How could he possibly win? The astragalus Jing Shu provided was genuine, but the red nematodes clinging to it were anything but ordinary. They carried the zombie deer virus.
She had spent some time thinking before coming up with this method. The spread of the zombie deer virus was terrifying. If she could bring this sample out early, maybe others would think of ways to deal with it. She hoped they could develop a solution before the red nematode virus rampaged half a year later.
In her previous life, China only began looking for solutions after the virus had already spread. France, on the other hand, had started research six months earlier and had already developed mature techniques.
For now, red nematodes were China's only unlimited, naturally abundant food source. Compared to the vast food reserves of developed countries like America, China's survival hinged on these bugs.
She remembered how China once sought to purchase vaccine technology from France, but France opened its lion's mouth, demanding huge amounts of grain in exchange. China refused and chose to research on its own.
By the time they finally succeeded, the torrential rains had ended, the red nematodes were gone, and the massive earthquake in the third year gave them no chance to catch their breath.
Fortunately, China had begun stockpiling bug cakes from the start, or famine would have struck in the third year.
Even with mature vaccines, large-scale production was impossible. The best they could do was preserve some larvae, breed as many as possible, and stockpile grain to reduce casualties.
Jing Shu's ability was limited. Perhaps this faint effort was all she could do to change the future.
Cheng Qingzi didn't know yet, but what she gave him was the greatest fortune of his life. Whether he could grasp it was up to him. As for those red nematodes infected with the zombie deer virus, they came from a corpse she had once hauled into her Cube Space when she discovered blood mushrooms underwater. She had a feeling it might be useful, never expecting it would let the virus appear early in China for research.
When the other side showed little concern, casually tossing the astragalus into the exhibition cabinet on the arena stage, she simply smiled and said nothing. She knew that in two days, they would be on their knees, crying and begging for a solution to the virus. She couldn't deny she enjoyed watching those helpless, panicked little expressions.
"Well then, I'll head back. See you in two days." Waving her hand, she left the Medicinal Herb Association, leaving behind a figure that seemed to say, "I'm no legend." Of course, in the eyes of others, she looked more like a fool.
The arena stage was sealed off for the next two days. Both sides would send people to inspect, though the results were already obvious. Still, the people of Ta City preserved the scene with utmost formality.
That day was another sensation at the Medicinal Herb Association. But Jing Shu's focus wasn't on this. She knew very well that her talent for medicinal plants was nothing but cheating. Without the Spirit Spring and Cube Space, she was nothing. Her only goal in joining the association was to secure the position of vice president, which would make survival in the apocalypse easier.
Her days soon grew busier.
Over two months had passed since the second year of the apocalypse, and it was time to fully carry out her plans.
For example, with the abundant rainfall this year, she had to raise silkworms. It would also give Grandma Jing something to do, keeping her from wandering out to chat with Lin Yi, that manipulative man.
"Grandma, we don't have enough clothes and quilts. We'll have to raise more silkworms. Luckily, Wu You'ai's mentor gave us some amber silkworms last year. Hundreds of larvae have hatched now. These amber silkworms are omnivorous, they'll eat most plants, and vegetable leaves will do just fine. This year, we must raise them in full force and stockpile silk for emergencies."
"Silkworms are seasonal creatures. How can they survive in this weather?"
"Seasons are all scrambled now. As long as they have enough food, they'll live. Don't worry, Grandma."
"Good. Then let's hurry. Before your brother Wei Zheng's baby is born, we'll make some silk quilts and clothes. Otherwise, the child will have nothing warm to wear."
To clothe the whole family, they would need silk from thousands of silkworms, bred over at least four generations. The vegetable leaves required would also be tremendous.
So Grandpa Jing decided to build racks on the villa's sun terrace and plant more leaves for feed. With the light simulator, a new crop would be ready in just over ten days.
Jing Shu kept some amber silkworms for herself and gave the rest to her grandmother. Inside her Cube Space, she accelerated their breeding. Otherwise, a year wouldn't be enough. Stockpiling silk would prove invaluable in the coming cold.
Silkworms were fragile. One careless moment and they would die. To ensure their survival, she diluted Spirit Spring water from No. 8 and used it to nourish them. Looking at the new batch, no bigger than maggots, she suddenly found them rather cute. Last year's golden threads had been quite good, too.
Since her grandparents were determined to raise silkworms, preparations had to be thorough. For a hundred or fewer, a box and fresh leaves were enough.
But for large-scale breeding, racks were needed, as well as stable indoor temperatures. Grandpa Jing ultimately decided to place the racks in their bedroom, where conditions were just right for easy monitoring.
As for Jing Shu, she simply cleared out a cubic meter of space, tossed in some leaves, and that was enough. Later, when there were more, she would add layers of racks.
On the third day at noon, her phone rang. It was Zhou Bapi.
"Ancestor, where are you?"
His voice was a jumble of excitement and exasperation.
"I'm at home."
"Can you come to the Medicinal Herb Association right away?"
"Oh."
She knew it must be the result of the arena test, so she set aside her chores and went.
The association was packed again, three layers deep with people.
In the center of the arena, a group clustered around a palm-sized potted plant, scribbling down plans and even breaking into fierce arguments.
Her arrival caused no stir, but Zhou Bapi, flashing his big yellow teeth, suddenly shouted from the stage, "Jing Shu, you're here! Quick, explain the problem with this astragalus to them!"
The scene instantly spiraled out of control, exploding into chaos.
"Did you know? That's the one who won three points for Wu City."
"Unbelievable! I was there that day. She really just sprayed and snapped a few times. No wonder, she comes from a family of medicine. I couldn't even understand the principle, but she had already solved it."
"That was Sanqi, you know. Look at how well it's growing."
"Now it's tied, 5 to 5."