Chapter 244
Soon, someone compiled the specific data. One-third of the government staff had been affected. They had all taken medication by now, and no serious consequences occurred.
Cao Guoxiang was also furious. "Investigate strictly. The nature of this is too vile. If someone actually poisoned us, we'd all be done for."
The first suspect capable of causing so many people to get diarrhea was the cafeteria. The cafeteria had already been secured, and samples of the leftover food from lunch had been packed and sent away for testing.
"It doesn't seem like a disaster caused by greed."
If the food had really spoiled, it would have smelled awful. It was impossible that so many government employees ate it without anyone noticing, right?
But if it was intentional poisoning for revenge, it seemed too childish, no different from playing house. Cao Guoxiang glanced at Nan Sheng. "Do you think it could be a warning from the provincial government?"
Nan Sheng was speechless. "How stupid would they have to be to do something like this?"
Before the truth was investigated, the government unified its internal statement, claiming that the cafeteria food was simply not fresh and a few people got upset stomachs. No one was allowed to spread rumors and cause panic.
However, in the following days, dedicated personnel were assigned to inspect the food and water sources, and this situation never happened again.
The document for Huaishan County's second application for the compound fertilizer trial had arrived long ago. The city had written down the approved town names and application quantities and delivered them to Nan Sheng, with Huaishan County prominently listed.
The city leaders even called to express their concern, saying that if the production quota couldn't be met, she shouldn't feel pressured; at worst, they could just cut some trial quotas.
One day, Nan Sheng was working in her office when Cao Guoxiang knocked and came in. "Is there a result?"
Cao Guoxiang nodded with a bitter look. "The ingredients were not fresh."
Nan Sheng elegantly rolled her eyes. Who were they trying to fool?
Cao Guoxiang added, "But there's a rumor that the people involved have already been dealt with. It's just that due to the nature of the incident, it's not convenient to announce it."
Soon, it was the spring plowing season in Rongcheng. The compound fertilizer from the fertilizer plant was successively transported away. Moreover, the government sent people to guard each experimental plot to ensure the accuracy of the experimental data.
"The effect of relying solely on fertilizer is limited. Cultivating good seeds is also of utmost importance."
Secretary Cao expressed his understanding, but right now he was just a small county party secretary and couldn't launch two major projects at the same time. After all, government funds were limited, and cultivating good seeds wasn't something that could be accomplished overnight.
"Let's wait a bit longer. We can't try to run before we learn to walk."
Spring passed and autumn arrived, and good news poured in from all over. The effect of the compound fertilizer was astonishingly good. Compared to the fertilizers currently produced by the state, it could nearly double the yield.
What did this mean? The common people who used to be so poor they could only drink corn mush would now be able to eat thick porridge. They wouldn't feel the uncomfortable emptiness in their stomachs after just a few trips to the bathroom.
Furthermore, this compound fertilizer was suitable for a wide range of areas. Except for a few regions where crop yields were less than ideal, it received great feedback everywhere else. In other words, it could absolutely be mass-produced!
The leaders in Rongcheng now walked with a spring in their step. Such an achievement that benefited the country and the people was a solid political track record. Everyone involved with the compound fertilizer received attention and commendation.
"What, we're going to the provincial capital for a meeting? Isn't the occasion a bit too grand?"
Cao Guoxiang's hands trembled with excitement. "We have to thank you for handing over all the production materials for the compound fertilizer so the country can mass-produce it. It's not just the two of us; Old Wu and the others have also been invited, and there will be a special bus to pick us up."
Cao Guoxiang had also heard some rumors that he might be promoted to the city. The city and provincial leaders valued Nan Sheng even more, but she was hard to figure out. Before understanding her true thoughts, they wouldn't transfer her casually.
They were afraid she might suddenly say, "I'm not going," which would make the situation very awkward.
Lin Han had gone out on two missions over the past half year, both of which were close calls but ultimately safe. As a new recruit, Sicheng had suffered a lot. He pretended to be strong in front of his comrades, but his eyes would turn red every time he saw Lin Han.
New recruits didn't have family leave, but they had regular rest time. Every time Nan Sheng returned to the family compound, she would make something delicious. If Sicheng couldn't come out, she would have Lin Han take it back to him.
Over the past half year, Nan Sheng watched his eyes change from ignorant to resolute, and his body grew much stronger. If he went home now, Zhou Wei would probably sigh and wonder, Is this still my youngest son?
"Second Aunt, you won't be transferred to the city this time, will you?"
Sicheng looked at his Second Uncle. When his Second Aunt was in the county town, the two rarely saw each other. If she was transferred to the city, it would be even harder for them to meet.
