Chapter 21: Zhong Sheng's Medicine

  An article in the Los Angeles Times caused a stir among many media outlets and government agencies at the time, as it brought to light a message that thrilled people all over the world: the emergence of penicillin, a substance that boosts human immunity.

  In the article "Milestone in Human History - The Birth of Penicillin", through an exclusive interview with Jefferson, CEO of Zhongsheng Pharmaceutical Company, and a detailed explanation of the role and significance of the drug. Other newspapers reprinted this article, and Western media also reported on the event. Zhongsheng Pharmaceutical's popularity soared overnight, and almost all companies knew about the emergence of this new giant in the pharmaceutical industry. As for these messages, Wang Mingyu, who was far away in China, had not received any news, but just a few days ago he received a telegram that Penicillin had been successfully developed, which was a coded telegram, and AK had also been successfully developed.

  However, with the advent of penicillin, AK received little attention, to the point where the Central Victory Munitions Company was ignored by everyone, except for some professional military columns that did some interviews, after all, no one knew the power of the finished product.

  Penicillin---its influence on a nation was no less than winning a war at that time. It was not only a new drug, but also represented more people surviving on the battlefield. For countries ravaged by war, there is no country that does not want to get such medicine, and the competition for drugs has been put on the agenda of various countries.

  Wang Jie is now personally responsible for the security of Zhongsheng's two companies in the United States, not only hiring a group of bodyguards and some mercenaries, but also assigning special personnel to guard the experimental site. The pharmaceutical process has been divided into several steps by Dr. Fleming through methods, among which the most core extraction method is done by Dr. Fleming himself, although it reduces production speed, but ensures safety. However, now more people are focusing on the sales of penicillin, almost all warring countries hope to get this precious medicine, and the price of a box (1000 units) of penicillin is comparable to gold, making it a rare commodity.

  These external things, the parties involved did not know, Jefferson already knew the value of penicillin. Originally he hoped that these things could make some money, as long as Wang Mingyu didn't lose out it would be fine. But he did not think that this crazy September was all caused by Zhongsheng Pharmaceutical's penicillin, which triggered a huge sensation. Jefferson, who couldn't calm down, spent every day in excitement. He knew that the world belonging to him had been quietly waiting for him.

  September 1934, Los Angeles, headquarters of Zhongsheng Pharmaceutical Company, Jefferson sat in the office, being interviewed by a reporter from The Washington Post.

  "Hello, esteemed President Jefferson, it's a pleasure to meet you. To make the most of your time, my interview will begin immediately." "Of course..." Mr. Jefferson replied, facing his first interview with a highly influential American newspaper. Who could understand the emotions in Jefferson's heart at this moment? And who would have known that just a year ago he was a down-and-out businessman, one who might not even be able to return to his hometown?

  "First of all, let me introduce myself. My name is Vol. I would like to ask President Jefferson, after the successful production of your company's medicine, will it be sold to any country in need?" Reporter Vol asked. "We don't have a clear target for this either, and our current output is very small. Of course, we will supply those who need it most," Jefferson replied smoothly.

  "So, Mr. Jefferson, as a citizen of the United States, would you be willing to donate this patent for the benefit of the country? Of course, the country may pay you a substantial reward in return, and your name will be forever remembered by the nation." Walt said somewhat naively, with unknown intentions.

  "I'm more than happy to, we Americans all have a heroic streak, I think I'm no exception. I'd like to be remembered by the American people forever, it would be an honor! But I can let you in on a big secret, are you interested?" Jefferson didn't mind if Walt had ulterior motives, he smiled warmly at him, any journalist who heard this would get excited and thrilled. Especially when the CEO of Zhongsheng, the most popular company now, personally told them they were about to reveal some inside information.

  Jefferson wanted to expose the behind-the-scenes boss, but not reveal his nationality and name. Who would know? The purpose of doing so was very simple: Wang Mingyu couldn't be exposed, and many things could be pushed onto this major shareholder in the future.

  "Actually, this company isn't mine, I'm just an employee. Although I have some say in the matter, for major decisions, I don't have the power to make them, nor can I!" Jefferson looked a bit helpless, spreading his hands and shrugging at Wolson.

  But at this moment, Vol is exceptionally excited, as if he had discovered a new continent. To know that the news about Zhongsheng Pharmaceutical Company has been hyped to the extreme, any message can make the newspaper sell well, let alone such heavy news? Besides excitement, it's still excitement... "Oh my god, Mr. Jefferson, you're saying you're not the real boss? The real boss is someone else?" The reporter said with a red face, his voice even trembling slightly, this news is enough to make him become a deputy editor-in-chief or even an editor-in-chief from a reporter at once.

  "That's right, Mr. Wall, what you heard is true. And our boss said that the first batch of penicillin produced will not be sold, perhaps you will know the reason later. We are now accepting orders, but the acceptance of orders can only be in countries where we can provide."

  Jefferson said calmly, "But after all, there is no finished product yet, whether this penicillin can be mass-produced, we still don't know. Your company doesn't put it on the market, how do you make money?"

  Wall asked doubtfully, "It's scarce and precious, our penicillin must have a market, we already have the ability to produce finished products, and we've also done experiments on some animals, completely qualified! And as far as I know, we are the only company in the world that has developed and produced it."

  Jefferson said confidently, "May I ask, why don't you sell the first batch?"

  Wall asked doubtfully, "That's a company secret!"

  Jefferson smiled and said, "Oh, sorry. Last question, is the real boss behind the scenes an American?"

  Wall asked expectantly, "No comment! For everything about the boss, without the boss's permission, we won't reveal anything to the outside world."

  Jefferson spoke solemnly, his words filled with respect.

  Wolfe reluctantly prepared to leave, he had a blockbuster message, this message not only caused a stir in the United States, but also made people all over the world guess which country the mastermind behind the scenes was from. That's enough, news is sometimes time-sensitive, and as time goes by, more news will emerge one after another.

  Jefferson looked at Wall's expression and couldn't help but say: "Wall, if there's any major news or anything in the future, I'll let you know first, okay?"

  "Thank you, President Jefferson! From now on, if I have anything to do, I'll just look for you!" Wol exclaimed excitedly. With this guarantee, he estimated that his position as editor-in-chief would soon be unshakeable. However, it was precisely because of Jefferson's temporary mercy that there was a later great editor-in-chief Wol, and later in the United States and China, they would get more supportive voices.

  Jefferson adjusted his collar, walked to the windowsill, and silently gazed at this beautiful city, filled with infinite emotions. Jefferson felt very lucky, extremely lucky, now his fame was on par with that of the President of the United States, almost half of the countries in the world had heard of his company and his name, although this company wasn't his own, but he knew that for this lifetime, he belonged to Wang Mingyu. Due to the kindness of their encounter, the debt of gratitude for saving his life... Jefferson now only needed to focus on making the company bigger and stronger, after completing the tasks entrusted by his boss, he could start earning money. The orders for his company, if they were to take them all, would be lined up until ten years later. The astonishing prices brought about enormous profits, which would also drive people crazy, so they must have encountered many difficulties and obstacles. Because many powerful companies wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to get a share of the pie, unfortunately, none of them succeeded, thanks to the soundness of American law.

  Otherwise, ten such companies cannot survive and develop. The kind of benign competition in the US is also a factor that has driven Zhongsheng Company to thrive.

  Zhongsheng Pharmaceutical's glory has just been written... The great victory won on the battlefield against Japan, Zhongsheng Pharmaceutical played a huge role, saving countless revolutionary martyrs and preserving more revolutionary sparks, these are things that will be told later...