Vice Minister Xiang continued: "Of course these aids from the Soviet comrades will not be given to us in vain. We also have to pay a price. Our brother workers and farmers must also tighten their belts and use our mineral resources.
Take out our agricultural products in exchange. You get what you pay for! The price is very heavy. However, in these aids, we not only want industrial projects, we also want the defense industry. We hope
You can also produce aircraft cannons and firearms and ammunition yourself. Do you know what is the most important thing in the defense industry?"
Lao Luo and Du Ziyuan looked at him blankly, vaguely aware of the serious problems behind them.
Deputy Minister Xiang nodded to them, "Maybe you have guessed it, it is atomic weapons."
"Atomic weapons" was the name for nuclear weapons in that era. Later, with the advent of hydrogen, such weapons were collectively called "nuclear weapons." "Nuclear weapons" are still the most important strategic deterrent weapons today.
Vice Minister Xiang was silent for a moment, and his face became more serious. He continued: "U.S. imperialism uses this thing to scare us and threaten us. When we resist U.S. aggression and aid Korea, U.S. imperialism will use this thing against us! Now, we desperately need it.
This thing is to break the threat of US imperialism. In a word, we need Soviet comrades to help us research and manufacture atomic weapons. However, until 1955, the Soviet Union did not agree to help us research and manufacture atomic weapons. They
They believed that it was enough for them to provide us with a nuclear umbrella. Later, due to their internal reasons, Khrushchev needed our support within the socialist camp, so he agreed to help us learn and research atomic energy and gradually establish atomic energy.
Industry. But they still don't agree to help us build atomic weapons. However, this is already a big progress."[
Both Lao Luo and Du Ziyuan breathed a sigh of relief. After all, they worked in the intelligence system and knew a little bit about this. But they didn't know how far this matter really went.
Vice Minister Xiang continued: "In January 1955, through our efforts, China and the Soviet Union signed the "Protocol on the Search, Identification and Geological Survey of Radioactive Elements in China." This is our basis for establishing the atomic energy industry.
The first step. In April of the same year, China and the Soviet Union signed the "Agreement on the Utilization of Atomic Energy for the Development of the National Economy." In August, China and the Soviet Union signed the "Agreement on the Soviet Union's Assistance to China in Building its Atomic Energy Industry." Now, our atomic energy
Industry is being developed and established bit by bit with the help of Soviet comrades. However, these alone are not enough. What we need is the technology to manufacture atomic weapons. What I want to tell you now is that in recent months, we
We are negotiating with the Soviet Union about the Soviet Union helping us research and manufacture atomic weapons!"
Director Chen tapped his pencil on the table and stared at Lao Luo and Du Ziyuan angrily. It seemed that these two people in front of him had disrupted China's process of manufacturing atomic weapons.
Vice Minister Xiang lowered his voice to the lowest level, "We are negotiating with the Soviet Union, and they will help us research and manufacture atomic weapons. Therefore, from the central leadership to our level, we do not want any unexpected things to happen that will damage China and the Soviet Union."
This is the first point I want to tell you. The second point is that this negotiation was conducted in a state of extreme confidentiality. However, no one can guarantee that Western countries, especially the United States, will not notice it.
To our secret negotiations. You can believe that once they find out, they will definitely find a way to sabotage it!"
Du Ziyuan, relying on his professional sensitivity, vaguely noticed that Vice Minister Xiang was talking about a key point. China's atomic energy industry, learning the technology of manufacturing atomic weapons, may have a tortuous, indirect, or even obscure relationship with the assassination of Ruan Qibo in South Vietnam.
.
Vice Minister Xiang continued: "The current international situation is so complex, so we cannot rule out that the United States, and possibly the intelligence agencies of other Western countries, are using some means to sabotage our atomic energy negotiations with the Soviet Union. We must have this
Be vigilant and think about this possibility. Lao Luo and Comrade Ziyuan, the central leadership attaches great importance to this matter. We hope to find out the real reason for Ruan Qibo's assassination as soon as possible. This matter is related to the success of our negotiations.
, can we master the technology of manufacturing atomic weapons as soon as possible with the help of Soviet comrades? I tell you that our negotiations with the Soviet Union have entered the final stage. Therefore, you must find out the cause of South Vietnam’s Ruan Qibo’s death as soon as possible and give
A clear explanation from the Soviet Union. This is your current task, the most important task! Are you clear?"
Lao Luo and Du Ziyuan stood up involuntarily and looked at the two vice ministers with stern eyes. The current situation was clear. They both believed in Vice Minister Xiang's political wisdom and high sensitivity, and it was very likely that he had mentioned this matter.
The key. They must complete this task as soon as possible.
On the way back, Du Ziyuan drove the car. It was already dark, and the street lights illuminated the street scene. Pedestrians on the street were walking under the street lights, talking and laughing, and even chasing each other. The safety of 500 million Chinese people was at stake at this time.
It weighed heavily on their hearts like a mountain.
