励志传记(当今奇人周兴和)第八章第八节
寻找神奇的宝藏
Search for magical treasure
山高林密，空山鸟鸣。
In the high mountains and dense forests, the birds sang.
一条崎岖嶙峋的山道，掩隐在遮天蔽日的原始森林之中。连日来，山越爬越陡峭，路越走越艰难。有时，走着走着就没有了路径，只能由随行的士兵用刀砍去那些纠缠不清的藤蔓和齐人深的杂草，从没有路的地方砍出一条路来。
A rugged mountain road, hidden in the primeval forest. In recent days, the mountains climbed were more steep and more difficult to go forward. Sometimes, there was no way at all, so the soldiers accompanying needed to cut their way through the tangled vines and deep weeds with their swords.
非洲充沛的阳光和雨水，滋养了这里的原野和森林。得天独厚的环境，养育着非洲大地的人民和众多的生灵。
Africa's abundant sunshine and rain nourish the fields and forests here. Blessed with a unique environment, Africa is the home to many people and creatures.
时值暮秋，周兴和一行从亚迪斯亚贝巴出发，走出城市，走向广阔的原野和连绵起伏的山岭。刚开始他们还可以坐车，走到后来，好多地方都没有了公路，就只能步行了。
In the late autumn, Zhou Xinghe and his team set out from Addis Ababa to the vast fields and mountains. In the beginning, they could still take a ride, but in the end, there were even no roads in many places, so they had to walk.
走出城市，周兴和他们才真正见到非洲人民的生活状态。这里的农民，依然在延续广种薄收的习俗，大多还处于刀耕火种之中，田里和地里的庄稼，长得稀稀落落的；这里的牧民，居无定所，在草地上放养着不多的牛和羊群。在他们路过的村庄里，黝黑皮肤的老人和孩子，他们的食物简单粗糙，看见有人路过，露出的是饥馑和焦渴的眼神。这些人大都只穿着一条短裤，光裸着上身，不少年轻的姑娘和少妇也是如此。
Out of the city, Zhou Xinghe really saw the life of the African people. The farmers here still continued the custom of wide farming with thin harvest, and most of them were still the slash-and-burn; the crops in the fields grew sparsely; the herdsmen here had no fixed abode and grazed their small herds of cattle and sheep on the grass. In the villages they passed, the dark old men and children only had simple and coarse food, looked hungrily and thirstedly at the men passing by. Most of them were topless, wearing only a pair of shorts, as were many young girls and young women.
这些情境，让周兴和想起自己的童年和少年的时光，想起自己小时候过的那些日子。有好几次，周兴和都忍不住把自己的干粮分发给了那些饥饿的孩子——为什么人类社会发展到今天，这里人民生活还如此艰难呢？每当这时候，他就想起小时候老师教他们唱的一首歌来。这首歌叫做《我是一个黑孩子》。歌词这样唱道：“我是一个黑孩子，我的祖国在黑非洲。黑非洲、黑非洲，黑夜沉沉不到头。流了几百年的眼泪，戴了几百年的枷锁，这帮来了那帮来，强盗瓜分了黑非洲……”
These scenes reminded Zhou Xinghe of his childhood and adolescence, and of the days when he was young. On several occasions, Zhou Xinghe could not resist giving out his own food ration to the starving children - why are people here still living such a hard life when the human society has developed to this day? At such times, he would think of a song that his teacher had taught them to sing when he was a child. The song was called "I am a Black Child". The lyrics went: "I am a black child; my country is in black Africa. Black Africa, black Africa, the black night is endless. Hundreds of years of tears, hundreds of years of chains, this gang leaves and that gang comes, the bandits carve up the black Africa..."
是呀，究其原因，是几百年来，那些衣冠楚楚的强盗对这里人民的掠夺和奴役，才造成他们如此贫穷和落后啊！
Well, the reason was that for hundreds of years, those well-dressed bandits had plundered and enslaved the people here, causing them so poor and backward!
