A Journey Through the Flames of War in the Republican Era

Springtime, afternoon.

Langshan Mountain, on the eastern outskirts of Nanjing.

Falkenhausen and Neviger received instructions from the Führer to secretly visit the Wolf Mountain Ballistics Research Institute, their purpose, of course, being to obtain the Ordnance Department's computers.

This is an electromechanical computer that uses a large number of relays, vacuum tubes and mechanical gears. It is quite large and occupies a large corner of a room.

Rows of wires are interconnected, and several punched paper tapes are input and read under the drive of the mechanical structure, with indicator lights of various colors flashing continuously.

Falkenhausen and Neviger were utterly awestruck, their eyes glued to the whirring modern machine. This was the first time they had ever seen this world-class modern computer in person. They already knew that the Chinese Ordnance Bureau used it for calculus, gun mechanics, and ballistic calculations, but they had never actually seen what a computer looked like.

Yu Dawei, director of the Ordnance Department, explained, "Our 'Shuguang-1' has been continuously iterating and improving, and it can stably maintain an addition operation time of less than 0.2 seconds each time. Currently, we are conducting technical trials on full electronic, binary, and programmable technologies, and this design is extremely groundbreaking in the world."

Falkenhausen exclaimed in admiration, “You are at the forefront of the world in this regard. The Führer has specifically instructed me to seek your help with the utmost sincerity.”

“Welcome! We have always been the closest partners.” Yu Dawei was pleasantly surprised and said happily.

He humbly stated, "We are still very weak in modern basic scientific research, as well as in the research and production of machinery, industry, and electronic components. We earnestly hope to conduct in-depth cooperation with your country, exchange resources, and learn from each other's strengths to make up for our weaknesses."

Falkenhausen also said with delight, "I believe our cooperation will bring a very bright future to both of us."

“Your achievements are remarkable.” He pointed to the running computer and said, “In this respect, you are the teachers, and we have to learn from you.”

“You have top-notch experts.” Falkenhausen then looked at Song Hongfei and said, “Your doctoral dissertation, ‘Logic Symbol Analysis of Binary and Switching Circuits,’ has opened up a new era in the development of modern electronic technology and led the trend of modern science and technology. It can be said to have shocked the world.”

“Of course, I myself didn’t understand your paper either,” he paused and then said, “but that’s what our experts said.”

Yu Dawei, Song Hongfei, and the German advisory group all burst into laughter.

Falkenhausen looked at Song Hongfei and said, "Colonel Song, our experts have another question they urgently need to answer."

Seeing the glint in Falkenhausen's eyes, Song Hongfei immediately knew that he had come with good intentions and that his question was not unintentional. So he smiled and said, "General, please speak freely."

Falkenhausen looked thoughtful and said, "Regarding the Enigma machine's vulnerability that 'a single letter encrypted with a letter will never be itself,' Colonel Song's method of cracking it is based on using a large number of interconnected computers, with the output of one computer serving as the input of the next for parallel computation. It is indeed very ingenious and sophisticated, but also extremely difficult to understand."

He continued slowly, "Our country's experts don't know much about computers, and since we don't have computers in our country, it's even more difficult to have an intuitive understanding without seeing a real one. The experts have been studying it for a long time but still can't figure it out. Please forgive my frankness, but this is one of the reasons why we came here today to visit this amazing computer. Colonel Song, could you please enlighten us and let us see it, so as to resolve our doubts?"

Nevigel, the communications expert standing nearby, was already listening intently without making a sound.

Upon hearing this, Yu Dawei's heart stirred.

Falkenhausen appeared calm and composed, and his words seemed reasonable. On the surface, he was humbly seeking advice and proposing to verify the feasibility of the computer cracking method.

But seeing his nonchalant demeanor, Yu Dawei was already certain that his true intentions went beyond that, and couldn't help but secretly admire General Falkenhausen's shrewdness and experience.

