Chapter 7 Chapter Six

November 20, 1963 is a day that should be remembered in the history of China's atomic bomb testing.Although this day is not a formal nuclear explosion, it has the same significance as a nuclear explosion.At that time, there were not many people who participated in this reduced-scale overall model explosion test, but from a technical point of view, Wang Ganchang knew in his heart that whether it was successful or not, it meant the official explosion day of China's atomic bomb.After obtaining the direct approval of Zhongnanhai, Wang Ganchang entered into intense experimental combat with Peng Huanwu, Guo Yonghuai, Deng Jiaxian, Zhu Guangya and others.In those days, Wang Ganchang had to go back and forth several times a day just to go to the research room, workshop, and experiment field... Finally one day he fell ill, and his blood pressure suddenly rose, which frightened everyone in the base.

"What did you do? If Mr. Wang makes a mistake, I will shoot you!" People at the base have never seen Commander Zhang Yunyu reprimand his subordinates so severely. "Commander Zhang, you can't blame the doctor. I'm old and I just have altitude sickness. It's okay." Wang Ganchang hurried out to smooth things over. do not eat. "Boom—" Success!Success!The downsizing experimental explosion was a resounding success.Like a young man, Wang Ganchang jumped up with joy: "Great! I'm so happy! China's atomic bomb can officially enter the preparation for explosion!" In February 1964, an order from the central government changed the former No. 9 Institute of the Second Ministry of Machinery to In the Ninth Research Institute, Wang Ganchang was appointed as the vice president, and continued to focus on the production and technical work of the atomic bomb development. In April, Wang Ganchang and several key technicians were suddenly picked up by a plane sent by Beijing.It turned out that Premier Zhou Enlai personally issued a top-secret order to them: "Project 596" adopts a tower explosion method, and all preparations before the test should be made before September 10, and the official explosion order issued by the central government should be obeyed at any time. To achieve "guarantee sound, guarantee testing, guarantee safety, one success".

"We were both excited and nervous when we heard the spirit of the Central Committee at that time. The excited one was that the dream of many years was about to come true, and the nervous one was that if something went wrong in the explosion test, how could we be worthy of Chairman Mao, the Party Central Committee and the people of the whole country? !” Wang Ganchang was still feeling like this decades after the incident. Everyone hopes for success, but no one can achieve success without failure.Wang Ganchang once said this to his disciples: "I have never been afraid of failure. It is the failures that arouse my interest in the next experiment. Failure is the mother of success. This is the truth." However, this time there was no Failure, this time no failure is allowed.While this is against the law for science, it has to be the result.No matter what reason you have, you must succeed.This is the entire task of the whole of China and the whole nation for Wang Ganchang and other scientists.

Wang Ganchang was not as relaxed as Oppenheimer in the United States, because Oppenheimer was the first person to test the atomic bomb. Even if he failed, he could still conduct the second and third tests. Anyway, no one else could do anything about him.It is impossible for Wang Ganchang to be as lucky as the Soviet scientists, because Stalin gave the Soviet scientists the task of "must exceed the Americans, and I don't want to exceed them"!Mao Zedong and the Chinese people are threatened with atomic bombs every day by the Americans across the sea, and the "polar bear" even wants to look at you with its mouth wide open!Wang Ganchang had no way out.

However, when each system was fully preparing to explode the atomic bomb at the scheduled time according to the date determined by the central government, the problem really came out!bubble!Report to Dean Wang, bubbles appeared in ×××'s three simulation tests!This day is the eve of May 1st International Labor Day, and the base originally made special arrangements for scientists: May 1st is a two-day holiday.But Wang Ganchang did not rest, nor could he rest. He had just returned to the base from the craft workshop of the Joint Atomic Energy Enterprise in Jiuquan when an emergency call followed him.

"I'll be right there!" Without taking a sip of water, Wang Ganchang rushed back to Jiuquan with his guards and two assistants. The "bubble incident" brought a moderate tension to the entire atomic bomb test at that time.Everyone at the base knew that an atomic bomb test and a nuclear explosion test would be carried out on the "National Day" of that year. If this serious technical problem could not be resolved, it would definitely affect the timetable for the entire test.Can you be in a hurry?The commander of the base was in a hurry, tens of thousands of soldiers were in a hurry, the leaders of the Military Commission such as Nie Rongzhen and Zhang Aiping were in a hurry, Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai were in a hurry.

