Zhao Hao and Gao Wu stood at the entrance of the alley, watching Tang Youde get on the carriage and leave.

The sudden proposal to collect raw silk was not Zhao Hao's impromptu idea. It was actually the second step in his plan to make a fortune in order to improve his family's financial situation.

Because this year there will be a major event that will change the fate of the Ming Dynasty - the Longqing Opening. Although Zhao Hao is just a commoner and has no way to influence the overall situation, he can still hope to follow the big guys and make a lot of money.

He had originally planned to do the sugar business a few times, save enough capital, and then secretly collect silk. But the theft last night made him realize that with his current strength, he could not do the sugar business for the time being. More importantly, what happened last night reminded him that he was a child now, and he had no manpower and no family background, so he could not do much by himself.

Even if he could overcome all the difficulties and barely get the silk, how would he transport it back, where would he store it, and how would he sell it without leaving any trace? These were all things he could not do at the moment.

"Alas, it's still too weak..." Zhao Hao sighed helplessly. Fatty Tang got away with it.

Gao Wu stayed by his side silently until Zhao Hao came to his senses and walked towards the blacksmith shop. He followed him silently without asking why he was going to his home.

~~

The two entered the blacksmith shop, but saw that Gao the blacksmith was not there.

Following the sound, Zhao Hao found the patio in the backyard and saw Gao the blacksmith standing by the well, grinding a rusty hammer with an anvil.

"Young Master is here?" When Gao the blacksmith saw Zhao Hao, he smiled and said, "Is everything settled? You don't have to worry about the captain. He can just pretend he doesn't know anything."

The baojia system of this era is just so perfunctory... If the people don't report it and the officials don't investigate it, how can they guarantee each other and dare not conceal even a penny?

"The thief has been handed over to the authorities." Zhao Hao sat on the edge of the well and explained to Gao the blacksmith with a smile, "The main reason is that if we take him away, I, the victim, may have to go to court to see the authorities. I am a commoner, but I have to kowtow to a seventh-rank official. It's really not pleasant."

"Oh haha..." Gao Tiejiang didn't expect that he had such an excuse, and couldn't help laughing: "The county magistrate is the parent of a family, but in the eyes of the young master, he has become a small official." After a pause, he added: "Of course, in this city of Nanjing, the county magistrate is really nothing."

There is a saying that goes, "If you do evil in your life, you will be a county magistrate." Moreover, there are more than a hundred civil and military officials in Nanjing City, as well as internal and external government offices. A mere Shangyuan County Magistrate is really a pity for a young wife.

The two of them chatted for a while, and Zhao Haofang pointed at the hammer on the anvil and asked, "What are you going to do, old man?"

"It's time to go back to work. I have to take care of the guys who eat." Blacksmith Gao held the hammer in both hands and waved it with a smile.

"The old man has only been out in the field for a few days? Isn't it too hasty?" Zhao Hao couldn't help but frown.

"Alas, I'm just living off my savings." Gao the blacksmith said with a wry smile, "I was hoping to bring Gao Wu out sooner rather than later."

"Doesn't he dislike swinging a sledgehammer?" Zhao Hao looked at Gao Wu standing aside.

"Alas..." Gao the blacksmith sighed, "You are so clumsy and fierce-looking, what else would you do for a living if you don't do this?"

Gao Wu lowered his head silently.

As Gao the blacksmith spoke, he pointed at his son and cursed, "You evil creature, why didn't you listen to me? If you had followed the Qi family army north, you would have become a centurion as soon as you arrived in Jizhou! Why would your father have to worry about you now?!"

Gao Wu shook his head and said in a deep voice without delay: "We join the army to fight the pirates, not to get promoted or make money."

"Alas, it's your father who has dragged you down..." Blacksmith Gao turned his head away and wiped his eyes.

Seeing this, Zhao Hao's last bit of hesitation disappeared. He took Gao the blacksmith's hand and said to him, "Old man, I have an idea. How about you listen to it?"

"What do you think, sir?" Blacksmith Gao naturally listened attentively.

"My uncle also saw what happened last night." Then Zhao Hao said slowly, "My father and I are powerless. If another bad guy comes to our house, I'm afraid we won't have the same good luck as this time."

"What does sir mean?" Gao the blacksmith asked in confusion.

"It just so happens that the old man is getting old, and Brother Gao doesn't want to be a blacksmith anymore, so why don't we get together and move in with me. You can help look after the door and cook, and Brother Gao can run around with me to support the family." Then Zhao Hao said tactfully:

"We don't need to sign any kind of indenture. If we can get along well, we're family. If we can't, we're still just friends."

"This..." Gao Tiejiang only felt that Zhao Hao's words sounded very useful, but he felt that it was a little inappropriate and asked: "What does Master Zhao think about this matter?"

"Oh, my father is devoted to reading books of sages, and I am the one who makes all the decisions on big and small matters at home." Zhao Hao said as if it was a matter of course.

"Ah?" Blacksmith Gao looked at Gao Wu in disbelief and saw his son nodded.

The tacit understanding between father and son told Gao Tiejiang that Gao Wu's nod had two meanings: one was to prove that what Zhao Hao said was true; the other was that he was willing to accept Zhao Hao's arrangement.

Gao Tiejiang was secretly amazed. Although his son was taciturn, he was actually very proud. He had previously thought that Gao Wu only ran around for Zhao Hao to repay his gratitude, but he never expected that this young man could quietly convince the experienced Qi Family Army's front line...

Although Gao Tiejiang never admitted it, he was always proud of his son. Besides, although Zhao Hao was young, he was very comfortable in his words and deeds. Thinking about his illness, his business was taken away by others. If he went to be the gatekeeper of the Zhao family, he could at least live a few more years.

Thinking of this, he held Zhao Hao's hand tightly and grinned, "As long as you don't mind..."

"Hahaha, that's great. I've been worried that the old man wouldn't agree." Zhao Hao also breathed a sigh of relief and felt much more at ease.

~~

After the matter was settled, Gao the blacksmith didn't even ask how much he would be paid. He told his son to pack up and move in that day.

"Don't worry, old man. My two rooms don't even have windows. You can live here first. It won't be too late to go over after Brother Gao and I clean up." Zhao Hao stopped Gao the blacksmith with a smile.

"Okay, let Gao Wu live there first. When the young master goes out, I'll go over to watch the door." Gao the blacksmith nodded with a smile. The father and son are of the same lineage, and both are very soothing. Otherwise, Zhao Hao would not have taken the trouble to dig up both the old and the young.

Gao Wu still maintained his military habit. He rolled up his belongings into his bedding, tucked them under his armpit, and followed Zhao Hao out of the blacksmith shop.

When they walked into the alley, Zhao Hao suddenly stopped and asked him, "Brother Gao, why do you believe me?"

Gao Wu looked at him in embarrassment. How could he organize his words? He was afraid that he would not be able to answer until dawn.

"I was wrong. This question is too difficult." Zhao Hao suddenly realized, patted Gao Wu's iron-cast bronze arm, raised his head and smiled: "Don't worry, I won't let you down."

Gao Wu nodded and responded with a ferocious smile.

ps. Thanks to the leader 'Yewu Feiyang', Pudong Taotao, Fang Lao Da, Ran Mo Feizhu, the third update is here, please vote for recommendation and comment~~