This son-in-law is wicked in a good way!

Next, Zhang Ping'an told Xu Fu and his disciples how to make gunpowder.

These people will be considered his own people from now on, and he will never let them go until he dies.

"Did you all understand?"

Zhang Ping'an coldly surveyed the crowd.

"I understand."

Xu Fu took the lead, and everyone answered together.

"very good."

"From this day forward, your fates are completely intertwined with mine."

"Anything but death will leave you to serve under me from now on."

"Of course, as long as you work hard, I will definitely not treat you unfairly."

Seeing the strange expressions on everyone's faces, Zhang Ping'an gave a cold reminder.

"Think of your family."

"I am a sentimental person, and I hope everyone will not let me down."

Xu Fu led the way by kneeling down: "We swear to serve our master to the death!"

He sighed inwardly. From the moment he took on the task of developing gunpowder, Zhang Ping'an was determined not to let them leave.

Moreover, they have already signed indentures, so even if Zhang Ping'an kills them now, no one will say anything.

However, Xu Fu's choice to pledge allegiance to Zhang Ping'an was not entirely due to coercion or inducement.

Another point is that he has high hopes for Zhang Ping'an.

Especially after Zhang Ping'an demonstrated the devastating power of gunpowder to them, Xu Fu felt that Zhang Ping'an was destined for great success.

So even his form of address changed from "adult" to "master".

All the disciples knelt down upon seeing their master, and one after another, they knelt down and swore allegiance.

Zhang Ping'an nodded in satisfaction: "Very good, you are all smart people."

"Once you've made what I asked for, each of you will be rewarded with three hundred taels of silver."

Upon hearing this, the group of alchemists were overjoyed.

Even Xu Fu was shocked.

Three hundred taels of silver is basically equivalent to their team's annual income.

Moreover, everyone received three hundred taels.

To be honest, Zhang Ping'an gave too much.

"Thank you, Master!"

Xu Fu's voice this time came from the bottom of his heart.

The same goes for everyone else.

"Alright, let's get to work now and try to finish it within a day."

Zhang Ping'an promised Chu that he would have three days, and today is already the second day, so he only has two days left.

I've been busy all day.

Night falls.

In this era without electricity, the whole world was pitch black.

Today there are no stars or moon, it's exceptionally dark, so dark you can't see your hand in front of your face.

boom!

In the stillness of the night, a loud bang resounded at Baiyun Temple.

Zhang Ping'an's explosives were a success.

Beijing.

In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Empress, who was still reviewing memorials, was suddenly startled.

"Why is it suddenly thundering all of a sudden?"

She clearly remembered that it was a sunny day during the day.

Li De Kui, who was serving nearby, adjusted the candlelight and whispered, "Your Majesty, the weather is unpredictable; it looks like it's going to rain."

"understood."

On the other side, Yongyang Palace.

Chu Yuxun also heard the explosion; after all, in the quiet of the night, the sound traveled a great distance.

However, Chu Yuxun looked excited at this moment.

"The sky is clear and the air is crisp during the day; there's absolutely no sign of rain. That sound... it must be cultivators battling it out!"

"Hmph, my elder sister just doesn't believe me. Wait till I find that cultivator for her, then let's see what she has to say!"

That night, Zhang Ping'an rested at Baiyun Temple.

The Taoist temple had many empty rooms, and Xu Fu thoughtfully reserved one for Zhang Ping'an, arranging for someone to clean it every day.

Zhang Ping'an patted him on the shoulder and smiled, "You've worked hard."

"From now on, you'll be my housekeeper for now!"

He will definitely be focusing on developing his business in the future. Xu Fu is capable and insightful, making him the perfect choice to be a steward.

"Thank you for your promotion, Master!" Xu Fu was overjoyed.

He knew very well the importance of Zhang Ping'an's butler at this time.

When Zhang Ping'an becomes successful in the future, he will be Zhang Ping'an's spokesperson.

The next day.

Zhang Ping'an got up a little late.

Before I even washed up, I heard a lot of chattering noise outside.

He rubbed his sleepy eyes as he left the Taoist temple and saw a group of young men and women walking towards him in the distance.

The group of young men and women were dressed in fine clothes and had a relaxed demeanor; they were clearly the pampered sons and daughters of wealthy families.

They must have had too much to eat and came here for a picnic.

He knew that there was a wild chrysanthemum garden at the foot of Baiyun Mountain, which was very popular and many literati and poets liked to come here to play.

When they're having fun, they might even spout a couple of lines of poetry, trying to appear cultured and show off.

If it were the original owner of this body, he would definitely enjoy such occasions. Unfortunately, Zhang Ping'an's body houses a mature soul, and he finds this kind of pretentious behavior from a young person quite embarrassing.

Just as he was about to close the door and go back, a pleasant female voice rang out: "Zhang Ping'an!"

Then, a woman in a white dress with a black cape tied over her shoulders, tall and stunningly beautiful, like a fairy descended from heaven, stepped out from the crowd and walked quickly toward him.

Upon seeing this woman, Zhang Ping'an immediately frowned.

Blanch!

What a small world!

It was Lu Qingyin.

He suddenly remembered that letter, and his mind went numb.

Could this be the chrysanthemum appreciation party mentioned in the letter?

"Zhang Ping'an, I knew you would come."

Lu Qingyin had a haughty expression, but she couldn't hide the secret joy on her face.

Zhang Ping'an gave a helpless wry smile: "Would you believe me if I said I just happened to be passing by?"

Lu Qingyin frowned slightly: "Zhang Ping'an, no matter what, you are my husband in name only. You have the obligation to stay by my side and protect me."

"Moreover, this time Prince Rong's heir has invited the renowned poets Li Bai and Du Fu, so you can take this opportunity to ask them for advice."

Zhang Ping'an, who was about to close the door and go back, suddenly paused: "Li Du?"

And the heir of Prince Rong!

Damn, could it be Brother Chu?

Zhang Ping'an knew this Prince Rong, the most powerful prince in the Great Wu Dynasty, whom even the Empress had to give way to.

He believed that Chu Tian must be the son of Prince Rong, and even the Crown Prince.

"That's not right, Brother Chu. Didn't you know that Li Du was me? How could you still be fooled?"

"Could it be that Prince Rong's heir is not Brother Chu?"

Zhang Ping'an was puzzled.

"Okay, I'll help you this time. I'll be back after I wash up."

After saying that, without waiting for Lu Qingyin's reply, he turned around and went back, slamming the door shut.

It almost knocked Lu Qingyin over, who was about to step forward.

"That bastard, he's always so clumsy..." Lu Qingyin angrily flung her sleeve and glared fiercely at the door.

At this moment, a tall, handsome young nobleman walked up from behind.

"Qingyin, did you run into someone you know?"

This is none other than Chu Shijie, the heir apparent of Prince Rong.

His voice was gentle, and his demeanor was refined, giving people a feeling of being bathed in a spring breeze.

Unsuspecting people are easily drawn to him, especially women who have never left their boudoirs.

However, Lu Qingyin knew the true nature of this prince.

I heard that seven or eight of his maids die every month, and their deaths are all gruesome.

Thinking of the perverse hobbies of some powerful and wealthy people, Lu Qingyin had already imagined the scenes of those maids dying tragically.

In short: Chu Shijie is a scumbag and a pervert!