Chapter 125: True Love? Cherish It!
So it’s not that von Braun doesn’t want to fight, but he can’t find a suitable leverage point to break the stable triangular relationship of Lin Ran-James Webber-John Morgan.
The three parties have reached a tacit understanding both openly and covertly.
Lin Ran is responsible for NASA’s technical management, appropriately giving some benefits to General Aerospace, little by little handing the bidding to General Aerospace.
James Webber remains the most powerful person at NASA, responsible for organizational structure management, with personnel authority firmly in his hands.
John Morgan is the one providing the benefits.
Once the Donkey Party leaves the White House, James Webber can transform into an executive at General Aerospace.
Of course, his ambition is more than that, and with Lin Ran’s cooperation at NASA, he also has a share in NASA’s success.
During his dormancy as an executive at General Aerospace, he can also prepare for running for congressman or even president later.
If he really gets the chance, the Morgan family is not impossible as his sponsor behind the scenes.
Revolving door, revolving door—if you can only enter but not exit, what kind of revolving door is that?
Rotating from political circles into business circles doesn’t mean you can’t rotate back from business circles into political circles.
Such a solid relationship fundamentally cannot be shaken by von Braun and this group of former German scientists.
After hearing this, Schuster also felt despair: “So we have no way to restrict them?”
Von Braun: “We do.”
Schuster asked: “What way?”
Von Braun said: “Go back to the past, cooperate with Lockheed, then cooperate with James Webber in advance, and we build this triangular alliance relationship.”
Schuster fell silent, knowing von Braun’s answer was a joke.
Go back to the past, reverse the future—is this a science fiction novel?
Von Braun continued in a deep voice: “We are not completely without opportunity, as long as we wait.
Whether it’s James Webber or Randolph, sooner or later they will leave NASA one day.
They will leave, but we won’t.
When that time comes, the time for us to build the triangular alliance relationship will arrive.
As long as Randolph doesn’t cultivate his own engineer network at NASA before then.
In short, rather than always thinking about driving Randolph away, it’s better to watch which Jewish engineers Randolph favors and drive them away.
Von Braun’s philosophy of struggle is that Lin Ran’s ecological niche will eventually become vacant, and they just need to wait to fill that vacancy.
Before that, prevent similar technocrats from appearing at NASA; considering the current environment, the group of scientists Lin Ran can rely on and trust are the Jewish people.
And they must eliminate that possibility from this level.
The Friendship 7 capsule also returned to Cape Canaveral.
The American Noah destroyer brought it to the coast of Grand Turk Island, placed it on a small boat, and then transported it to the dock at the port.
From there, workers transported it by truck to the airport and loaded it onto an Air Force cargo plane, which flew it to the landing area.
Ultimately, John Glenn’s reunion with Friendship 7 had to wait until the event at the S hangar.
The S hangar is the place at Cape Canaveral launch base used for astronaut training, crew quarters, and early spacecraft processing.
(S hangar bird’s-eye view)
In the early 1960s, a considerable portion of engineers’ and technical personnel’s work was done in the S hangar.
This was mainly due to NASA acquiring the S hangar through an agreement with the Department of Defense in 1959, modifying it for use by the Space Task Group’s pre-flight operations department, including receiving and testing Mercury Program spaceship capsules.
Among them, this Friendship 7 underwent thorough testing here before launch.
(Astronaut John Glenn, wearing a hose connected to a ventilation device, prepares to board the Mercury spaceship. This chamber allows engineers and technical personnel to test the leak rate of the capsule’s pressure shell and verify if the spacecraft’s environmental control system and other equipment work as designed.)
Unlike before, because this manned orbital flight was of great significance, right after returning to Earth, the White House side, led by Kennedy, went to the S hangar to hold a celebration.
(John Glenn introduces the Friendship 7 spaceship to the Kennedys)
Kennedy got the opportunity to glimpse the spaceship that had just returned to Earth.
Afterward, John Glenn and his wife went to Washington D.C., where they attended a reception held by President Kennedy at the White House.
Besides John Glenn, there were also NASA representatives, naturally including Lin Ran.
Despite the rain that day, thousands of people still lined the Vice President Johnson’s motorcade route to the Capitol Building, where Glenn gave a speech at the joint session of Congress.
In it, Glenn used a globe to detail his flight experience to the attendees.
When John Glenn mentioned Lin Ran during the speech, the Donkey Party congressmen present burst into warm applause.
That day’s celebration banquet was held in the Diplomatic Reception Room.
The White House invited government dignitaries, NASA officials, congressmen, and Glenn’s family to commend his historic flight.
This event followed the day’s White House reception and congressional speech; the reception room was brightly lit, with American national flags and NASA’s logo hanging on the walls, the long table covered with white linen tablecloth, accented with blue and silver decorations echoing NASA’s theme.
At the center of the table was a scaled-down model of the “Friendship 7” capsule, as the focal point of the evening’s decor.
Guests were required to dress formally, men in black tuxedos or suits, women in various evening gowns.
