Spy game? Stop guessing, I really am an undercover agent!

Chapter 170 You should make some friends.

"Bad news?" Chen Yang asked, puzzled.

Elsa said slowly, "The University of Sheffield has terminated the research grants for Professor Flory and Dr. Chain."

"Next, you will need to provide research and development funding for the lab yourself."

"Taylor negotiated with the other party, and the University of Sheffield will provide the laboratory with £20,000 in research funding each month."

"However, the head of the laboratory wants to increase it to £50,000."

"They believe that the drug is theoretically successful, and all that is missing is the process of mass production."

"If they had enough funding, their research and development speed would be much faster."

Chen Yang frowned slightly and tapped the table lightly with his right hand.

“Chen, I personally think you should agree to their request.” Elsa walked to the side of the room, opened the safe, took out a thin report, and gently pushed it in front of Chen Yang.

The document header reads "Penicillin Patent Assignment Agreement," and below it is an assessment report, numbered "U-38-09-14."

"What is this?" Chen Yang opened the document. Although it was all in English, Chen Yang read it without any difficulty.

"This is an evaluation report from the Royal Netherlands Academy of Sciences' laboratory located at the Medical School of Utrecht University."

"They believe that the penicillin research at the University of Sheffield has now surpassed that of the earlier Fleming team."

"The above also includes a penicillin strain purification evaluation, and its purity and stability are ready for mass production."

"Now it all depends on how much money you can offer."

"Furthermore, do you know what price Dr. von Gruber of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute in Berlin is willing to offer for this investigation report? I've heard that Marshal Göring has a great personal interest in any 'miracle drug' that can reduce non-combat casualties among Imperial soldiers."

Chen Yang asked in surprise, "Marshal Göring, isn't he an air force leader?"

“You still know him?” Elsa was a little surprised, but then smiled and said, “But don’t forget, Göring was not only a field marshal but also the head of the German Scientific Research Council.”

"You could say he's a remarkable person."

“Let me tell you another secret: he wasn’t the only one interested. In fact, when Taylor was in contact with the head of the penicillin laboratory, he had already discovered that the British were also very interested in it.”

"Unfortunately, these noble lords have been holding back on the procedures. You're lucky. I've read all the reports. If this thing is officially mass-produced, Chen, you'll be the next richest man in the world."

"So you shouldn't worry about these things now, but rather increase your investment."

Chen Yang stared at Elsa and said, "Your Highness, you have been urging me to increase investment and mass-produce penicillin, and you have even used your connections to conduct various evaluation reports. I think you must have other ideas."

“We’re partners, collaborators, shouldn’t you tell me what’s on your mind?”

Elsa was stunned for a moment. At this moment, her once calm, deep blue eyes revealed a hint of surprise and a little panic.

In an instant, her back seemed to stiffen, her knuckles turned white from the force and trembled slightly.

She seemed to be trying her best to hide her emotions and avoid arousing Chen Yang's suspicion.

However, Chen Yang's eyes were like sharp swords, piercing straight into Elsa's heart.

"Fine, I knew I couldn't hide it from you." Elsa's expression was somewhat serious. She walked to the window and with a whoosh, pulled back the heavy curtains.

The intense afternoon light flooded the room, dispelling the gloom and clearly illuminating Elsa's stunning profile.

Outside the window, the streets of the French Concession maintained a deliberate facade of prosperity, with trams clanging and well-dressed people hurrying by. Elsa's gaze passed over the canopies of plane trees and the spires of Gothic buildings, turning northeast to the group of tall buildings standing on the opposite bank of the Suzhou Creek.

Chen Yang just watched her quietly, as if waiting for her answer.

After a long pause, Elsa said slowly, "Chen, you are the smartest Chinese man I have ever met. I really need penicillin, so I did a lot of it."

“I know its value, but those idiots in the Dutch royal family treat it like a regular anti-inflammatory drug. They think sulfonamides are enough to deal with the current inflammation.”

"They don't care about investing a lot of money to research and develop new drugs; they even think that a princess is using her status to force them to make a choice."

"A bunch of blind good-for-nothings."

Elsa cursed angrily, then said in a deep voice, "I have no other demands. Penicillin has always belonged to you. I just hope to have a small share."

"Taylor and I together should get at least 20 percent. You can control those shares, and we just need to get the profits."

"In exchange, Taylor suggested to me that we could use a portion of Shell's shares as a deal."

Chen Yang suddenly smiled: "Your Highness, we are indeed partners, and I also greatly admire Your Highness."

"However, I'd like to ask you, now that you understand the value of penicillin, do you think Shell's shares can be exchanged for 20% of the shares?"

Elsa remained silent for a long time before saying, "Chen, I know this value doesn't align with your interests."

“However, I think you need me right now. Once the value of penicillin is discovered, you won’t be able to protect it with your current strength.”

"I can help you weave a protective net before the drug's efficacy is disclosed."

"You know, those British noblemen won't easily do business with a merchant who has no background."

“I believe I can absolutely help you in this regard and find you a protective shield.”

Oil, pharmaceuticals, protective umbrellas...

Chen Yang fell into deep thought again, as if weighing the value of these things.

After a long pause, he smiled and said, "Your Highness, I believe you are right."

“Okay, I think we can continue to work together. I can give you and Taylor 20 percent of the shares, but we have to sign an agreement to hold these shares on your behalf.”

"Also, you can trade me Shell shares. I'd like to know what Taylor will offer in return. He's very shrewd and capable, but that's not enough to prove that penicillin is indispensable to him."

Elsa seemed to have anticipated Chen Yang's words and smiled, "Taylor has gone back to sell his William Castle. He raised 300,000 pounds and only asked for 5% of the shares."

"As for the shares you mentioned being held on behalf of others, Taylor said you would definitely do that."

"So, we've already prepared the documents."

As she spoke, Elsa took out the documents she had prepared beforehand.

Chen Yang took the document, glanced at its contents and the final signature, picked up the pen on the table, and quickly signed his name.

Now, he is deeply intertwined with Elsa, or rather, with the Dutch royal family.

Elsa looked at Chen Yang's signature on the document and smiled, "Chen, thank you. Well then, you should get to know more people from now on."

(End of this chapter)