Chapter 246: Come, Call Him Godfather!
“Me?”
Wang Xiji felt that the matter Dean Qian suddenly discussed with him was somewhat fanciful.
He had rarely seen Dean Qian lately.
Most of the time, Dean Qian was in a state of complete seclusion.
In recent years, for staff in China Aerospace, the Existence of that Computing Center at the Chinese Academy of Sciences was even greater than that of Dean Qian.
“That’s right, it’s you. Prepare well. Secretary Zhang will send over the information on the N-2 project later.
Prepare well these few days. When the time comes, prepare to meet with the Soviet experts. Treat this meeting as an interview.
The opportunity is rare; grasp it well.”
Beep beep beep, the telephone had already hung up.
Wang Xiji hadn’t reacted yet, standing still in place, looking at the telephone in his hand, falling into self-doubt: Can I really host a project like N-2?
In the eyes of most Chinese person, as the first country to send a Satellite into space, send Astronaut into Space and the Moon, the Soviet Union is undoubtedly the world’s number one aerospace power.
Even though America achieved Manned Moon Landing not long ago, it was still a step behind the Soviet Union.
Wang Xiji as an expert in the Field of Aerospace, naturally knew that America had greater Strength, but this did not mean the Soviet Union was not strong.
America was the strongest, and the Soviet Union had equally great Strength.
Especially the N-series rockets that once sent Soviet person to the Moon were the ace among aces.
They had internally discussed the Problem with the N-2 Rocket several times.
Especially after the N-2 Rocket failed two consecutive test launches, they had intense discussions around the N-2.
He was very clear about the N-2’s problem; the design concept of the multi-engine design was theoretically sound, but in practice, the multi-engine design was problematic everywhere.
However, although China clearly understands the design concept of the N-series rockets, what they do not know is that the Soviet Union’s N-2 rocket has as many as 30 engines.
Yanjing
Fifth Academy of Aerospace is right here.
This time, the main experts in the field of aerospace who came with Kosygin were two: one was Pokrovsky, who had previously come to China to provide support, and the other was Valentin Glushko.
That is, now the second-in-command of the Soviet Space Agency.
In the Fifth Academy’s meeting room, Glushko sat solemnly in the meeting room with a serious expression. He had a burly build and graying hair, and he had remained silent since arriving at the meeting room.
“Dean Qian, in your Chinese people’s words, it’s called ‘a day apart feels like three autumns.’ We haven’t seen each other for five years, and you’re still as young as ever.”
Pokrovsky is fluent in Chinese language, and it could even be said that he is not much different from a local Chinese person.
He once lived in the northeastern region of China for a full five years.
“Yes, the Soviet Union’s development in the field of aerospace in recent years has been astonishing, especially the manned moon landing three years ago, which shocked the entire world.”
Even though Dean Qian and Pokrovsky were chatting happily on the side.
He did not speak, nor did he show the slightest interest in the content of their conversation.
Dean Qian knew that the other party had emotions of dissatisfaction, dissatisfaction with China sending Wang Xiji, this so-called expert claimed by the Chinese side, he had never even heard of him.
What was dissatisfying inwardly was that China surprisingly did not take the Soviet Union side’s requests seriously.
and the Soviet Union’s other allies are all starkly different.
It must be known that the current background is the seventh year of the relationship between the two countries turning from warm to cold.
If it were other allies, they would treat the matter of falling out as a major threat and attach great importance to it.
Meanwhile, China adopted a strategy of direct confrontation, meeting force with force.
Now, after finally switching from Nikita to Leonid, and in the field of aerospace, such a critical technology field, to promote cooperation between the two countries.
In Valentin’s view, this was an excellent opportunity for the relationship between the two countries to shift from past confrontation back to cooperation.
Shouldn’t China seize this opportunity?
As a result, unexpectedly, Dean Qian did not personally step in, but instead sent an unknown junior they had never heard of.
As a top-ranking technocrat in the Soviet Union, Valentin could not understand this.
