Nanyang 1931: From piglets to giants

Chapter 148: Life is cheap in a poor country, but stomach is expensive in a rich country

After being shot, his ribs were broken at least, so it was naturally impossible for him to attend the Nobel Prize ceremony dinner.

This also saved him the embarrassment of communicating with professors in the scientific community whom he didn't know, especially those from his "alma mater" MIT.

As Zheng Yi expected, the next day and the day after, the front pages of mainstream international media in Europe and the United States were all about the news that this great scientist had been assassinated at the Nobel Prize ceremony.

The Sino-Japanese conflict in Shanghai and even the bombing of their concessions were just subsidiary news to this big news.

Not many people really care which of the two Asian countries attacked whom first. Anyway, Zheng Yi said it was Japan that started it, so everyone tacitly assumed that it was Japan that started it first.

Fighting at an event like the Nobel Prize is not just a slap in the face of Sweden.

Britain and the United States even publicly condemned Japan's accidental bombing of the concession during the war and demanded compensation from Japan.

This made the Japanese top leaders extremely angry.

They even held a press conference and claimed that it was China that took action first, especially in the concession area, which was all bombed by the Chinese Air Force. It wasn't even an accident, it was intentional.

But damn, no one believes it!
They had no idea what to do and could only swallow this loss.

For British and American public opinion, their interest in the fact that Zheng Yi survived eight bullets, or in the new type of bulletproof vest, was far greater than their interest in the Sino-Japanese War.

Judging from the photos taken at that time, although the clothes Zheng Yi was wearing were thick, they were just within the range of normal winter clothes and did not look bloated.

This shows that this bulletproof vest is definitely not the bulletproof breastplate they traditionally use.

Besides, with a close-range pistol shooting, eight shots, even if he was really wearing a bulletproof breastplate, it is impossible for only one rib to be broken. Wouldn't he spit out blood?

Could it be that Professor Zheng has come up with some amazing new invention?

If their soldiers could wear this thing, wouldn't they be invincible?
The scientific community and even the military of various countries are indeed quite interested in this.

However, after being shot, Zheng Yi refused to see any irrelevant guests on the grounds of being unwell, which resulted in no one having the opportunity to ask.

Since he had completed his mission in Sweden, he naturally would not delay any longer. After recuperating in the hospital for seven days, he flew back to Penang on his private plane.

However, on the day he flew back to Penang, Marshal Mai also came to Penang under the pretext of visiting a patient, and specially brought gifts to visit Zheng Yi.

Zheng Yi knew very well why he came here, but this time he simply made an excuse of being sick and asked the servants to find him a wheelchair to sit in at home. He waited for Marshal Mai to come and visit with peace of mind.

After the people arrived, Zheng Yi did not stand up, but just said that he was injured and inconvenient, and asked Marshal Mai to accommodate him.

To put it bluntly, he is just showing off. His injury is in his ribs, not his legs. He can actually stand, but he just doesn't want to.

Coach Mai was also very clear about his situation. Anyway, there were no reporters at the moment, so he didn't care about Zheng Yi's pretense. Was it an injury?

He placed a box of cigars on the table first, and said with a very familiar and casual look:
"I know you like to smoke. Try this. Someone got it for me from Cuba. It's the top quality from Bolivar. If you like it, I'll have someone send it to you."

"Bolivar? Cuban? I usually smoke Manila."

"Try it, Manila cigars are cheap, but not as good as Cuban ones.

With your current status, you should have smoked Cuban cigarettes a long time ago. I have a special supply here, and I can give it to you later. I don’t like cigars very much, I still prefer this."

As he spoke, Marshal Mai took out his big pipe.

"You wait."

Zheng Yi asked the servant to push him to the study, and he searched through the boxes and cabinets, found an iron can, opened it and said:
"This was given to me by someone. It's high-quality tobacco from Yunnan. They told me it's the best in Yunnan. I smoke it, and it's no worse than tobacco from other places. You're an expert, so come and try it."

"Yunnan? China? Oh, I see. I thought you only grew opium over there."

Zheng Yi: "Hey~, isn't this an adjustment? General Long is determined to crack down on opium. Since he took office, the proportion of opium cultivation in Yunnan's fiscal revenue has actually been decreasing. But the ice is not formed in a day, so this has to be done slowly."

"If we can use this tobacco to replace opium, although it's not a very good thing, it should be a small boost to the finances of Yunnan Province."

