Chapter 204
Operation Eradicating the Roots
It was already dark when Zheng Yaoxian knocked on Zhao Ping'an's office door that day.
Zhao Ping'an was reading documents when he heard the door open and looked up. Zheng Yaoxian's expression was different from usual; there was a slight smile on his lips, but it was kept very low.
"Minister Zhao, the person is back."
Zhao Ping'an put down his pen and looked at him.
Zheng Yaoxian walked to his desk, pulled out a chair, sat down, poured himself a cup of tea, and took a sip.
"Lu Heshen is at his brother's house now."
Zhao Ping'an nodded, waiting for him to continue.
Zheng Yaoxian said, "After you told me about this last year, I had people start investigating."
First, confirm that this person exists—born in 1917, with a Master's degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Minnesota, he joined Curtiss in 1940 and transferred to Republic Aircraft Company in 1943. He worked at Republic for fourteen years and was then a senior engineer, having participated in the design of the P-47, F-84, and F-105.
Zhao Ping'an listened without saying a word. The system data showed that this person was not just these few. His future work was the benchmark for the American Navy to dominate the skies for an era—the F-14 Panda, the plane in Tom Cruise's Top Gun.
Zheng Yaoxian continued, "His brother, Lu Hefu, is a nuclear physics expert in China, and he's on Qian Xuesen's side."
We spoke with him through the organization. He was hesitant at first, but later he came to his senses and was willing to cooperate.
In March of this year, Lu Hefu wrote a letter to his younger brother, saying that their mother was unwell and wanted to see him.
Lu Heshen replied that he would return once his current project was completed.
In May, another letter arrived, confirming that I would return to China to visit relatives in June.
"We arranged for someone to pick him up when he entered the country. He's at his brother's house now, and everything is normal."
Zhao Pingan asked, "How's the persuasion going with his brother?"
Zheng Yaoxian said, "We are trying to persuade him. He has been in the United States for more than 20 years, and his career and family are all there."
This time, they seem genuinely want to fulfill their filial duties after coming back. But whether they should stay... is hard to say.
He paused.
"We have two plans. If we can persuade them, that would be best; if we can't, we'll detain them."
Zhao Ping'an nodded: "Let's try to persuade him first. Let his brother show us what China has developed in the last few years—hydrogen bombs, missiles, satellites, J-7 fighters. I can even give him some more advanced blueprints so he knows he can do great things when he comes back."
But we shouldn't let this key talent go back to the other side. He's just happened to be visiting relatives this time, and he brought his family with him, hasn't he?"
Zheng Yaoxian said, "Understood."
Zhao Pingan then asked, "By the way, what does he have at Republic Aircraft Company?"
Zheng Yaoxian said, "He was one of the core designers of the F-105 Thunder God."
That thing is a supersonic fighter-bomber with a large payload.
And then there's the whole system he carries in his head—over a decade of design experience, from the P-47 to the F-105.
Zhao Ping'an nodded.
"If this person stays, his experience can cultivate a large number of talents for our aviation industry, and at least save us 3 to 5 years in talent training."
Zhao Ping'an stood up again as usual, walked to the window, and turned his back to Zheng Yaoxian.
He looked at his reflection in the glass, and a thought flashed through his mind:
This man is the root of the F-14. He was in charge of designing the variable-sweep wing heavy carrier-based fighter that the Americans were developing in the late 1960s. He hasn't joined Grumman yet, and hasn't started working on that thing.
If we keep him, the F-14's foundation will be severed.
But these words cannot be spoken aloud.
He turned around and looked at Zheng Yaoxian.
"This was handled well. Keep a close eye on it and report back immediately if anything comes up. By the way, what about Lin Hua? How's the investigation going?" Zhao Ping'an began to press another person for answers.
In the system data,
Lin Hua was born in Beijing in 1918. At the age of 22, he graduated from Tsinghua University with a bachelor's degree.
In 1941, Lin Hua heard that American flight instructor Claire Chennault was recruiting a group of civilian pilots and mechanics, so he volunteered. With his exceptional knowledge, he became the chief engineer of the "Flying Tigers".
In 1943, Lin Hua went to the University of Michigan to study, and four years later he received his master's degree. During this time, Lin Hua became good friends with Liang Sili, a fellow Chinese student studying abroad.
从1956年起，林桦开始参与「民兵-1」「民兵-2、「民兵-3」弹道飞弹的研发。1984年，林桦在波音公司首席科学家的岗位上退休。
Zheng Yaoxian's expression remained unchanged, but his voice was lowered.
"As you instructed, we have taken action."
Zhao Pingan turned to look at Zheng Yaoxian.
Zheng Yaoxian said, "He lives in the suburbs of Seattle and drives to get off work every day. He had only been with that company for a short time."
Their lifestyle is regular, they don't have bodyguards for the time being, and their security is very lax.
On the 20th of last month, he worked overtime until late at night and was in a car accident on his way home.
He paused.
"A single-vehicle accident. The bike veered off the road and crashed into a tree. The person died instantly."
Zhao Ping'an remained silent.
Zheng Yaoxian said, "The local police investigated for three days and concluded that the accident was caused by driver fatigue."
No one suspected anything else. Boeing held a memorial service for him, which was attended by several hundred people.
The newspapers also published an obituary, praising him as an outstanding missile expert.
He picked up his teacup and took a sip.
We didn't tell Dr. Liang.
After some time, he will know that his old friend is gone, but he will never know how he died.
"Good, well done. The other two should also be checked quickly. Then proceed."
"yes!"
Zheng Yaoxian stood up, saluted, and turned to leave.
The door closed, and the office fell silent.
Zhao Ping'an sat alone at his desk.
The F-14's root was broken.
The militia missile's foundation has also been severed.
The next two are John Boyd and Donald Marvin, both pilots of the F-15 Eagle.
Zhao Pingan suddenly remembered something else.
In the 1960s, a person will be born in Taiwan, grow up to go to the United States, join Lockheed Martin, and become a core designer of the F-22 Raptor.
That child hasn't been born yet.
He looked out the window at the night sky and muttered to himself:
"In this lifetime, first cut off the Tomcat (F-14). Then cut off the Minuteman (missile) and the Eagle (F-15)."
If we ever retake Taiwan, the F-22's lifeline will be severed. I'd like to see what they can do then!