“This is still my first time wearing a tuxedo.” Lin Ran attended with Jenny, whispering in her ear.
After carefully looking him over, Jenny said: “Professor, you look very sharp in it.”
The banquet was opened by Lyndon Johnson, responsible for aerospace affairs.
He gave a brief address, welcoming the Glenn family and praising his courage and contributions to the country.
President Kennedy then stood up to speak, in a light and inspiring tone.
“Tonight, we pay tribute to a true American hero and thank all our colleagues at NASA. You not only sent John Glenn into space but also brought back our confidence in the future.”
“Professor, what are your thoughts?” Jenny asked.
While applauding, Lin Ran said: “I just want to eat the ice cream later.”
The appetizer was oysters with white wine, the main course roast beef tenderloin with mushroom sauce, accompanied by mashed potatoes and asparagus.
The dessert Lin Ran mentioned was the specially customized Mercury ice cream; before coming, he had heard about it while resting in Lyndon Johnson’s office.
This dessert, named after the Mercury Program, was vanilla ice cream with blue frosting, topped with a small chocolate rocket model.
Jenny’s eyes lit up upon seeing it: “Professor, I finally know what you’ve been looking forward to—it’s indeed an exquisite dessert.”
After the meal, after Glenn was invited to give a short speech, Lin Ran was also invited to speak.
Lin Ran stood up firmly and said only one sentence: “I will lead everyone to win this space race!”
Then he waved his fist.
Compared to Glenn, Lin Ran’s short speech obviously resonated more with the audience present.
After dinner, guests mingled freely in the hall with champagne in hand.
Lin Ran and Jenny hid in a corner chatting: “Jenny, tomorrow I’ll treat you to a really great Chinese restaurant.”
Jenny asked curiously: “Which one? I don’t think I’ve been to many Chinese restaurants.”
Lin Ran said: “You’ll know when you go tomorrow evening.”
Jenny asked: “Don’t you have to attend the celebration parade in Ohio?”
Lin Ran rolled his eyes: “Jenny, that’s Glenn’s hometown, not mine—why would I go?
Besides, Lyndon Johnson is attending as the representative, so I don’t need to.”
Lin Ran wanted to know the reaction in China after he sent the Raspberry Pi back, and if there were any problems needing him to solve.
At this point, the only one he could contact was Long Sifan at Yanjing Palace.
If he wasn’t mistaken, the other was working for China.
As for Huang Yunji and Chen Jingrun, on one hand they were in New York, on the other their identities weren’t quite suitable.
Kennedy, who was mingling one by one, finally found Lin Ran and Jenny.
He teased: “Looks like I came at a bad time.”
The relationship between the Hearst family and the Donkey Party is not only because George Hearst and William Hearst were both Donkey Party senators, but also because after George Hearst made his fortune early on, he bought the San Francisco Examiner and single-handedly turned it into the Donkey Party’s official newspaper.
Subsequently, the propaganda machine controlled by the Hearst family has spared no effort for Donkey Party elections.
The reason the Donkey Party controls traditional media is inseparable from the Hearst family.
Jenny raised her glass and said: “Mr. President, this time it’s all thanks to Professor Lin that NASA successfully completed the manned spaceflight mission—shouldn’t you give him some reward? Like the Congressional Gold Medal.”
Kennedy said: “Jenny, you’re too greedy. If I give Randolph the Congressional Gold Medal this time, what do I give him next time he helps NASA successfully land on the moon?
Another Congressional Gold Medal? That probably wouldn’t be appropriate.”
America’s highest civilian honor is the Presidential Medal of Freedom, but Kennedy won’t establish it until next year— it doesn’t exist yet.
“Don’t worry, I will definitely give Randolph the honors and rewards he deserves. Don’t worry about Randolph—he’s much smarter than you.”
Kennedy turned to Lin Ran: “Randolph, choosing you as Special Assistant for Aerospace Affairs at the White House was one of the best decisions I’ve made after being elected president.
Rest assured, as long as I’m in the White House, you can fully unleash your talent at NASA. I’ll block any storms for you—Congress’s pests can’t stop NASA from advancing!”
No sooner had Kennedy left than the Shudra arrived.
McNamara walked over with champagne: “Professor, long time no see.”
Lin Ran clinked glasses with him: “Long time no see.”
McNamara gave Jenny a simple greeting—the Elephant Party man didn’t need to give the Hearst family any good face.
Then he continued excitedly: “Professor, afterward I went back to think about the theory you proposed, and felt that game theory is very suitable for application in the field of war.
I even followed up and found Professor Schelling’s The Strategy of Conflict to read—it was mentioned in your interview.
It also discusses non-cooperative games.
Including asking RAND Corporation’s Hermann Kahn to help the Department of Defense research optimal strategies in nuclear war.
Professor, it’s too bad you’re busy with NASA work; otherwise, I think you’re the most suitable to research these issues.”
McNamara was just short of saying no one is more suitable than you.
Jenny looked disgusted: “Professor, didn’t we agree to go on a date? Shall we leave now?”