Naturally, Wang Ganchang, who was in charge of technology and production at the front line, was even more anxious!According to Zhu Linfang, the person in charge of the Jiuquan craft workshop at the time, recalled: After a batch of enriched uranium 235 was produced at the Lanzhou Gas Diffusion Plant, the first set of qualified uranium 235 components was officially assembled in the craft workshop of the Jiuquan Atomic Energy Joint Enterprise with Mao Zedong’s personal approval.This uranium-235 component is the "heart" of the atomic bomb.The atomic bomb is a special "living body" that is more complicated than a human living body, and the appearance of "bubbles" in its "heart" means that the explosion test has completely "failed".Needless to say, the "bubble" problem has already touched the hearts of countless people.When Wang Ganchang arrived in Jiuquan, the chief engineer Jiang Shengjie, the physicist in charge of uranium core technology, was already very busy, and was mobilizing the backbone of technology and production to find the problem and the cause.The unanimous opinion is: keep repeating the experiment!It is easy to say, but it is more arduous and difficult to do. At that time, even the most sophisticated high-tech products were produced in our country, but the most primitive equipment was used.This was the case in the entire battle to eliminate the "bubbles" at the Jiuquan Plant.The technicians and worker comrades were unable to get on the horse, relying on the spirit of self-reliance in the true sense, repeated experiments one after another, and meticulously searched for problems. Finally, with everyone's efforts, the ghost of "bubbles" was completely eliminated.

In the early morning of May Day, the "heart" of the atomic bomb, the uranium core, was officially installed and passed the test by Wang Ganchang and other scientists. So far, China's first atomic bomb has been born. "Assemble all! Get ready for action!" At this moment, an order came from Zhongnanhai.This code word tells all departments involved in the atomic bomb test and production that the installation of the atomic bomb begins!Soldiers from all walks of life gathered in Lop Nur... "I must go, and I will feel at ease if I don't go." At the headquarters meeting, Wang Ganchang was the first to propose to personally go to Xi'an and Lanzhou, where important components of the atomic bomb were installed and produced, to escort the "precious son" to Lop Nur.

"Old Wang, you are old, and with my elite soldiers from all walks of life here, why are you still worried?" Commander Zhang Yunyu and Dean Li Jue advised Wang Ganchang not to take on the burden.But Wang Ganchang didn't listen to anything: "Now it's the last step, and the safety of parts delivery is a heavy responsibility. I'm in charge of technology and production. If I don't go, how can I explain to the Prime Minister if there is a problem? No, I have to go." !" "Okay. Mr. Wang is going. Comrades in the security forces, listen up. You must protect President Wang as meticulously as you protect atomic bomb components. If something goes wrong, the military discipline will be strictly dealt with!" Commander Zhang ordered one of his division commanders.

This is the real fight.In the days after May Day, Wang Ganchang led thousands of troops from Zhengzhou, Xi'an, Lanzhou and other places where atomic bomb parts were produced, escorting the atomic bomb parts one by one to the Lop Nur base... Those are all strictly guarded top-secret special trains, and the level of guards is the same as that of the central government's leaders.At each station, there are all first-level guards. Even the person in charge of the station and even the local top leaders don't know what the special train is equipped with.In one memory, Wang Ganchang described the scene of participating in the escort of atomic bomb parts: "We are all like mysterious figures who fell from the sky. We can't talk to the station or local leaders and comrades, and the other party dare not ask us what we are doing. Interesting Yes, those soldiers guarding me, as long as I act, they will surround me from left to right, and I really became a big cadre. It's so interesting!"

