Rebirth: I am in Jin-Cha-Ji

The National Science and Technology Commission has been under considerable pressure in the past two years. Wei Hongjun encouraged the commission to remain calm and to shoulder any responsibilities.

Wei Hongjun also emphasized that CEC's development of transistor televisions and computers was on the right track. Therefore, Wei Hongjun demanded that the nation's electronics industry fully cooperate with CEC in developing transistor televisions and computers, in addition to transistor radios.

For transistor television and computer components, the Ministry of Electronics Industry would coordinate with other factories to participate in research and development whenever China Electronics Corporation (CEC) had demand. After all, CEC couldn't be expected to produce all the components itself. If coordination proved difficult, the Ministry would work with local governments to establish new supporting factories in the Yangtze River Delta.

Alternatively, China Electronics Corporation could establish a subsidiary specialized transistor TV or computer factory. It doesn't have to be in Shanghai; they could find a suitable city to develop a specialized TV or computer industry.

If there are some factories that the Ministry of Electronics Industry cannot coordinate, then a report can be submitted and Wei Hongjun and Bo Shuchun will coordinate for them.

Wei Hongjun knew that transistorized televisions and computers would experience a major boom in the 5000s. These products were in short supply worldwide in the s. With the development of satellite signals, the television industry experienced a major boom in the s and s, with global annual television production exceeding million units. Furthermore, after the advent of transistorized televisions, integrated circuit televisions quickly replaced traditional, clunky tube-based televisions.

The biggest advantage of transistor televisions was that they were smaller than previous models and easier to use. As a result, they were in short supply after they were introduced to the market. As soon as they were produced, they were snapped up.

China is currently improving relations and establishing diplomatic ties with countries around the world. In the mid-to-late 1960s, when transistor televisions were in short supply in the international market, this presented an opportunity for China.

By then, as long as China launches its own transistor televisions, there will naturally be many traders willing to do business with China.

In the 300s, the cheapest transistor TV set in the international market was around $500, with more expensive ones costing $700 or $. The entire TV market was worth tens of billions of dollars, and it was arguably the most profitable business at the time.

Then there are transistor computers, which developed rapidly in the United States in the 1960s. Sales of transistor computers began at a rate of a few thousand per year, then grew to tens of thousands, and then hundreds of thousands.

If China seizes this opportunity, it will have the opportunity to reap sufficient profits in a range of computer industries, including computers, operating systems, and various computer software, and will not be left behind in the subsequent Internet and wireless communications revolutions.

It was precisely for this reason that Wei Hongjun emphasized that the transistor television and computer production project, a collaboration with the German Democratic Republic, must be located in China. Once this project was conquered and production began, numerous supporting industries would be required, potentially employing millions of workers.

Once developed, it can directly drive the development of a city.

Wei Hongjun also believed that the German Democratic Republic would agree. Because they had considerable technological expertise in transistor research and a robust upstream and downstream supply chain, they could not, however, mobilize resources on the scale of China to support the development of the transistor semiconductor industry.

Because the industrial system of East Germany was connected to the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union provided East Germany with a large amount of resources such as oil and steel, and East Germany produced products and sold them to the Soviet Union.

Therefore, the GDR was driven by a desire to maintain political correctness, emphasizing that Soviet experts had identified the vacuum tube as the future of semiconductors. Furthermore, because GDR industry was part of the Soviet industrial chain, most of its resources were already allocated elsewhere, preventing them from entering the transistor semiconductor industry. Furthermore, with a population of only 2000 million, the GDR lacked sufficient workers to develop a large transistor semiconductor industry.

But some in the GDR were unwilling to accept this, believing that transistor semiconductors held great promise. After all, Europe, the US, and Japan had already released numerous industrial transistor semiconductor products over the past two years. Some experts in the GDR understood that transistor semiconductors held far greater potential than vacuum tubes.

So when East Germany saw China's transistor radios at the Leipzig Industrial Fair, as well as the transistor televisions and computers that came out of the laboratory, it thought of cooperation.

Under such unequal circumstances, China would undoubtedly take the initiative. Wei Hongjun was willing to make some economic concessions to the GDR because the GDR did have a technological foundation.

