With the approval of all officials, the matter of bestowing a marquisate upon Mo Shang is now a done deal.
Subsequently, Liu Hong ordered Chen Fan to take charge of promoting the curved plow. With the Grand Tutor of the court leading the effort, few would dare to obstruct it.
"My lords, this curved plow is a matter of national importance and the people's livelihood. We must not profit from it. I think its price should be three hundred coins. What do you think?"
"Your Majesty is wise! We have no objections!"
The officials unanimously agreed, arguing that the curved plow was originally intended for the common people, and that the price was too high for them to afford. They felt it was unrealistic to expect it to increase the national treasury's revenue, and it also went against the original intention of its promotion. They believed that as long as there was more arable land and more grain, the national treasury's revenue would naturally increase as well.
"Good! Commandant Yang Qiu!"
"Your subject is here!"
Upon hearing the emperor's call, Yang Qiu stepped forward from among the officials, speaking loudly.
"I hereby appoint you to be fully responsible for the sale price of new plows in various regions. Promoting the curved plow is a national policy established by me, the Grand Tutor, the Three Dukes, and all officials. Anyone who dares to obstruct this, raise prices, or engage in forced buying and selling will be arrested without trial!"
"promise!"
Seeing Yang Qiu return to his post with a murderous look, many of the officials felt a chill run down their spines.
"Now that you all understand the importance of craftsmen to our great Han Dynasty, in order to promote the curved plow more quickly and effectively, I intend to establish an engineering college and an agricultural college."
After a pause, Liu Hong asked in a deep voice, "Who agrees and who disagrees?"
Upon hearing this, the officials were taken aback. Now that the promotion of the curved plow had become a national policy, the status of craftsmen naturally rose accordingly.
As for agriculture, it has always been a very important matter throughout history, so there is nothing wrong with establishing agricultural colleges.
The officials then unanimously declared, "We agree!"
"Alright, let's set up the headquarters in Xiyuan! It'll be right next to the medical school!"
"Your Majesty! I wonder if the engineering and agricultural colleges could be established with funds from the national treasury?"
As soon as Liu Hong finished speaking, Cao Song impatiently chimed in. He understood all too well the value of these two academies; they would undoubtedly bring unimaginable revenue to the national treasury in the future. Having already missed out on one medical school, Cao Song had no intention of giving it up to the Imperial Household Department this time.
"Hehe~ It's rare for our Grand Minister of Agriculture to be so generous, huh?"
Seeing Cao Song's anxious appearance, Liu Hong couldn't help but tease him a couple of times.
Haha~ Haha~
The officials in the court burst into laughter upon hearing this. Ever since the national treasury had a surplus, Cao Song had been keeping a close eye on it.
Apart from disaster relief and essential projects, any government office that wanted to withdraw money or grain from the national treasury had to haggle with Cao Song for a long time before they could do so. Moreover, he was very strict and wouldn't give them a single penny more.
Today, even the emperor has begun to ridicule Cao Song, so the civil and military officials naturally won't let this opportunity pass them by.
The originally solemn imperial court was transformed into a sea of joy because of Cao Song.
Hearing the officials' taunts, Cao Song blushed and immediately looked at the laughing civil and military officials, "Hmph~ What's so funny? You lot don't know the value of firewood and rice when you're not in charge of the household!"
"Huh? Look at Cao Jugao's appearance, hahaha~"
Seeing Cao Song's red-faced and swollen appearance, the officials laughed even louder, including Chen Fan, Li Ying, and especially Yuan Feng, who laughed the most heartily.
Even Yang Qiu, who is usually serious, twitched his lips slightly.
"Alright! Gentlemen, stop teasing the Grand Minister of Agriculture!"
The laughter of the officials in the hall gradually subsided only after Liu Hong spoke.
Liu Hong looked at Cao Song and said with a smile, "The establishment of the engineering and agricultural colleges can be handled by the national treasury; the Imperial Household Department will not be involved!"
"Your Majesty is wise and sagacious! Truly a sage ruler for all ages! No one as wise as Your Majesty can compare to Yao or Shun..."
Cao Song was overjoyed and immediately showered Liu Hong with flattery, fearing that Liu Hong might change his mind.
Zhang Rang and Jian Shuo, who were standing to the side, secretly noted down Cao Song's words. The civil and military officials also looked at Cao Song with strange expressions, who was praising him in a variety of ways. They did not expect that this Cao Jugao would be so shameless.
Cao Song, however, seemed completely unfazed and continued, "Your Majesty's achievements can be said to be on par with..."
"Stop, stop, stop!"
"Forehead!!"
Liu Hong felt somewhat embarrassed and quickly tried to stop him. Cao Song, whose mind was racing, then shut his mouth and stared blankly at Liu Hong.
Ignoring Cao Song, Liu Hong turned to Yuan Feng and asked, "How about the Chief Inspector of the Engineering Department?"
"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. I accept your command!"
"As for the College of Agriculture!"
Liu Hong couldn't help but look at Dou Wu, "How about the Grand General takes command?"
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I obey your command!"
Since eliminating the eunuchs, Dou Wu had been virtually invisible in the court, rarely participating in political decisions. Although he was surprised by the emperor's appointment, Dou Wu readily agreed.
Cao Song had no dissatisfaction with the emperor's appointment, because both the College of Engineering and the College of Agriculture were under his jurisdiction as the Grand Minister of Agriculture, which meant that he could give orders to Yuan Feng in the field of engineering. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a little excited.
Soon after the court session ended, the officials returned to their homes and began writing letters to their former students and subordinates to inform them about the promotion of the curved plow, so that they could prepare in advance to avoid any mishaps.
A decree conferring upon Mo Shang the title of Marquis of Moyang was personally delivered to the Research and Manufacturing Department by Jian Shuo. Although it was only a title of Marquis, it still greatly excited Mo Shang and the disciples of the Mo family.
You should know that their ancestors made great efforts to help the First Emperor unify the six kingdoms, but none of them ever received a marquis title.
After returning to the Research and Development Bureau, Mo Shang began to organize the disciples of the Mo family according to the Emperor's method, and started to test the feasibility of division of labor and cooperation. Both Mo Shang and the disciples of the Mo family were full of motivation at this time.
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