Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 631 The foundation of science is mathematics; crystal computers aid development; a dramatic change in Guinan.
Various departments at the northern Myanmar base actively selected mathematical talents, and soon the first batch of candidates for computing center operators was selected.

These people need to undergo training before they can officially start working.

Therefore, the original research institute's auditorium was temporarily converted into a training classroom, where more than 30 mathematics talents selected from various departments gathered.

There are young engineers in the rocket project team who study ballistic equations, researchers in the chemistry group who are proficient in data analysis, and physics students who have done a lot of research on mathematical logic.

On the long table in front of them, each person had a training manual in front of them, with the cover printed with "Operating Specifications for Taishan 01 Transistor Computer (Trial Version)".

The blackboard at the front of the auditorium was already covered with computer architecture diagrams and operating procedures.

The training was personally led by Fang Wen, with Bai Zeshan (head of the semiconductor group) and Lu Zexuan (director of the research institute office) assisting in the teaching.

The first day's course began with "Basic Principles of Computers." Bai Zeshan held up a miniature model of a magnetic core board and demonstrated on the stage: "Look, this is the memory core of 'Taishan-1'—each magnetic core board has 4096 magnetic cores, which are addressed by X-ray and Y-ray cross-addressing. To read data, a half-intensity current needs to be passed through the corresponding wire. The presence or absence of the induced current represents '1' and '0', but remember, you must rewrite immediately after reading, otherwise the data will be lost."

The trainees below the stage huddled together, carefully passing around the magnetic core board model. Someone couldn't help but ask, "Team Leader Bai, how do we convert the numbers into these '1's and '0's when we input the data?"

“Good question.” Fang Wen picked up the conversation, writing the calculation process of “decimal to binary” on the blackboard. “This is the ‘machine language’ we will learn tomorrow. For example, the decimal number ’10’ is converted to binary as ‘1010’. You need to write this instruction on punch cards—each card corresponds to one instruction, which will be input into the computer through a card reader.” He paused, holding up a card with small holes on the edge. “Don’t underestimate these cards. If one is wrong, the whole program may not run, so everyone must check them line by line.”

The trainees listened attentively and worked hard to digest the knowledge.

However, this knowledge and operation are only basic demonstrations, in order to give them a clear theoretical understanding of this new thing.

The actual hands-on training began a week later in the newly built computer center of the research institute.

Inside the computer room, the "Taishan No. 1" transistor computer occupied half of the room—the main body consisted of three beige server racks, the front of which was covered with indicator lights and knobs, and the top was connected with a dense array of wires. On the right side were the input and output devices, which were no longer card readers and paper tape output machines, but instead keypads and monitors.

The initial calculation of the button control panel was performed by Bai Zeshan.

Bai Zeshan walked to the control panel, pointed to the keys with their cold metallic sheen, and first showed the students the panel layout: "Look, this row of 0-9 number keys corresponds to decimal numbers, the '+', '-', '×', and '÷' keys next to them are operation keys, the '=" key on the far right is the result confirmation key, the 'C' key is used to clear incorrect input, and the 'Store' key can temporarily save intermediate results—today we'll use it to calculate a mixed operation problem: (128×3 - 45)÷5. Follow my steps."

The rocket project engineers standing at the front quickly took out their notebooks, pen tips hovering over the paper, ready to take notes.

Bai Zeshan first pressed the three number keys "1", "2" and "8", and the VCR monitor below the control panel immediately lit up "128", the number being particularly clear against the dark background.

“First, enter the multiplicand, 128.” He said, pointing to the monitor. “Watch closely, the monitor will provide real-time feedback for each key you press. If you press the wrong key, such as 138 instead of 128, just press the ‘C’ key to clear and re-enter it. It’s much more convenient than punching a card.”

Then, he pressed the "×" key, and a flashing "×" symbol appeared after "128" on the monitor.

"Second step, select multiplication." Then press the number key "3", and the display updates to "128×3".

Bai Zeshan paused for a moment, and after the students saw it clearly, he pressed the "=" key. The numbers on the monitor jumped twice quickly and then settled on "384".

"This is the result of 128 multiplied by 3. If you need to use this number again later, press the 'save' button. The computer can store 384 in the magnetic core memory to avoid double counting."

