Chapter 171: All Of Western Europe Isn’t Enough To Fight
Everyone in the room looked at each other in bewilderment.
Fred? Where did this minor figure come from?
There are many people with that name, but combined with this surname, besides Shelepin, no one has heard of anyone.
Seeing the confusion on everyone’s faces, Shelepin didn’t dare to keep them in suspense and quickly explained:
“We have been collecting information on the activities of American political figures. This Fred T is a political figure who suddenly emerged last year. After successfully becoming a New York City congressman in last fall’s election, he soon announced his participation in the Elephant Party’s internal primary election for this year’s general election.”
Although everyone was unclear who Fred was, they were all very clear about the process of the American election.
Shelepin continued: “Soon after he announced his candidacy, Robert Finch announced he was joining his campaign team as his campaign manager. Robert Finch is Nixon’s core staff and was also Nixon’s campaign manager in his previous campaign.
We believe Fred has received strong support from Nixon.”
Nixon was an old acquaintance. Back then, in the kitchen debate with Nikita, it was Nixon who represented Eisenhower.
Hearing this, everyone in the room became a bit interested.
“Therefore, we intensified our information collection on him.
We discovered more interesting things. First, this New York City congressman named Fred was previously a New York City real estate businessman.
He, together with Randolph Lin, that is, the professor, built several Randolph Buildings in New York’s Chinese gathering area under their cooperation, providing housing for local Chinese people.”
Nikita said thoughtfully: “This shows he has a close relationship with the professor.”
Shelepin nodded, then continued: “Yes, the information we collected shows that one Christmas, the professor spent it at Fred’s house.
Even more interestingly, after that, Fred began building Randolph Buildings in New York. His brother is a senior professor in the Physics Department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who more than once provided cutting-edge academic journals and technology-related magazines to a Chinese restaurant opened by a local Chinese person.”
After everyone exchanged glances, Gromyko said: “These academic journals ultimately flowed to China? The professor, through Fred’s family connections, provided academic journals to China?”
Many things, if you want to investigate, you definitely can’t hide them.
It’s just a matter of whether you want to investigate or not.
In the KGB’s internal priority ranking, although Lin Ran is not some senior political figure, his priority can rank in the top ten or even higher.
Additionally, the reason Qu Runpu dared to help Lin Ran with this favor has many reasons, including his own sympathy for China and Chinese people, and the fact that the provided items are under his control, only at the level of academic journals, which actually doesn’t carry much risk.
“This is just my guess. According to the information from our investigation, the professor authorized Fred’s real estate group, allowing them to use it in advertisements to attract Chinese descent clients, and as reward, Fred’s younger brother provided cutting-edge academic journals to the Chinese side.” Shelepin said.
“Including between Fred and Nixon, we also suspect it was the professor who recommended Fred to Nixon.
This mainly comes from the fact that our people discovered Nixon once specifically went to Huntsville City. NASA’s Redstone Arsenal is there. You know, even during his time as vice president, Nixon had never been to Huntsville City.
Even in 1960, when NASA’s Space Flight Center in Huntsville was commissioned, with Eisenhower personally attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Nixon still didn’t go.
And we suspect that trip was to meet the professor. Later, Nixon met the professor in a high-end hotel in Washington D.C., which we are certain of.
Fred gained economic benefits and political resources from the professor, so we increased our attention on him.
Although the probability is very small, Fred might win the party primary.
Additionally, our internal analysis believes that as a businessman by origin, Fred’s class naturally makes him easy to control.
And Fred’s current status is low, just a New York City congressman. Using him as the first surveillance target would be easier for Hoover to accept.”
After everyone in the room heard this, no one spoke. The professor’s presence was still too strong.
Finally, Nikita set the tone: “Good, I think Comrade Shelepin’s proposal is very good.
Trying to get Hoover to control congressmen like Humphrey, McKinley, or Hayden right from the start would indeed be difficult. Fred is a good candidate.
Gromyko, personally find a reason to make a trip to the United Nations. Tell Dobrynin our ideas face-to-face in New York, including what effects we want to achieve, what the negotiation bottom line is, and how to gradually control Hoover.
Based on the results of our discussion today, you are responsible for formulating the specific plan. Comrade Shelepin is responsible for reviewing it from a professional perspective, and after confirmation, give it to me for review.” Nikita said to Gromyko.
Then he turned to Shelepin: “Comrade Shelepin, starting tomorrow, secretly investigate our internal comrades who are homosexuals or have homosexual tendencies. For these comrades, all must be transferred away from key work positions.”
At the Leipzig Spring Trade Fair in March 1964, the main exhibition hall was bustling with noise.
The air was filled with the ink smell of new machines, the cold gleam of flashing metal, and the aroma of Eastern Europe coffee floating around.
Zuse stood in front of the Zuse KG booth, dressed in a dark gray suit with his tie slightly loosened, fine beads of sweat seeping from his forehead.
Last year, after accepting Shopkeeper Feng’s invitation for a few days’ trip to Hong Kong, besides selling a few Z23 computers to Hong Kong Shipping, there was no other gain.
