Chapter 2 Chapter 1 Death of a Girl

When the girl's letter was sent to the firm, lawyer Zhong Yuan was taking over a major case.Here it is said to be important, but in fact it is said to be profitable, which may be more correct. Among the younger generation of civil lawyers, Zhongyuan lawyers are generally recognized as capable, and they can be regarded as conscientious when handling cases; even so, they can't just accept those who don't make much money—the so-called "lawyers" A case of conscience". Sometimes, with great reluctance, he had to take on jobs that would pay him off, or the firm would not have survived.Therefore, the letter from the girl Umezu Yuka, although she was thinking about it in her heart, was finally moved to the back.

After this "major case" came to an end, when Zhong Yuan was drinking coffee in a coffee shop he frequented, he inadvertently picked up the newspaper in the shop and opened it, he couldn't help but froze. He grabbed the newspaper, ignored the staring waitress, and rushed out of the coffee shop like a gust of wind. Kicking him away and breaking into the office, the secretary Kyoko Takashima also stared at him blankly. "Lawyer, what's the matter with you?" "About a week ago, a girl named Umezu Yuka from Nishi-Izu wrote a letter?" "Yes. I've seen it for you a long time ago."

"Let me take another look." "It's been filed. What about my colleague? You said, please reply to this letter slowly." "I did, but I was wrong. Please find me quickly." Jingzi turned her head in confusion, found the letter from the file rack, and put it on Zhongyuan's desk. Cheap envelopes with "Mr. Masahiro Nakahara" on them.The word "Mister" pierced deeply into his heart. Zhongyuan took out the letterhead and spread it out.There is also a postal order for 10,000 yuan. After Zhong Yuan finished reading the letter, he carefully folded it and put it in his pocket.

"I'm going to make a trip to Nishi-Izu now." Upon hearing this, Jingzi quickly glanced at the clock on the wall and said: "At this time? It's already late when we get there." "I know. I hope to be there sooner." "Are you determined to accept the girl's commission?" "I hope so, but I'm only here to take responsibility." "What do you mean by responsibility?" "Just look at this." Nakahara threw the newspaper in the coffee shop in front of Kyoko, and added: "Look at a corner of the social edition."

"Is there any news that surprised you so much?" Kyoko flipped open the newspaper with a smile, but the smile froze on her face immediately. Kaizu Yuka (female, 17 years old), who lives in Nanaura, Izu, committed suicide by throwing herself into the sea yesterday from the sightseeing ship "Ryugu".Ms. Yuka has been suffering from asthma since about two years ago, and she has attacks from time to time, but it has not been recognized as a public nuisance disease, and she is deeply troubled by being hospitalized and facing the possibility of being fired.It is believed that this is the reason for her suicide. ...

Kyoko looked up at Zhongyuan.Zhongyuan looked at his watch.Kyoko said: "But lawyer, her suicide is not your responsibility." Zhong Yuan shook his head. "No, it's my fault." By the time we reached Numazu, night had fallen.There is a boat to Qipu, but the last boat has already left. Zhongyuan called a taxi and told the driver to drive to Qipu. "It's a small fishing village. What's the hurry?" The driver asked in surprise.Then he said: "There is a place called Jinpu on the way, which is more interesting. Since the related industrial zone was set up there, bars have opened, striptease theaters have opened, and a tourist restaurant has been built, which is pretty good. It can also be called If you are a geisha, you can come as soon as you call."

"But Jinpu, the pollution is very serious, right?" Hearing Zhong Yuan's question, the young driver shrugged his shoulders and said: "Public nuisance... Some people are arguing, but everyone has money to make, and if they suffer a little bit of harm, they have to turn a blind eye." Listening to that tone, it seems that the noise is inappropriate.This driver, probably because of the establishment of the related industry industrial zone, has increased a lot of income.However, Zhong Yuan had no intention of condemning the young driver.Not to mention anything else, Zhong Yuan himself usually thinks he is quite concerned about public nuisance issues, but he never paid proper attention to the feelings of a seventeen-year-old girl being persecuted.In this regard, aren't Zhong Yuan and the driver fifty steps and one hundred steps?

It was nearly twelve o'clock in the middle of the night before arriving at Nanpu. As the driver said, it is a small fishing village.Just as the moon was rising, the light blue light illuminated the serene fishing village.Summer should be the coast where tourists gather. At this moment in late April, there is no sound. Zhongyuan found an inn to live in.A heart flew to the home of Yuka Umezu, a girl who committed suicide, but it was really inconvenient to disturb her at such a late night. The next morning, Zhongyuan rushed to Meijin's house immediately after eating breakfast. It was a shabby house by the sea, with fishing gear in the small courtyard, but it was obvious from a glance that it hadn't been used for a long time.

The entrance was also quiet. Called the door, opened the door, and a scent immediately enveloped Zhongyuan. There is a spiritual altar on the front, and an old woman in her sixties is sitting in front.I think it's the grandmother mentioned in Umezu Yuka's letter. "I'm from Tokyo, and my surname is Zhongyuan." Zhong Yuan handed out his business card, and the old woman just looked at him blankly. "Please let me burn some incense too..." When Zhong Yuan spoke again, the old woman moved her body and said "please" in a low voice. Zhong Yuan stepped forward to look at the portrait.Decorated with black ribbons, it was more lively and youthful than he had imagined.It was so sad to see that cheerful smile.Zhong Yuan lowered his head and burned a stick of incense before facing the old woman.

The old woman still did not glance at the business card. "I'm a lawyer." Zhong Yuan had no choice but to say, "Miss Yujia wrote me a letter a week before her death." "letter?" Only then did anger emerge on that bewildered face. "Yes, she wrote me a letter." Zhongyuan nodded and said, "She told me that she was ill and asked me to help her. I believe she wanted her illness to be recognized as a public nuisance. Unfortunately, I was busy with other Therefore, I did not reply to the letter. Therefore, I am also responsible for the death of Ms. Yujia."