Song Hongfei calmly replied, "Our country is extremely short of funds. It was already very difficult to raise enough money to build this computer. We have no resources left to build more. You can't cook without rice. I am also very sorry that, as you can see, due to the limitations of the conditions, we cannot demonstrate the method of cracking the multi-machine parallel connection."

Falkenhausen remained calm and nodded, saying, "I have also heard that some high-ranking officials in the Nationalist government have expressed their dissatisfaction with the enormous cost."

Yu Dawei and Song Hongfei could only manage a wry smile.

Yu Dawei laughed and said, "We have an old saying that even a hero can be brought down by a penny. Now that electronic technology has improved, even electricity bills are skyrocketing."

Falkenhausen glanced at Yu Dawei and Song Hongfei and smiled, "If they knew that this amazing computer had such incredible power, they would probably exclaim that it was well worth the money."

Falkenhausen used the word "magic" twice in a row. Seeing the flicker in his eyes, Song Hongfei felt a jolt. The words gave him a sense of knowing something himself, or perhaps it was just his own preconceived notion. Song Hongfei couldn't determine whether Falkenhausen's words were a double entendre or had some hidden meaning.

Song Hongfei remained calm and composed, saying, "If the hardware isn't enough, we'll make up for it with software. Although we can't demonstrate it with a physical device right now, we can still simulate the principle of parallel computing on a single machine by writing a program."

"Oh?" Falkenhausen and Neviger were not quite sure what was going on, but they were very interested.

Song Hongfei explained the algorithm's principles in detail, and everyone present listened attentively, nodding in approval with expressions of sudden understanding. Even Yu Dawei was learning for the first time that there could be such an ingenious method.

Falkenhausen smiled and said, "I have to admit that I didn't understand such advanced technology, but—I'm sure our experts will be very interested."

Everyone burst into knowing laughter.

Yu Dawei and Song Hongfei both understood that the Germans had expressed a strong desire for deeper cooperation.

The setting sun was slowly sinking in the west, and the afterglow painted the sky with a splendid color, reflecting on the forests in the mountains, making it as beautiful and enchanting as a fairyland.

Sitting on the train back to town, Falkenhausen seemed to be lost in thought, with no interest in appreciating the beautiful spring scenery.

Back at the German advisory group's residence, Falkenhausen carefully recalled what he had seen and heard that day, and after much deliberation, he finally spoke: "I think we may already know where their intelligence came from."

Nevigel's heart skipped a beat. Recalling what he had seen and heard today, he was still somewhat puzzled. He could only shake his head with a wry smile and say, "General, I don't understand."

“Multiple machines in parallel,” Falkenhausen pondered, then slowly said, “They only have one computer. There is only one country in the world with multiple computers.”

Nevigel seemed to understand something.

Falkenhausen said, "Judging from his familiarity and thoroughness, it doesn't seem like something he came up with in isolation or through unrealistic daydreams. It must have been the result of a long period of in-depth research, meticulous logical deduction, and rigorous verification."

Nevigel nodded in agreement, secretly admiring Falkenhausen's keen insight and exceptional wisdom.

The first civilian version of the Enigma machine was introduced to many countries, so it's quite normal that it was thoroughly studied. However, the internal structure and operating rules of the military version were leaked by an internal mole, leading to the code being cracked. In recent years, with Germany's rapid rise under Nazi leadership, it's reasonable to understand the cooperation and intelligence sharing among the Allied powers, the victors of World War I.

This was indeed a very reasonable deduction, and Neviger understood the key point.

But how did China in the Far East get involved? When did China, which has always been looked down upon by the West, become so friendly with the great powers? Although China has cooperated with various countries on military purchases in recent years, how could the relationship be so deep? And why would they reveal this?

This was also a question that puzzled Falkenhausen and Neviger.

After a long pause, Nevigel said, "It makes perfect sense. But—we can't be sure yet."

