Qian Xuesen! !

Winter and spring pass quickly, and the cold and heat suddenly change.

The son returned to Qiongquan, and the heavy soil will forever separate him.

Whoever can restrain his selfish ambitions will be of no use if he stays in floods.

He bowed respectfully to the emperor's orders and returned to his first battle.

I look at the house and think about the person, and I think about what I have experienced when I enter the house.

There is no image on the curtain screen, but there are traces of calligraphy and ink.

The fragrance has not stopped yet, but it is still hanging on the wall.

The feeling of sadness may exist, and the reflection may be filled with fear and alarm.

Like the Hanlin bird, it only roosts twice a day.

Like a fish swimming in Sichuan, you can analyze the road in your eyes.

The spring breeze is coming, and the morning breeze is falling on the eaves.

How can I forget my sleep? My worries are accumulating day by day.

The common people sometimes decline, but Zhuang Fou can still be attacked.

Qian Xuesen (December 11, 1911 - October 31, 2009 at 8:06), a famous physicist and rocket expert.

A native of Hangzhou, Zhejiang, Han nationality, he joined the Communist Party of China in August 1959. He has a doctorate and the rank of lieutenant general. He is known as the "Father of China's Aerospace", "The Father of China's Missiles" and "The Father of China's Rockets". "Father of the People" and "King of Missiles", he was named the Person of the Year that Moved China in 2007.

Graduated from the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Jiaotong University (Shanghai) in 1934, and studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and California Institute of Technology in the United States. In 1935, he went to the United States to study aeronautical engineering and aerodynamics. He received a doctorate from the California Institute of Technology in 1938. He later stayed in the United States as a lecturer, associate professor, professor, director of the Supersonics Laboratory and the Guggenheim Jet Propulsion Research Center, and engaged in rocket science. Research.

In 1950, he began to strive to return to the motherland. At that time, U.S. Navy Undersecretary Kimble said: "No matter where he goes, Qian Xuesen is worth the strength of five divisions. I would rather kill him in the United States than let him He left." Therefore, Qian Xuesen was persecuted by the US government and lost his freedom. It took him 5 years to return to his motherland in 1955.

In October 1955, after Premier Zhou Enlai’s continuous diplomatic efforts, Qian Xuesen overcame various obstacles and returned to China. In 1959, he joined the Communist Party of China. He once served as the director of the Institute of Mechanics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the deputy minister of the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry, and the deputy director of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense. He also served as the honorary chairman of the China Science and Technology Association.

Qian Xuesen and General Secretary Hu Jintao Qian Xuesen proposed extremely important implementation plans for the development of China's rocket and missile technology. Since April 1958, he has held a long-term technical leadership position in the development of rockets, missiles and spacecraft, and has made significant contributions to the development of China's rockets, missiles and aerospace industry. Qian Xuesen was vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, member of the Department of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, honorary chairman of the Chinese Astronautical Society, and chairman of the China Science and Technology Association. In October 1991, the State Council and the Central Military Commission awarded Qian Xuesen the honorary title of "National Outstanding Contribution Scientist" and the First-Class Hero Model Medal.

Died in Beijing at 8:06 am on October 31, 2009, at the age of 98.

[Edit this paragraph] Personal Honor

In 1999, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission decided to award Qian Xuesen the "Two Bombs and One Star Meritorious Service Medal"; He was awarded the honorary title of "National Scientist with Outstanding Contribution" by the State Council and the Central Military Commission and the First-Class Hero Model Medal by the Central Military Commission; in 2007, he was awarded the "Moving Chinese Person of the Year".

His works include "Engineering Cybernetics", "Lecture Notes on Physical Mechanics", "Introduction to Interstellar Navigation", "On System Engineering", "On the Science of Thinking", "On Geographical Science", "The Art and Science of Science" "The Science of Art", "On Human Body Science and Modern Technology", "Creation Systematics", "On Macroarchitecture and Microarchitecture", "On the Sixth Industrial Revolution Correspondence Collection", etc.

