Chapter 106

Zhao Hexi: "Mengzhu told me today that we need to prepare the microbial culture before mid-December, which will then be used to improve the soil and suppress pests and diseases."

Gu Benshu: "That's what I wanted to say. There's another piece of news too. Are you still in the village? I came over to tell you."

Zhao Hexi: "Let us come find you. Wait for us at the company, we'll be right there."

Zhao Hexi told Qing Mengzhu about the permit application being approved.

Qing Mengzhu immediately said, "Let's go there now."

Zhao Hexi: "Let's go, let's go, I'll drive."

They drove directly to the company and went to Gu Benshu's office to find him.

Qing Mengzhu doesn't usually see Gu Benshu, but now that she sees him, she sees Gu Benshu wearing a white lab coat and goggles, with a lot of newly grown hair, looking like a fresh graduate student, as if he's aging in reverse. She can't help but sigh.

Back when he first met Gu Benshu was the epitome of a middle-aged corporate slave.

Gu Benshu was in high spirits over the happy occasion and greeted them warmly, "Boss, Old Zhao."

Zhao Hexi: "Quick, quick, show us the picture of the license—do you have the picture yet?"

Gu Benshu: "Yes, the electronic materials have been sent. We can also check them out on the official website."

As he spoke, Gu Benshu turned on his computer and showed them the information from the official website.

Qing Mengzhu carefully examined the documents stamped with the official seal, her feelings extremely complicated. "It really wasn't easy for us to get this far."

Zhao Hexi: "Who says otherwise? Just waiting for the documents has taken so long. If Old Gu hadn't said this was the procedure, I would have thought someone was deliberately making things difficult for us."

Gu Benshu pushed up his goggles. "We definitely need to be careful when dealing with new microbial agents. Improper application could lead to serious problems."

Qing Mengzhu: "Indeed. May I take a picture?"

Although Qing Mengzhu was the boss, he wasn't very familiar with these matters and didn't know if he could share them with others.

Gu Benshu: "That's fine. These certificates are now public information and can be found on the official website."

Qing Mengzhu guessed what he was thinking and smiled, "I won't post it on WeChat Moments, I'll show it to Chunxi."

Qing Mengzhu sent a message to Ming Chunxi and carefully reviewed their qualification certificates and the attached documents. Only after confirming that there were no problems did she breathe a sigh of relief.

Putting everything else aside, with this certificate, their company's research projects can finally be considered to be on the right track.

After carefully examining the documents, Qing Mengzhu looked at Gu Benshu: "Is there anything else?"

Zhao Hexi looked up. "Anything else?"

Qing Mengzhu: "If there's nothing else, just let us know on WeChat. There's no need for a special meeting."

Gu Benshu's expression turned serious. "Yes, what I want to talk about is the current state of research on the Insect-Killing Bacillus in the field."

Their discovery of the Insect-Killing Bacillus is a scientific discovery and therefore cannot be patented.

The strain for which they are now applying for a patent is "Insect-Killing Bacillus ZX01," a highly toxic Insect-Killing Bacillus that they have specially bred. They also intend to expand production of this "Insect-Killing Bacillus ZX01" as a pesticide.

After the paper was published, many universities, research institutes and technology companies became very interested in the Insect-Killing Bacillus family and subsequently launched projects.

In just over a month, several new patents related to Insect-Killing Bacillus have been issued.

--It is easier to achieve results by initiating projects using new bacteria, and the research process is also simple, making it especially suitable for students.

Gu Benshu briefly explained the situation, then added, "This was within our expectations, nothing special. However, I received an email today from the Northern Research Institute of the Huaxia Academy of Sciences, inviting us to collaborate on the development of a 'Biological Missile' based on the Insect-Killing Bacillus."

Qing Mengzhu and Zhao Hexi exchanged a glance and asked in unison, "Biological Missile?"

Chapter 106

Qing Mengzhu nor Zhao Hexi had ever heard of the concept of "Biological Missile".