After a moment of small talk, Wang Xiji, holding handwritten notes and blueprint, entered the meeting room and greeted the three people in front of him respectively.
The translator sitting next to Valentin is responsible for real-time translation, but Pokrovsky naturally does not need translation.
Pokrovsky spoke first, his voice low and carrying a commanding tone:
“Comrade Wang, we are here for the N1 rocket.
Korolev is gone, we need a new direction.
Your background interests us. Well, actually, we don’t think you can take on such a heavy responsibility, but Dean Qian strongly recommended you.
Rather than saying we believe you, it’s more accurate to say we believe in money.
So, tell me your idea.”
Wang Xiji was quite calm, his excited emotions having long since calmed down with the research over this period of time; he had a mindset of gaining it is my fortune, losing it is my fate.
He had put in his own effort, and as for whether he could pass this interview, that would entirely depend on fate.
“This is my honor. The N2 design proposal leads to too many engines in the first stage. I’m not sure about the exact number, but I estimate it definitely exceeds 10.
Its thrust is astonishing, but the complexity brings hidden dangers. I think the key lies in control.”
Glushko leaned forward, his eyes full of scrutiny: “Control? We used 30 engines to ensure thrust redundancy, but vibration and synchronization problems are indeed headaches. Can you talk about your idea?”
As soon as the number 30 came out, Dean Qian inwardly drew in a sharp breath. So many—not surprising if problems arose.
Wang Xiji was the same. He took a deep breath and handed over a carefully drawn blueprint:
“My suggestion is to make the thrust of each engine adjustable.
If one engine fails or its efficiency drops, the other engines can dynamically compensate to maintain overall stability.”
Pokrovsky frowned, his tone doubtful: “Adjustable thrust? That sounds good, but with our current technology, how do we achieve it?”
Wang Xiji pointed to the design on the blueprint: “This is my design: optimize the gas generator cycle and add throttle valves to control fuel flow.
By adjusting the combustion rate, the thrust can be adjusted between 80% and 110%.
This doesn’t require overturning the existing design. I think it should only need incremental improvements on the existing engines.
However, the specific improvement methods still need me to deeply understand your rocket engines to continue refining.”
Glushko narrowed his eyes and carefully examined the blueprint, his tone shifting from doubt to curiosity: “Throttle valves—we’ve tried similar methods on small engines, but the scale of NK-15 is different. Do you think our current process can support it?”
Wang Xiji nodded: “I think this is the only solution for solving multi-engine rocket launches.
Combined with Soviet Union’s manufacturing capabilities, such as precise valve processing and stress testing, it’s completely feasible.
The difficulties lie in the valve’s response speed and pressure resistance, but these can be solved through iteration.”
Pokrovsky tapped the table, pressing: “30 engines, each with adjustable thrust—how to coordinate? The control system will collapse.”
Wang Xiji was prepared and took out another blueprint: “So I designed a distributed control network.
Each engine is equipped with an independent controller to monitor and adjust thrust in real time, then coordinated through a central unit.
If one controller fails, the system can redistribute the load.
This is more complex than a centralized system, but more flexible and reliable.
Of course, this requires cooperation from China in the semiconductor field. China’s technology in the semiconductor field is undoubtedly more advanced than that of the Soviet Union.
China is responsible for producing the controllers.”
Glushko and Pokrovsky exchanged a glance, a flash of surprise in their eyes, because Wang Xiji’s idea was extremely imaginative.
Glushko slowly nodded: “Distributed control is very forward-thinking. Our current system is centralized—simple but rigid.
Wang, you have talent, but your proposal is still too radical.”
After the interview ended, Valentin and Pokrovsky left the meeting room.
Dean Qian clapped and said: “Xiji, your design is amazing. I think it should be enough to impress the Soviet side. After all, NASA’s moon landing has put too much pressure on them.
Be ready at any time.
