You don’t feel the passage of time when eating hotpot. By the time you have eaten and drunk your fill, it is already late at night.

Zhao Hao invited his drunk old brother to stay overnight and asked Yu Peng to go back and tell his old sister-in-law not to worry.

After settling down, Zhao Hao came out of the upper room, and the drunkenness was gone. He was not in a hurry to go back to the house, but paced in the courtyard filled with bright sunlight wearing a cloak.

He knew clearly the purpose of his elder brother's visit today. He knew that he wanted to test his attitude and see if there was any possibility of joining forces with Li Chunfang, Zhao Zhenji and other nobles to drive Gao Gong out of power.

This is certainly an option, but Zhao Hao is unwilling to fight Gao Gong to the death unless it is absolutely necessary. First, Gao Gong always does things for the benefit of the Ming Dynasty; second, Gao Gong has the unconditional trust of Emperor Longqing, and he has already taken control of the six ministries and has his own people among the local governors. It can be said that the general trend is set, and it is impossible to defeat him without planning for a few years.

But Gao Gong only existed for a year and a half, so the fastest way would be to do nothing and wait for him to step down on his own.

Of course, we can't just do nothing. We must protect ourselves and ensure that the Jiangnan faction survives the post-Gao Gong era. We must not become a thorn in Gao Gong's side in the next year and a half, and be dealt with by him first.

Therefore, he could not come into conflict with Gao Gong, but had to show his submissiveness and survive this year and a half.

In addition, there is a third point, which is that the Gao Gong era was short after all, and it would pass if you just close your eyes and lift your legs. But the ten years of Zhang Juzheng's rule that followed were truly fatal.

That's a full ten years. It's impossible to continue like that. If we do that, people's morale will be broken and the team will be impossible to lead.

Therefore, for Zhao Hao and Jiangnan Group, everything they are doing now is not only to get through the current hurdle, but more importantly, to lay the foundation for the future.

Looking back on the idol’s life, it is a life of vengeance, a life even more cruel and ruthless than Gao Gong.

If you offend Gao Gong, at most you will lose your job and go home. If you offend Zhang Juzheng, you will lose your life. Not to mention He Daxia, Shao Daxia, and Liu Tai, even the dignified King of Liao could not escape his clutches.

Although Mr. Zhao felt happy every time he saw his idol and wanted to put his portrait on the head of his bed, every time he thought of the chilling records in the history books, Mr. Zhao kept reminding himself that he must not let his idol have a bad impression of him and Jiangnan Group, so he had to keep this string in his heart tight at all times -

Be concerned about what your idol is concerned about, think about what your idol is thinking about, don’t say what your idol doesn’t want to hear, and don’t do what your idol doesn’t want to see.

In short, just dress yourself up as a crazy fan.

So when Zhang Juzheng gave the order, he came over quickly.

By the same token, now that Mr. Zhang and Mr. Gao are working together for this great cause, I absolutely cannot sabotage them.

Even if the two of them turned against each other in the future, he would never reveal his rebellious heart, let alone make Zhang Xianggong feel threatened. It would be best to stay away from him and stay out of it, so as not to see the hideousness in Zhang Xianggong's heart.

In that case, not only will the idol be shattered, but when Prime Minister Zhang becomes the prime minister in the future, he will regard himself as a thorn in his side just like Gao Gong did!

Therefore, during this visit to Beijing and even in the future, he must continue to deepen the image of himself and the Jiangnan Gang in Mr. Zhang's mind as capable little white rabbits who are beneficial to him and the country without causing any harm.

If I could become his half, my future situation would be much safer... a certain shameless Mr. Zhao thought so.

“Oh, it’s really difficult. It’s difficult to be a human being and to do things. I wonder when it won’t be so difficult…” Young Master Zhao looked up at the bright moon and sighed like Zhongda.

~~

That night, he barely slept a wink, fighting with Li Mingyue, Sister Ma, and Qiaoqiao until dawn...

The four of them played mahjong all night.

After the cock crowed three times, the young county lady and Qiaoqiao finally couldn't hold on any longer and fell asleep on the bed.

Zhao Hao also yawned repeatedly, his eyes were bloodshot, but he still forced himself to stay awake and asked Sister Ma to bring him the document.

Ma Xianglan was the one who could stay up late the most. After staying up late for a while, her legs were a little tired. She moved the newly arrived file box to the table on the kang and said to the pale Zhao Hao:

"What kind of madness is this? I've never seen someone so desperate before."

"Why, do I look terrible now?" Zhao Hao asked, squinting his eyes and moving his neck.

"It's okay, but my eyes are red and dark." Ma Xianglan looked at him and asked, "What do you want to do?"

"Guess what?" Zhao Hao asked her to take the mirror and look at herself carefully. She was still so handsome...

"Are you planning to go to Miss Zhang's house to complain?" Sister Ma smiled with her hands covering her mouth.

"It's really a worm in my stomach, I guessed it right at once." Mr. Zhao smiled and lifted her cheek and said, "As soon as I received the letter, I set out immediately, traveled day and night for fourteen days, and arrived in Beijing. At least I have to look tired from the journey."

Sister Ma thought to herself, she had clearly attended the Lotus Platform Fairy Meeting and had a great time before setting off...

"Besides, ah..." Zhao Hao had nothing to hide from Ma Xianglan. He pressed his face against the table and said in distress, "Mr. Zhang must have known about Xiao Jing and I. He must have talked about it during this meeting. I knew this, so I should be so worried that I couldn't sleep at night and had no appetite."