还让周兴和感慨的是，这些年来，虽然埃国政府为改善人民的生活做出不懈的努力，但在广大的农村，农民和牧民大都还没有像样的房子居住，还住着低矮破烂的草棚，有的甚至还住着用树皮和芭蕉叶搭成的窝棚。看到这一切，周兴和除了感到辛酸，还对这里人民产生了莫大的同情，更感到自己肩上沉甸甸的责任——作为一个也是从苦难中走过来的中国企业家，能为这里的人民做一点力所能及的事，是自己义务和责任呀！
What impressed Zhou Xinghe was that despite the unremitting efforts made by the Ethiopian government to improve the people's lives over the years, most of the farmers and herdsmen in the vast rural areas still had no decent houses to live in. They still lived in the low and shabby thatched shacks, and some even lived in the shanties made of bark and banana leaves. Seeing all this, Zhou Xinghe not only felt bitter, but also had great sympathy for the people here, and felt a heavy responsibility on his shoulders. As a Chinese entrepreneur who had also come through hardships, it was his duty and responsibility to do what he could for the people here.
朝云暮雨，夜朗星稀。
The clouds in the morning and the rain in the evening, the night was clear and the stars were scattered.
走出平地，走进丘陵，走向大山，他们渐渐走向人迹罕至的山林。越往前走，目之所及的都是葱茏的古木，叠生的苍苔，有时走了半天，才能看见巨大树冠中透进的几缕阳光。森林里，时时都有野兽出没，不时都有蛇虫穿行。为了安全，埃政府不但专门为他们配备了翻译、向导，还派了一队军人保护他们。连日来，他们起早贪黑，艰难前行，几乎都是攀援在悬崖陡壁之间，穿行在莽莽苍苍的森林之中。连续几天来的艰苦跋涉，他们脚上打起血泡，身上也被蚊虫和蚂蟥叮起血印，人也极其饥渴疲惫。到最后，连随行的年轻的士兵都有些支持不住了，渐渐有了怨言。但，周兴和咬着牙，坚持还要往前走，还要往山上爬。
Out of the plain, into the hills, towards the mountains, they gradually walked into the lonely woods. Farther on, as far as the eye could see, there were the verdant old trees and green moss. Sometimes, after walking for a long time, they could only see a few rays of sunlight penetrating through the huge canopy of trees. In the forest, there were always wild animals, snakes and insects. For their safety, the Ethiopian government had provided them with interpreters, guides and a team of soldiers to protect them. For days, they worked hard from dawn to dusk, struggling almost all the way on the precipices and through the dense forests. After days of trekking, their feet were blistered, their bodies were stained by mosquitoes and leeches, and they were thirsty and tired. In the end, even the young soldiers who accompanied him could barely support themselves, and gradually began to complain. But Zhou Xinghe gritted his teeth and insisted on going further and climbing up the mountains.
可是，这样艰苦的努力，真能找到周兴和所说的那种东西吗？几乎所有随行的人员心里都不断犯着嘀咕。
However, with such arduous efforts, could they really find the kind of things that Zhou Xinghe said? A constant murmur ran through the minds of almost all the attendants.
在艰难的行进中，他们饿了，就啃几块带来的干粮；渴了，就喝几口山上的泉水；天黑了，就夜宿在那些伐木工人或猎人留下的木板房里。木板房里没有被褥，更没有蚊帐，只能和衣倒在几块木板搭成的“床”上，用衣服蒙上头，免受蚊虫的叮咬，只能在疲惫中恢复一下体力而已。
During the arduous journey, when they were hungry, they ate a few solid foods they had brought with them; when they were thirsty, they drank from the mountain spring; when it was dark, they slept in the wooden barrack left by the lumberjacks or hunters. There was no bedding in the wooden barrack, nor mosquito net, so they could only fall in the "bed" made of few boards, and cover their heads with clothes, to avoid the bite of mosquito, and just restore a little physical strength in the exhaustion.
他们在苦苦寻找着生产轻质建材所需的菱镁矿。
They were struggling to find the magnesite needed to make the lightweight building materials.
