Chapter 106 Drought is coming

“Then clean the activated carbon with distilled water.

“Then the solution is made acidic to turn the penicillin molecules into their free state…

"Extract with alcohol, neutralize with alkaline solution, separate the solution, and extract with acid again...

"The final filtered product is penicillin...oh, it should be called a type 1 antibiotic."

Joseph finished speaking in one breath, and finally said: "The obtained medicine is added to the previously cultured bacteria. If you can see that the bacteria disappear, it means that the medicine is effective. If the bacteria are not affected, then modify the experimental conditions and start again. .”

He knew very well that making penicillin was very difficult, and he only told Lamarck the general theoretical basis. It's like telling Columbus in the 15th century, boy, there's a New World somewhere in the world, go for it!

Columbus had to first get a boat and crew, then rush into the vast sea, try everything from east to west, north and south. After experiencing countless near-death dangers, and with a little luck, he had a slight chance of success.

The situation that Lamarck is facing now is the same. Any step of the operation, such as inappropriate composition of the culture medium, too much time, too little time, a little difference in pH, or even a shaking hand, may lead to the failure of the experiment.

The bottom line is that there are no super strains, and even if the experiment succeeds, the yield will be very pitiful. And it takes countless years to cultivate strains...

But Joseph had a lot of patience. No matter how long it took, as long as he found penicillin, he would have a king bomb in his hand. Even if it can only be prepared in a small amount in the laboratory and used to revive a commander on the battlefield, it can have huge strategic significance!

So, Mr. Lamarck, say goodbye to your hair. In the days to come, you may have to live in a laboratory.

Joseph silently blessed Lamarck in his heart, and finally added: "Count Lamarck, different strains of Penicillium can produce very different penicillins. You need to test more samples to find the strain with the highest yield. Then you even have to take the initiative Promote mutation..."

He suddenly realized that he had said too much and said hurriedly: "Ah, don't worry about what mutation is. By the way, I will leave you 30,000 livres first, all of which will be used for the experiment of type 1 antibiotics. I will allocate it to you after it is used up."

Lamarck suddenly realized something was wrong. It cost more than 30,000 livres to conduct this experiment?

Of course, this thought only passed through his mind for a moment, and was completely overshadowed by his huge desire for penicillin.

Afterwards, Joseph watched Lamarck repeat the production process several times. By about four o'clock in the afternoon, he felt that he had said almost everything he needed to say, and was about to leave the workshop.

Before he even walked out of the door, his mind was occupied with food matters again.

The top priority is potatoes, and potato cultivation should be promoted across the country. This is very difficult - the French people hate potatoes.

Therefore, on the basis of good publicity, it is best to use administrative means to promote it, that is, to get the support of the Queen and Brian.

And if you want them to support this, you have to give them some "driving force".

Joseph smiled slightly at the memory of the horrors of, say, the "Flour Riots."

So, who should they turn to to help them remember?

He thought for a moment and suddenly slapped his forehead. Isn't the best candidate right next to him?

He stopped in a hurry and said to Lamarck: "Count Lamarck, I have something to ask you for help."

"It's an honor to serve you."

Joseph said: "Can you write a report and give it to Archbishop Brian? The content is to predict that there will be a severe drought this year. For example, from the perspective of various plant abnormalities or special climate, it is recommended that the government prepare in advance. .”

Lamarck was already immune to the Crown Prince's various surprising actions. He just looked at him and said, "Have you also discovered that there will be a drought?"

Joseph was surprised: "You also discovered it?"

Lamarck nodded: "Many signs prove this, but it shouldn't be as serious as you said. I will write a report to Archbishop Brian."

"No, you must write more seriously!"

"why?"

Joseph had no way to explain, so he could only emphasize his tone: "This is very important, please do me this favor."

Lamarck flatly refused: "But, Your Highness, I believe that I should remain absolutely honest when it comes to academic issues."

"Uh, yes..." Joseph was a little helpless by the biologist's integrity.

He thought for a while and smiled: "But you don't have to lie at all.

"It just needs to be slightly modified. For example, add attributive words such as 'there is a certain probability' or 'may face such risks' in front of the inference that there will be a severe drought."

Lamarck was stunned. Strictly speaking, anything can have countless results. Pointing out one of the possibilities can be regarded as rigorous academic research.

There is really nothing wrong with writing this "rigor" into the report...

Favors and integrity reached a compromise, and he finally nodded hesitantly.

Joseph sincerely thanked the biologist, turned around again, and heard a soft voice in front of him: "Nice to meet you, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Perna rarely changed into emerald green women's clothing, picked up the hem of her silk floral skirt, and curtsied to him.

"Oh, I'm glad to see you too." Joseph nodded quickly in return, "Why are you here?"

Perna didn't know why, her pretty face turned a little red, and she lowered her head and said, "I'm going to start learning blood circulation from my father, and I can also help him manage the laboratory."

Well, it wasn't because I heard that the Crown Prince had moved to Paris that I hurriedly chased him after him.

Joseph smiled and said: "With your help, Mr. Lamarck's experimental progress will definitely be accelerated a lot."

Perna secretly encouraged herself, raised her head and said, "Your Highness, I heard that you are going to stay in Paris for a while. Perhaps, I can continue to do routine health check-ups for you."

"Oh, that's great. Thank you so much, Dr. Perna."

The girl's face suddenly turned redder.

…

Two days later, Versailles.

Archbishop Brian looked at the "Paris Fashion Week Plan" in his hand and seemed a little absent-minded while listening to the Crown Prince describe the bright future of the fashion week.

"The initial investment for Fashion Week only requires less than 600,000 livres, and the income is expected to reach more than 4 million livres." Joseph recounted with great interest, "At the same time, the income from developing real estate around the Tuileries Palace can also reach hundreds. Thousands of livres.

"After the fashion week is over, the east hall of the Tuileries Palace can be changed into the 'Paris Business Center' and continue to bring in revenue. In the future, when the influence of the fashion week expands, the 'European Expo' can also be held here..."

Brian couldn't help but nodded, smiled and said: "Your Highness, these ideas of yours are very good. I have added the 600,000 livres budget you requested, and the transfer document for the Tuileries Palace should be sent to you tomorrow. In hand."

He suddenly took out several reports and handed them to Joseph, and then said: "Your Highness, these are the reports I have received in the past two days. Please take a look at them too."

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