At this moment, Lin Wei, a researcher in the chemistry group, raised her hand and asked, "Group Leader Bai, if there is a mistake in the intermediate steps, such as subtracting 45 from 384 and calculating it as 349, can we go back and correct it?"

“First of all, the computer won’t make a mistake. If an error does occur, of course it can be corrected.” Bai Zeshan smiled and pressed the “C” key. After clearing the display, he re-entered “384”, then pressed “-” and “45”. The display showed “384-45”. He pressed the “=" key, and the green number “339” immediately lit up. “If you find that the multiplication was wrong at this step, you can press the ‘backtrack’ key (next to the ‘C’ key) to go back to the previous step without having to start all over again.”

The final step is division.

Bai Zeshan pressed the "÷" key and the "5" key, and the display showed "339÷5". He deliberately slowed down his movements and pressed the "=" key. This time the display paused for about two seconds. The students held their breath and stared until the three numbers "67.8" lit up, and then they breathed a sigh of relief.

He summarized the training sessions for the trainees:

"Because division is more complex than addition, subtraction, and multiplication, computers need to call more logic circuits, so it will be a little slower. But even so, the whole process plus the operation time is less than half a minute. If it is done manually, it will take more time and is more likely to make mistakes."

After the demonstration, Bai Zeshan had the trainees practice in groups, with each group working around a simplified button control panel.

After the trainees became familiar with the operation, he selected one trainee as the first person to practice.

The student was both nervous and excited: "Can I use my own problems to perform the calculations?"

"Okay." Fang Wen nodded in agreement.

The student walked over, stood in front of the control panel, and pressed the buttons to solve his problem.

This is a more complex arithmetic problem, which looks like it was broken down from an engineering calculation problem.

As he finished typing, a result appeared on the screen.

The students were full of surprise: "Wow, you calculated that fast!"

Fang Wen smiled and said, "This machine is designed to free you from the complex and monotonous process of basic calculations, allowing you to focus more on research in other areas. I know you still have concerns about it, worrying that mechanical calculations might make mistakes, right?"

One student frankly replied, "Yes, I'm worried that if we entrust it with all the basic calculations, and a problem arises, we'll have to search through a massive amount of calculations one by one to find the problem."

Fang Wen nodded: "I think everyone is worried about this issue. How about this, we can conduct a test now. During the rest of the training, you will be divided into two groups and take turns using it to perform a lot of complex calculations, while simultaneously using human calculations to check if it makes any mistakes."

The trainees readily accepted the task and embarked on a journey that was both a learning experience and a challenge against computers.

Although this was only the first generation of transistor computers, and its performance was much worse than that of the future, it still demonstrated its capabilities through high speed, efficiency, and tireless operation.

It can be said that as long as there are no operational problems, the computer will basically not have logical errors.

Having established the computer's powerful computing capabilities, the trainees also mastered the basic operations.

Next, we'll move on to more complex computer applications.

These are irrelevant to the trainees responsible for basic operations.

Fang Wen held a separate class for senior researchers at the research institute.

In this advanced class, they discussed things that even ordinary intellectuals might not understand.

For example, partial differential equations can be used to study ballistics.

Rockets and artillery shells must simultaneously cope with multiple variables during flight, including air resistance, gravity, wind speed, and air pressure. Their trajectories need to be solved by coupling the Navier-Stokes equations (fluid dynamics) with the equations of motion for variable mass. The Navier-Stokes equations can describe the flow state of air on the surface of the projectile (such as boundary layer separation and shock wave generation), and then calculate the drag coefficient at different flight speeds, avoiding range errors caused by drag estimation deviations.

During flight, the missile's fuel consumption changes its mass, requiring real-time adjustments to thrust and attitude using variable mass motion equations. By solving the PDE model, the ballistic error can be compressed from the "kilometer level" to the "meter level".

Furthermore, there is the application of shock waves and heat conduction equations.

Euler's equations can be used to simulate the propagation of high-pressure shock waves generated by an explosion in air, soil, and armor, and to calculate the pressure peak at different distances. This can be used to evaluate the blast resistance of tank armor. By solving Euler's equations, the optimal combination of armor thickness and material strength can be determined, avoiding "over-design" or "insufficient protection".

Furthermore, by calculating the heat transfer path on the wall surface using the heat conduction-convection coupling equation, cooling channels are designed to prevent the wall surface from melting or cracking due to high temperatures, thus ensuring continuous engine operation.

