Go and capture those thirty-six fierce villains.

Faced with Bai Gu's question, several thoughts flashed through Qin Ning's mind.

To be honest, it definitely won't work.

Even if he never intended to drag Bai Gu into the vortex, and even if he really wanted to tie the other party to his own small boat, he couldn't tell the truth.

If you don't say anything, you certainly can't get away with it.

So... then we can only resort to deception... cough, telling some white lies.

"Ji Heng, when you judge a person's goodness or evil, do you rely on hearsay or on what you see with your own eyes?"

After Qin Ning finished asking, Bai Gu replied without hesitation:

"Of course, one must see it with their own eyes; hearsay is simply not enough..."

He paused mid-sentence, suddenly stunned.

"If that's the case, then what you did just now doesn't match your story." Qin Ning stood up, leaning against the wall. "Sichen Guard has a bad reputation, but since I joined, I haven't done a single evil deed. In fact, I've used this position to do several things that benefit the people of the city."

"So, in your eyes, am I good or evil?"

Bai Gu pondered for a moment: "If what you say is true, Brother Qin, then you are indeed still my confidant, Brother Qin. I have offended you just now."

You apologized so quickly... Qin Ning had prepared a long speech in her mind, but she didn't expect Bai Gu to admit his mistake so readily.

"However, Brother Qin, you still haven't explained why you joined the Sichen Guard."

"...Ji Heng, do you believe in my character?"

"I believe now, of course."

"Then don't ask."

Louis Koo: "???"

"It's not that I'm unwilling to tell you, but the matter is extremely complicated, and if I'm not careful, my life could be in danger. It's better for me to bear this danger alone."

With a total of forty-six words, Qin Ning seemed to have said everything, yet also seemed to have said nothing at all.

Bai Gu struggled to get up, his brows furrowing instinctively as he gasped in pain from the injuries on his face.

"Hiss~ Brother Guiyuan, could it be that you intend to infiltrate the Sichen Guard yourself? Well then..."

"Shhh."

Qin Ning put her finger to her lips and shook her head mysteriously.

He didn't say anything.

Seeing this, Bai Gu became even more certain of his thoughts, and thinking about what he had just done, he felt increasingly guilty.

"Brother Guiyuan, you have such lofty ambitions, yet Jiheng misunderstands you so much. I really... really... Brother Guiyuan, why don't you give me another good beating!"

"If I hit you again, you'll die..." Qin Ning shook his head with a smile.

"We're brothers, no need for such formalities. I've come today to ask you for your help with something."

Bai Gu: "Brother Guiyuan, please speak freely. If there's anything I can do to help, I'll go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Qin Ning stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder, naming several materials in succession. In addition to those necessary for drawing talismans, he also mixed in several unimportant ones, which could be considered as a way to cover up the truth.

After hearing this, Bai Gu patted his chest without hesitation, coughed violently a few times, and then recovered before speaking.

"Brother Guiyuan, don't worry, these are just ordinary materials. My Tiangonglou has procurement channels... However, the amount of money required for these materials is..."

Bai Gu looked ashamed. The research on steam theory had cost a huge amount of money, and his income was not much. He also owed Qin Ning several thousand taels of silver, so he naturally could not afford to pay for the materials now.

Otherwise, given his current mindset, he would be extremely willing to pay this money for Qin Ning.

"It would be good if we had a channel. If I buy materials from you, I will naturally have to pay for them myself."

As Qin Ning spoke, he beckoned to the cat beside him, and a stack of silver notes appeared in his palm.

He precisely counted out ten thousand taels and handed them directly to Bai Gu.

"Brother Guiyuan, are you sure you didn't miscount? Those materials shouldn't cost this much silver!"

"The remaining money is to fund your steam research." Qin Ning turned his head and looked around, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes. "So, what stage are you at now?"

The clinic hasn't seen much improvement yet, and even if it has, it probably won't be able to keep up with his future cultivation needs.

In the world of "All Things," the opportunity to earn money by opening boxes is not something that happens every day, so Qin Ning is already planning to acquire some of his own properties in Bei'an City.

He couldn't get involved in the most profitable salt and iron industries, and the other industries were all pitfalls. Entering them rashly would not only offend people, but also wouldn't guarantee immediate profits.

It would be better to fund Bai Gu's steam research, which would be a different approach and would also be considered a collaboration with the Mohists.

"Based on the suggestions you made last time, Brother Qin, the efficiency of these machines has been greatly improved, and the temperature no longer overflows. I am currently conducting research and improvements on miniaturization."

No wonder the temperature here is much lower... Qin Ning walked to a well-preserved metal can, reached out to test the temperature, and found that although it was warm, it was no longer at the level that would burn a person.

"Improving it towards miniaturization is correct, but Ji Heng, you should be considering making a profit from this product right now."

"Profit?" Bai Gu's eyes flashed with surprise, his tone righteous and indignant. "Brother Guiyuan, we are heroes, and we research this item to benefit the people. How can we profit from it!"

"wrong!"

"Your idea is completely wrong!"

Qin Ning's voice was louder than his.

"People are driven by profit, and those with chivalrous hearts are ultimately a minority. This steam engine must demonstrate its profitability in order to be widely promoted and enter the public eye."

Moreover, you can only continue your research if you make a profit. Otherwise, if you borrow money to research now, are you going to borrow money to promote it in the future?

If this product cannot be widely promoted, your current situation is nothing more than a mirage!

Ji Heng believed that improving backward productivity, enabling ordinary people to wear fine silk and enjoy the changes brought about by the steam engine, was also a way to benefit the people, and did not conflict with making appropriate profits.

Qin Ning's words once again silenced Bai Gu.

For a long, long time.

He then looked up and said, "Brother Guiyuan, your foresight is beyond my reach. However, I truly have no direction or experience regarding how to profit from this steam research or how to implement it in practice. The Mohist school does have established channels, but entrusting it to them would involve taking a cut..."

Qin Ning decisively gave the direction: "For profitable areas, Ji Heng, you should conduct research in mining and textiles."

As a liberal arts student, he vaguely remembered that the steam engine had a tremendous impact on these two industries.

In addition, there's the issue of transportation.

However, Qin Ning and his team clearly lack the capability to lay railway tracks at present, so this direction can be temporarily ruled out.

"What about management?"

"Once your research makes progress, I will contact Han Ying; she should have some connections."

"good!"

Bai Gu agreed and hurriedly left with his swollen cheeks.

Fifteen minutes later.

Bai Gu returned and handed over all the materials Qin Ning needed to him.

......

The backyard of the clinic.

The talisman paper, cinnabar, and brush and ink were all laid out.

Qin Ning repeatedly simulated the drawing method of the talisman in his mind. After his mind was completely calm, he reached out, picked up the brush, and lightly dipped his brush in the ink.

Followed by.

Boom boom boom!

A short knock came from the front yard.