多年与菱镁矿打交道，周兴和当然对这种矿物的性质特性和物理结构了如指掌。菱镁矿是一种碳酸镁矿物，它是镁的主要来源。含有镁的溶液作用于方解石后，会使方解石变成菱镁矿，因此菱镁矿也属于方解石族。富含镁的岩石也会演变成菱镁矿。菱镁矿呈白色或灰白色，有玻璃光泽，含铁的菱镁矿会呈现出黄褐色。如果呈现出晶体就是粒状，不显现晶体则是块状。菱镁矿除提炼镁外，还可用作耐火材料和制取镁的化合物。
Having worked with the magnesite for many years, Zhou Xinghe certainly knew the properties and physical structure of the mineral well. Magnesite is a kind of magnesium carbonate mineral, which is the main source of magnesium. After the solution containing magnesium acts on the calcite, it will turn the calcite into magnesite, so the magnesite also belongs to the calcite family. Magnesite-rich rocks also evolve into the magnesite mine. Magnesite is white or off-white, with glassy luster, and the iron-containing magnesite will appear the yellowish-brown. If there is the crystal, it appears to be granular, and if not crystal, it is lumpy. Besides refining the magnesium, the magnesite can also be used to produce the refractory material and magnesium compound.
可真要在埃塞俄比亚境内找到菱镁矿，这谈何容易！据他们矿产部的人讲，美国、英国等国家的地矿专家，曾花了十几年的时间，为埃国进行地质矿产资源普遍调查，最后他们得出结论：埃国不存在菱镁矿；即使存在，含镁量也绝不会超出29%，是没有开采价值的。
But finding the magnesite in Ethiopia would not be easy! According to people in their mining department, the experts from the United States, Britain and other countries had spent more than a decade conducting the general survey of the geological and mineral resources of Ethiopia. Finally, they concluded that there was no magnesite in Ethiopia. Even if there were, the magnesium content would never exceed 29% and would be nonproductive.
可倔犟的周兴和一口认定：这里不但蕴藏着这种矿藏，而且应该储量很大，品位很高！
But the stubborn Zhou Xinghe affirmed that it not only contained such mineral deposits, but also should have large reserves with high grade.
秸秆建材，它的主要原材料就是秸秆和镁粉。秸秆之类的废弃物，在这里当然是取之不尽用之不完，但作为粘结剂的轻烧镁粉，那是绝不可少的。如果这里没有菱镁矿，就必须从国内或第三国进口，那样一来，产品成本必然加大，必然就会加重埃国人民的负担，就不能最大限度地达到秸秆建材“质优价廉”的生产目的。
Straw building materials’ main raw materials are the straw and magnesia powder. Straw and the like waste are of course inexhaustible here, but the caustic-burned magnesia powder as a binder, is also indispensible. If there is no magnesite here, it must be imported from China or a third country. In that case, the product cost will inevitably increase, which will increase the burden on the Ethiopian people. Therefore, the production purpose of "high quality and low price" of straw building materials cannot be maximally achieved.
在试生产期间，星河公司曾从国内运来镁粉在这里生产。后来查询到，朝鲜的轻烧镁粉价格略比国内便宜，就改从朝鲜进口。但令人遗憾的是，从朝鲜运来的300吨矿粉，几乎全是低劣产品，根本不能使用。由此又引起不愉快的纠纷。为了保证供货，周兴和携夫人与公司国际部主任小姚还专门飞了一趟朝鲜，但没有结果。
During the trial production, Xinghe Company used to ship the magnesia powder from China for production here. Later, they inquired and found that the price of caustic-burned magnesia powder in North Korea was slightly cheaper than the domestic price, they changed to import from North Korea. Regrettably, however, almost all the 300 tons of mineral powder shipped from North Korea were of inferior quality and cannot be used at all. An unpleasant dispute ensued. In order to ensure the supply of goods, Zhou Xinghe and his wife Wang as well as director of the company's international department Yao flew to North Korea specially, but no good results.