Falkenhausen smiled wryly and nodded, saying, "This is not evidence, but it is an extremely important clue. We can deduce the attitudes and positions of other countries from it. This is of great importance and can affect our country's diplomatic strategy and deployment. The Führer will have his own analysis and judgment. You take notes—I will draft a telegram for the Führer."

Nevigel replied solemnly, "Yes! I understand!"

Yu Dawei looked at Song Hongfei with bright eyes and said, "I should address you as Director Song."

Song Hongfei asked in surprise, "Why would you say that?"

Yu Dawei laughed heartily: "The Strategic Deception Bureau, Director Song!"

Song Hongfei said awkwardly, "Director Yu, please don't joke."

Yu Dawei laughed and said, "Truth and falsehood, reality and illusion, are the hardest things to tell. If I hadn't known everything from beginning to end, I would have been fooled by you too. Director Song is brilliant!"

Song Hongfei also laughed and said, "Warfare is based on deception."

Yu Dawei added, "I'm still a little worried. This matter must be handled carefully and properly to avoid causing international repercussions or diplomatic setbacks."

“I understand,” Song Hongfei nodded and said, “It has been repeatedly simulated.”

He suddenly revealed a sly smile and said, "What did we say to them? We didn't say anything! Even if they want to investigate, they won't find anything. They can neither confirm nor disprove it. It's all just their speculation."

Yu Dawei chuckled, then sighed solemnly, "I'm so glad you're not Japanese!"

He then added, “I’m sure the Germans understand what we’re trying to say: we are not helpless minnows, nor are we the only ones on our ship. We have the right and the possibility to choose between the major powers of Britain, France, the United States, and the Soviet Union. I think Hitler is not unaware of this.”

Song Hongfei nodded solemnly.

Strategic maneuvering and diplomacy are the core principles by which China navigates among the great powers, ensuring that each side clearly understands that China has the leverage to negotiate with them.

Yu Dawei looked at Song Hongfei and said, "You've really worked hard these past few days. Your mother came to Beijing from Shanghai during the Spring Festival and kept saying you looked thinner. I'm so happy to see you today. Come to my house later and I'll have your wife cook you some good dishes."

During the Spring Festival, Song Hongfei did not return to Shanghai; instead, his mother and sister came to Nanjing to visit him. To his mother's surprise, just as Song Hongfei's father had predicted, many well-informed high-ranking officials and dignitaries, each accompanied by their wives, came to visit, making Song Hongfei somewhat embarrassed.

Yu Dawei laughed again, "I heard that you were supposed to go on a blind date during the Spring Festival, but you couldn't get away and it was delayed."

Song Hongfei was taken aback and asked in surprise, "Commander Yu even knows this?"

Yu Dawei laughed and said, "Madame Chiang called to ask if you were really too busy to come or if you just didn't care. Do you think I couldn't tell from her words?"

He added, “These past few months you’ve been busy with infantry-tank coordination and troop training, as well as working at the ballistics institute on computer and intermediate-power ammunition development. You’ve been running around doing all sorts of things, but we’re really short of talent and can’t do without you. I’m very sorry about that. You also need to focus on your important life event. Things here can be put on hold for now. Take some time to go back and see him.”

Song Hongfei nodded, thinking that things had been agreed upon several times already, and this was putting the girl's side in a difficult position. He should go back and meet her.

"Your sister-in-law even blamed me for this!" Yu Dawei laughed again. "Yes, she also wanted to make arrangements for you. To be honest, quite a few ladies have asked her to do so. I said that the eldest son of the Song family is getting married, which is such a big deal. How dare we make decisions on our own? You go back and meet her, and I can go back and give her a report."

Song Hongfei could only smile and say, "I am deeply grateful for your kindness."

Yu Dawei laughed loudly: "Let's go home! Those guys in the driver's team hunted some pheasants and rabbits on the mountain, they're really having a good time today! Minister He gave us two bottles of good wine, let's open them!"

Song Hongfei laughed heartily and said, "That's a good idea!"