Chapter 249: Raising Silkworms in Full Force (Bonus Chapter for Zihang's 10,000 Coin Reward)

How could they not win? The *Huang Qi* Jing Shu had provided was indeed high-quality, but the red worms on it were far from ordinary. These red worms were infected with the zombie deer virus.

This was a method Jing Shu had thought of after some consideration. The spread of the zombie deer virus was terrifying, and she hoped to present this example early so people could start working on a solution. This could also help in tackling the red worm virus that would run rampant in six months.

In her previous life, it wasn’t until the virus had already spread that China began seeking solutions. France, on the other hand, had started research six months earlier and had developed effective techniques and solutions.

Currently, red worms were an unlimited and valuable food source in China, far more abundant than the grains produced by developed nations like the U.S. China was relying on red worms to survive.

Jing Shu remembered how, back then, China had tried to purchase vaccines and related technologies from France. France, however, demanded an enormous amount of grain in exchange. China had refused and instead developed the necessary technology itself.

But just when they had successfully developed the vaccine, the rains stopped, the red worms disappeared, and then came the third-year earthquake... There wasn’t even a moment of reprieve for China.

Thankfully, China had been stockpiling insect-based food from the start; otherwise, the famine would have begun in the third year.

Even with the vaccine, China couldn’t produce it on a large scale. It could only keep some red worm larvae alive, breeding them as much as possible and storing food to minimize the death toll.

Jing Shu knew her abilities were limited, and this small contribution might be the only way she could make a difference.

At this moment, Cheng Qingzi had no idea that what Jing Shu had given him was the greatest opportunity of his life. Whether or not he could grasp it was up to him. The infected red worms Jing Shu had found were from the time she discovered the blood mushroom while searching underwater.

Back then, Jing Shu had placed the infected organisms in her spatial storage, sensing they might be useful one day. Little did she know, they would appear in China ahead of schedule, offering a chance for early research.

Seeing the opposition casually place the *Huang Qi* in the display case, showing little concern, Jing Shu smiled to herself. In two days, they’d be crying and begging for a solution to the zombie deer virus. She’d love to see their panicked, helpless expressions.

"Alright then, I’ll be on my way. See you in two days." Jing Shu waved her hand and left the Medicinal Herb Association, leaving behind a mysterious aura—though, to the others, she looked more like a fool.

The competition platform at the association was sealed off, and both sides would be monitoring it closely for the next two days. Even though the outcome seemed obvious, the Tacheng representatives still diligently guarded the site.

While the association was in an uproar, Jing Shu’s attention was elsewhere. She knew she was a cheater when it came to medicinal herb cultivation. Without her spirit spring and spatial storage, she’d be nothing. Her goal in joining the association was simple: to become vice-chairman, ensuring her survival in the apocalypse.

Jing Shu’s life had become increasingly busy.

With two months of the second year of the apocalypse already passed, it was time for Jing Shu to execute her plans.

For example, with the abundance of rain this year, it was the perfect time to raise silkworms. Additionally, she needed to find something for her grandmother to do to keep her from chatting with Lin Yi—a man who had a way of brainwashing people.

"Grandma, we’re running low on clothes and bedding. I think we should raise more silkworms. Last year, Wu Youai's mentor gave us some amber silkworms. They’ve hatched into hundreds of silkworm babies. These amber silkworms are omnivorous; they can eat many types of plants. We can feed them vegetable leaves this year, and we should raise them on a large scale to store more silk for future needs."

"Silkworms are seasonal. How can they survive in this season?"

"Seasons are all mixed up now. As long as they have enough food, they’ll survive just fine. Don’t worry, Grandma."

"Well, it’s perfect timing. We’ll make some silk quilts and clothes for your cousin Wei Zheng’s baby before he’s born. Poor kid doesn’t have any clothes right now," Grandma agreed.

To make enough clothes and bedding for the whole family, they’d need silk from thousands of silkworms. They’d need to breed them at least four times, and they’d also need a massive supply of vegetable leaves to feed them.

Grandpa decided to set up some racks on the villa’s terrace, where he would plant leafy vegetables for the silkworms. Using light simulators, he could harvest a new batch every ten days or so.

Jing Shu kept some amber silkworms for herself, while the rest went to her grandmother. In her spatial storage, she would accelerate their breeding. The cold weather in the coming years would make silk an invaluable resource, so they had to stockpile as much as possible.

Silkworms are fragile and easy to kill if not cared for properly. Jing Shu diluted some of the spirit spring water (Batch #8) to ensure their survival. As she looked at the newly hatched silkworms, which were as small as maggots, Jing Shu thought they were actually quite cute. Last year’s golden silk had turned out beautifully.

Since Grandma and Grandpa had decided to raise silkworms, there was plenty of preparation to be done. For a small number of silkworms, they could simply place them in a box with fresh vegetable leaves. But for large-scale breeding, they needed to build silkworm racks and maintain the right indoor temperature.

Grandpa ultimately decided to keep the silkworm racks in his bedroom, where he could monitor them closely and ensure the temperature was just right.

Jing Shu’s process was much simpler—she had a cubic meter of space for the silkworms and their food. Once they grew in number, she’d add more racks.

On the third day, Jing Shu’s phone rang. It was Zhou the Skinflint.

"Where are you, my ancestor?!"

His voice was a mixture of excitement and desperation.

"I’m at home."

"Can you come to the Medicinal Herb Association right away?"

"Okay."

Jing Shu knew the results of the competition must be in, so she put down her work and headed to the association.

The association was crowded, as expected, with layers of people surrounding the central competition area.

In the middle of the platform, a group of people was huddled around the tiny potted plant, scribbling down all sorts of solutions. Some were even arguing heatedly.

Jing Shu’s arrival didn’t cause much of a stir, but Zhou the Skinflint, flashing his yellowed teeth, shouted, "Jing Shu, you’re here! Come, explain this *Huang Qi* issue to them!"

Suddenly, the scene became chaotic, as if the pot had been stirred.

"Did you know? She’s the one who secured 3 points for Wu City."

"That’s incredible! I was there that day. She just sprayed and snapped things without hesitation. Truly someone from a prestigious medicinal family. I didn’t even understand the principles, and she had already cured the herbs."

"That’s *Tian Qi*! Look how well it’s grown!"

"Now it’s 5 to 5, a tie."

－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－

This chapter is a bonus for Zihang’s 10,000 coin reward.