遠(yuǎn)涉重洋到非洲

All the way to Africa

一架中國國際航空公司波音747客機，帶著巨大的轟鳴，從北京首都機場起飛，經(jīng)過10小時長途飛行，終于飛臨著名的“非洲之角”——埃塞俄比亞上空。

An Air China Boeing 747 took off from Beijing Capital Airport with a huge roar and finally flew over Ethiopia, the famous "Horn of Africa", after a 10-hour long flight.

“各位旅客，本架飛機已經(jīng)到達(dá)埃塞俄比亞領(lǐng)空，20分鐘以后，將在首都亞迪斯亞貝巴機場降落。”機艙里傳來播音員甜美的聲音，“亞的斯亞貝巴是晴天，地面溫度19℃，濕度65%?！?/p>

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached Ethiopian airspace and will land at Addis Ababa Airport in 20 minutes." In the cabin, there came the sweet voice of the announcer, "It is sunny in Addis Ababa, the ground temperature is 19℃, and the humidity is 65 percent."

“老周，亞迪斯亞貝巴馬上就要到了。”坐在周興和旁邊的妻子小王拍了拍周興和，想把他叫醒。

"Zhou, we will arrive Addis Ababba soon." His wife Wang, who was sitting next to him, patted him and tried to wake him up.

“唔?！敝芘d和其實并沒有睡著。他睜開眼，舷窗外是湖藍(lán)的天空和耀眼的陽光，機翼下是連綿起伏的峰巒和莽莽蒼蒼的森林。他揉了揉眼，將目光投向地面，十分新奇地俯瞰著非洲這片陌生的土地。

"HMM." Zhou Xinghe was not actually asleep. He opened his eyes. Out of the porthole was a lake-blue sky and bright sunlight, and under the wings were the rolling mountains and wild forests. He rubbed his eyes and looked to the ground, looking down strangely at the strange land of Africa.

在這塊陌生的土地上，他將重新開創(chuàng)自己的事業(yè)。

In this strange land, he would rebuild his business.

真是令人匪夷所思！星河建材在國內(nèi)推廣多年成效并不顯著，而當(dāng)他們把發(fā)展戰(zhàn)略轉(zhuǎn)向到海外后，其實并不占天時的優(yōu)勢，更談不上地利和人和因素，可偏偏出人意料，在周興和的策劃下，遠(yuǎn)隔重洋的不少國家政府和企業(yè)，卻很快向他們投來青睞的目光。在短短的幾個月時間里，他們就迎來美國、加拿大、俄羅斯、蘇丹、沙特、埃及、巴基斯坦等十幾批各種膚色的客人。這些客人來到星河公司參觀考察后，無不對他們的技術(shù)和產(chǎn)品交口贊譽，有的簽署了引進技術(shù)和設(shè)備的協(xié)議，有的表達(dá)了合作建廠的意愿，還有的想干脆一次性買斷全部專利。這其中，埃塞俄比亞政府與他們的合作的愿望最為迫切。

It's really incredible! Xinghe building materials had promoted in the domestic for many years without any significant effect, and when they turned to overseas, although the development strategy was not advantage, not to mention the geographical and human factors, it happened unexpectedly that under the planning of Zhou Xinghe, many overseas governments and enterprises had soon given them a look of favor. In just a few months, they welcomed dozens of clients of all skin colors from the United States, Canada, Russia, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan. After these clients came to visit and inspect Xinghe Company, they all spoke highly of Xinghe’s technology and product, and some signed the agreements on importing the technology and equipment, some expressed the intention of cooperating to build factories, and some wanted to buy out all the patents in one time. The Ethiopian government was the most eager to cooperate with them.

2004年秋，埃塞俄比亞政府國務(wù)部長阿可貝、首都亞迪斯亞貝巴市副市長瑪莫到四川星河公司參觀考察后，對他們的技術(shù)和產(chǎn)品倍加贊賞。回國后，他們立即向本國政府作了詳細(xì)報告。埃塞俄比亞也是傳統(tǒng)的農(nóng)業(yè)國家，多數(shù)人還生活在貧困之中，許多人還住著簡陋的草棚，加之他們每年產(chǎn)生的大量甘蔗渣和稻草無法處理?？偨y(tǒng)吉爾瑪、首相梅萊斯對這個關(guān)系到他們國計民生的項目非常重視，親自聽了阿可貝等人的考察匯報，細(xì)致查看了他們帶回的產(chǎn)品樣品和宣傳資料。

In the autumn of 2004, Akobbe, Minister of State Affairs of Ethiopia, and Mamo, Deputy Mayor of Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, visited Sichuan Xinghe Company and praised their technology and products highly. Upon their return, they immediately submitted the detailed reports to their governments. Ethiopia was also a traditionally agricultural country, with most people still living in poverty, and many people even lived in the crude straw huts, with an unmanageable amount of bagasse and straw produced in each year. President Gilmar and Prime Minister Meles attached great importance to this project, which was related to their national livelihood. They personally listened to the report of Akobbe and others, and carefully examined the samples and propaganda materials they brought back.