"Where is this word..." "No, I do have a responsibility. So I'm thinking, if I could, I'd do my best, no matter what." "But...but..." "Although Ms. Yujia committed suicide, if she suffered from pollution disease, then she can be said to have been killed by pollution. She should protest to the factory and the county government. I will help. If you are willing to file a complaint, I will do it for you .Would you please let me do it well?" "But……" "But what?" "Is our child really suffering from public nuisance?" the old woman asked timidly.Zhongyuan felt slightly anxious.Why not show anger more nakedly?Could it be that the sorrow was too great to crush the anger?Or was her old way of life such that she didn't know how to let her anger show? "Did Miss Yuka have asthma from birth?" "Where is it!" The old woman shook her sunburned face vigorously. "Then you got sick after working in a factory in Jinpu?" "Yes. I only had it after I started working at Shinyang Chemical. I started working two years ago, but I started coughing after this year. I feel so sad." "Where is Miss Yuka's body? Is she not too strong?" "No, no! There is no fisherman's daughter who is not strong." The old woman said in a low voice.Zhong Yuan glanced at the posthumous photo again.The girl in the shadow smiled with such healthy white teeth. "That's right. It's a public nuisance." Zhongyuan said categorically. "yes?" She was still so polite, but her face was no longer full of humiliation.It seems that this simple old woman just doesn't know how to fight against the indifferent opponent named "Public Hazard".Besides, it's just that he doesn't know how to express the anger in his body cavity, Zhong Yuan thought silently. "It must be." Zhongyuan strengthened his tone and said: "Although Ms. Yujia committed suicide, it is the same as being killed. We should sue the person in charge of the company and the county government. If you don't mind, let me take on this job. No, no, let me do it." "But……" The old woman was still hesitant to speak. "What's going on?" "After suing, will the company give you money?" "Did you say money?" "They won't give it, will they?" "No, no, that's not the case. I'll help you get the compensation." "Without money, we really have nothing to do, because my daughter-in-law is also sick..." The old woman stopped and cast her eyes towards the inner room.Presumably the patient was lying there. Then the old woman spoke in an inaudible and deep tone that her only son, who was in his prime, died when he fell into the sea in a strong wind four years ago when he was working at sea. He didn't want his granddaughter to work in a factory, but the family was struggling No more.In the end, I blamed myself deeply, maybe I was the one who forced my granddaughter to commit suicide. This kind of self-blaming words, in Zhongyuan's ears, just happened to accuse him. "Please don't blame yourself." What he meant was: there are as many people as there are who should be blamed. "Then you agree to leave it to me?" "But we can't afford a lawyer..." "Miss Yuka has already paid me. She paid a large sum." Zhongyuan said. Zhongyuan boarded a boat bound for Jinpu from the small pier in Qipu. This is a sightseeing ship named "Dragon Palace".The bow is decorated with a dragon shape, and the whole hull is painted vermilion. It is a small cruise ship, and it will be full if there are 30 people on it. However, it is not the sightseeing season a few days ago, and there are very few passengers. Although the sea wind was severe, Zhong Yuan still sat down near the bow. His face is serious.He made a promise to Yuka's grandmother, Ms. Meijin Ade, that he would win this lawsuit.However, Zhongyuan also understands that this is not an easy task.There is nothing more difficult than a public nuisance case.Explaining cause and effect is very difficult and must take a long time.He is not even confident whether Yujia's asthma can be proved to be caused by public nuisance.However, he had to do the job anyway. He found that Jinpu was getting closer, and a brown oil film appeared on the sea surface.It might be the waste oil from the tanker. The sea itself is dirty and surprisingly low in transparency.The sky is also heavy. Zhong Yuan frowned, watching over the approaching oil depots and factory chimneys. Ten years ago, he once came here to fish.It is a small fishing port, I remember the sea is so beautiful.But what appeared in front of my eyes now was completely different. The quiet and peaceful Jinpu Bay was dug up, and the giant pier stretched out to the sea.Right there, a 10,000-ton tanker is docked.And that's not all.The extension of the pier is underway. The Dragon Palace jumped over the huge tanker like a bow and shrugged, and drove to the dilapidated wooden pier in a corner of the harbor.Here, the sightseeing boat seems to be nothing more than a complete supporting role. Zhongyuan disembarked.The sea water does not seem to be as strong as Tokyo Bay, but it is also a tea-brown, steaming smell.I remember that there was a bad smell in the past, but it was like dried