Despite Elder Dan's words, he still offered a word of criticism: "It's still a low-grade pill, but its effects are comparable to a mid-grade one. You're practically being fed by the heavens."
"One can become a master within a year."
Zhu Fanfan asked, puzzled, "Grandpa Dan, what is that circle of light?"
She had read many novels, but she didn't know that elixirs could be used to enhance one's appearance, nor did she know what would happen.
Elder Dan did not answer, but asked, "Is there anything different about your state of mind when you are refining pills compared to usual?"
Zhu Fanfan thought for a moment and said, "When I was refining pills, I thought, with such a good cauldron and such a high-level flame, wouldn't it be a waste if I couldn't refine good pills? Besides, Brother Xi Yan's fire is a bit too strong. I was thinking about how to control it, which was quite a lot of effort. I also had to make sure the medicinal herbs didn't fail to fuse properly."
Elder Dan thought for a moment and said, "After you've rested, we'll refine another batch. Don't put too much pressure on yourself; Danxia isn't so easy to refine."
Danxia pills are made when the medicinal herbs have reached their maximum effect and there are no impurities. This is recorded in books and is considered a top-grade pill. Yuanqi pills use fewer medicinal herbs and are not too difficult to make. They do not require too much spiritual energy. He can usually make high-grade ones, but he has never succeeded in making a top-grade one, even the simplest pill.
Not only him, but no one else has ever been heard of successfully refining it. If Fanfan really succeeds in refining it, he will probably need bodyguards specially sent by the Dragon Group to protect him. Such a genius cannot be discovered, for fear that others will harm him. Genius teenagers have always been the focus of protection.
Zhu Fanfan felt that Grandpa Dan underestimated her; she didn't seem to be under any pressure at all.
Elder Dan took out his Taoist temple's books to teach Zhu Fanfan. When Zhu Fanfan had recovered enough, he refined another batch. As expected, this time there was no Danxia (a type of alchemical process).
Elder Dan comforted him, saying, "The quality of the pills has improved. If you continue to progress like this, you will soon be able to graduate."
There are countless types of pills, but the methods of refining them are roughly the same. However, some medicinal materials have more energy, and decomposing their medicinal properties and fusing them with other medicinal materials requires more mental energy, making them difficult to refine. It is already quite remarkable that Fanfan can refine low-level pills.
Zhu Fanfan nodded; she also felt that she had made rapid progress and was very capable.
The two of them tacitly kept the bear-killing a secret from their families, so the two adults in the Zhu family didn't interfere much since Zhu Fanfan was happy every day. Elder Dan taught very diligently, and Fanfan studied very hard, making visible progress. Even the dean would come over at night to reinforce Zhu Fanfan's medical skills.
Time passed slowly, and soon it was the end of the year. Calls for help regarding the disaster came in like snowflakes once again, and a layer of gloom hung over the capital. The New Year was just around the corner, but no one had any enthusiasm for the holiday. They all knew that there was a food shortage.
Zhu Fanfan found Zhu Jiabao: "Grandpa, I've stored up a lot more food. Can you help me out of this predicament?"
She had been studying for the past six months, squeezing in time whenever possible. The environment in the compound was relatively peaceful, and she almost forgot that this was the worst three-year period of natural disasters.
Zhu Jiabao could only manage a wry smile: "This can only be a temporary solution. There are hundreds of millions of people in the country, not to mention those not included in the statistics. Moreover, food supplies should be prioritized for cities..."
The most deaths occurred in rural areas. Grain is produced and grown in rural areas, and after it matures, it is prioritized for supplying cities. Now, people are starving to death, and farmers are the ones who die the most. It is heartbreaking to think about, but there is nothing that can be done. In rural areas, as long as there are mountains, trees, or grass, there is a chance to survive. In cities, without food, there is only one way out: death.
Zhu Fanfan also said helplessly, "Grandpa, we don't have the ability to inspect the whole country, we can only solve part of the problem."
She knew that food couldn't save everyone, but she would save as many as she could. After all, they were all human lives.
Zhu Jiabao was troubled: "Let me think about it, there must be a solution."
Before they could find a solution, Ming Yunshu arrived. Upon seeing Zhu Jiabao, he felt very guilty: "Uncle Zhu, I'm sorry, I let it slip. The minister wants you to find a way to get food."
Zhu Jiabao hurriedly asked what happened, and Ming Yunshu told him about how he had been tricked into talking. It started when the minister asked him to chat. He was very nervous, afraid that he would say something wrong, and dared not say much. The minister noticed his nervousness and chatted with him about everyday things. As they talked, he relaxed and somehow the conversation turned to the matter of the last grain donation. He couldn't help but say that the person who donated the grain had contacted Uncle Zhu.
Zhu Jiabao looked at Ming Yunshu with considerable helplessness: "Didn't you realize that they were deliberately trying to trick you into revealing information?"
Who is the minister? He was Yun Shu's former boss, a seasoned veteran who has seen countless people. Yun Shu is smart but inexperienced. If the minister had set a trap, it would be strange if he hadn't fallen into it. The topic of donating grain must have been brought up by the minister first, and he was guided to say it. Yun Shu just went along with it, and eventually he said everything.
Ming Yunshu nodded: "I can see that. I've been on guard, but I just couldn't keep up."
Zhu Jiabao patted Ming Yunshu on the shoulder: "Alright, this matter can't be kept secret. Do you think it went so smoothly last time because of your contribution in contacting people to donate grain? The old leaders aren't blind. They noticed something was wrong, but since it didn't harm the country and was even beneficial, they turned a blind eye. Everyone here is a sensible person."
After the last grain donation, the old leader had a special talk with him to confirm whether he really didn't want credit for the donation. The two didn't make things clear, but just tested each other. The old leader was sure that he really didn't want credit, which is why he was able to assign credit to Ming Yunshu so smoothly, and also erase all traces of his involvement. That's why he was able to clear his name so cleanly, and no one could find out.
The fact that the old leader spoke up this time meant that there was a serious food crisis and there was really no other way. He felt it was his duty to help the country in its time of need. Fortunately, Fanfan had accumulated a lot of food, and since the old leader was willing to vouch for him, he was naturally happy to cooperate.
Ming Yunshu still felt guilty. He knew that Uncle Zhu didn't want to cause trouble, so he took the credit for it, but he messed things up.
Zhu Jiabao comforted him, saying, "Don't worry about this. I'll talk to your minister first, and then you can just cooperate with the grain donation."
Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, everyone has been so busy with national construction that they haven't even had time to eat, let alone get together. This is a good opportunity to catch up with the old leader and, incidentally, plan how to get rid of him. He's still afraid of exposing Fanfan.
After seeing Ming Yunshu off, Zhu Jiabao asked Zhu Fanfan, "Fanfan, would you like to go horseback riding?"
Zhu Fanfan looked at her grandfather excitedly: "Do we have a horse?"
Zhu Jiabao found it amusing: "Now everything belongs to the country, how could our family possibly own a horse?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com