Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 346 The Envoys' First Glimpse of the Microscopic World!
More than half a year ago, when allicin was developed, the development of penicillin was already on the agenda.

Compared to the production and purification of allicin, the development of penicillin is more than twice as difficult.
Fortunately, Zhang Yunxiu had already provided the researchers with the right direction, and when they encountered wrong paths, he was often able to help them get back on track, so the research progress was still rapid.

Extracting penicillin from citrus fruits and other similar plants is no longer a technical challenge. Laboratories at Xishan Medical College and Renmin Medical Center can extract small amounts of penicillin completely.

Clearly, even with the best efforts of Yuan Zongdao and others, it is still a long and arduous road for penicillin to meet the requirements of clinical trials.

However, it was still possible to broaden the horizons of these envoys from vassal states through the effects of penicillin.

Yuan Zongdao explained very seriously: "This so-called penicillin is derived from the research idea of ​​allicin. In our research, we discovered that there are not only allicin, but also Penicillium, which can inhibit the growth of pathogens."

Following a scientific approach, since Penicillium can act on bacteria, wouldn't it be possible to extract the active ingredients from Penicillium to help treat a variety of bacterial diseases?

"Currently, this penicillin has not been used on humans, and its effects and side effects are still unknown. However, one thing is certain: this penicillin is far superior to allicin."

We achieved excellent results in treating the sows kept in the Xishan pen!

His explanation left the envoys completely bewildered.

What penicillin? What bacteria? Bacteria can cause disease? Are bacteria some kind of monster or demon?
It can be said that, given the current level of understanding in various countries, even if the Ming Dynasty were to completely disclose all the principles and methods of production, they would still find it difficult to comprehend what the Ming Dynasty was actually doing.

Hosokawa Iya's eyes were filled with golden light, and she couldn't help but sigh.

"Bacteria! Allicin! Penicillin! These are words that have appeared in the newspapers before. Could we really see them today?"

Hosokawa Yusai was somewhat surprised: "Allicin? Is that the panacea?"

“It’s not some kind of miracle drug,” Hosokawa Iya corrected. “It’s a special medicine with strong effects on bacterial diseases and inflammation. It has no effect on other ailments, but just for that reason alone, it can save countless people.”

Hosokawa Yusai remained silent, but his gaze toward the experimental equipment grew increasingly intense.

Yuan Zongdao gave a brief introduction, but found that most people only had a vague understanding, so he simply changed the subject to the experimental equipment.

He placed an instrument, almost entirely made of brass, in front of everyone. Compared to the previous microscope, it had clearly undergone some improvements.

Yuan Zongdao spoke eloquently: "After improvements by Xishan Workshop, this microscope has made great strides. The distinction between eyepiece and objective lens has been added, the magnification has been increased to 500 times, and a new oil immersion lens has been developed."

Previously, under high magnification, the objective lens had an extremely short focal length and a very small aperture. When light entered the air from the slide, the refractive index dropped sharply, causing severe light scattering and total internal reflection. Most of the light could not enter the objective lens, naturally resulting in a dark field of view and blurry images.

The way he shook his head.

"But oil immersion lenses are quite different. By adding special grease to the lens, light can enter the objective lens with almost no refraction loss, greatly reducing light scattering and ultimately achieving a brighter and clearer image."

After hearing this, the envoys present were even more confused. They couldn't understand any of the terms "magnification scope" or anything like that, except for one thing.

This thing is awesome.

North Korean envoy Ri In-shin was very excited, but also somewhat helpless.

"Lord Yuan, this penicillin and microscope are truly amazing, but we don't quite understand them."

"Yes, yes, this is much more difficult than learning the Four Books and Five Classics or learning Chinese characters."

"Is this science? Surely our country's scholars can't understand it?"

Simply talking about theory is something that even students in later generations couldn't understand, let alone the ancients.

Zhang Yunxiu said with a smile, "Please be patient, everyone. This is just a theory. Since I have brought you all here today, I will definitely let you see the wonders of this science with your own eyes."

He looked at Yuan Zongdao and said, "Boxiu, we can start preparing now."

"Yes." Yuan Zongdao nodded respectfully, and then beckoned a group of researchers dressed in white to set up a set of experimental equipment for the envoys.

The researchers were all very respectful and performed each step meticulously.

When the North Korean envoy, Lee In-shin, saw the researchers carefully taking out a small, transparent box filled with tiny golden dots, he couldn't help but curiously stick his head out and exclaim in amazement.