During this period, Yunnan's Yuntu was still very famous. It was not just well-known throughout the country, but it was truly well-known all over the world. It was a top-notch product, so much so that even Marshal Mai knew that the first thing he thought of when he heard the name Yunnan was Yuntu.

Marshal Mai knew exactly what Zheng Yi wanted and nodded, "Hmm~ Not bad. I heard you're building a railway to Yunnan?"

"Ah."

"The tobacco is indeed of good quality. If it's easy to transport, we can make cigarettes out of it and supply them to the US military in the Philippines. If it's convenient for me, I can also help you with advertising."

"Haha, then thank you very much. I'm still injured, so I won't stand up."

"Mr. Zheng, you are truly blessed. I heard that you developed a bulletproof vest with excellent performance?
"Eight bullets within one meter of close range only broke one rib. This thing can protect against rifles at long range, right?"

Zheng Yi smiled bitterly when he heard this: "If this is really developed successfully, I won't have broken my ribs. In my imagination, this thing can defend against large-caliber rifles.
Nowadays, even an ordinary pistol can break ribs at close range. I'm so ashamed.

Even the bullet had gunpowder reduced.

Simply put, the bulletproof vest Zheng Yi was wearing was a semi-finished product. After all, he was just an ordinary technician in his previous life, and he had no experience in technology related to the oil field.
It is true that he is decades ahead of the times, but outside of the oil industry, that is all.

At most, he is just an enthusiast who knows some principles. He was not even a military fan in his previous life.

The bulletproof vest is made of cloth and plates. He only knew that the cloth was made of Kevlar fiber, but his understanding of it was limited to its name.
He only knew that it was a composite aramid, but he didn't know what it was specifically and couldn't make it.

He used ordinary high-strength aramid, although he also knew that aramid and Kevlar fiber should be the same as orange soda and Fanta.

But when it comes to materials science, a slight mistake can lead to a huge error. The difference in synthetic fibers is actually no smaller than that in synthetic metals.

As for the plug-in board, he knew about alumina ceramics. Alumina ceramics were also available in this era, so he didn't need to create one from scratch.

However, alumina ceramics in this era are used to make spark plugs and are also used in a small number of machine tool props.

Although they are both called alumina ceramics, they are essentially the same thing. But it is like 304 and 316L. Although they are both stainless steel, the performance difference is as big as heaven and earth.

Alumina ceramics used in spark plugs focus more on insulation, hardness, density, and toughness, which are far different and have different preparation methods.

In his superficial understanding, the essence of aluminum oxide is a powder.

Ordinary alumina ceramics can be made by chemical means, like stirring paste, by solidifying the powder into blocks and then sintering them. This is the ordinary technique of firing ceramics, and the production method is not essentially different from that of making tiles.

However, if it is to be used to make bulletproof inserts, it must go through a high-pressure process. The powder must be pressed into a solid state under huge pressure and then burned, so that it can be burned more solidly.

This process should not be difficult. As far as she knows, those who make dentures usually use this process. However, as the saying goes, different trades are like different mountains.

Zheng Yi is a scientist in the field of petroleum, but he doesn't quite understand how to use pressure to press powder into bricks. He needs to explore and figure it out.

In other words, it still needs time to improve.

If the fabric and inserts are not up to standard, how can it be called a bulletproof vest?

However, Marshal Mai certainly didn't think so, and quickly said, "Brother, you must not underestimate yourselves. I actually think that even if this thing isn't perfect, it should be usable. After all, on the battlefield, where would you get the chance to shoot at close range?

Aren't soldiers often killed or wounded by stray bullets? I see your clothes should be able to protect against stray bullets, right?
If you can't even protect against stray bullets, then brother, there's probably something wrong with the gun or the bullet that killed you."

Obviously, Marshal Mai is also a smart man, or in other words, no one in this world is a fool. Who took the first action in Shanghai? Public opinion reports are one thing, but politicians from various countries, especially those upper-class people who have concessions and power in Shanghai, probably know it well.

It’s just that such clarification is unnecessary and most likely useless, so no one really stands up to speak up for Japan.

Zheng Yi understood what he meant and said with a smile, "As for stray bullets, they really aren't a big problem. They're about the same effect as steel plates."

"How much does it weigh?"

Zheng Yi simply asked the servant to bring the torn vest and said, "This is it. This kind of bulletproof vest has another advantage. That is, in times of danger, even if it is shot and damaged, as long as the plug can be replaced, the vest can still be used."

Marshal Mai was delighted when he heard this. He picked up the vest in his hand, looked at it again and again, and said, "Brother, this is great. Can you let me try it?"

Zheng Yi nodded.

