In October 1955, the famous scientist Qian Xuesen finally returned to his motherland and was ordered to go to the Northeast to investigate. When visiting the Harbin Military Engineering Institute, Qian Xuesen found that there were too many foreign experts in the academy, and he complained about it. General Chen Geng personally accompanied Qian Xuesen to visit, and the two met late and met unexpectedly. Qian Xuesen frankly raised his dissatisfaction with Chen Geng, believing that we should have our own opinions instead of relying entirely on the opinions of foreign experts. Chen Geng felt the same way, and they had a heated discussion about it. But what specific suggestions did Qian Xuesen put forward, and how did Chen Geng react? Let us wait and see what a new chapter has opened in China's missile industry.
1. Qian Xuesen returned to China for inspection
October 28, 1955, is a day to remember. On this crisp autumn day, a wanderer who has been reunited for a long time finally set foot on the land of the motherland. He is the famous scientist Qian Xuesen.
As early as 1935, Qian Xuesen went to the United States to study with the ambition of serving the motherland. Who knows, the smoke of World War II made him stay in a foreign country for 20 years. During this time, he taught at the California Institute of Technology and made significant contributions to the U.S. aerospace industry. It was not until 1955 that with the unremitting efforts of Guo Moruo, president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qian Xuesen finally returned to the embrace of the motherland.
The moment the plane landed, Qian Xuesen's eyes couldn't help but moisten. He took a deep breath of the air of the motherland, only to feel that the hometown sound and nostalgia that had been absent for many years came to his face, and it was so cordial that it made people want to cry. Guo Moruo and other scholars warmly greeted Qian Xuesen, and the scene was very grand and warm.
After returning to the motherland, Qian Xuesen was sent to the northeast to investigate. At first, he was a little puzzled and didn't understand why he was given this job. It wasn't until he learned that this was Premier Zhou Enlai's personal decision that he was relieved. Premier Zhou is Qian Xuesen's old acquaintance, and the two met in Paris and formed a deep revolutionary friendship. Now that Premier Zhou has asked Qian Xuesen to inspect the northeast, there must be another deep meaning.
Accompanied by Comrade Zhu Zhaoxiang, Qian Xuesen successfully arrived in Harbin. Harbin was an important town of heavy industry in the mainland at that time, and Qian Xuesen's trip was also highly valued by the Heilongjiang Provincial Party Committee. The province specially sent an escort for him to be in charge of the reception.
However, Qian Xuesen has a small wish. "I have two friends who work at the Harbin Military Engineering Institute, and I wanted to meet them this time," he said. ＂
At that time, the Kazakh military industry was a highly secret military academy, and ordinary people were not allowed to visit it. Only leaders at or above the provincial and ministerial level are eligible to enter. Qian Xuesen's entourage had no choice but to give up after hearing this, because this was not arranged in their itinerary.
But Qian Xuesen did not give up. He insisted on reporting the matter to the provincial leaders and expressed his wishes. Unexpectedly, the province called that night, saying that the Kazakh military industry had asked the leaders of Beijing and was allowed to let Qian Xuesen visit.
In this way, on November 25, Qian Xuesen was successfully sent to the gate of Kazakhstan's military industry. The school dispatched a group of officers in school uniforms to solemnly welcome Qian Xuesen's arrival. The leader is the school's principal, General Chen Geng.
Chen Geng strode forward, stretched out his big hand, and said heartily: "I'm Chen Geng! Welcome Mr. Qian to come and guide the work!"
When Qian Xuesen saw Chen Geng, he was taken aback. Because Chen Geng was the deputy chief of the general staff at that time, and he had been stationed in Beijing all the time, how could he suddenly appear in Harbin? He shook Chen Geng's hand back with doubts and said sincerely: "Hello, President Chen! Why are you here?"
It turned out that after Qian Xuesen's request for a visit reached Beijing, Chen Geng suggested to Marshal Peng Dehuai that Qian Xuesen should come to Kazakhstan to inspect the military industry. Chen Geng believes that Qian Xuesen is quite accomplished in missile research and may be able to make suggestions for the college's missile cause. After the approval of his superiors, Chen Geng flew from Beijing to Harbin to personally welcome Qian Xuesen's arrival.
After Qian Xuesen heard this, he couldn't help but be deeply moved by Chen Geng's good intentions and the importance he attached to himself. Subsequently, Chen Geng prepared a brief welcome ceremony for Qian Xuesen. Since two of Qian Xuesen's friends were in class, they had to reschedule. Chen Geng personally accompanied Qian Xuesen and began the visit.
Along the way, Chen Geng, Liu Juying and others introduced to Qian Xuesen in detail the overview of the college and the layout of each department. Qian Xuesen looked at the teaching buildings around him with interest, and couldn't believe that this was built by the strength of the new Chinese people themselves. He sincerely admired: "It's so magnificent!"
Later, they came to a small rocket test bench. I saw a teacher disassembling and assembling the experimental device. Qian Xuesen stepped forward to talk to the teacher and carefully pointed out some mistakes in the device. Unexpectedly, the teacher said confidently: "This is the opinion of Soviet experts, and it cannot be changed casually." ＂
After Qian Xuesen heard this, he couldn't help but look sad and shook his head. The careful Chen Geng quickly noticed the change in Qian Xuesen's expression, so he asked with concern: "Mr. Qian, can we make the missile ourselves?"
