From the appearance and color, the medicine had no difference from the finished product Xu Fan had anticipated.

However, with pharmaceuticals, a minor deviation could lead to grave errors. A mere difference in the quantity of a single ingredient could turn a life-saving medicine into a deadly poison.

This major mistake at the pharmaceutical factory only had one possible explanation left.

Someone had tampered with the prescription.

Who on earth was responsible, and what was their purpose? Xu Fan had already made up his mind to investigate thoroughly.

"Uh, master, when you gave me the prescription, I had it tested at the research institute. After confirming that the final product was correct, I had the institute provide a copy to the pharmaceutical factory,"

When Xu Fan asked this question, Su Shouzi immediately answered truthfully.

When the people at the research institute learned that their prescription had been modified, they were quite dissatisfied. But after the improved medicine was produced, they had nothing more to say.

Researchers are often quite proud. Perhaps someone overbearing thought their ideas were better than Xu Fan's and secretly changed the prescription given to the pharmaceutical plant.

Of course, it's also possible that there was internal sabotage within the Xia Family.

The matter was becoming increasingly complicated and confusing.

"Factory manager, the person who was in charge of receiving the prescription, could you help me find them? Also, please give me a copy of the prescription you have here."

"Su Shouzi, within half an hour, bring me the guy responsible for the handover with the pharmaceutical factory," Xu Fan instructed without much thought.

The problem could only lie with one of these two men, Xu Fan reasoned.

"This... Old Xu has been with our factory for a long time; he shouldn't be able to do such a thing," the factory manager hesitated, unwilling to believe that their own people could do something so self-destructive.

But with the mystery still unsolved, the factory manager had no choice but to follow Xu Fan's orders.

In less than half an hour, Su Shouzi and the factory manager had summoned the people Xu Fan requested, including the prescription used for this large-scale production.

The prescription from the pharmaceutical factory had the same type and quantity of ingredients, but there was a subtle change in the dosage.

An extra decimal point had been added to the quantities of several ingredients such as Qihuang, ginseng, and Gold Feather Flower...

It was this minor change that caused the loss.

One was a pharmacist from the research institute, the other a veteran colleague from the pharmaceutical factory. Either one had the ability to alter the prescription.

As for who was responsible, further inquiry was needed.

On the research institute side was a thin and frail man with glasses, clean and tidy, seemingly harmless. The old Xu from the pharmaceutical factory side was a simple and rotund uncle.

Neither seemed likely to do such a thing.

Xu Fan now handed the prescription he was holding to Su Shouzi and looked over at the two men.

"I have just found out that the prescription has been tampered with. Although I don't want to suspect anyone, both of you are under suspicion."

"Who actually changed the prescription? I'd like to hear your explanations,"

"Heh heh, boss, the prescription I received from you was the one we used for production. Please, don't wrong me. As an employee of Xia Pharmaceutical Factory, I couldn't possibly do anything to betray our employer."

"No, it's not possible, it's definitely you who changed the prescription! I have great respect for Mr. Xu Xian's medical skills, and I wouldn't do something a narrow-minded person would do!"

A scapegoat was needed, and now that it had fallen onto their own heads, neither was willing to admit to it.

The two were now arguing fiercely, but still, neither could prove their innocence.Continuing like this, no result was possible. Xu Fan then gestured with his hand and called Su Shouzi over to his side.

"These things, I need you to prepare a set for me right now, immediately," he said.

After taking a pen and paper and writing down some items, Xu Fan handed the list to Su Shouzi.

The list contained various medicinal herbs, not hard to find in this pharmaceutical factory. Although not quite understanding Xu Fan's intentions, Su Shouzi obediently followed the orders.

Once Su Shouzi had brought the items Xu Fan wanted, Xu Fan weighed them in his hand and looked over at the two men.

"Gentlemen, tired of arguing? Why don't we find a place to sit down and have a good talk?"

With a crowd still watching nearby, Xu Fan asked the factory manager for an office and then, alone, led the two men inside.

Right now, both men maintained a completely innocent demeanor, neither showing the slightest sign of fear.

After leading the two into the office, Xu Fan didn't speak but busied himself with the herbs he had gathered.

After blending the herbs, he brewed a pot of medicinal tea with the tea set nearby.

He poured himself a cup and blew gently on the wisps of steam. Having tasted it lightly, Xu Fan said, "This 'Emerald Sea Green' is truly a rare find among medicinal teas. My master was fortunate, back in his day, to have discovered the preparation method in Bashu."

"From what he told me, this tea, once consumed, nourishes the liver and protects qi, offering significant health benefits—especially in reducing liver heat."

"After arguing for so long, why not have a sip of tea to calm down?"

"…"

The rich aroma of the herbs slowly wafted through the air. Eager to prove their innocence and parched from their argument, the two men exchanged a disdainful glance, then picked up their cups from the tea table and carefully began to taste the medicinal brew.

"I never would have guessed that you, young boss, would have such a skill in the art of tea. This medicinal tea is indeed spot on," said one.

"However, it's a bit of a waste to serve it to certain backstabbers," he added.

Xu Fan, sipping the medicinal tea, then subtly ridiculed the pharmacist beside him.

Being more a researcher than a talker, the pharmacist became red-faced at Xu Fan's insinuation and put down his half-finished tea.

"You! That's nonsense! Obviously, it's you!"

"Why would I do such a thing? There's no benefit to me at all!"

"Heh, competing and wanting to best others, that's why. Isn't that something bookworms like to do?"

The two showed signs of starting another quarrel, but Xu Fan gestured with his hand and stopped them.

"Haven't we agreed to stop arguing?"

After giving them a casual glance, Xu Fan's gaze fell on the pot of medicinal tea.

"Oh, there's something I forgot to tell you both," he said.

"This 'Emerald Sea Green' is not actually a medicinal tea, but a lethal poison."

"Don't underestimate a single cup of this tea; just one drop is enough to take a life."

Without any consideration for the pallor that now took over their faces, Xu Fan glanced at the clock on the wall and said, "All right, you now have one hour left."

"I hope to have the answers I want within this hour."

"That's enough chatting. I'm going out to prepare the antidote now. Gentlemen, I'll see you later."

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