Because that so-called computer expert was on the Mainland, not in Hong Kong.
After chatting a few sentences with the other party on the telephone, he confirmed that this computer expert named Xie Xide indeed had extraordinary abilities, but such abilities were not enough to attract him to work on the Mainland.
After all, back then between East Germany and West Germany, he had chosen West Germany.
How could he possibly go to China for so-called computer research and development?
So he fundamentally did not accept the invitation from China.
However, the Chinese side also obtained the information they wanted, which was confirming that Zuse did not know about the existence of the Raspberry Pi.
Zuse’s current days were very tough; otherwise, he wouldn’t have come to the Leipzig Trade Fair trying to find Eastern Europe clients.
Because his company Zuse KG was in very poor financial condition.
The computers they produced had previously mainly relied on university business. On the enterprise side, Zuse KG couldn’t compete with companies like IBM and Univac at all.
And unfortunately, their computers were returned by the Zurich Institute of Technology due to performance issues.
When it rains, it pours; the German patent court also rejected Zuse’s patent application for the Z3 computer.
This patent dispute that began in 1941 lasted 26 years and ultimately ended in failure, further weakening Zuse and his company’s finances and reputation.
If not for bringing a few units on the Hong Kong trip, his company’s control would already have changed hands to Siemens by now.
His hands tightly gripped a Z23 computer brochure, the edges dampened by sweat, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the paper.
His gaze wandered through the bustling crowd, full of expectation mixed with anxiety.
The transistor-built body of the Z23 gleamed coldly under the spotlight, the nearby control panel dense with buttons and indicator lights, but it couldn’t attract any attention from Eastern Europe and Western Europe businessmen.
IBM was already playing with artificial intelligence, even making machine wiring artistic.
Right, IBM was also exhibiting.
And in the most central spot.
IBM’s Deep Blue and Babylon were both at the Leipzig exhibition, almost siphoning all the foot traffic in the exhibition hall.
Who would look at your outdated Z23?
Not to mention Zuse KG, all computer manufacturers on the market were being beaten breathless by IBM; whether known or unknown names, they were one after another falling into financial quagmires.
Everyone had to follow, artificial intelligence was too tempting.
The ones barely surviving now were companies focused on minicomputers, like General Electric.
For Zuse KG, IBM was the undisputed Blue Giant.
This trade fair was Chu Ze’s last straw; if he could sign orders or find investors, perhaps he could still save the company.
“This is terrible.” Similarly suited up, Theodore Fromme walked back from the IBM booth. “IBM is too terrifying. From the reaction speed, their Deep Blue’s capabilities seem to have improved again.”
Theodore was one of Zuse KG’s core engineers, mainly responsible for the development of vacuum tube and magnetic drum storage technology.
He forced a grin and said, “We’ll have that day too.”
Theodore shook his head with a wry smile: “Zuse, I know you can’t accept this, but after seeing it, I know we can’t beat IBM.
Our financial situation is no longer sufficient to support continued R&D investment.
Even if our computers catch up to IBM in performance, with samples of Deep Blue and Technology Ark around, clients will choose IBM, not us.
Zuse, it’s not that I want to undermine your confidence, but after seeing Deep Blue and Babylon, I know there’s no living space for SMEs like us in the future computer market.
Siemens is right; we need to merge. Only through merger is there a way to survive.”
Siemens was their major shareholder; in terms of equity, Siemens already had relative control, and would fully acquire Zuse KG three years later.
At this time, Siemens had already launched the 2002 series computers, and around Zuse GK was also in the stage of control transfer.
If Zuse KG’s financial situation didn’t improve, his over ten years of hard work would go up in smoke.
Zuse’s stern face was full of refusal, “No, we still have a chance!”
After saying that, Zuse didn’t respond further but personally solicited clients in the exhibition hall. This should originally have been sales personnel’s work, but due to deteriorating finances, they only had three sales personnel left.
And only he understood Russian.
Zuse enthusiastically introduced to a lingering engineer: “This Z23 is fast, suitable for scientific computing, more economical than American machines!” His German was fluent.
After sensing the other didn’t understand, Zuse began mixing in some stiff Russian.
The other frowned at the parameter table, eyes showing doubt. Zuse’s heart raced; he squeezed out a smile to mask his fatigue, inwardly praying the other wouldn’t ask about the minor faults in testing.
“Your name?” The other asked in equally fluent German.
After Zuse briefly introduced himself, the other asked: “Mr. Zuse, I am a high-level official at Robotron. Do you have any intention to work at Robotron?
We are interested in your technology. If you are willing, we can talk anytime.”
Zuse looked puzzled. He had heard of this company; it was East Germany’s computer company, developing R series computers, emphasizing cost-performance, but performance-wise not as good as Zuse’s Z series.
“Sorry, I have no intention.” Zuse shook his head.
He didn’t even want to go to Siemens, let alone work for East Germany’s Robotron.
The other said nothing more and turned to leave.
