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

"Are these two mountains?" Zhang Ping'an asked, pointing to two markers between Fengxian County and Weixian County and the Yellow River.

"That's right." The Empress nodded.

"How is the terrain?"

"Very high and very steep."

"If this mountain could collapse, wouldn't it stop the flood?"

Mo Yu sneered: "Hmph, who in this world has the ability to move mountains? Even a grandmaster can't do it. You're just daydreaming."

If we had gunpowder, it would be possible.

By the way, if you want to collect saltpeter, Brother Chu can help you!

"Brother Chu, perhaps I have a way to control the floods, but I need to build some things."

Chu Tian stared at Zhang Ping'an with surprise and admiration in his eyes.

"Young Master Zhang, please just tell me what you need."

Zhang Ping'an said, "I need the white granules that grow on the mud wall near the outhouse, those are the things."

After saying that, he took out the saltpeter he had collected, unfolded the paper package, and placed it in front of the Empress.

"What is this?" the Empress asked curiously.

Upon hearing the word "outhouse," Mo Yu immediately looked disgusted: "Young master, this place is probably filthy. You should stay away from it to avoid catching some kind of disease."

Zhang Ping'an rolled his eyes at her: "Nonsense! What does a page know?"

"This stuff is called saltpeter, and it's a real treasure."

"Moreover, the main material for the thing I'm about to make is this white crystal."

"The quantity needed is quite large. I wonder if Brother Chu could mobilize the entire city's population to help collect it."

"No problem, Young Master Zhang, just name your needs and I'll find a way," the Empress readily agreed.

In terms of influence, who in the entire Great Wu Dynasty dares to compare with her?

It's just a matter of having the people collect some white crystals; compared to controlling floods, it couldn't be simpler.

The Empress's quick agreement made Zhang Ping'an somewhat worried: "However, perhaps in the end these things won't necessarily be able to be made?"

"It's alright, Young Master Zhang, just do your best." The Empress took the initiative to help Zhang Ping'an alleviate his psychological burden.

"it is good."

"Then I'll give it a try."

"If this thing can really be made, it might bring an immense benefit to the Great Wu Dynasty!"

Zhang Ping'an didn't mention using gunpowder to deal with the Northern Barbarian cavalry, since the matter was still far from being resolved, and they would wait until gunpowder was actually invented before discussing it further.

"If you can control this flood, Young Master Zhang will have accomplished something extraordinary. I will definitely ask His Majesty for a reward for Young Master Zhang."

The empress made a promise, knowing full well that if you want a horse to run, you must first feed it well.

Unlike some unscrupulous capitalists in later generations who want their horses to run but don't give them any grass.

"There's no need for a reward. I'm just happy to help Brother Chu," Zhang Ping'an said modestly.

The Empress clasped her hands in a fist and said, "I will find a way to collect this white crystal now. We can talk another day."

"Goodbye!"

Zhang Xiaoru also left with the Empress.

The collection of saltpeter can be left to Brother Chu. Charcoal is easy to obtain, but sulfur is a material that Zhang Ping'an will have to collect himself.

As early as 500 years ago, alchemists were already using sulfur to refine elixirs of immortality.

Zhang Ping'an knew that sulfur existed in this world.

You can just take the silver and buy it.

Lao Bi Zhai.

The shopkeeper has been looking radiant lately.

The sales of the novel "Zhu Xian" are absolutely phenomenal.

"It seems that the price has only increased by five taels, which is still a bit low. We'll increase it by another five taels tomorrow and sell it for twenty taels a book."

The shopkeeper secretly made his own plans.

Suddenly, two heavily armed guards burst into the shop, startling the shopkeeper who was having wicked thoughts.

Then, Princess Yongyang, dressed in a tight-fitting martial arts outfit that perfectly showcased her stunning figure, strode into the shop.

"Shopkeeper, I heard you sell the novel *Zhu Xian* here, is that right?"

What happened? Is there something wrong with the Jade Dynasty storyline?

Or is it that I raised prices too quickly these past two days, incurring the displeasure of some important figure?

"Miss, is there a problem with the storybook?" the shopkeeper asked tentatively in a low voice.

"No problem!" Princess Yongyang said innocently, "I heard this storybook is very good, so I wanted to buy some to read. Bring me a few copies first."

Turns out he was buying storybooks, that gave me quite a fright!

The shopkeeper breathed a sigh of relief and, not daring to be negligent, hurriedly brought Princess Yongyang several copies of the novel "Zhu Xian".

"Here's some silver."

Princess Yongyang tossed down a money pouch, took the storybook, and left.

Strange noises could be heard from Yongyang Palace, where Princess Yongyang resided, at night.

For example: "Heavenly Thunder, heed my command... Summoning Heavenly Thunder, ahhh..."

Princess Yongyang lay on the bed, her small, fair feet swinging back and forth, flipping through a storybook in her hand.

"It's beautiful! It's so beautiful!"

"This guy named Hua An is incredibly talented; he can actually write such bizarre and wonderful stories!"

Suddenly, Princess Yongyang froze, as if she had been electrocuted, and jumped off the bed.

"I've come up with a way to control the floods!"

She hurriedly put on her clothes and ran towards the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The servants of Yongyang Palace were thrown into chaos.

"Your Highness, where are you going...?"

"Your Highness, please wait for this old servant..."

In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Empress had just finished reviewing the memorials and was about to go to bed.

Suddenly, a guard's shout rang out from outside: "Your Highness, His Majesty is resting; you cannot enter!"

"Get out of the way!"

Princess Yongyang cursed loudly and pushed the door open to enter.

Chu Lingyu frowned immediately; her younger sister was far too presumptuous.

"Your Majesty, I've come up with a way to control the floods."

As soon as Chu Yuxun entered the main hall, she started shouting.

The two guards only dared to stand outside the gate, politely advising Princess Yongyang to keep her voice down and not to disturb His Majesty.

The Empress stepped out and looked at her younger sister with a cold expression.

"Yuqian, you've gone too far."

"You think you can just barge into my bedchamber like that?"

Chu Yuxun clasped her hands in a respectful bow and said in a drawn-out voice, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

"Is this okay?"

"You..." The Empress looked helpless, she really couldn't do anything about her.

"Speak, what urgent matter do you have that you must come to me now!" The Empress was too lazy to say more and went straight to the point.

"I've come up with a way to control the floods!" Chu Yuxun said excitedly.

"Really?" The Empress simply didn't believe it. All the officials in the court couldn't come up with a solution. What good idea could this unreliable younger sister possibly come up with?

"Then tell me, what method have you come up with?" the Empress asked casually.

"Royal sister, come look here!" Chu Yuxun took out a map from her bosom and pointed to the two mountain peaks between Feng County and Wei County and the Yellow River.

"If we knock down these two mountains, will that solve the flood problem?"

The Empress looked speechless: "You barged into my bedchamber in the middle of the night just to tell me this?"

Chu Yuxun looked aggrieved: "Royal sister, what kind of attitude is this!"

"I rushed here to tell you how to control the floods, and this is your attitude? It's truly disheartening."

"I see that you don't care about those people who are homeless because of the floods."

The Empress said helplessly, "Then tell me, how do you topple a mountain? Who can do it?"

Chu Yuxun immediately beamed with excitement: "As long as we summon heavenly lightning, we can easily topple these two mountains."

The empress felt a sudden darkness before her eyes and almost collapsed.