Chapter 501
"Spirit Wheat No. 1 has a maximum yield of 2,200 jin per mu, a minimum of 1,800 jin, and an average yield of 2,000 jin per mu!"
Zheng Fa had looked into the current wheat yields in the country, which averaged around 800 jin per mu, with high-yield areas reaching about 1,200 jin at best.
Now, the yield of Spirit Wheat No. 1 far exceeded those figures.
"From a nutritional standpoint, Spirit Wheat No. 1 not only contains extremely high levels of protein and minerals," he continued.
"It also seems to have effects in reducing cardiovascular diseases," Elder Hou added, pausing for a moment. "However, this is still based on animal experiments; the specific effects require further testing."
They were cautious about what they consumed.
Before a new species was released, human trials were typically conducted. But due to the preferential resources allocated from above, the experimental processes often moved swiftly.
"In terms of cultivation conditions, the presence of spiritual energy means this variety is not picky about its growing environment and can adapt to most wheat-producing areas in the country."
As he spoke, a radiant smile blossomed on Elder Hou's face.
Even the agricultural research team behind him couldn't contain their excitement.
Some were clapping, others were gasping in awe.
But more eyes were fixed on Zheng Fa.
Everyone understood the significance of this:
In the north, people primarily eat wheat, while in the south, rice is the staple. Although there are other food options, they are not mainstream.
With the new rice variety, Jiu Shan No. 2, the Hongshan Research Institute had now cultivated high-yield, great-tasting, and nutritionally comprehensive varieties of both wheat and rice.
In ancient times, this would have been considered an immense achievement.
In modern times...
"Food security..." Elder Hou's voice trembled with barely contained excitement. "We've been talking about food security for years. Why do we keep bringing it up?"
"Because the memories of hunger run deep."
"Because foreign grain merchants have too much influence in the international food market... One word from them could leave hundreds of thousands without food."
"Even in this era of advanced technology, there are still famines in the world..."
Teacher Tian chimed in, "It's terrifying."
Zheng Fa understood this sentiment—it's the same for people. The more one emphasizes safety, the more it indicates the existence of threats in the world.
For instance, Zheng Fa was increasingly brave and fearless in the modern world, yet remained humble and precious in the Xuanwei realm.
"If these two varieties are promoted, our pursuit of food will far exceed mere safety!"
Zheng Fa turned his gaze to Tang Lingwu.
Food is the most unassuming yet crucial product in this world, and the stakes involved are anything but small.
He entrusted this to Tang Lingwu.
Tang Lingwu nodded, "Jiu Shan No. 2 has already been distributed nationwide; yield is not an issue."
"As for Spirit Wheat No. 1, if it passes the tests, it could be on the market as early as next year."
After discussing these points, Tang Lingwu focused on detailing the planting area, actual yield, market price, and profits of Jiu Shan No. 2.
Though Zheng Fa had no intention of profiting from this, the Jiu Shan Grain Company...
Let's just say, the money earned this month could fund the demolition and reconstruction of this village multiple times over.
Tang Lingwu continued, "Some people have been trying to get their hands on our seeds, but we've caught them with Aunt Yang's help."
This wasn't surprising; Zheng Fa and the others had anticipated it and had countermeasures in place.
On one hand, they would naturally catch them, just as Tang Lingwu had said.
On the other hand, it was a common tactic among grain companies—Zheng Fa's seeds were all sterile.
In simple terms, it was about controlling the flow of seeds.
After hearing about the profits from Tang Lingwu, Elder Hou and Teacher Tian exchanged surprised glances, but they remained silent, listening to Zheng Fa and Tang Lingwu.
"As for the money on the books..." Zheng Fa pondered. To be honest, given his personality, modern money didn't hold much value for him. Holding it felt almost useless—truth be told, he now viewed money merely as a number.
He was simply not interested in it!
"On one hand, the research institute's labs still need some supplies; could you help procure a few things?"
He said to Tang Lingwu, as the current development of Hongshan still relied on support from Team Leader Yang and above.
Zheng Fa wasn't worried about any fallout between the two sides, but when it came to money, they still had to pay their dues.