“這是一個非常適合我國發(fā)展的項目，既可以對廢棄的農(nóng)作物進行綜合利用，增加農(nóng)民的收入，又可以解決我們?nèi)嗣褡》繂栴}，還能解決人民就業(yè)。更重要的，中國是我們非洲人民的朋友，與他們合作，他們不會附帶任何政治條件?！?總統(tǒng)吉爾瑪聽了匯報，對這個項目倍感興趣，他當(dāng)即指示，“這樣一舉多得的事情，你們要抓緊引進和落實。你們合作成功后，我要親自參加項目剪彩儀式?！?/p>

"This is a project that is very suitable for the development of our country. It can not only make comprehensive use of waste crops and increase the farmers' income, but also solve the housing problem of our people and solve the employment problem. More importantly, China is a friend of our African people. Cooperating with them, they will not attach any political conditions." President Gilmar listened to the briefing and was very interested in the project. He immediately instructed, "You should hurry to introduce and implement such a multi-pronged event. After your successful cooperation, I will personally attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the project."

在吉爾瑪總統(tǒng)指示下，首相梅萊斯親自簽發(fā)了引進該項技術(shù)、邀請周興和到該國考察、商談合作建廠的文件——一個國家政府首腦親自簽署文件，邀請另一個國家的民營企業(yè)家訪問，這樣的事情恐怕還極其少見。由此可見該國政府對用秸稈等廢棄物生產(chǎn)綠色環(huán)保建材項目的重視程度。

Under the direction of President Gilmar, Prime Minister Meles personally signed the documents to introduce the technology, invite Zhou Xinghe to visit the country and discuss the joint construction of the factory. It was rare for a head of government to personally sign the documents and invite a private entrepreneur from another country to visit. It could be seen that the government indeed attached great importance to the production project of green building materials with straw and other wastes.

鑒于埃政府的真誠和友誼，周興和而今應(yīng)邀來到這里。

In view of the sincerity and friendship of the Ethiopian government, Zhou Xinghe was inviting here now.

“埃塞俄比亞地處‘非洲之角’，國土面積122萬平方公里，與蘇丹、索馬里及吉布提接壤。人口8000余萬。首都亞迪斯亞貝巴市位于埃塞俄比亞中心，這里海拔2400多米，是非洲地理位置最高的城市，氣候宜人，四季如春，風(fēng)景如畫，是一座富有地方特色的城市，也是非洲著名的避暑旅游勝地。”正當(dāng)周興和居高臨下俯瞰著飛機下的城市風(fēng)光時，播音器里又傳來空中小姐的聲音，“亞迪斯亞貝巴市不但是埃塞俄比亞的政治中心，也是非洲統(tǒng)一組織總部的所在地，在非洲事務(wù)中居于重要地位。埃塞俄比亞的重要城市還有貢德爾、哈勒爾、季馬等。埃塞俄比亞的旅游資源豐富，文物古跡和野生動物園數(shù)量位居非洲國家前列……”

"Ethiopia is located in the Horn of Africa. It covers an area of 1.22 million square kilometers and borders with Sudan, Somalia and Djibouti. It has a population of over 80 million. The capital Addis Ababa is located in the center of Ethiopia. With an altitude of more than 2,400 meters, Addis Ababa is the geographically highest city in Africa. It has a pleasant climate, like spring all year round, with the picturesque scenery, which is a city of rich local characteristics, and also a famous summer resort in Africa." The stewardess said over the radio as Zhou looked down from the plane. "Addis Ababa is the political center of Ethiopia and the headquarters of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). It is an important city in African affairs. Other important cities in Ethiopia are Gondar, Haller and Jimma. Ethiopia has rich tourism resources, and the number of cultural relics and wildlife parks ranks front in Africa..."

“哎呀，人們都說到了非洲，這里熱不可耐，原來這里的氣候是四季如春哪！”坐在周興和旁邊的小王聽著播音員的講解，驚喜地對丈夫說道，“你聽聽，這里還是旅游勝地，文物古跡和野生動物園數(shù)量還居非洲國家之首呢！”

"Oh, people say Africa is very hot and even unbearable. But the climate here is like spring all the year round!" Sitting next to Zhou Xinghe, Wang listened to the announcer's explanation and said to her husband with surprise, "Listen, it is also a tourist attraction. The number of cultural relics, historical sites and wildlife parks ranks top in Africa!"

