The expeditionary force began to dominate Southeast Asia by recruiting defeated soldiers

As the leader of the nuclear physics expert team sent by Gaul, Professor Pierre is from the Chundu Radium Institute, while other members are from famous institutions such as Chundu Higher Normal School and Comprehensive Polytechnic Institute.

Among these disciples of Madame Curie, there are even several future Nobel Prize winners, who were now brought to Southeast Asia by Zhang Chi for free to participate in nuclear engineering.

Originally, they came here with arrogance, thinking that these Chinese in Southeast Asia dared to develop an atomic bomb based on just a little bit of data and drawings stolen from the White Eagle?

Let our proud Gaulish master teach you what theoretical physics is!

However, after a few days of contact, Professor Pierre had to admit that Nanyang really did not take advantage of Gaul.

On the contrary, in this cooperation between South China and Gaul, Gaul was the one that had to cling to Nanyang and ask for help.

"General Zhang Chi... this... this 'calculator'... what's the principle behind it? This speed and stability are definitely beyond the reach of vacuum tubes."

Zhang Chi sat aside, leisurely sipping the iced floral tea, and said with a smile:

"Professor Pierre, this involves some brand-new semiconductor material technology, which we call 'transistors.' Our engineers will provide your research team with basic information on its specific principles later."

We will gladly sell this equipment to Gaul as long as it is needed. For now, it is just a tool to help us get to the heart of nuclear fission more quickly."

Of course, what is sold to Gaul must be a reduced-specification version, and the price will be inflated to offset the payment for the purchase of high-grade uranium ore.

Professor Pierre scratched his head. He was a theoretical physicist and didn't know much about electronic engineering.

But he knew that this supercomputer would bring about a qualitative change in theoretical work in the future.

Did these Orientals encounter aliens? Isn't this progress too fast?

In addition to this transistor computer, Professor Pierre looked at the two schematic diagrams of the super bomb structure pinned above the blackboard and felt confused.

Those were drawn by Zhang Chi based on his memory. One was gun-style (little boy) and the other was implosion-style (fat man).

When Gallic scientists had just verified the existence of chain reactions, people in Nanyang had even figured out the basic structure of a super bomb!

Pierre didn't believe that the security loopholes in White Eagle's R&D work were so big that even the prototype drawings could be lost. This could only be something that Nanyang had researched on its own.

Nanyang’s scientific research capabilities are so terrifying!

At this moment, Pierre, who was slapped in the face by reality, completely put away his little white pride and became a humble collaborator.

The young commander-in-chief put down his teacup and signaled Chen Jing with his eyes.

The latter walked to the blackboard, picked up the chalk, and circled a key parameter: "Look here, the simulation results of the neutron flux density. With the help of 'Pangu', our previously estimated critical mass needs to be recalibrated.

Combined with the analysis of ore samples shipped from Niger, we can have a more accurate estimate of the efficiency of U-235 extraction and the total amount required."

He looked at the other person and asked, "Xiao He, how is the assembly progress of the centrifuge prototype you are in charge of?"

The young doctor's eyes flashed with enthusiasm: "The third set of prototypes has completed static testing and can begin joint test operation next week.

If successful, the separation efficiency will be several times higher than the theoretical value of the existing gas diffusion method. We are confident that we will be able to obtain a 100-gram sample of highly enriched U-235 by the middle of 2045."

Zhang Chi nodded with satisfaction.

Little Boy contained approximately 64kg of enriched uranium-235, but less than 1kg of that underwent nuclear fission during the explosion. Chen Jing had mentioned that, with the help of high-precision calculations performed by Pangu-1 and the use of a gun-type detonation principle, it was possible to reduce the amount of uranium-235 required by approximately 10kg.

In this way, as long as the number of centrifuges and power generation keep up, it is entirely possible to test a domestically produced atomic bomb within a few years and completely master nuclear energy.

Historically, after White Eagle bombed Japan in 45, Russia also mastered nuclear weapons in 49. John, with the help of White Eagle, a father or son, tested it in 52. Gaul was in a worse situation, relying entirely on himself, and had to wait until 60. As for Rabbit, it had to wait until 64.

Zhang Chi went over the required list again in his mind.

Uranium ore? Niger has an endless supply.

Theory? He and the synth Chen Jing have the knowledge of later generations as a beacon to guide their direction.

Computing tools? Transistor computers are rapidly iterating.

Project realization? He gathered the best engineering talents in Nanyang, and with the ability to exchange industrial exchange vouchers for urgently needed subsystem production lines from the system, the progress was far ahead of the times.

The cooperation with Gaul brought in valuable theoretical physics talents and some experimental equipment.

As for electricity? A new large-scale hydroelectric power station is being built on the upper reaches of the Irrawaddy River, a true national super project. Yegorov, the White Eagle's white glove, even helped purchase several large thermal power generation facilities.

These are the very foundations that gave him the confidence to launch the "South China Manhattan Project." He borrowed the Gallic chickens to lay his own eggs, and used techniques that transcended his time to rapidly ascend to the ultimate path.

According to Chen Jing's optimistic estimate, it is entirely possible that Nanyang would test its first super bomb before Russia, between 47 and 48.

This means that you still have to spend gold in the system to exchange for nuclear bombs in order to follow White Eagle and bomb the Japanese again before they surrender.

And then, by 47-48, Nanyang will become the world's second true nuclear power.

Became a pole in the Cold War.

At this time, Zhang Guangsong, the chief secretary and future Nanyang Cabinet assistant appointed by Zhang Chi (those two words are sensitive), walked in quickly and whispered in Zhang Chi's ear:

"Commander-in-Chief, I have just received a secret telegram from General Gauldai confirming that the ore fleet has passed through the Suez Canal and is expected to arrive in Rangoon next month. In addition, Director Jin has something to report to you."

Zhang Chi nodded and said nothing more.

Zhang Guangsong hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help asking:

"Commander-in-Chief, we're playing both sides like this... cooperating with Gaul on the nuclear program, and supporting White Eagle and Big Russia against John and Gaul on the issue of colonial independence... won't that really backfire on us?

Especially the White Eagles, if they knew we were also working on nuclear bombs..."

Zhang Chi looked out the window at the busy scene in the base. In the distance, the mountains were undulating, like a dormant dragon.

Is this the dragon vein that the ancients talked about that is related to the country’s destiny?

The corners of his mouth turned up, revealing a meaningful smile: "Guangsong, do you remember what I said at the military academy?"

"When a country is weak, swaying at the mercy of the wind is a sin. But when it wields the power to shake the world—" Zhang Chi's voice carried the confidence of someone who controls the future, "its swaying is no longer a weakness, but... a vital point of united front value!"

He turned around, his eyes piercing:

"The White Eagles need us to contain John in Southeast Asia and counter possible Red infiltration; Russia needs us to exchange resources with them in the East; John and Gaul resent our support for colonial independence, but they are wary of our military might and potential technology... And once we cultivate the 'Tao' in our hands, they will have to weigh the cost of offending us even more."

"They'll scramble to win us over, asking us to 'stand up'. Because if we don't win us over, we might sway with their opponents, or even... become chess players ourselves!"

Zhang Chi's tone was firm: "So, speed up the progress. You must coordinate manpower, material resources, and money. Nuclear fission is the way, the cornerstone. Ultra-long-range rockets (long-range ballistic missiles) are the spear, the deterrent.

When our 'Tao' and 'Spear' are sharp enough, no one will dare to ignore the voice of Nanyang. At that time, we will not need to be bound by anyone; we will become an independent force that must be taken seriously by everyone!