Chapter 106: The Drought Is Coming
Then, wash the activated carbon with distilled water.
Next, adjust the solution to be acidic, converting the penicillin molecules into a free state...
Then, extract with alcohol, neutralize with an alkaline solution, separate the solution, and extract with acid again...
Finally, what you filter out is penicillin... or rather, Type I Antibiotic.
Joseph finished in one breath, concluding, "Add the resulting medicine to the previously cultured bacteria. If you see the bacteria disappear, it means the medicine is effective. If the bacteria are unaffected, then modify the experimental conditions and start over."
He knew very well that producing Penicillin was extremely difficult; he had merely provided Lamarck with the general theoretical foundation. It was like telling Columbus in the 15th century, 'Young man, there's a new continent somewhere in this world—go find it!'
Young Columbus would first need to secure a ship and crew, then brave the vast ocean, trying every direction imaginable, enduring countless near-death experiences, and with a bit of luck, he might have a slim chance of success.
Lamarck now faced the same situation. Any step in the process – an unsuitable culture medium, slightly off timing, a minuscule difference in pH, or even a tremor of the hand – could lead to experimental failure.
Most importantly, without a super strain, even a successful experiment would yield a pitiful amount. And culturing such a strain would take countless years...
'So, Monsieur Lamarck, bid farewell to your hair. In the days to come, you might as well live in the laboratory.'
Joseph silently wished Lamarck well, then added, "Count Lamarck, different strains of Penicillium can produce vastly different amounts of Penicillin. You'll need to test many samples to find the highest-yielding strain. After that, you'll even have to actively promote mutations..."
He suddenly felt he had said too much, and quickly interjected, "Ah, never mind what mutations are. Right, I'll leave you 30,000 livres for the Type I Antibiotic experiments. I will allocate more funds once you've used it all."
Lamarck suddenly felt something was amiss. This experiment would cost 30,000 livres, and possibly even more?
Of course, the thought was fleeting, completely overshadowed by his immense desire for Penicillin.
Afterward, Joseph watched Lamarck repeat the production process a few more times. Around four in the afternoon, feeling he had said all that was necessary, he prepared to leave the workshop.
Before he had even stepped out the door, his mind was once again consumed by the matter of grain.
The immediate priority was potatoes: promoting potato cultivation nationwide. This was an extremely difficult task, as the French populace was highly resistant to them.
Therefore, in addition to effective propaganda, it would be best to use administrative means to push the initiative, meaning he needed the support of the Queen and Archbishop Brienne.
And to gain their support, he needed to provide them with some 'motivation.'
Joseph smiled faintly. 'Such as the terrifying memory of the Flour Riot.'
'So, who should he find to help them remember?'
He pondered for a moment, then suddenly clapped a hand to his forehead. 'Wasn't the best candidate right beside him?'
He quickly stopped and said to Lamarck, "Count Lamarck, there's something I'd like your help with."
"It would be my honor to serve you."
Joseph replied, "Would you be able to write a report for Archbishop Brienne, predicting a severe drought this year? You could analyze it from the perspective of unusual plant behavior or peculiar climate patterns, suggesting the government prepare in advance."
Lamarck had grown immune to the Crown Prince's various astonishing pronouncements. He simply looked at Joseph and asked, "Have you also noticed signs of an impending drought?"
Joseph, however, was surprised. "You've noticed it too?"
Lamarck nodded. "Many signs point to it, though it might not be as severe as you suggest. I will write a report for Archbishop Brienne."
"No, you must write it more severely!"
"Why is that?"
Joseph, unable to explain, could only emphasize, "It's very important. Please, you must help me with this."
Lamarck, however, unequivocally refused. "But, Your Highness, I believe that on academic matters, I should maintain absolute honesty."
"Uh, yes..." Joseph felt a bit helpless, confronted by the biologist's unwavering integrity.
He thought for a moment, then smiled faintly. "But you don't have to lie at all.
"You merely need to be a little flexible. For instance, before stating that a severe drought will occur, you could add qualifiers such as 'there is a certain probability' or 'we may face such risks.'"
Lamarck paused. Strictly speaking, any event could have countless outcomes, and pointing out one such possibility could indeed be considered rigorous academic research.
'There really wouldn't be any issue with including such "rigor" in his report...'
With a compromise between personal favor and professional integrity, he finally nodded hesitantly.
Joseph sincerely thanked the biologist and turned to leave again, only to hear a soft voice ahead of him. "It's a pleasure to see you, Your Royal Highness."
Perna, uncharacteristically, wore a verdant green dress, and was lifting the hem of her silk floral skirt as she curtsied to him.
"Oh, I'm pleased to see you too," Joseph replied, nodding quickly. "What brings you here?"
Perna, for some reason, had a slightly flushed face. She lowered her head and said, "I'm starting to study hemodynamics with my father, and I can help him manage the laboratory too."
'Certainly not because she heard the Crown Prince had moved to Paris and rushed here after him.'
Joseph smiled. "With your assistance, Monsieur Lamarck's experimental progress will certainly accelerate significantly."
Perna secretly bolstered her courage, then looked up and said, "Your Highness, I heard you'll be staying in Paris for a while. Perhaps I could continue performing your routine health checks."
"Oh, that would be splendid. Thank you very much, Doctor Perna."
The girl's face immediately flushed even deeper.
...
Two days later, at the Palace of Versailles.
Archbishop Brienne looked at the "Paris Fashion Week Planning Document" in his hand, listening as the Crown Prince described the promising future of Fashion Week, yet he seemed somewhat distracted.
"The initial investment for Fashion Week is less than 600,000 livres, with projected revenues exceeding 4 million livres," Joseph explained enthusiastically. "At the same time, developing properties around the Tuileries Palace could generate millions of livres in additional income."
"After Fashion Week concludes, the East Wing of the Tuileries Palace can be converted into the 'Paris Commercial Center' to continue generating revenue. Later, as Fashion Week's influence expands, a Pan-European Exposition could even be held there..."
Brienne nodded continually, a faint smile on his face. "Your Highness, all your ideas are excellent. I have already increased the budget proposal by the 600,000 livres you requested, and the documents for the Tuileries Palace should reach you tomorrow."
He suddenly produced several reports and handed them to Joseph, changing the subject. "Your Highness, these are reports I've received in the last two days. Please, take a look."
Joseph looked down and saw that the topmost report was titled "Some Observations on this Year's Drought," signed by none other than Lamarck.
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