Currently, there are hundreds of electronics factories and research institutes across the country, large and small. All of them must cooperate with the transistor semiconductor and integrated circuit industries. It is imperative to quickly establish a comprehensive industry covering transistor semiconductor and integrated circuit design and production. This is where the German Democratic Republic can provide assistance.

Since the 1960s and 1970s, integrated circuits with transistor semiconductors as the core have been widely used in various industrial fields.

Furthermore, China Power Corporation should be bold in its efforts to sell its products to countries outside the socialist camp, including exploring markets in Europe. Currently, China's exports primarily consist of processed materials and agricultural and sideline products, which have very low added value and low profits.

To make money, we still have to export industrial products. Of course, if we want to export, we have to import. We can import machinery and equipment from European countries like Britain and France, and we can also import some industrial products that are urgently needed domestically.

For example, vehicles, such as trucks, are still one of China's major imported industrial products. Other imports include some measuring instruments.

Only when there is give and take can everyone’s business be done well.

After these questions were deployed, the conversation ended.

With the development of various industries, Wei Hongjun felt more and more how much New China lacked steel at this stage. He also understood more clearly why steel is the foundation of industrial development.

At present, the People's Republic of China has not yet started large-scale development of the shipbuilding industry, automobile industry, and construction industry, and the steel supply is already so stretched. Once these high-consumption steel industries are developed on a large scale in the future, the steel shortage will be even more serious.

Or, to put it another way, the reason many industries in New China are struggling to develop is simply because they lack steel. Without steel, how can we develop? If New China could produce 30 to 40 million tons of steel, every industry would flourish.

"Secretary Wei, the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense called. The Dongfeng-2 missile launch failed."

While Wei Hongjun was considering the steel issue, the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense called. Wu Heng, assistant to the director of the Science Working Committee, conveyed the news from the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense to Wei Hongjun.

Wu Heng, the Assistant Director of the Science Working Committee, was Wei Hongjun's assistant, but more accurately, he was also one of his secretaries. Zhao Han was his political secretary, while Wu Heng was his science and technology secretary. Wu Heng would translate many scientific and technological reports for Wei Hongjun, ensuring he could quickly grasp the content.

Wei Hongjun frowned and said, "Didn't Comrade Wang Bingzhang and Comrade Qian Xuesen say in the previous meeting that the Dongfeng-2 launch test would be conducted next year? How come the test was carried out so soon?"

"The Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense has achieved fruitful results over the past two years. This year, three missile launch tests were successful. Everyone is full of confidence. Therefore..."

Wu Heng expressed his opinion.

Wei Hongjun nodded.

I roughly understand what happened. The Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense has made remarkable achievements in the past two years.

The atomic bomb detonation was successful, and three missile launch tests of different types were all successful as a tribute to National Day. The 11th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China was celebrated with cheers.

Afterwards, these three missiles underwent several more launch tests, all of which were successful. These repeated successes inflated the perception that the missiles were merely mediocre. Consequently, the launch test of the DF-2 was conducted ahead of schedule.

"Call Comrade Li Shiping. I need to have a meeting with the leaders of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense and the Missile Research Institute."

"Yes."

Li Shiping is the Secretary-General of the Scientific Working Committee, and he is in charge of the daily work of the Scientific Working Committee.

Soon, all the cadres from the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense and the Missile Research Institute in Beijing gathered together.

"Secretary Wei, I was too impatient and didn't follow the original plan. Instead, I arbitrarily carried out the launch test ahead of schedule. The failure of the DF-2 launch is entirely my responsibility."

When Wang Bingzhang, director of the Missile Research Institute, saw Wei Hongjun enter the room, he immediately stood up and apologized to Wei Hongjun.

Wang Bingzhang was very regretful.

The country is still very poor. Every time an experiment fails, it costs a lot of national funds. If I hadn't been so complacent, this wouldn't have happened.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, it began by imitating Soviet missiles and later developed its own missiles. It has launched so many missiles without failure. This time, the failure of the "Dongfeng-2" launch is the first time in the history of New China's missiles.

"Secretary Wei, I was the one who made the final decision on the technical verification of the DF-2. It's my responsibility."

