Regarding Yang Zhen's statement, Hopkins did not rush to give him an answer, but fell into deep thought. After a long time, Hopkins said: "Yang, can you tell me your goals? I want to know what your goals are." The strategic goals within the next two years, and what kind of response you will make if the Japanese army launches an offensive against the American army and the British army 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 turn around, said without any hesitation: "Mr. Hopkins, these two questions you asked One of the problems, I have already explained to Pearson."

"If I can get 500 tanks, 500 new artillery pieces, 200 tactical support aircraft and 100 fighter jets before the beginning of next year, as well as a sufficient amount of fuel and military raw materials, we can guarantee our combat forces. Able to expand to a sufficient scale.”

"When the Japanese army launches an attack on Southeast Asia, at the latest around May Day next year, we can launch a large-scale offensive campaign in the north to contain the Kwantung Army, the Korean Army, and even the Chinese dispatched army and the newly formed divisions in the country. regiment, making it impossible to increase troops in Southeast Asia and reduce the pressure that the United States of America and Britain will face in the Southeast Asian battlefield and the Pacific."

"Of course, if the United States and Britain are willing to provide strategic bombers and corresponding navigation technology, once the Japanese army dares to sneak attack on the United States, we can immediately organize strategic bombing against Japan, just like the British did against the Germans on the European battlefield. Use air strikes to weaken the Japanese war potential."

"But Mr. Hopkins, there is a prerequisite for this. We must get the equipment and supplies we require, because without these equipment, it is difficult for our attack capabilities to reach the point where the Japanese army will be severely injured, and we will not be able to contain them at all. The main force of the Japanese army in China made it impossible for them to mobilize their troops to fight south."

"The most important thing is that without these equipment, we cannot expand the establishment of our army. With our current strength, we can only say that we are more than capable of self-preservation, but our offensive capabilities are obviously insufficient. Our current strength controls the existing area to prevent the Japanese counterattack , has been used to the extreme.”

"If we don't expand our troops, and the most important thing is to form a group of new armored units to strengthen our attack capabilities, it will be difficult for us to launch an offensive of sufficient scale, and we now have only the batch of tactical bombers you provided before. In addition, we basically have no battlefield support aircraft now."

"Similarly, the United States and the United Kingdom do not provide strategic bombers, and we simply do not have the ability to launch air strikes on the Japanese mainland, because we do not have an aircraft with the range to allow them to fly over Japan. Our only equipment, the Soviet-made Il-4 bomber, simply cannot There is no ability to bomb Japan."

"Mr. Hopkins, this is not blackmail, let alone a threat. I am just making a reasonable request based on our actual situation and what has happened before, because the reason why we ended this battle is Due to the lack of supplies, the offensive capabilities of the troops dropped to the point where they were no longer able to deal with the Japanese army."

"If you don't want our battle to be abandoned halfway to happen again, then I hope that the United States can meet our needs. You can't ask us to complete your mission when we can only use rifles to fight. An offensive of hope.”

"As for our goals for the next two years, they are very simple. If I were to say only two sentences, my ambitions are not big. First, we will strive to expand the army by one million by 44 years and build a force capable of fighting the entire Japanese army in China. Eliminate as many powerful, synthetic armed forces of the Japanese army in China as possible."

"The other one is simpler, that is, destroy as many Japanese as you can, and recover as much lost territory as you can from the Japanese army. Of course, if the United States and Britain can provide us with strategic bombers, I will bring the British back What people are doing to the Germans now, copy it on the Japanese, let them know that those who came out to fool around will have to pay back one day."

After listening to Yang Zhen's answer, Hopkins did not give any evaluation. Instead, he thought for a long time before standing up and saying to Yang Zhen: "Yang, I have to think about what you said carefully and discuss it with us. The military personnel will study it. In this way, I suggest that our morning negotiations be stopped here for the time being. I need to take a rest in the afternoon. How about we start again after dinner."

Regarding Hopkins' request, Yang Zhen, who knew that his last words should have had an effect, stood up and shook hands with him, nodded with a smile and said: "Of course we have nothing to do with your request. As long as your body allows, we can start negotiations at any time."

"Mr. Hopkins, I want to say something here. Although we have some differences in political views, we are friends. At least for now, we all have a common enemy, right? We should seek common ground while reserving differences in some aspects." , join hands."

After arranging for people to send Hopkins back to the station to rest, Yang Zhen's smiling face suddenly turned gloomy. He turned around and said to Li Yanping: "Old Li, go to the Soviet consulate to find Kovalev. About them Regarding the leakage of our industrial intelligence to the Americans, we made a serious protest to the Soviet Union and demanded that the Soviets give us an explanation and hold the leaker accountable."