Additionally, if the multi-engine parallel rocket research and development succeeds, it’s also a good thing for us. On one hand, we can advance the research and development of large-thrust engines alongside the technical route of paralleling small-thrust engines.”
At this time, China in the rocket engine field still largely relied on technology transfer from the Soviet Union.
Including the RD-101 engine transferred in 1957, whose fuel was a mixture of alcohol and liquid oxygen.
The YF-1 of the DF-2 medium-range ballistic missile was a major improvement based on the Soviet Union’s OKB-2 S.2.1150 engine.
So essentially, the technical route taken by the Soviet Union is greatly beneficial to China.
Trying to tackle something like Saturn 5 is too unrealistic, but if multi-engine paralleling is feasible, it’s also a rare opportunity to overtake on a curve.
The proposal put forward by Wang Xiji has the shadow of the later Falcon 9.
The Falcon 9 used 9 Merlin engines, relying on modern flight computers and engine gimbaling for control. Its thrust can be adjusted between 20% and 100%, ensuring that a single engine failure won’t affect the overall launch.
On one hand, the N-2’s engines cannot be adjusted and have fixed thrust; on the other hand, its control system is the primitive KORD.
KORD-64 is an analog computer specially developed by the Soviet Union for the N-2 rocket, using analog circuitry to perform mathematical calculations and control tasks in real time, capable of up to 5000 calculations per second.
Like the later digital KORD computer, KORD was designed specifically to operate in harsh environments.
The secrecy level of KORD was such that after the Soviet Union collapsed, photos of almost all N-1 related hardware were widely released by European and American researchers and publishing institutions, but the KORD module never showed any trace.
As if it had never existed.
And now, Chinese people are coming to replace the Soviet Union in making the control system.
The Soviet side sent back news that it would be in mid-1967. The Soviet Union and China are to promote cooperation in the aerospace field. Wang Xiji, as one of the first batch of Chinese experts, will provide reverse support to the Soviet Union. This news was extremely inspiring at the time.
Whether it’s semiconductor technology or Chinese experts aiding Soviet aerospace, these are the most direct manifestations in the public’s mind of China’s technological development more than ten years after its founding.
However, because it’s Wang Xiji and not Dean Qian, he is not the head of N-2. Valentin is the team leader of the N-2 research group, and Wang Xiji serves as deputy team leader.
China’s aerospace undertaking has opened a new chapter.
On January 1, 1967.
Fred held a grand New Year’s Day banquet at 38 East 37th Street in Manhattan, attended by all the notable celebrities in New York.
Not only because Fred himself has been a rising political star in recent years, but also because Fred invited Lin Ran.
After just helping NASA complete the moon landing mission and resting in New York, leaving all the Washington spotlight to President Lyndon Johnson, he chose to attend the dinner hosted by Fred.
Partly because of Fred’s invitation, and partly because the dinner was held at 38 East 37th Street in Manhattan.
The last time he came here was six years ago, when John Morgan brought him.
They came together to attend the fundraising dinner that Finch held for Nixon.
There was also a special segment after the dinner to liven things up.
And this time, it was still the familiar limestone facade, the rough stone base, and the smooth stone upper level.
At the central entrance, a portico supported by four Ionic columns created a feeling of ancient Rome, with a relief above the columns carved with an eagle and female statues on both sides.
Familiar environment, familiar design style, still coming with John Morgan, but Lin Ran’s state of mind was completely different.
He was very clear about the symbolic significance of attending Fred’s dinner instead of at the White House, but Lin Ran still made his choice.
It wasn’t disgust for Lyndon Johnson; it was simply that Lin Ran felt he had reached this point where he could do as he pleased.
Not to mention that he wouldn’t verbally support Fred; even if he did support Fred, Lyndon Johnson wouldn’t dare do anything to him.
“It’s really nostalgic.” John Morgan stood at the door, looked up at the relief on the door, “Back then I was still a carefree rich kid, and now I’ve taken charge of most of the Morgan family’s manufacturing.