Qian Xuesen, deputy director of the Missile Research Institute, stood up and took the responsibility on himself.

Wei Hongjun waved his hand and said, "Sit down. I didn't call this meeting today to hold anyone accountable."

After sitting down, Wei Hongjun said, "I called this meeting today to tell Comrade Wang Bingzhang and Comrade Qian Xuesen that you must comfort our missile researchers when you return. Tell them that while climbing the peaks of scientific research brings the joy of success, there is also the bitterness of failure."

"No scientific research development is ever entirely without failure. This failure is just a minor setback on our road to success. If responsibility truly is to be assigned, the primary responsibility for this failure lies with me, the director of the Scientific Working Committee. So when you return, please don't criticize anyone or assign any responsibility."

"The most urgent task now is to find the technical reasons for the failure and improve the technology of the DF-2. Don't be afraid of failure. Two or three failures are common in the development of such cutting-edge weapons."

"Yes."

Wang Bingzhang and Qian Xuesen both breathed a sigh of relief and expressed their deepest gratitude to Wei Hongjun for his support.

In fact, both of them knew that the Missile Research Institute was responsible for the failure of the Dongfeng-2 missile launch, and it was a great responsibility.

So Wang Bingzhang was mentally prepared. Although he was the director of the Missile Research Institute, he was far inferior to the vice director, Qian Xuesen. Qian Xuesen was a strategic-level scientist, so no matter what, it wouldn't be a big deal.

But Wang Bingzhang wasn't sure. He wasn't familiar with Wei Hongjun, so it was normal for him to withdraw from his position in anger. But Wang Bingzhang didn't expect Wei Hongjun to not only not hold the other two responsible, but actually shoulder the responsibility himself. This deeply touched Wang Bingzhang.

Wei Hongjun continued, "You two should hurry back to comfort our researchers and express my regards to them. They must be very frustrated right now. Your task is to restore their confidence and get them back to work."

"Yes."

After Wang Bingzhang and Qian Xuesen left, Wei Hongjun's expression became less happy and immediately became serious.

Looking at several important officials from the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, he said in a deep voice: "Comrades, we must learn a profound lesson from the failure of the Dongfeng-2 launch this time. We are the ones who should bear the responsibility."

"We've had good results in recent years, but we've become complacent. Humility leads to progress, while pride makes us fall behind. Science, like warfare, cannot be pursued blindly. Simply aiming for quick success is a reckless move."

"When I last discussed the Dongfeng-2 launch plan with Comrade Qian Xuesen, he wasn't sure if the 1960 launch would be successful. But to bring the launch date forward so far is a reckless move."

Wei Hongjun is now very glad that the Dongfeng-2 launch failed.

If the DF-2 were successfully launched, the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense would go berserk. Perhaps all sorts of cutting-edge weapons projects would be blindly approved. Even Wei Hongjun would have a hard time containing the frenzy surrounding this scientific "Great Leap Forward."

Fortunately, the failure of the DF-2 launch gave everyone a wake-up call and calmed them down. Compared to the messy final stages of various cutting-edge weapons projects, the current situation is actually the best.

"The failure of the DF-2 missile launch wasn't solely a problem at the Missile Research Institute. The bigger problem lies with the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense. Everyone was so carried away by their success that they didn't object to the DF- launch being brought forward. I, in particular, as the Deputy Director of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, who oversees missile programs, bear the greatest responsibility."

Zhao Lu immediately reviewed his mistakes.

Within the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, there are divisions of labor. Zhao Lu, Deputy Director and Director of the Commission, oversees the missile program. The other three Deputy Directors of the Commission are Han Wei, who oversees the nuclear industry; Zhang Aiping, who oversees conventional weapons development; and Qian Sanqiang, who oversees scientific planning and review.

Zhao Lu was now sweating coldly. The Missile Research Institute had applied for an early launch test of the DF-2, and Zhao Lu had approved it.

Thinking back on it now, I was dazzled by all the achievements back then. I didn't think a missile launch was a big deal.

"is my problem."

Yang Quanwu said, "Just like everyone said, I've been floating in the air for a while now. I feel like there's no problem that can't be solved, and I always feel like these things are too simple."