The Big Bang is just around the corner. On June 26, a 102-meter-high steel giant stood tall by the Lop Nur Lake.This iron tower, erected by more than 5,000 officers and soldiers from the 124th regiment of the People's Liberation Army for several months, is the last site of the atomic bomb test.Its appearance means that China's atomic bomb test has entered the countdown. In mid-September, all technical and administrative leaders of the base, including Wang Ganchang, were summoned by Beijing. This is undoubtedly the last inspection and mobilization of the top leadership of the base by the Party Central Committee, but the time of the explosion has not been determined. "Listen to the decision of the Central Committee and Chairman Mao." Premier Zhou Enlai said to the generals and scientists present at the end of the meeting, "We must not relax any time before the official order is issued. No matter in terms of technology or the fighting emotions of officers and soldiers, we must start from scratch..." Wang Ganchang and his generals returned to Lop Nur as scheduled.Everyone at the base understands that, based on experience, many important events in China usually take place on festive days like New Year's Day, May 1st, and July 1st.This time, the central government asked all preparations to be made before September 10, which is equivalent to telling everyone that the official atomic bomb test will be carried out before the National Day! September 15th, September 20th, September 30th... The National Day is coming soon, why hasn't the central government issued an order for the explosion test?Wang Ganchang is also as everyone thinks, it should be the day before the National Day that the explosion officially happened!But until the day of National Day, Beijing still had no order. "Mr. Wang, General Zhang Aiping will take you to Guloulan tomorrow!" Like thousands of workers, Wang Ganchang anxiously waited for Beijing's order to explode.When someone of his subordinates informed him like this, he couldn't help but ask strangely: "What did General Zhang ask us to do in Guloulan?" "I heard that I will take you to relax. There are many snail fossils there!" "What, what? Go pick up fossilized fish snails?" Wang Ganchang was furious, "I won't go! What time is it? Who cares? Don't go!" "Mr. Wang can't say it? Hahaha..." While talking, a familiar voice came from outside the tent. "Vice President Zhang is here!" The staff hurriedly took the opportunity to slip away to avoid being beaten. "Mr. Wang, I'm here to convey Premier Zhou's message to you." Zhang Aiping sat down on Wang Ganchang's bunk and said solemnly, "The Prime Minister instructed that our 'Little Sun' will wait until after the National Day. Those foreign friends who came to participate in our 15th anniversary celebration will be sent away before they explode. In order to stabilize the morale of the army, the comrade base commander and I have made new arrangements. On the one hand, let everyone take precautions, predict leaks and make up for vacancies, and increase drills to ensure nothing goes wrong. On the other hand, I am afraid that everyone's carelessness and nervousness will bring impatience and affect our "safety". I plan to organize comrades to go to Guloulan to relax and adjust their emotions. What do you think?" Wang Ganchang suddenly realized: "Deputy Zhang Chief, you guys were born in war after all, and you really have a way of thinking about the art of fighting. Okay, I think everyone's emotions are fluctuating a lot now, and they need to adjust too much. Including me, I can't wait any longer. Okay, I will also talk to you tomorrow. You go to Ancient Loulan to pick up fossilized fish snails!" "Mr. Wang, if you take the lead, my work will be much easier!" Zhang Aiping held Wang Ganchang's hand and said emotionally, "Mr. Wang, at your age, you work day and night with everyone. , You must pay attention to your body. Otherwise, I will not be able to explain to the Prime Minister!" "Thank you. Thank you, Prime Minister, for your concern." The next day, Wang Ganchang followed Zhang Aiping and his party to the area of ​​Guloulan. It was really a unique view on the Gobi Desert that was worth seeing.Although the ancient river has dried up, it has left deep riverbeds and snail fossils that can be picked up at hand.Coupled with the group of yellow sheep chasing left and right, wagging their small tails and shining round eyes, the entire "Sea of ​​Death" presents a rare picture of life.Needless to say, this trick of "General Poet" made the entourage really happy.But there is only one person who neither picks up snail fossils nor jokes, and he is Wang Ganchang. "Mr. Wang, is there something wrong?" Zhang Aiping asked with concern. "No, I'm wondering what else we haven't considered or there is a quality problem in any link. I think the first task after going back is to see if the line connectors are installed firmly. When I think of this, I I have no other thoughts, General Zhang!" Zhang Aiping put the scientist's hands on her chest, and sighed to Tianchang: "National treasure, I finally understand why the Prime Minister cherishes a national treasure like you so much!" "Now I give an order: According to the central government's order, the explosion time of my country's first atomic bomb is October 16, 1964. Within 48 hours from now, all personnel will enter the fighting state..." On the afternoon of October 14, Zhang Aiping represented the party The Central Committee and the Central Military Commission issued formal orders to the base's senior generals and technical leaders such as Wang Ganchang in the "stone room". "'Little Sun' is finally going to shine!" Wang Ganchang felt an uncontrollable excitement in his heart.As the main technical person in charge of the scene, Wang Ganchang couldn't calm down.In the past dozens of days, he, Zhu Guangya, Deng Jiaxian, Cheng Kaijia, etc. have checked every joint, line or device that may have problems countless times, but after all, this is the first big explosion, the first real big explosion. After the explosion, the battle-tested scientist Wang Ganchang was so nervous that he broke into a cold sweat—he believed in the abilities of himself and his colleagues, but he was also worried about possible problems.Because after all, this is a big deal, as long as there is a slight problem, it may affect the whole big bang, or there may be unforeseen and terrible consequences!Ah, it is too terrible!That is absolutely unimaginable!But I had to think about that.What if... what should I do?No, there can be no such "what ifs", absolutely not!But who can guarantee that there is no such "what if"? Afterwards, some people said that the "Old Man Wang" in those two days was really like an old man. No matter who he met, he would keep asking you what's going on here?Is there any problem there?When others clearly tell him that there is nothing wrong with him, he will stare at you instead: "How can you guarantee that there are no problems?" After the training, he knelt down and re-checked himself, and then stopped until he found no problems, but when he was about to leave, he was nagging again: "Think about it together, see Is there any problem?" The pressure in his heart was too great! At 7:20 in the evening on the 14th, the atomic bomb was dropped on the iron tower. When the huge cone "guy" stood tall and straight, everyone was a little nervous, including our experienced generals.