So they ordered the servant to find a pig, put the bulletproof vest on the pig, and asked Marshal Mai to take out a pistol from three meters away and fire two shots.

However, although the pig was hit by the gun and was obviously injured, it did not fall down. Instead, it became more and more crazy and ran around everywhere. It was difficult to catch it.

After removing the body armor, he saw a large hole in it, the insert shattered, but the bullet hadn't been able to penetrate the back plate, becoming lodged in the vest. The kinetic energy of the bullet had been largely neutralized by the shattering insert. Zheng Yi had also placed a layer of high-strength plastic on the back plate to contain the broken pieces and provide some additional puncture protection.

The pig was only slightly bruised after being hit like this.

Zheng Yi shook his head slightly when he saw this. If this was the bulletproof vest he knew, this pig's ass would probably be fine at this moment. His pirated product was not good enough after all.

However, Marshal Mai was very happy. After all, the guns these days were not very good in terms of range, caliber, or power. Far more people died from stray bullets than from direct fire.

To put it bluntly, his bulletproof vests are indeed pirated, but the Type 47 rifle is no match for the AK.

In Mai Dashuai's opinion, such bulletproof vests are extremely practical.

"Okay, okay, can this dress be mass-produced?"

Zheng Yi frowned: "If we want to mass produce it... it's not impossible, but if I can study it for a while longer, maybe one or two years at most,
I can at least improve the performance of this thing by a significant amount. Wouldn't it be a bit of a waste to mass-produce it now?"

Unexpectedly, Marshal Mai became even more excited and slapped his thigh with excitement.

"You mean it can be upgraded in a short period of time? That would be even better! Let's make this batch of bulletproof vests first, and then change them when the next batch of better ones comes out!"

Zheng Yi: "Hmm? Oh~"

He was so obsessed with science that he forgot about the preferences of the American military industry.

"Is that so... I have no problem with that, but mass production is still somewhat difficult, and I have no experience in military product design after all.

Mr. Mai, why don't you recommend an American company that you trust and are familiar with, so that we can partner on this project together?"

Anyway, no matter whether the bulletproof vest is pirated or genuine, the aramid is in his hands. No matter who he partners with, he is not afraid that the industry will be out of his control.

There is no end to making money, and he doesn't intend to have it all to himself. He wants to cooperate and win together.

He also hopes that he and Penang can be more deeply bound to the future behemoth called the military-industrial complex.

Marshal Mai: "If this dress were mass-produced, how much do you think it could sell for?"

Zheng Yi: "That depends on the order quantity. If it's just tens of thousands of sets, then each set will cost at least $1000. If it's hundreds of thousands... it should be under $500."

Adding an aramid production line.

Marshal Mai: "For $500, it's possible to save an American soldier's life on the battlefield. Although it's indeed expensive, I think it's worth it."

This price is not completely unacceptable to the US military. After all, light infantry equipment costs about two hundred US dollars, and it would be even more if heavy weapons are included.

Besides, this thing protects the lives of American soldiers. If a war really breaks out, how much pension will you get if an American soldier dies?
He was sure that if the technology matured and was mass-produced by then, and those congressmen dared not approve it because it was too expensive, he could arrange for the families of soldiers to hold a protest march and turn the whole Congress over.

500 US dollars. If we can equip hundreds of thousands of sets, it will be a big business worth hundreds of millions of US dollars.

This is just the first phase, and the subsequent updates and upgrades are not included.

Zheng Yi said that he wanted to be a partner with him.

I think the price could be a little higher.

"But Zheng, you seem to be a very patriotic person. After this thing goes into mass production, won't you consider equipping your country's soldiers with some?"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Yi sighed and said, "Maybe... they'll donate a very small portion. Our country's military doesn't even have enough guns and bullets, so how can we afford to equip them with body armor on a large scale? Our Chinese soldiers... well, lives aren't that valuable, are they?"

You have to know that in history, the anti-Japanese armed forces could not even guarantee one gun for four people.

At this time, the Battle of Shanghai was going on, and the brothers of the Hunan Army were still holding Hanyang-type rifles, with two people sharing one gun, and fighting desperately with the Marines, who were considered the most elite among the Japanese.

Even so, it was still the Battle of Shanghai. We cannot say that all the soldiers on the Kuomintang side were elite, but at least they were not just there to make up the numbers. In history, there were soldiers in our army who charged towards the Japanese with machetes and red tassel spears, and there were even many of them.

To be honest, if you want to donate bulletproof vests, you might as well sell your clothes for the money and use it to buy guns.