seaweed, rather it was fragrant.The moment stinks of being there, but it's not fun at all. Despite this, there are still a few small boats going out to sea in the bay, and the old fisherman is guarding the fishing line.What can be fished in this dirty sea? Zhongyuan moved towards the street.The roads that used to smell of seaweed and dried seaweed were all paved with asphalt, and the vehicles drove back and forth arrogantly.There are so many billiard rooms and bars, which were not available before.Workers wearing rubber slippers walked on the street, as if it was the noon break.There are apartment blocks everywhere, built so sloppily that they were built to earn rent for these workers.The mixture of rough vitality and cheap atmosphere gives people the feeling of a nouveau riche-style emerging industrial area. He had lunch at a nearby restaurant.Once upon a time, the seafood here was delicious, but now it's generally the same as the menu in Tokyo. After a boring lunch, I first went to the police station not far from the port to ask Umezu Yuka about committing suicide by throwing herself into the sea. Nakahara handed over the lawyer's business card and mentioned Umezu Yuka's name. It seemed that the middle-aged policeman from the local area gathered his eyebrows together, shrugged his shoulders and said: "Well, it's really an unpleasant thing." "The newspaper said that he jumped from the Dragon Palace, right?" "That's right. And I jumped after the boat sailed into Jinpu Bay." "real?" "That's why there are all kinds of rumors. Usually, when young girls commit suicide, they will choose a clean place. But the girl chose such a dirty sea, so some people say that it is to protest the company and the county government. Alas, there are a lot of rumors." "What about the facts?" "I don't understand that. It's a deliberate suicide, there's nothing wrong with that." "Is it intentional? Does this mean that there is a suicide note?" "No. I didn't find the suicide note. The girl stayed in the company's dormitory. She asked for leave the day before and returned to Nanaura's home. She also revealed to her roommate that she was so sad every day." "I heard it's called New Sun Chemical Company, isn't it?" "Yeah. It's a factory that came here three years ago." "It's called New Sun Chemical, so it's related to Sun Heavy Industries?" The police said it was one of the subsidiaries of that big company. ——So, the opponent is the Sun Group. Nakahara remembered the face of Taizo Saeki, the president of Taiyo Heavy Industries, whom he had met once. Saeki is a character with a lot of rumors.Some people say he is the hawk of the financial world, while others think he is the most progressive figure in the financial world.He is also a well-known person with a wide range of interests, especially when he picks up a brush, he is almost as good as a professional painter.Zhong Yuan met him at an art exhibition of figures in the financial world. "Where did the lawyer come from?" the constable asked.Zhongyuan replied that he was from Qipu, and he said enviously: "The sea in Nanpu is still very clean. It's a good place." The policeman said and turned his eyes to the sea. "It used to be clean here, and I mostly came here to fish during vacations. But now I don't want to fish in this kind of place at all." "But the fisherman still goes to sea." "They are all old men. The young ones have all gone to factories. The work is easy and they earn a lot of money." "It's so dirty, is there any fish to take the bait?" "Yes, but it's less than half of what it used to be. I have a relative who also catches fish. He often complains that the fish smells like oil and cannot be sold at a good price." "There is fishery compensation." This is really like a lawyer's question.But the policeman was troubled. "Yes, but the higher-ups are not straightforward, so there are often disputes." "How could it be? The sea is indeed dirty, and there are fewer fish." "The sea is dirty. Is it related to the decrease in catch? It's not easy to prove. The fisherman said that the sea is dirty, which is why the catch has decreased; the company said that young people have gone to factories, and only the old people are in the factory." Catch, of course not much. And..." The policeman smiled wryly when he said this, and then said: "Last summer, a lot of green sheep shells were caught suddenly in Jinpu Bay." "Green sheep shellfish? Is it the common name fool shellfish?" "That's right. There have never been green sheep shells in Jinpu, and so many came out last year. The fishermen were all shocked, saying that they had never encountered such a thing in their lives. It must have caught a million yuan." "Is it more plausible on the corporate side?" "That's right. They say that if there is pollution, then the green sheep shells will die. Besides, the fisherman is also in a dilemma. Because if everyone argues about public nuisance, the fish will not be sold." The policeman stared blankly at Jinpu Bay and didn't move for a long time. If the company can take such a high profile towards the fishermen, it