[Edit this paragraph] Personal life

Qian Xuesen was born in Shanghai on December 11, 1911. In his early years, he studied at the High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University and Jiaotong University. In the summer of 1934, he graduated from Jiaotong University and was admitted to Tsinghua University to study abroad at public expense.

One day in August 1935, Qian Xuesen left the motherland on a ship of the American Mail Line from Shanghai. As the turbid waves of the Huangpu River rolled, Qian Xuesen said silently in his heart: "Goodbye, motherland. You are now in turmoil and in chaos. I want to go to the United States to learn technology and come back to help you revive one day." Service."

Qian Xuesen went to the United States to enter the Department of Aeronautics of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and his academic performance has always been among the best. To learn engineering, you have to go to the factory to practice, but at that time, American aviation factories discriminated against Chinese people, so a year later he began to turn to aeronautical engineering theory, that is, the study of applied mechanics. In October 1936 he transferred to Caltech.

Qian Xuesen came here because of his reputation. Because, in the Aeronautics Department of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, a suburb of Los Angeles, there is a famous aerodynamics professor von Kármán, who is Hungarian. But what happened later, Mr. Qian himself may not have expected that he would become a student of Professor von Karman, become the best among them, and be promoted to his most powerful assistant.

In the early 1930s, aviation science was still in its infancy. Von Kármán was a leading figure in the field at the time and was later known as the "Father of Supersonic Flight." In 1970, a crater on the moon was named after him.

Von Karman raised his head and looked carefully at this dignified, short young man. He asked Qian Xuesen a few questions to answer. Qian Xuesen answered all his questions very accurately after a little thought. Von Karman secretly praised: This Chinese man's thinking is quick and wise. He happily accepted the student. In early 1945, Qian Xuesen became a member of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Group headed by von Kármán. After Germany surrendered, he went to Europe with the regiment's inspection team to inspect aviation and rocket technology. In early 1947, 36-year-old Qian Xuesen became a full professor at MIT. While under surveillance, he did not give up academic research in addition to teaching. In 1953, he published "Takeoff from Earth Satellite Orbit", which laid the foundation for low-thrust flight mechanics, and in 1954 he published the book "Engineering Cybernetics" . When he said goodbye to von Karman before returning to China in 1955, von Karman said excitedly: "You have surpassed me academically now!"

Qian Xuesen became the Guggenheim Aviation led by von Karman A graduate student in the laboratory. This laboratory later became the cradle of American rocket technology, and Qian Xuesen was one of the first three members to conduct rocket technology research here.

From 1935 to 1939, he studied in the Department of Aeronautical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States and received a master's degree. From 1936 to 1939, he studied in the Department of Aeronautics and Mathematics at the California Institute of Technology in the United States and received a doctorate. From 1939 to 1943, he served as a researcher in the Department of Aeronautics, California Institute of Technology. From 1943 to 1945, he served as an assistant professor in the Department of Aeronautics, California Institute of Technology (during this period: from 1940 to 1945, he was a communications researcher at the Sichuan Chengdu Aviation Research Institute). From 1945 to 1946, he served as associate professor in the Department of Aeronautics, California Institute of Technology. From 1946 to 1949, he served as associate professor and professor of aerodynamics in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. From 1949 to 1955, he served as director and professor of the Jet Propulsion Center at the California Institute of Technology. Married Jiang Ying in 1947.

