Chapter 8, The Wounds of the Empire

However, the responses from these generals and marshals deeply saddened the Chief Minister. They opened their mouths to speak of various difficulties. There were claims of insufficient troop strength, inadequate supplies, and limited transportation capacity, among others. In short, they incessantly demanded military funding from the Chief Minister, insisting on the need for more funds. As for engaging in battle, that would require further discussion, further discussion

Irritated, Zhang Cheng got up to grab his backpack, intending to play some mobile games to pass the time. However, when he opened the backpack, he unexpectedly remembered that there was a small box of commonly used family medicine tucked away in the lining zipper.

In the face of the threat of war from the German Empire, it became necessary to relinquish the colonies in Germany. This left the Prime Minister, who had been in power for twenty years, utterly exhausted.

Lying down in his own apartment, Zhang Cheng furrowed his brows, contemplating how he could change his circumstances. He did not have any family background, and in order to succeed, he could only start by acquiring wealth.

The situation of the Ming Empire appears to be far worse than Zhang Cheng had imagined

Looking at the box of amoxicillin, which is incredibly precious in this era, Zhang Cheng forced a bitter smile at the corner of his mouth and said, "Unless it is sold to a wealthy benefactor for saving a life, or to the emperor, what can this bottle do? How am I supposed to explain the source of the medicine? It's frustrating"

How far can the things that the Germans are capable of still be for them

The Ming Empire, which was able to dominate the world for centuries as the Empire on which the sun never sets, relied heavily on its vast overseas colonies that continuously provided resources to the homeland. The fact that such an important and lucrative colony was handed back is sufficient to demonstrate the dire predicament faced by the Ming Empire at this time

Zhang Cheng spent the entire night in a state of restlessness, unable to sleep at all. As soon as the sky began to brighten, he rushed out of the Blue Rose Hotel with red eyes and shouted, "Library!"

If it were not for the fact that it is already late in the day, the library and other places for information inquiry would have closed. Zhang Cheng would certainly have rushed to consult the materials in a frenzy to prove his judgment

Sulfanilamide, derived from the leather dye Balanos, is an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drug that can effectively kill streptococci and treat fatal conditions such as septicemia. It is also a valuable medication comparable to gold

Zhang Cheng could no longer bear the incessant chatter of the rickshaw puller. The expansion of the Kiel Canal was merely an excuse. The crux of the matter was that the power of the Ming Empire was in decline, and the empire could no longer maintain control over the colonies of powerful nations. This was a reluctant compromise and concession! This is also why those Englishmen were so excited.

What is going on?" Zhang Cheng, with a puzzled expression, sat in the rickshaw and looked towards the distant crowd that was cheering and singing joyful songs as they surged past. He asked in confusion.

At this time, the Ming Empire was far more weakened than it appeared on the surface. Centuries of rigidity and the monopolization of power by noble families directly led to the rapid decline of the empire. Conflicts in various aspects became increasingly acute. Each province and overseas colony harbored its own intentions, and the strength of the nation was dispersed, making it fundamentally impossible to unify.

Moreover, this matter will inevitably provoke extremely far-reaching consequences. Under the oppression of the Ming Empire, the various countries of Europe, already filled with indignation, will undoubtedly take the initiative to strike, testing the limits of the Ming Empire and continuously forcing it to yield its rightful interests

The core of the Ming Empire, located thousands of miles away, the imperial capital

Sigh... The exhilaration that had just risen quickly dissipated, and Zhang Cheng helplessly sat back on the bed. He cast his gaze towards several other medications, shaking his head in resignation.

Zhang Cheng excitedly took out the medicine box. He had not paid attention when the company distributed it and had casually stuffed it into his backpack. He did not expect that it would actually be brought along at this moment

Once such matters begin, there is no other way to conclude them except through war

The ups and downs of life come too quickly. Zhang Cheng, feeling irritated, was gripping his hair tightly, contemplating whether he should drink some alcohol to relieve his frustration. Suddenly, he lifted his head and fixed his piercing gaze on the amoxicillin in his hand. A smile slowly crept onto his lips, "Before amoxicillin was invented, there seemed to be another very valuable medication, sulfanilamide! This should be quite manageable, right?"

In such a situation, what difference does it make even if one is the Prime Minister

Please, please. There must be abundant opportunities, and no one has discovered sulfanilamide yet. Please, please. " Zhang Cheng clasped his hands together in utmost sincerity, praying to the myriad deities in the sky, asking for their blessing to successfully earn his first bucket, no, his first mountain of gold

Another day has passed. As the clouds roll and unfold in the distant sky, and the fiery red sunset spreads across the azure sky, Zhang Cheng walks out of the library with a proud demeanor and a vigorous stride.

In this era where sepsis remains an incurable disease, Zhang Cheng seems to have already glimpsed endless wealth rushing towards him

As a person of Huaxia, no matter the time or space, Zhang Cheng's heart grew heavy. The fate of the nation is always intertwined with that of the individual. When the nation is weak, the individual is regarded as the sick man of East Asia. When the nation is strong, one is considered a person of high status, someone who can enter parks reserved for the nobility, where even the barbarians and dogs are not allowed to enter

After so many years of development, the army of the Ming Empire has gradually become a private force for various factions. The power that the empire can mobilize is very limited. Each faction, in addition to requiring military funding, serves its own interests. Transporting goods by warships has become trivial, and the number of cases involving the trafficking of military supplies is countless

After spending an entire day in the library poring over materials until feeling dizzy and disoriented, Zhang Cheng returned to his suite after dark, filled with frustration and disappointment.

