Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 795 Searching for Uranium and Graphite Resources, Gong Xiuneng Sends a Telegram for Help

Early May 1941.

The office of Fang Wen at the research institute was filled with smoke.

Fang Wen and two physicists discussed the feasibility of developing nuclear weapons.

The dream of three men was to build a super bomb and end the war through its terrifying deterrent power.

As Jiang Wenjin and Pavle Savage chatted and got excited, they smoked one cigarette after another, relying on the dopamine stimulation produced by nicotine to maintain their energy.

Fang Wen held an unlit cigarette between his fingers, his gaze fixed on the reaction equations written on the table, and he had a slight headache.

He couldn't understand it!

This is not ordinary knowledge; it is far more complex than mechanical structures.

"Let me first talk about the research progress in Europe," he said.

Pavle Savage cleared his throat. He had been Marie Curie's assistant and knew far better than laymen about the research processes and secrets of his European colleagues.

“Mr. Fang, Mr. Jiang, the nuclear weapons we are developing are not just wishful thinking; they have a solid scientific basis. However, this path is more difficult and dangerous than we imagine. When I worked with Marie Curie in Paris, I was exposed to the radioactivity of uranium. At that time, we only knew that it could release invisible rays, but we never thought that it contained the power to destroy everything.”

He paused, his fingertip tracing the simple shape of a uranium nucleus drawn on the paper in front of Fang Wen, and continued, "It all started in late 1938. Hahn and Strassmann in Germany were conducting uranium bombardment experiments in their laboratory when they unexpectedly discovered a strange phenomenon—when a uranium nucleus was struck by a neutron, it split into two smaller nuclei, like one pebble breaking another, and this process released enormous amounts of energy. At first, they couldn't believe it and verified it countless times before daring to announce their discovery."

"I obtained their experimental report through connections as soon as possible, which completely overturned my understanding of atomic science. Later, Professors Meitner and Frisch provided a theoretical explanation for this phenomenon, calling the process 'nuclear fission.' Just like cell division, after uranium nuclei fission, not only is energy released, but excess neutrons are also ejected."

At this point, Pavly's tone became serious, and a hint of awe appeared in his eyes: "This is the key point. Let me give you an example. A neutron strikes a uranium nucleus, causing it to fission. After fission, it releases two or three neutrons. These new neutrons then strike other uranium nuclei, causing them to fission as well, releasing even more neutrons... This cycle continues, forming a continuous and increasingly violent reaction, which is what we call a 'chain reaction'."

"When I was in Europe, I had exchanges with Bohr and Fermi. In the first half of 1939, Mr. Bohr and Mr. Wheeler published a paper that calculated all the details in detail. They found that not all uranium can easily undergo fission. Uranium-235 is more likely to be fissioned by neutron bombardment than uranium-238, and slow neutrons are more effective than fast neutrons. More importantly, they concluded that as long as there is a sufficient amount of uranium, coupled with a suitable 'moderator,' this chain reaction can be stabilized and made controllable; but if it is not controlled properly and the reaction is allowed to erupt uncontrollably, the energy released is enough to destroy a city."

"During her lifetime, Marie Curie led us in related experiments. We tried to use graphite as a moderator to slow down the neutrons and make them more likely to collide with uranium nuclei. Although we had not yet achieved a complete chain reaction, the experimental data proved that this direction was entirely feasible. There was also Mr. Joliot-Curie, who was also studying how to control the chain reaction and prevent it from getting out of control. However, as the war in Europe intensified, many laboratories were forced to close, and many of his colleagues either went into exile or were controlled by the Nazis, and the research came to a standstill."

He looked at Fang Wen and Jiang Wenjin, his tone earnest yet resolute: "Mr. Fang, your idea of ​​ending the war with this super bomb coincides with ours as physicists. But we must be clear that what we know now are only theories and preliminary experimental conclusions—we know that a chain reaction can be achieved, and that it can release enormous energy, but how to obtain enough high-purity uranium, how to find the most suitable moderator, how to control the reaction from getting out of control, and how to turn this reaction into a dropable bomb—there are still countless problems waiting for us."

"But one thing is certain, this is not a pipe dream. Since 1939, the top physicists in Europe have been focused on this matter. Everyone knows that whoever masters it first will have the power to end the war. The reason I am here to discuss this with you is because I have personally seen those experimental data and heard the discussions of my colleagues. I know that as long as we take it step by step and turn theory into practice, this super bomb will definitely be built."

Pavle Savage's lengthy discourse gave Fang Wen a better understanding of nuclear technology in this era.

In fact, many scientists already understand that this technology has the power to destroy everything.

Germany, in particular, as the country that first discovered this technology, has actually been quietly conducting related experiments.

Ultimately, the United States succeeded because many scientists supported them in carrying out that project.

