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

Zhang Ping'an looked at the leading Taoist priest.

"What's your name?"

"The villain Xu Fu."

Xu Fu?

Zhang Ping'an was taken aback. If he hadn't already become familiar with this world, he would have thought he had arrived in the Qin Dynasty.

"Xu Fu, you have been swindling and deceiving people, causing Master Wang to suffer from poor health and resulting in incalculable losses."

"According to the Great Wu Law, your crime warrants exile to the frontier and thirty years of hard labor."

Xu Fu was so frightened that he collapsed to his knees, clutching the iron bars and crying, "My lord, I've been wronged! Please have mercy! I promise I'll never lie again..."

The people behind him also hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed to Zhang Ping'an, begging for mercy.

Wang Qisheng quietly asked, "Ping An, these sorcerers may have committed crimes, but surely it doesn't warrant such an extreme punishment as exile to the frontier? What do you think...?"

Zhang Pingan winked at Lao Wang, and Lao Wang immediately understood.

"Sigh, most people who do hard labor can't last more than two or three years, let alone thirty years..."

Old Wang shook his head: "It's practically a death sentence!"

"Ah..." Xu Fu's eyes rolled back, and he fainted from fright.

Damn, so easily scared!

"master……"

The group of alchemists were terrified and surrounded Xu Fu, crying and pinching his philtrum and rubbing his chest.

After fiddling around for a while, Xu Fu actually woke up.

Zhang Ping'an was somewhat curious; these sorcerers actually knew some basic medical knowledge!

As soon as Xu Fu woke up, the first thing he did was kneel down and kowtow to Zhang Ping'an, begging for mercy.

"My lord, my disciples and I possess some knowledge of martial arts and other unusual skills. If you would be so kind as to spare us, I would gladly lead these disciples to become your servants."

Zhang Ping'an's eyes lit up, and he laughed, "I'm just a lowly clerk, what do I need so many servants for?"

Xu Fu said earnestly, "I dare not deceive you, sir. I have some knowledge of physiognomy. I see that you are no ordinary person, but are destined for great fortune and high status. If you can get my help, you will be like a fish in water."

Zhang Ping'an stared at Xu Fu, sizing him up: "You also know physiognomy?"

Xu Fu smiled ingratiatingly, "I know a little, I know a little..."

"Yes, as long as you are willing to sign a contract of servitude, I can plead with the magistrate on your behalf for the crimes you have committed."

Zhang Ping'an turned his back, his face displaying a cool and aloof demeanor.

These sorcerers are all opportunistic and cunning people. We must use both kindness and severity to deter them and prevent them from having any disloyal thoughts.

Xu Fu frowned, gritted his teeth, and said, "I'll sign."

This signing is tantamount to betting everything on Zhang Ping'an.

We'll see how accurate his face reading is.

Old Wang readily helped Zhang Ping'an obtain more than a dozen indentures, watching Xu Fu and his disciples sign and affix their fingerprints.

Once the indenture was signed, these people's lives would be in Zhang Ping'an's hands.

"Brother Wang, I'll invite you to the brothel another day." Zhang Ping'an held the indenture in his hand, clasped his hands in satisfaction, and smiled.

"Haha, it's a deal!" Old Wang was very satisfied with the benefit he received.

"So I'll take these people with me?" Zhang Ping'an asked.

"No problem." Old Wang can make the decision.

Zhang Ping'an, leading Xu Fu and the others, left the Night Watchman's office, and suddenly felt somewhat lost.

The world is so vast, yet there is nowhere to go.

"Where did you originally live?" Zhang Ping'an asked, turning around.

"It's in a temporarily rented courtyard," Xu Fu replied.

"You should go back first. I'll arrange accommodations for you in a couple of days," Zhang Ping'an said.

"Thank you, sir!"

Xu Fu and his disciples bowed and then left.

It seems we need to find a place outside the city first.

The development of gunpowder was accompanied by enormous risks; the city was too dangerous and people could easily get hurt.

Zhang Ping'an went back to find Lao Wang.

"Brother Wang, do you know of any secluded courtyards outside the city?"

Wang Qisheng took a sip of water and said, "Yes, there is a Taoist temple ten miles south of the city. It was abandoned a few years ago. Why are you asking about this?"

"Very good!"

Zhang Ping'an wanted to applaud.

"Brother Wang, take me to see this."

"Now?"

"right."

In a short while, two fast horses left the city and galloped south.

Upon arriving at the location, Zhang Ping'an discovered that the Taoist temple was quite large and was named Baiyun Temple.

Behind it is Baiyun Mountain, and the Taoist temple is built at the foot of Baiyun Mountain. There is also a river on one side of the temple. It is nestled against the mountain and by the water, and the location is quite good.

"Perfect!" Zhang Ping'an was very satisfied.

Wang Qisheng explained, "Originally, Baiyun Temple was a popular place of worship, but it was raided by the night watchmen because the abbot was associated with human slave traders."

"If you want to requisition them, just go back and get the headman to write a permit."

"Hmm." Zhang Ping'an went inside and took a look around. He found that the dormitory of Baiyun Temple could accommodate hundreds of people. What surprised him most was that there was even an alchemy room.

Blanch!

This is truly a godsend!

"Brother Wang, thank you!"

Zhang Ping'an excitedly gave Lao Wang a hug.

Old Wang was so frightened that he jumped in fright.

No, I have to straighten this kid out as soon as possible, or my back door will be in danger!

After reading it, Zhang Ping'an immediately returned to the city with Lao Wang and notified Xu Fu and others to escort the three barrels of future saltpeter raw materials into the Taoist temple.

What excited Zhang Ping'an even more was that when Xu Fu saw these white crystals, he recognized them at a glance!

"Sir, this is... saltpeter?"

Zhang Ping'an nodded: "You recognize him?"

"We often use saltpeter in alchemy, but this saltpeter is not pure," Xu Fu shook his head.

"It's alright, just purify it."

These white crystals can only be called methyl nitrate now; several more steps are needed to make saltpeter, which can be used to prepare gunpowder.

"Purification? My lord, you even know magic arts!" Xu Fu was surprised, feeling that the young man in front of him was somewhat unfathomable.

"Magic arts? Hah, I call them science!"

Zhang Ping'an put on an act again.

The group arrived at the Taoist temple, and Xu Fu led his disciples on a tour, which left them very satisfied.

"This place is really nice; it's practically made for us alchemists."

"You lot, clean the room first so the master can rest," Xu Fu instructed his disciples.

Zhang Ping'an asked, "Since you recognize saltpeter, you should also recognize sulfur and charcoal, right?"

"Sulfur?" Xu Fu asked, puzzled.

"It's that kind of..."

After listening to Zhang Ping'an's description, Xu Fu said, "What you're referring to, sir, should be the retention of Huangshi!"

"That's right, it's sulfur."

"My lord, that's something we alchemists often use. I never expected you to recognize it." Xu Fu was even more surprised.

"As for charcoal, it's quite common; a cartload costs one tael of silver."

Zhang Ping'an now felt a strong urge to burn incense and make a vow; these sorcerers had arrived just in time.

This will save Zhang Ping'an a lot of trouble.

Moreover, the gunpowder production process would be much faster with Xu Fu's involvement.

"Xu Fu, do you still have family in the capital? Answer honestly!"

Zhang Ping'an's expression suddenly became very serious.

Xu Fu's heart skipped a beat: "My lord, what... what are you trying to do?"

Zhang Ping'an thought for a moment and said, "Next, I need you to help me make something very precious. This thing must never be known to outsiders, not even your closest relatives."

"I don't trust you yet, so I need to take your family members hostage."