"Why are you looking at me? Eat your food."
Lin Han scolded Sicheng and immediately stated his own attitude, "Wife, if you can be transferred to the city, it's a great thing. You absolutely must not refuse."
The little girl Siqi immediately swallowed her food. "Mom, take me, take me! I'll go with you."
Sizhe was also considering it. With his current grades, there would be no pressure even if he switched middle schools, so they might as well go together. Anyway, his dad had his second brother keeping him company here, so he wouldn't be lonely.
Nan Sheng glared at her husband in annoyance. "Eat your food. I haven't even made up my mind, and you're already making decisions for me?"
Sicheng almost spat out his food, feeling a sense of sweet revenge. He had grown much closer to his Second Uncle and Second Aunt recently and knew that the two never argued or got angry at each other. Seeing his Second Uncle getting scolded made him incredibly happy.
After eating, Sicheng ran back to the military camp. When he left home, his parents had given him a hundred yuan, and the military region would also distribute a monthly allowance.
The first month he received his allowance, he bought things for his Second Uncle's entire family, but ended up getting severely reprimanded. That never happened again.
He figured that since his Second Uncle wouldn't let him spend his money, he could just send it back to show filial piety to his parents. But his parents wrote back, telling him to keep it safe and save it for when he got married.
Eventually, he simply gave all his money to his Second Uncle for safekeeping. Anyway, he didn't smoke or drink, so holding onto the money was useless to him.
On the day they went to the provincial capital, the bus first arrived at the county government to pick up Nan Sheng, Cao Guoxiang, and a few experts. Old Wu and the others felt a bit uneasy; they didn't really like showing their faces in public nowadays.
"Don't worry, Old Wu. I reckon they called us over to give us a reward. Furthermore, they might invite you to the newly established fertilizer plant in the province for guidance. If you're willing to go, then go; if not, I can speak on your behalf."
The compound fertilizer concerned the people's livelihood, so the experts definitely took it seriously. Otherwise, if something went wrong, the people would suffer the loss. However, they hoped that once the fertilizer plant was on the right track, they could return to Qingjiang County.
Nan Sheng promised, "No problem. I will coordinate it."
After arriving at the provincial capital, the scene wasn't as grand as they had imagined. The leaders didn't want the experts to be surrounded by onlookers, but the rewards they deserved were not lacking at all.
Meanwhile, Nan Sheng was invited into a separate office. Inside were a few comrades dressed particularly meticulously. They were all quite a bit older than her, but their attitudes were very amiable.
"Comrade Nan Sheng, please take a seat. My surname is Tong. It's a pleasure to meet you!"
Nan Sheng thought: What kind of surname is that? He didn't even introduce his identity. Should I call him Comrade Tong?
"Uh, hello comrades, I am Nan Sheng."
"The success of the compound fertilizer has profound significance for the entire country, and we understand that the greatest credit goes to you, Comrade Nan Sheng."
Seeing Nan Sheng accept the praise without any false modesty, Comrade Tong added:
"We learned that the initial data and ratios all came from you, yet you don't seem to have any research experience. I wonder if Comrade Nan Sheng would be willing to clear up our confusion?"
Nan Sheng frantically called out to the System in her mind: Come out, come out, get ready to save my life!
The System immediately opened the encyclopedia and the technology database, ready to input the questions in real-time so it could directly provide the answers for Nan Sheng to read out.
"With the System here, there will be no mishaps!"
Nan Sheng awkwardly adjusted her hair and said guiltily, "I might just have a little bit of talent. I accidentally got some materials from an expert who wished to remain anonymous, and I understood the basic principles just by casually looking through them.
"Later, I simulated the experimental process in my dreams. It sounds quite mystical, but I am someone who loves to dream. Every time I fall asleep, it's as if I am in the most advanced laboratory, and a lot of the data was derived from that."
No matter how calm Comrade Tong and the others usually were, they couldn't help but twitch the corners of their mouths upon hearing this. They didn't deny that there were geniuses in this world, but this explanation was simply too childish.
But if they were to say she was lying, then where did the compound fertilizer come from?
"Then your experiment couldn't have succeeded on the very first try, right?"
"Of course there were times when I failed. I just did it a few more times and... and it succeeded."
Everyone: ...
You sure know how to save money. No need to buy instruments or materials; your dreams have it all.
The newly developed compound fertilizer had a bold ratio, looking as if it had only succeeded after years of research. If Nan Sheng were an old scholar who had been immersed in chemical experiments for years, no one would doubt it. But she was too young, and she even came up with some stream-of-consciousness experiment. Did that make sense?