Is Taishan able to master this devastating technology ahead of time because of some of his future memories?

No, that's not enough. We need more relevant technical personnel and reserves of resources in the early stages.

Atomic bombs require large quantities of uranium ore for purification, as well as heavy water.

Wait a minute, Fang Wen suddenly realized a problem with a piece of knowledge he remembered.

Heavy water was used as a moderator in future atomic bombs, but the atomic bomb in the Manhattan Project seems to have used graphite.

To determine the answer to this question, he consulted Pavle Savage.

Pavle Savage replied:

"Both are acceptable. Both are materials that have been verified by our European counterparts and can achieve the slowing effect. We can choose one of them."

"Graphite's advantages lie in its easy availability, lower cost, and relatively low purification difficulty. In our laboratory in Paris, we created a preliminary experimental model using ordinary graphite through simple purification, and the results were very satisfactory. Heavy water, on the other hand, has a better moderating effect than graphite, which can more efficiently slow down neutron speeds and make chain reactions easier to maintain. However, it has a fatal flaw: it is extremely rare. Currently, only the Vermok plant in Norway has the capacity to produce it, and the monthly output is only a dozen kilograms. It was also strictly controlled by the Nazis, making it extremely difficult to obtain."

"So from a practical point of view, graphite is a more feasible option for us; however, if we can obtain enough heavy water through special channels, it will greatly accelerate our research progress. Therefore, they are two optional paths to achieve a controllable chain reaction, rather than having both at the same time. As long as we master one of them, and add enough natural uranium, along with precise engineering design, we can turn the theoretical chain reaction into reality."

After listening to Pavle Savage, Fang Wen nodded.

"Alright, I know what to do. First, secure the uranium resources and high-quality graphite. I'll figure something out. You guys work on the design of the reaction equipment. Okay, meeting adjourned."

Pavle Savage and Jiang Wenjin got up to leave. As the meeting ended, they both felt deeply tired and needed to go back and get some rest.

After they left, Zhao Junping came in, opened the window, and ventilated the office, which was filled with the smell of smoke.

Fang Wen nodded as he wrote down the supplies that needed to be prepared, and subconsciously said, "Gong Xiuneng, send this to headquarters and have them investigate where these resources are available."

"General Manager, I am Zhao Junping."

Fang Wen looked up at Zhao Junping and smiled, "I misspoke, don't mind me, Xiao Zhao, I'm used to it. Go and send the telegram."

Zhao Junping left with the note, and Fang Wen couldn't help but wonder what had happened to Gong Xiu. He had been gone for a month and hadn't returned yet.

Located in China, on the eastern edge of Tibet, near the foothills of the Qinling Mountains, in the Nyainqêntanglha Valley.

This is a remote and dangerous place where Tibetan and Han areas meet. The peaks are as sharp as if cut by a knife, and the deep valleys hide cold ravines, which are eroded by wind and snow all year round.

Only a mani stone pile and weathered prayer flags at the bottom of the valley prove that someone once set foot in this desolate place.

The mountains are high and the valleys are deep, the trees are towering, and the wind blows, the pine trees rustling with cold as they rush past, and the distant howls of wolves can be heard mixed in with the sound of the wind.

Even the local Tibetans are reluctant to venture into the "Ghost's Sorrow," which is said to contain the secrets of the ancient Bon religion and a deep abyss that devours life.

Gong Xiuneng helped his nearly seventy-year-old master huddle in a half-collapsed ancient Bon temple ruin.

The watchtower's walls were built of dark blue-green stone slabs, and the exterior had collapsed, leaving only a small hole in the cliff face for entry. If the master and apprentice hadn't discovered it by chance during their escape, they wouldn't have come here to hide.

Master Jingyuan's face was sallow, with faint traces of blood at the corners of his mouth, and his cloudy eyes were filled with regret.

His thin, bony hand tightly gripped a palm-sized wooden box, its surface engraved with intricate Tibetan scriptures, its edges inlaid with several dark yellow turquoise stones, and the grooves still bearing traces of undried soil.

This is the secret treasure they risked their lives to find: the "Brahma Jade Box" from the ancient Bon religion and Tibetan Buddhism period in Tibet.

The wooden box did not contain gold or silver jewelry, but a mutton-fat jade disc engraved with the Bon totem "Yungdrung symbol". Legend has it that this jade disc was a sacred object used by the Bon ancestors in ancient times when they worshipped the "Mountain God Bonpo". It could communicate with heaven and earth and protect the region. Later, with the integration of Bon and Tibetan Buddhism, the jade disc was sealed in the Brahma Jade Box and hidden under the ancient watchtower in Nyainqêntanglha Valley. Only those who have mastered the secret oral instructions of Bon can find and open the jade box.

