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

Faced with Zhang Ping'an's bluntness, Xu Fu was somewhat amused and exasperated.

"Sir, how can you so openly tell your subordinates that you're going to take their family members hostage?"

Zhang Ping'an said with a serious expression, "You can choose to refuse. However, those who refuse will not be able to participate in the research and development of this thing."

Xu Fu gritted his teeth and pondered.

If you refuse, it basically means being marginalized.

However, if he agrees, then he will become one of Zhang Ping'an's trusted confidants.

Will they be marginalized, or will they become trusted confidants of the leadership?

It all depends on whether Xu Fu dares to take the gamble.

"Sir, I will bring my family here immediately. Please make arrangements for them."

Xu Fu decided to take a gamble, betting his entire family on it.

Actually, he didn't want to gamble, but he was worried that if he chose to refuse, being marginalized would be the best outcome; if Zhang Ping'an got angry and killed him, then everything would be over.

Zhang Ping'an smiled, his smile melting like an iceberg, and patted Xu Fu on the shoulder.

"Mr. Xu, rest assured, from now on your family will be my family, and your wife... uh, will still be your wife."

I almost blurted it out.

Xu Fu broke out in a cold sweat: "From now on, my whole family will rely on you, sir."

"No problem."

Next, Zhang Ping'an began to explain the gunpowder plan to Xu Fu.

After hearing this, Xu Fu was dumbfounded, his legs shaking with shock.

"M-Sir, if this thing can really be developed, it would be an absolute weapon of mass destruction!"

Zhang Ping'an chuckled: "So, do you know why I'm taking your family members hostage?"

"Once you have collected all the materials, mix them according to this ratio. If it doesn't work, adjust the ratio until the experiment is successful."

Then, Zhang Ping'an quietly added, "When conducting the experiments, try to have your disciples do them as much as possible."

After saying that, he patted Xu Fu on the shoulder.

I believe he should be able to understand.

After all, there is a risk of explosion during the experiment.

Zhang Ping'an didn't want anything to happen to his newly recruited and trusted lieutenant.

"Thank you, sir, I understand!"

Xu Fu understood almost instantly and looked at Zhang Ping'an with some gratitude.

After making the arrangements, Zhang Ping'an left Baiyun Temple and returned to the yamen.

Next, he will focus on real estate projects.

The demolition and workers have been arranged; now it's just a matter of building materials and daily expenses.

This requires a lot of money, and the little money Zhang Ping'an earns from selling storybooks is far from enough.

He needs to attract some investment.

Who should we get to invest?

Zhang Ping'an began to think.

He was almost certain that this was a sure-fire way to make money.

The initial investment is crucial for future profit sharing. We must keep the profits within the family; we must ensure that those in the family benefit first.

Zhang Ping'an found Zhao Qianshan, bowed, and said, "Boss, I would like to see Lord Dian."

Zhao Qianshan frowned: "What do you want with Dian Gong?"

"Anyway, it's good news."

Zhao Qianshan's eyes lit up: "Ping An, how have I treated you since you joined the Night's Watch?"

"Zhao the Skinflint, how dare you ask that..." Zhang Ping'an laughed, "Of course, my lord treats his subordinates extremely well."

"In that case, shouldn't you include your elder brother in any good news?"

Zhang Ping'an readily agreed, "Don't worry, sir. I might forget anyone else, but I would never forget you!"

"Good brother! Haha... I'll take you to see the Lord of the Palace right away."

Zhao Qianshan affectionately took Zhang Ping'an's wrist and walked towards the Shadow Tower.

"Since you have nothing to do today, you'll enjoy some tea on the third floor."

Third floor.

The red-robed grand eunuch Guo Sanbao was indeed sipping tea.

However, this process is extremely complicated.

Just like brewing Kung Fu tea in later generations.

Zhao Qianshan and Zhang Pingan bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Your Excellency!"

Guo Sanbao waved to the two maids who were preparing tea: "You two can leave now!"

"Yes."

Zhao Qianshan stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Lord Dian, Zhang Ping'an has something to discuss with you."

Guo Sanbao squinted at Zhang Ping'an.

"You did a good job with what happened last time."

Zhang Ping'an understood that he was referring to the Sun Xing case.

"It's all thanks to Lord Dian's leadership!"

Guo Sanbao smiled and nodded: "Yes, he can talk."

"Speak, what do you want from me?"

"Lord, I'll head back now." Zhao Qianshan tactfully left, but Zhang Ping'an grabbed his arm.

Zhang Ping'an looked up, his eyes fixed on the red-clad eunuch.

"My lord, I humbly request that you join me in a business venture."

Guo Sanbao paused for a moment, then leaned back in his chair and relaxed: "Hehe, interesting. So tell me, what kind of business do you want me to do? We're not interested in anything too small."

"Lord, I plan to build three hundred houses on the land in the southern part of Suzaku Street. I will need to invest some money in the early stages."

"Oh, so what do I get in return?"

"Each house is valued at ten thousand taels of silver. The amount of silver that Master Dian invests will determine how many houses he will receive in the future."

Guo Sanbao pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "Interesting. What if no one wants this house in the future? Wouldn't our family suffer a loss?"

Zhang Ping'an smiled and said, "Don't worry, Lord Dian. If each house doesn't sell for more than ten thousand taels in the future, I can guarantee it for you."

"If it exceeds ten thousand taels, it's all yours, Lord Dian."

"Moreover, I am confident that the price of each house will never be less than 20,000 taels in the future."

Guo Sanbao's eyes lit up: "Oh, there's such a good thing?"

"Then we'll have to go all out."

"We have 50,000 taels here, how about we invest it all?"

Zhang Ping'an laughed and said, "Don't worry, Your Excellency, it's a sure thing."

Zhao Qianshan, standing to the side, became anxious: "Ping An, I don't have that much money, you see..."

"The adults can pool together 10,000 taels with others, and after the house is sold in the future, the money will be divided proportionally."

"However, I suggest that you cast the ball yourself, sir."

Zhao Qianshan gritted his teeth: "You wait here, I'll go back and raise the money right away."

"Lord, I shall take my leave."

Zhang Ping'an then smiled and said, "Lord Dian, if you have any friends who want to make a fortune, you can recommend them to me."

"Don't let the good stuff go to outsiders."

"You're a thoughtful little fellow." Dian Gong understood that Zhang Ping'an was doing him a favor.

Once the house makes money, all the people he's recruited will be grateful to him.

"It's a pity, we're used to being alone and don't have many friends."

"But don't worry, we can ask around for you."

"Thank you for your trouble, Your Excellency! I will take my leave now." Zhang Ping'an bowed and withdrew.

Back at Qingshan Hall, Zhang Ping'an gathered his colleagues together, preparing to help them earn some money.

These colleagues also believed in Zhang Ping'an's character, and it took several dozen people a little effort to scrape together three thousand taels.

At this point, Zhao Qianshan raised seven thousand taels of silver all by himself.

After all, he's been a silver guard for many years, and he's a notorious skinflint, so he has quite a lot of stuff in his hands.

"Ping An, I scraped together this money from all sides, you can't lie to me!"

Zhao Qianshan's hands were trembling when he handed the silver to Zhang Ping'an.

"Boss, I've got your back, what are you afraid of!" Zhang Ping'an laughed.

"Just sit back and wait to make money!"

Then, Zhang Ping'an prepared to go to the academy.