Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World

Some people are clapping, some are whispering.

More people's gazes fall on Zheng Fa.

Everyone understands the significance:

In the north of the country, people eat noodles; in the south, rice. Even if there are other options for staple food, they are not mainstream.

Adding to the previous new rice variety Jiushan No.2, now the Hongshan Research Institute has cultivated high-yield, good-tasting, and nutritionally-balanced varieties of both wheat and rice.

This achievement, placed in ancient times, would undoubtedly be considered an immeasurable merit.

In the modern era...

"Food security..." Mr. Hou's tone is filled with barely contained excitement, "We've talked about food security for years, but why do we need to talk about it?"

"Because the memory of hunger is too deep-seated."

"Because foreign grain merchants have too much influence in the international grain market... a single word from them might leave thousands of people without food."

"Clearly, this is the most technologically advanced era, yet famine still exists in the world..."

Mrs. Tian interjects: "Afraid."

Zheng Fa can also understand this—it's the same for humans, the more someone emphasizes safety, the more it indicates there are things that can harm them in the world.

For example, Zheng Fa is becoming increasingly courageous and fearless in the modern era, yet remains ordinarily valuable in the Xuanwei Realm.

"Once these two varieties are widely promoted, our pursuit of food will far surpass the mere word 'security'!"

Zheng Fa turns his gaze to Tang Lingwu.

Food, despite being the most inconspicuous, is the most important product in the world; even the interests involved are no small amount.

He entrusts this to Tang Lingwu.

Tang Lingwu nods and says: "Jiushan No.2 is already distributed nationwide, and there is no issue with the yield."

"If Spiritual Wheat No.1 passes the trials, it can be on the market as early as next year."

After saying this, Tang Lingwu highlights the planting area, actual yield, market price, and profit of Jiushan No.2.

Although Zheng Fa has no intention of making money from this, Jiushan Grain Company...

Put it this way, the money earned this month can demolish the village, rebuild it, then demolish it again and rebuild—not just once or twice.

Tang Lingwu continues:

"There are also some who have ideas about the grain seeds, but Mrs. Yang and we have caught them."

This is not surprising, Zheng Fa and the others had foreseen it and have planned countermeasures.

One aspect is, of course, catching them, just as Tang Lingwu said.

The other is a common method among grain companies—the seeds distributed by Zheng Fa are sterile.

Simply put, it's to control the outflow of seeds.

After hearing the profit described by Tang Lingwu, Mr. Hou and Mrs. Tian glance at each other in surprise, but they do not speak, listening to Zheng Fa and Tang Lingwu's conversation.

"The money in the account..." Zheng Fa thinks for a moment; truthfully, money doesn't hold much use for him, even in the present day—it can be deemed useless. Honestly, he now sees money as just numbers.

He's supposedly uninterested in money!

"On one hand, the research institute's laboratories are still lacking something, you help procure a few things."

He says to Tang Lingwu; currently, the construction of Hongshan relies on Group Leader Yang and support from above.

Now, Zheng Fa naturally isn't worried about tensions between the two sides, but with money, the necessary expenditures still must be made.

Tang Lingwu nods, evidently having no objection.

"On the other hand, I also want to distribute funds and bonuses to those at the research institute."

"Distribute money?"

Upon hearing this, Mr. Hou frowns. He unexpectedly has some opposition: "Dean Zheng, being able to learn martial arts now, and cultivation in the future is already enough; no need for this."

"Moreover, the people in the retirement home now don't lack money either."

"I'm not doing this for now, but for the future." Zheng Fa shakes his head, "Currently, the people in the retirement home are all accomplished individuals, and so naturally don't lack money."

"But in the future, we need to nurture new talent, who may have difficulties in life, and this money will be enough to allow them to peacefully conduct their research."

"In another sense, funding is also necessary."

At this point, Zheng Fa hints at a bit of concern: "Now, all projects in the retirement home are basically proposed by me, and then everyone researches together."

"This isn't bad, but it undeniably stifles many people's original ideas, possibly creating dependency."

"In the future, if someone has an idea, they are free to apply to us for funds and resources to complete their own projects."

After hearing these words, Mr. Hou immediately understands.

The current research system in the retirement home, frankly speaking, is quite dictatorial—essentially, it's whatever Zheng Fa wants researched.

But in science, sometimes accidents occur, and the stronger the intent, the more off-track the path might be.

Seeing he understood, Zheng Fa further explains:

"I brought these talented and intelligent people here, but don't let them explore independently..."

"Wouldn't that be wasteful?"

Seeing him consider this way, Mr. Hou naturally has no objections.

He just watches as Zheng Fa and Tang Lingwu walk away, then shakes his head with a look of reflection and relief.

"Mr. Hou?"

"Truthfully speaking, before, I had some concerns."

Mr. Hou thinks for a moment, then speaks frankly.

"Concerns?"

"Dean Zheng, he is too young. From the moment he appeared on television, his reputation, achievements, capability, and wealth have already reached the world's pinnacle."

Mrs. Tian is momentarily dazed, then suddenly understands.

Because she has spent so much time with Zheng Fa, she vaguely sensed something but didn't think deeply about it.

"You worried he? Might become proud?"

"Yes." Mr. Hou smiles, honestly saying, "Now, I know there are people who treat him as a deity in their homes, worshipping him daily."