Returned to China in 1955. From 1955 to 1964, he served as director and researcher of the Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and director of the Fifth Research Institute of the Ministry of National Defense. From 1965 to 1970, he served as deputy minister of the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry. From 1970 to 1982, he served as deputy director of the Science and Technology Committee of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense and vice chairman of the China Association for Science and Technology. He has also served as the first and second chairman of the Chinese Society of Automation, honorary president of the Chinese Astronautical Society, the Chinese Society of Mechanics, and the Chinese System Engineering Society, executive director of the Presidium of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and member of the Department of Mathematical Physics. From 1986 to May 1991, he served as Chairman of the Third National Committee of the China Association for Science and Technology. In May 1991, he was elected as the Honorary Chairman of the China Association for Science and Technology at the Fourth National Congress of the China Association for Science and Technology. In April 1992, he was appointed as the honorary chairman of the Presidium of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In June 1994, he was elected as an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Qian Xuesen was an alternate member of the 9th to 12th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and vice chairman of the 6th, 7th and 8th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

The bumpy journey back home

"When Qian Xuesen returned home with his family in 1955, I always believed that I would be able to return to the motherland. Today, I finally came back!" This is Qian Xuesen, the famous Chinese scientist and rocket expert, embarked on a voyage back to China on September 17, 1955, with the care of Premier Zhou Enlai. He arrived in Hong Kong on October 1, 1955. When he arrived in Guangzhou on October 8, 1955, he expressed his gratitude to the Chinese who received him. Comrade Zhu Zhaoxiang, the scientist representative of the Academy of Sciences, said something very emotional. Also returning with him were his wife and two young children.

Qian Xuesen went to the United States as a publicly funded international student in August 1935 to study and research aeronautical engineering and aerodynamics. Before returning to China, he served as director of the California Institute of Technology's Supersonics Laboratory and director of the Guggenheim Jet Propulsion Research Center. Qian Xuesen went to the United States to study in 1935. Ten years later, he became a leading rocket expert at the time. He is famous all over the world for publishing the amazing rocket theory that "a rocket with a speed of 10,000 kilometers per hour is possible." During World War II, this professor from the California Institute of Technology participated in the development of missile and nuclear weapons, the then top-secret "Manhattan Project" in the United States, with his mentor von Kármán. He was one of the few rare talents in the United States.

When the news of the birth of the People's Republic of China reached the United States, Qian Xuesen and his wife Jiang Ying could not restrain their inner joy and discussed rushing back to their motherland as soon as possible to serve their country. At this time, the United States, led by McCarthy, launched a comprehensive pursuit of communists, and set off a hysterical fanaticism across the United States that drove employees to be loyal to the U.S. government. Because Qian Xuesen was suspected of being a communist and refused to expose his friends, the US military department suddenly revoked his certificate to participate in confidential research. This made him very angry. Qian Xuesen used this as the reason for requesting to return to China. However, Qian Xuesen never expected that his intention to return to China would lead to a disaster! The U.S. Under Secretary of the Navy said viciously: "He knows the core secrets of all U.S. missile projects. One Qian Xuesen is worth five Marine divisions. I would rather shoot this guy than let him go back to Red China!"

Since then, political persecution against him in the United States has followed one after another. The immigration authorities raided his home and detained him on Termina Island for 14 days. They released him only after receiving a huge bail of $15,000 from the California Institute of Technology. Later, customs confiscated his luggage, including 800 kilograms of books and notebooks. They insisted it contained classified material. In fact, Qian Xuesen had already handed it over to them for inspection before packing it. After the U.S. Attorney reviewed all his materials again, he proved to be aboveboard.

News of Qian Xuesen’s persecution in the United States quickly spread to China, and New China was shocked! Friends in the domestic science and technology community expressed support for Qian Xuesen through various channels. The Party Central Committee is extremely concerned about Qian Xuesen's situation in the United States. The Chinese government publicly issued a statement condemning the US government for imprisoning Qian Xuesen against his will.

When Qian Xuesen’s request to return to China was unreasonably blocked by the United States, China also detained a group of Americans. Among them were American expatriates who violated Chinese laws and were detained by the Chinese government in accordance with the law, and some who violated Chinese airspace and were detained by the Chinese government. of U.S. military personnel. The U.S. government is eager to get back these Americans detained by me, but it is unwilling to have direct contact with China.

