Regarding Yang Zhen's statement, Hopkins did not rush to give him a reply, but fell into deep thought. After a long time, Hopkins spoke, "Yang, can you tell me about your goal?" I would like to know your strategic goals for the next two years. Also, what would you have done if the Japanese army had launched an offensive against the American and British forces in Southeast Asia at this time. ”

Although Hopkins changed the topic, from the question he raised, Yang Zhen, who was keenly aware that things were likely to take a turn for the better, said without the slightest hesitation: "Mr. Hopkins, I have already explained one of the two questions you asked to Pearson. ”

"If I can get 500 tanks, 500 new guns, 200 tactical support aircraft and 100 fighter jets by the beginning of next year. and sufficient quantities of fuel and military raw materials to ensure that our combat forces can be expanded to a sufficient size. ”

"We can launch a large-scale offensive campaign in the north at the latest around May Day next year when the Japanese army launches an attack on Southeast Asia. Contain the Kwantung Army, the Korean Army, and even the Chinese Dispatch Army, as well as the newly formed divisions on the mainland, so that they cannot increase their troops in Southeast Asia. Alleviate the pressures that the United States of America and the United Kingdom will face in the theater of Southeast Asia and in the Pacific. ”

"Of course, if the United States and Britain are willing to provide strategic bombers, as well as the corresponding navigation technology. As soon as the Japanese army dares to attack the United States, we can immediately organize a strategic bombing of Japan. Just like the British did to the Germans on the battlefields of Europe. With air strikes, weakening the war potential of the Japanese. ”

"But Mr. Hopkins, there's a premise for that. We had to get the equipment and supplies we were asking for, because without them, it would be difficult for us to attack to the point where the Japanese would be wounded. It was simply impossible to contain the main force of the Japanese army in China, so that it could not draw troops to fight south. ”

"The most important thing is that without these equipment, we cannot expand the size of our army. With our current strength, we can only say that we have more than enough self-preservation, but our offensive ability is obviously insufficient. We have now used our forces to control the existing area and prevent the counterattack of the Japanese army. ”

"If we don't expand our forces, the most important thing is to form a new group of armored forces and strengthen our attack capabilities, it will be difficult for us to launch an offensive of sufficient scale. And we now basically don't have any battlefield support aircraft, other than the tactical bombers you provided earlier. ”

"Similarly, the United States and Britain do not provide strategic bombers, and we simply do not have the ability to launch air strikes on the Japanese mainland. Because we don't have the range of one kind of plane that allows them to fly over Japan. The only Soviet-made Il-4 bomber we are equipped with does not have the ability to bomb Japan at all. ”

"Mr. Hopkins, I'm not blackmailing, much less a threat. I am just making a reasonable request based on our realities and what has already arisen before. Because the reason why we ended this battle was because of the lack of supplies, the attack capability of the troops was reduced to the point that they were no longer able to deal with the Japanese army. ”

"If you don't want the situation to happen again, then I hope that the United States can meet our needs. You cannot ask us to complete the offensive you wish to do when we can only fight with rifles. ”

"As for our goals for the next two years, it's simple, if I were to say just two words. My ambition is not great, but I will strive to expand the army by 1 million in 44 years and build a powerful and synthetic armed force that can fight the entire Japanese army in China and destroy as many Japanese troops in China as possible. ”

"The other is simpler, that is, to eliminate as many Japanese as you can. As much of the lost territory as can be recovered from the Japanese army, as much as it can recover. Of course, if the United States and Britain can provide us with strategic bombers, I will copy what the British are currently doing to the Germans, on the Japanese. Let them know that they will have to pay it back one day. ”

After listening to Yang Zhen's answer, Hopkins did not give any evaluation, but pondered for a long time before standing up and said to Yang Zhen: "Yang, I have to think carefully about what you said, and study it with our military personnel." In this way, I propose that our morning negotiations end here for the time being, and in the afternoon I need to take a break, and how about we start again after dinner? ”

Regarding Hopkins' request, Yang Zhen, who knew that his last words should have played a role, stood up and shook hands with him, then nodded with a smile and said, "Of course we don't have any problems with Your Excellency's request. As long as you are physically allowed, we can start negotiations at any time. ”

"Mr. Hopkins, here I want to say a word. Although we have some different views on politics, we are friends. At least for now, we all have a common enemy, don't we? We should seek common ground while reserving differences in some aspects and join hands. ”

After arranging for someone to send Hopkins back to the station to rest, Yang Zhen's face, which had been smiling, suddenly became gloomy, and he turned to Li Yanping and said: "Lao Li, you go to the Soviet consulate to find Kovalev, and make a stern protest to the Soviet side about their leaking of our industrial intelligence to the Americans. The Soviets must give us an account and hold the leakers accountable. ”

