"Can you speed up the production process?" Chen Fan asked again.
Mo Shang shook his head. "Every part of this curved plow needs to be polished and then assembled. Two days is the fastest we can do it."
"this...."
Chen Fan and his companions frowned, clearly dissatisfied with the production speed. Even if all the official artisans of the Han Dynasty were gathered together, they probably wouldn't be able to produce many in a short time.
It is now late autumn, the perfect time to reclaim wasteland, and there is also the spring planting season next year. If this initiative cannot be promoted in time, the losses will be enormous.
The Deyang Palace fell silent once again as everyone pondered a feasible solution.
"I do have a method, but I don't know if it's feasible!"
Liu Hong's sudden words broke the silence in the hall, and everyone looked at the emperor on the throne.
Hu Guang rose and asked respectfully, "What good plan does Your Majesty have?"
Liu Hong glanced at the curved plow and then said:
"This curved plow is a divine instrument that benefits the country and its people. You ministers may join me in issuing a grand edict to be posted in all counties and even villages within the Han Dynasty, to make public the plow's efficacy and manufacturing method."
And it permitted merchants, powerful figures, and private artisans to produce and sell them!
Upon hearing this, Chen Fan and the others exchanged glances and nodded in agreement. Although this method reduced the national treasury's revenue, it allowed the new plow to be promoted as quickly as possible, making it indeed the best approach.
"Your Majesty's method is indeed a good strategy, and we have no objections!"
With Chen Fan and the others' consent, Liu Hong nodded, glanced at Mo Shang, and then said, "Supervisor Mo and the others have researched and improved the curved plow. Their achievements will be passed down for generations and are no less significant than expanding the territory of our Han Dynasty. What do you all think?"
Hu Guang said, "Your Majesty is right. You should reward Supervisor Mo and his associates handsomely!"
"I second that proposal!"
Chen Fan was the first to step forward and express his support for Hu Guang, followed by Cao Song and Yuan Feng, who nodded in agreement.
Liu Hong smiled and said, "Then let's bestow a marquisate upon Mo Qing!"
"What?"
As soon as Liu Hong finished speaking, not only Mo Shang, but also Chen Fan, Hu Guang, and the others looked at the emperor in disbelief.
In the Han Dynasty, except in special circumstances, such as when the empress's father was granted a marquis title as a matter of custom, or when the sons and nephews of someone like Dou Wu, who had contributed to the establishment of the empress and already held a title, were granted the title of marquis.
The rest were either bestowed titles by the royal family or granted as marquises for military achievements. However, it was extremely rare to bestow a marquis title upon a craftsman in this way.
At this time, although Mo Shang was in charge of the research and manufacturing department, in their eyes he was still just a craftsman.
"What? Do you gentlemen think that such merit is not worth a marquisate?"
Seeing everyone fall silent, Liu Hong's tone was also somewhat cold. Although they were all old ministers whom he respected greatly, that was only on the condition that they supported him.
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