion resistance, it is generally used for the main beams of buildings inside and outside palaces and imperial residences.

The emperor's intention in sending him this painting was quite clear: to praise Sun Jian as a pillar of the court and to express his hope that he would wholeheartedly assist the future monarch.

"Your subject receives the imperial decree!"

Sun Jian accepted the painting from Wang De with a clasped hand, his face expressionless.

Such an honor might be extremely enviable to others, who would think it could rival the imperial pardon, but in Sun Jian's eyes, it was nothing special.

How could he not understand that the emperor was trying to brainwash him with empty promises, hoping to make him more useful to him in the future?

If they gave us something else, that would be fine; at least we could sell it for money.

But damn it... even if I offered to sell a painting, nobody would dare to buy it.

After Sun Jian accepted the painting, Emperor Ganwu continued, "Minister Sun, after this appointment, you may hold various official positions remotely. Furthermore, I will grant you the authority to serve in the Imperial Study."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Sun Jian bowed in thanks once more.

It seems the emperor has considered all the questions that had been on my mind.

The meaning of "holding various positions remotely" is not very clear.

He would no longer be restricted by any official or military rank. If he wanted to go to the Tiger Army today, he could go directly. If he wanted to go to the Censorate tomorrow to find fault with the officials, impeach someone, or go to the Eastern Palace to chat and joke with his brother, no one would stop him.

This feels so good!

etc!

The more I think about it, the more something seems off.

This emperor has always had a habit of giving a sweet treat followed by a slap in the face.

He's already given me three sweet treats: being appointed a general and granted a title, as well as receiving paintings and power. There must be other conditions involved!

Sun Jian turned his gaze toward Emperor Ganwu on the high platform.

Sure enough, he guessed right.

Emperor Ganwu's gaze sharpened, and he spoke directly: "Minister Sun, the disaster has now been largely contained. I hereby appoint you to hold various posts remotely. Can you guess my intention?"

Holy crap...

Who can't guess what you're thinking, old man!

I asked you to plant potatoes for you before, but then two locust plagues came, and the potato planting was postponed.

Now that the disaster is over, so many royal estates are empty. Are you just making me do hard labor to help you cultivate and plant crops?

Despite his thoughts, Sun Jian wasn't foolish enough to directly contradict him.

He certainly didn't want to be granted any official rank or title by the emperor, or subjected to the cruel punishment of being offered fruit by immortals.

"May I ask if Your Majesty wishes for me to plant the new potato crop on the imperial estate as soon as possible?"

"Exactly!"

Emperor Ganwu's smile deepened.

"The Imperial Estate is a base of the capital. Your new crop, potatoes, still needs to be tested... various aspects... Therefore, I am giving you one and a half months. Today, one and a half months from now, I want a good result!"

"I obey the decree!"

Sun Jian had no choice but to accept the emperor's decree.

He really treats me like a beast of burden! I just finished dealing with the locust plague, and I didn't even go home yesterday. And today he's given me such a big task... Unbelievable!

Seeing that Sun Jian had agreed, Emperor Ganwu's smile deepened, and he nodded unconsciously.

Sun Jian's actions were in line with his wishes. If the potato trial was successful, then Da Gan might very well undergo a dramatic transformation because of Sun Jian.

I just wonder if he'll ever have the chance to see what it's like when he finally unifies the world...

People are more prone to accidents when they are happy.

This statement couldn't be more fitting for Emperor Ganwu. One second he was very satisfied with Sun Jian's actions and abilities, and glad that the heavens had blessed him with great success. The next second he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest, an itchy throat, and began to cough violently.

"Cough cough!"

When Emperor Ganwu coughed, Wang De, who was standing beside him, immediately took care of him and spoke words of concern.

The civil and military officials below the hall also became worried.

The most concerned were undoubtedly the Crown Prince and the Second Prince.

Humans are not plants or trees; how can they be without feelings?

Even if they fight fiercely behind the scenes, in the current situation, whether for public or private reasons, a child must demonstrate filial piety towards his father.

Seeing that Crown Prince Li Gancheng and Second Prince Li Chengru were about to walk forward, Emperor Ganwu immediately covered his mouth with a handkerchief, coughed for a while, and then stretched out his hand to indicate that he was fine and there was no need to panic.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that the emperor was alright.

"Ministers, there is no need to panic. His Majesty has just caught a cold and it is nothing serious."

Wang De also took the time to relay Emperor Ganwu's message to the ministers below the stage.

I see……

The ministers below the stage nodded in agreement, their previous tense expressions vanishing completely.

Others might not see the trickery involved, but Sun Jian, being a time traveler from the future, was perfectly positioned to see Emperor Qianwu's handkerchief clearly.

Sun Jian immediately realized that Emperor Ganwu's cold was not a minor ailment; the handkerchief he had just coughed on was stained with blood.

Holy crap!

He's already vomiting blood, and he's still not seriously injured?

If these symptoms have persisted for a long time, they can be fatal.