Rebirth: I am in Jin-Cha-Ji

When it comes to nuclear weapons, you have to have them yourself to feel safe.

The development of nuclear weapons was a top-secret matter. Wei Hongjun's report was submitted directly to the Central Committee. After discussion, the Central Committee agreed with Wei Hongjun's report. Although China's foundation was poor, and it had absolutely nothing in the way of nuclear weapons, it was still a matter of time.

But the preliminary work can be done now.

Therefore, the Central Committee agreed to establish the Nuclear Industry Bureau.

The Nuclear Industry Bureau was nominally under the Second Ministry of Machine Building, but it was an independent agency within the Second Ministry, directly under the leadership of the Central Committee and the Military Commission. The Central Committee was preparing to recruit cadres from the military to serve as the director of the Nuclear Industry Bureau.

The mission of the Nuclear Industry Bureau is to prepare for the development of future atomic bombs. They can start with the exploration of uranium, the raw material for atomic bombs. There are also many nuclear physicists among the scientists who have returned from studying in Europe and the United States. The Nuclear Industry Bureau can screen these scientists and select political

In addition to regular classes, the university also specializes in training a group of students in the nuclear industry.

Use a few years to lay a talent foundation for China's nuclear industry.

After finishing these things, it was already October. Because December 1949, 12 was Stalin's 21th birthday, the socialist camp and communist organizations around the world celebrated and went to the Soviet Union to congratulate.

The Chinese Party and government were also invited.

At this time, Stalin's prestige in the socialist camp was at its peak. He was going to celebrate his 70th birthday, so everyone gave him face. Even China was no exception. Important newspapers such as the People's Daily and the Liberation Daily all published large articles congratulating Stalin on his 70th birthday.

On the occasion of Stalin’s birthday, domestic writers also wrote poems and articles to praise Stalin’s achievements.

The Central Committee held a meeting to discuss the candidates for going to the Soviet Union.

Originally, the most suitable person for such a matter would have been the Prime Minister. However, the Chairman ultimately decided to personally go to the Soviet Union to offer congratulations. This was primarily due to the current good relations between China and the Soviet Union, with extensive cooperation in various areas.

Leaders of various countries went to the Soviet Union, and China should go too. If the Chairman did not go, not to mention what Stalin and the Soviet Union would think, even some people in socialist countries would have wild thoughts. After all, China is a major country second only to the Soviet Union in the socialist camp. Once Sino-Soviet relations

If problems arise, they will directly affect the unity of the socialist camp.

The Chairman was also very concerned about the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Therefore, he used this opportunity to celebrate Stalin's birthday to purchase another batch of weapons and equipment for China. This was particularly important for the PLA's much-needed air force and navy expansion, as well as air defense weapons and rocket launchers needed for the Korean War.

"Comrade Red Army, have you received the notice?"

"Yes."

Before going to the Soviet Union, Chairman Mao talked with Wei Hongjun.

Because when the Central Committee decided on the personnel to accompany the Chairman to the Soviet Union, the Chairman mentioned Wei Hongjun's name. Wei Hongjun will go to the Soviet Union with the Chairman, Ren Peiguo and others.

Chairman Mao said: "Comrade Red Army, I mentioned your name because I hope you can go and see the Soviet industrial situation in person. You are very sharp and can find problems and summarize them. What I want is for you to understand the history of Soviet industrial development, to inspect Soviet industry, and to actually understand the situation.

"We need to learn about the operation of Soviet factories and then write a report. We are learning about the Soviet Union and we need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of Soviet industry."

Wei Hongjun's ability to identify problems and summarize experiences and lessons is what the Chairman likes and values ​​most.

After Chairman Mao issued the slogan of comprehensively learning from the Soviet Union, China's economy, industry, and culture all began to imitate the Soviet Union. However, Chairman Mao always advocated the concept of "combining Marxist theory with Chinese reality."

Therefore, the Chairman also held reservations about the Soviet experience.

Learn the good and discard the bad.

But this kind of thing is not appropriate to talk about at this stage. But even if it is not appropriate to talk about it, we must be prepared. The Chairman considered these cadres of the Central Committee and finally chose Wei Hongjun.

"Yes."

Wei Hongjun nodded.

But he quickly said, "Chairman, how long will you stay in the Soviet Union this time?"

"I'm just going to celebrate a birthday. There's nothing else important to do. So it won't take too long."

"Chairman, can I take a plane to the Soviet Union in advance?"

The Chairman must have a special train.

