In fact, Zhang Zhengdong could tell from just these words that Du Ziyuan's mission in Wuhan must be extraordinary. However, the work of both parties was very special, so he couldn't just ask questions casually.
At this time, a young man stood at the door of the conference room and said: "Come in, leaders, the meeting is about to begin."
Du Ziyuan, Zhang Zhengdong and others entered the conference room and sat down in the seats designated by the young man.
Du Ziyuan took a look at the people attending the meeting and knew that today's meeting was unusual.
The person presiding over the meeting was the deputy secretary of the Hubei Provincial Party Committee in charge of public security, procuratorate, and law. Sitting on his left was the director of the Provincial Public Security Department, and on his right was Li Yunlin, the commander of the Provincial Military Region. There were also the director of the Wuhan Municipal Public Security Bureau and Ge Chu of the Domestic Security Department.
Chairman. Sitting opposite him were Zhang Zhengdong and Meng Wei. In addition, there were some people from the Wuhan Institute of Physics.
The Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee presided over the meeting very succinctly and said: "Actually, everyone already knows the main situation at present, so I won't say more. What to do, how to ensure the smooth completion of national key projects, mainly depends on the people sitting here.
Everyone, let’s listen to Director Huang’s introduction to the key project in front of us first, so that everyone can have some perceptual understanding. Director Huang.” He looked to one side.
A young man sitting at the table, wearing thick glasses and a blue tunic suit, who looked less than forty years old, leaned forward with a peaceful smile on his face.
The deputy secretary smiled and said: "Please wait a moment, Director Huang. Let me introduce Director Huang to you first. Despite his young age, Director Huang has very profound attainments in atomic physics. He graduated early in his career. He studied in the Physics Department of Nanjing Central University and excelled in his studies. In 1945, he went to study in the UK, received a doctorate from the University of Liverpool, and served as a professor at this university. At that time, Director Huang was only in his early thirties. In 1951, Director Huang responded to the call of the motherland, gave up the generous salary and good working conditions in the UK, and resolutely returned to China to participate in the construction of the motherland. In recent years, Director Huang has made many major achievements in the development of my country's atomic energy industry. Contribution. The national key project we are talking about today was carried out under the chairmanship of Director Huang. Director Huang, now please introduce this project."
Director Huang adjusted his glasses and looked at the people at the table. The first thing he said caught everyone's attention.
He said: "At the end of World War II, the United States dropped two atomic weapons on Japan. Everyone must know that they were extremely powerful. The reason why we are doing this project now is because the United States is now threatening us with this weapon!"
The conference room suddenly became quiet, and everyone looked at him attentively.
Director Huang continued: "What we usually call an atom is composed of an atomic nucleus and electrons outside the nucleus. The atomic nucleus is composed of protons and neutrons. When the atomic nucleus is bombarded by neutrons, it will split into two
Smaller atomic nuclei release two to three neutrons at the same time. These neutrons bombard other atomic nuclei and cause new infinite times of fission. The chain reactions in this way all proceed in an instant, so there is
It produces huge energy. This is very large energy. The American atomic weapons were able to destroy Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, relying on this instantaneous energy."
Everyone around the conference table was shocked by Director Huang's simple words. They looked at each other and whispered.
Someone asked: "Director Huang, can we make this kind of weapon now?"
Director Huang shook his head, "Not yet. But we are working hard. Now Beijing is building an experimental nuclear reactor called a 'heavy water moderated reactor'. This is the first step in our atomic energy career. Here we are now manufacturing
Something called a 'neutron generator' is the core component of this reactor. As I just said, the fission of atoms starts with the bombardment of neutrons. So, one can imagine the role of this 'neutron generator'
Already."
The faces of the people at the table became more serious and they kept nodding.
Du Ziyuan also heard the importance of this core component. He asked: "Director Huang, has this core component been manufactured now? Has it been successful?"
Scientists are scientists. Director Huang said with a smile: "You are actually asking two questions. The first question is that this core component has now been manufactured and is currently undergoing final testing. The second question, as for whether
We won’t know its success until it is installed in a reactor and tested.”
Du Ziyuan immediately asked: "How long will it take for the final test you mentioned?"
Director Huang said: "Under normal circumstances, it takes about ten days. If you work harder and everything goes smoothly, maybe it can be completed in seven days. I understand that you are actually concerned about safety issues during this period, right?
.”
Du Ziyuan nodded to him, "Yes, we are responsible for its safety during these ten days."
Director Huang looked at him quietly, his eyes steady through thick lenses. He was silent for a moment before saying: "I did hear that our work has been noticed by Taiwanese secret agents. What I want to say to everyone here is
, I hope that the efforts of all our comrades in the institute over the past two years will not be in vain! I’m sorry to all of you here.”
