Training the Heavens

Chapter 385 Manhattan Project

"Dear Professor Zhang, I originally planned to go to Kunming to see you, but now you are in Chongqing, which is great." Stilwell said with a face full of relief. He had just taken up the posts of Chief of Staff of the Allied China Theater, Supreme Commander of the US Forces in the China-Burma-India Theater, and US Representative of the Allied War Committee in the China-Burma-India Theater. His work was very busy. Zhang Xingjiu's visit to Chongqing this time helped him save a lot of time.

Stilwell arrived in China more than ten years ago and had already mastered Chinese fluently. He could also write in Chinese and understand Peking Opera, so he could communicate without an interpreter. What we were going to discuss today was indeed not suitable for the presence of an interpreter.

After the greetings, Stilwell said with a serious expression, "Thank you very much for your great contribution to the Allies' resistance to the Japanese fascist invasion. Now, on behalf of the United States of America, I have a matter to discuss with you that is related to whether the Allies can achieve ultimate victory! But before we discuss it, I need to check whether there are any eavesdropping devices here and get your assurance that today's conversation cannot be disclosed to anyone."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xingjiu probably knew what he was going to talk about. "I am willing to do my best for the victory of the Allies, and I can also agree to your request, but the premise is that this matter does not threaten China."

Stilwell hesitated for a moment, then finally relented, "Okay, I'll be so presumptuous then."

After obtaining Zhang Xingjiu's permission, he called several technicians, checked Zhang Xingjiu's room, and left only after confirming that it was safe. There were only the two of them left in the room.

Stilwell closed the door, sat down again, and said, "According to our understanding, Nazi Germany began implementing the 'Uranium' Project as early as February 1937. They established a department headed by physicist Kurt Dibner. The department had over a hundred scientists, including renowned scholars such as Abraham Esau, Walter Gerlach, and Erich Schumann."

"Now, Werner Heisenberg, Otto Hahn, and others have also joined in. They are trying to use the principle of nuclear fission to develop a powerful super weapon. This poses a great threat to the Allies and peace-loving people around the world."

"The United States cannot allow such a weapon to fall into the hands of the Nazis. We, the Allies, also want our own super weapon. However, the scientific community is still skeptical about whether such a weapon can be manufactured. That's why President Roosevelt has entrusted me to seek your opinion. You are the greatest physicist in the world today and the originator of the energy equation. The President believes your opinion is crucial."

Zhang Xingjiu shook his head. "Albert Einstein, Enrico Fermi, Ernest Lawrence, Robert Oppenheimer, and Edward Teller are all in the United States. They are capable enough to solve this problem."

"In fact, Professor Einstein has already written a letter to President Roosevelt. He believes that it is feasible to use certain radioactive materials to make super weapons. However, Mr. President feels that it is still necessary to seek your opinion. Your reply will affect the final decision of the White House!" Stilwell replied. Judging from the tone of his voice, his attitude should be exactly the same as Roosevelt's.

Because just as he said, Zhang Xingjiu is now the greatest physicist in the world. If he says that the plan is not feasible, then the White House will have to think carefully about it. If he judges that it is feasible, then the White House will be under much less pressure when making a decision.

Haha, they only mentioned certain radioactive substances but not uranium. The confidentiality attitude is quite strict, but it is useless. When it comes to understanding nuclear weapons, no one in the world can compare with Zhang Xingjiu.

Considering that the Manhattan Project might have already begun to move forward, it would be of little use to stop it. Moreover, this project did speed up the surrender of the Japanese, so Zhang Xingjiu gave an affirmative answer, "Theoretically speaking, it is feasible."

"The Joliot-Curie couple proved that neutrons produced by fission could cause a chain reaction, and Otto Hahn discovered nuclear fission. These two achievements are sufficient to prove the tremendous power of atomic energy." "But as a scientist, I don't want to see mankind's greatest scientific and technological achievements turned into weapons of mass destruction, especially when the power of this weapon is absolutely beyond your imagination."

"If the theory is correct, a single super weapon of this type could destroy buildings covering several square kilometers, causing hundreds of thousands of casualties. Those who died directly from the explosion might be relatively safe, but those harmed by the radioactive material would face prolonged suffering."

Zhang Xingjiu said this with compassion on his face, but then he thought about it and realized that the Americans first used the atomic bomb on the Japanese, so he felt relieved. He even felt that the Americans dropped too few bombs and should have dropped more.

Stilwell quickly recorded Zhang Xingjiu's words and continued to ask, "So, how long do you think it would take and how much money would it cost to produce such a weapon, given the current level of American technology and production capabilities? Also, Professor Einstein made a guess in his letter that this weapon might be very heavy, perhaps unable to be dropped by aircraft and would only be transported by ship. Do you think this is correct?"

"This will require a huge investment. Even if Einstein, Fermi, Oppenheimer and others are put in charge, preliminary estimates show that it will take two to three years and cost nearly one billion US dollars." Zhang Xingjiu deliberately said less so as not to scare the Americans.

"One billion dollars!" Even so, Stilwell's jaw dropped. "This amount of money is enough to build more than ten battleships!"

The current cost of building an Iowa-class battleship is about 70 million US dollars, and 1 billion US dollars is enough to build 15 battleships.

At the same time, during World War II, the total amount of US aid to China was only US$8.45 million, which shows how huge the expenditure was.

After calming down, Stilwell continued, "Scientists have now found three fission methods. Which one do you think is most suitable for making this weapon?"

Zhang Xingjiu shook his head decisively. "I'm not very familiar with the cutting-edge research on nuclear fission. As you know, most of this research is conducted in secrecy. It's difficult for me to access this information in China, so I can't make a judgment."

The general direction of the question can be answered. Even if there was no Zhang Xingjiu, the Americans would have planned to launch the Manhattan Project.

The details must not be revealed. Zhang Xingjiu had no intention of saving the Americans money. What if he aroused their vigilance and launched an assassination? He also wanted to pass on this knowledge to the heroes of the two bombs.

After asking a few more questions, Stilwell asked the final question, "Professor Zhang, are you willing to go to the United States to lead this work?"

(End of this chapter)