"So are we only able to passively defend? That's not right either." Zhao Hao continued in the meeting:

"We still have to take the initiative. Remember, war is bloody politics, and politics is bloodless war. The battlefield is not only where two armies face off and fight with real swords and guns. We still have many battlefields. For example, we can take the opportunity to educate our soldiers and civilians and make them realize as soon as possible that the root cause of their generations of suffering lies in the imperial system; for example, we can fully promote large-scale immigration. The larger the population of the 18 provinces overseas and the stronger the economy, the more confident we will be, and the less influence the outside world will have on us."

"We must also step up efforts to run schools outside the integrated regions of Huguang, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Henan, etc., set up development companies, and unite all forces that can be united. And most importantly, mobilize the people to resolutely fight against the minions of the imperial court and protect everyone's hard-earned food and clothing!"

“Don’t be afraid to mobilize the people—remember, whether or not an organization dares to mobilize the people is a sign of whether it is progressive or reactionary. If you are righteous and progressive, you don’t have to be afraid to mobilize the people! The power of the people is the greatest. As long as the people stand on our side, we are invincible!”

Thunderous applause broke out again in the meeting hall and lasted for a long time.

"The specific work will be carefully arranged later. Next, let me tell you about my predictions for the future." Zhao Hao clenched his right fist and waved it vigorously, saying: "First of all, the final victory will definitely belong to us. On the one hand, this is determined by absolute strength! Our economic, military, and organizational capabilities are far stronger than our opponents in all aspects!"

"But more importantly, it's because we are revolutionary, progressive, and just. Our opponents are reactionary, corrupt, and unjust!" Zhao Hao said in a sonorous and powerful voice:

"Nothing in this world can last forever. Even the universe we live in will eventually die out. As the saying goes, 'Yu passed down the throne to Qi, and the country became a family kingdom.' Emperors have been treating the country's land and people as their own private property for more than three thousand years! This system has long been rotten and should be buried. The two Song dynasties are a clear example of this."

"If it weren't for the wise and foolish rulers of Song Taizu, Song Taizong, Song Huizong, and Song Gaozong, who all regarded the world as their private property - or just wanted to pass this property down from generation to generation, wishing to tie up the generals with ropes and turn the army into puppets; or extorting and depriving the people of the world of their bones and marrow for their own pleasure; or even in order to prevent the throne from falling, they would not even give up the opportunity to recover the mountains and rivers, and would rather submit to the barbarians! How could China have been poisoned by Liao, Jin, and Yuan, and finally the nine provinces were covered with blood and stench?"

"Since ancient times, it has never been heard of that barbarians living in China can rule the world. The weak Song Dynasty is truly a shame for all ages! And the culprit is the emperor of the Zhao family who regards the world as his private property! So don't mention things like the mountains and rivers belong to Zhao again. It is a great insult to our cause and to me personally!" Zhao Hao said sternly.

The audience was in complete silence, and all the delegates were shocked. Although the big boss had always been critical of the imperial system, publicly speaking like this at the group's representative conference was tantamount to announcing that he would not, and would not allow anyone else to, rule the country.

"As for our dynasty, it is nothing more than a sudden disaster from heaven, a last gasp of glory! But Taizu regarded the world as his private property, which was even worse than the previous dynasty. As a result, during the Jiajing period, dozens of Japanese pirates dared to attack Nanjing City, which was garrisoned with hundreds of thousands of troops! It is really like that time and that moment! If we don't bury this rotten family empire as soon as possible, the tragedy of the Tartars taking over the Central Plains will surely repeat itself!"

"We are not fighting for one person's property, but for the well-being of the people of the world! We are fighting to break out of the cycle of order and chaos! We are fighting for China to surpass the Han and Tang dynasties! Therefore, we are using revolution against reaction, progress against corruption, and justice against injustice. Naturally, we will win!" Zhao Hao said excitedly.

“We will win!”

“We will win!”

"We must win!" the representatives shouted together.

"But victory will not come too quickly, nor will it be too easy. This is determined by the path we have chosen. As I said just now, a quick victory will lead to endless troubles. It is not difficult to win on a battlefield with real swords and guns, but the difficult part is what to do next?"

"Who doesn't want a quick victory? I also want a quick victory. But before that, three prerequisites must be met. First, you need to accumulate enough justice; second, you need to wait for the opportunity that will cause the least harm to the country and the people; third, you must be prepared to take on greater responsibilities in the future."

"Outside our integrated region, there are more than 200 million impoverished people and complex interest groups. Are we ready to take on this responsibility? Do we really have a way to change all this? Do we have the ability to provide so many people with food and clothing? The answers are uncertain." Zhao Hao said in a deep voice:

"These problems have determined that the group must focus on ourselves and take things step by step. So starting from today, everyone must be in a good mood, put aside all distractions, focus on your work, seize the time to make the group stronger, and constantly create conditions to defeat our opponents! The stronger we are, the greater the advantage, and the more natural the victory will be!"

"In the end, we will definitely be able to lead the 270 million Chinese people to sail across the seven seas, make the lands that shine upon us the Han people, and create a prosperous era that far surpasses the Han and Tang dynasties!" At the end of his speech, Zhao Hao raised his arms and shouted, "Long live the great Chinese nation!"

