Chapter 63: A Very Special Method
John fell into the same fog as Chen Jingrun, not knowing which was Lin Ran’s true face.
He hesitated: “Professor Lin, are you working for China?”
Lin Ran shook his head: “Of course not.
China is my homeland. I hope to help them develop in this way.
I know that you once helped Chinese scientists transport nuclear physics experimental equipment back to China, so I guess you would be willing to help me with this.
You know, with Rockefeller Foundation sponsorship and the salary Columbia University pays me, I don’t lack money. I hope to help China’s research personnel in this way.
I hope to help China make progress in technology, and let Chinese citizens have a better life through technological progress.
I wonder if you have heard of the Cultural China concept I proposed.”
Lin Ran briefly explained the concept he proposed, then continued: “Chinese people and I have the same skin color, the same culture in our minds.”
The Chinese Internet did not exaggerate John George Qu Runpu’s help to China’s nuclear physics; it may even have omissions.
Zhao Zhongyao’s goal during his time at MIT was to learn the power generation and acceleration tube manufacturing technology of the electrostatic accelerator. He needed access to core information, experimental equipment, and ways to purchase key components.
John not only allowed Zhao Zhongyao free use of the laboratory’s information and equipment, but also provided multifaceted assistance, including opening all the laboratory’s resources to Zhao Zhongyao and personally solving technical problems for him.
What later generations’ Chinese Internet most relish is that the laboratory had an old atmospheric proton electrostatic accelerator about to be decommissioned; he listed it as “scrap” and provided it to Zhao Zhongyao free of charge for experiments and research.
Not only that, he also used his connections and relationships to help Zhao Zhongyao contact factories that could produce accelerator components, solving procurement difficulties.
Later, when Zhao Zhongyao brought equipment, key components, and books back to China, he was detained in Yokohama, Japan, and even briefly imprisoned in Sugamo Prison, and the other party provided support.
It is worth noting that at that time point in 1950, which was a sensitive time, it was not easy for John to make such a statement.
Of course, this is a matter of the other party’s attitude. John showed his friendliness toward China and willingness to help China through his attitude.
Lin Ran chose the other party, and an important point is ability.
John did this, and during the five years from 1950 to 1955 when McCarthy was prevalent, he was not investigated. After China’s atomic bomb success in 1964, he was also not investigated.
It is worth noting that even without direct evidence, Dean Qian encountered various investigations simply because of suspected sympathy.
And John directly participated in helping Chinese physicists, from theoretical knowledge learning to equipment manufacturing to equipment transport back, fully involved, yet he was not subjected to any investigation or harassment.
He steadily served as a professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology until retirement. This fully demonstrates John George Qu Runpu’s ability and connections.
Willingness, ability, connections—these are the most important reasons Lin Ran found the other party and hoped he could help.
Seeing John George still thinking, Lin Ran continued: “Professor, the academic journals needed are limited to the academic field. I completely trust you on this; you can vet them.
If the money from Fred’s side is not enough, tell me, and I will find a way to make up the difference for you later.”
Lin Ran’s meaning is that he wants none of the proceeds from cooperation with Fred; all the money is handed over to John to handle, with John responsible for purchasing academic journals, how many to buy, how to transport them back to China, and how much it costs—all by John.
This is absolute trust in the other party’s character.
John thought for a moment, then looked at the other party with bright eyes: “Lin, you trust me a bit too much. What makes you think I can do it?”
Lin Ran smiled wryly: “Maybe it’s the mathematician’s intuition.
My intuition tells me that you are trustworthy.”
He couldn’t say he knew history.
On the contrary, this kind of answer was convincing enough. At least on the surface, John believed it.
“Alright, alright.
Regarding sending academic journals to China, there are above-board methods, some gray-area methods, and of course one very special method.
Let me first explain the above-board method.
The first is to communicate with the Chinese side, let NAS and Chinese science-related organizations establish a communication channel, and send Western academic journals to China through the communication channel.”
This NAS is not that NAS; here NAS is America’s National Academy of Sciences.
Lin Ran asked doubtfully: “Is this feasible?”
John explained: “Whether this is feasible depends on China. I believe America would be happy to sign such a cooperation agreement, but I’m not sure if China would be willing to sign.
In 1956, NAS established the America-Soviet Union Science and Technology Cooperation Committee, and two years later, both sides signed the Lacy-Zarubin Agreement for scientific and technological exchange to exchange scientific publications.
If the Chinese side is willing to sign, I am confident I can push the American side.
Considering that China and America have not yet established diplomatic relations, this will also be a problem, but it can be attempted.
The second is to seek Rockefeller Foundation sponsorship to establish an America-China Academic Exchange Committee, then send academic journals to the Chinese side through this academic exchange committee.
The above-board methods are all similar; the journals that can be sent are very limited, and there are many restrictions.
The gray area is to transship through Hong Kong, Yokohama, and other places to get the journals there.
If you choose the above-board route, then wanting to go the gray area route will sharply increase the risk.
At least I would not be suitable to help you with this matter anymore.”
The methods John proposed made Lin Ran realize that the other party might be someone who specializes in this; he knew it inside out.
Like the science and technology cooperation agreement signed between the Russians and America—openly fighting to the death with the Americans, yet you still have to take others’ academic journals; as for your own, never mind, and even stop supplying China with chewed-up second-hand goods.
Lin Ran thought the Russians were a bit too despicable.
“Didn’t you just say there is a third one?”
John said seriously at this time: “The third has the best effect, but if you plan to take the third, you need to think it through.
A certain IA has something called Project Mockingbird, aimed at using this project to bribe global reporters and institutions to collect intelligence, even fabricating fake intelligence to mislead hostile countries.
You know, America has always wanted to interfere with China’s atomic bomb research and development process.
Tell them to specifically mail journals containing erroneous data to Chinese research personnel, which can effectively interfere with China’s nuclear tests.”
