“Then wash the activated carbon with distilled water.
“Next, adjust the solution to acidic so that the penicillin molecules turn into free state…
“Followed by extraction with alcohol, neutralize with an alkaline solution, separate the solution, and then extract with acid again…
“Finally, the product obtained after filtration is penicillin… Oh, it should be called a type-one antibiotic.”
Joseph finished in one breath, and then said, “The drug obtained should be added to the previously cultivated bacteria. If we can see the bacteria being eliminated, it means the drug is effective. If the bacteria are unaffected, then we need to modify the experimental conditions and start over.”
He was well aware that making penicillin was extremely difficult; he had only told Lamark about the basic theoretical foundation. This was like telling Columbus in the 15th century, young man, there’s a new world somewhere on this earth, go for it!
Columbus would first need to get a ship and crew, then venture into the vast ocean, trying every direction—east, west, south, and north—going through countless life-threatening dangers, plus a bit of luck, to have even a slight chance of success.
The situation Lamark was now facing was the same. Any step in the operation, for example, if the medium’s composition was inappropriate, the timing was off by even a little, the pH was slightly wrong, or even if his hand shook once, could lead to the failure of the experiment.
The most important thing was, without super strains, even if the experiment succeeded, the yield would be very poor. And cultivating the strains would take who knows how many years…
However, Joseph had all the patience in the world. No matter how long it took, as long as he came up with penicillin, it would be like holding a trump card in hand. Even if it could be prepared only in small quantities in the lab, using it to save the life of a commander on the battlefield could have a huge strategic significance!
So Mr. Lamark, say goodbye to your hair. In the coming days, you might have to live in the laboratory.
Joseph silently wished Lamark well in his mind, and then added, “Count Lamark, different strains of penicillium can produce significantly 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 felt he had said too much and hurriedly added, “Ah, never mind what mutation means. Right, I will leave you 30,000 livres for the experiments on the type-one antibiotic. I’ll allot more to you after it’s used up.”
Lamark felt something was amiss—could such an experiment really cost more than 30,000 livres?
Of course, this thought was fleeting and was completely overshadowed by his immense desire for penicillin.
Afterwards, Joseph watched Lamark repeat the production process several times. By late afternoon, around four, he felt he had said nearly everything that needed to be said and was ready to leave the workshop.
He hadn’t even stepped out of the door when his mind was once again filled with concerns about food.
The pressing issue was the potato, to promote its cultivation nationwide. This was going to be very difficult—French people had a strong aversion to potatoes.
Therefore, on top of making good propaganda, it would be best to use administrative measures to push for it, which meant he needed the support of the queen and Brian.
And to get their support, there had to be some “motivation.”
Joseph smiled slightly, such as the terrifying memory of the “flour riots.”
So, who should he find to remind them?
After pondering for a moment, he suddenly slapped his forehead—the best candidate was right beside him.
He stopped and turned to Lamark, “Count Lamark, there’s something I’d like your help with.”
“It would be an honor to be of service to you.”
Joseph said, “Could you write a report for Archbishop Brienne, predicting that there will be a severe drought this year? From the angles like abnormalities in various plants or particular climatic conditions, suggest that the government should prepare in advance.”
Lamark, already immune to the Crown Prince’s countless astonishing actions, simply looked at him and said, “You also foresee a drought coming?”
Joseph was taken aback, “You’ve noticed it, too?”
Lamark nodded, “Many signs have indeed proved this, but it shouldn’t be as serious as you said. I shall write a report to Archbishop Brienne.”
“No, you must write it more seriously!”
“Why?”
Joseph, unable to explain, could only intensify his tone, “This is very important, please make sure to do me this favor.”
Lamark, however, flatly refused, “But, Your Highness, I believe that in academic matters, I should maintain absolute honesty.”
“Uh, yes…” Joseph was somewhat helpless in the face of the biologist’s integrity.
After thinking for a moment, he smiled and said, “But you don’t have to lie at all.
“You just need to phrase it slightly differently. For example, before a prediction of a severe drought, you could add qualifiers such as ‘a certain probability’ or ‘might face such a risk.'”
Lamark paused, as strictly speaking, any event could result in countless outcomes, and pointing out one of those possibilities could also be considered rigorous academic research.
He realized there indeed was no problem in including this kind of “rigorousness” in his report…
A compromise between personal feelings and integrity was struck, and he eventually nodded hesitantly.
Joseph sincerely thanked the biologist and turned to leave, but then heard a gentle voice in front of him, “I am very pleased to meet you, Crown Prince.”
Perna, rather unusually, had donned an emerald green dress, lifting the silken floral skirt as she curtseyed to him.
“Oh, I am also very pleased to see you,” Joseph quickly nodded in response, “What brings you here?”
Perna, for some reason, blushed slightly and looked down, “I am going to start studying blood circulation with my father, and I can also help manage the laboratory on the side.”
Indeed, it wasn’t because she heard that the Crown Prince had moved to Paris and she hurried after him.
Joseph smiled and said, “With your assistance, Mr. Lamark’s experiments will surely progress much faster.”
Perna silently gathered her courage, looked up and said, “Your Highness, I heard you will be staying in Paris for a while. Perhaps, I could continue to do your regular health check-ups.”
“Oh, that would be wonderful. Thank you very much, Doctor Perna.”
Instantly, the girl’s face turned even redder.
…
Two days later, at the Palace of Versailles.
Archbishop Brienne looked at the “Paris Fashion Week Planning Document” in his hand, listening to the Crown Prince describe the bright prospects of the fashion week, but seemed somewhat distracted.
“The initial investment for Fashion Week only requires less than 600,000 livres, with expected revenues to exceed 4 million livres,” Joseph recounted enthusiastically, “At the same time, developing real estate around the Tuileries Palace could also generate income in the millions of livres.
“After Fashion Week ends, the eastern wing of Tuileries Palace could be converted into the ‘Paris Business Center’, continuing to bring in profits. Later, as the influence of Fashion Week grows, it could host the ‘All Europe Expo’…”
Brienne nodded incessantly, smiling, “Your Highness, all your ideas are very good. I have added the 600,000 livres budget you requested, and the documents for the use of Tuileries Palace should be delivered to you by tomorrow.”
Suddenly, he took out several reports and handed them to Joseph, then said, “Your Highness, these are the reports I have received in the past two days. Please take a look.”
Joseph looked down to see, the top report titled “Some Observations on This Year’s Drought”, signed by none other than Lamark.