A drought was coming

Then rinse the activated carbon with distilled water. 🍭♟ 💙ൠ

"Next, the solution was made acidic, causing the Penicillin molecules to become free..."

"Then extract with Alcohol, neutralize with alkaline solution, separate the solution, and extract again with acid..."

"The final product obtained after filtration is Penicillin... oh, it should be called Type 1 Antibiotic."

Joseph finished speaking in one breath, concluding, "Add the obtained drug to the previously cultured bacteria. If the bacteria disappear, it means the drug is effective. If the bacteria are unaffected, then modify the experimental conditions and start over."

He knew very well that Penicillin was extremely difficult to produce, and he had only given Lamarck the general theoretical basis. It was like telling Columbus in the 15th century, "Young man, there's a New World somewhere in the world, go!"

Columbus first had to acquire a ship and crew, then venture into the vast ocean, trying every direction imaginable, enduring countless life-or-death situations, and with a bit of luck, he finally had a slim chance of success.

Lamarck faces the same situation now: any step in the process, such as an unsuitable culture medium composition, too much or too little time, a slight difference in pH, or even a slight tremor in the hand, can lead to experimental failure.

Most importantly, there are currently no super bacteria strains, and even if the experiment were successful, the yield would be extremely low. Furthermore, cultivating a strain could take an unknown number of years...

However, Joseph had plenty of patience. No matter how long it took, as long as he produced Penicillin, it would be like holding a trump card. Even if it could only be produced in small quantities in the laboratory, its use on the battlefield to save a commander would have enormous strategic significance!

So, Mr. Lamarck, say goodbye to your hair. From now on, you may be living in a laboratory.

Joseph silently offered his blessings to Lamarck, then added, "Count Lamarck, different Penicillium produce vastly different amounts of Penicillin. You will need to test many samples to find the strain with the highest yield. Afterwards, you may even need to actively promote mutation..."

He suddenly realized he had said too much and quickly said, "Ah, don't worry about what mutation is. By the way, I'll leave you 30,000 Livre for now, all for the Type 1 Antibiotic experiments. I'll give you more after we've used it up."

Lamarck suddenly realized something was amiss; this experiment was going to cost more than Livre?

Of course, this thought only flashed through his mind before being completely overwhelmed by his immense desire for Penicillin.

Joseph then watched Lamarck repeat the production process several times. Around 4 p. m., feeling he had said enough, he prepared to leave the Workshop.

Before he even stepped out the door, his mind was already preoccupied with the matter of food.

The most urgent task is Potato; promoting Potato cultivation nationwide is crucial. This will be extremely difficult – the French People is very resistant to Potato.

Therefore, in addition to effective publicity, it would be best to use administrative means to promote it, which means gaining the support of the Queen and Brienne.

To get their support, you need to give them some "motivation."

Joseph smiled slightly, recalling the horrific memory of the "Flour Riot."

So, who can they ask to help them remember?

He pondered for a moment, then suddenly slapped his forehead. Wasn't the best candidate right beside him?

He stopped abruptly and said to Lamarck, "Count Lamarck, I have something I'd like to ask for your help with."

It is my honor to serve you.

Joseph said, "Could you write a report for Archbishop Brienne, predicting a severe drought this year, analyzing things like unusual plant growth or unusual weather, and suggesting that the government prepare in advance?"

Lamarck was immune to the Crown Prince's various astonishing actions, and simply looked at him and asked, "Have you also foreseen the drought?"

Joseph was surprised. "You noticed too?"

Lamarck nodded. "Many signs point to this, but it shouldn't be as serious as you say. I will write a report to Archbishop Brienne."

"No, you have to make it more serious!"

Why?

Joseph had no way to explain, so he emphasized, "This is very important, please do me this favor."

Lamarck, however, flatly refused. "But Your Highness, I believe that I should remain absolutely honest on academic matters."

"Uh, yes..." Joseph was somewhat exasperated by the biologist's integrity.

He thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "But you don't need to lie at all."

"It just requires a slight modification. For example, add a qualifier such as 'there is a certain probability' or 'there may be such a risk' before the prediction of a severe drought."

Lamarck paused for a moment. Strictly speaking, anything can have countless outcomes, and pointing out one possibility is a form of rigorous academic research.

There's really nothing wrong with incorporating this kind of "rigor" into the report...

A compromise was reached between personal feelings and moral principles, and he finally nodded hesitantly.

Joseph sincerely thanked the biologist, then turned around and heard a soft voice say, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Your Crown Prince."

Perna, unusually dressed in a bright green dress, was lifting the hem of her silk floral skirt as she curtsied to him.

"Oh, it's a pleasure to see you too." Joseph nodded quickly in return. "What brings you here?"

For some reason, Perna's pretty face flushed slightly, and she lowered her head, saying, "I'm going to start learning Blood Circulation Studies from my father, and I can also help him manage the laboratory."

Well, it wasn't because I heard the Crown Prince had moved to Paris that I rushed over here.

Joseph smiled and said, "With your assistance, Mr. Lamarck's experiments will certainly proceed much faster."

Perna secretly mustered her courage and looked up, saying, "Your Highness, I heard you'll be staying in Paris for a while. Perhaps I can continue with your routine health checks."

"Oh, that's wonderful. Thank you so much, Doctor Perna."

The girl's face turned even redder.

Two days later, at the Versailles Palace.

Archbishop Brienne looked at the "Paris Fashion Week Plan" in his hands and listened to the Crown Prince describe the bright prospects of Fashion Week, but he seemed somewhat absent-minded.

"The initial investment for Fashion Week is less than 600,000 Livre, with expected revenue of over 4 Livre," Joseph recounted enthusiastically. "Meanwhile, developing real estate around the Tuileries Palace can also generate millions of Livre in revenue."

"After Fashion Week ends, the East Hall of the Tuileries Palace can be converted into a ' Paris Business Center ' to continue generating revenue. Later, as Fashion Week's influence expands, it can even host the ' Pan-European Exposition '..."

Brienne nodded repeatedly, a smile spreading across his face. "Your Highness, your ideas are excellent. I have added the 600,000 Livre budget you requested, and the requisition documents for the Tuileries Palace should be delivered to you tomorrow."

He suddenly produced several reports and handed them to Joseph, saying, "Your Highness, these are the reports I've received over the past two days. Please take a look."

Joseph looked down and saw at the top a document titled "Some Observations on This Year's Drought," signed by Lamarck.

(End of this chapter)