为了保证生产，星河公司自己花钱重新从国内进口。为了赶时间，周兴和不计成本，将轻烧镁粉和当地工人损坏的设备，用飞机空运到埃塞俄比亚。
To ensure the production, Xinghe Company reimported the material at its own expense from China. In order to make the time, Zhou Xinghe airlifted the caustic-burned magnesia powder and new equipment to Ethiopia, regardless of the cost.
“周兴和是我们埃塞俄比亚真正的朋友！” 在当地政府官员和工厂的管理人员眼里，周兴和的所作所为，和其他国家到这里来的商人做派完全不同，他诚信、真挚，甚至义气，让他们深受感动。
"Zhou Xinghe is the true friend of Ethiopia!" In the eyes of local government officials and factory managers, Zhou Xinghe's behavior was totally different from that of businessmen from other countries. They are deeply moved by his honesty, sincerity and loyalty.
不行，一定要在当地找到这种矿产资源！
So, this mineral resource must be found locally!
周兴和虽然没有学过地质学和地理学，但在国内出发之前，他曾专门请教过国内的地质专家，也到国家矿产资源部去查阅过有关资料。经专家认定和我国矿产资源部资料表明，从埃塞俄比亚的地质变迁、地理构造情况看，这个国家应该储藏着丰富的菱镁矿资源。来到这里之后，周兴和面对眼前的情形，加上与朝鲜的纠纷，他再次回到国内，又找到国家矿产资源部，再次请教了专家和查阅了有关资料。回到埃国后，他将自己找矿的想法向埃政府汇报后，征得了他们同意。于是，他带着一支队伍漫山遍野地找起矿来！
Zhou Xinghe had never studied the geology or geography, but before he set out from China, he had consulted the local geologists and relevant data in the Ministry of Mineral Resources. According to the expert recognition and the data from the Ministry of Mineral Resources of China, Ethiopia should be rich in the magnesite resources from the perspective of geological changes and geographical structure. After arriving here, facing the situation and the dispute with North Korea, Zhou Xinghe returned to China again, went to the Ministry of Mineral Resources, consulted the experts and relevant materials again. When he returned to Ethiopia, he reported his idea of finding the mine to the Ethiopian government and got their approval. So, he led a team to look for the mines over the mountains and fields!
是人为还是天助，是鬼使还是神差。当周兴和他们在大山里辗转穿行了几天后，到了第7天下午，当他们钻出一片森林，在一处裸露的山崖边，终于发现了有着菱镁矿特征的岩石！当周兴和用钢钎撬下一块这种岩石，仔细一看，高兴得差点跳了起来——阳光下，这块呈灰白色的“石头”，重量明显比普通的石头轻，且闪烁着沙金般的光泽，凭着周兴和的直觉和经验，这应该是一块品位极高的菱镁矿石啊！
Nobody knew whether it was the act of man or God, after a few days in the mountains, Zhou Xinghe got out from a forest on the seventh afternoon and found the rocks with magnesite features on the edge of a bare cliff. When Zhou Xinghe levered down one of these rocks with a steel bar, he almost jumped up with joy. Under the sunshine, the "stone", which was gray and white, was obviously lighter than the ordinary stone and flashed the luster of sand gold. According to Zhou Xinghe's intuition and experience, it should be a high-grade magnesite.
世界上果真有这样的事情么？几个发达国家的地质专家普查了十几年未能找到的矿藏，真让周兴和在几天的时间里就找到了么！
Was there such an unbelievable thing in the world? Geologists from several developed countries had surveyed the mineral deposits and failed to find for more than ten years. Did Zhou Xinghe really find them in a few days?
是的，世界上还真有这样的稀奇事。当周兴和他们带着矿石标本下得山来，对标本进行反复化验后，奇迹再次出现了！这里的矿石含镁量竟高达46.75%；而我国最好的菱镁矿，含量才只有42%；而朝鲜的矿石，含镁量则更低了。这次在埃塞俄比亚找到的菱镁矿，不但质量优异，而且储量非常丰富，有整整一条山脉，这是埃国人民巨大的宝藏啊！
Yes, there were such wonders in the world. When Zhou Xinghe took the mineral samples down to the mountain, after repeated tests on the samples, the miracle happened again! The ore here contained an astonishing 46.75% magnesium; the content of the best magnesite in China was only 42%. North Korean minerals, on the other hand, contained even less magnesium. The magnesite found in Ethiopia was not only excellent in quality, but also very rich in reserve volume. There was a whole mountain range, which was a huge treasure for the Ethiopians.