"This item is indeed exquisite, a feast for the eyes!"

Yuan Zongdao, standing to the side with a serious expression, explained: "This is a Staphylococcus aureus culture dish. Staphylococcus aureus is a major pathogen that causes lung fever, epidemic toxins, jaundice, and the entry of toxins into the body."

Upon hearing this, Li Renxin retreated repeatedly, his face filled with fear, and his voice trembled slightly as he spoke.

"The lung heat and the invasion of toxins are incurable diseases, and it turns out that this substance is the cause?"

"good."

Yuan Zongdao remained expressionless. For him, explaining the principles of germs to these people was like talking to a brick wall.

"what!"

A commotion immediately broke out among the envoys; had it not been for the presence of the Wanli Emperor, they would have fled in panic.

This is the deep-seated fear of germs that people carry within them.

Emperor Wanli chuckled and said, "Please rest assured, everyone. Staphylococcus aureus is mainly transmitted through contact. If you don't come into contact with patients, it is extremely difficult for it to spread through the air. You have all taken precautions. As long as you follow the instructions, there will definitely be no problem."

At worst.

He chuckled.

"If you accidentally get infected, send yourself to Renmin Medical Clinic, and you will surely be able to save your life."

Emperor Wanli's words immediately put everyone at ease, but they still sounded a bit strange.

Seeing the envoys from the vassal states all silent and trembling, Zhang Yunxiu couldn't help but feel worried. This wouldn't do; he had to pique their interest.

He coughed twice to explain.

"Ladies and gentlemen, these Staphylococcus aureus bacteria are thousands of times smaller than mayflies. The golden dots we see with the naked eye are colonies of thousands upon thousands of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria."

The Book of Rites states, "The extension of knowledge lies in the investigation of things; when things are investigated, knowledge is extended."

The scientific method is the method of exploration and investigation; to defeat an enemy, one must first understand the enemy.

We know that Staphylococcus aureus is the source of many pathological conditions, so we need to understand it, and the microscope is the tool we need to do so.

Zhang Yunxiu pointed to the microscope and said, "This thing can reveal the true face of Staphylococcus aureus. Are there any brave souls among you who dare to be the first to witness the truth of this world?"

To the ancients, the stars in the sky were as mysterious as gods and immortals. How could something so tiny, smaller than a mayfly, be so wondrous?

In general, this should be considered divine intervention, yet it was clearly displayed before our eyes.

However, the name of that disease was so terrifying that historical records often documented how many times the Central Plains dynasties were ravaged by plagues and how many people died.

But history books will not record how many plagues and disasters have ravaged the neighboring countries, which are also in this world, but with a harsher environment and scarcer resources.

The truth is, these countries suffered from plagues far worse than those of the Ming Dynasty. A city or a country could be wiped out by the plague, and often they had no means of dealing with it at all. Those who died were not even recorded in history.

Those who stand here today are all survivors who have survived countless plagues and have a deep-seated fear of plagues and diseases.

There were also many envoys present who, after listening to Yuan Zongdao's account, stared at the golden object inside the transparent vessel and trembled with fear.

Some people even felt that the Ming Dynasty was not studying "science" at all, but rather it seemed like they were studying some kind of witchcraft from hell!

Who on earth has the power to control these germs? Won't they suffer retribution and punishment from demons?
Wouldn't it enrage the gods to try and interfere with the Heavenly Way with a mortal body?

Fortunately, the Tibetans were not here; if they were, one can only imagine the disarray they would have caused.

Zhang Yunxiu scrutinized the crowd and was surprised to find that no one dared to step forward, so he couldn't help but chuckle.

"Gentlemen, this golden opportunity is right before us, yet we remain unmoved?"

He crossed his arms.

"If anyone is willing to experience it, I will personally teach them."

The envoys looked at each other in bewilderment. Let alone step forward, the fact that they could remain in the laboratory was already a great favor to the Ming emperor and his officials.

To be honest, not only the envoys from the vassal states, but even Yu Youding, the Minister of Rites, was seeing this laboratory for the first time.

Just when the situation reached a stalemate, a crisp voice rang out.

"That...Lord Shiyuan"

Hosokawa Iya, mimicking the students he had seen in the newspaper, timidly raised his small hand, his eyes full of expectation.

"Can my daughter also participate in this experiment?"

As if afraid that Zhang Yunxiu would disagree, she quickly added.

