Chapter 127: A Product of the Era

Zhang Shi, with a heavy heart, went to court again to report to Liu Ju.

"Your Majesty, although we have successfully isolated penicillin, turning it into a medicine is fraught with difficulties. Penicillin's stability is extremely poor; even if we try adding preservatives like honey and salt, during high‑temperature concentration it still easily fails, making it impossible to produce a stable drug."

His voice was full of frustration.

The court fell silent at once; the officials looked at each other, their faces worried.

Just then, a ritual official reported that Dongfang Shuo, accompanied by his fangshi friends, had hurried over to pay his respects.

Before long, Dongfang Shuo entered the main hall and, bowing to Liu Ju, said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Liu Ju quickly helped Dongfang Shuo up, saying that since their parting at Shuofang last time, he had not seen him for a long while.

He had originally thought Dongfang Shuo would follow Emperor Wu of Han far to the Western Regions to expand territory, but instead he had traveled all over the world and has now returned at this time.

After bowing, Dongfang Shuo said, "Your Majesty, I have heard that the imperial physicians are stuck in their research, so I consulted urgently with a few fangshi friends; perhaps we can find a solution."

A flicker of surprise crossed Liu Ju's eyes; he quickly said, "Manqian Qing, you've come at just the right time—speak quickly."

He naturally knew Dongfang Shuo had wide connections and might really bring some good ideas.

"Commoner pays respects to Your Majesty."

At this moment, the fangshi Gongsun Yu, standing beside Dongfang Shuo, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, we believe penicillin easily fails at high temperature; the key is lacking a suitable protective medium and a low‑temperature concentration method."

He drew a delicate silk pouch from his bosom and continued, "This is a special moss we discovered while gathering herbs in the deep mountains; it has strong water‑retention and stability, and could serve as a protective medium for penicillin. Mixing penicillin with the moss might resist the high‑temperature effect."

Another fangshi, Li Yichen, added, "As for the concentration problem, we thought of using water's evaporation. In a sealed container, place the penicillin solution; heat the bottom with a low flame, cool the top with running cold water to create a hot‑cold cycle inside. Thus the water can evaporate slowly, allowing the penicillin to concentrate at a relatively low temperature, reducing the risk of failure."

Liu Ju rose in surprise and hurriedly asked, "Mr. Li, how do you know so much about physics?"

Li Yichen bowed and said respectfully, "In earlier years, when Your Majesty was in Xianyang, I heard of many wise deeds and thus went there, hoping to study through friends' connections at the Xianyang National Defense University."

"Your Majesty's method of dividing all learning into disciplines is simply a heavenly‑human stratagem; it will surely be celebrated for generations and shade myriad ages!"

After Li Yichen finished, he actually dropped to his knees before Liu Ju and performed three deep bows.

Liu Ju quickly helped Li Yichen up, saying, "For the Great Han to have a talent like Mr. Li is my fortune and the blessing of all the people."

He still underestimated the wisdom of the ancients; perhaps their grasp of scientific knowledge is not like today's, but they were merely limited by this era.

For example, under his guidance, Zhang Shi successfully extracted artemisinin, and the invention of the Yellow River Spinning Machine are also prime examples.

Upon hearing Li Yichen say that,

Zhang Shi and the imperial physicians, upon hearing it, felt hope ignite in their eyes.

Liu Ju then nodded slightly and said, "This method seems feasible, Zhang Ai Qing; you may try it right away."

Then he turned to Dongfang Shuo and the others, saying, "Manqian Qing, gentlemen, come with me to the laboratory to have a look."

Several people again followed Zhang Shi and the imperial physicians to the laboratory.

Back in the laboratory, Zhang Shi and the imperial physicians immediately began the experiment according to the fangshi's suggestions.

Liu Ju, Dongfang Shuo, and the others watched attentively from the side.

The imperial physicians carefully mixed the penicillin with the special moss, placed it in a sealed container, and set up the heating and cooling devices as Li Yichen had said.

Everyone held their breath, eyes fixed on the apparatus.

Under everyone's tense gaze, time seemed to stretch endlessly.

The low flame beneath the sealed container flickered lightly, licking the bottom, while the cold water above kept cooling, gradually forming a hot‑cold cycle inside the container.

Zhang Shi's hands trembled slightly; he stared fixedly at the container, his forehead beaded with fine sweat.

The imperial physicians beside him also dared not breathe, eyes unblinking on the apparatus, as if afraid to miss any tiny change.

Dongfang Shuo stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm, yet his eyes showed a hint of tension and anticipation.

He occasionally turned his head to look at Liu Ju, seemingly seeking comfort and confidence from the emperor's demeanor.

Liu Ju, meanwhile, stood straight, his gaze fixed firmly on the apparatus, his heart both yearning for success and wary of the unknown outcome.

This was not merely a simple experiment; it was crucial to the outcome of the southern campaign and the lives of countless soldiers.

It also directly determined the medical standard of the Great Han, affecting millions, and was the most vital link in his forthcoming grand plan.

As time passed, the water inside the container began to evaporate slowly, forming a thin mist.

Zhang Shi's heart rose to his throat; he clenched his fists so tightly his nails almost dug into his palms.

The imperial physicians also unconsciously leaned forward, wanting to see more clearly.

Finally, when the water inside the container had completely evaporated, Zhang Shi carefully opened it.

A faint fragrance wafted out; inside the container lay a pale yellow layer of substance—exactly the stable penicillin preparation they had long dreamed of.

"Success!"

Zhang Shi shouted excitedly, his voice brimming with uncontainable joy and tears.

His face broke into a brilliant smile, his eyes sparkling with the light of victory.

The imperial physicians also cheered and leapt up, embracing each other, tears of joy flowing.

All the hardship and effort of these days turned at this moment into boundless joy and pride.

Dongfang Shuo's face showed a relieved smile as he bowed to Liu Ju and said, "Your Majesty, your fortune is vast, heaven blesses the Great Han, and at last we have obtained this divine medicine."

Liu Ju's face also glowed with joy and pride as he remarked, "This is the result of everyone's united effort—Zhang Shi, Dongfang Sir, and all the fangshi; none of you can be spared."

Thereafter, Liu Ju immediately ordered that the newly developed penicillin preparation undergo rapid clinical trials, and upon success be sent to the southern front.

A few days later, Zhang Shi sent the good news that the clinical trial of penicillin had succeeded.