"Long live the Chinese nation!" The representatives' roar broke through the dome and reached the sky.

~~

Zhao Hao's speech at the preparatory meeting was neither published in the newspaper nor printed into a document for distribution to various departments for study, but it had an excellent effect of stabilizing people's hearts, enhancing confidence, unifying thoughts, and correcting the root cause.

When his senior cadres and leaders get rid of the vulgar old ideas and strengthen their noble ideals, the entire group will also get rid of the vulgar old ideas and establish noble ideals!

Of course, there were also people who disagreed with his ideas, and they were high-ranking people who were very close to him, and later they triggered a coup, but that's a story for another time...

At least for now, the group's 20th anniversary conference was successfully held as a victorious and harmonious conference.

After the meeting, Zhao Hao met with the heads of various departments and told them that they should focus on completing the Fourth Five-Year Plan next year. As for the new tasks, they would be reflected in the Fifth Five-Year Plan. There was no need to be too distracted by the political situation and disrupt the rhythm of development. After all, Mr. Zhao and his friends could at least hold on for two or three years.

By the time the last wave of representatives left, it was already the end of the month.

Zhao Hao welcomed another distinguished guest - Hai Rui, who was ordered to come to Beijing to serve as the Prince's Tutor and Minister of Justice. He took a boat from Qiongzhou to the north, and when passing through Pudong, he was invited by Zhao Hao to go ashore and rest for a few days.

He was mainly worried about Hai Gong's health. In another time and space, Hai Rui died in office in this year at the age of 74. Although he had a son and had the health-preserving prescription given to him by Wan Mi Zhai, he should be able to live a few more years. But Zhao Hao had to wait until the damn fifteenth year of Wanli passed before he could rest assured.

When Hai Rui shook off the support of a young man of eighteen or nineteen and strode off the official ship with his head held high, Zhao Hao realized that he had been worrying for nothing.

The Sea Warrior was still as dark, dry and thin, except that his hair and beard had turned from gray to pure white, and his back was still as straight as before.

"Mr. Hai, how are you?" Zhao Hao laughed and walked quickly towards him.

"Haha, Boss Zhao came to greet me personally. I am honored." Upon seeing Zhao Hao, Hai Rui's serious face showed a long-lost smile.

"What are you saying? Is there anyone in the Ming Dynasty who has more face than you?" Zhao Hao said with wide eyes, "If I hadn't forbidden the news from leaking out and blocked the dock in advance, do you believe that your fans would have packed this place?"

"Hmph..." Hai Rui sneered, but did not refute. He was still frightened by the experiences of the previous few times he docked. It was really a trouble to have such a high reputation.

"Zhongping, why don't you kowtow to your benefactor?" Hai Rui turned to the young man and said, "Without him and Divine Doctor Li, you three brothers and sisters wouldn't exist."

The young man named Hai Zhongping quickly knelt down and kowtowed three times to Zhao Hao. He also has a younger brother, Hai Zhongan, and a younger sister, Hai Wa, who are twins.

"You're welcome, my dear brother." Zhao Hao pulled the tall young man up affectionately and said with emotion: "When I first saw you, you were still in swaddling clothes, but now you have grown into an adult."

"Yes, time flies. Isn't your eldest son sixteen years old?" Hai Rui said.

"Seventeen." Zhao Hao said with a wry smile: "Children really make people grow old."

"I feel younger and younger." Hai Rui stroked his beard and laughed.

"Of course not, there's a kid calling you daddy all day long..." Zhao Hao said unhappily.

The two looked at each other and laughed. The atmosphere of the reunion of old friends was very harmonious.

~~

The two families had been close friends for a long time, and Hai Rui made an exception and moved his son into Zhao Hao's Jinmao Garden.

Although Hai Rui lived an ascetic life, his family was a large clan in Qiongzhou, and some of them had been merchants traveling to Annan in the early years. He never deliberately stopped his son from associating with those rich young men.

Having seen the extravagance of life, but still being able to calmly cultivate virtue through frugality, is a true gentleman. Those who have not seen it are not truly content with poverty. It is called poverty limiting imagination...

After resting for a night in Jinmao Garden, Zhao Hao asked the fourth son Shi Li and the fifth son Shi Ti to take their uncle Zhong Ping to visit the new city the next day.

His eldest son Shixiang, second son Shiqi, and third son Shifu just went to Luzon to attend university this fall and will not be able to come back for the Chinese New Year.

Zhao Hao was drinking tea and talking with Hai Rui in the garden.

"When I passed by Putian, I went to see Lin Run." Hai Rui said casually.

"Mr. Lin must be very happy." Zhao Hao said with a smile.

"He was very surprised." Hai Rui said calmly, "He didn't expect that I would come out again at this age."

"To be honest, I'm also quite surprised..." Zhao Hao smiled bitterly and said, "What on earth are you singing about?"

"The Investiture of the Gods." Hai Rui stroked his white beard and said, "What do you think of me playing the role of Bi Gan?"

"You are a pen holder, why are you playing Bigan?" Zhao Hao took a sip of the fragrant tea, but only felt bitter in his mouth. After a while, he said, "Is it okay not to go?"

Hai Rui shook his head slowly.

ps. It’s gone tonight.