mtl008 Chapter 1072 can't be taken out all at once!?
Chapter 1072 can't be taken out all at once!?
Zhou Zhengqing's words completed a subtle attribute transformation.
He successfully repositioned penicillin from a potential military medical supply that could be mass-produced for armies into a luxury item exclusively for the elite, the ultimate insurance and a status symbol.
He repeatedly emphasized the "experimental stage" and "extremely low production," which not only reasonably explained why the military's massive demand could not be met, thus avoiding the trouble of being forcibly allocated or demanded by Terauchi Hisaichi under the pretext of "wartime needs," but also greatly enhanced its scarcity and mystique.
The high price deliberately creates a "barrier effect," separating its users from ordinary campuses and precisely targeting key figures like Terauchi Hisaichi and Yasuhiko, who possess enormous resources, are extremely protective of their lives, and value their status.
This is a form of psychological manipulation.
He is not just selling a product, but also a concept of "scarcity" and "priority".
He implied to the other party that obtaining this guarantee at a "friendship price" now is a privileged investment based on a cooperative relationship.
Those who hesitate may not only face soaring prices in the future, but may even lose the right to buy altogether due to extremely limited production.
He steered a negotiation that might have been about technology transfer or large-scale procurement into a high-level game about "future options" and "strategic security guarantees."
Silence fell in the study again, but this silence was quite different from the previous one.
What was once awe-inspiring anticipation has now turned into a calm weighing of pros and cons, even tinged with a sense of frustration and new calculations after being awakened by reality.
Terauchi Hisaichi tapped his knee lightly with his thick fingers, his mind racing with calculations.
Is it worth spending $1,000 on an "insurance" policy whose effectiveness has not yet been widely verified in real-world applications?
But for someone of his stature, absolute personal safety is sometimes something that cannot be measured in money.
Moreover, this also seems to be an opportunity to deepen the bond with the unfathomable young man, Takasaki Takuto.
Prince Kyūhiko thought even deeper; this was not just medicine, but also a symbol.
Whoever controls the distribution of this "life-saving drug" will implicitly possess a potential power to influence and even constrain other high-ranking figures.
Zhou Zhengqing's move, seemingly a concession, is in fact an attempt to consolidate and enhance his core position in the emerging power structure.
Zhou Zhengqing said no more, slowly placed the small bottle back into the slot inside the box, and closed the box lid again.
The soft "click" of the lock seemed to temporarily lock away the surging ambitions of the two Japanese military leaders, pulling them back to the harsh reality of resource scarcity and the exchange of interests.
This bargaining chip, named "Antibacterial Pill," containing penicillin, has become a weapon in Zhou Zhengqing's hands that is more intimidating and tempting than any gun or cannon due to its "high price but no market" nature.
The pressure of deciding what to do next has completely shifted to Terauchi Hisaichi and Yasuhiko.
Ultimately, in a tacit understanding, Terauchi Hisaichi and Yasuhiko each purchased ten doses of penicillin.
For their identities and the hidden resources they possess, ten thousand US dollars is indeed not a large sum, but the core of this transaction has long transcended the money itself.
Inside the study, the fireplace flames seemed to sense the subtle change in atmosphere, flickering slightly slower.
The brief frenzy brought about by penicillin was extinguished by the reality of "dozens of doses per month, each costing a thousand US dollars," leaving behind a faint sense of disappointment and a pragmatic, calculated calm.
Zhou Zhengqing's lips curled up, seemingly enjoying the effects of penicillin on the two of them. After thinking for a moment, he turned back and instructed again, "Lingzi, go and fetch the latest sample boxes that were sent from the lab."
"Hi!" Reiko bowed, her movements as nimble as a cat's, and silently withdrew.
Terauchi Hisaichi and Prince Asaka Yasuhiko raised their heads almost simultaneously, exchanging a more puzzled and wary look.
The demonstration of penicillin was already impressive enough. Could it be that Takasaki Takuto is holding some other, unknown cards in his hand?
Prince Jingren maintained his bystander demeanor, but the smile on his lips seemed to deepen, as if he were anticipating the next good show.
A moment later, Lingzi returned, and the box was exactly the same as the one that had contained the so-called antibacterial pills before.
Terauchi Hisaichi and Yasuhiko's lips twitched twice. This scene was exactly the same as before! Was this person trying to sell them something, or showing off?
Why can't it all be taken out at once?!
Under the watchful eyes of the others, Lingzi opened the box and carefully took out one of the ampoules, holding it up to the light so that the slightly yellow liquid would shimmer in the light.
“This is the Takasaki family’s Okinawa laboratory,” she began slowly, her voice carrying a peculiar mix of emotions, a mixture of pride in showcasing the family’s formidable scientific research capabilities and a touch of melancholy at the randomness of fate: “In the process of going all out to overcome the primary challenge of industrial-scale production of penicillin, a completely unexpected byproduct, or rather, an unexpected gain from an exploration that deviated from the main course.”
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the surprised and uncertain faces of Terauchi and Prince Kyohiko: "Let's call it Antibacterial Pill No. 2 for now."
“Antibacterial Pill No. 2?” Terauchi Hisaichi repeated the unfamiliar and awkward syllable, his brow furrowed. “An upgraded version of Antibacterial Pill? Super Penicillin!?”
Reiko smiled and shook her head, looking at Terauchi Hisaichi and Yasuhiko Osamu, explaining, "I'm sure you two understand that the road to mass production of penicillin is fraught with difficulties."
Seeing that core progress was slow, the family increased investment in funding and top-notch equipment, and also adopted the suggestions of some senior experts in the laboratory to broaden the boundaries of exploration.
The Takasaki family utilizes its extensive business network and intelligence channels across Europe and America, as well as, in some cases, less honorable, methods.
These include offering large sums of money, providing political asylum, and even "special invitations" to certain scholars with tarnished reputations or in difficult circumstances.
From all over the world, especially in Europe and North America, more "unorthodox," "unappreciated," or simply eager-for-better research conditions microbiologists, biochemists, and fermentation engineers have been recruited.
"In less than a year, the core team of foreign experts at the Okinawa Laboratory has grown rapidly from just a few people to more than thirty."
Reiko's tone carried a calmness of control: "With these top minds gathered together, and with the young master demanding almost unlimited financial support from the family and a relatively relaxed atmosphere for exploration, the laboratory's research direction is naturally no longer limited to penicillin."
We encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and systematic exploration of antagonistic interactions between microorganisms in nature—simply put, finding substances produced by one microorganism that can kill or inhibit another.
Several young scholars from the United States had the privilege of studying at Rutgers University under a professor specializing in soil microbiology. That professor had a famous hypothesis that soil is a battlefield for microorganisms and a vast treasure trove of natural antibacterial substances.
His students were deeply influenced by him.