Regarding Yang Zhen's explanation, Li Yanping hesitated for a moment and then said: "Old Yang, I'm afraid the Soviets intentionally leaked these things to the United States. I still know the Soviets' secrecy system. If they hadn't consciously disclosed our situation, If it is leaked, the Americans will not know such details."

"It won't be of any use if we protest at this time. I'm afraid the Soviets won't give us any explanation. As for holding the leaker accountable, they will not do it. Since Wang Guangyu's matter in Outer Mongolia, they I have promised not to pursue it further, so I think it is better to deal with this matter coldly."

After Li Yanping finished speaking, the political commissar of the advancing army who had been silent suddenly spoke: "Comrade Li Yanping, I suggest you go there. No matter whether there are any results or not, it is to express our attitude to the Soviet Union. Even if There won’t be any consequences, but it’s better to go than not to go.”

At the words of the political commissar, Yang Zhen nodded and said: "Yes, our protest to the Soviet Union this time does not necessarily require any results. Of course, with the usual practice of the Soviets, it is impossible to get any reply, but in this matter, It also shows a problem of our attitude.”

Yang Zhen and the old commander of the political commissar of the advancing army both insisted. Li Yanping shook his head and did not argue anymore. Although he knew that he would only return empty-handed and would not get any answers, Li Yanping still followed Yang Zhen's instructions. He went to the Soviet consulate to protest against Kovalev's request.

After Li Yanping left, the political commissar of the advancing army sat on the sofa and looked at Yang Zhen for a long time before he said: "What do you think is the possibility of Mr. Hopkins changing his mind? In other words, your To what extent can those long speeches impress Mr. Hopkins?"

Regarding the old commander's question, Yang Zhen did not answer him immediately. Instead, he looked at the fallen leaves floating outside the window. He was silent for a long time and then said in a confused tone: "Old chief, I don't either. Knowing how much he listened to my words, I don’t even know why things turned out like this.”

"Whether it's the Soviets' rush to sign the contract or the few words revealed by Pearson last night, it shows that things should not have such a result, but in just one night, how could things turn into This situation, this situation, is very abnormal."

This was the first time since the March Army entered the Anti-Japanese War that I heard Yang Zhen speak in such an uncertain tone. The old commander frowned tightly, hesitated for a moment and finally said: "Did you say that to that person last night?" Stilwell's attitude changed Americans' decision."

Regarding the old commander's guess, Yang Zhen shook his head with certainty and said: "It's impossible. Let's not talk about whether Stilwell has that influence. Even if he does, the Americans will not cause us trouble at this time, at least not until now. Before they formally declare war on the Japanese and complete domestic mobilization, Americans will not decide a crucial issue based on personal preferences."

"Even a fool can see the clouds of war now over the Pacific, and the United States is affected by the attitude of the domestic people and cannot carry out domestic general mobilization before the war breaks out. In other words, unless the Japanese bombs fall on their heads, the United States will People will not take the initiative to send troops to join the war.

"Because without finding even an excuse like an independent memorial arch, the American people, where isolationism is prevalent, will not agree to the United States entering the war now. Since the Civil War, the United States has participated in several wars, regardless of whether it is the United States or the United States. Whether it was the Spanish War or World War I, the United States always pretended to be a victim and stirred up people's emotions before finally joining the war."

"As for the so-called events that triggered war sentiments, some of them are true. I am afraid that only senior American politicians know that those triggers of war are just excuses for the Americans to gain the greatest benefits. , and some of them may even be made by themselves.”

"The current domestic sentiment in the United States does not allow them to initiate a war against Japan, and the national economy and industrial system have not yet been transformed into war. The Americans need the Chinese, including us, to help them as much as possible. It will delay the outbreak of war too much."

"Even if the United States and Japan officially declare war and officially enter this global war, it will still take a lot of time for the Americans to mobilize domestically, and the Chinese will also need the Chinese to reduce the pressure on them from the Japanese army on the battlefield. Delaying more Japanese troops from committing to the war against the United States."

"Old Chief, the U.S. military currently only has so many troops. Not counting the navy, its army strength can barely maintain domestic defense. If they want to go abroad to participate in wars, whether it is in the European battlefield or the Asian battlefield, I am afraid that their military strength will not be enough. The strength is not even enough to make a fuss."

"Although the United States has a complete war mobilization system, a strong industrial base, and a population advantage, it takes a lot of time to transform these advantages into real combat effectiveness. It takes a lot of time to train the mobilized recruits into a Qualified warriors need a lot of time."
Chapter completed!