Lao Luo finally spoke and said: "Ziyuan, put all other work aside and focus on this work." He looked back at Du Ziyuan and said, "You must complete this task. I will give you whatever you want.
Provided. If necessary, go there in person and make sure to find out about Ruan Qibo!"
Du Ziyuan gritted his teeth and said simply: "I will!"
When they returned to the Central Investigation Department in Xiyuan, it was already very late at night. But none of the comrades in the Second Bureau were off work. The chief and deputy directors were called to a meeting at the same time, which was very unusual in a unit like the Central Investigation Department.
They stood at the door of their respective offices, silently watching the two directors who hurried back.
Lao Luo waved to everyone, "Comrades, it's very late. You should get off work when it's time."
Du Ziyuan walked into the office of the Asia Department, made a gesture to the director Chu Bolin and Qin Donghai, and went back to his office. A minute later, Chu Bolin and Qin Donghai quietly walked into his office. Du Ziyuan
He pointed to the chairs at the table and motioned for them to sit down.
Chu Bolin and Qin Donghai sat down at the table, both put their arms on the table, stretched out their heads forward, and looked at Du Ziyuan attentively. Du Ziyuan also put his arms on the table, and the three people's heads were together, looking at each other.
Watching. Working in this unsoundproof reed mat shed, this is the only way they talk about their work.
Du Ziyuan looked at them, his heart was very heavy, and he didn't know what to say to them for a moment. Chu Bolin had a square face with the word "国" in it, dark skin, steady and sharp eyes, and his mind was full of all kinds of information.
Qin Donghai is a young man with a fair face and always has a smile on his face. But he is methodical and flexible in his work. He is especially good at dealing with all kinds of people and unknowingly asks what he wants.
s answer.
For people who have worked on the secret front for a long time, suspicion has become a habit, while trust is rare and precious. But at this time, Du Ziyuan could only trust the two people in front of him.
Du Ziyuan's office was very quiet. The not-so-bright electric light shone brightly on the three people talking in low voices at the desk.
Du Ziyuan thought about it carefully and said softly: "There are some very special and important situations at present. I can't tell you too much yet. It depends on the needs of future work. This is one. Secondly, we currently have two special things.
First, the twenty-four secret files I brought back from Nanjing are now missing. You both know this. This matter is related to a case where agents from the Kuomintang Secret Bureau are lurking within us.
It is a major hidden danger for us. Secondly, there is another situation that you also know, Lao Chu is more aware of. One of our communication lines in South Vietnam and the organization in Cam Ranh Bay have been cut off from us. Due to special reasons, we
It is necessary to find out the reason for the interruption of the communication line as soon as possible, as well as the current situation of the Cam Ranh Bay organization. Of these two things, the next thing is more important. In addition to finding out the reason for the interruption of the communication, more importantly, we also need to find out the Republic of South Vietnam.
The real reason for the death of Nguyen Chi Bo, Secretary-General of the Presidential Office.”
Chu Bolin was a little surprised and looked at Du Ziyuan doubtfully, "Old Du, are you saying the latter thing is more important?" [
Du Ziyuan nodded, "Yes, it is more important, and it is extremely important."
"Why? The South Vietnam incident also has something to do with us?"
"Yes, it has a relationship with us, and it is a very important relationship. For the time being, I can't say too much to you because it is too sensitive. However, this is the task assigned to us by our superiors today. Let me say it again, this task is extremely
It’s important and must be completed as soon as possible!”
Chu Bolin said softly: "I guess it must be related to national security."
Du Ziyuan immediately nodded and said: "You are right, it is a major task related to national security!"
Qin Donghai said: "Lao Du, tell me, what should we do?"
Du Ziyuan said: "Let's divide the work. Lao Chu stayed in the ministry. First, he collected and sorted out all the information about South Vietnam. Second, he collected and sorted out all the information passed back from Cam Ranh Bay. It should be detailed, as detailed as possible.
When I have free time, I will continue to secretly search for the lost files."
Chu Bolin nodded calmly, "Okay, I will definitely finish it."
Du Ziyuan continued: "Xiao Qin and I went to investigate the reason for the interruption of the communication line. Starting from us, we went all the way to South Vietnam. If necessary, we will go to South Vietnam together to see what happened there. You can contact the Foreign Affairs Office
, choose a reliable translation.”
Qin Donghai nodded seriously, "Okay. When will we set off?"
Du Ziyuan said: "Get ready and set off immediately."
At this time, Du Ziyuan was unclear about two things. First, he believed that there were two important tasks now, one was the missing files and the lurking "water hyacinth", and the other was the reason why Ruan Qibo was assassinated. Officials
Wisdom may have seen that these two things are actually closely related. However, he did not know this at this time. Secondly, he did not know that what he and Qin Donghai were about to embark on would be a journey.
What a dangerous journey. He would soon learn these two points.
Because Ye Gongjin, who was far away in Taipei, also started to take action at this time.