Regarding Yang Zhen's explanation, Li Yanping hesitated for a moment and said: "Old Yang, I am afraid that these things were deliberately leaked to the United States by the Soviets. I still know the Soviets' secrecy system, and if it weren't for their deliberate leaking of our situation, the Americans would not have mastered it in such detail. ”

"It will be of no use for us to protest at this time, and the Soviets will probably not give us any explanation. As for holding the leakers accountable, they won't do it. Since Wang Guangyu's matter in Outer Mongolia has promised not to pursue it again, I think it is better to take a cold approach to this matter. ”

Li Yanping's voice fell, but the political commissar of the advancing army, who had not spoken all this time, suddenly spoke: "Comrade Li Yanping, I will build yì, you should still go." Whether there is a result or not, it is a sign of our attitude to the Soviet side. Even if nothing comes of it, it's better to go than not to go. ”

At the words of the political commissar, Yang Zhen nodded and said: "Yes, we protested to the Soviet Union in person this time, and we didn't have to have any results. As the Soviets always did, of course. Nor is it likely to receive much of a reply. But this incident also shows that we have an attitude problem. ”

Yang Zhen and the old marshal of the political commissar of the advancing army both insisted, and Li Yanping shook his head and did not argue again. Even though I knew that I would go, I would only return empty-handed, and I would not get any reply. But Li Yanping still went to the Soviet consulate to protest to Kovalev at Yang Zhen's request.

After Li Yanping left, the political commissar of the Advance Army sat on the sofa and looked at Yang Zhen for a long time before he spoke: "How likely do you think it is that Mr. Hopkins will change his mind?" In other words, how much can your tirade impress this Mr. Hopkins? ”

Regarding the old handsome's question, Yang Zhen did not answer him immediately. Instead, he looked at the fallen leaves floating outside the window, and was silent for a long time, before he said in a somewhat dazed tone: "Old chief, I don't know how much he listened to my words. I don't even know why things are the way they are. ”

"Whether it is from the rush of the Soviets to sign the contract, or the words that Pearson said last night, it shows that things should not be like this. But in just one night, how could things have turned out like this? This situation is very abnormal. ”

It was the first time since the Advance Army entered the Anti-Japanese Federation that Yang Zhen had heard Yang Zhen speak in such an uncertain tone, the old man's brows furrowed tightly, and he hesitated for a moment and finally said: "Did your attitude towards that Stilwell last night change the Americans' decision?" ”

The old man's guess, Yang Zhen shook his head very affirmatively and said: "Impossible, let's not talk about whether Stilwell has that influence." Even if there were, the Americans would not be looking for trouble with us at this time. At least until they formally declare war on the Japanese and complete their domestic mobilization, the Americans will not decide on a crucial issue because of some personal preferences. ”

"Now the clouds of war over the Pacific Ocean can be seen even by a fool. However, the United States, influenced by the attitude of the domestic population, cannot carry out a general mobilization at home before the outbreak of war. In other words, unless the bombs of the Japanese fell on their heads, the Americans would not take the initiative to send troops to the war.

"Because until we find an excuse like even a bitch to set up an archway, the American people, who are rife with isolationism, will not agree to the United States going to war now. Several wars in which the United States has participated since the Civil War. Whether it was the Spanish-American War or the First World War, the United States pretended to be a victim and provoked the feelings of the people before finally entering the war. "As for the so-called events that triggered the war, how many of them are real? I'm afraid only those high-ranking American politicians know it in their hearts. The triggers for war are just excuses that the Americans have found in order to maximize their interests. I'm afraid some of them even made themselves. ”

"At the present time the domestic situation in the United States does not allow them to initiate a war against Japan, and its national economy and industrial system have not yet turned into war. The Americans need the Chinese, including us, to delay the outbreak of war as much as possible for them. ”

"Even now the United States and Japan have officially declared war and are officially engaged in this global war. Then the Americans, who also need a lot of time, are mobilized at home. The Chinese were also needed to relieve them of the pressure the Japanese put on them on the battlefield and to hold back more Japanese troops from engaging in the war against the United States. ”

"Old chief, the number of the US army is only so many now, not counting the navy, and its land strength can only barely maintain domestic defense. If they want to go abroad to participate in wars, whether it is to the European battlefield or the Asian battlefield, I am afraid that their military strength will not even be enough. ”

"Although the United States has a complete war mobilization system, a strong industrial base, and a numerical advantage in population. But it takes a lot of time to turn these advantages into real combat effectiveness. It takes a lot of time to train the recruits who will be mobilized to become qualified fighters. ”

"The training of officers, the training of new recruits, and the formulation, replenishment, and production of weapons and equipment all take time. If the Americans want to expand their forces to a sufficient number to participate in the war, then the manpower and material resources they need to mobilize will not be as simple as doubling the existing base. It will take time to expand the number of troops from hundreds of thousands to several million. And the shape of the Americans in the country does not allow them to start a general mobilization now. ”