Global colonization began with Ming Dynasty pirates.

The following afternoon, a medium-sized Fujian-style ship flying the Zhao flag sailed into the dock of Dalian Island.

Upon receiving the report, Lin Hao immediately came out to greet him.

When Lin Hao arrived, the other party had just disembarked.

"Haha, Brother Shengzhi, it's been a long time. How have you been?" Lin Hao immediately stepped forward to greet him.

But then he realized something was wrong. There was an old man next to him, dressed in gorgeous clothes and exuding an imposing aura. He didn't look like a servant at all.

Lin Hao quickly bowed and asked, "May I ask who this gentleman is...?"

"Ahem, Brother Mingyuan, this is my father," Zhao Shengzhi said with a smile, introducing him.

"It's actually Uncle! Why did you come in person? I'm truly flattered." Lin Hao quickly bowed respectfully. He had thought it was just a powerful steward, but he never expected it to be the other party's father himself.

"I am Zhao Longpei. This must be young friend Lin. He is indeed a man of great talent. My son Shengzhi always talks about how much his brother Lin helped him. Without his help, he would not have been able to pass the imperial examination. Meeting him today, I can see that he is indeed extraordinary." The old man said with a smile.

"I dare not accept such praise... This junior... Wait, Brother Shengzhi, you passed the imperial examination?" Lin Hao's eyes widened in surprise.

After doing some quick calculations, I realized that this year was the year of the provincial examination, and it was already October, so the results had indeed been out for a while.

But Lin Hao never expected that this would happen to someone close to him.

Don't be fooled by Lin Hao's disdain for the imperial examinations; it's because he knows the Ming Dynasty is doomed and the next dynasty won't be any better, so he's given up on that path.

Objectively speaking, the imperial examination was the biggest gateway to success in this era. No matter if you were a craftsman, a soldier, or someone of lowly status, as long as you passed the imperial examination, you were undoubtedly the chosen one of heaven in this era.

Unlike the Qing Dynasty, where most positions of real power were reserved for Manchus and even becoming a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) didn't guarantee advancement, Jinshi in the Ming Dynasty were extremely valuable.

In the Ming Dynasty, becoming a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examinations) qualified one to become an official. Furthermore, one no longer needed to take the provincial examinations and could travel indefinitely to Beijing to take the metropolitan examinations. Passing these examinations made one a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations). A bright future awaited them.

Thinking of this, Lin Hao couldn't help but sigh with emotion, realizing that the other party had finally made it through.

However, upon further reflection, Lin Hao couldn't help but say, "If that's the case, why is Brother Shengzhi still here? Next year is the year of the imperial examination. Shouldn't you be making the most of your time to prepare for the exam and strive for even better results?"

This year is the 46th year of the Wanli reign. According to the procedure, next year will be the year of the provincial examination, also known as the spring examination. As you can tell from the name, it is held at the beginning of the year, usually starting in February. So it is only 4 months. Adding the travel time and the time to adapt to the place, we should set off now.

"Haha, I'm already over thirty this year. I've failed the imperial examinations many times in the past. If it weren't for the methods you taught me over the years that enlightened me, I might not have passed this year! As for the metropolitan examination, no rush, no rush, there's plenty of time," Zhao Shengzhi said with high spirits.

"The last time someone from my Zhao family passed the imperial examination was sixty-four years ago, and the last time they passed the metropolitan examination was sixty-five years ago. This time, passing the imperial examination is a great joy for my Zhao family. I wanted to come and see my benefactor, and see if I could help him," the old man next to Zhao Sheng said with a smile.

"Ahem, Uncle, you're too serious. It's windy here, let's go to the inn to rest first." Lin Hao led the way, taking the group into a room that had been prepared in advance.

Zhao Sheng's passing the imperial examination was an unexpected joy, and Lin Hao had no worries about what would happen next.

Compared to passing the imperial examination, the soap incident is utterly insignificant.

Zhao Shengzhi's original name was Zhao Dongxi, and his courtesy name was Shengzhi. His mother was from Ningde. He met his mother when they returned to Ningde to visit her relatives, and they hit it off immediately after a conversation.

At that time, although Lin Hao was known as a child prodigy and even topped the county examination, he fainted during the prefectural examination and was actually only a student who had passed the preliminary examination, while his opponent had already passed the county examination. However, his opponent did not look down on him at all, but instead enthusiastically pulled him to discuss scholarship.

