parentshiftbook Chapter 38: Minister of Works – Philip
Chapter 38: Minister of Works – Philip
At the Alchemists' Guild, Philip, who was handling some business, looked up and saw Steward Mike.
Steward Mike handed Leon's notes to Philip, conveying Leon's message.
At first, Philip didn't take it seriously. In his view, alchemy was a profound subject, and one couldn't even get a basic understanding without immersing oneself in it for more than ten years.
What substantial content could the king's so-called alchemical notes possibly contain?
As for the so-called "anesthetic" and "penicillin," Philip thought they were utterly worthless!
With such a strange name, it's probably something the king made up to amuse himself.
However, Steward Mike's expression was very solemn as he earnestly instructed, word by word: "Lord Philip, this is His Majesty the King's masterpiece! The kingdom is currently under threat from eight alien races! The situation is urgent. You must obey the decree and immediately organize top alchemists to carry out improvements!"
Philip was a close friend of Andrew in the cabinet and knew well the weight and authority of this chief steward, whose attitude itself represented the king's unquestionable will.
"Yes, I understand! Please convey to His Majesty that I will do my best!"
Philip said solemnly.
Immediately, Philip began to perk up and carefully read Leon's notes.
After reading the records about "Mafeisan" (a type of anesthetic), Philip's expression gradually became serious, and his eyes were full of surprise!
"Absolutely stunning!"
"If this anesthetic is truly as effective as His Majesty the King says, then it is indeed a miraculous medicine for calming the mind and relieving pain!"
"Pass on my order: immediately summon over a hundred senior pharmacists from the association!"
Philip acted swiftly and decisively, immediately taking the lead in making improvements.
He truly lived up to his reputation as a once-in-a-century alchemical genius; with the assistance of his colleagues, he quickly devised a creative and fantastical plan:
By combining the magical potions "Dream Thistle" and "Sleeping Lily," which grow in swampy areas, with the common herb "Datura Flower," the anesthetic effect of [Mafeisan] is amplified, so that even physically strong warriors or magicians with magical powers will be affected after taking it.
The venom glands of the "red-scaled lizard" from volcanic areas are extracted and mixed with processed aconite, elevating its ability to suppress severe neuropathic pain to a whole new level.
Using pure fish oil from "polar cod" and "moonlight moss" that absorbs moonlight as a base, and blended with medicinal herbs such as angelica and chuanxiong, the aim is to promote blood circulation, balance the potent toxicity of the main ingredients, and protect the heart and blood.
After gathering all the materials, Philip personally took charge, putting all the ingredients into the silver crucible engraved with intricate magical runes.
Under Philip's exquisite magical guidance and control, after several hours of refining, a layer of fine, light gray crystalline particles finally precipitated out in the crucible—thus the first-generation product of the otherworldly version of "Mafeisan" was born.
"Quickly retrieve the [Grey Dwarf-brewed spirits] from the warehouse! Mix the granules into the spirits and administer it to the test subject!"
As the official laboratory of the Alchemists' Guild, it never lacks experimental materials: death row inmates sent from the dungeon, civilians willing to risk their lives for money, and even various magical beasts specially raised, all become "guinea pigs" to verify the efficacy of the medicine.
"Thank you all for your hard work. Let's speed up the experiments! We must determine the most suitable ratio for each individual!"
Philip reminded him with utmost seriousness.
The hundred or so pharmacists he recruited were all highly respected and learned within the kingdom; they could easily serve as the head professors of the pharmacy department in any alchemy academy.
Under Philip's leadership, the team of over a hundred people worked tirelessly for a day and a night to successfully adapt and improve "Mafeisan" (a type of anesthetic).
"Immediately deliver the improved alchemical formula for [Mafeisan] to His Majesty the King!"
Philip summoned his deputy and gave him instructions.
More than a hundred pharmacists also got a short break.
However, Philip did not tire and continued reading with burning eyes the records about penicillin written by Li Ang.
"Your Majesty, you are truly magnificent!"
"This is truly unexpected! The mold produced from moldy and spoiled food is actually the best medicine for wounds?"
Philip's thoughts immediately extended to the idea that if the penicillin His Majesty's words could be mass-produced, then wounded soldiers on the battlefield would be able to receive excellent treatment.
The soldiers' wounds would not become infected and ulcerated, leading to their deaths.
Moreover, penicillin is also very effective in treating common ailments among ordinary people, such as toothache, sore throat, cough, and fever.
"This is truly unbelievable! I have studied alchemy for decades and consider myself a scholar of profound knowledge, but compared to His Majesty the King, I am like a firefly before the moon!"
In his notes, Li Ang pointed out the experiences of scientists from his previous life.
Tell Philip directly that he can look for high-yield Penicillium strains on common crops like melons, and secondly, he can explore the idea of "deep liquid fermentation in large fermentation tanks".
In addition, Li Ang also believes that "corn steep liquor" can optimize the culture medium.
Solvent extraction, a more efficient method for purifying penicillin from fermentation broth, was documented in writing.
Of course, the most difficult part is the "fermentation tank"!
The large fermentation tanks on Earth are all modern industrial products, which were impossible to manufacture with the technology of the Middle Ages.
However, this is a world of swords and magic, where all sorts of strange and wonderful alchemy, magic, and fighting spirit exist!
After a night of deliberation, Philip discussed the matter with over a hundred senior pharmacists.
Finally, Philip wrote a letter in his own hand to Ferdinand, the vice president of the Royal Capital Magicians' Association.
Ferdinand and Philip had a good relationship, and upon receiving the request for help, Ferdinand immediately dispatched sixty or seventy mid-level or higher mages to assist.
..............
The Alchemists' Guild's massive underground laboratory number two:
Holding Li Ang's notes, Philip explained the key points to the apothecaries and magicians in the audience:
"Ladies and gentlemen, we need to solve three things: a huge 'culture container,' an absolutely 'clean' environment, and an efficient 'harvesting' method."
"The container problem is easily solved! Our association's alchemists have crafted many large rune bronze jars!"
Several pharmacists said.
Philip nodded: "Very good, immediately recruit another hundred experienced weapon refiners to participate in the experiment!"
"Temperature control is also easy to solve! We can precisely control the flame according to your needs!"
Several fire mages spoke slowly.
"As for the clean environment, we can work together to cast a low-intensity 'Holy Light Purification' spell. This radiance not only inhibits the growth of other bacteria, creating a near-sterile environment, but its gentle nature also prevents it from harming the target Penicillium mold."
After discussions, some light magicians and apothecaries put forward their ideas.
Philip glanced around at everyone again: "As for the final purification and collection step, here's my idea!"
The pharmacists were responsible for adding corn syrup, mixing [Druid Refined Malt Extract], and double-optimized culture medium.
Philip displayed his blueprints for a magically aided "low-temperature distillation extraction method," outlining intricate magic circles and pipe connections:
After the culture medium ferments, an ice mage precisely lowers the temperature of the mixture to near freezing point, and a wind mage manipulates the airflow to "blow" the upper active ingredients into a specific condensation magic circle to condense them, thus initially separating the active substances.