Gu Benshu explained that the "Biological Missile" technology in insect viral epidemiology involves using egg parasitic wasps, such as Trichogramma, aphid parasitic wasps, and Encarsia formosa, to release treated, targeted viruses onto the eggs of pests. By infecting the pests and even creating an epidemic among them, biological control is achieved.

This is also a new technology; compared to traditional pesticides, it is safer and cleaner, and has a broader prospect.

Qing Mengzhu and Zhao Hexi nodded repeatedly, "That's amazing!"

Gu Benshu's face showed a proud expression. "That's about it. The Northern Research Institute of the Huaxia Academy of Sciences is quite strong, and it has developed several targeted viruses. If possible, I think cooperation would be more beneficial to our company's development."

Qing Mengzhu: "Let me check the emails and supplement the information. Tell them we need to consider it."

Gu Benshu: "Okay, I'll write an email, please take a look."

After Qing Mengzhu finished talking with Gu Benshu, she downloaded the relevant information to her personal computer.

Gu Benshu actively helped download a lot of popular science materials, so it seems he really wants to cooperate.

Qing Mengzhu understood that collaborating with such a large research institute would greatly enhance one's resume and be more beneficial for future development.

If he were an employee, he would also actively seek out such opportunities for cooperation.

Qing Mengzhu returned home with a pile of documents.

When Ming Chunxi returned, Qing Mengzhu told him about this.

Upon seeing Qing Mengzhu's expression, Ming Chunxi said definitively, "You want to cooperate."

Qing Mengzhu jumped onto his back. "You understand me better. If we can cooperate, not only will Dr. Gu's resume look much better, but our company's resume will also look much better, which will be quite beneficial to our company's development."

Ming Chunxi steadily supported Qing Mengzhu's legs. "So, what are your concerns now?"

"When it comes to collaborating with such a large research institute, there's no question about the economic benefits," Qing Mengzhu said, leaning against Ming Chunxi's back. "In this collaboration, we'll likely have little say; we can only cooperate and do the work, losing money but gaining publicity."

Ming Chunxi: "Consider it an advertisement. Our company's foundation is too weak. Apart from Dr. Gu, who has relevant work experience, the rest of the employees in the Science and Technology Department are just starting out. It would be good to give them some experience on a big project."

Qing Mengzhu's eyes lit up. "I like your point of view. Let's just consider it sending them for training."

Ming Chunxi: "That's roughly the idea. It also saves on training fees. The research institute is a state-owned institution, so it certainly can't offer much financial compensation. However, if we can jointly develop a new virus, our company's resume will look better, and relevant institutions will be more accommodating when dealing with official matters."

Qing Mengzhu understood immediately. "It's easier to become one of our own and receive preferential treatment in policies."

Ming Chunxi: "Yes, from my current perspective, I prefer cooperation."

Qing Mengzhu: "Then I'll do some cramming later to see what's going on, and then figure out how to talk about it?"

Ming Chunxi: "Are you going to talk to them in person?"

Qing Mengzhu nodded. "I already have a general idea in mind, and I'm not comfortable entrusting it to someone else."

He definitely wants to handle such an important matter personally; even if he delegates it to Zhao Hexi, Zhao might not be able to perfectly implement his ideas.

Ming Chunxi turned her head and looked at Qing Mengzhu with admiration.

Despite only half a year having passed, Qing Mengzhu has changed dramatically, like a precious jade that has finally been cleansed of its dust and begun to shine, captivating all who see it.

Qing Mengzhu smiled and cupped his face in her hands, "Why are you looking at me like that? It's like you don't know me."

Ming Chunxi: "Although I recognize it, the more I look at it, the more new discoveries I make."

Seeing Ming Chunxi's expression, Qing Mengzhu's heart stirred, and she leaned in to kiss him. It was a pity that she had to work overtime today, otherwise, given the atmosphere, she would have definitely gone out on a date.

Qing Mengzhu crammed on her knowledge of insect viral epidemiology and gained a thorough understanding of the "Biological Missile" technology in this field before talking to the people at the Northern Research Institute of the Huaxia Academy of Sciences.