Joseph's eyes lit up at once. "How much have you raised the sugar content to?"
Achard's face showed pride. "11.5%, Your Highness. It's already very close to 12%."
A 12% sugar content had been the "strategic task" Joseph had originally assigned him. The three-year deadline was still far off, yet he had basically succeeded.
Speaking of which, he had been rather lucky. After carrying out enormous numbers of hybridization, selective breeding, and trait-stabilization experiments according to the genetics Joseph had taught him, he had discovered a sugar beet with exceptionally fine traits early last year.
Its sugar content was as high as 11.5%.
Achard continued, "As long as we establish stricter seed management rules from now on, Prussian sugar beets will have no chance of becoming competitive in the short term."
The sugar beets the Prussians smuggled in had only an 8% sugar content.
Achard's new variety had a full 50% higher sugar content. In terms of profits, the increase would be far greater than 50%.
Sugar refining equipment, processing time, transportation costs, and the like would all be drastically reduced. The new sugar beet variety would have a crushing advantage.
"You've done very well." Joseph smiled approvingly. "It seems I'll have to ask His Majesty the King to grant you a title."
Achard was immediately overjoyed. "I truly don't know how to express my gratitude, Your Highness."
He then began telling Joseph about his sugar beet hybridization experiments, leaving Joseph completely at a loss.
Well, Achard had now surpassed him in the field of biological hybridization.
Never underestimate the geniuses of this era. Once they gained advanced ideas, they could swiftly surpass their teachers through their own intelligence and diligence.
"I've also discovered a very peculiar phenomenon."
Just as Joseph was considering how to end the conversation, Achard suddenly