Chapter 4 Chapter II Qualifications of the suitor
"It's extremely secret." Ono, director of the Central Research Institute, said with a smile in his eyes. "Ordered a large number of napalm bombs used in the Vietnam battlefield from our company."
"APA?" Onishi couldn't help asking in amazement.
"Yes. That's not a sporadic small batch. We have almost eaten up all domestic orders for napalm bombs from the United States. The 'trial products' sent by my company are of good quality, and now we have won a large number of orders. This is also The result of your hard work. The manager is also very happy. If it goes well, you will be able to monopolize the APA’s arms orders. From now on, I will rely on your Daliluo.” After speaking, Ono took out the equipment from the desk in a serious manner. A bulging envelope was delivered to Daxi.
"Is this—?" Onishi asked in surprise and bewilderment.
"This is a special bonus from the manager, please accept it."
"A bonus from the manager!" Daxi couldn't help but feel a burst of warmth in his heart.This kind of special bonus issued by the manager is the greatest honor in Japan Chemical Company.Only those who have made special contributions to the company, or those who have major inventions that promote the company's business development, can be awarded bonuses through the discussion of the board of directors.This is not a general contribution and invention, here it means that there must be a special and significant contribution.Therefore, since the company was founded in Taisho three years (1915), there have been only a handful of recipients.Those who received such bonuses, without exception, were promoted to extremely high positions.It can be said that winning an award means climbing the ladder of success.
For young Onishi, this wasn't just an ordinary honor that caused a flurry of excitement.This is the reward that Onishi has received since he joined the company and has become a beast in the research laboratory, devoting himself to the development of high-performance explosives day and night.
The predecessor of Nippon Chemicals Co., Ltd., where Daxiong Xiong worked, was the Imperial Gunpowder Company, the earliest company in Japan to manufacture explosives.
In the past, all kinds of explosives needed by our country relied on imports.After the outbreak of the First World War, explosives could no longer be imported from abroad, and had to be produced by ourselves.At that time, the government revised the Act on Prohibition of Military Gunpowder, opening the ban on the Imperial Gunpowder Company, which had the ability to manufacture explosives at that time, and allowing private enterprises to produce various explosives.
After the Pacific War, according to the regulations of the United Nations Command, the manufacture of weapons and ammunition was prohibited.The Imperial Gunpowder Company changed its name to Nippon Kasei Corporation, and was approved by the United Nations Command to only produce explosives for industrial blasting.
In 1950, after the outbreak of the Korean War, the U.S. military ordered emergency military supplies from our country and purchased various military supplies, which were called "Korean Special Needs" at that time.
From March 1952, according to the memorandum of the United Nations Command, from April of that year, the production authority of military aircraft was transferred to my country.Therefore, Nippon Kasei received another order for Special Need No. 1: 420,000 rounds of 81mm mortar shells.
This kind of "special needs" orders, after reaching the highest amount in this year, have declined year by year.In the following year (1953), the United Nations Command abolished the control over the production of explosives. At this time, the development of electric power was stepped up, and there was an upsurge in the development of hydroelectric power generation. The production of civilian explosives by Nippon Kasei Corporation took the opportunity to develop greatly.
The sudden reduction in the special needs of arms has put other arms manufacturers with huge equipment in a predicament. Nippon Kasei Corporation gloated at this, and took advantage of this development boom to usher in the company's spring again.
In February 1962, the United States officially entered into military intervention in Vietnam.From the end of 1964 to the bombing of northern Vietnam in February 1965, the "Special Needs of Vietnam" at that time increased correspondingly.In the spring of this year, a large number of Japanese businessmen began to flock to APA, the munitions ordering department of the U.S. Army Quartermaster Headquarters in Japan, to request orders.
In the spring of 1963, after graduating from the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Toto University, Daxiong joined Nippon Chemical Corporation as an explosives engineer.At that time, Vietnam was already full of war clouds, and the company expected that "special needs" would come soon. Onishi was appointed by the company to devote all his youthful enthusiasm to the development of high-efficiency incendiary bombs.
Waki Lang wrote in his book "Biochemical Weapons":
"Napalm bomb - after the fire exploded, a sea of fire with a temperature of more than 800 degrees within 2 kilometers, all the ground was burned, and due to the high temperature and intense combustion, there was a lack of oxygen. Even those who survived the flames could not escape suffocation. Death. This weapon is comparable to the power of a small atomic bomb, and it is called a very lethal chemical weapon."