is conceivable that it will adopt the same attitude towards the death of Umezu Yuka.The Central Plains had to believe that this was an arduous battle. "I also want to ask Mr. Police, how should Xinyang Chemical go?" Zhongyuan finally asked again. New Sun Chemical is near the mouth of the river.As expected, the factory was set up here only three years ago. The factory building is still very new, with grass in the front yard, which gives people a modern feeling, but as soon as you step in, there is a unique smell of a chemical factory. Nakahara claimed to be Umezu Yuka's agent and asked to meet with the head of the personnel department. The head of the personnel department was about the same age as Zhong Yuan, about thirty-seven or eight years old, and appeared in front of Zhong Yuan with a nervous expression on his face.It must be the title of lawyer that made him wary. "What advice does the lawyer have?" The head of the personnel department looked at Zhongyuan and the business card interactively and asked. "I'm here to ask you, Yuka Umezu, who used to work in your factory, died. I don't know what your factory thinks of her death. To be clear, I just want to ask you what kind of responsibility you are willing to take for this matter." Zhongyuan went straight in, and the other party showed an ambiguous smile and said: "You said the company is responsible? I'm sorry I don't understand what you mean." "You are in charge of personnel affairs. I believe you all know that she suffered from asthma during her lifetime, right?" "I've heard of that." "Her asthma is obviously caused by public nuisance. According to 'Yokkaichi Asthma', then her disease can also be called 'Nimpo Asthma'. But you threatened her to be hospitalized and she would be expelled. In other words, She was desperate because of this, so she committed suicide. Also, your chemical factory is also one of the sources of pollution. In other words, you New Sun Chemical are double perpetrators to her. To be clear, you cause public nuisance, It is a double crime to make her sick and not admit it, to force her to commit suicide. In this case, are you not responsible?" Zhongyuan stared at the other party and announced solemnly. The head of the personnel department smiled again. "How can I say this? The doctor in our company diagnosed it. It's just that the cold has been protracted for a long time. We have to deal with it according to this diagnosis. Not only the doctors in our company, but also the doctors in the city hospital, we have a very good city hospital here. Yes, it’s the same diagnosis. And, just now you said it was a public nuisance. Needless to say, our factories are all operating in accordance with the standards set by the government. So, we don’t want to be criticized casually. " It is the unreasonable way of pretending to be courteous that Zhong Yuan dislikes the most.This person must be a talented person in New Sun Chemical. "That means your company doesn't want to take responsibility, doesn't it?" "No need to bear it, that's the correct way to say it. Of course, she has worked for two years, and we will pay the severance pay. For each year of work, pay one month's basic salary, and we will pay her two months. If you are an official representative Man, it’s okay to pay you now.” "With a small employee like you, I don't see much to talk about." Zhongyuan deliberately said something that angered the other party.As expected, the smile on the head of the personnel department disappeared, and his face tightened immediately. "I'm sorry." He coughed lightly and said, "I am answering as the person in charge of personnel affairs." "Really? This means that the attitude of New Sun Chemical is irresponsible for Umezu Yuka's death, isn't it? In other words, this is the policy of the Sun Group, right?" "You mean Sun Group?" The head of the personnel department was taken aback.Even if he is an elite member, the term "Sun Group" is too big for him. "Yes, I'm talking about the Sun Group." Zhongyuan showed a slight smile, and then said with integrity: "In this case, we have to report Taizo Saeki, the president of Taiyang Heavy Industries. Do you think it's okay?" "Do you really want to do such a ridiculous thing?" The head of the personnel department turned pale.Mostly because he was afraid that he would have to take responsibility if things went wrong. "I want to. I'm a combative person." Zhong Yuan said menacingly, glanced at his opponent's stiff face, and walked out of the reception room. It is conceivable that the cowardly head of the class no longer dares to rely on his own judgment to deal with it, so he will definitely discuss it with his superiors.Maybe it will reach the president of Shinyang Chemical.This is exactly what the Central Plains hoped for. After leaving the factory, Zhongyuan thought for a while, then took a bus to the county government office in City S. He sat in the last seat and looked back as the bus pulled out of downtown Jinpo. Only the sky over Jinpu was covered with a thin halo, which was smog.When you are on the street, you