However, on the last night before entering the Northeast, the amount of material and equipment aid allocated to the Anti-Japanese Federation in the next two years has been dealt a hard blow. However, it could not exceed the requirements of Chongqing's standards, and Hopkins did not thoroughly implement them, leaving a certain amount of leeway for the Anti-Japanese Federation to a certain extent.

According to the amount of aid that Hopkins has been considering for Chongqing's military equipment, as well as military raw materials and other materials, the amount of heavy equipment that we are talking about today has exceeded in addition to aircraft. Although the Anti-Japanese Federation only asked for heavy equipment, Chongqing even asked for pistol bullets. Light weapons and ammunition account for a large proportion.

Obviously, compared with Chongqing, this *** army, they prefer to be able to produce enough equipment for their own use. Therefore, in addition to the large demand for heavy equipment, they are more demanding non-direct combat materials such as military raw materials. If according to the number of weapons allocated to the national government, then they will receive nothing.

The quota of materials and military raw materials left for the Anti-United Nations was decided by him after repeated research on the basis of the anti-United Nations military industrial capacity provided by the Soviets. In his view, it can not only increase the military strength of the Anti-Japanese Federation, but also not exceed the amount of aid given to Chongqing. As for two years from now, he will have to look at the development of the situation in the world as a whole before making a decision.

However, he did not mention the matter to the British. He didn't care much about how much equipment the British gave to the Anti-Japanese Alliance. Because Hopkins knew very well that the British would shed some blood on aid to the Chinese. Although they insisted on not giving Chongqing any weapons and equipment except for a loan of 20 million pounds. But it was clear that they were much more interested in this army than the British.

But at the moment, the British themselves need a large blood transfusion from the United States to sustain the war. It is also necessary to give priority to aiding the Soviet Union and ensuring its own use before the arrival of a large number of US aid materials. Then their assistance to the Anti-Japanese Federation can only stay in a symbolic sense. As for what can be provided now, all that can be provided is a batch of old British tanks that have been replaced by American-made tanks.

It's just that Yang Zhen's previous words made Hopkins, who has always been reluctant to change his mind, was a little hesitant about this drastic cut. The young guy was right, relative to the Chongqing side, they were facing the most elite Japanese strategic group.

Judging by the limited and not much information available at the moment. Both equipment and strength are incomparable with the Japanese army in Chinese mainland. The elite Cheng dù is also far from being comparable to the Japanese army in other directions. The pressure they bear is almost greater than that of the American and British armies in the entire Southeast Asia.

Without the assistance of heavy weapons and a sufficient amount of materiel, it will be difficult for the United States to achieve what the United States expects from them. Once the Japanese army in Manchuria moved southward in a large way, it would be a disastrous consequence for the United States and Britain, which were weak in Southeast Asia.

Moreover, what he said is not wrong, they only have the strength to barely confront the Kwantung Army now. Once the Japanese army poured out, it would be unbearable for them. Once they collapse, it will be extremely unfavorable to the whole world and will even affect the fundamental interests of the United States.

That is, for the current American interests, the stronger they are, the more in line with the interests of the United States. As the main policymaker of the White House, Hopkins knows that for a long time to come, the strategic focus of the United States will be on the European battlefield, because Europe is the root of the Americans.

And in the eyes of the Americans, the Japanese could not compete with the Germans in terms of national strength or military strength. The Japanese are just suffering from scabies. The Germans are the focus of the Americans. On the battlefield of the future, the Americans are destined to focus most of their energy on the European theater. In the Pacific theater of war against Japan, no major forces will be committed.

If, at this time, neither Chongqing nor the Anti-Japanese Federation are defeated, it is not in the strategic interests of the United States. Especially on the Chinese battlefield, this lone army, which is located in the northeast corner and contains the largest strategic group of the entire Japanese army. Strengthening them is only good for the Americans, and there is no harm in it.

Because even if they didn't attack, they would not be able to increase their forces in Southeast Asia. The United States still knows about South Manchuria's industry. They know about the coal and iron resources that left Nanman, as well as the military industry in Mukden, the oil shale refining in Fushun, the special steel industry, the steel in Anshan and Benxi Lake, and the magnesium in Jinxi. There was also food from Manchuria, coal from Fushun and Fuxin, and the Japanese simply had no ability to argue with the Americans.

Even for the sake of South Manchuria's industry, the Japanese had to destroy the anti-Japanese forces that had now reached a stone's throw from South Manchuria. The Japanese were a problem to the Americans, and this army, which had threatened its ability to fight, had become a major problem for them.

At this time, any plan to weaken or reduce their combat capability and sustained offensive capability is not in the interests of the United States. As for Chongqing, they are too far from the core of Japan. At present, it is more appropriate to maintain their basic combat capability.