Onishi never thought that the products he developed would bring terrible disasters to mankind.I chose the major of organic chemistry. Since I have entrusted my future to this company, I must try my best to implement the orders of the company.For business people, the company's orders are paramount.What's more, this weapon was used in Vietnam, so I didn't feel any guilt at all.Even knowing that the weapon I developed is a kind of hellfire that kills a large number of innocent lives is just a theoretical concept.The victim is far away in a foreign country, and he has not witnessed the cruel and terrible killing scene, so he has no intuitive experience.
In contrast, the joy of being appreciated for one's own research results is much greater.It never occurred to him that being appreciated would mean inventing an excellent tool for killing people, and that more people would lose their lives.
To him, the terrible weapon of murder, the petrol bomb, is nothing more than a synthetic chemical product made of thermite, magnesium and napalm.
"I am a chemist, and my research results have been recognized by society for the first time." In the bottom of his heart, there was still a trace of human conscience, and he was silent in front of this joy.
"You will be notified after the date of the commendation ceremony is decided. However, the manager takes special care and will give you a bonus first to make you happy." Ono said.Just like a teacher who is happy with the achievements of his favorite student, his naturally serious expression has become kind. It is rare to see him with such a relaxed expression, and Onishi is also doubly happy.
Inside the envelope were twenty thousand yuan banknotes.He didn't know the general amount of the manager's bonus, but judging from his status and age of service, the large bonus of 200,000 yuan was the highest among the bonuses awarded by the manager.
Back in the laboratory, colleagues who heard the good news congratulated him one after another, but there was only one person who could share the joy with him.
"Hey, Shoko Banano from the secretarial section, please listen to the phone."
After he got away from his colleagues, he immediately dialed the outside phone on his desk.After a while, there was the sound of jumper from the switchboard, and then a soft voice of a young woman: "I am Shoko Banano."
A guttural voice as sweet as a whisper, as if her lips were pressed close to her ear.
"Ah, Shoko? I'm Onishi."
"Oh, Anxiong." From the inadvertently raised voice, Daxi felt her affection for him.
"Tonight, I want to meet you, and I have good news for you."
"Tonight? Any good news?"
"Let's talk about it after we meet. Okay?"
"Okay." Xiangzi readily agreed.
When a young girl is invited by a man, even if it's no big deal, she always puts on airs; but Xiangzi has no such vulgarity at all.It is a pity that the invitation to Onishi has not yet reached the point where he can come to him immediately regardless of everything.
Xiangzi has a good impression of Onishi, but Onishi is not very clear about this.Shoko Banano and Onishi both graduated from Tohto University and met when they were active in a club.Although she is calm and rational, she is not frosty.She is cheerful, approachable, young and beautiful, and attracts many students of the opposite sex, among whom Onishi is the most enthusiastic admirer.But he restrained himself and did not show his love, so the other party did not know his yearning.He thought that once he was coldly received, he was afraid that he would not be able to bear the blow mentally, not to mention that he did not have any financial strength during the study period.He is not the kind of person who is keen on playing love games, he regards Xiangzi as his lifelong partner.But this also needs to be backed by financial strength, and he also needs the support of his parents.I am next to the opposite sex whom I have been thinking about day and night, but I have a fear that one day she will be taken away by a man with financial strength, and I watch her obsessively every day.
Onishi has frankly expressed his thoughts to Akita several times.Akita is his classmate, but he is a medical student, and they know each other well because they both like mountaineering.
"You can wait until you have a certain financial ability." Akita said with the expression of a Zen monk who has realized the Tao.
"Do I just wait like this because I'm so close?"
"Then, before you are financially independent, you will guard her by the side. When you become independent, you will propose to her before she is married; if she is married, you will pull her down." Whenever Akita said this will laugh.
"I think you should give up on this idea, there is more than one woman in the world, Banano Shoko!" Akita always answered him like this.
Onishi also estimated that Akita's answer was basically the same, but in order to express his depression, he always wanted to express his lovesickness to Akita.Akita's blunt answer only shows that he doesn't know what it's like to be in love at all, but after hearing this, Onishi feels very satisfied in his heart.
"In the past, Akita always liked to say: She is not the only woman!... However, he probably won't nag me about this sentence in the future.