really feel that there is a vibrant industrial zone, but once you leave, you will feel heavy with heavy smoke.It is clearly a street market suffering from pollution. At the county government, Zhong Yuan asked to meet with the head of the Environmental Protection Bureau, but it turned out that he went abroad to study pollution problems, and the deputy director came out to meet the guests.Even the deputy director is willing to come out to meet him, but it is because of the title of "Member of the New Japan Bar Association" on the business card. It was a small, half-old official. Zhongyuan asked straight to the point again: "Excuse me, do you know that there is a 17-year-old girl named Umezu Yuka in Jinpu who committed suicide due to illness on duty?" The deputy director first said that he only said after reading it in the newspaper: "But it doesn't seem to be a public nuisance disease. There is no public nuisance in Jinpu's records." "Why do you say that? She obviously suffered from asthma because of the public nuisance. She committed suicide because she couldn't bear the pain. After she committed suicide, did you investigate?" "No. We didn't think there was a need for it." "But isn't the Environmental Sanitation Bureau a unit that protects residents from public hazards?" "Arguably yes." "Then why don't you rush to Nimpo immediately to find out if Umezu Yuka is suffering from a public hazard?" "As I said just now, there should be no public nuisance in Jinpu." ——shouldn't have happened... Zhong Yuan felt a fire in his chest that was about to burn.Why don't you act before you say what seems to be, what should be, and what should be?This is not a question of ability, but a question of love.If civil servants are really "public servants", then they should first have a love for people. "Have you checked the actual situation of Jinpu-related industrial zones?" "Of course there is. It is the county government that approves the relevant industrial zones, and we have the responsibility to investigate." "Are there still regular inspections?" "In our county, there are several other related industries and industrial zones, so we can't just check Jinpu. But we stipulate that all enterprises must submit reports on a monthly basis." The deputy director took out a large stack of documents from the drawer and placed them in front of Zhong Yuan.The cover has the words "Jimpo Related Industries Industrial Zone Report".Inside are dense numbers. The deputy director said triumphantly: "It is clearly written in it that all sulfite gas, carbon monoxide, etc. that may pollute the air must be reported. The amount of mercury and cyanide discharged into the sea is also the same. Since the company has to report in detail every month, it has already done so in Romania. Sue, but we stand on the standpoint of protecting residents, and we are meticulous in this aspect. Please look at these and you can understand that every enterprise must strictly abide by the standards stipulated by the law. Therefore, we judge that no public nuisance has occurred.” "Does that mean you swallowed all these figures?" When Zhong Yuan said this, he thought it was sarcasm, but the other party didn't seem to feel it at all. "Nowadays, companies are also very enthusiastic about pollution issues. They won't mention fake numbers." Do you really believe so?Or do you have to pretend to believe it from the standpoint of a government official?Zhongyuan couldn't judge the mystery, but no matter what, the other party's sullen attitude made him very annoyed. Has the deputy chief ever seen the smoke over Jinpu and the dirty seawater of Jinpu Bay? "Then what do you mean to say: one person died, but you still have no intention of investigating the pollution status in the Jinpu area, right?" "Let me repeat again, Gumpo is not polluted. We have not received any reports of pollution. If there is pollution in Gumpo, it is the fishermen who suffer the most. But the fishermen are applying for the certificate of Gimpo pollution. You see, of course we think Jinpu is harmless.” As the deputy director spoke, he took out an application form and showed it to Zhong Yuan. The deputy director looked at the application that Zhong Yuan was reading with a proud face. Zhongyuan thought of Jinpu Bay, which was dyed tea-brown, and the figure of an old fisherman who was fishing on his stomach on the rippling boat. The police officers in the district once talked to him about the plight of the fishermen. Fish and shellfish caught in polluted seas are undercut.The damage in this area should have been compensated by the company, but they had to lie that the smelly sea was not polluted.This should be because after being sued in the government, the accumulation of lawsuits will make life face a desperate situation.Therefore, this paper application is also the desperate appeal of fishermen. The person in charge of the county government should have listened to the wailing of the fishermen between the lines, but the official in front of him thought that their negligence had been covered up by this paper