Chapter 203: Chapter 203

Fortunately, when this medicinal material planting base was established, an ultrafiltration system was in place—a system not even present in livestock farms or agricultural plantations. Consequently, the agricultural departments that recently relied on rainwater for planting are suffering.

A few days ago, they were excited about growing fresh vegetables for the entire city, and the common people were all looking forward to the future.

All Huaxia people believed that water was no longer scarce and that they could finally grow crops again. However, since yesterday, Mrs. Jing started complaining about the abundance of insect eggs on the vegetables, and she’s been trying to find ways to remove them, though pests in plants are quite common.

She’ll probably come home from work today in tears, lamenting that all the methods she thought of were ineffective against the insect eggs.

Originally, everyone thought ordinary insecticides would solve the problem, but they were useless. The life force of the red earthworms was so tenacious it surpassed that of many other life forms; it’s worth noting they evolved from bacteria.

The medicinal plant base had, like a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse, gotten lucky. Because it had its own ultrafiltration system and used filtered water for irrigation, it hadn’t experienced any problems.

It was only in the past few days, after other places used ordinary water for irrigation and numerous red earthworm eggs appeared, that news slowly began to spread among the well-informed. However, the government didn’t pay sufficient attention... not until these insects proved impossible to eliminate did they finally start taking notice.

"What’s all the shouting about? Isn’t it normal to have insects? Let’s go take a look." Zhou Bapi, the Old Taoist, was present and wanted to demonstrate his capabilities to the newcomer, Jing Shu.

Jing Shu followed Zhou Bapi to the third floor, where the gastrodia was planted.

It was still a small experimental field, with only about five levels of shelves. The gastrodia plants in the field were covered from top to bottom with minuscule white insect eggs, so densely packed it was as if they were dressed in a layer of white.

At this rate, lively red earthworms will hatch as soon as today or tomorrow. How wonderful.

Seeing this, Zhou Bapi was both distressed and shocked. "How long have these insects been here? They definitely didn’t appear today! Who is responsible for this batch of gastrodia?"

"It’s... it’s Chairman Tie’s assistant, Xiao Xiao," a big man said, lowering his head.

"Everything was fine before I left on my business trip, and now it’s upon my return! You all are responsible," Xiao Xiao retorted, hands on her hips, rolling her eyes at the people before her.

"Wasn’t it because of the torrential rain that day? You said the gastrodia were drying out and couldn’t wait for the filtered water to reach the third floor, so you went out and collected rainwater for irrigation!" another woman with a baby face retorted.

"What does that have to do with rainwater?"

"The crops my Uncle planted only started getting these insect eggs after being watered with rainwater."

Seeing they were about to argue, Zhou Bapi intervened. "First, explain the situation. We’ll assign blame later."

The woman with the baby face said, "These densely packed things started appearing on this batch of gastrodia the day before yesterday. We... we were thinking of dealing with it ourselves..."

Zhou Bapi frowned, bent down, and examined the insect eggs closely.

Another young man said, "This is really strange. We’ve tried worm-killing medicine and all sorts of other methods, but nothing works. These eggs seem to be embedded within the stems and leaves and are difficult to remove. We even scraped some off with a blade, but there were still more inside."

"It’s like blackheads; you have to squeeze hard to get them out. And even if you do, there’s no telling if they’ll grow back. Anyway, my Uncle hasn’t solved this problem either," the girl with the baby face said, puffing her cheeks in agitation.

Zhou Bapi’s eyes lit up as he recalled that Su Malie’s house near the entrance had a salt pool. "Bring me a bowl of highly concentrated salt water!"

Jing Shu, standing to the side, shook her head. Highly concentrated salt water is only effective against hatched red earthworms. It increases the moisture levels inside their bodies, causing them to curl up. But for the insect eggs... it’s completely ineffective. It might even serve as nutrients for them.

"President Zhou is truly impressive!" Xiao Xiao exclaimed excitedly. Relief washed over her; finally, there was hope. If the gastrodia died, she’d be in serious trouble. At the same time, she rolled her eyes at Jing Shu. Who does this person think she is, constantly shaking her head, acting all high and mighty as if she knows everything? I can’t stand people like that.

Jing Shu glared back at Xiao Xiao. This woman is so bizarre!

The highly concentrated salt water was quickly brought over. Zhou Bapi tested it on one plant first. After a few minutes, the insect eggs showed no change, still clinging to the stems and leaves. Zhou Bapi picked at them with his finger, but there was still no reaction.

Zhou Bapi experimented several more times, but it was no use. Frowning, he took a sample of the rainwater; the red earthworms in it immediately curled into a ball. "It seems salt water is useless against these insect eggs."

Zhou Bapi was very disappointed.

The girl with the baby face said, "It’s useless. These are red earthworm eggs from the torrential rain. The ones on the crops at my Uncle’s place have all hatched. This is all Xiao Xiao’s responsibility!"

"If I’m held accountable, you won’t get away scot-free either! You’ve all been taking care of them these past few days!" Xiao Xiao shot back.

"Let’s try a few folk remedies," Zhou Bapi, who was experienced and knowledgeable, suggested, and he immediately began experimenting with them one by one.

Jing Shu watched, shaking her head. It’s like watching someone try to solve 2x2 by testing 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6, but never 4. So frustrating! I thought someone as experienced as Zhou Bapi might find a solution. Should I remind him that conventional methods are useless for removing insect eggs?

Xiao Xiao had long been annoyed by Jing Shu’s aloof and superior attitude, so she couldn’t help but ask, "President Zhou, who is this person beside you...?" She acts so high and mighty; could she be from some wealthy family? Thɪs chapter is updated by novｅlfire.net

"Oh, this is Jing Shu, the new horticulturist I invited. Today is her first day joining the association. She has an exceptional talent for cultivation," Zhou Bapi explained, unable to resist praising her.

The people around couldn’t help but gasp. This person is so impressive! Leaping three ranks to become a full-fledged member right upon entry! You have to understand, in the entire Medicinal Materials Association of over a hundred people, there were only seven permanent staff members. Oh, now there are eight.

Upon hearing Jing Shu was a newcomer, Xiao Xiao rolled her eyes dramatically again.

"Are all newcomers so arrogant these days? Shaking your head disdainfully while your superior is speaking! When we first arrived, we all knew to keep our heads down and act humbly. As a newcomer, how can you be so brazen? President Zhou is kind and good-tempered, but you can’t just bully him ."

Seeing that even Zhou Bapi was out of ideas, Xiao Xiao wanted to curry favor with him to lessen her own blame, or at least drag the others down with her.

Jing Shu rolled her eyes dramatically. What, I can’t even shake my head now? They were clearly doing it wrong!

"So, newcomer," Xiao Xiao continued, "since you’re so disdainful, do you have a better idea? Don’t keep it to yourself. If you don’t have one, then just stay quietly to the side and learn with an open mind."

The girl with the baby face snorted coldly. "Xiao Xiao, that’s enough! Every time a newcomer arrives, you make them do this and that, always finding fault with their work just to show off your seniority, don’t you?"

"But in the end, I’m the one who got the permanent position, not you, Wang Danai!" Xiao Xiao retorted.

Wang Danai’s chubby face turned bright red with anger.

"Who says I don’t have a good solution?" Jing Shu finally spoke. "I’m just wondering if successfully treating this would count as an achievement towards a vice president nomination."