"Tonight I will say that I have the ability to support my wife and have enough social status to start a family. And, fortunately, Xiangzi is still in the boudoir! Maybe Xiangzi has never been married, and I am waiting for this moment. One day. Now is the time to say these words to Xiangzi.”
At five o'clock, Onishi walked out of the research institute, took a bus to Mitaka Station on the Chuo Line, and changed to a state-owned tram here.Nippon Chemical Corporation's central research institute is located near Jindaiji Temple in Chofu City.Because it mainly studies various dangerous explosives, the research institute is located in the outskirts of Musashino where there are few houses.Recently, people have poured into Tokyo like a tide, and a large number of houses have gradually been built in the surrounding area, so the research institute had to move to the outer suburbs.
Shoko worked in a foreign firm in the area, and the two always met at the "Xuegou" cafe at the east end of Shinjuku.Although the shop is small, the windows are bright and clean, and there are vacant seats no matter what time of day.Shinjuku is right in the middle of the two lines of Kuinouchi and Mitaka, which is very convenient for both people.
Even though it was the evening when people were leaving get off work and people were bustling with each other, the tram was not too crowded.Before six o'clock, Daxi pushed open the door of the "Xuegou" cafe, and saw Xiangzi sitting on the seat at the far end smiling at him and raising his hand in greeting.
"Have you been waiting for a while?"
"No, I just came here for a while."
Sure enough, Xiangzi hadn't even taken a sip of the coffee in front of him.Onishi asked the waiter for a cup of black tea, and squinted his eyes, as if he had encountered some dazzling light, meeting Shoko's gaze.
"Yo, why do you look at people like that?" She moved her body slightly, revealing her plump and graceful figure.
"Have you seen Akita?" Onishi asked without words.Both of them are friends of Akita.
"No wow! Akita seems to be very busy, and he rarely calls, and he is always so rigid." He really is.It's rare to call to inquire about what's going on, and always say something like: "Is there something wrong? If not, I'll hang up." He is a man who doesn't know how to communicate at all, and looks indifferent, but his heart is by no means indifferent.People who don't understand his characteristics will often misunderstand.
Xiangzi replied feeling a little melancholy, it was not that she didn't understand him.Onishi vaguely felt that the lingering sound in Xiangzi's answer was exhausted.
"Let's not talk about that. Didn't you say you have some good news?" Xiangzi returned to his usual cheerful tone.
"My research has been appreciated, and I have also received a bonus from the manager." Onishi's breasts also inadvertently increased.For a young man, there is no greater joy or pleasure than showing off his social worth in front of the woman he loves.If the other party is a young and beautiful woman, the man will feel even more proud.Most of the ambitions and ambitions shown by young men are to impress young and beautiful women, which is caused by the childish psychology of worshiping heroes.
Xiangzi opened his big, melancholy eyes wide.Onishi was intoxicated by Xiangzi's admiring eyes (that's how he felt), and he couldn't hold back his joy.
"This is the inside story of an extremely confidential company. Please don't tell anyone, not even Akita." Onishi said, looking directly at Xiangzi's passionate eyes.I thought to myself: These eyes are always so beautiful.
No matter which company produces materials specially needed for the Vietnam War, it is extremely confidential.The production of munitions cannot be tolerated by the national sentiments that proclaim the implementation of permanent pacifism.If the workers feel that they are participating in the manufacture of weapons that directly or indirectly kill the Vietnamese people, they will stop working.
To disclose this kind of secret to the woman he loves is also to fully trust her, and believe that the secret will never be leaked out.
Needless to say, in order not to be heard by anyone around him, he explained to her in a very low voice, so that she could also enjoy the joy of knowing the secret inside story.
"Thermite bombs in the past were divided into two categories: thermite and yellow phosphorus. Thermite bombs can release high temperature, but the killing range is extremely small, just like setting off fireworks, and it will be over after releasing heat all at once. The burning time of yellow phosphorus alone It is very short, the calorific value is not high, but it can continuously release high temperature, and the damage range is not large, so I immersed myself in the research and development, and finally produced the by-product naphthenic hydrochloric acid and palm oil as the main raw materials, and combined it with zinc and phosphorus. An ideal napalm bomb is made of auxiliary materials such as aluminum, gasoline, etc. When it explodes, the splash range of the oily substance is about 2,000 square meters. It is incomparable to similar products from other companies." Onishi was very excited, and triumphantly explained to Xiangzi the expertise that outsiders could not understand.
