On the river bank.

"These three things complement each other. You can only do the next one after you finish one, and each one is more difficult than the last." Zhao Hao said solemnly after hearing this:

"Besides, the interests involved are too great. I'm afraid that Lord Hai will be driven out of office before the day is over."

Because these three things are beneficial to the court and even more beneficial to the people, but they will all harm the interests of powerful landlords.

"So I have to use a blunt knife to cut the Xu family's flesh, so that they keep bleeding but not dying. As long as I keep my knife, no one in Jiangnan will dare to go against me openly." Hai Rui sneered, "Otherwise, I don't know whose dog head I'll chop off next time."

"I understand." Zhao Hao nodded. Who said Hai Rui didn't know how to make compromises? Wasn't he just taking advantage of the situation and planning to use the "Xu Family Case" to intimidate others?

It is estimated that the Xu family will be in a state of "half-dead, half-alive", collapsing but not falling, and living a life worse than death for a while.

Schrodinger's Xu family is also quite interesting. Thinking of this, Zhao Hao finally let go of his obsession and was no longer anxious for the Xu family to be destroyed.

~~

After Hai Rui finished speaking, he turned to look at Zhao Hao sincerely and said, "I know that I am a bit extreme in my thinking and not gentle enough in my actions. In this respect, I am far inferior to you."

"Are you praising me or scolding me?" Young Master Zhao rubbed his nose.

"I'm praising you," Hai Rui said, and after a pause he added, "Just take it as a compliment."

"Just think of it as..." Young Master Zhao smiled awkwardly.

But what Hai Gangfeng said was right. He was always cautious and afraid of this and that. He was not willing to make enemies with others easily. Even if he didn't like the other person in his heart, he didn't want to be sharply hostile.

This kind of vulgar pragmatism became popular four hundred years later, and it seemed particularly cunning in the Ming Dynasty.

When I think about my youth, being called a "little rascal" is not a big deal. But if I still feel that way when I am older, being called an "old rascal" is pure insult.

But let’s talk about the future later.

It is easy to change the country but difficult to change one's nature. This is just the kind of person I am. I can't do anything about it... Master Zhao spread his hands with a helpless look on his face.

After calming down, he asked Hai Rui, "What does Lord Hai mean?"

"Regarding what I just said, do you think there is anything wrong with it? Is there a gentler way to achieve the same goal?" Hai Rui asked seriously, "I believe that with your wisdom, you will have a true insight."

"This..." Zhao Hao scratched his head, thought for a long time and said, "Then I will just throw out some ideas and talk nonsense."

"Don't be so polite." Hai Rui rolled his eyes at him. "Just say what you want to say."

"A very wise old man once said that figuring out 'who are our enemies and who are our friends' is the first problem to be solved in the revolution."

Young Master Zhao almost stuttered, coughed twice and continued: "The old man also said that politics is about 'making our people more numerous and the enemy's people fewer'."

Zhao Hao said carefully: "The solution proposed by the old gentleman is to 'establish a united front'. The specific method is to 'develop progressive forces, win over middle forces, and isolate stubborn forces'."

As soon as the old man uttered these three sentences, Hai Rui fell into deep thought.

Zhao Hao knew very well that he didn't need to explain any more. The great souls born on the land of China would definitely resonate strongly.

And I am just a mouthpiece that transcends time and space...

As expected, Hai Rui pondered for a long time, then he solemnly straightened his clothes, bowed deeply to Zhao Hao, and said sincerely: "I would like to thank the old gentleman for his enlightenment. Hai Gangfeng has learned a lot from him. It is like a sudden enlightenment, and I have just woken up from a dream!"

Zhao Hao thought to himself that I can't convey this message, so I can only say "I'll do my best".

When Hai Rui stood up, he looked completely different. The worry and doubt in his eyes were gone, replaced by excitement and confidence.

Moreover, he finally thought that he had found an answer to the doubt that had troubled him for a long time.

"That old gentleman is truly a rare talent. No wonder you are so outstanding at such a young age. It turns out that a great teacher produces a talented student!"

Hai Rui patted Zhao Hao's shoulder excitedly and laughed.

"I am not qualified to be his disciple. I am just an ordinary person among countless people who have benefited from him." Zhao Hao waved his hand and said, "Don't ask me about the old man, Lord Hai. I haven't even told my own grandfather."

"I understand. This is the kind of master who rarely appears in the world!" Hai Rui nodded heavily, and he actually felt that it made a lot of sense.

~~

On the levee, with the blessing of the old man's brilliant thoughts, a more powerful sea warrior was born.

"I finally understand where my previous problem lies. I always feel that 'the whole world is my enemy', no wonder I can't move forward." He can finally see his own shortcomings clearly.

"Mr. Hai has firm principles, but lacks strategic flexibility." Zhao Hao nodded in agreement and said, "Adherence to principles is the premise, and flexibility in strategy is the means. The two complement each other and are indispensable."

"We must transform our allies subtly, so that they change their thinking and evolve into progressive forces. We must not lower ourselves to their level. This is the principle." Zhao Hao further explained:

"But at the same time, we must also adjust our own strategies in a timely manner, not demand our allies to meet our own standards, and be good at reaching necessary compromises with our allies."

Young Master Zhao really did not treat Hai Rui as an outsider, and taught him all his secret dragon-slaying skills.

Because Hai Rui is neither our friend nor our enemy, but "us".

Hai Rui naturally appreciated the gesture. He knew very well that no one would say such words unless they were comrades-in-arms who were loyal to him and shared the same ideals.

He bowed deeply to Zhao Hao again and said, "I want to apologize to you. When I said you were gentle, it was actually meant as a compliment."

"I knew it..." Zhao Hao laughed awkwardly and touched his nose.

"But I was wrong. As the saying goes, 'A gentleman is not an instrument.' A gentleman's behavior should not be bound by dogma, but should be flexible and adaptable, so that evil can prevail over good." Hai Rui praised him sternly, "You are a gentleman. I am lucky to have a close friend like you who I can trust with my life and death!"

Zhao Hao's face flushed, and he quickly returned the greeting, "Mr. Hai thinks too highly of me. I'm afraid I'm still far from being a gentleman, but I can 'trust my life and death to someone'."

"I trust you," Hai Rui nodded heavily, "and you can trust me too."

"I have always believed in Hai Gong." Zhao Hao's nose felt sore, and he finally understood what it meant to die without regrets.

This is what it feels like to be recognized as a close friend by your idol.

Unconsciously, a north wind blew up, making Zhao Hao's face cold, but his heart was burning hot.

Gentlemen and gentlemen are friends because they share the same principles, while villains and villains are friends because they share the same interests.

Hai Gangfeng was his first true friend.

ps. Third update, please give me your monthly vote!