“My daughter has learned about this experimental method from the Wanli Xinbao newspaper, so I think it shouldn’t cause any trouble.”

Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at Hosokawa Iya with admiration in their eyes.

The others also breathed a sigh of relief. After all, Emperor Wanli had spoken, and the envoys could not disobey his orders. But the germs were really frightening. With Hosokawa Iya taking action, it was a win-win solution.

Everyone was happy, but Zhang Yunxiu's expression froze instantly.

He almost forgot that Hosokawa I was also present, and it seemed he couldn't take back his promise to personally teach her.

Most importantly, Zhang Yunxiu never expected that Hosokawa Iya, a woman, would volunteer.

Just as Zhang Yunxiu was about to speak, he was interrupted by the Wanli Emperor's exaggerated laughter.

"Hahahaha~"

Whether Emperor Wanli was gloating or pleased to see someone volunteer, he spoke slowly and deliberately.

"Who says women are inferior to men? You men are not as brave as this Hosokawa envoy."
"Shiyuan, since Envoy Hosokawa has volunteered, you can't hesitate. I previously stated that you intended to take her as your apprentice, so it's only right that you properly instruct her."

Zhang Yunxiu's lips twitched. Wanli was really enjoying the show!

Before he could explain, another person spoke up leisurely.

"Shiyuan, ah~"

Zhang Juzheng had somehow appeared beside the Wanli Emperor, his hands behind his back and his expression serious.

"Science knows no gender. Since you have stated this beforehand, you should properly instruct the Hosokawa envoy so that all the envoys can witness the wonders of science in our Great Ming Dynasty. This will allow us to exchange and learn from each other in the future. This matter will also be recorded by the Ministry of Rites, serving as a testament to the reopening of friendly relations between our Great Ming Dynasty and other countries. We must not be careless about it!"

Scholars are even more annoying when they talk!

Zhang Yunxiu let out a breath. With the emperor and the prime minister both speaking, he really couldn't be coy. Besides, he wasn't some lecherous man who would tremble at the sight of a beautiful woman.

He nodded slightly and said, "In that case, Envoy Hosokawa, please come forward, and I will explain everything to you."

Hosokawa Iya, who had been looking down, suddenly raised his head upon hearing this, his face turning rosy and his eyes curving slightly.

She was a little flustered, but she still instinctively performed the proper etiquette, bowing slightly to Zhang Yunxiu and taking small steps forward.

"I hope you will offer your guidance, Master Shiyuan."

When Hosokawa Iya stood to the side, Zhang Yunxiu smelled a scent of "fragrant oil". The scent was faint and not strong, but it had a cloying and ambiguous aroma.

Zhang Yunxiu frowned slightly, focusing on his hands as he fetched the Staphylococcus aureus solution for Hosokawa Iya and applied it to the center of a glass slide.

After doing all that, he turned his gaze to Hosokawa Iya's profile and said.

Do you know the next steps?

He knew that Hosokawa Iya was extremely fond of modern learning, but he didn't know the extent to which the other party had become so fond of it.

Hosokawa Iya pursed his lips and nodded slightly.

"Then I will give it a try."

Zhang Yunxiu could notice that her hands were trembling slightly, whether from fear or nervousness, but her movements were very practiced, as if she had rehearsed it countless times.

Hosokawa Iya carefully dried the bacterial film on the slide, and then fixed it three times with the outer flame of an alcohol lamp.

All of these movements were so practiced that Zhang Yunxiu was quite amazed.

Hosokawa Iya's tension gradually subsided, and he explained softly.

"My daughter often reads the Wanli New Daily, which describes many experimental processes. She thought she could do it at home, but she couldn't reproduce it no matter what she did, even though she knew those processes by heart."

Lord Shiyuan's decision to reveal such a secret method to the public demonstrates a truly admirable magnanimity.

Hosokawa Iya spoke softly, cautiously raising his eyes to await Zhang Yunxiu's response.

But Zhang Yunxiu seemed not to notice, he merely nodded slightly and said.

“Well done. You can use the low magnification to observe the clear area, and then switch to the high magnification to fine-tune the fine focus knob.”

Hosokawa Iya was taken aback for a moment, but still followed Zhang Yunxiu's instructions and found the focus adjustment knob.

Her slender fingers trembled slightly as she took a deep breath and looked into the mirror with her left eye.

At first, it was all gray and hazy, but after adjusting the focus, light suddenly appeared before my eyes!

(End of this chapter)