Xiangzi listened intently, which made Onishi more confident and kept talking.
"The performance of this kind of incendiary bomb is even recognized by the U.S. military, so the parts of the incendiary bomb used in the Vietnam battlefield are almost all ordered by our company in Japan."
"It's terrible!"
"I not only develop incendiary bombs, but also high explosives and glycerin explosives based on nitro compounds."
"..."
"Now it's more than just 'Vietnam Special Needs'. The explosives manufactured by our company are the best among similar products in the world."
"Then what is the purpose of inventing such a powerful explosive? Is it to kill more people in the war?" Xiangzi mumbled.Because I didn't know how to say it, it took me a long time to spit out such a sentence.
"I can't help it, how can you say that!" Onishi laughed, and then said: "What did Nobel invent? Isn't it glycerin explosives? Explosives are not necessarily used in weapons. If there is no explosives in various modern industries Therefore, it cannot prosper. To give a small example, if you want to build a reservoir or make rocket fuel, you cannot do anything without explosives. Explosives used in military affairs are only a very small part of it. "
"And what about this incendiary bomb?"
"Hey, what are incendiary bombs? Some people make atomic bombs. I don't think it's making weapons. What I make is 'a kind of fuel that emits high temperature in a large area and can burn continuously'. As for how people use this It is not the responsibility of the inventor. If the inventor is responsible for the use of various new inventions, then the great invention that is the wealth of mankind will not be born!"
Daxiwei's tone is really a bit scary. Because of the rashness and impetuosity of young people, he is overconfident in his career.
"That's true." Xiangzi seemed to be overwhelmed by his momentum, and couldn't help nodding his head in agreement.But Onishi understood it from the side that was beneficial to him, and said with a satisfied smile:
"You understand now. And I got a bonus from the manager, and my position in Japan Kasei is considered to be - stable -."
"Congratulations from the bottom of my heart!"
"Thank you. Your congratulations are better than anything else. I was the first to think of telling you."
"That's a good thing."
"If you're happy, you can stay with me tonight, and let's have a toast to celebrate!"
Onishi stared into Shoko's eyes, but Shoko seemed to avoid his passionate gaze inadvertently.
"is it okay?……"
"Okay." Xiangzi nodded slightly.Seeing the expression of Onishi who was very different from usual and full of enthusiasm, Xiangzi had a premonition that it was a bit inappropriate, and also felt that he was in a dilemma, but seeing his face full of joy, he couldn't help but couldn't help but couldn't bear to spoil his happiness.
"Then it's settled. Find some nice place to have supper."
The two took a car to the center of the city, and entered the Grand Tokyo Hotel, which was just completed and opened to the public in September.This is a thirty-four-story luxury building built for the Olympic Games, and it is the earliest high-rise building in Japan.Xiangzi commutes to and from get off work every day, sitting by the window of the tram, looking at the huge towering building in the morning and evening, but it is the first time to enter this building.
Onishi led her to the large dining room, which had a good name of "palace". The spacious Japanese garden that Grand Tokyo Hotel is proud of jumped into the front.The dining room is in the best position overlooking the garden.
On the other side of the garden lit up all night, you can see the flashing neon lights of Ginza, Tokyo.There is a hotel-owned band in the center of the dining room, playing brisk tunes for the customers.
They stepped into the hall, just in time for a performance of a piano solo.The two chose a seat by the window, which was a little farther away from the band and near the garden.
Daxi said to the approaching waiter, "I'm going to have some really good dishes tonight."
For some reason, Xiangzi always felt a little uncomfortable.They savor the dishes slowly.As expected of the cooking skills of Grand Tokyo Hotel, the color, aroma and flavor of the dishes are impeccable.The band played faster and faster.
There are 60% of the guests in the dining room, and there is no sound at all.I don't know whether they were overwhelmed by the music or intoxicated by the delicious food. The flickering lights shone on the faces of hundreds of guests, as if all the happiness in the world gathered in them, enjoying the happiness quietly.
The firelight of the steak cooking on the food trolley reflected the people who were intoxicated by the wine and wine, and everyone's face was dyed red.