Etc., etc
In the past, these advanced mathematical applications required them to spend countless days and nights on calculations and mental effort to achieve results.

Now, transistor computers have greatly shortened this process.

After the training, the computer operators officially started their jobs.

On its first day of operation, the computing center received a large number of business requests from various departments.

Every department wants to use the computing center to solve various mathematical problems for them.

The Taishan Research Institute has the largest workload among them.

This put immense pressure on the computing center from the moment it opened.

Seeing this bustling scene, Fang Wen couldn't help but feel delighted. The emergence of high-speed computers would definitely greatly accelerate the development of Taishan Military Industry.

It is estimated that more results will emerge soon.

Having spent more than 50 consecutive days at the base, he was preparing to leave and go to Yangon for a visit.

Immediately afterwards, he took Gong Xiuneng and Zhao Junping and flew to Yangon in a plane.

At dawn, a Taishan propeller-driven seaplane glided and took off from the water above the base in northern Myanmar.

As Fang Wen piloted the plane, he watched the computing center building gradually recede from the window, and could vaguely see the busy figures of the operators inside.

Gong Xiuneng, who was in the rear cabin, had experienced 50 days that he couldn't understand, and at this moment he couldn't help but complain.

"Commander, you've been working on this for so long, and all you've come up with is something faster than an abacus. Is it worth it?"

Fang Wen withdrew his gaze and replied while driving, "Of course it's worth it. The foundation of science is mathematics. I solved the fundamental problem and freed up more brainpower. Believe it or not, it won't be long before our Taishan Military Industry has many new technologies."

Gong Xiuneng quickly waved his hand: "I won't bet with you. Everyone in the company knows you're a master strategist."

Fang Wen ignored him and instead talked to his assistant.

"Zhao Junping, I haven't had time to attend to other matters lately. Tell me about it."

“Okay, General Manager, what would you like to know?” Zhao Junping asked.

"Let me tell you about the domestic situation."

"Alright." Zhao Junping took out his notebook and read aloud: "After the Battle of Changsha, the Japanese offensive south of the Yellow River slowed down. The National Army actively mobilized and prepared for a winter counter-offensive. In the area north of the Yellow River, the Japanese army sent 2 troops to try to invade the Jin-Cha-Ji base area again, but suffered heavy losses. However, it seems that there has been a conflict between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party."

"What conflict?" Fang Wen couldn't help but ask.

"The National Army attacked the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia base area and once occupied counties such as Chunhua, Zhengning, and Ningxian. The base area counterattacked and eventually reached an agreement to delineate the garrison areas and divide the area into zones for resistance."

Fang Wen was speechless after hearing what Zhao Junping said.

With the domestic war of resistance in such a state, the Nationalist army is still thinking about internal strife. Can't they just stop?

But he also knew that there would be more of these kinds of things in the future.

Pushing aside his thoughts, Fang Wen asked, "Has the Japanese army made no moves in southern Guangdong?"

"There were no major moves, but small-scale skirmishes continued. Our independent regiment cooperated with the 2nd Route Army of the Guangxi Clique, so the Japanese dared not act recklessly."

After a pause, Zhao Junping continued:
"But they launched an attack by sea, using Sanya in Qiongzhou as a springboard to attack Qinzhou Port in southern Guangxi. They have now occupied Qinzhou and are heading north."

Fang Wen was immediately shocked.

Qinzhou Port is located between Fangchenggang Port and Beihai Port.

There is an inland sea there called Maowei Sea.

Unexpectedly, after suffering a major loss at Beihai Port, the Japanese army turned to Qinzhou Bay and launched a landing operation.

In this way, the Guangxi clique will be fighting the Japanese army head-on. It is unknown how long they can hold out.

If the entire southern Guangxi region falls, it will cut off the connection with the southern Guangdong region, and the Independent Regiment, the local troops, and the Guangxi 2nd Route Army will lose their rear maneuvering.

The situation is very critical.

Fang Wen planned to stay in Yangon for a day before heading to Nanning to learn more about the situation there.

After several hours of flight, the plane landed at Yangon Maritime Airport.

As soon as the plane landed, Fang Wen immediately disembarked, handed the plane over to airport staff, and then led Gong Xiuneng and Zhao Junping to the industrial park.

He was going to the industrial park to check on the newly established meat cannery and the frozen meat storage facilities.

(End of this chapter)