In 1964, when Zhang Aiping asked for leave during an important meeting, why was she stopped by Zhou Enlai and searched her pocket?
Retire the military uniform and switch to national defense
To understand the answer to this matter, we have to start from the life of Mr. Zhang Aiping. Zhang Aiping once served as the Vice Premier of the State Council and the State Councilor and National Defense Officer of our country. Not only was he an outstanding party member, but he was also awarded the rank of general by the central government in 1955.
Zhang Aiping was born in an ordinary peasant family in Sichuan Province, my country on January 9, 1910. When he was a teenager, he came up with the idea of saving China.
In 1929, Zhang Aiping entered Daxian Middle School. During his studies, he frequently participated in many revolutionary activities and became the vice chairman of the school's student union.
In April 1926, he got his wish and joined the Communist Youth League of China. During this period, his serious work attitude and pragmatic style were also recognized by his superiors. Two years later, he With the approval of the organization, he officially became a member of the Communist Party.
In 1929, as secretary of the Communist Party of China branch and member of the county party committee, he engaged in many secret jobs in Shanghai and Sichuan.
From 1930 to 1936, he successively served as Secretary-General of the Central Bureau and Captain of the Central Committee of the Young Pioneers, making great contributions to the propaganda work of the Communist Party of China. In the summer of 1936, Under the arrangement of the organization, he entered the Anti-Japanese Red Army University to study.
After the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, Zhang Aiping led many military expeditions in Wuhan, Jiangsu, Shandong, Henan and Huaibei, breaking the Japanese and puppet troops' encroachment on the liberated areas and regaining a large area of northern Jiangsu for our country. Lost ground.
After the founding of New China, Zhang Aiping led the army to coastal islands many times, fought battles with the remaining Kuomintang troops, and eliminated a large number of latent spies, effectively strengthening the coastal defense construction in eastern Zhejiang.
The rich combat experience also gave Comrade Zhang Aiping a unique insight into the cause of national defense. After leaving the battlefield, he devoted his whole body and soul to building national defense.
Looking at Zhang Aiping's resume, it is not difficult to find that he has multiple identities. He is the founding general, the chief of staff, the commander, and a general with great military exploits. However, Zhang Aiping himself has many identities. He has expressed in public for the first time that he prefers to work with scientists in presiding over national defense science and technology work rather than leading troops to fight.
For modern society, many wars are fought over technology.
The reason why our country was at a disadvantage many times in wars was because of its technological backwardness.
After the founding of New China, our country still faces many war threats and technological threats. The United States, which possesses nuclear weapons, has threatened our country with nuclear weapons many times.
At that time, Zhang Aiping realized an extremely real problem, that is, if our country does not quickly solve the problems of weapons and technology, we will always be controlled by others in the future.
At this point, with the strong support of Chairman Mao, Chinese scientific researchers began research on the atomic bomb.
We are united to tackle the nuclear crisis
As soon as the news that China wanted to research nuclear weapons was announced, it was ridiculed by various countries. Countries with atomic bombs such as the United States and the United Kingdom believed that China’s situation It is said that developing an atomic bomb is simply a fantasy, but Chairman Mao and the leaders of the central ministries did not stop moving forward because of this.
At that time, the relationship between China and the Soviet Union was relatively friendly. After the Soviet Union heard the news that China wanted to research atomic bombs, it immediately expressed support to us.
They not only sent a large number of experts to China to help us overcome technical difficulties, but also provided us with many drawings.
Since the Soviet Union had previously had successful experience in researching atomic bombs, with their assistance, China's research path has also gone very smoothly.
In order to cultivate our own talents, many scientists headed by Qian Sanqiang have been to Moscow many times to learn advanced knowledge.
However, in the later period, due to the Soviet Union's attempt to impose military control on China, the relationship between the two countries gradually deteriorated. < /p>
Faced with the provocation of the Soviet Union, our scientists were extremely angry. Chairman Mao immediately stood up and stated to everyone that China's atomic bomb research career would not end here, and the central government would definitely give them the maximum support.
At this time, Zhang Aiping also stood up and reassured everyone, "Although the Soviet experts have withdrawn, our research experiments must still continue. We have studied the results for so many years. We cannot give up easily." "Their words were recognized by everyone. With the unanimous efforts of everyone, my country's first ground-to-ground missile was successfully launched on November 5, 1960.
In 1961, the central government issued a document on "Several Issues in Strengthening Atomic Energy Construction" and once again emphasized the importance of breaking through the nuclear technology barrier. Looking at the document in front of her, Zhang Aiping fell into deep thought. At that time, Just a few years after the founding of the People's Republic of China, China's economy was also in a difficult period of three years.
While China's production has not been fully restored, natural disasters also occur frequently, and the current situation is difficult.
Does the country still have enough energy to develop nuclear weapons? In the process of researching nuclear weapons, will there be a shortage of supplies? Each of these questions is like a huge stone, weighing on Zhang Aiping's heart.
Facts proved that Zhang Aiping's worries were not unreasonable. Soon after, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee held a special meeting on the issue of whether to continue research on the atomic bomb or to suspend research on this undertaking. .
At this meeting, Zhang Aiping clearly expressed her attitude. He said that the nuclear weapons research project cannot stop for a moment. Even if we tighten our belts, we must carry out this project to the end.
However, there were still some opponents at the meeting who said that it was already very difficult for China to research the atomic bomb, and now the Soviet Union has withdrawn funding. In the face of the country's economic downturn, China should still focus on the economy first, and it will not be too late to return to nuclear weapons when we have the ability.