But then he realized that he was inferior to Lin Hao in many ways, especially in the most painful subject of breaking down the eight-legged essay, which seemed to be a piece of cake for Lin Hao.

Lin Hao also noticed that the other party had a very solid foundation in his studies, but his attempts to solve problems were always terrible. So he took out various argumentation methods from his previous life and taught them to the other party one by one, successfully building a complete theoretical foundation for him.

The term "eight-legged essay" sounds mysterious, but in reality, it's not much different from "essay writing." Both involve stating the argument at the beginning, followed by elaboration of the argument, and then introducing evidence.

After mastering the scientific methods, the other party improved rapidly and indeed passed the provincial examination, fulfilling his long-cherished wish.

After the guests and hosts were seated, Lin Hao first offered tea and said, "Please forgive me, Brother Shengzhi and Uncle. I really didn't know that Brother Shengzhi had passed the imperial examination. Otherwise, I would not have arranged to meet you in this place. I would have personally gone to Shanghai to congratulate you. I am truly sorry."

"Haha, I deliberately didn't say it, just to give Brother Mingyuan a surprise," Zhao Shengzhi said with a sly smile.

"Young friend, there's no need to worry. We all have an understanding about things at sea and won't make baseless accusations. There's no need to be concerned about that. Besides, Dalian Island is also part of our Great Ming territory. Why can't we come here?"

"Thank you for your understanding, Uncle. I am deeply grateful." Lin Hao cupped his hands in thanks.

In reality, it wasn't as simple as the other party made it out to be. It seemed inappropriate for a newly appointed scholar to meet a pirate in such a place. This touched Lin Hao quite a bit. The other party could have chosen not to come, and he wouldn't have minded at all in this situation, but the other party still came.

"Brother Mingyuan, don't worry. After I finish preparing for next year's imperial examination, no matter the result, I will do everything I can to clear your name and help you regain your eligibility to take the exam," Zhao Shengzhi assured him, patting his chest.

Lin Hao was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, then decisively refused, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Brother Shengzhi, but Mingyuan's ambitions lie elsewhere. Please focus on your studies and don't worry about me."

Although Lin Hao understood that the other party meant well, his pirate career had just begun, and asking him to go back and study those outdated and pedantic theories was just making things difficult for him.

Nothing beats the fun of me sailing my warship and plundering the world.

Hearing Lin Hao's words, Zhao Shengzhi wanted to say something, but was interrupted by his father: "This young friend Lin is a man of his own mind. Shengzhi, you should worry more about yourself. Besides, you're only qualified to get involved in this matter if you pass the imperial examination."

"Uncle is absolutely right. Brother Shengzhi should focus more on his studies for the imperial examinations." After Lin Hao said this, Zhao Longpei's expression clearly relaxed a lot.

"Ahem, Shengzhi, don't forget why you're here today." Zhao Longpei quickly changed the subject, afraid that his son would dwell on this matter.

"Oh right, Brother Mingyuan, do you still have any of that Jade Skin Nourishing Soap? Give me some more, I'm getting so annoyed by all the women and children at home, they're all fighting over it," Zhao Shengzhi said with a headache.

Lin Hao had given him a few samples, instructing him to give them to the women in his family. He hadn't taken it seriously; at the time, he had just passed the imperial examination and was busy socializing, so he casually gave a few to his wife and mother.

But little did he know that this thing would be so popular. More and more women in the inner quarters asked him for it, and he quickly gave away all the ones he had. Then a group of women pestered him to get more, so he had no choice but to ask Lin Hao for help.

"Soap? No problem, I've already prepared some for you, Brother Sheng. It'll definitely be enough this time," Lin Hao said with a smile.

"Nephew, is your Jade Skin Fragrance Soap from some foreign royal family as you claim? My Zhao family has been in the maritime trade for so many years, and we've never heard of this place called Ao Song." Zhao Longpei suddenly asked.

"Yes, yes, Australia and Song naturally have it, it's just that most people haven't heard of it." Lin Hao replied with a smile. Of course, he wouldn't tell the other party that the so-called Australia and Song was himself. This formula, as long as it can be kept secret, is all about money.