application. He even has such a poor understanding of the fishermen in the entire Mianpu area, let alone the death of a girl, what more can you ask of him?How could he understand Umezu Yuka's pain and despair? "You're an idiot." Anger made Zhong Yuan blurt out a curse word.This guy doesn't understand anything.I don't want to understand either. "I said you don't understand anything. That's why you're an idiot." Zhongyuan is almost ready to quarrel with the other party.If the other party got angry too, it would be a little bit of backbone, but the half-old official just looked confused, and then said as if to show magnanimity: "It's really beyond words." He even smiled helplessly. Zhong Yuan glared at the other party fiercely, and when he was about to explode, the deputy director spoke first: "I'm sorry. I have other urgent matters..." As he said that, he left in a hurry. Yuan came out of the county government. The spring is dazzling.He frowned and looked up at the sky. The attitudes of the personnel section chief of New Sun Chemical and the county staff were generally not what Zhong Yuan expected.He believed that the opponent was Daizo Saeki, so he was not disappointed by this, no, on the contrary, he ignited his fighting spirit even more. He returned to Jinpo and entered a hotel not far from the sea. After Xiaoxiu, I asked the daughter-in-law to hang up the phone to the office in Tokyo, and told the secretary Kyoko who answered: "Pick up everything and rush over here." Then, I hung up the phone to the social group of "Dongdu News".After connecting, please ask your old friend Kusakabe to be obedient. "I want to ask you to draw your sword to help." The Central Plains is still a consistent straight-forward approach. "What's up?" "Aren't you serializing a column called 'Tracking Public Nuisance'? I hope Jinpu related industries will also write a column." "Jimpo?... I remember that Jinpu wrote the report from the Shizuoka branch. There was a piece of news that a girl who couldn't bear the pain of asthma committed suicide by throwing herself into the sea." "Would you like to dig a little deeper?" "Does it have anything to do with you?" Kusakabe's surprised voice came from the microphone.Zhong Yuan's face darkened and said: "I have an inescapable responsibility for her death." "Okay, okay. Then you say, is this thing really worth digging again?" "Yes. If you don't care about it, there will definitely be a second or third victim." "Is Jinpu so dirty?" "Seeing is better than hearing a hundred times. Although I have only been here for one day, I can already see that it is very bad. So I dare say that there will be a second and third victim. It should be the responsibility of you journalists to prevent the tragedy from happening. .” "Don't incite me." Kusakabe said with a wry smile, "I guess, you still have a bad temper, and you had a fight with people from the company and the government." "That's right. Because they always put on a sincere smile, and their words are so unreasonable." "So your dude wants to use our newspaper and give them a big blow, doesn't he?" "Hey, isn't it possible to add a wonderful touch to your serialization?" "Hey, wait a minute." Kusakabe put down the phone and came back five or six minutes later.It seems that I have discussed it with the editorial department. "Hey, I'm going over right now." Before his friend and secretary Kyoko came, Zhong Yuan decided to visit the city hospital. Zhongyuan went out to the street.The whole street still feels dry.Vehicles sped back and forth with black smoke, and pop songs poured from the billiard room. Along the way, I saw three pharmacies, all of which had a note with the words "There are special medicines for asthma" written on them.One family even put a red circle on the word "asthma".This means that there are many asthmatics here. Jinpu Municipal Hospital is at the end of the street. It is a three-story building. It seems that it has just been built, and the house is still very new. Zhongyuan entered the waiting room first.There is an oil painting of Mount Fuji hanging on the wall, which is quite chic, and there are five or six people waiting.Zhongyuan saw a boy wearing a white gauze mask, coughing hard. He was about ten years old.Then he spoke to the mother on the side. "Madam, may I ask if the young master is short of breath?" "yes." The mother answered while stroking the back of her son. "There seem to be many asthmatics on the street?" "Ok……" "Is it possible that after the establishment of related industrial parks, the number of asthma cases increased?" "I guess so. But I'm not sure." Mother hesitated to speak.I doubt it, but I can't be sure. When Zhong Yuan was about to ask more questions, the nurse came out and called the mother and son in. The nurse also looked at Zhong Yuan and asked him if he was seeing a doctor. Zhongyuan gave a business card and said: "I want to see the doctor who treated Umezu Yuka, and ask for advice." "Mezu?..." "It's the girl who committed suicide three days ago. She's seen a doctor here." "Please wait." The young nurse