Penicillin, is there any other drug that can be more valuable than penicillin and lead to easier wealth?

Early the next morning, Zhang Cheng set out early to the largest library in the concession to search for information, where all kinds of materials were available

Oh, sir, haven't you seen today's newspaper?" The rickshaw puller, with a prominent nose, deep-set eyes, and blue irises, replied while pulling the cart, "Today's newspaper states that the Great Ming Empire has officially signed the revised Berlin Treaty with the German Empire, returning Schleswig-Holstein to the German Empire for the second expansion of the Kiel Canal. The German Empire has become the second country on the European continent, after France, to fully reclaim its colonies. The blue-eyed rickshaw puller continued while pulling the cart, "Today's newspaper states that the Great Ming Empire has officially signed the revised Berlin Treaty with the German Empire, returning Schleswig-Holstein to the German Empire for the second expansion of the Kiel Canal. The German Empire has become the second country on the European continent, after France, to fully reclaim its colonies. I heard that Germany is...

The empire has decayed to this extent, what else can I do? I can only patch things up. As for reputation, what need is there for reputation for the sake of this country?" The Chief Minister, with his eyes closed, said decisively.

For Zhang Cheng at this moment, what is important is that compared to the serendipitous discovery of penicillin, sulfa drugs are much simpler to produce. As long as there is Bailangduoxi, sulfa drugs can be manufactured!

Zhang Cheng was panting heavily, and after finally calming his excited emotions, he turned and walked slowly towards the medicine bookshelf. He was searching for proof of the existence of sulfanilamide, which at that moment did not yet exist

First and foremost, it is essential to have money

"Adult, no one can understand you." A confidant of the Prime Minister said with some emotion from a luxuriously decorated carriage leaving the palace

Traditional businesses are certainly not viable. After so many years of development, they have long been monopolized by others. One can only seek out things that have not yet emerged. What can quickly generate a large amount of wealth? Zhang Cheng furrowed his brows and pondered for a long time, yet he came up empty-handed. As fatigue washed over him, he decided to wait until tomorrow to look for some information and see what he could find.

His inference is correct. There is no specific medication for treating sepsis, no anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs, and no sulfonamides

"You must bless me." Zhang Cheng, with an anxious expression, rushed into the library and directly pounced on the dye bookshelf. In the dye catalog, he saw the name Bai Lang Duo Xi!

After a long sigh, Zhang Cheng found the introduction page of Bai Lang Duo Xi.

When the Germans issued a threat of war, the Prime Minister immediately convened the senior commanders of the navy and army to inquire whether they could protect the interests of the Empire

"Do I really have to become a police officer?" Zhang Cheng thought with frustration. If he were in the modern world, he would probably be thrilled to jump up at the opportunity to become a police officer. However, since he has already crossed over, he must accomplish something significant. Becoming a police officer is something Zhang Cheng cannot accept.

It is almost time to move out. After counting the money he had left, Zhang Cheng shook his head helplessly. The cost of living here is quite high, and the suite he is staying in is particularly expensive. If he continues to live here, the money he has will likely not last long.

Cold medicine, Banlangen, Yunnan Baiyao, adhesive bandages, what is this? Calcium tablets? What is the use of this thing? Hmm? This is! Amoxicillin capsules! Great! Zhang Cheng was so excited holding a box of amoxicillin that he nearly jumped up.

Hmph! The emperor, who had long since become a mere symbolic figure many years ago, looked at the Prime Minister, the most powerful official in the empire, with a heart ablaze with fury that had no outlet. He could only let out a heavy cold snort, fling his sleeve, and storm away in anger

Within the Forbidden City, which has been inherited for hundreds of years, an elderly man in traditional Chinese attire slowly lowered his head and bowed to the young emperor seated on the dragon throne, whose face was filled with anger. "All responsibility for this matter lies with this old minister; I am willing to bear all the consequences for it."

Zhang Cheng let out a soft sigh, leaning back against the car. The cheers of the Englishmen in the distance gradually faded away. His initially excited mood began to calm down.

Medicine! Zhang Cheng's breathing suddenly became rapid, and he raised his hand to slap his forehead with force. In focusing solely on industry, he actually forgot about the super-profitable sector of pharmaceuticals

After several centuries of development and cultural exchanges with various European countries, the Ming Empire, which had already seen the emergence of capitalist sprouts before Zheng He's voyages to the West, had now transformed into a fully capitalist world. Here, having wealth equates to possessing everything

The azo dye is combined with a sulfonamide to form an orange-red compound, a red dye for textiles that does not fade after washing and exposure to sunlight. That's right, it is!

"That's not right." Zhang Cheng furrowed his brow and murmured softly, "I remember that penicillin was discovered by chance? Amoxicillin is a semi-synthetic product of penicillin. I'm not a medical student, how is this stuff made? So, there is only this one bottle?"

To return from the library to the Blue Rose Hotel, one must pass through Victory Road, on the other side of which lies the foreign concession. At this moment, countless local English people have gathered outside the concession, desperately waving banners and flags, loudly shouting slogans, causing great anxiety among the garrison stationed nearby. It appears as if a grand celebration is taking place.

The Prime Minister, named Zhang Yue, hails from Songjiang Prefecture and has served as the Prime Minister of the Empire for twenty years. Over the years, this elder has been striving to maintain the stability of the Empire. Unfortunately, very few people are able to understand him. In fact, many have been criticizing him for betraying the interests of the Empire. Yet, how many truly understand the complexities of the situation?