In April 1954, the United States, Britain, China, the Soviet Union and France held an international conference in Geneva to discuss and resolve the Korean issue and restore peace in Indochina. Zhou Enlai, the head of the Chinese delegation attending the meeting, thought that a group of Chinese students and scientists were detained in the United States, so he instructed that since the Americans asked British diplomats to clear relations with us, we should seize this opportunity and open up new Contact channels.

On June 5, Wang Bingnan, Secretary-General of the Chinese delegation, began preliminary discussions with US Representative and Deputy Secretary of State Johnson on the issue of expatriates in the two countries. The United States submitted to China a list of American nationals in China and some American military personnel detained by China, and asked China to give them a chance to return home.

In order to show China's sincerity, Zhou Enlai instructed Wang Bingnan to make generous concessions at the third Sino-US talks on June 15, and also asked the United States to stop detaining Qian Xuesen and other Chinese personnel studying in the United States.

However, China’s legitimate request was unreasonably rejected by the United States. On July 21, the Geneva Conference concluded. In order not to interrupt the communication channel, Zhou Enlai instructed Wang Bingnan to agree with the United States to hold consular-level talks in Geneva starting from July 22. In order to further show China's sincerity in the Sino-US talks, China released four detained American pilots.

China’s high profile is ultimately to win over Qian Xuesen and other scientists studying in the United States to return to China as soon as possible. But on this key issue, the Americans cheated. Although China and the United States have contacted each other more than 10 times, U.S. Representative Johnson still refused to relent at all because China could not afford the money for Xuesen to return to China.

Just when Premier Zhou Enlai was very anxious about this, Chen Shutong, then vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, received a letter from the other side of the ocean. He opened it and saw it signed "Qian Xuesen". He couldn't help but feel his heart tremble, and he quickly read the letter. The content of the letter turned out to be a request for the government of his motherland to help him return to the country.

This letter was given by Qian Xuesen to Vice Chairman Chen Shutong in a letter written on a small cigarette paper and sent to his relatives in Belgium when he escaped from spy surveillance. Regarding such an extraordinary letter from overseas, Chen Shutong was well aware of its weight and sent it to Premier Zhou on the same day. "This is really great. This can completely refute the lies of the US government!" Premier Zhou Enlai immediately made careful arrangements and asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to quickly forward the letter to Wang Bingnan, who was holding Sino-US ambassadorial talks in Geneva, and gave Wang Bingnan instructions: : "This letter is very valuable. It is ironclad evidence that the US authorities are still obstructing the return of Chinese civilians. You must use this letter to expose their lies during negotiations."

August At the beginning of the Sino-US ambassadorial-level talks on the 1st, Wang Bingnan took the lead in saying to Johnson: "Mr. Ambassador, before we start our discussion, I am ordered to inform you of the following news: The Chinese government decided to release him early on July 31 in accordance with China's legal procedures. Arnovi and other 11 American pilots left Beijing on July 31 and are expected to arrive in Hong Kong on August 4. I hope that this measure taken by the Chinese government will have a positive impact on our talks. But when it came to the issue of Qian Xuesen's return to the country, Johnson repeated his old tune: "There is no evidence that Qian Xuesen is going to return to the country, and the U.S. government cannot force him to do so!" Then Wang Bingnan showed Qian Xuesen's letter to Chen Shutong and refuted it confidently: "Since the U.S. government issued an announcement as early as April 1955, allowing scholars studying in the United States to come and go freely, why did Chinese scientist Dr. Qian Xuesen write to the Chinese government in June to request help? Obviously, Chinese scholars' requests to return to the country are still being blocked. "Johnson was speechless in front of the facts. The U.S. government had to approve Qian Xuesen's request to return to China. On August 4, 1955, Qian Xuesen received a notice from the US Immigration Service allowing him to return to China.

