In Deyang Palace, Liu Hong nodded with satisfaction upon seeing that Mo Shang showed no intention of holding back.
"Mo Qing, I am very pleased that you are like this, but academic theories are the foundation of your livelihood. I do have a solution!"
"Your Majesty, please give your orders!"
“Hmm…” Liu Hong pondered for a moment, then said, “Mo Qing might as well select some simple formulas and theories, compile them into a book, and when you discover a talented or desirable student, you can take them as your disciples and then teach them the complex and core concepts.”
Mo Shang's eyes lit up, and he immediately bowed his head gratefully, saying, "Your Majesty's method is perfect in every way. Your subject will obey Your Majesty's decree!"
"Hehe~ That's excellent!!"
Although Liu Hong did not intend to abolish Confucianism as the dominant ideology, and the unified dynasty was indeed not suitable for the Hundred Schools of Thought that contended during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the idea that each region had its own doctrine would surely sow the seeds of future division, which was not good!
However, leaving room for other schools of thought, extracting their essence, and contributing to the country is still perfectly acceptable.
Afterwards, Liu Hong and Mo Shang exchanged views on the future development of engineering. About half an hour later, Zhang Rang jogged into the hall.
Zhang Rang walked over to Liu Hong's side and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, the Grand Tutor and the others have arrived! They are waiting outside the hall!"
"please!"
Liu Hong turned and returned to the throne, followed by Chen Fan, Hu Guang, Yuan Feng, and Cao Song.
Chen Fan and his companions also noticed Mo Shang and the others inside the hall, as well as the curved plow placed in the center of the hall. Although they had some doubts, they still bowed to Liu Hong on the throne as soon as possible.
"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, pay our respects!"
"Hehe~ Please, everyone, no need for formalities, have a seat!"
Liu Hong smiled and waved his hand, gesturing for the group to sit down and talk.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After everyone was seated, Liu Hong said, "I have invited you here because I have some very exciting news to announce!"
Situ Hu Guang's eyes lit up as he looked at the emperor, whose face was glowing with health, and he couldn't help but speak:
Is His Majesty preparing to select empresses and concubines?
Upon hearing Hu Guang's words, Yuan Feng and Cao Song also realized that there seemed to be no servants in the emperor's harem. Their gazes towards the emperor flickered, and they began to have their own thoughts.
Liu Hong was slightly taken aback, and the smile on his face gradually disappeared. He looked at Hu Guang strangely. What kind of thought process does this old man have?
Mo Shang and Zhang Rang and the others didn't dare to speak, all standing there with their eyes downcast, creating an awkward silence in the hall.
"Ahem~ Minister Situ, you mustn't speak carelessly! His Majesty summoned us here for some other matter!"
Chen Fan coughed lightly twice, easing the awkwardness among everyone.
"Yes, yes, I am still young. We can discuss the matter of empresses and concubines later!"
Hearing Liu Hong say this, Hu Guang sighed slightly. He did hope that the emperor could establish the selection of empresses and consorts as soon as possible in order to balance the harem. After all, it was not a good thing for the harem to have only one Empress Dowager Dou and her family dominating.
"I invited you all here because of this!"
As he spoke, Liu Hong pointed to the curved plow displayed inside the hall.
Chen Fan and the others then began to examine the new plow they had never seen before.
"Your Majesty, what new uses does this plow have?"
Chen Fan couldn't help but ask, even though he was very knowledgeable, he was not an expert in the field of artifacts.
Hu Guang, Yuan Feng, and Cao Song also looked at Liu Hong with suspicion.
"Let Supervisor Mo explain the specifics to you all in detail!"
At Liu Hong's signal, Mo Shang bowed to Chen Fan and the others.
Then Mo Shang walked to the side of the curved plow and said, “My lords, this plow is called the Curved Plow. It was named by His Majesty himself. It was developed by me and my colleagues in the Research and Manufacturing Department through day and night experiments and improvements!”
"Let's get down to business!"
Hu Guang glared at Mo Shang.
"Oh, no!"
Mo Shang then stopped rambling and introduced the various functions and advantages of the curved plow to Chen Fan and the others.
"Are you... telling the truth? One person and one ox can plow five acres or even more in a day?"
Hu Guang stared wide-eyed at Mo Shang, his eyes filled with disbelief, surprise, and excitement. Chen Fan, Cao Song, Yuan Feng, and the others also had the same expression, staring intently at Mo Shang.
Feeling the gazes of several high-ranking officials in the court, Mo Shang swallowed hard and said in a deep voice, "After numerous experiments, we have confirmed that there is no error, and we would never dare to deceive you, esteemed elders!"
"A divine object! A divine object!"
As they spoke, Chen Fan and the others got up and came to the side of the curved plow, their eyes shining as they examined the plow in front of them. Cao Song, the Grand Minister of Agriculture, couldn't wait to go up and hug the curved plow and kiss it.
The more land one mu (unit of land area) one mu (unit of land area), the more grain one mu (unit of grain area) one mu (unit of land area). Chen Fan and his colleagues, who had been in politics for many years, naturally understood how important the curved plow was to the Han Dynasty and its people.
"Supervisor Mo, how much does this curved plow cost?"
After the initial excitement subsided, Grand Minister of Agriculture Cao Song looked at Mo Shang and inquired about the cost of the curved plow.
"To the Grand Minister of Agriculture, after deducting our research and development costs, the raw material cost is about 140 coins. If it is to be produced on a large scale, the total cost will be about 200 coins."
"Hmm! The cost isn't too high either. Ordinary people can afford it if they save money!" Cao Song nodded. If the cost isn't high, then promoting it won't be a problem.
Chen Fan looked at Mo Shang and asked, "Supervisor Mo, how many days will it take to make this plow?"
"In reply to the Grand Tutor, it may be a bit slow at first, but once the craftsman is skilled, an ordinary craftsman can complete it in less than two days!"
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