The Thompson submachine gun only costs about $300 and comes with bullets. Ask the soldiers on the front line whether they would rather have such a pirated bulletproof vest or a Chicago typewriter that can be used to rush forward?

When people are poor, their lives are worthless. This is the truth everywhere.

Zheng Yi looked at Marshal Mai with a hint of resentment and said, "Honestly, if the US could sell less scrap steel and more precision machine tools to Japan, the Chinese people wouldn't have such a hard time fighting the war."

"Haha, I can't help it. These are just the spontaneous actions of some private enterprises. It's normal business. I hope you can understand."

"Of course, I understand. However, Japan has clearly become a mad dog under the influence of militarism. If one day you are bitten by this mad dog, don't regret it."

In the end, Marshal Mai found a so-called military-industrial enterprise whose name he had never heard of in the United States, and cooperated with Zheng Yi to jointly develop this bulletproof vest project.

Marshal MacArthur was originally a young master promoted by the U.S. military-industrial complex. Although his fighting skills were average, the relationships behind him were complicated.

He wanted to cling to the military-industrial complex and become a part of it, so naturally he tried his best to cooperate in this matter.

In the end, they decided on an agreement that Zheng Yi would focus on the production and research of aramid, while the American side would be responsible for the production of alumina ceramics.

Zheng Yi only needs to provide the jacket, and they will produce the plug-in board and just plug the things in directly. Anyway, they are all separate.

By then, Zheng Yi's jacket will be sold for $400 each. To be honest, Zheng Yi doesn't know how much Mai Dashuai's insert will sell for, and he doesn't want to know. Anyway, those things are consumables, and the prices are relatively transparent in nature.

After all, there are other uses for alumina on the market. Unlike aramid, we are the only one in the world that has it. It is worth whatever he says it is worth, and he has the final say on the cost.

Of course, it will take some time to mass-produce this thing, and the weaving technique for bulletproof vests is also quite special and troublesome.
Zheng Yi also specifically looked for Risaburo Toyoda, and asked Risaburo Toyoda to happily study specialized textile machines.

In order to weave this bulletproof vest, even the textile factories that used to weave ordinary chemical fibers are planning to move to Yangon.

Penang has added a new business that seems to have a bright future and considerable profits.

Since Marshal Mai had come all this way, Zheng Yi certainly couldn't let him go after just talking to him about such a small matter.
Immediately, he sat in a wheelchair and asked Yang Shaomin to push him. In the wheelchair, he led Marshal Mai to stroll around the food processing area of ​​Beixincheng for two and a half days.

After all, when Marshal Mai came last time, there was no northern new city in Penang, and there was no food processing industry.

After this period of planning, several food processing companies in Penang have already started production, which also shocked Mak.
When I heard that the core technology of this food processing is plastic packaging and preservatives, I knew that this is not something that American companies can replicate in the short term.

He immediately offered to introduce Zheng Yi and his team to a procurement company that had a close working relationship with the U.S. Department of Defense, which was interested in purchasing a large quantity of their Penang products.

Rice crackers, senbei, tropical fruit juice sodas of all kinds, instant noodles, almost everything they want, and the US military can take as much as the production capacity allows.

You know, the US military has to drink Coca-Cola during war and training, and they even think luncheon meat tastes bad.

It’s hard to say how practical these snacks are, but the US military really doesn’t lack the money.

This soldier, when he is poor, even his life is worthless, but when he is rich, he has to eat such high-quality snacks.

Almost in the blink of an eye, Zheng Yi confirmed that he had made another big deal with Marshal Mai. Food is about steady flow and long-term profits. After all, they are all consumables. In the next few years, these foods alone may be able to sell him hundreds of millions of dollars.

But for some reason, even though he had made such a big deal, Zheng Yi himself was not very, particularly happy.

His country was at war.

He also has a patriotic heart.

But he had to use Penang's precious production capacity to produce things for the United States and the US military.

The most efficient way is to sell things to them and then use the dollars earned to buy some arms or other aid for the country.

Whether it is bulletproof vests or military food, they are too luxurious for the soldiers of our motherland who are fighting bloody battles.

However, these luxuries will soon become part of the daily routine of the US military.

While Chinese soldiers are still calculating carefully because they feel sorry for the three or five bullets in their hands, the American soldiers' only worry may be whether to drink mango or lychee flavored soda today.

When the country is poor, even the lives of soldiers are worthless.

When the country is rich, even the stomach of a soldier is expensive.

Hey ~
(End of this chapter)