Chapter 75: A Touch of Genius

His sudden outburst was something no one in the Hu family had anticipated.

Within the Hu family, Third Brother Hu had always been seen as honest and hardworking; it was the first time anyone had witnessed him speaking so harshly. In retrospect, it was understandable.

Although the Hu family's circumstances were somewhat better than most in the village, it was only a slight advantage. Despite Captain Hu's authority in the village, his monthly wage was a mere five yuan, with no ration coupons, and the only other income was the work-point subsidy.

Then there was Hu Jiaguo’s family—Hu Jiaguo had lost a leg and could only earn work points by driving a donkey cart. His wife, even if she worked herself to the bone every day, could not earn enough to feed a family of four. To make matters worse, they had two sons, both at the age when growing boys could eat their parents into poverty.

As for Chunhua, she had never done a day’s farm work in her life, relying entirely on the family to support her.

The household had managed to maintain a fragile balance, but it was all undone by Auntie Hu’s tendency to redistribute what little they had. Her eldest son’s family was poor, so she gave them extra; her youngest daughter was pampered and sheltered, and she couldn’t bear to see her suffer. In the end, it was the middle sons—the second and third—who bore the brunt of the inequity.

In any family, it is not poverty that breeds resentment, but unfairness.

Auntie Hu stared in disbelief, her mouth open. “Third, you…”

Third Brother Hu clenched his fists. “Mother, I really have no choice.”

“I have to think more about my own children. Maiya is eight now, it’s time for her to start school. Luan is seven, and I plan to send the siblings together so they can look after each other.” His voice was hoarse as he explained.

Auntie Hu frowned. “What’s the use of schooling? Look at how many scholars have fallen on hard times. If you have money for school, isn’t it better to put more food on the table?”

In her simple view, for rural folk, it was enough to know a few characters to avoid being cheated. Book learning did nothing to help with farm work. After all, those educated youths, despite all their studies, were still digging for food in the fields just like everyone else.

“Mother, even if an education doesn’t guarantee success, it certainly isn’t a bad thing,” Third Brother’s wife said softly.

Auntie Hu wanted to object, but seeing the look on her third son’s face, she knew deep down that if she opposed him now, she would lose his heart for good.

“But she’s your own little sister,” she said sadly.

They were all her children—how had it come to this?

“I’ll give Chunhua what she’s due, but I am only human, my abilities are limited. I just hope that when you make decisions, Mother, you’ll remember us too, and not just think of Big Brother and Little Sister.”

Chunhua’s dowry was merely the fuse; Third Brother Hu’s resentment over his mother’s favoritism had long been simmering.

In the end, the family meeting dissolved without resolution.

Later, Tang Banxia only learned of all this when she overheard the eldest sister-in-law complaining. She could only sigh at it.

Now, however, her attention was focused on the present—on Director Yu’s visit.

At that moment, she was at home, sorting through medicinal herbs.

Yesterday, she had gone to Lu Xun for another batch—not odd jobs this time, but herbs she actually needed.

Some of them were even poisonous, yet Lu Xun handed them over without hesitation. This made her all the more curious about his background, but since he wouldn’t say, there was nothing she could do.

“Comrade Tang?”

Director Yu waved a hand in front of her eyes.

Tang Banxia snapped back to attention. “Hmm? Yes, Director Yu?”

He didn’t ask what she’d been thinking about, merely glanced at the herbs drying in the yard. “Any more of that Numbing Powder?”

So that was what he wanted.

Regretfully, she said, “I only managed to make a small amount—there’s none left.”

The datura required for the Numbing Powder was rare; she’d scraped together just enough from Lu Xun, and that was all. It had taken great effort to concoct even that.

Director Yu looked disappointed.

He’d hurried to test the scant half-bottle he’d received that day, and as Tang Banxia had promised, within ten seconds, it could knock down a grown man. If ingested, the effect was even swifter.

Upon discovering its efficacy, Director Yu had been astounded.

A drug like this had enormous potential.

Anxious, he pressed, “Can you make more?”

Tang Banxia shook her head.

The light in his eyes dimmed—until she added, “I’m out of ingredients.”

The light immediately reignited. “What ingredients? I’ll find them!”

“Datura, ginseng, ganoderma…” Tang Banxia rattled off a list of precious herbs without the slightest hesitation.

Of course, most of these were for her own use. Wen Mubai suffered from severe stomach problems, and she’d been treating him with medicinal cuisine. With such rare ingredients, his illness could be completely cured.

Unfamiliar with pharmaceutical matters, Director Yu agreed without hesitation. “Fine, make me a list and I’ll see what I can do.”

Tang Banxia wasted no time, grabbing pen and paper and writing it all down.

One must seize the opportunity when encountering such a generous benefactor.

At the end, she added a few more items.

Director Yu glanced at the list. “I’ll be in touch.”

Tang Banxia’s smile grew ever brighter.

But Director Yu, list in hand, showed no sign of leaving—instead, he took a sip of water. “I heard you have something called Beast Attracting Powder as well?”

There was nothing to hide, so Tang Banxia admitted readily, “Yes.”

“Do you have any left?” Director Yu was nothing if not direct.

Tang Banxia got up and fetched a small glass jar. “There’s a little left.”

He accepted it without ceremony. “How much?”

After a moment’s thought, Tang Banxia replied, “Could you get me a set of silver needles?”

She was a bit embarrassed: she was still using sewing needles for acupuncture, which was far from professional. But there was nothing to be done. In these times, traditional medicine was considered one of the “Four Olds,” and silver needles had all but disappeared—there was nowhere to buy them. Grandma Tang had a set, but Tang Banxia didn’t want to trouble the old couple, so she’d made do.

“No problem,” Director Yu agreed with his usual ease, his eyes burning as he looked at her.

Tang Banxia felt uncomfortable under his gaze. “Director Yu, is there something else?”

“Did you develop these medicines yourself?” Director Yu’s breath quickened as he waited for her answer.

“In a manner of speaking,” Tang Banxia replied. “The Numbing Powder was my own creation, inspired by sedatives and anesthetics—a sort of upgraded fusion of both. The Beast Attracting Powder is my grandmother’s formula; I’m only borrowing it.”

“Professor Cheng Ming?” Having verified the efficacy, Director Yu had thoroughly investigated Tang Banxia. He might not have uncovered the deepest secrets, but he had no trouble tracing her family connections.

Tang Banxia’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Yes.”

Grandma Tang would never betray her.

With his suspicions confirmed, Director Yu was at ease. He tentatively asked, “About the formula…”

“I won’t sell it!” Tang Banxia cut him off.

Even in the most desperate straits, she would never sell a family recipe—it was a point of honor.

Though disappointed, Director Yu had expected it. He quickly changed the subject. “Who else knows about your pharmaceutical skills?”

“Only Wen Mubai,” Tang Banxia replied.

She thought she understood what Director Yu was getting at.

He hesitated briefly before saying, “You’ve probably guessed what I want to say next.”

“I have an idea.”

“Numbing Powder has numerous applications. Before this, our country had nothing like it—you’ve pioneered something entirely new.”

“Which means your talent is beyond question, but with talent comes risk. Do you understand?” Director Yu, worried about frightening the young woman before him, spoke gently.

“I do,” Tang Banxia replied. How could she not?