When Qian Xuesen heard this, he was immediately high-spirited and confident. He said: "How can this not be made, what foreigners can make, why can't we Chinese make it, we are not less than them." ＂
When Chen Geng heard Qian Xuesen's words, he happily shook his hand and said: "What I want is your words! Mr. Qian's words fill our hearts with confidence, and I believe that we will definitely build our own rocket missiles." ＂
2. Doubts during the visit
Qian Xuesen's visit to the Kazakh military industry was not all smooth sailing. During the visit, he found some things that made him quite unhappy, and these doubts became an important reason for his later independent proposals.
What disturbed Qian Xuesen the most was the over-reliance of the Kazakh military industry on Soviet experts. While visiting the rocket test bench, Qian Xuesen witnessed a teacher's blind obedience to the advice of Soviet experts. When Qian Xuesen pointed out some errors in the experimental setup, the teacher said confidently: "This is the opinion of Soviet experts, and it cannot be changed at will." ＂
Qian Xuesen was very surprised when he heard this, he did not expect that there was such a phenomenon of blind worship of foreign experts in this Chinese military academy. As a scientist, he knows that science has no borders, but at the same time, he should have his own independent thinking and judgment. However, in the Kazakh military industry, it seems that even if the Soviet experts say it, the Chinese just passively accept and implement it.
This phenomenon made Qian Xuesen quite uneasy. He believes that if we always rely on the opinions of foreign experts and only blindly imitate and copy, then the Chinese themselves will never be able to truly grasp the essence of science and technology. We should humbly learn from the advanced experiences of foreign countries, but at the same time, we should also be bold in making innovations and give full play to our own subjective initiative.
In addition to his dependence on Soviet experts, Qian Xuesen also found that the Kazakh military industry also had some passive and conservative practices in other aspects. For example, when visiting a newly built laboratory, Qian Xuesen found that there were some irrationalities in the layout and design of the laboratory. He honestly told the person in charge there his opinion, hoping that it could be improved.
Unexpectedly, the person in charge directly rejected Qian Xuesen's suggestion, on the grounds that "this layout is designed according to Soviet experts, has been approved, and cannot be changed at will."
Qian Xuesen was very helpless after hearing this. He felt that the development of science and technology requires constant reform and innovation, and if we always follow the old ways, it will be difficult to make real progress. However, in the Kazakh military industry, it seems that a kind of inertial thinking has been formed, and whatever is designed by Soviet experts is correct and cannot be changed.
During the visit, Qian Xuesen also found some other places that made him quite dissatisfied, such as the obsolescence and backwardness of some experimental equipment and the lack of teachers. The combination of these problems has greatly reduced Qian Xuesen's overall impression of Kazakhstan's military industry.
Despite this, Qian Xuesen did not lose confidence in the Kazakh military industry. On the contrary, it was precisely because he saw these problems and shortcomings that he was more determined to put forward his own proposals. As a scientist, he has the responsibility and obligation to point out these problems and find solutions to them.
Therefore, after the visit, Qian Xuesen told what he saw and thought to General Chen Geng who accompanied him without reservation. He hopes to attract the attention of Chen Geng and other leaders, so as to truly promote the road of independent innovation in China's scientific and technological undertakings.
3. Qian Xuesen put forward independent suggestions
After the visit, Qian Xuesen did not bury his doubts deep in his heart, but frankly confided his truth to General Chen Geng. He put forward a series of independent proposals, calling on the Chinese to follow their own path of scientific and technological development.
That night, Chen Geng hosted a banquet at the school to entertain Qian Xuesen, and specially invited two of Qian Xuesen's friends, Zhuang Fenggan and Professor Luo Shijun. During the banquet, Qian Xuesen solemnly put forward his views to Chen Geng on the current situation of Kazakhstan's military industry.
Qian Xuesen first affirmed the tremendous achievements made by Kazakhstan's military industry in just a few years. He said: "The speed and scale of the construction of Kazakhstan's military industry are indeed impressive. These are all great creations of the new Chinese people's self-reliance. ＂
Speaking of this, Qian Xuesen paused, and the expression on his face became solemn. He continued: "However, during the visit, I also found some issues that deserve attention. What disturbed me the most was the Academy's over-reliance on Soviet specialists. ＂
"For example, in the lab, I found that some of the design and layout were not reasonable, so I suggested some changes. But the person in charge directly refused, on the grounds that these were designed according to Soviet experts, had been approved, and could not be changed at will. ＂
When Qian Xuesen said this, he couldn't help but sigh. He felt that this approach was too passive and conservative, and completely contrary to the original intention of scientific exploration and innovation.
"The development of science and technology requires continuous reform and innovation. If we always follow the rules and stick to the old ways, it will be difficult to make real progress. Qian Xuesen said categorically, "We should humbly learn from the advanced experience of foreign countries, but at the same time, we should also have the courage to innovate and give full play to our own subjective initiative." ＂
Then, Qian Xuesen mentioned that on the rocket test bench, a teacher blindly followed the advice of Soviet experts. He bluntly pointed out that this phenomenon reflects our lack of ability and courage to think independently in scientific research.