On September 17, 1955, Qian Xuesen’s dream of returning to China came true! On this day, Qian Xuesen, his wife Jiang Ying, and a pair of young children finally boarded the ship "Cleveland President" and embarked on a journey back to the motherland.

Due to Qian Xuesen’s return to China, the launch of China’s missiles and atomic bombs has been pushed forward for at least 20 years.

[Edit this paragraph] The relationship between Mao Zedong and Qian Xuesen

Meet Mao Zedong for the first time

In 1956, Juxiang Bookstore.

"Chairman," Zhou Enlai said with a smile after entering the door: "I have invited your long-awaited distinguished guest!"

"Ah! Comrade Qian Xuesen," Mao Zedong stepped forward, Holding the hands of Qian Xuesen, who was standing next to Zhou Enlai a little reserved and nervous, he said, "I have been waiting for you for a long time! The founder of our engineering cybernetics and rocket expert!"

"I have long wanted to come and visit you. Chairman," Qian Xuesen looked excitedly at Mao Zedong, who was holding his hands tightly, "I'm afraid you are too busy and don't dare to disturb me.

"

"You said otherwise! It was because of you that I returned home. I have too many things to deal with and I dare not make an appointment too early. "Mao Zedong said sincerely.

"I heard that the Americans regard you as five divisions! Mao Zedong stretched out five fingers and said, "I see, for us, you are much more powerful than five divisions!" I am currently studying your engineering cybernetics to guide the economic construction of our country! "

Mao Zedong's approachability reduced Qian Xuesen's restraint and nervousness when he first came.

"Comrade Xuesen," Mao Zedong looked at Qian Xuesen, "your question about "Establishing my country's National Defense and Aerospace Science" "Industrial Opinion Letter", I have read it carefully. Very well written! ”

“Chairman,” Qian Xuesen smiled modestly, “I have just returned to China and don’t know much about the domestic situation. I only have an understanding of our country’s national defense construction, especially the aviation industry, based on my engineering cybernetics. Construction has put forward a lot of immature opinions, and there must be a lot of mistakes among them! "

Mao Zedong waved his hand: "Comrade Xuesen has put forward so many good suggestions, how could it be wrong! This is very rare! Only you, the founder of engineering cybernetics, can make these incisive and unique suggestions! "

Mao Zedong paused and then said: "Our country has decided to organize various disciplines and departments to work together to develop missiles based on your engineering cybernetics. Comrade Xuesen, I would like to ask you, the founder of engineering cybernetics, to take the lead. Are you confident? Qian Xuesen was a little nervous: "Chairman, I'm afraid I won't be able to do such an important task!" ”

“Nothing is difficult in this world, as long as you are willing to climb.” Mao Zedong waved his chopsticks in the air, "You, Qian Xuesen, are the originators of engineering cybernetics, but you are still afraid of not doing well!" "

Infected by Mao Zedong's majestic momentum, Qian Xuesen finally nodded firmly: "Chairman, I will work hard. "

Resolving Qian Xuesen's military rank

Nie Rongzhen took a list and hurried to Juxiang Bookstore.

"Chairman, in order to win over the Soviet Union to launch missiles against China and rocket technology assistance, we are going to send people to the Soviet Union to negotiate. What do you think of the list of representatives? "

Mao Zedong thought for a while and said: "Mr. Nie, you will be the leader of this delegation. Your delegation should include new weapons and military technical equipment, as well as personnel from the atomic industry. . Comrade Xuesen should also go. Many issues can only be clarified by his going there. "

"We have also considered that Comrade Qian Xuesen should be invited to join our delegation. However, those who participated in the negotiations on the Soviet side had both positions and military ranks. "Nie Rongzhen stated to Mao Zedong seriously, "Although our Comrade Qian Xuesen is now the dean of the Fifth Academy of the Ministry of National Defense, he does not have a military rank. In order to be on par with the Soviet side, Comrade Qian Xuesen must resolve the issue of military rank. "After a pause, Nie Rongzhen continued: "We asked Comrade Enlai for instructions on this issue. Comrade Enlai said: 'Qian Xuesen was awarded the rank of colonel by the United States more than ten years ago. Why can't we Communists let him? Be a general? I think Comrade Qian Xuesen has a heavy responsibility and is the founder of engineering cybernetics in the world. Based on his qualifications and contributions, he should be awarded at least the rank of lieutenant general. You go back and discuss this matter with Mr. Peng. If necessary, hold a military committee and I will participate to finalize this matter. ’”