Du Ziyuan nodded vigorously to him and said no more. He knew in his heart that the importance of this work no longer needed to be explained. On the other hand, this work was somehow related to his current task, both for China's atomic energy industry.
Development. But in his heart, there are very big doubts.
The meeting this evening was actually a briefing. Let everyone present understand the importance of this core component and understand that it is currently in a very dangerous stage. Relevant units are required to do a good job in safety and security.
After this meeting, there was a smaller meeting, and a more important meeting.
Participating in the meeting were Du Ziyuan and Qin Donghai from the Central Coordination Department, Zhang Zhengdong and Meng Wei from the General Staff Intelligence Department, Li Yunlin from the Provincial Military Region, and Director Ge from the Municipal Public Security Bureau. They were all sitting in a small conference room, looking at each other.
At this time, Du Ziyuan had some doubts in his heart. He looked at Zhang Zhengdong and said softly: "Old Zhang, you have always been responsible for this project in Wuhan, right?"
Zhang Zhengdong also stared at him, nodded and said, "Yes."
Du Ziyuan said calmly: "I don't understand, how did Taiwan know? And they knew it so accurately. They knew it just after the trial production here."
Zhang Zhengdong stared at him with a stern expression. He didn't speak for a long time and looked at Du Ziyuan.
Du Ziyuan's question seemed simple and ordinary, but to the intelligence personnel, it actually contained a deep and serious accusation: Is there any loophole in your confidentiality work?
Zhang Zhengdong understood the real meaning of his question, but he was not able to answer, or even unwilling to answer.
At this time, Meng Wei, who was standing next to him, stretched his head forward and said, "Director Du, Director Zhang has had this question before. We have also discussed and analyzed it in a small area."
Du Ziyuan turned to him, "Has the discussion produced any results?"
Meng Wei nodded to him and whispered: "Director Zhang thinks it may have been leaked from within us."
Du Ziyuan stared at him doubtfully and said, "Maybe?"
Meng Wei nodded, "It can only be a guess now. Director Zhang brought us out this time. To be honest, we strictly reviewed each one of them. The purpose is to ensure the smooth completion of this task."
Du Ziyuan breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good. I hope we can complete the task successfully."
After that, the people around the table began to discuss the next step. The first thing is to go to the work site of the Wuhan Institute of Physics tomorrow to observe if there are any loopholes or other places that may be exploited by Taiwanese spies.
During the negotiation process, Zhang Zhengdong remained silent, but occasionally stared at Du Ziyuan casually, with a very serious look on his face.
Du Ziyuan would naturally notice his face and eyes. He vaguely understood that his identity was different from that of Li Yunlin and Director Ge. Their work was to cooperate. But he had clearly stepped into Zhang Zhengdong's forbidden territory.
.
Everyone, anywhere, has their own forbidden areas, it’s just a matter of severity. But in the intelligence system, stepping into other people’s forbidden areas is a very serious matter. It goes without saying that intelligence systems in various countries around the world have their own sectarian views.
Du Ziyuan had to warn himself to be more cautious.
When the meeting ended, it was already past twelve o'clock at night. They held each other's hands and walked down the stairs. The entire Public Security Department building was very quiet, except for the slight footsteps of these people.
The guard standing at the door of the building watched them silently.
After leaving the house, Li Yunlin said: "Ziyuan, I have trouble sleeping at night. Please accompany me to my house for a few cups of tea."
Du Ziyuan glanced at him and said casually: "Okay, I'll go have a cup of tea with you." Then, he shook hands with Zhang Zhengdong, Director Ge and others, and walked towards Li Yunlin's car.
Wuhan is very quiet at night, with very few pedestrians and vehicles on the streets. This is completely different from the street night scene in Hong Kong. Li Yunlin's Big Jim drove briskly through the streets, and its dazzling headlights illuminated the surrounding shops and walls.
Du Ziyuan glanced at Li Yunlin and saw that his eyes were closed and he seemed to be dozing off. He was surprised why Li Yunlin invited him to drink tea so late.
When the car arrived in front of Li Yunlin's small building, the lights were still on. When they walked into the living room, they saw Lin Wenxiu sitting on the sofa with a blanket on her legs. She stood up on crutches to greet them.
Du Ziyuan silently held her arm and stared at her, "Wenxiu, it's so late and you haven't rested yet?"
Li Yunlin said from the side: "She is always like this. If I don't come back, she won't sleep."
Lin Wenxiu looked at Du Ziyuan, smiled and said: "This is all a habit, I can't sleep anyway."
Li Yunlin said: "You all go to the small study, I will get some tea, drink as much as you like."