“你聽清楚，不是居非洲國家之首，是位居非洲國家前列?！?/p>

"Listen carefully, it's not ranking top in Africa, it ranks front in Africa."

周興和看見夫人新奇和激動的神情，也受到了感染。夫人與他共同到海外創(chuàng)業(yè)，這讓他感到十分欣慰。自從他從死神的魔爪里掙脫出來，與前任妻子小申志不同道不合分手以后，就在他對生活和婚姻幾乎感到絕望，異?？鄲炨葆逯畷r，現(xiàn)在的夫人小王陰差陽錯走進了他的生活。小王比他小19歲，才貌雙全，又有文化，這讓周興和重新燃起了生活的希望，于2002年10月與她走進了婚姻的殿堂。生活中，小王是他的夫人；工作中，又是他得力的助手。從多次失敗婚姻中掙扎出來的周興和，對他與小王的感情是十分珍視的。

Zhou Xinghe was also affected by the novelty and excitement of his wife's expression. His wife and he went overseas to start the business together, which made him feeling very happy. Since he struggled from the death, and broke up with his former wife Shen, he almost felt despaired in his life and marriage; in the extremely depressed hesitation, Wang, his current wife, stepped into his life under a strange combination of circumstances. Wang, 19 years younger than him, was talented, attractive and educated, which gave Zhou a renewed hope for life, and they married in October of 2002. In the daily life, Wang was his wife; in the work, she was also his right-hand man. Zhou Xinghe, who had struggled through many failed marriages, cherished his affection for Wang.

正在周興和遐想之時，飛機在空中盤旋了一圈，穩(wěn)穩(wěn)地降落在亞迪斯亞貝巴機場。

In the midst of his excitement and reverie, the plane circled in the air and landed safely at Addis Ababa Airport.

中國還是冷風(fēng)蕭瑟的殘冬之時，這里卻是和煦的春季。走出機艙，周興和舉目一望——哦，天好藍(lán)，云好白，機場不遠(yuǎn)處，一條清澈明亮的小河靜靜流淌在綠色的原野。涼爽的風(fēng)迎面吹來，夾雜著異國他鄉(xiāng)的花香和草香。周興和深深地吸了兩口這清新的空氣，旅途的疲憊和勞頓似乎頓時消失得無影無蹤。

While China was still in the cold and bleak winter, here was a warm spring. Out of the plane, Zhou Xinghe looked up - oh, the sky was so blue, the clouds were so white, and not far from the airport, a clear and bright river was quietly flowing in the green field. A cool wind was blowing, mingled with the fragrance of exotic flowers and grass. Zhou Xinghe took a deep breath of the fresh air, and the weariness of the journey seemed to vanish away.

來時，周興和查閱了不少資料，他知道，埃塞俄比亞雖說是個貧窮的發(fā)展中國家，但它有著得天獨厚的地理環(huán)境，有著沒有被現(xiàn)代工業(yè)污染的天空和大地，有著純樸敦厚熱情好客的人民。首都亞的斯亞貝巴坐落在中部高原的山谷中。100多年前，這個地方還是一片荒野，國王孟尼利克二世的夫人泰圖在這里的溫泉旁建了一座房子，為建城之始。以后，國王又允許貴族在此取得土地。1887年，孟尼利克二世正式遷都于此。按照阿姆哈拉語，亞迪斯亞貝巴意思是“新鮮的花朵”，為泰圖王后所起。最特殊的是這里的大街小巷沒有一個門牌號碼，在世界大城市中，這是獨一無二的。這里雖接近赤道，但氣候涼爽，城市周圍峰巒起伏、關(guān)山重疊、植被繁茂、礦藏豐富。應(yīng)該說，星河公司的綠色環(huán)保建材在這里發(fā)展是大有可為的。

When he came to Ethiopia, Zhou Xinghe had referred to a lot of materials. He knew that although Ethiopia was a poor developing country, it had the unique geographical environment, the sky and land that had not been polluted by modern industry, and the simple and warm-hearted people. The capital, Addis Ababa, sits in a valley on the central plateau. More than 100 years ago, when the place was still a wilderness, King Menelik II's wife, Taitou, built a house next to the hot spring to mark the beginning of the city. Later, the King allowed the nobles to acquire land here. In 1887, King Menelik II officially moved the capital here. In Amharic, Addis Ababa means the "fresh flower" and it was named by Queen Taitou. The most special thing is that the streets and lanes here do not have any house number, which is unique among the big cities in the world. Although close to the equator, the climate here is cool, the city is surrounded by undulating mountains, with luxuriant vegetation, rich in mineral deposits. So, the green environmental-protection building materials of Xinghe Company could greatly develop here.

