Chapter 276: Chapter 163: You Can’t Handle This Immense Fortune

Lu Yuan held up a small, translucent, jade-green bottle. Inside was a viscous liquid.

This liquid was the venom extracted from the Long Snake’s poison glands.

It was an essential item for Lu Yuan’s research into an antidote for the venom.

The composition of snake venom is extremely complex, and the toxicity of different venoms varies.

It can be broadly categorized into hemotoxins, neurotoxins, and a mixture of both.

Drawing upon the knowledge from years of compulsory education lodged in his memory, and after a few simple tests, he was able to identify the liquid in the bottle as a type of mixed toxin.

This venom would cause paralysis in a short time, followed quickly by respiratory failure, leading to death by suffocation. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Furthermore, the Long Snake’s venom also had corrosive properties.

Lu Yuan knew that snake venom was considered "liquid gold," so he had collected several bottles of it.

Not only was it a potent poison, but if used correctly, it was also a top-grade medicinal ingredient.

More than half of the liquid was water; the most important components were the toxic proteins within.

These toxic proteins were very similar to egg whites.

For long-term preservation, it could be turned into a dry powder, which would retain its original toxicity for decades.

However, destroying the toxic proteins would also neutralize their toxicity. For instance, strong acids or bases could denature the proteins.

But strong acids and bases couldn’t be used as an antidote, as they are extremely corrosive to the human body.

Lu Yuan would have to find a breakthrough from the venom itself.

Snake venom could not only be used to create antivenom serums but also to produce anticoagulants and analgesics.

Lu Yuan planned to make good use of the venom he had. By removing its corrosive and toxic properties, he could use very small amounts to create many medicinal materials.

Coagulants and painkillers like these would come in handy sooner or later.

"Young Master, some men from the Provincial City are here. They say they wish to see you." A Mansion Guard knocked on the door and announced.

Inside the room, Lu Yuan was still studying the snake venom.

Hearing the Mansion Guard’s words, Lu Yuan was puzzled.

’From the Provincial City? Here to see me? Who could it be?’

’He was practically a shut-in these days, never stepping out of the main gate, let alone the inner one.’

’And he didn’t know a single soul in the Provincial City.’

Lu Yuan stopped what he was doing and went to the front hall to receive his guests.

When Lu Yuan arrived at the front hall, he saw three men standing there, dressed in official uniforms.

’Why would Officials suddenly show up at my door?’

Lu Yuan did not slight them. He first called out, "Someone, prepare tea."

One of the three men heard Lu Yuan’s voice, cupped his hands in a salute, and spoke first. "Magistrate Lu, we have long heard of your great name. We are Officials sent by the Lord Governor."

After gesturing for them to sit, Lu Yuan slowly asked, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Magistrate Lu, by order of the Lord Governor, we are here to inform you that you are to travel to the Provincial City in two months’ time to report on the affairs of Taiping City."

It turned out the three men had already gone to the Taiping County Yamen. When they didn’t find Magistrate Lu, they inquired with the Official on duty and were directed to the Zhao Mansion.

Lu Yuan calculated inwardly: ’Two months... that’s plenty of time. It won’t be too late to go after Aunt Zhao has her baby.’

Lu Yuan said politely, "Since you’ve come all this way to my residence, why not stay for a simple meal?"

After speaking, Lu Yuan arranged for a servant to inform the kitchen that there would be important guests for lunch.

Seeing Lu Yuan’s hospitality, the three men quickly replied with smiles, "Lord Lu, you are too kind. We are merely conveying the Lord Governor’s message."

Lu Yuan stood up and said, "It’s my pleasure. You must try the skill of my mansion’s chef."

The three men enjoyed a fine meal with wine at the mansion. Before they left, Lu Yuan also pressed some silver taels into their hands.

After all, once you’ve eaten someone’s food and taken their money, it’s hard to stay tight-lipped.

At the dining table, if they didn’t volunteer some information, how could they shamelessly enjoy such a lavish feast of fish and meat?

One had to understand that a spread like this was not something an ordinary family could afford.

It was from them that Lu Yuan learned that every year, the Governors of each province would summon the County Magistrates from their jurisdictions to report on their affairs, after which rewards and punishments would be dispensed.

And every year, the Court would also summon the Governors of each province to report directly to the emperor. This was a regulation of the Court.

Thus, the Court maintained a very strong grip on its local officials at all levels.

Since becoming the County Magistrate of Taiping City, Lu Yuan had barely spent a few days in the County Yamen.

He relied entirely on his brother-in-law, Su Changliang, to handle all matters.

’I’ll worry about that later. I still have two months,’ Lu Yuan thought.

’Besides, I’ve done quite a few good deeds for the local people over the past half-year. As long as I’m not ranked the worst County Magistrate, it’ll be fine.’

Lu Yuan returned to Su Liyan’s room and saw her busy changing a diaper.

Lying on the bed, Bengbeng was cooing and gurgling, waving her little hands and kicking her feet wildly.

That’s just how babies are. Once the diaper under their bottom gets wet, they feel uncomfortable all over.

They squirm around nonstop, as if they had maggots crawling on them.

Lu Yuan rushed over to help, placing a fresh, sun-dried diaper under Bengbeng. As he did, he said, "Aren’t there Maids specifically for this? Where are they?"

Su Liyan said, "We’re people who’ve known hardship. I can do this sort of thing myself; I don’t need others to wait on me. Bengbeng is better behaved this way, too."

Su Liyan teased the squirming Bengbeng on the bed, "Isn’t that right, my good little girl?"

"You’re just too good to the servants. You always do things yourself if you can. I don’t know what to say to you," Lu Yuan coaxed.

’As if I didn’t know what my own wife was like.’

Lu Yuan picked Bengbeng up from the bed. Looking at his beautiful daughter, he said, "That’s right. Our Bengbeng is perfect in every way. She just has a big appetite, so she’s getting all chubby and round."