At that moment, a young East German reporter raised his camera and approached, flashing at Zuse and the Z23.
He barely squeezed out a smile, but inwardly it was bitter: this photo might be Zuse KG’s swan song. He rallied his spirits and introduced Z23’s innovations to the reporter, trying to leave a positive impression.
When the reporter asked about future plans, he hesitated a moment, then firmly said: “We will develop new markets and contribute to European technology.”
Though he said that, his heart was full of uncertainty.
Night fell, the exhibition hall lights dimmed, Zuse sat wearily by the booth, recalling Z3’s glory and current predicament, whispering: “I can’t let it all be in vain.”
He glanced down at the Z23 parameter table, silently thinking: “If I can sign even one deal, even a small East German order…”
The evening trade fair still had considerable foot traffic.
Suddenly, two men in dark overcoats approached. Leading was a tall man, Sergei Ivanovich, coordinator of the OGAS project, with eyes sharp as a hawk.
To his left was Karl Schmidt, the East German Robotron executive Zuse had seen during the day, his gaunt face showing caution.
Their arrival made Zuse’s heart race; he forced a professional smile, thinking: they can’t drag me away by force, right?
Sergei spoke first, voice low with a heavy Russian-accented German: “Dr. Zuse, long heard of your fame. Your Z3 is a legend in computer history, and Z23 is also impressive.”
He nodded slightly, gaze scanning the Z23 control panel, as if appraising its value.
Zuse quickly responded, tone as steady as possible: “Thank you for your recognition. Z23 is optimized for scientific computing and engineering design, with modular design for easy maintenance.”
He pointed to the Graphomat Z64 and added: “Our plotter also has applications in optics and aerospace.”
Karl Schmidt adjusted his glasses and interjected: “Mr. Zuse, I checked your information when I got back. You are a talent in the computer field. We are integrating Eastern Europe’s computing resources; your technology would be useful. We don’t want to miss talent like you, so Mr. Sergei came personally.”
His tone carried probing, eyes showing wariness; inwardly, he didn’t want West German technology to steal East Germany’s thunder.
But out of vision for the OGAS plan, Karl Schmidt didn’t conceal Zuse’s existence.
Even Dean Qian far away in China had heard of Zuse; East Germany’s technocrats needed no further mention.
They had investigated Zuse’s recent situation thoroughly.
For these German people, OGAS was evidently very attractive.
This time, Karl Schmidt was more direct, asking outright: “Dr. Zuse, what is the Z23’s floating-point arithmetic speed?”
Zuse seized the opportunity, eloquently describing the Z23’s transistor architecture and hundreds of floating-point operations per second capability, trying to mask his inner tension.
After listening, Karl Schmidt glanced at Sergei, who nodded, then he said: “Mr. Zuse, Robotron, Odra, and Tesla’s computer businesses have completed their merger into Robotron company.
Did you see IBM’s Deep Blue over there? Zuse KG alone can never catch up to IBM.
Even West Germany’s Siemens, England’s ICL, probably can’t catch up.
Even if they have resources not inferior to IBM, talent not inferior to IBM, as soon as they show potential to surpass IBM, they face suppression from America.
In the world, the only hope to surpass IBM is us.
The newly formed Robotron will receive full technical support from the Soviet Union.”
Zuse’s face immediately darkened.
Because he knew the other was absolutely right.
He even knew similar things were happening in Western Europe.
As mentioned earlier, Siemens was seeking to acquire Zuse KG.
France’s Bull company (full name Compagnie des Machines Bull) had previously been a vanguard in Europe’s computer industry, with its Gamma series computers leading IBM and Univac machines at the time in multitasking and real-time calculation.
Especially the Gamma 60 launched in 1958.
Bull’s technology was widely used in Europe’s banks, railways, and aviation scheduling systems, its innovations attracting America’s attention.
Not long ago, Bull had developed early distributed computing technology, ahead of America’s commercialization in that field.
Benefiting from the rapid global promotion of shipping standards, plus artificial intelligence technology’s high attention, General Electric from the Morgan family was seeking to acquire Bull.
General Electric’s acquisition of Bull had shadows of American administrative intervention.
Alstom was just a start; General Electric had been playing such tactics on French companies since the 1960s.
Similar cases weren’t just these; America did the same to England.
Britain’s de Havilland company launched the world’s first commercial jet airliner Comet in 1949, leading Boeing’s 707 model by nearly a decade.
As a result, the FAA restricted its entry into the American market with strict airworthiness certification requirements on safety grounds.
That was one thing, but subsequently Boeing obtained the Comet’s design data through accident investigations and public channels, especially high-pressure cabin and jet engine technology.
As an engineer, Zuse immediately realized the other was telling the truth.
Why Bull was willing to sell to General Electric: financial pressure was one aspect, market access another. If you don’t sell to General, Bull computers can’t be sold in the American market.
“Mr. Zuse, only the entire socialism market can support a computer company capable of surpassing IBM.
West Germany can’t do this, and all of Europe can’t either.” Sergei’s cold voice rang in his ears.