seemed to panic slightly, and went into the examination room.He clearly said to wait, but Zhong Yuan waited for almost ten minutes before being invited in. In the examination room, a doctor about forty years old sat on a chair and waited. When he saw Zhong Yuan, he gave up the chair with his slender and beautiful fingers. "It's the illness I treated Umezu Yuka. What advice do you have?" "What's wrong with her?" "Bronchial wheeze. You already know that, don't you?" "What I want to know is the reason for her illness. Is it because of public nuisance? Is it caused by the dirty air here?" "I don't think so." "Excuse me, why do you decide it's not?" "Most of the bronchial asthma is caused by her natural constitution. In addition, she has a constitution that is prone to colds. If she catches a cold, it will definitely cause breathing difficulties. The natural constitution and the protracted cold are the symptoms of that patient. Correct medical records." "However, before she came to work at New Sun Chemical, she never had asthma. It happened after she came here to work. Excuse me, can it be determined that it is not a public nuisance disease?" "There are quite a few cases of women suddenly having an asthma attack when they reach the age of seventeen or eighteen." "However, are there more asthma patients in this market than in other places? Maybe it's the rapid increase after the establishment of related industries and industrial zones, isn't it?" "I don't know about this kind of statistical thing." "Then who should I ask?" "Maybe the director of affairs here knows. Unfortunately, he's not here today." "When can I see him?" "I went to Tokyo. I should be back tomorrow, but I'm not sure." The doctor suddenly became cold. Zhongyuan went out to the corridor. ——Does this doctor really believe that Umezu Yuka's asthma is caused by physical reasons?Or clearly suspected that it might be a public nuisance disease, and deliberately lied? ... After thinking about it, Zhong Yuan walked in the opposite direction to getting started. When he regained himself, he found himself standing in front of a bust. He stared blankly at the bust. --what? He was slightly taken aback.That face was actually made by Saeki.Look at the words carved in stone on the platform. This department was donated by Mr. Daizo Saeki.Showa forty-seven years on May 6th. A wry smile appeared on Zhong Yuan's face.By the way, the picture of Mount Fuji hanging in the waiting room must also be the work of Daizo Saeki.I remember seeing this one at an art exhibition of people in the financial industry. ——It seems that Saiki Daizo's influence may control the entire Nimpo City. After sunset, Kusakabe and Kyoko arrived one after another. In the hotel room, Nakahara explained the findings to the two of them. "Hey, do you really want to sue the company and the county?" Kusakabe asked after listening. "Yeah. It's serious, that's why I ask you to draw your sword and help." "But public nuisance lawsuits are time-consuming, and it is very difficult to prove causality. First of all, Meijin Shanjia committed suicide. Even if it can be proved that her asthma was caused by public nuisance, both the enterprise and the county government must pay for her suicide. Responsible, it’s probably hard to make sense.” "I know it's hard, but I have to do it." "You said on the phone that you were responsible for her suicide. What the hell is going on?" "I'll tell you after the lawsuit is won." "In the photo, she is beautiful, isn't she?" Kyoko asked from the side.It was appropriate for her to ask this question. Zhong Yuan thought of the slightly exposed white teeth in the posthumous photo, and the bright smile on his face. "A very cute girl." "Then there might be a lover." Kyoko said again. --spouse…… Nakahara cast his eyes out of the window.It was already dusk outside, only the tall chimneys of the oil refinery were still emitting orange flames. "It's about Jinpu-related industries and industrial zones." Kusakabe brought the topic back and said, "I did some research before coming here. What's interesting is that almost all of the factories here have some relationship with Dayang Group." "The refinery too?" "That's right. It's Sun Oil, a related company of Sun Heavy Industries." "I see." What I thought of in the corridor of the municipal hospital was indeed correct, Zhong Yuan thought.The entire city is controlled by Saiki Daizo. "In this way, it will be easier to fight." A fearless smile appeared on Zhong Yuan's face. The next day, Zhongyuan sent Jingzi to Qipu.On the one hand, it was because the old diary cared about Meijin Ade, and on the other hand, he also felt that Jingzi was more suitable than himself to check her family situation. 接着，中原和日下部两人跑到太阳石油公司去，因为他觉得这家炼油厂必是亚硫酸瓦斯的污染源。 在客厅里等了好一刻，才有自称是公关课长的一位年轻职员出现。 这人对中原的名片倒不像有何困惑，可是听到日下部说是东都新闻的记者，脸色微微一变。既是和新太阳化学同一个系统的企业，那么一定事先有过联络了，中原想到这里，眼光里自然地就有了调侃之色。 “想必你们也知道梅津由佳在锦浦湾自杀的事吧。”日下部问，并同时掏出小簿于，摆出准备做笔记的样子。 公关课长侧侧头才回答说： “是听到过有个年轻女性自杀的消息，但是详细情形就不知道了。” 中原从这话里感到谎言。当今，每家企业都在为公害问题伤着脑筋。在这种风声鹤唳的情况下，身为公关课长，即令在报上只不过是个小新闻，却也明明表示着可能是公害问题逼使她自寻短见，这样的事件，身为公关课长，岂可不知详情。 