“歡迎歡迎，歡迎遠(yuǎn)道而來尊貴的中國客人?！备笔虚L瑪莫女士穿著一條白色的連衣裙，胸前別著一朵鮮花，她親自來到機場迎接周興和等人。見到周興和，她像見到老朋友一樣親切熱情，“阿可貝部長今天有重要的外事接待，他委托我來迎接你們，晚上他替你們接風(fēng)，晚宴時與你們見面?！?/p>

"Welcome, welcome the distinguished Chinese guests coming from afar." Deputy Mayor Mamo, wearing a white dress with a flower pinned to her chest, came to the airport to greet Zhou Xinghe and others. When meeting Zhou Xinghe, she was as warm as an old friend. "Minister Akobbe has an important foreign reception today, and he entrusted me to meet you. In the evening, he will give a dinner in honor of you and meet you.

“謝謝，你們太客氣了?！敝芘d和接過埃國少女獻上的花束，禮貌地同瑪莫握了握手，逐一向她介紹了自己的夫人和隨行人員。

"Thank you, it's very kind of you." Zhou Xinghe received the bouquet of flowers from the Ethiopian girl, shook hands with Mamo politely, and introduced his wife and entourage to her one by one.

走出機場，外邊停放著幾輛車，四周肅立著警察和軍人?？吹贸?，埃政府真把他們當(dāng)做成最重要的外賓來接待了。

Out of the airport, several cars were parked outside, surrounded by the police and soldiers. It could see that the Ethiopian government really treated them as the most important foreign guests.

須臾，前有警車開道，載著周興和一行人的車隊朝著市區(qū)開去。市區(qū)風(fēng)光綺麗，街道隨山勢起伏，道旁奇花爛漫；到處可見的尤加利樹，苗條修長，蒼蒼郁郁，下垂的三角形葉子，顏色略帶灰霜，遠(yuǎn)看像覆蓋著白霜的竹子，這是這個城市獨特的景色。車隊繼續(xù)向前開去，到了市中心革命廣場一帶，街道寬闊整齊，附近多高層辦公樓和公寓。離廣場不遠(yuǎn)，有昔日氣派的皇宮。附近一條花園式的林蔭大道兩旁，井然有序地分布著議會大廈、政府各部大樓、博物館、非洲大廈、亞迪斯亞貝巴大學(xué)和大議會等著名建筑。在孟尼利克二世大街的廣場上，矗立著孟尼利克二世身跨戰(zhàn)馬的高大銅像。銅像基座下邊，站立著各種膚色瞻仰這位著名歷史人物的人群。廣場西南角是市政大廳，連接市政大廳和火車站的大街，從北向南依地勢傾斜，兩旁商店林立，車水馬龍，蔚為壯觀。

A moment later, a police car cleared the way in the front, and the motorcade carrying Zhou Xinghe and other people drove towards the city. The city scenery was beautiful, the streets undulated with the hills, and the strange flowers by roadside were in full bloom; the ubiquitous eucalyptus trees were slender and lush, with the drooping triangular leaves in the slightly gray frost, which looked like the bamboo with white frost when seeing from far; it is the distinctive feature of the city. The motorcade drove on; it reached the Revolution Square in the center of the city, where the streets were wide and tidy, surrounded by high-rise office buildings and apartments. Not far from the square, there was the imperial palace. Nearby, along a garden-like boulevard, the famous buildings such as the Parliament Building, government ministry buildings, museums, Africa Building, Addis Ababa University and the Grand Parliament were arranged in an orderly fashion. In the square of Menelik II Avenue, there stood a tall bronze statue of Menelik II on his horse. Below the base of the bronze statue stood a crowd of people of all skin colors, looking at this famous historical figure. At the southwest corner of the square, it was the City Hall. The main street connecting the City Hall and the railway station sloped down from the north to the south with shops on both sides.

小王目不轉(zhuǎn)睛地看著車窗外絢麗的異國風(fēng)光，掩飾不住她臉上的喜悅和興奮。周興和倒是平靜地看著外面的一切，他的思緒卻已和目之所及的一切，同他即將將要在這里進行的工作聯(lián)系了起來。

Wang could not hide the joy and excitement on her face as she stared at the gorgeous exotic scenery outside the window. Zhou Xinghe, on the other hand, looked calmly at everything outside, but his thoughts were already connected with everything he could see, and with the work he was about to do here.

憑著直覺， 周興和預(yù)感到，他們和埃塞俄比亞政府的合作應(yīng)該是愉快和富有成效的。

By intuition, Zhou Xinghe anticipated that their cooperation with the Ethiopian government should be pleasant and productive.