Mao Zedong thought for a while and said, “Comrade Enlai has thought very carefully. I think Comrade Qian Xuesen, as the founder of engineering cybernetics, should at least be awarded the rank of lieutenant general. ”

In this way, as a scientist and founder of engineering cybernetics, Qian Xuesen, wearing a majestic sky blue general uniform and the solemn rank of lieutenant general, participated in the Sino-Soviet conference on cutting-edge military technology with the approval of Mao Zedong

Let’s talk about engineering cybernetics

“Enlai, according to Comrade Qian Xuesen’s engineering cybernetics, what is the situation of our country’s first missile and satellite test base? Mao Zedong asked with concern.

"The base has been selected, but the candidates for the base leadership group have not yet been decided."

”

“Let’s ask Qian Xuesen, the founder of engineering cybernetics, to be the team leader!” "Mao Zedong's palm gently pressed on the chair.

"Okay! Zhou Enlai nodded and handed the material in his hand to Mao Zedong, "This is a report written by Qian Xuesen and other scientists based on engineering cybernetics. Please take a look at it, Chairman." ”

“This is the ‘Book of Heaven’ written by scientists like Qian Xuesen! Mao Zedong said humorously, "I must take a good look." "

After Zhou Enlai left, Mao Zedong immediately opened the "Heavenly Book" handed over by scientists such as Qian Xuesen. After reading it, Mao Zedong could not restrain his inner excitement. He picked up the direct dial phone and said excitedly: "Enlai, I I want to convene a meeting to hear the reports of scientists like Qian Xuesen in person. "

In the afternoon, Mao Zedong's Juxiang Bookstore was filled with distinguished guests from the scientific community he invited. "Comrade Xuesen, come, come, sit here. Mao Zedong pointed to a seat next to him, "Please talk about the issue of rockets and missiles based on your engineering cybernetics!" "Mao Zedong obviously had a special interest in the rocket missiles built by Qian Xuesen under the guidance of his engineering cybernetics.

"Okay. Qian Xuesen nodded slightly to Mao Zedong and said, "Chairman, let me talk about my personal and superficial views in this regard." Regarding the issue of rockets and missiles, if the Soviet Union abides by the agreement we signed and the models they provide are shipped as soon as possible, we will have a major breakthrough within three to five years and strive to launch the first missile. Because our research on engineering cybernetics is far ahead of theirs, and the development of rockets and missiles is inseparable from engineering cybernetics. It can be said that without engineering cybernetics, the development of rockets and missiles will be difficult to achieve! If they drag their feet, we are not afraid. At least we have the theoretical foundation of rockets and missiles and relatively complete engineering cybernetics as guidance. The key now is the issue of rocket fuel. The Soviet Union promised to provide it, but it has not yet arrived. "

Mao Zedong glanced at Zhou Enlai beside him and frowned.

Qian Xuesen did not notice Mao Zedong's expression and continued: "According to the theory of engineering cybernetics, we We are going to produce drawings and models first, and come up with our own stuff without relying on foreign aid. As the Prime Minister said just now, when we develop rockets and missiles, including satellites, we must be mentally prepared to be based on the country. Of course, the most important thing here is to cooperate vigorously across the country to improve the research on engineering cybernetics. "

Hearing this, Mao Zedong was very excited and interjected: "Comrade Xuesen, you talked very well! Now that we are engaged in cutting-edge technology, we are also fighting a tough battle, a tough battle in engineering cybernetics! The reason why we won the three major battles of Liaoshen, Pingjin, and Huaihai in the past was because we used the strategic thinking of "concentrating superior forces and defeating the enemy one by one." Comrade Xuesen, in fact, this is also the military application of your engineering cybernetics, but there was no such term at the time! "

Qian Xuesen said with a smile: "Therefore, the chairman should be the founder of engineering cybernetics! "

Mao Zedong waved his hand: "I just unconsciously used your engineering cybernetics in the war. Of course you are the founder of engineering cybernetics! How can I take credit for myself! "

...

