As a result, Zhao Liben did not return until the second watch drum sounded, reeking of alcohol.

The old man drank quite a bit, but he was still very energetic, unlike his drunkard son who got drunk and fell asleep as soon as he touched alcohol.

Zhao Hao quickly asked Qiaoqiao to prepare a hangover soup for Zhao Liben.

"No need." Zhao Liben waved his hand and said with a smug smile, "Grandpa will pass on a secret recipe to you. I'll ask Qiaoqiao to make a jar of 'honey pickled olives'. Eat some before drinking. I guarantee you won't feel uncomfortable no matter how much you drink."

"Grandpa, minors are not allowed to drink alcohol." Zhao Hao hurriedly reminded.

"It's okay, just remember it first. As a man, you still have to do what you are supposed to do in the future." Zhao Liben smiled stubbornly, and Qiaoqiao felt nervous when she heard it. She thought that Zhao Hao was going to be corrupted by the old man.

After she returned to the house, Zhao Liben sighed and said, "I asked a few of my old friends today. Your three apprentices will be in trouble in the selection the day after tomorrow."

"Yeah." Zhao Hao nodded and said, "Mr. Zhang said the same thing."

"Oh?" Zhao Liben was surprised when he heard this: "He actually told you this?"

Zhao Hao then told the old man what Zhang Juzheng had said.

"It's great to have one." Zhao Liben said in amazement, "But this doesn't seem like Zhang Taiyue's character. My dear grandson, what does he want? Does he want you to be his son-in-law?"

"Puff..." Zhao Hao almost spit a mouthful of tea on the old man, and said with a smile: "Grandpa, what are you talking about? Mr. Zhang just likes science."

"Just be careful not to let him use you as a pawn." Zhao Liben said solemnly, "I also heard that the emperor and Lord Xu have been having a very unhappy time recently. At this time, the conflict between you and the young Lord may be taken advantage of by others."

"It was Xu Fan who has been messing with my grandson, and I haven't found a chance to fight back yet." Zhao Hao pouted in frustration. The two sides now have a huge disparity in status, and it is not easy for him to retaliate.

Besides, Lord Xu will be dismissed in a few months. If you can be patient for now, you can beat him when he is down. Isn't that great?

"Anyway, it's better to be careful at this time." Zhao Liben took a sip of tea and frowned, "Alas, I originally wanted to see if I could meet Xu Fan when I went to Beijing this time, so that I could have some communication with him. Now I don't have to humiliate myself."

As he said this, he looked at his grandson with a wry smile and said, "Grandpa, I have offended Gao Xinzheng, and you, grandson, have offended Lord Xu. I think we should go back to the southeast and stop making ourselves uncomfortable in Beijing."

Seeing Zhao Liben brought up this matter again, Zhao Hao, who had been thinking about it all night, leaned over and bowed to his grandfather.

"What are you going to do?" Zhao Li was still a little drunk, but now he was completely sober.

"Grandpa, I think the Ming Dynasty can still be saved."

"So what?" Zhao Liben looked at him without comment.

"So I beg you to allow me to try one more time. If it really doesn't work, we can consider a way out." Zhao Hao's face was tense and he was ready to go. He had prepared five reasons, nine arguments, and some very inflammatory slogans such as 'where will the hair stay without the skin'.

Come on, let's work on it until the night is done! If I don't convince you today, I won't sleep!

Zhao Liben sensed his strong desire to fight, and he also held the teacup and looked at his grandson without blinking.

The grandparents and grandchildren remained motionless, confronting each other for a long time, and a verbal battle was about to break out.

Just when Zhao Hao finally couldn't hold back any longer and was about to draw his sword first, he saw the old man take a sip of strong tea, nodded and said:

"All right."

"Uh..." Zhao Hao fell headfirst onto the kang. Grandpa, why don't you play by the rules again?

"So... you agree?"

“Hahahaha!” Zhao Liben slapped him on the head and laughed, “Grandson, I’m your grandfather. As soon as you stick your butt out, I’ll know what kind of shit you’re pulling!”

"So grandpa saw it a long time ago." Zhao Hao smiled awkwardly. But in his heart he thought, I let you see it on purpose.

"I've seen you've been worried these past two days, so I know you're not willing to just leave like this." Zhao Liben then smiled and said to Zhao Hao:

"But the current situation is indeed different from the past. Now your science has made a name for itself. Not only are there five successful candidates in your family, but even your father, that useless guy, has won the first place in the imperial examination. It shows that luck is on the side of my Zhao family."

"Giving up such a good situation will lead to retribution." Zhao Liben said with a grin, "So in the past two days, I have figured it out. A forced melon is not sweet, and it is useless to let you go back unwillingly, so I will just let you do whatever you want."

"Grandpa, you're so nice..." Zhao Hao climbed up with a flattering look on his face. While massaging the old man, he flattered him, "You're the best grandpa in the world."

"Of course." Zhao Liben nodded arrogantly, patted Zhao Hao's hand, and said in a deep voice: "But I think it's wrong to give up the southeast just like that."

As he spoke, he slightly closed his eyes and said, "My dear grandson, you may not know. If it weren't for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, it would be impossible for a family like us who have never been to sea in eight lifetimes to enter the maritime business world."

Zhao Hao nodded. Strength is everything on the sea. No matter how high your rank is or how much money you have on land, without strong ships and powerful guns and skilled armed sailors, you are nothing at sea.

Some people say, just throw money at it. But the Ming Dynasty has been strictly enforcing maritime bans for many years, and the shipbuilding and shipping industries have been completely abandoned. Even if you have money, you have nowhere to throw it...

Therefore, we can only enter the game by utilizing existing maritime forces.

"Grandpa is so right!" As the saying goes, a sedan chair is carried by everyone. Grandpa gave face to his grandson, so of course the grandson should also give face to his grandfather.

Then Master Zhao said with emotion: "If the Ming Dynasty wants to revive and create glory again, it absolutely cannot do without the sea! So this opportunity must not be missed!"

"Opportunities don't wait for anyone." Zhao Liben's eyes lit up, and he was obviously very satisfied with his statement, so he reminded him: "When they reach a new agreement, the golden seal in your hand will be useless; when Xueying gets married, we will have no chance to interfere at all."

"Well, Grandpa, there's no need for a marriage." Zhao Hao laughed awkwardly and said, "We can refer to the model of Xishan Coal Industry and establish a company with her in partnership."

"Even if there is no marriage arrangement, I still think that she is the most suitable choice for you to be your first wife." After a pause, Zhao Liben continued to play matchmaker and said, "What a good girl! You will never meet another one in your life."

"Grandpa, let's talk about business." Zhao Hao was sweating. He still had a long way to go in life... He also wanted to wait until he grew up, have a few good relationships, and make up for the regrets of his previous life.

"Okay." Zhao Liben nodded and said in a deep voice: "You mean, we should do it both domestically and overseas?"

"Yes, only children make choices. I want them all!" Zhao Hao said proudly.

ps. Chapter 1, please vote for me and recommend me. Also, I haven't had time to proofread it yet, so the next few chapters will be a little later, but it won't be too late.