Chapter 281: Lost?

“Please proceed.” Chairman Tie, a stout man, smiled so broadly his eyes nearly disappeared. In his mind, he thought the medicinal family had over a hundred people, all surely voting for their clan leader. To be safe, he had also bribed some people. Now, let’s see how Jing Shu would stir up trouble.

Jing Shu recognized the person behind Chairman Tie—it was Jiao Jiao, the sister of Xiao Xiao whom Jing Shu had officially kicked out of the staff. Jiao Jiao had suffered losses under Jing Shu’s hand and had since become more obedient.

“You’re definitely going to lose,” Jiao Jiao silently mouthed. Jing Shu understood and made a throat-slitting gesture, ignoring the onlooking Jiao Jiao.

Chairman Tie had casually promised that Jing Shu would easily solve three difficult problems. But real difficult problems weren’t that easy. If Jing Shu really became vice president, his own position would be at risk.

The pre-decided quota was meant for their side. The rules allowed only four vice presidents; the extra one meant someone had to step down.

Led by Jing Shu, a group went upstairs to the medicinal herb association’s experimental fields. Wang Danai winked at Jing Shu.

Zhou Bapi, fearing Jing Shu might speak out of turn, loudly introduced, “Next to Chairman Tie is Director Zhang of Wu City Tumor Hospital, specializing in cancer research and skilled in traditional Chinese medicine. He holds two bachelor’s degrees and is very authoritative. He’s here to see what medicines Wu City can offer.” He secretly gave Jing Shu a thumbs-up.

Jing Shu understood Zhou Bapi’s meaning. Director Zhang was a man in his sixties or seventies, slightly overweight, with graying hair, resembling the KFC Colonel’s logo. She suddenly craved KFC’s tomato sauce for fries and thought the hole should be punched in the Colonel’s mouth so the sauce would have soul.

“This is Pharmacist Liu from Wu City Chinese Medicine Preparations, also a judge today,” Zhou Bapi whispered, shaking his head.

Jing Shu nodded. The overly familiar guy was this Liu, who had said a lot about planting the most useful herbs—implying her plants were useless.

When the experimental field was opened, the five-tier shelves revealed thriving tobacco plants emitting their unique scent.

Pharmacist Liu frowned, “Jing Shu, you planted a whole room of tobacco? So much useless stuff. Are you planning to make cigarettes to sell to the rich? That’s not good. I heard some rich folks buy tobacco from the herb association at high prices, but I don’t believe it. Our place serves the people.”

Chairman Tie smiled, “Pharmacist Liu, you must be mistaken. Tobacco is also a kind of medicinal herb. Maybe Jing Shu uses it for disinfection and swelling relief.”

Liu chuckled, “A little tobacco as an auxiliary medicine is enough. Why plant so much? Old Tie, you’re too kind. At our level, those with schemes know better.” He implied Jing Shu wasn’t high enough rank.

The red face and black face act was a masterpiece, making even Director Zhang frown and glance suspiciously at Jing Shu.

Jing Shu smiled calmly and said little, picking up one of her plants, “This is astragalus.”

The group began examining it, passing it around and giving high praise. Even the pre-decided old man stroked his long beard in admiration.

But Jing Shu noticed a little girl’s resentful glare, which puzzled her. Had she offended the girl?

Wang Danai whispered, “That’s Wang Daxian, your competitor. See the little girl beside him? She’s Wang Xiaoxian, the so-called young lady of the medicinal family, brought by Jiao Jiao last time to compete with you. She’s said to be a prodigy.”

Jing Shu thought carefully, “Is she the girl I made cry with a meal?”

Wang Danai nodded vigorously, “That’s her.”

Jing Shu rubbed her forehead. No wonder the little girl resented her. Life was so dramatic. If the girl’s grandfather knew she made his granddaughter cry, would he beat her? Oh, this must be a revenge visit.

But no—the old man smiled at her!

Not only smiled, he walked over with a grin, “Little one, you grew this astragalus well.” He winked, hinting at something.

“Go away, go away,” Zhou Bapi hurriedly shooed Wang Daxian, fearing he’d get too close to Jing Shu again.

Jing Shu was puzzled.

“To grow astragalus like this in the apocalypse, even better than before, is rare. If it can be developed on a large scale, you must get the points,” Director Zhang said fairly.

Everyone nodded in agreement. They were experts in herb planting and medicine, and Director Zhang was the top doctor in Wu City.

The assessment was: judges scored first, then all employees voted after seeing both candidates’ plants, judging value and practicality.

Director Zhang said, “Astragalus gets 10 points. Any objections?”

Everyone shook their heads in agreement. Ten was full marks.

“This bodhi tree is well grown but useless now,” Pharmacist Liu said, shaking his head. “I give it 1 point. Any objections?”

Director Zhang said nothing, tacitly agreeing. Jing Shu smiled slightly. The parasitic insects might explode someday, and all China would be looking for bodhi trees. She hoped everyone could stay calm then.

“Dried leeches have some use, barely medicinal, 4 points.”

“Honeysuckle is very useful and well grown, 8 points.”

“Tianma (Gastrodia) was from your bet and cure, so 5 points, but you didn’t plant it yourself.”

“As for tobacco, 2 points.”

Chairman Tie showed the scoreboard, “Jing Shu’s total is 32 points.”

Everyone turned to Wang Daxian, who introduced his plants: sanqi, ginseng, and other precious herbs, receiving unanimous praise. His final score was a shocking 47 points!

Chairman Tie was secretly pleased. After seeing both, he shouted, “Alright, now we begin the voting! Both please come on stage and say a few words.”

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