Professor, seriously, manufacturing is not for humans; I already regret why I didn’t continue in the financial industry back then.”
Here “rich kid” is used instead of “second-generation rich,” because in the 1960s there was no specific slang for second-generation rich; they were generally called “rich kids” or “wealthy youth,” without specific labels like the later “trust fund kids.”
Moreover, John Morgan’s level was much higher than second-generation rich.
As for Jenny, she originally wanted to come with Lin Ran to the New Year’s Day dinner, but after knowing it was Fred, she immediately said it would be better to spend New Year’s Day with her family.
Fred was someone who stank from three feet away against the wind.
Those attending today were all businessmen and politicians, with almost no figures from academia, except for Lin Ran.
Lin Ran smiled and said, “John, you can now package up your General Aerospace and General Electric computer departments together and hand them all over to your uncle Francis; I believe he would be more than happy to help you with this.”
The Francis here refers to Francis Tracy Morgan, who was nearly 70 years old.
The next Morgan family patriarch, from the current situation, would emerge from between Francis and John Morgan.
John Morgan had more outstanding performance, but Francis had broader support from within the Morgan family.
This was easy to understand: Francis was seventy years old, and as patriarch he could work at most another decade before retiring; age was an unstoppable killer.
Whereas John Morgan was only 40; if he became patriarch, he could stay in the position for at least twenty more years.
From their own interests, no one hoped John Morgan would take that position.
Even if Morgan family members had no chance to touch that position, as long as it involved changes to that position, candidates with will for it needed to buy them off with interests.
After John Morgan came up, it would be twenty years before they could get buy-off benefits; who would make up for the missing piece of cake?
So despite John Morgan single-handedly managing star enterprises like General Aerospace, promoting General’s merger with Glenn Martin, and reaping huge benefits from cooperation with China in the Vietnam War, his becoming patriarch was still not secure.
John Morgan waved his hands repeatedly: “I’m willing to endure this hardship for a few more years.”
Of course, John Morgan was not without advantages; the Adams in the middle of his name was his greatest asset.
Secondly, Lin Ran; the professor’s support was also very important.
“Oh my god, look who this is.”
Fred personally came out to greet them with his son, his expression full of pride: the professor came to my event, not Lyndon Johnson’s, and certainly not Nixon’s.
“Professor, I can’t wait to introduce you to the guests present, and I also believe the guests present can’t wait to meet you.
During my time here, all the guests asked me the same question: Where is the professor? When is the professor arriving? Why hasn’t the professor come yet?”
Then he patted his son’s head: “Quickly, call him godfather.”
Lin Ran thought to himself, this guy really knows how to climb the pole; we haven’t even done the ceremony, I haven’t agreed, and you’re already having him call me godfather.
“Hello, godfather.” The young white youth looked bewildered, neither adoring nor dissatisfied, simply following his father’s instructions.
He was currently studying at the Wharton School of Business; because he had reached the age, he was considered suitable for service and was about to be sent to the Vietnam battlefield.
That’s right; if Fred were still a businessman, he would repeatedly escape the draft through injuries and illnesses.
First classified as Y- due to bone spurs, then granted a conditional medical exemption.
Then reclassified as 4-F, deemed unfit for service and permanently exempt from the draft.
But Fred had already entered politics and was thriving in it.
He was a rising star in New York.
Since that was the case, Fred, who was committed to building a T family, definitely could not let his son escape the draft and bear the stain of draft dodging.
In America, for politicians, especially those running for election, having served in the military was a big plus, and having been on the front lines made it even bigger.
If Fred wanted to build a political family like Hearst or Kennedy, his draft dodging would be equivalent to burying all hopes.
So fate took a turn here.
Fred’s son not only could not escape the draft but also had to go to the front lines.
Of course going to the front line, positions are also different; there are high risk low revenue, and low risk high revenue.
This is also why Fred today deliberately forced his son to call him godfather.
If you call him godfather, can the professor still watch you go to the Vietnam jungle to fight tree trunks?