However, they had also investigated in secret for quite a long time, and the materials indeed came from Nan Sheng herself. It was truly bizarre.
After receiving authorization, Comrade Tong spoke again, "Comrade Nan Sheng, our country's current technological development is lagging behind. According to what you said, those materials could very likely play a driving role in scientific research. I have a presumptuous request: would it be convenient for you to bring out the materials for us to observe and study?"
"Sure, but it's been a long time and the original handwriting has become blurred. What I have left now is my copied version."
"Thank you so much."
Nan Sheng acted generously and naturally, which made the several mysterious figures feel much more at ease with her. However, her life would certainly not be as relaxed in the future; the higher-ups would send people to protect Nan Sheng's safety.
It was protection, but also surveillance!
Afterwards, the provincial leaders also specially met with Nan Sheng and highly praised her. The success of the compound fertilizer this time made Rongcheng a city that attracted nationwide attention, and these leaders also felt honored.
Even if they previously felt that this young comrade had a bit of a temper, now they only found her endearing. She was still young; wasn't it normal to have a bit of personality?
There were even leaders who asked Nan Sheng if there were any other projects she wanted to launch, promising full support from the province and the city.
"I feel that if we can cultivate high-quality seeds suitable for planting in various regions and climates, it will play a greater role in meeting our country's demand for food. However, this is a long-term project that cannot be completed overnight."
The leaders were even clearer on this point. They needed to carefully plan out how much funding and manpower would be required to launch it.
But the most important thing right now was to recruit talent. "Comrade Nan Sheng, we intend to transfer you to work in the province. Are you willing?"
Nan Sheng's face was full of refusal. "Thank you very much to the leaders for your recognition, but giving me a bonus is enough. Besides, if I were transferred to the province, I probably wouldn't see my husband for half a year, which would be detrimental to our marital relationship."
Jin Xuwu had previously given the provincial leaders a heads-up, saying that Nan Sheng would not agree to a transfer. She had originally come to Rongcheng to accompany the army, so the provincial leaders were not surprised to be rejected.
Instead, they promised her, "As long as you are willing, we can transfer you over at any time. Or if you don't want to, you can transfer to other departments of the Disciplinary Inspection Commission. If you like research, we can also send you to work in the most authoritative research institute."
Nan Sheng stayed in the provincial capital for two days, during which she also visited several research institutes under the guise of observation and study. She also saw familiar faces at the research institutes.
They were the people who had talked to her on the day she first arrived in the provincial capital, all with extraordinary identities.
When she left, that Comrade Tong accompanied her back home. Nan Sheng took a cup and poured a glass of water for Comrade Tong, asking him to sit on the sofa for a moment, and then went upstairs to fetch the important materials she had copied.
She selected a portion suitable for bringing out at present, covering various directions, hoping to give the experts some inspiration to break through their current predicaments.
Comrade Tong was also somewhat shocked to see Nan Sheng bring down a thick stack of documents. He hurriedly took them, but out of politeness, he did not flip through them on the spot.
"Thank you, Comrade Nan Sheng. I will definitely keep these documents safe and let them play their proper role."
Nan Sheng also wanted to invite him to stay for lunch, but Comrade Tong indicated that the driver was still waiting outside and he needed to return as soon as possible.
Nan Sheng thought to herself, If you don't want to eat, then don't. It saves me money anyway.
It was noon now. Nan Sheng felt a bit sorry for the two children who had been living alone for the past two days. Since she wasn't going to work in the afternoon, she prepared to go buy some meat and vegetables, boil a little hot pot base, and have the hot pot they had been talking about for a long time that evening.
As for lunch, she would just casually grab a bite at a restaurant.
After school, the first to come home was Siqi. Seeing the front door closed, she thought Nan Sheng hadn't come home yet. The anticipation on her face immediately vanished, and she didn't even have the energy to walk.
When exactly is Mother coming back?
However, when she opened the door, she realized something was wrong. The lock on the house door was gone. Her brother wouldn't be back at this time, so was the person inside her father or her mother...
When she darted into the house and smelled the hot pot, she excitedly ran to the kitchen without even needing to see the person. "Mother, I missed you so much!"
Nan Sheng was serving rice. She used one hand to rub the little girl's head. "Stop acting spoiled. Go change your clothes and wash your hands. We'll eat as soon as your brother gets back."
Siqi chuckled, grabbed her schoolbag, and ran back to her room in a few quick steps. She came back down in less than five minutes.
"Mother, why were you gone for so long? Father came back yesterday and stayed with us for a night."
"Mother was only away for a few days and you couldn't handle it? What will you do when you go to college in the future!"