General Nie Rongzhen listened silently to the dispute between the two sides and fell into deep thought. After a while, he said, "What everyone said makes sense. Let's let Comrade Zhang Aiping go investigate first. If If the results are optimistic, we will continue to develop it. If the success rate is too low, then we will put it on hold for now."
In this way, Zhang Aiping started running with the tasks assigned by the central government.
On October 9, 1961, Zhang Aiping officially launched an investigation into the issue of atomic bombs. Because nuclear weapons covered a wide range of aspects, Zhang Aiping still did not know much about many issues.
Every time he goes to a department, he will carefully ask them what are the necessary conditions for research? What issues remain to be resolved?
After the investigation, Zhang Aiping wrote a detailed report and submitted it to the central government.
According to the survey results, various departments have achieved good results in the early research process. If we can continue research while the iron is hot, there is still a high chance that the atomic bomb can be successfully researched.
Secret missions are no small matter
After receiving Zhang Aiping's report, central leaders put the research on atomic bombs on the agenda.
After receiving support from the central government, Zhang Aiping quickly entered a state of combat readiness.
In order to successfully complete the research on the atomic bomb, Zhang Aiping found Qian Sanqiang and other scientists many times to start research work with them.
Finally, the hard work paid off, and China's atomic bomb research work was basically completed in 1964. However, the closer to the end, the more nervous everyone became.
At the critical moment when the atomic bomb was being prepared for test explosion, the central government issued a special order saying that all scientific researchers involved in the research must strictly implement the confidentiality plan and are not allowed to carry or disseminate any information about nuclear experiments. .
On September 23 of the same year, Zhang Aiping, at the invitation of the organization, came to the Sanzuomen Conference Room in Beijing to listen to the meeting to decide the date of the nuclear test.
At the meeting, he also put forward his own opinions. Before arriving at the site, Zhang Aiping had specially investigated the recent weather conditions. According to the weather forecast, there will be four good weather conditions suitable for nuclear tests in October. After considering various factors, Zhang Aiping felt that October 20 was the most appropriate date.
After some discussion, everyone finalized the time for the test explosion. Before the end of the meeting, Premier Zhou emphasized the discipline of confidentiality to everyone.
Premier Zhou said, "This period is extremely special. After you go back, please do not write any letters to anyone, let alone use your personal phone to make calls. Let me take myself as an example. My wife, Comrade Deng Yingchao, is an old party member of the country, but when I got along with her, I never told her about nuclear weapons. Confidentiality is extremely important, and sometimes it is possible for everyone to make an unintentional mistake. It will cause irreversible consequences.
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In fact, Premier Zhou’s consideration was very necessary. The international environment was extremely tense at that time. The major powers led by the United States and the Soviet Union did not really hope that China could successfully develop the atomic bomb. For this reason, they also sent many spies. In an attempt to hinder our research plans in China, if our party's secrets are known by these spies, the consequences will be disastrous.
Although most of the scientific researchers present are old party members, in terms of loyalty. It is also relatively credible, but if they are used by someone with intentions, it is very likely that the secret will be leaked.
After listening to Premier Zhou's words, Zhang Aiping also realized the matter. Seriousness.
After the meeting, he urgently convened a meeting with leaders of various ministries according to Premier Zhou’s instructions. After repeated discussions, everyone jointly formulated a set of confidentiality rules, which stipulated that From then on, people could no longer speak directly about the atomic bomb and related technical terms, but had to use pronouns such as "Miss Qiu" and "Dresser".
As time passed, the test explosions continued. The date is getting closer.
In order to ensure the safety of the atomic bomb test, Premier Zhou once again convened relevant personnel to hold a meeting in the Prime Minister's Conference Room of Ziguang Pavilion.
Continue. After coming down, the Prime Minister began to discuss matters related to air defense and security work with He Long, Luo Darui and others.
Just as the discussion was in full swing, Zhang Aiping suddenly stood up, walked to Premier Zhou's side, and said to Premier Zhou. He excused himself and said that he had a foreign affairs event arranged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs tonight and had to attend, so he might have to leave early.
After thinking for a while, Premier Zhou said to the relevant Ministry of Foreign Affairs personnel, "This will not happen next time." , don’t arrange foreign affairs activities for Comrade Aiping at this time in the future. "Then he turned to Zhang Aiping and nodded, expressing his agreement.
After getting the Prime Minister's approval, Zhang Aiping was about to turn around and leave, but at this moment, Premier Zhou suddenly jumped up from the sofa. He jumped up and called Zhang Aiping.
Premier Zhou walked over and asked with concern, "Aiping, have you brought the documents for the nuclear test?" "After listening to Premier Zhou's words, Zhang Aiping was extremely confused. He quickly shook his head and said that he didn't bring it.
However, Premier Zhou still pointed at Zhang Aiping's pocket uneasily and motioned for him to open it and check it. , Premier Zhou said to the people around him, "Everyone leaving today will be inspected. This nuclear test is of great importance, and no one can leak the news." "
Seeing Premier Zhou's cautious expression, he quickly opened his pocket and checked it carefully. After passing the inspection, he left the scene.
From this incident, It is not difficult for us to see how careful Premier Zhou is. It is precisely because of their strict confidentiality that the research on nuclear weapons can proceed so smoothly.
With the announcement of October 16, 1964. With a loud bang on the afternoon of the same day, the first atomic bomb made by our country was finally successfully tested.
Looking at the huge mushroom cloud at the scene, Zhang Aiping cheered. After calming down, he quickly dialed the number. After hearing the news of the successful atomic bomb test, Premier Zhou was also overjoyed. The development of nuclear weapons was successful. It not only freed China from the shackles of nuclear threats, but also allowed the world to see China's scientific research strength.