She deliberately spoke loudly enough for the other to hear.
Lin Ran didn’t want to chat with McNamara either; after all, knowing this man’s specific resume, if he used the game theory applications he discussed in Vietnam, that would be bad.
Especially differential games content suitable for missile tracking and air combat simulation—if shared with McNamara, it might make America more adept in Vietnam.
A data analyst like McNamara is the type who most believes mathematics can solve all problems.
Lin Ran said apologetically: “Minister, I really have a date with Jenny, so I’ll take my leave first.”
McNamara had an incredulous expression—women more interesting than mathematics?
Watching Lin Ran’s departing back, McNamara thought to himself: “Is this talent? Even wasting time on women, his terrifying talent can still effortlessly produce epoch-making achievements.”
The Shudra’s inner admiration deepened another layer.
If there was a system, you could see McNamara’s admiration value constantly +1.
Yanjing Palace—since Lin Ran’s last visit, he hadn’t come again.
Long Sifan received two arrangements that he found very strange.
The first arrangement was that if one day Lin Ran fled to Yanjing Palace, he must spare no effort to safely get him on a ship leaving America.
This was his top priority task; all resources and connections must prepare for this.
This task was easy to understand.
If China’s decision-making level’s view of Lin Ran’s importance was hazy.
After all, receiving information only through newspapers, no videos to see.
And newspapers had to be translated into Chinese.
It was actually hard to understand Lin Ran’s prestige and influence overseas.
Long Sifan was different—he was right in America’s core area, Washington D.C.
In this place, he had a more profound understanding of Lin Ran’s influence.
White House bureaucrats, Washington civil servants—Lin Ran often appeared in their discussion topics.
The topics these white people chatted with him about always revolved around Randolph; everyone said he was amazing, a top-tier Chinese person in every aspect, and with him leading NASA, everyone had confidence in the space race with the Soviet Union.
Long Sifan even specifically asked white bureaucrats who often dined at his restaurant whether they had confidence in Lin Ran or NASA—almost all answered Randolph.
Besides, from newspapers to radio to television, Lin Ran’s face frequently appeared.
He even saw in the newspaper that a batch of Randolph Buildings had emerged in New York Flushing, targeted at Chinese people, 10% to 20% cheaper than other cheap apartments.
It was said to be created jointly by Lin Ran and New York real estate businessman Fred; Chinese people from New York praised this good deed endlessly.
For most Chinese people living at the bottom, this was truly benefiting everyone.
No need to say more about the scholar community—everyone admired his mathematical achievements, and after crossing into the White House position, not only doing well at NASA but also proposing the “hotline” concept beneficial to world peace.
Precisely because he was in the midst of it, Long Sifan understood the significance of sparing everything to save Lin Ran’s life.
Just the technical secrets he contacts at NASA—if he could exchange his life for those, Long Sifan wouldn’t blink.
But the second arrangement puzzled him—it was to ask some questions.
Yes, just ask questions, and the questions themselves were simple yes/no, but the meaning was a bit professional.
Fortunately, the opportunity came soon, and he saw Lin Ran on this day in February.
The other brought a beautiful young white woman with blonde hair and blue eyes; despite different skin colors, Long Sifan couldn’t help but sigh at first sight that they were a perfect match.
“Professor, we meet again. Yulan Xuan this time too?”
Lin Ran nodded: “Yes, Yulan Xuan it is.”
“Avon Books selected some of Philip K. Dick’s previous good works and compiled them for publication; sales are average but word of mouth is good.
Those who read it say it’s very interesting.
Avon Books wants to know if you can help write a blurb.
But I refused; my idea is to write one when The Truman Show is published.
By the way, Philip sent the first draft manuscript—take a look.”
Jenny took a stack of manuscript from her Hermès Kelly bag and handed it to Lin Ran.
Lin Ran took it and saw that Truman’s wife in it wasn’t named Jenny, but there was a bizarre added plot.
Truman had parents, but they were a pair of astronauts who never returned from a human mission to Mars; his parents were named Randolph and Jenny.
This really made Lin Ran hard to hold back laughter.
He asked: “Jenny, I have a question—America should respect astronauts a lot.
How could the offspring of astronauts end up like this?
Isn’t this setting a bit unreasonable?”
Lin Ran inwardly marveled at the terror of money’s power, actually getting Philip K. Dick to customize the plot.
Jenny explained: “What’s unreasonable about it.
This is Philip’s fictional world, not ours—it’s another world.
Maybe in Washington’s view, Truman lives well, with material things, family, love.”
Lin Ran said: “But no freedom.”
This answer struck Jenny’s heart—current Americans emphasize freedom: “Alright, I’ll have Philip change it.
Still make Truman’s real name Randolph; after leaving the town, he finds true love.”
Now it was Lin Ran’s turn to ask: “What’s true love’s name?” Inwardly snarking: “True love? More like Jenny’s favorite.”
Monthly ticket plea at the beginning of the month! Woo woo, give Crow some monthly tickets!