The journey alone would take more than 20 days. However, if Wei Hongjun wanted to study the history of Soviet industrial development, the current state of Soviet industry, and the operating model of Soviet factories, he would be very short on time.

So Wei Hongjun wanted to go to the Soviet Union in advance.

The chairman nodded.

He said: "Well, this is exactly why I came to you today. You should have gone to the Soviet Union earlier than me. After arriving in Moscow, Comrade Wang Jiaxiang will help you coordinate any requests you have. In addition to the Soviet industrial issues, if you have time, you can also go and see the situation in Eastern European countries.

"Yes."

820 Personality Cult

After arriving in the Soviet Union, Wei Hongjun inspected the situation of Soviet industry.

Wei Hongjun met with Soviet officials and learned about the history of Soviet industry. He covered everything from factory operations to salaries. He also kept up with the market for light industrial products.

Mainly, Wei Hongjun wanted to see how the Soviet economy was recovering.

The better the Soviet Union's economic recovery, the stronger the purchasing power of the Soviet people will be, which will directly affect the export of Chinese goods.

It was only after arriving in the Soviet Union that Wei Hongjun discovered the Soviet people's enormous demand for canned goods. He saw countless varieties of canned goods in Soviet stores—he saw dozens of them alone. They were all Soviet canned products. Wei Hongjun observed them carefully.

Canned goods in the Soviet Union were mainly meat and fish, with canned vegetables and fruits being rare. Consequently, canned vegetables and fruits were in short supply in the Soviet Union.

Wei Hongjun understood that this was likely related to the Soviet Union's geography and climate. While the Soviet Union currently had no shortage of meat and fish, its vegetable and fruit production was limited. This was why this situation occurred. After investigating the Soviet Union, Wei Hongjun traveled to Eastern Europe to investigate the conditions in several Eastern European countries.

Although the Soviet Union is the main destination for China's exports, trade with Eastern European countries also needs to be maintained.

Eastern European countries, particularly East Germany and the Czech Republic, have a strong industrial base. Poland and Romania also have their own industrial strengths. China could certainly benefit from industrial assistance from Eastern European countries, which are also important destinations for Chinese students. Increasing trade and talent exchange with Eastern European countries would greatly benefit the development of China's industry.

Wei Hongjun flew to the Soviet Union at the end of October and inspected the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe for about fifty days.

On December 1949, 12, Chairman Mao arrived in Moscow.

Wei Hongjun also concluded his inspection trip. Ren Peiguo also came to the Soviet Union. In addition to celebrating Stalin's birthday, Ren Peiguo came to the Soviet Union to recuperate. Ren Peiguo's health was not very good.

The central government attaches great importance to his physical condition.

His working hours were restricted to no more than six hours a day. However, Ren Peiguo's health remained poor. Therefore, the Central Committee decided to take advantage of this opportunity and allow him to come to the Soviet Union to recuperate.

After meeting the Chairman, Wei Hongjun immediately reported the content of his inspection during this period.

In his report, Wei Hongjun praised the Soviet Union's achievements in concentrating its efforts on prioritizing the development of heavy industry, and also praised the Soviet Union for its decisive action during the world economic crisis to introduce large quantities of machinery, equipment and technology from European and American countries.

The development of heavy industry made the Soviet Union quickly become an industrial power and played an important role in World War II.

But Wei Hongjun was not polite in his criticism.

The Soviet Union prioritized heavy industry over light industry and agriculture, leading to several famines and serious problems with light industry development after its founding. The Soviet Union's current industrial mindset remains focused on heavy industry, while light industry remains neglected. Based on the Soviet Union's current development, its heavy industry will continue to grow, while its light industry will continue to slump.

The result was that an industrial power like the Soviet Union was severely restricted in its daily necessities.

This is why light industry is so poorly developed.

Therefore, Wei Hongjun suggested that China should follow the Soviet Union's example and concentrate on developing heavy industry to lay the foundation for industrial development. At the same time, China should not neglect the development of light industry and agriculture.

The relationship in this regard must be coordinated well.

China's current industrial development bears a striking resemblance to the Soviet Union's development of heavy industry. During the Soviet Union's First Five-Year Plan, the European and American economies were facing a period of economic crisis. This provided an opportunity to import large quantities of machinery, equipment, and technical personnel from these countries.

The same is true in China now.

The chance is good.

China's opportunity was that the Soviet-led socialist camp could provide large-scale aid to China's industry. As long as a cooperation agreement was reached, the Soviet-led socialist camp could provide machinery and equipment, send experts and professors, and transfer patents on a large scale.

So now is a great opportunity for China to develop heavy industry on a large scale.