Master Jingyuan only learned of this secret during his travels in this area. For his disciple's sake, he and his disciple came here and, after many hardships, finally obtained the item. All of this was for his disciple's boss.

"Cough...cough..." Master Jingyuan coughed violently, "Xiuneng, Master was wrong...terribly wrong..."

He raised his head, his cloudy gaze falling on Gong Xiuneng's face, filled with guilt and self-reproach. "I shouldn't have been greedy for a moment, and I shouldn't have brought you to this godforsaken place... We've found the Brahma Jade Box, but what use is it now?"

Gong Xiuneng gripped his master's cold hand tightly, his face filled with sorrow: "Master, I know you did this for me, wanting to give this treasure to my boss so he could have a life of wealth and luxury. Hold on, I will definitely be able to get you out of here."

Master Jingyuan shook his head and sighed, "Get out? How can we get out? It's easy to get into Nianqingdawa Valley, but hard to get out. Those people outside are numerous and powerful, and they know the terrain well. As long as they don't leave, we'll be trapped here until we starve to death."

As he spoke, he looked at the scriptures on the wooden box in his hand, his tone full of regret, "I should have realized that this treasure held too many dangers. Legend has it that the Brahma Jade Box is not something that ordinary people can obtain, but I did not believe it."

At that moment, faint voices could be heard from the top of the cliff.

The two immediately fell silent.

Their conversation, a mix of Tibetan and Chinese, drew ever closer.

"Master, they're here." Gong Xiuneng lowered his voice and gripped the Tibetan knife at his waist. He had taken it from the enemy during his escape, and the scabbard was engraved with the totem of the Bon religion. It was extremely sharp.

Suddenly, the sounds disappeared.

The master and apprentice were nervous; had they been discovered?

But that's not the case.

The people on the cliff top were greeted by the mastermind behind the scenes.

The translator beside the man shouted, "Mr. Hunter said that if we want to get the bounty, we have to find the person and the item."

The leader said coldly, "Money is useless here. I need weapons. Only with guns can I become the king here."

"The weapons are still on their way and will take time to arrive, don't worry," the translator explained.

"No, it must be sent as soon as possible, otherwise we will abandon the search."

The translator whispered to the man, then said, “Well, Mr. Hunter said to send a telegram over there now to urge them to hurry. But there’s no signal relay station here, so a high-powered transmitting antenna has to be set up, which won’t be ready until the afternoon.”

"Alright, hurry up," the leader said.

Gong Xiu was overjoyed to hear this.

He was glad that he had learned telegraph technology from his boss.

If we sneak over tonight and use the enemy's radio to send a message to the boss for help, we might have a chance to escape.

Night falls at the base in northern Myanmar.

Fang Wen, who had already returned to his residence to rest, heard a knock on the door.

"General Manager, the headquarters in Yangon has sent a reply."

Fang Wen sat up, got out of bed, opened the door, and took the telegram from Zhao Junping.

It has now been confirmed that the Shincolombe mine in the Belgian Congo contains uranium ore.

The telegram also contained information on other uranium resources.

The Joachimstad mine in Czechoslovakia, the source of radium for Marie Curie, has been occupied by Germany.

The Eldorado mine in Big Bear Lake, Canada, has been nationalized and is not for sale.

There is also a mining site in the Colorado Plateau region of the United States, but it is very difficult to mine.

After reading this, Fang Wen searched for relevant information in his future memories.

He then showed a surprised expression.

The Shinkolobwe mine in the Belgian Congo contains 65% uranium.

Other mineral sources contain only 0.1-1% uranium.

Wow, the uranium mines in Congo have such a high uranium content!

This became Fang Wen's first choice for obtaining uranium resources.

He continued reading.

The Belgian government-in-exile has fled to the United States, and the Congo region, as an overseas colony, has been handed over to the United States for development and protection.

This place is located in Central Africa and has not been affected by the war.

Fang Wen thought he should first have the US branch contact the Belgian government-in-exile to see if there was a way to directly purchase uranium ore.

He then continued reading the telegram.

Regarding graphite, intelligence indicates that both the US and the USSR produced large quantities of high-purity graphite, with European production primarily coming from Austria.

Asia also has graphite mines. In Datong, Shanxi, there is a black lead plant built by the Japanese that produces 4-5 tons per day, all of which is shipped back to Japan for processing high-end military equipment.

Immediately, Fang Wen decided to set his sights on the Datong Black Lead Factory in China.

After reading the telegram, Fang Wen also had a target for action.

He plans to begin implementing the plan tomorrow.

Just then, someone knocked on the door again.

Zhao Junping said urgently, "General Manager, Brother Gong has sent a telegram for help. Please take a look."

Upon hearing this, Fang Wen quickly got up, opened the door, and took the telegram to check it. (End of Chapter)