日下部似乎也有同样观感，苦笑着瞟了一眼中原，不过对公关课长倒仍然保持着原先的淡淡口吻说： “那个女孩是因为受到公害，得了气喘病，忍受不住那种痛苦才自杀身亡的。如果亚硫酸瓦斯是气喘的原因，那你们公司恐怕免不了要受到怀疑了。关于这一点，你是当事人，请问有什么看法？” “你们问这个，到底有什么用意呢？” 年轻的公关课长小心翼翼地看着两个来客反问。 日下部掏出香烟点燃了一枝说： “我们想把锦浦相关产业工业区的实际情形，介绍给全国读者。” “我们这里不会有问题的。因为企业方面来这里设厂，所以年轻人口不再流向都市，市里的财务也好转了。只有益，没有害。你们好像很关心公害问题，可是这里既没有痛痛病，也没有镉污染。” “可是现实上，有个年轻少女因为受不住公害病的折磨自杀了。” “我们听到的讯息说，她的气喘是体质上的。” “你倒很清楚嘛。” 中原忍不住地从旁讥刺了一声。 公关课长涨红了脸。 “不不，我们这里，后来没有出过公害病。刚刚这位先生提了亚硫酸瓦斯，我们公司从来也没有超过法令规定的○·二PPM。我们每个月都有报告表向县环境卫生局提出，我们愿意提供给各位参考。而且从这里的窗口也可以看到，敝工厂的烟囱都筑成一百八十米高，原本的设计是一百五十米，为了顾虑居民，加高了三十米。光是这一项，预算就超过了五亿元，但是我们为了达到零公害的目标，不惜牺牲，这一点一定要请你们了解。当然，我们也有最新式的污染处理设备。” 公关课长取了一种宣传小册子，两人面前各放一份。标题写的是：“太阳石油的目标：零污染。” 是极精致的印刷物，一眼即知花了不少钱印出来的。 里面真个是图文并茂，说明太阳石油是如何重视公害问题。末尾是县环卫局长的谈话，有如下的歌颂文词： 太阳石油对防止公害的努力，令人无限钦佩。有一项调查结果显示，在锦浦地区，污染从未超过○·二PPM达三个小时以上，由这一点也可以知道，本地居民是毋需担心公害污染的。 “这里头说的一项调查结果，是怎么回事？” 日下部的问话，使公关课长欣然一笑答： “这是昭和四十七年，通商局和县方面联合举办的污染调查，是非常周详完整的调查。” “已经是三年前的了？” “是。不过那以后也完全一样。” “完全一样吗？” “是的。这里从来也没有出过烟雾警报，这就是证据。当然，海水是有一点脏了，可是照样有鱼抓，去年也抓了好多傻瓜贝，渔民都大捞了一把，皆大欢喜。” “东京湾也有过傻瓜贝的异常繁殖呢。” 日下部依然用那种淡淡的口气说，接着又问： “关于这个，Y大学的一位生物学教授表示了意见，说这是东京湾里的生物将全部死灭的朕兆。” 这话使得年轻课长一愣，然后才低咳一声说： “不管如何，锦浦是没有公害的。如果报纸上随便报导，恐怕给居民带来困扰，因此还要请您下笔慎重。” “当然不会乱写，不过对事实，我们会毫不保留的。” 日下部这句话的口吻变得斩钉截铁了。 两人从太阳石油出来后回过头看看，年轻课长所炫耀的高耸烟囟依然冒着橘红色的火焰，其他工厂群冒的则是濛濛白烟，天空沉甸甸地罩着烟雾，不知是不是因为精神作用，喉咙好像有点疼起来了。 “这也算零公害，真是睁眼说瞎话。” 两人禁不住相顾失笑。 中原提议跑跑新太阳化学，日下部摇摇头说： “你昨天去过了，再去也不可能听到别的说词，倒不如查查还有没有像梅津由佳那样的气喘病患。如果气喘病患多，便是公害的证据。” “气喘病人多是错不了的，每家药房都在宣传气喘的特效药。” 日下部对此很感兴趣，要求中原带路，到药店拍摄了招贴的照片。 接着，中原把日下部带到市立医院。路上，中原告诉日下部，医院的经费也是由佐伯大造资助的，日下部也觉得有趣极了，这也是属于新闻记者特有的感觉吧。 在医院里，他们见到了事务主任。是因为这里是市立医院呢，或者这位半老主任的个性使然呢？他那种应对方式，完全是小公务员式的。 “请问你们这里，有没有公害病嫌疑的病人？” 听到日下部这问话，事务主任让身体微晃着，冷冷地回答说： “没有。一个也没有。” “有气喘病患吧？” “目前有三个人，在我们这里接受治疗。不过全部都是从体质上来的，跟所谓的'四日市喘息'完全不同。” “我想见见这些病人谈谈话。” 事务主任摇摇头说： “这不太方便。” "why?" “有的需要绝对安静。” “总不是三个人都要绝对安静吧。” “要绝对安静的虽然只有一个，可是气喘病人都会因为受到精神冲击而发作，所以不方便见人。” 事务主任说得很坚决。日下部耸耸肩，中原却从旁插进来说： “气喘病人真的只有三个吗？” "yes." “住院病人是三个，那没有住院，光来这里治疗的病人，是不是很多？” 中原想起昨日在候诊室看到的一对母子。 “没有，只有两个。” “只有两个吗？” “不错。当然，这两个也不是公害病病人。” “总共只有五个气喘病人，这怎么能叫人相信呢？” “我是市立医院的负责人，我说的话当然不会错。” “可是街路上的药店，气喘药不是很畅销吗？照那样子看，人数应该更多才是。” “不会。” 事务主任摇摇头。中原从那张脸上感受到一种警戒与傲慢之色，仿佛无言地在说：你们外界的人知道个屁。 两人相对看了一眼，这才辞出来。 当他们从事务主任室出来后，事务主任也跟着出来，在廊上监视一般地目送了半天。 出到医院大门外，两人才又相对苦笑了一下。 “这个事务主任分明在撒谎。” 中原说。日下部点点头表示同意，并说： “我相信气喘病人还有不少。可是就算我们要求看病历表，八成是写着别的病名吧。” “人数也一定相符的。” “嗯。”日下部又说：“接下来，我们去找找反对这个工业区的人吧，这方面的情报也很需要。” 中原点燃了一枝香烟。 “渔民可不行。他们内心里也许愤怒，但是大家吵起来，鱼就会卖不出去。所以不可能从他们那里听到内心话的。” “渔民都是这样。只要还能抓到一些鱼，他们就沉默得像贝壳。只要有一点污染的风声，一千元的鱼马上就跌到五百元、三百元。” “说不定问问旅馆的下女，会有些消息吧。” 在中原的提议下，两人回到旅馆，找来当地人下女，问这里有没有从事反对公害运动的人。她想了想说： “吉川老师啦，是县立锦浦高中的老师。” “是年轻的老师吗？” “是。从东京的大学毕业出来的，来这里才三年。” “他做的是怎样的反对运动呢？” “有时发发油印传单，还叫学生们做些测量亚硫酸瓦斯的简单仪器，装在街路上许多地方。也要装在我们旅馆的，可是老板娘拒绝了。” "why?" “我们这里，太阳石油的人常常来开饭局，所以老板娘怕人家不喜欢。” 微胖的下女这么说着低声笑了笑。 “你会不会喉咙痛？” 听到中原这么问，下女摸摸自己的喉咙说： “痛倒不会，可是这两三年来，嗓声坏多了。其实我说话不是这么沙哑的，以前还想当一名歌星呢。” 下女说罢又多么可笑似地笑起来。 锦浦市街背山面水，县立锦浦高中就在山麓。 说起伊豆的山，毫无例外地都是一片青翠，不过这里大概是仅有的例外，直到山小腹，被无情地削平了。土方一车车地运出去，八成是用来填海的吧。这就是说，锦浦相关产业工业区，到如今依然在扩张。 中原和日下部在运土车扬起的灰尘里，紧紧蹙着眉头进了高中校门。 校园里有泳池、体育馆，设备堪称第一流，校舍也都是钢筋三楼的现代化建筑，显示出本市财政丰裕。但是，也付出了海和天空污浊的代价。 吉川教师正在上物理课，下课后来到泳池边晤面。 “这里比教员室，说话更自由。” 吉川说着笑了笑。 大概是个子矮小的青年，而且戴着深度眼镜，可归于其貌不扬的那一类。和公害周旋的热血汉子，应该是更潇洒才是，可是吉川的形象完全不是这回事。中原一看有些失望，但是聊开了才知道他的印象完全错了。吉川的话语明快清晰，而且带着一股力道。 “我听过有关您的传闻了。”吉川向中原说：“小地方，话总是传得快。尤其您说要告企业和县府，这太刺激了，一下子就传遍了全市。” “我相信自杀的梅津由佳得的是公害病，您认为呢？” 中原问。吉川把眼光移到泳池上。 “我不是医生，所以不敢断定，不过我相信非常可能。” “有什么根据吗？” 如果有，那提出告诉时会是一项有力的证据吧。吉川却从口袋里掏出油印小册子，分别给两人，并说： “是我来到本校以后，把每次发生的公害事件依次记录下来的。” 昭和四十七年四月新太阳化学员工之中陆续有人表示眼睛痛，原因是否为该厂废液？ 对此，厂方己否定。 同年六月K山上松林呈茶褐色、枯死。原因是否为亚硫酸瓦斯？ 同年七月有渔人在锦浦湾捕获畸形鱼。 同年九月本校学生三十人眩晕，一人喉咙痛，幸未酿成灾害。 同年十月渔民S先生（六十岁）因支气管喘息死亡。市立医院S医师诊断为因疲劳得病。 次年三月计画在市区内二十处装设亚硫酸瓦斯检验装置（在空罐里放置咸滤纸）。但在十二处遭拒，实装八处。 同年六月市西地区查出的记录：亚硫酸瓦斯一小时○·一PPM六十次、○·二PPM三十六次、○·六PPM十二次。 同年八月港湾地区亚硫酸瓦斯○·三PPM十次。 同年九~十月居民六人因支气管喘息住市立医院。 S医师否认此病与公害有关。但其中一人T先生（四十三岁）到下田去易地转院，立即痊愈，可见此否认未必得当。 中原抬起头看看吉川问： “公害这么明显了，为什么居民不起来反抗呢？” “那是因为他们有个错觉，认为比起公害的害处，企业来这里设厂所受的利益还大。” 吉川的眼睛在镜片后笑着。接着又说： “这里成立了相关产业工业区之后，锦浦的人口膨胀了将近五倍之多，当然而然，人们的收入也增加了。够气派的医院、市民会馆也盖起来了，最近这所学校也添了游泳池和体育馆。本市的要人们认为本市还会更发展，都很乐观。不过如今有人自杀了，说不定人们的观感会渐渐转变吧。” 吉川还表示，反对公害运动的前途，他既不悲观，也不乐观。 “太阳石油方面肯定没有公害呢。” 日下部试探般地说。吉川耸耸肩表示： “企业方面当然不可能说真话，市公所也一样。照目前的情形，他们不会去测亚硫酸瓦斯的浓度，更不会向厂方提出警告。我在做的事也不受欢迎。有一次，我去散发反对公害的传单，被一个渔夫打了一顿。他的说法是：干吗想使我们抓的鱼卖不出去？受公害最严重的人，结果成了替公害企业辩护的人，这真是讽刺，却也是现实。不过我还是有个期待，当人们被逼得无路可走的时候，最有力的反抗者，必定也是这些渔人。” “您的看法认为锦浦的公害还会再恶化吗？” 日下部这么问，吉川回答说： “是的，而且我还认为必定会成为第二个四日市。我甚至以为仿四日市喘息的说法，这里的也可以称做锦浦喘息了。” “但是太阳石油方面强调说，他们的烟囱筑得高，防污染设备也好，排出的亚硫酸瓦斯绝对在法律规定的标准以下。” “他们的宣传小册子，我也看到了，发给全市每户。”吉川又笑了笑。 “难道您认为那是胡说八道？” 中原问道。吉川缩缩肩膀说： “也不算全部胡说八道，因为市区里并不是没有法定浓度以下的日子。例如冬天，法定以下浓度的日子就多些。这是因为冬季里，风从山那边吹向海上的日子多。从烟囱排放的亚硫酸瓦斯被吹向海上，浓度就减低了。可是这也不能证明太阳石油为首的企业，都能严守法律规定。最可恶的是把冬季里的数字，写成是整年里的数字，这已经是一项伪造文书的行为了。” “那夏天的风向是相反的了。” “是的。从春季到秋季，风从海上吹向陆地，这就是问题了。因为，尽管烟囱有一百八十米高，可是锦浦周围的山更高。这时，冒出来的亚硫酸瓦斯碰到山，然后往街市上灌。我猜想，山下附近的气喘病人比工厂附近多，原因就在这里。” 吉川口齿明快，而且充满信心。 日下部一面做笔记一面问： “您刚刚说的话，可以在报上发表出来吗？” “请您一定要写出来。”吉川说。 末了，中原又问： “您在东京念完了大学，怎么跑到这样的乡下高中来教书呢？” “我大概只能适合这里吧。” 吉川说着又微笑了。中原觉得，这种说法，与其说是谦虚，毋宁更是这位年轻教师的强烈自负吧。 当两人回到旅馆时，京子已经早一步回来了。 “律师，请您看看这个。” 京子从手提袋取出了一个信封，放在中原前面。 信封上有薄礼两字，里头是现款三万元。京子说： “今天早上，新太阳化学的人事课长来到梅津家，把这个交给老太大。” “薄礼？是想封住人家嘴巴的吧。” 中原苦笑着说。京子表示同意后热心地说明： “那个人事课长向老太太说：听说您要告公司，这么荒唐的事，还是免了吧。东京来的人说的话，还是不要听好。” “哼哼。” “老太太不肯接下，可是他们硬塞给老太太就走了。她好生气，说拿了三万元，孙女就会回来吗？她还要我转告律