In 1977, Ye Shuai resumed taking charge of military work. Two days later, he asked Xu Liqing, deputy director of the General Affairs Department, to mobilize Zhang Aiping to return to the National Defense Science and Technology Commission. He came to visit three times in a row, but was rejected by him. Why is Zhang Aiping so persistent, even though he visited the thatched cottage three times, he was not moved?
Zhang Aiping is one of the founders and leaders of , two bombs and one star industry in New China.
has been working in the cutting-edge field of national defense for decades since he came into contact with the National Defense Science and Technology Commission in 1960. Participated in leadership work on two bombs and one satellite, intercontinental missiles, etc.
Since 1967, he was "imprisoned" for five years after being shocked. In 1972, he was sent to hospital for medical treatment due to a broken leg, and he used the pseudonym "Zhang Xu". That is, when you are admitted to hospital for treatment, your situation improves and you can meet your family. But there are still some restrictions on movement.
In 1973, his old subordinate, the deputy commander of the Fuzhou Military Region, learned that he had a broken leg, two surgeries were unsatisfactory, and he was using crutches. We are going to invite him to Fuzhou for recuperation. There is an old Chinese medicine doctor here who is very good at treating bruises and injuries. For this reason, he applied for treatment in Fuzhou and spent the entire year of 1974 in Fuzhou.
Here, his legs miraculously recovered. From using crutches to walking with a stick, he basically returned to normal walking.
In 1975, after his case was vindicated, he returned to Beijing and made an appearance at a National Day reception. Ye Shuai once talked to him, hoping that he would return to the National Defense Science and Technology Commission to continue his leadership work. Zhang Aiping refused at first because he was shocked and because there were people inside who opposed him and put up big-character posters.
Because his legs and feet have not fully recovered, he said it would be better not to work yet. However, Ye Shuai told him that the National Defense Science and Technology Commission recently made a mistake when launching a rocket, resulting in a failure, which stung his heart. After learning about the current situation of the National Defense Science and Technology Commission from Ye Shuai, he decided to return to work.
He was appointed deputy chief and director of the National Defense Science and Technology Commission to reorganize the core unit of the Seventh Machinery Department. The Seventh Machinery Department is responsible for the aerospace industry. If this department cannot work, the development and test launch of intercontinental missiles and other developments will be delayed. To this end, he vigorously reorganized the Seventh Machinery Department and achieved good results. At the same time, he also offended some people. In the end, he said "the present is not as good as it used to be" and was grabbed by others to make a big fuss, which led to him being knocked down for the second time.
Until 1977, Ye Shuai resumed presiding over the Military Commission work. Intercontinental missile and other work urgently needed to be carried out and could not be delayed any longer. To this end, Xu Liqing accepted the task and talked to Zhang Aiping many times. Zhang Aiping seemed to have intention of quitting, hoping to stop here and decline Xu Liqing. After Ye Shuai learned about it, he called him to his residence in Xishan and met him: What's wrong with you? You refused to do it despite repeated requests. You don't support my work.
Zhang Aiping said: It's not that I don't support my work, it's the current situation of the leadership of my unit that makes me unable to do anything, and my heart is not very good. Ye Shuai also knew his concerns, and there were internal constraints. So, Ye Shuai said: Pick whoever you want. In this way, he transferred Li Yaowen, who had worked in diplomacy, as political commissar, and let Song Ren, who was unemployed, be appointed as minister of the Seventh Machinery Department, but he could work normally.
In 1980, an intercontinental missile was successfully tested. When he was about to retire after his success, he received a new appointment as deputy prime minister, and later as state councilor and minister of defense.