In 1960, the Soviet Union withdrew all experts who had aided China and tore up all 257 scientific and technological contracts, including contracts to provide us with atomic bombs, rockets, and missile samples.

On June 10, 1960, just 17 days after Soviet experts withdrew from China, under the leadership of Qian Xuesen, using engineering cybernetics as a guide, China’s first short-range missile was launched using domestic fuel. The ballistic missile accurately hit the target. More than a month later, domestically produced short-range missiles also took off and hit the target with high accuracy...

On October 16, 1964, China exploded its first atomic bomb. ! Mao Zedong was particularly happy. He had always opposed birthday celebrations for him, but this year he made an exception and invited everyone.

Before the banquet, the staff drew up a list of attendees for Mao Zedong to review.

After Mao Zedong read the guest lists of the three tables, he very solemnly crossed Qian Xuesen's name from another table to the list of his own table with a pencil. And let Qian Xuesen sit next to him.

The banquet began in a festive atmosphere. Mao Zedong sat in his seat and said with a smile: "Today, I would like to ask you to tell me about it, mainly because our atomic bomb exploded, our rocket test was successful, and we Chinese have more confidence to speak in the world!" Then, Mao Zedong changed the topic, pointed at Qian Xuesen beside him, smiled and said to everyone wittily: "I would like to introduce our Comrade Qian Xuesen to everyone here. He is one of our kings! What king?' The "Engineering Cybernetics King", the "Rocket King"! As soon as he gives a command using engineering cybernetics, our rockets will go to the sky. So if you want to go to the sky, just look for our "Engineering Cybernetics King" and "Rocket King" Comrade Qian Xuesen !”

Mao Zedong went on to say: “This ‘King of Engineering Cybernetics’ Comrade Xuesen has also set another example for us! He doesn’t want royalties and doesn’t take the bus for personal matters. This is great! ”

Qian Xuesen was not mentally prepared, and he never expected that Mao Zedong would praise him so much on such an occasion.

"Chairman," Zhou Enlai said to Mao Zedong: "Comrade Qian Xuesen has another more important thing that we should learn from."

"This is Comrade Xuesen's cultivation and trust in young people ." Zhou Enlai told Mao Zedong the following story.

In the summer of 1964, Comrade Qian Xuesen led everyone to design a rocket that had entered "15 minutes of preparation" and was only waiting for the arrival of "zero hour". At this time, a serious situation suddenly appeared that no one had anticipated in advance. Because the weather is too hot, rocket propellant expands violently at high temperatures. Not enough fuel was filled into the missile tank, and the fuel that was put into it also vaporized, which would seriously affect the rocket's range.

Demonstration meetings and seminars were held one after another, but no suitable solution could be found.

Suddenly, a young engineer named Wang Yongzhi proposed: "Drain the propellant in an appropriate amount!" Everyone was confused by this plan.

"No! No!" The chief designer shook his head repeatedly. "It is precisely because the temperature is too high that the propellant has been added less, which is why the problem of not reaching the range has arisen. Now you propose to reduce the propellant instead. Wouldn't this make the target closer?"

"Releasing a small amount of propellant," Wang Yongzhi insisted, "reduces the weight of the projectile. Not only will this not affect the launch distance of the rocket, but it will also fly farther."

"I I will never agree to risk the country's property!" The chief designer waved his right hand and completely blocked the door.