"I am the director of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense. It was because of my underestimation of the enemy that I influenced other people in the Commission."

This incident was also a wake-up call for Yang Quanwu.

The success of the atomic bomb and various missile launch tests made Yang Quanwu elated. These achievements made him the most successful military officer in the past year or so.

Many people even privately said that Yang Quanwu's performance in the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense was so good that he deserved to be elected to the Politburo or become Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission.

Therefore, Yang Quanwu felt that the launch test of the Dongfeng-2 was a bit too hasty. However, he still held on to a glimmer of hope, thinking that it might succeed.

But reality slapped them in the face: the Dongfeng-2 launch test failed. This is the consequence of taking shortcuts with a fluke mentality.

Yang Quanwu also began to reflect on the work of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense during this period.

After Yang Quanwu and Zhao Lu made self-criticisms, Zhang Aiping, Qian Sanqiang and Han Wei also made self-criticisms.

Including Li Shiping, Secretary-General of the Science Working Committee, everyone conducted a self-examination and believed that he was a little impulsive in handling the daily work of the Science Working Committee.

Wei Hongjun didn't actually take the failure of a missile launch test seriously. He aimed to rectify the complacency within the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense. Now that everyone recognized the problems of the recent period, Wei Hongjun said, "The Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense must conduct a comprehensive review of its impulsive and reckless thinking. Furthermore, they must conduct a comprehensive inspection of its subordinate research units and arsenals to see if these same problems exist. Comrade Qian Sanqiang, you must take the lead on this matter. There are no shortcuts in science; we cannot expect overnight success."

"Yes."

1080 Key Inspection Directions

Wei Hongjun handled the aftermath of the failed Dongfeng-2 missile launch overnight. Because New China was short of funds and had a poor technological foundation, Qian Xuesen proposed to the central government that the strategy be to focus on developing missile projects.

The Central Committee also adopted Qian Xuesen's suggestion. Therefore, among cutting-edge weapons projects at this stage, missile development is the top priority. Wei Hongjun must address the negative impact of the failed Dongfeng-2 launch test as soon as possible.

Wei Hongjun's stance on the failed DF-2 missile launch was clear. The responsibility for the failure did not lie with the specific researchers behind the DF-2 missile. The root of the failure lay with higher-ups, namely the Science Working Committee and the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense.

The Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, blinded by its successive successes, has developed a mentality of underestimating the enemy, optimism, and recklessness. These unrealistic and problematic ideas must be eliminated.

At the same time, the entire Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense system must conduct a comprehensive review to identify any projects that were blindly launched out of underestimation of the enemy. If such projects exist, they must be re-evaluated. Any projects that do not meet current technical requirements must be canceled.

Yang Quanwu, Zhao Lu, Han Wei, Zhang Aiping, and Qian Sanqiang, several key cadres of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, must make a deep self-examination.

Including Li Shiping, Secretary-General of the Science Work Committee, as the leading cadre responsible for the daily work of the Science Work Committee, he also needs to make a self-examination.

As the director of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, Yang Quanwu must bear overall leadership responsibility and needs to report to and review his work at the Politburo.

Zhao Lu and Wang Bingzhang, one in charge of the missile project and the other directly responsible for it, both bear direct responsibility. They will receive some internal Party criticism, but their work will not be adjusted.

But Wei Hongjun's attitude toward his subordinates was completely different. He neither criticized nor held the missile researchers accountable. He repeatedly stated that the failure of the DF-2 was not the fault of the missile researchers. It was the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense's impatience and underestimation of the enemy that affected the entire missile research process.

Wei Hongjun also worried that this failure would constrain missile researchers, fearing another failure. This mindset would directly impact missile development and undermine researchers' confidence. Therefore, Wei Hongjun told Qian Xuesen that scientific research isn't all about success; failure is also inevitable. Therefore, two or three failures in a missile launch were normal, and researchers were advised not to feel any psychological burden.

As long as the missile launch wasn't caused by human error, the failure was a minor incident on the road to success in scientific research. Wei Hongjun, as director of the Science Working Committee, is certainly responsible for some of these failures.