"So that's how it is." Sister Ma couldn't help but giggle and said, "Why didn't you tell me earlier? I'll help you put on makeup. The effect will definitely be realistic."

"Oh, you have this skill?" Zhao Hao was surprised. As expected, Qin Huai's tricks are deep, Xiang Yuanbian wants to go back to the countryside...

"When I was a child, my nanny taught me that there are different ways to make up for sadness, illness and depression, and each kind of makeup has its own magical effect. So, young master, you must open your eyes before you cherish women." Sister Ma smiled softly in his ear. Now she can talk about the past calmly. Obviously, the company gave her a great sense of security. It's Lianli Company, not Jiangnan Company...

"I was the first one to be on guard against you." Zhao Hao reached out to grab her, and the two of them laughed and made a scene. "You didn't tell me earlier, and I had to stay up all night!"

"I didn't know it a long time ago..." Sister Ma defended herself in a low voice, as if struggling, and then went limp in his arms.

~~

When the sun was high in the sky, the guard reported outside the door that an invitation had arrived from the Zhang Mansion, inviting Master Zhao to have dinner with them.

As soon as Zhao Hao arrived in Beijing yesterday, he asked someone to send a visiting card to Dashamao Hutong. He also guessed that Zhang would not leave him alone for too long.

I didn't expect to be allowed to go there the next day. This shows how urgent the situation is...

Zhao Hao decided to go there after lunch. First, to show his importance, and second, to warm up the atmosphere in advance and deal with the future mother-in-law and a bunch of brothers-in-law first. Even if he couldn't turn the tables, he couldn't end up alone in the enemy camp, right?

Who knew that young people have strong blood and energy, so staying up all night is not a big deal. At this moment, his complexion has completely returned to normal.

"Put on some makeup." Young Master Zhao ordered helplessly.

"As you wish." Secretary Ma nodded with a smile and moved her makeup box to the table. When she opened it, she saw a complete collection of bottles, jars, and various tools.

"Sir, what feeling do you want to emphasize? Hardship or worry?" Sister Ma asked as she placed the bottles and jars on the table.

"It's hard work and worrying," Zhao Hao thought, "but I can't be sick..."

"I understand. Who would want their son-in-law to be a sickly person?" Sister Ma was very quick-witted and immediately grasped his main point and said, "That is the look of fatigue, worry, and a little bit of fear."

"Is this possible?" Young Master Zhao was so impressed that he even began to doubt his life.

~~

The young county lady slept until noon, and finally stretched herself and sat up with the quilt.

She was just about to call Xiao Yuner in to help her wash and dress, but she saw Zhao Hao's face in the mirror on the dressing table.

The young county lady was completely awake at once, and she stared at Zhao Hao's haggard face with heavy eye bags. She jumped off the ground, ran barefoot to him, and looked at him carefully.

Zhao Hao didn't say anything either, just looked at her silently.

As she watched, the young county lady's eyes turned red and tears fell.

"Brother, I will never let you stay up late again. Isn't this too hurtful?"

"No, I have to nourish you well!" Li Mingyue immediately cheered up and asked Xiao Yuner to go back to ask the imperial physician for a nourishing prescription.

Like mother, like daughter. I think men need to keep replenishing...

Young Master Zhao quickly grabbed her and explained to her that it was just the effect of makeup, and that he was still as strong as an ox, and could continue playing mahjong all night when he came back. Only then did the young county lady feel relieved.

In order to achieve a better effect, Zhao Hao had not eaten or drunk anything until now, and with the haggard makeup on his face, he looked like a completely different person compared to when he was eating hot pot yesterday.

After spending the afternoon at home, the hungry Mr. Zhao asked Gao Wu to take the gifts he prepared for the idol's family and set off. He even prepared a generous gift for the idol's housekeeper You Qi. Because although this person was very inconspicuous, he was deeply trusted by Zhang's idol. In the future, he would be the object of competition for the court officials to curry favor with him...

So, there is no luck in success.

Soon, the carriage arrived at Dashamao Hutong.

Gao Wu went in first with the letter to report, and Zhang's housekeeper You Qi soon came out and welcomed Zhao Hao into the house with a smile on his face.

Of course, the gift for You Qi was delivered to his private residence yesterday. How could it be mixed with the host's gift today?

Just looking at You Qi’s smiling face, you can tell how generous Mr. Zhao’s gift is.

"You've always worried about me during the New Year holidays. It's really a shame for me." You Qi bent his waist, supported Zhao Hao's arm and said, "Please be careful with the steps."

"Mr. Chu Bin is too modest. Mr. Zhang manages the country for the emperor, and you manage the mansion for him, which is also a great contribution to the Ming Dynasty." Zhao Hao smiled amiably.

You Qi also pretended to be cultured and gave himself a nickname. But in fact, not everyone in this era could have a nickname. Generally, scholars only gave themselves a nickname and married a concubine after they passed the imperial examination, which was considered a symbol of achieving class transcendence.

Therefore, he only dared to use the account Youqi in private and never dared to show it off. Now that Zhao Hao called him like this, it was definitely a compliment.

Looking back to the past, Zhang Juzheng also established a revolutionary friendship with Feng Bao in this way. It can be seen that this father-in-law and son-in-law are really a natural family.

You Qi was so moved that he almost cried. Seeing that Zhao Hao looked very bad and dazed, he whispered, "When my husband comes home, he might be rude to you. Don't be afraid. He really likes you."

"Ah, thank you." Zhao Hao hurriedly thanked him. "Now I can put my mind at ease."