Chapter 247: Chapter 247

Jing Shu was invited onto the platform by Zhou Bapi. "It’s actually just a mutated virus from red earthworms that infected the astragalus. As long as we can remove this diseased part, the astragalus will naturally recover."

Although Jing Shu put it simply, it was not something these people could solve, as each insecticide had been developed through countless calculations and experiments.

"So that’s how it is. I was wondering why these red earthworm eggs looked different from the others. These eggs even seem to have a rotten feel to them."

"Yeah, to be this tough and not die, the eggs are really tenacious, aren’t they?"

And in the midst of the noisy environment, Jing Shu finally understood what was going on.

It turned out that the people from Ta City had just been idly waiting for the results over the past two days. The first day was indeed uneventful, making them even more certain they would win. But they never expected that when they came to check in the morning, the Panax notoginseng that was close to dying was not only alive but actually thriving more vigorously.

The randomly grafted Chonglou had unexpectedly sprouted. What had seemed like a dramatic, haphazard attempt had actually succeeded.

Can such things even work? Are you kidding me?

When Cheng Qingzi received the news and hurried over, his small, soybean-like eyes widened like copper bells. After checking the surveillance, he fell silent. He confirmed one thing: from that day on, nobody had touched those medicinal materials. This meant Jing Shu, renowned as the genius of Wu City, had indeed treated them successfully!

No matter what methods others used, the facts could not be hidden.

"Quick, find a way to deal with that astragalus plant!" Cheng Qingzi’s voice trembled.

Following that, the onlookers in Wu City, while holding bowls and eating breakfast, watched the people from Ta City scurrying about like ants on a hot pan.

Meanwhile, the people from Ta City, who initially thought it was just a simple red earthworm problem, were baffled that nothing worked after trying every method they knew. This group of people experimented with various methods until the afternoon.

This day was especially unusual for Zhou Bapi. He had just made the long journey back to Wu City and hadn’t even had a drink of water when Chairman Tie rushed over, gloating, "You’re finished! You’re in deep trouble. The newcomer you recruited is going to take the fall this time. She’s responsible for half the reduction in Wu City’s supply."

Only then did Zhou Bapi learn what had happened. Just as he was grinding his teeth, preparing to confront Old Tie, his subordinates informed him that Jing Shu had secured 3 points for Wu City, leveling the score with Ta City!

Surprises came one after another...

Now, the people from Ta City couldn’t solve the problem with Jing Shu’s astragalus plant.

"Old Cheng, you’ve been researching for a whole day, and it’s already two hours past the allotted time. If you don’t have any other medicinal materials for us to treat as a challenge, you can admit defeat," Zhou Bapi said, flashing his Big Yellow Teeth smugly.

Cheng Qingzi gritted his teeth. "This time, we are indeed no match for your skills. The genius of Wu City truly lives up to her reputation. We admit defeat! But I have a request: could you let us study this astragalus plant properly to understand how it was treated? So we can exchange knowledge later."

Jing Shu was naturally happy to hear this. If they could genuinely research and discover something useful, it could also help prepare for the virus expected in half a year.

"Sure." Googlᴇ search novel_fіre.net

Wu City’s representative had emerged victorious. Jing Shu alone not only scored three points to save Wu City’s face and draw with Ta City, but she also proposed a cunning challenge that ultimately caused Ta City’s attempt to usurp their position to fail. In doing so, she secured the Medicinal Materials Association’s resource supply.

Chairman Tie’s expression was priceless. His portly figure was constantly breaking out in a nervous sweat. Because of his promise, he had allowed Jing Shu to solve three difficult challenges in one go, which meant she instantly met the conditions for promotion to vice-chairman.

This burden was his to bear.

It was like a manager promising to sell goods worth 1,000 yuan for only 10 yuan; the boss would naturally not let the manager go back on his word, so any resulting losses had to be borne by the manager himself.

The competition was over. Wu City’s representative had won, leaving everyone at the Medicinal Materials Association in a state of excitement, except for Chairman Tie, who was drenched in cold sweat.

In Jing Shu’s experimental field, Zhou Bapi looked at the thriving medicinal plants and said with a chuckle, "This time, you did a remarkable job. Once you’ve gathered five medicinal materials suitable for medicinal use, I’ll submit a report recommending you for the vice-chairmanship."

"I’ve raised a batch of leeches. Would they count as a medicinal material if they’re dried?"

"Yes, of course, they count," Zhou Bapi responded cheerfully. "But you’d better register them quickly before someone else does."

"I heard from Wang Danai that the vice-chairmanship of Wu City was actually prearranged for someone from the Medicinal Herb Family. Is that true?" Jing Shu raised an eyebrow. Zhou Bapi had once dangled a grand promise before her that was meant for someone else—the old rascal was indeed very cunning.

Zhou Bapi coughed a few times. "Don’t worry about those details. As long as you become vice-chairman, that’s all that matters, right? Rest assured, your position as vice-chairman is secure this time. It’s very possible that Old Tie himself will want to step down and make way. After all, who else made such a promise?"

Speaking of this, Zhou Bapi’s mood lifted a bit more. "Jing Shu, you truly are my lucky star."

Jing Shu didn’t know whether she was a lucky star or not. She just wanted to secure the position of vice-chairman of the Medicinal Materials Association quickly. Then, Wu City might not be able to swagger around freely, but at least it would no longer be easily bullied.

The Medicinal Materials Association of Wu City began an unprecedented period of integration and change. It incorporated staff from Ta City, Lan City, and others, establishing the new Wu City Medicinal Planting Center. This center, one of the 23 provincial capital hubs, would supply medicinal materials to the entire province in the future.

Ever since she won the competition, Jing Shu hadn’t visited the Medicinal Materials Association again. Instead, she focused on raising silkworms, leeches, and snakes at home, and from time to time, she would check on the two Red Worm Feed Factories.

In Jingshu’s space, the silkworm babies grew quickly. As long as there were vegetable leaves to eat, they could keep eating, excreting, and growing.

Silkworm babies would go through five instars over about a month to reach approximately 7 centimeters in length. Then they would enter the pupal stage for about fifteen days, followed by the moth stage lasting three to five days.

With the support of the Spiritual Spring, Jing Shu could essentially breed a batch of silkworms every month. Four breeding cycles would basically cover all her needs. Of course, she planned to stock up on more silk in her space. In temperatures down to minus 70 degrees, ten quilts would seem too few. This was true even though she had already prepared more than a dozen quilts before the apocalypse. However, quilts were consumables, and she wondered if they could last ten years...

Raising silkworms was easy, but reeling silk was difficult. The silk spun by the silkworms had to be boiled in hot water before it could be reeled. After reeling, it would proceed to the production process. With her space, it should be a bit more convenient. To survive better in the future, she didn’t mind enduring hardship.

Oh, right, after more than two months of preparation, Jing Shu finally gathered all the materials and brewed the legendary Turtle Snake Wine. It was said to replenish energy, vitalize blood, relax tendons, improve circulation, and dispel wind and dampness!

In this weather, which had seen months of torrential rain, Jing Shu could already feel the increasing severity of the dampness, let alone Li Yuetian, who suffered from rheumatism.