消息传到埃政府国务部和矿产部，他们大喜过望，汇报给了吉尔玛总统和梅莱斯首相，他们更是喜不自禁。吉尔玛总统当即对国务部长指示，他要亲自听周兴和给他讲找矿的经过，以及他对矿藏开采和使用的建议。当周兴和风尘仆仆地回到亚迪斯亚贝巴后，吉尔玛总统专门安排时间在自己的官邸接见了他，与他进行了两个小时的亲切交谈，并留他在总统官邸共进了晚餐。
When the news reached the Ministry of State Affairs and Ministry of Mines, they were overjoyed and reported it to President Gilmar and Prime Minister Meles. President Gilmar immediately instructed the Minister of State Affairs that he would personally listen to Zhou Xinghe to explain to him the process of prospecting and his suggestions on the exploitation and use of the mineral deposits. When Zhou Xinghe returned to Addis Ababa, President Gilmar arranged a special time to receive him at his official residence, had a cordial talk with him for two hours, and left him for dinner at the presidential residence.
好了，现在有了菱镁矿，星河公司在这里的发展是如虎添翼。但由于这里不产煤，周兴和另辟蹊径，采用重油烧出了优质的镁粉，保证了生产的需要。同时，由于菱镁矿藏的发现，埃政府迅速做出决定，在这里建起了露天的菱镁矿场，招收了1000余名管理人员和工人，使菱镁矿场成为埃国一个远近闻名的企业。目前，矿场除了供给星河公司目前在埃建成的8个建材厂外，还大量出口到别的国家，为他们国家赚取到不菲的外汇。
Well, now that there was the magnesite, Xinghe was growing like a tiger. But, because no coal was produced here, Zhou Xinghe took a different approach, using the heavy oil to produce the high-quality magnesia powder, to ensure the production needs. At the same time, as a result of the discovery of the magnesite deposit, the Ethiopian government made a quick decision to build an open-air magnesite mine here, employing more than 1,000 managers and workers, making the magnesite mine a well-known enterprise in Ethiopia. As well as supplying the eight building materials plants that Xinghe Company had built in Ethiopia, the mines were also exporting to other countries, earning them lucrative foreign exchange.
“中国来的那个周兴和，是个奇人、更是个神人！”当埃塞俄比亚报纸、电台将这个新闻报道后，在当地居民中，中国周兴和的名字渐渐传了开来，人们除了把他当做真诚的朋友，真把他当成奇人神人了。
"Zhou Xinghe from China is a wonder and a god!" As Ethiopian newspapers and radio stations reported the news, the name of Zhou Xinghe began to spread among local residents, who regarded him not only as a true friend but also as a man of wonders.
在菱镁矿场落成剪彩那天，埃国政府专门邀请了周兴和作为贵宾为他们剪彩。埃政府副总统和周兴和为矿场剪彩后，为了见证两国人民的团结和友谊，他们共同为矿场植树留念。
On the day of the ribbon-curring ceremony of the magnesite mine field, the Ethiopian government invited Zhou Xinghe as a special guest to cut the ribbon for them. Vice President of the Ethiopian government and Zhou Xinghe cut the ribbon for the mine field together. In order to witness the unity and friendship between the peoples of two countries, they planted trees for the mine field as a souvenir.
这里还有个有趣的插曲，那天参加仪式的客人植下的“友谊树”，不知什么原因，据说后来只存活了2棵。这两棵成活的树，一棵是埃国副总统种的，另一棵就是周兴和种的。人世间，有些事真有点让人不可思议。
There was an interesting episode, that the "friendship trees" planted that day by the guests attending the ceremony were survived only two. One of the two living trees was planted by the Vice President of Ethiopia, and the other was planted by Zhou Xinghe. In this world, there are some things that are really a little incredible.