Tang Lingwu nodded, clearly in agreement.
"On the other hand, I also want to provide funding and bonuses for the people in the research institute."
"Money?"
Upon hearing this, Elder Hou frowned slightly, even expressing some opposition. "Director Zheng, being able to learn martial arts now and potentially cultivate immortality in the future is already enough; there's no need for this."
"Moreover, the people in the retirement home aren't lacking in money."
"I'm not doing this for now; I'm thinking about the future," Zheng Fa shook his head. "Right now, the retirement home is filled with accomplished individuals, so they don't really need money."
"But in the future, we need to cultivate new talents who may face financial difficulties. This funding will allow them to focus on their research."
"On the other hand, funding is essential."
As he spoke, a hint of worry crept into Zheng Fa's voice. "Currently, all the projects in the retirement home are basically proposed by me, and everyone researches them together."
"That's not necessarily bad, but it inadvertently stifles many people's creativity and may lead to dependency."
"In the future, if someone has an idea, they can apply for funding and resources from us to pursue their own projects."
Once he put it this way, Elder Hou immediately understood.
The current research system in the retirement home was, to be honest, quite one-sided—Zheng Fa dictated what to research.
But science can sometimes be a matter of serendipity; the more focused the intent, the more likely the path may veer off course.
Seeing that he understood, Zheng Fa further explained:
"If I bring in these brilliant minds but don't allow them to explore on their own..."
"Wouldn't that be a waste?"
Seeing him consider this, Elder Hou naturally had no objections.
He only shook his head, watching Zheng Fa and Tang Lingwu walk away, his expression a mix of emotion and relief.
"Elder Hou?"
"To be honest, I was a bit worried before."
Elder Hou thought for a moment and spoke candidly.
"Worried?"
"Director Zheng is too young. Since he first appeared on television, his reputation, achievements, abilities, and wealth have already placed him at the pinnacle of the world."
Teacher Tian paused, then suddenly realized.
Having spent so much time with Zheng Fa, she had vaguely sensed something, but hadn't thought it through.
"You were worried he might become complacent?"
"Yes." Elder Hou smiled slightly, speaking openly. "Now, I even know that some people worship him like a deity at home, praying to him daily."
"I ask myself, at his age, with his achievements, wouldn't I feel like no one in the world could surpass me?"
"Wouldn't there be thoughts that in this world, I should be the one calling the shots?"
"But he... still shows respect for others, reverence for science, and self-reflection."
Elder Hou gazed at the fields that had once captivated his dreams and said:
"Compared to this, Spirit Wheat No. 1... is nothing."
"It was only a matter of time."
...
Zheng Fa was unaware of Elder Hou's praise.
His generosity stemmed from his own reflections—currently, the five sects of Xuanwei seemed to place great importance on territory and population.
They were all eager to establish some kind of Daoist nation or Buddhist land.
Zheng Fa hadn't quite figured out why, but... why couldn't the modern world become his own Daoist sanctuary?
By chance, he had begun to spread Daoist teachings in the modern world, inadvertently securing a unique, extremely stable territory with a population of billions!
From Zheng Fa's perspective, the entire modern world was his!
How could he not give his all?
Moreover, money held little significance for him, but the wisdom he possessed was invaluable.
For instance, these brilliant minds had gradually shaped the "Tiangang Disha Transformation"!
With the "Jiu Shan Golden Elixir Method" and the Five Elements Talisman, the principles of "Tiangang Disha Transformation" were not difficult to grasp.
The challenge lay in the fact that the structures of all things in the world differ; how to correspond them to the techniques and even commit them to memory.
Currently, the "Tiangang Disha Transformation" developed in the retirement home only had two components:
One was the transformation of techniques, specifically the transformation of breath. This part was completed by Cheng Yun and others, based on the previous twelve Golden Elixir methods, along with the research Zheng Fa and Sister Zhang had conducted over the past few days.
This section was not extensive.
But...
The other part was much more complex:
"Non-living entity transformation!"
This section was intricate—because it employed an enumeration method.
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