At the same time, China cannot follow the wrong path taken by the Soviet Union.

The development of heavy industry, light industry, and agriculture must be coordinated. Furthermore, the problems with the Soviet Union's light industry development are an opportunity for China. China is a large country with abundant resources and a large population. It is entirely possible to develop light industry in a targeted manner to fill the gap in the Soviet market.

Use light industrial products and import Soviet machinery, equipment and technology.

I wrote a lot in a very eloquent way.

Wei Hongjun has also written extensively about Eastern European countries. Based on their current industrial development, he proposed a plan for China to collaborate with them, introducing the competitive industries of these industrialized nations. Of course, these are Wei Hongjun's personal opinions and reports.

Furthermore, much of the content was extremely sensitive. Wei Hongjun's criticism of Soviet industry, in particular, included issues such as the rigidity of the Soviet industrial system, its rampant bureaucracy, and official privileges. This information absolutely could not be made public.

After all, Wei Hongjun was not just an ordinary member of the CCP, but a senior leader who was about to become a member of the Politburo. If the content in this article were to be spread, it would directly affect the relationship between the CCP and the CPSU.

The Chairman attaches great importance to the content here.

What the Chairman appreciated was Wei Hongjun's ability to identify, analyze and summarize problems.

Wei Hongjun's report was the first in China to offer such a detailed analysis of the Soviet Union's industrial history, current state, and overall situation. After arriving in Moscow, Chairman Mao, apart from attending obligatory banquets, devoted his time to studying Wei Hongjun's report.

Based on this report, think about the development of China's industry.

On December 1949, 12, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union held a grand birthday celebration for Comrade Stalin at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. On this day, leaders of socialist countries came to celebrate his birthday, and Stalin specially arranged for the Chairman to sit next to him. China is so big that even though it was founded

In just a year and a half, he was already the second-in-command of the socialist camp. The banquet started at 8 pm and lasted until nearly 2 am the next morning.

The chairman is a rather casual person.

The banquet lasted so long, and everyone was talking nonsense, which was totally inconsistent with the Chairman's temperament. So Stalin's birthday celebration banquet made the Chairman very bored. If it were in China, the Chairman would have left long ago. But this was a dinner to celebrate Stalin's birthday, so although the Chairman

I don't like it, but I have to rely on it until two in the morning.

Returning to the villa where he was staying, the Chairman said impatiently: "I don't know why Soviet banquets are so long? There is nothing good to eat, and nothing to watch. It's all applause, and my hands are sore from clapping. We can't learn this when we go back. We should eat well and watch the show well."

Such a grand spectacle and such waste are not only a waste of money but also a waste of time.”

"Chairman, there are many such banquets in the Soviet Union."

Wang Jiaxiang spoke.

He said: "It's not just Comrade Stalin's birthday party. Some important leaders' birthdays will also have parties, but they are not as grand as Comrade Stalin's birthday party. Some major local cadres will also celebrate their birthdays, including Soviet factory leaders. In the Soviet Union,

Couplets are inseparable from various banquets.

“This is nonsense.”

The chairman was dissatisfied.

He looked at Wei Hongjun and said, "Comrade Hongjun, is this situation also happening in China?

"Chairman, in ancient China, officials always paid attention to the three festivals and two birthdays. No one dared to ignore the officials above them during the three festivals and two birthdays. Although the People's Republic of China was founded, this custom has not been completely eliminated. During the Three Antis Movement, such a thing was also discovered, and it became the theme of the Three Antis Movement.

The phenomenon of "moving" being the focus of crackdowns.

"Yeah. Thousands of years of feudal thinking isn't so easy to eliminate."

The chairman nodded.

After thinking for a while, he said: "We can't learn from the Soviet Union. Our country is still very poor, and the people's food and clothing problems have not been solved. We can't be extravagant. Moreover, this kind of birthday party is not only a waste of money, but also leads to the spread of bureaucracy. Grassroots leaders - one level up

"The top leaders are flattered to the point of being completely detached from the people. They've stopped doing their jobs and are only interested in throwing banquets. If this continues, who will actually get anything done? Grassroots leaders are only focused on flattering, while the top leaders are completely detached from the people. This will breed the worst kind of bureaucracy."

Wei Hongjun immediately said: "Chairman, this kind of thing should be made clear and a code of conduct should be established. It should be made clear that leaders at all levels should not hold lavish birthday ceremonies. Start with the leaders to exercise restraint and gradually change the customs. Nowadays, many places in the society make weddings and funerals very extravagant.