"Let's do a dance!" When the waiter brought the last snack and fruit, Onishi was infected by the joyful and happy atmosphere, and whispered to Xiangzi in a low voice.This time Xiangzi stood up readily.A short stature, with hair dyed blond, a singer from an unknown country began to sing.This is an American black folk song.
Xiangzi didn't know the title of the song, but felt happy, slightly drunk from the aperitif, soaked in the luxurious atmosphere, and heard the soul-stirring sad singing of black people, it was a bit carried away.
Xiangzi unknowingly made Daxi hug him even tighter, and almost buried him in his arms.The soft light was like a slowly flowing stream, they were involved in the vortex of light, and then slid to the dark corner.Xiangzi has almost forgotten the existence of people around him.
In Daxi's tight embrace, she danced to the sad rhythm consciously or unconsciously. At this moment, Xiangzi felt that she had been secretly in love with Daxi from the bottom of her heart.
"I love you." At this time, Daxi whispered in her ear. "Love you. I've been thinking of you."
Hearing Daxi's whisper clearly, Xiangzi came to his senses and fell back to reality.
"Let's get married. It took me a long time to say this.
"It will surely bring you happiness.
"Here, I'm confident.
"I never thought that a woman other than you could be my wife."
Xiangzi quietly listened to the words that came pouring down his head like a cannonball, and while Daxi was hugging him, he didn't answer anything.It's not that he doesn't want to say anything, but his lips seem to be sealed and he can't speak.
In this ecstasy atmosphere, it's not that he doesn't want to hear these fiery words.She was really looking forward to it too.Daxi seized the most appropriate moment and poured out his feelings to her.
Xiangzi just quietly listened to the words full of tenderness and sweetness, but her heart did not boil over it. She felt that it was only at this intoxicating moment that she felt that she could fall in love with Daxi. Even the emotion of this moment is gone.
Although she didn't dislike Da Xi, he still belonged to the type of man she liked.That's why I was intoxicated by being hugged and dancing, and spending the night together.
But precisely because the timing is too good, it will cause the opposite result.Onishi is also experiencing this situation today.By seizing the opportunity, you can make the other party at a loss in this fiery atmosphere, and you can catch the woman who is not very attracted to you at once; but the more intoxicating the moment, the more it will make the woman Woke up.
Influenced by the music and the surrounding environment, Xiangzi fell into a dream, and the voice of her heart poured out to herself like a dream made her suddenly wake up.
——Onishi's marriage proposal, is it my dream or reality?
——Ah, this is not a trance dream, but reality.
——So, should I accept him?I have been with Onishi for many years, and I know his affection for me.I don't hate him, I like him, very much.
—However, he offered to marry me; from now on we shall spend this life together.Such a marriage contract requires me to make a choice.
——I want to think more carefully that under such a passionate impulse that cannot be restrained, such a solemn and sacred oath should not be made.
— Do I really love him?Is the affection for him purely a kind of goodwill?
——A man and a woman are going to spend their lives together, and because of this, this question must be considered more urgently and realistically.
—It is not a very difficult question to answer.Whether it's goodwill or love, it's no different after marriage.There are some couples who were passionately in love and got married, but unexpectedly divorced in a hurry; some couples just looked at each other's photos, but became a good relationship for a hundred years.What matters is not the pre-marriage, but the bond of heart after marriage.
——However, for such an important matter, how about agreeing to it rashly?There is always a little hesitation in my heart, so I should take a little time to think about it, why is there hesitation in my heart?Think about it before answering him.
"Hey, Xiangzi, as long as you agree or disagree." Onishi's voice sounded in his ear, taking another step forward.I don't know when, the band's performance ended, and the piano music was played softly.
"Please wait for me."
"how?"
"Give me three days before replying to you."
"Why can't you answer right now? You don't like me?"
Reply immediately, that is, waiting for her promise.Onishi was obviously dissatisfied, and his voice raised.
"It's absolutely not like that. It's just that let me think about it quietly for three days. Huh? Please understand me." Xiangzi said as if coaxing a naughty child.
"Oh, that's it."
Now that Xiangzi had already said that, Onishi couldn't ask further questions, but she felt a little unhappy when she thought that she hadn't thought about this question until now.
"Then, I'll wait for your good news in three days."
"please forgive me."
"You don't need to apologize." Daxi smiled straightforwardly.
When asked if she didn't like herself, she answered clearly: "It's definitely not like that." Xiangzi's words doubled Daxi's confidence.
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