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

Lao Bi Zhai.

Zhang Pingan has updated again.

When Manager Zhou saw Zhang Ping'an, he was as enthusiastic as if he had seen the God of Wealth, even more so than if he had seen his own father.

"My lord, we've been waiting for you!"

"If you hadn't come, I'm afraid my little shop would have had to close down!"

Zhang Ping'an frowned immediately and adopted an official tone: "What's going on? With me here, who dares to be insolent!"

"No, it's just that so many people are coming to urge you to update. Some have even threatened to smash up the shop if you don't update soon!"

The shopkeeper looked distressed. "What does the slow update of the storybook have to do with me?"

Zhang Ping'an immediately cowered: "Oh, they're fans. Well, there's nothing I can do about that. They're our gods, so please don't offend them."

Manager Zhou looked puzzled: "Sir, what are vermicelli? It sounds like a kind of food."

"Uh, here, fans are not a type of food. They represent people who love a person or thing very much and are willing to spend time and money to support them."

Zhang Ping'an tried his best to explain.

Shopkeeper Zhou's eyes lit up immediately: "I see! Then using the word 'fans' to describe those customers is incredibly apt!"

"Don't worry, sir. I know what I'm doing. I've been trying to appease those fans with kind words and will never offend them."

After handing over his latest storybook to Manager Zhou, Zhang Ping'an began to discuss serious matters.

"How much silver have you sold during this period?"

Manager Zhou pulled out a warm stack of silver notes from his pocket: "If you hadn't said anything, I would have just been about to deliver them to you. Here's thirty thousand taels!"

Wow, so many!

Zhang Ping'an greatly underestimated the value that a pioneering novel could generate in a world lacking entertainment.

"Hehe, sir, these are nothing. I've already started working on establishing nationwide distribution channels; once that's done, it'll be a money tree!"

Manager Zhou was slightly smug, secretly pleased that he had made the right decision back then.

Even if he only made a 10% profit, he has already made a fortune.

He couldn't even imagine how much money he could make once he expanded into the national market.

Zhang Ping'an patted him on the shoulder and praised, "Not bad, I knew I hadn't misjudged you. Keep up the good work."

It has to be said that Manager Zhou is quite skilled in operations.

Of course, this only applies to this world.

Unfortunately, this world doesn't allow for the development of related products, otherwise he could have fully exploited this IP.

After receiving the silver, Zhang Ping'an did not return to the yamen, but went to the construction site in the south of the city.

He summoned Ning Chen and said, "Recently, many more disaster victims have arrived in the capital. Find someone clever and recruit them all."

"I'll take as much as I can get."

Ning Chen was so excited that he knelt down in front of Zhang Ping'an with a thud, tears streaming down his face.

"My lord, you are truly a living bodhisattva!"

"My father and elder brother are among the new disaster victims. We wanted to ask you to let them work on our construction site, but you actually left a way out for everyone."

Uh, I didn't mean to be a good person!

Zhang Ping'an doesn't consider himself a good person, nor does he want to be one.

Because good people don't always have good reputations.

Of course, he would never say that.

After all, every boss will try their best to establish a glorious image in front of their employees.

"Alas, I sigh deeply and wipe away my tears, for the people's lives are filled with hardship."

"Alright, go take care of your business. I'll wait here."

Next, Zhang Ping'an sent someone to find the material suppliers introduced by the temple master.

Although Zhang Ping'an didn't immediately consider the people introduced by Dian Gong as his own, he would prioritize them if there were any benefits to be had.

These five men did not possess the shrewdness of merchants; instead, they had the competence of veterans.

It's likely that after retiring from the Night's Watch, he became a merchant.

Otherwise, given Dian Gong's arrogance, how could he possibly know a few material suppliers?

"My lord, what brings you here?"

Zhang Ping'an got straight to the point.

"I'm planning to build a stone-paved road. Can you get the materials?"

The tallest of the five, a businessman in his fifties, asked, "What kind of stone slab road would you like to build, sir? The cost of stone slabs varies, depending on your preference."

The merchant's surname was Qi, and Zhang Ping'an remembered that his name was Qi Kun.

Zhang Ping'an pondered for a moment: "Like the stone-paved roads in the palace."

Qi Kun was slightly surprised: "Sir, those stone slabs are quite expensive, and only the royal family uses them. Is the road you're building for the royal family?"

"Don't worry about the price, just make sure the quality is good." If Zhang Ping'an is going to build a road, he wants a high-quality one, not a shoddy construction, preferably one that won't break down for decades.

Moreover, only if the road is of good quality can it be used to tell a story!

"Yes, as long as you want it and the money is right, we can provide it," Qi Kun agreed.

Zhang Ping'an understood; the key was that the money had arrived.

"Here are 20,000 taels. Let's buy a batch first."

He originally planned to first attract some investment, build a prototype, and then start a campaign to severely punish those corrupt officials in the court.

He no longer needs to attract investment; he has enough money of his own.

But where should this section of road be built?

Zhang Ping'an chose to travel from Beijing to Baiyun Mountain.

Baiyun Mountain is an important scenic spot near Beijing, and it has always been a popular tourist destination.

If a stone-paved road were built here, I believe the tax revenue would be considerable.

Of course, the road Zhang Ping'an wants to repair will not encroach on the original official road.

You can use official channels without spending money, but you can only enjoy VIP treatment if you pay money.

Zhang Ping'an, carrying the Empress's imperial edict, summoned several supervisors from the Ministry of Works and told them the standards for the road he wanted to build.

Upon hearing that Zhang Ping'an actually wanted to build a road that could accommodate four horse-drawn carriages running side by side, and that it would be entirely paved with stone slabs, the employees of the Ministry of Works immediately looked at him as if he were an idiot.

However, Zhang Ping'an did not explain to them, leaving them with the statement that everything should be done strictly according to his requirements, otherwise they would be punished for dereliction of duty.

The supervisors immediately dared not have any other thoughts.

With everything arranged, we're just waiting for the materials to arrive so we can start construction.

Three more days have passed in the blink of an eye.

The number of disaster victims in Beijing has exceeded 100,000.

Meanwhile, 100,000 imperial guards were encamped 30 miles north of the city, ready to enter the capital and quell any unrest should the capital fall into chaos, at the Empress's command.

That very evening, the Empress received the spies she had sent out in her study.

This person is Xiao Che, the commander of the Empress's personal guard.

The Empress's personal guards are all experts, the worst of whom are at the peak of external strength.

Xiao Che's ability to serve as the commander among the guards demonstrates his talent and strength.

However, Commander Xiao, who was always known for his composure, was now pale and looked panicked.

"Your Majesty, it's done!"

The Empress was immediately overjoyed: "Quickly, tell me in detail."

Xiao Che began to recall the scene he had witnessed, and his face immediately turned pale and his body trembled.

"On that day, I was ordered to monitor the team that Young Master Zhang sent out. They first had their night watchmen spread out at a distance, and then split into two teams carrying oil paper packages to climb the mountain."