But the telegram from the White House made him feel embarrassed. He knew that the owner of the White House, who had always been known for his steadfastness, could change his mind at such a critical moment, which must have been carefully considered, and it was not as simple as the pressure exerted by Chongqing. That's why he brought Pearson over and asked him to talk carefully about how much responsibility the U.S. side wanted them to take on this army. What can be done in order to be more in line with the interests of the United States?

After returning to his station, Hopkins did not detour and said directly: "Lieutenant Colonel Pearson, you are the one who knows this army best among all Americans, and you also have the most say and the right to build. I would like to ask you about your attitude and opinion on this matter. ”

In response to Hopkins' question, Pearson hesitated slightly and said, "Sir, I have formed a complete report on the evaluation of this army in Moscow, and I have made a detailed presentation to you and Ambassador Harriman. Now, I don't have much more to say. ”

"However, I personally believe that if we do not consider the influence and attitude of the Chongqing side, if we obtain advanced weapons from the United States, then this army will give us more help on the battlefield. Because of the environment they are currently in, they have no way out except to fight to the end. ”

"They were isolated in a corner of Manchuria, and they were semi-surrounded by the Japanese army in the east and south directions. The surrounding area is not directly bordered by any part of China, and they do not have any room for manoeuvre. That is, they have no way out on the battlefield except to defeat their enemies. ”

"If they want to survive, then they can only fight the Japanese army to the end and survive in the battle. Mr. Hopkins, personally, this is a trustworthy army. Their will and determination to fight are extremely tenacious. Suffice it to say, I've never seen anything else in the military. ”

"And from the perspective of the environment they are in, their sense of initiative is even stronger. Because of their geographical location, they have almost no capital to fight a defensive war. Once a defensive line is breached, their core control area will be directly exposed to Japanese guns. This loss is something they can't afford. ”

"Their leaders at all levels, although they seem too young, are good at coping with all kinds of difficulties and learning. Whether it is strategy or tactics, they are quite targeted, and it can almost be said that they are specifically studied for the tactics of the Japanese army. Their thorough study of the Japanese strategy and tactics far surpassed that of the U.S. Army. ”

"I'm sorry, Mr. Hopkins, but you also met their leader. I can't think of any other adjective than youth. But they are a flock of eagles that are growing fast. Judging from the results of several battles in Tongguò, their combat effectiveness is far beyond our imagination. ”

"The most important thing is that although they are backed by the Soviet Union, they have been trying to get rid of the influence of the Soviets on them. As for the Soviets, they were extremely guarded. Although they shared the same beliefs as the Soviets, they clearly did not trust the Soviets. It would be in our interest if we could increase our assistance to them. ”

"Whether Manchuria is stable or not, and the importance of Japan's maintenance of this war, should be clear to the White House. The Japanese would never give up Manchuria, especially the South Manchurian industrial base. The Chinese have a saying called the side of the bed, and they are not allowed to sleep soundly. The meaning of this sentence is that you will never allow others to do anything to threaten you. ”

"Japanese culture is deeply influenced by traditional Chinese culture, and they know this very well. At present, the Anti-Japanese Union has threatened its industrial base in South Manchuria, posing a huge threat to the Japanese to maintain their war potential. Even in order to ensure the stability of Manchuria, it became a stable rear for the Japanese in the war. ”

"Judging from the current position of their confrontation front with the Japanese, they have formed a direct threat to South Manchuria. After the Kwantung Army is replenished, even if it does not go out, attack this army. It will also strengthen the strength of the Kwantung Army and stick to their strategic position in South Manchuria. ”

"Think about it, Mr. Hopkins, if we keep their offensive prowess, it will only do us good, not any harm. That General Yang Zhen, although he is a little too strong, he is not wrong about one thing. Think about it, once the hundreds of thousands of well-equipped and well-trained Kwantung Army in Manchuria go south, what will happen to the United States. ”

"Even in terms of the number of weapons on the ground, we have to make certain limits. But for combat aircraft, I think we should still add some. If they can launch a strategic air attack on Japan after the outbreak of war, it will still be quite beneficial to us. Especially for Japan's shipbuilding industry and steel industry, it will play a considerable role in destroying Japan's war potential. After all, they are the closest anti-Japanese armed force to the Japanese mainland. ”

Hopkins was silent for a moment in response to Pearson's answer, and after quickly drafting a telegram of several thousand words and handing it to Pearson, he said, "I need to think about this matter more carefully." You go back first, draft a telegram from our conversation today, and together with this telegram, send it directly to the embassy in Moscow to Washington. ”

"Remember to pass the embassy in Moscow, not the embassy in Chongqing. His Excellency the President is about to send a special envoy to Chongqing, and I do not want anything unpleasant to happen at this time. Some of the people in our embassy in Chongqing are not very reliable. ”

"When Major General Stilwell comes back and you tell him, I need a detailed report of his observations. It was he who looked like a major general in the US Army, not an intelligence officer. As for the rest, we will study it after I finish my talks with the Chinese tonight. Let's take a look at how much appetite these Chinese friends have. ”