"Science has no borders, but at the same time, it should also have its own independent thinking and judgment. Qian Xuesen said, "If we always rely on the opinions of foreign experts and only blindly imitate and copy, then the Chinese themselves will never be able to truly grasp the essence of science and technology." ＂
Several professors present listened to Qian Xuesen's words and were all impressed by his wisdom and foresight. They all expressed their agreement, believing that Qian Xuesen's suggestion hit the nail on the head and pointed to the crux of China's current scientific and technological development.
Next, Qian Xuesen put forward pertinent suggestions one by one on some other deficiencies of Kazakhstan's military industry, such as the lack of teachers and outdated experimental equipment. He appealed that we must innovate independently, be self-reliant, and embark on a path of scientific and technological development of our own.
"We Chinese are no worse than foreigners. Qian Xuesen finally said, "As long as we carry forward our own subjective initiative and have the courage to innovate, we will surely make the scientific and technological cause of the Chinese nation radiate dazzling light!"
Qian Xuesen's words were deafening and gave great encouragement and inspiration to everyone present. Chen Geng was deeply impressed by his wisdom and foresight, and expressed his heartfelt agreement with Qian Xuesen's suggestion. He said that he would conscientiously implement Qian Xuesen's opinions and promote the road of independent innovation in China's scientific and technological undertakings.
Fourth, Chen Geng supports Qian Xuesen's view
Qian Xuesen's independent proposal was highly endorsed and supported by General Chen Geng. Chen Geng believes that Qian Xuesen's views are to the point and point to the crux of China's current scientific and technological development.
As a generation of military strategists and strategists, Chen Geng sincerely admires Qian Xuesen's wisdom and foresight. He said with deep feelings: "Mr. Qian's words have made us re-examine some of our practices and mindsets in scientific research. We do have the problem of over-reliance on foreign experts and lack of awareness of independent innovation. ＂
Chen Geng said frankly that the reason for these problems was largely due to the lack of domestic scientific and technological talents at that time. New China has just passed through the haze of civil war, and there is a serious shortage of scientific and technological personnel. In order to develop the cause of national defense science and technology as soon as possible, it was a helpless move to invite Soviet experts to come to support.
"However, we must not abandon the path of independent innovation because of this. Chen Geng said, "We must humbly learn from the advanced experience of foreign countries, but at the same time, we must also have the courage to innovate, give full play to our own subjective initiative, and truly grasp the essence of science and technology." Only in this way can our national defense cause become truly strong. ＂
Chen Geng's words won bursts of applause from everyone present. Qian Xuesen was even more sincerely moved, he didn't expect his suggestion to receive such a high degree of recognition and support.
Subsequently, Chen Geng solicited opinions from several professors present on how to implement Qian Xuesen's suggestions. Everyone spoke freely, and the atmosphere was warm and harmonious.
In the end, Chen Geng made a decision and decided to set up a special independent innovation team within the Kazakh military industry. This group will be led by Qian Xuesen himself, and will be responsible for formulating the independent innovation and development plan of the college, and organizing teachers and students to carry out independent scientific research work.
"We want to make Mr. Qian's valuable advice truly come into practice. Chen Geng said, "Only by making independent innovations can our national defense science and technology be truly strong, and our national defense strength can increase day by day." ＂
In order to support the work of the independent innovation team, Chen Geng also allocated special funds and personally reported to the superior departments, which received strong support and affirmation.
In this way, with the strong support of Chen Geng, the independent innovation team led by Qian Xuesen was established as scheduled, marking the official opening of the road of independent innovation in China's science and technology industry.
Soon after the establishment of the group, Qian Xuesen began to organize teachers and students to carry out a series of independent scientific research activities. He personally convened the seminar, listened to everyone's opinions and suggestions, and put forward a series of forward-looking development plans.
At the same time, Qian Xuesen also personally took the lead in carrying out scientific research. He led the team to conduct a large number of theoretical analyses and experimental explorations on some key problems of domestic rocket technology at that time. With their ingenuity and innovative spirit, they quickly made breakthroughs.
Qian Xuesen's spirit and style soon had a far-reaching impact on Kazakhstan's military industry and even the entire national defense science and technology circles. More and more scientific researchers have begun to get rid of their dependence on foreign experts, have the courage to think independently, and innovate independently. A wave of independent innovation is quietly emerging in the entire national defense science and technology community.
A few years later, when Qian Xuesen recalled the suggestions he put forward in the Kazakh military industry that year, he said sincerely: "Looking back now, I said that I could engage in missiles at that time, but I didn't expect that there would be so many difficulties in actually doing it. However, we have finally forged a path of our own. ＂
Yes, it is precisely with the unremitting efforts of Qian Xuesen and other scientists that the Chinese people have finally mastered the cutting-edge technology of missiles, laying a solid foundation for the continuous enhancement of national defense strength. Since then, the scientific and technological undertakings of the Chinese nation have radiated dazzling light and ushered in a new era of independent innovation.