After sending Zhou Zhihan away, Laughlin Corey returned to the President's Office.
President Luo asked: "Laughlin, what do you think of what the Chinese colonel said just now?"
Laughlin Corey took off his single-sided glasses and took out a handkerchief to wipe them: "He has a big picture and a very strategic vision. Although some of what he said is a bit alarmist, no matter what, Mr. T, he It reminds us that we should take some appropriate actions. I think from now on, Japan's steel and oil trade should be controlled."
Mr. Luo SF nodded: "This young colonel is a talent. I admire his speaking style. He doesn't have the annoying tact of some Zheng Zhijia.
He has always run through a theme, that is, aiding China is equivalent to consolidating the security of the United States. This is also the main reason why I decided to aid China. So we sell weapons to China. What's wrong with consuming Japan while helping China? "
Laughlin Corey nodded and smiled, and then said: "There is still another problem, and that is that the letter of intent submitted by Japan states that no matter how much money China pays to purchase American fighter bombers, Japan's price will automatically be 20% higher."
"Colonel Zhou suggested that we not sell fighter bombers to Japan. He was worried that after Japan dismantled the P40 engine technology, it would make Japan's fighter jets even more powerful." Mr. Luo SF said, rubbing his legs, and then He did some chest expansion exercises to stretch his muscles. "Actually, he was overly concerned about this. The Japanese know that no matter how much money we pay, we cannot sell fighter jets to them. The letter of intent they submitted to purchase weapons is intended to force us to You can’t sell fighter jets to China.”
Laughlin Corey relit the cigar that had just been extinguished: "So, this move by the Japanese is very shrewd and sophisticated. If we insist on selling fighter jets to China, it will be equivalent to openly turning against Japan, which is also very difficult."
Mr. Luo SF lit the cigar on the lighter handed over by Laughlin Corey, took a few puffs in his mouth, and then held it between his fingers: "We will not sell fighter jets to China."
Laughlin Corey was stunned.
"Lend-Lease! Lend-Lease Act!" President Luo SF said, "We will lease fighter bombers to China, so that the letters of intent to purchase weapons handed over by the Japanese will become waste paper.
Didn’t the Japanese say that Chinese pilots lack systematic training and have rough skills and cannot fly American fighter jets? If American weapons are sold to China, it will destroy the reputation of the United States.
So we started the Lend-Lease Act. The money the Chinese brought to buy weapons could be used to hire pilots in the United States to form a volunteer army to go to China to participate in the war. This not only maximized the use of weapons, but also allowed these secret country pilots to become flight instructors in an open and honest manner. . "
Laughlin Corey nodded repeatedly.
Mr. Luo SF took a few puffs of his cigar and buried his back in the soft seat back: "Don't rush this matter. I'll talk to the members of Congress first, and then you can go through the legal procedures related to leasing. .
However, the Chinese must first propose a lease, which will not offend the Japanese but also help China, and all arms dealers will be happy. "
"Yes!" Laughlin Corey sincerely admired Mr. Luo's wisdom. "I will meet with Colonel Zhou in a few days and ask him to draft a lease document."
"No!" Mr. Luo SF T shook his head, "You should directly summon Mr. Song Ziwen on the grounds of discussing trade, so as not to arouse suspicion from the Japanese side."
Laughlin Corey replied: "Yes, sir!"
He continued: "One more thing, Mr. General T, the Chinese colonel said that Japan's Zero fighter jets have outstanding performance. Should we send someone to investigate..."
Director Luo SF shook his head: "Japanese weapons are much simpler than Germany's, and their fighter jets cannot be compared with Europe and the United States. According to the report given to me by the weapons department, the performance of the Zero fighter cannot be compared with the German Messerschmitt and the British comparable to the spitting fire.
Although our P40 was returned by the Royal Air Force, our P51 was enough to compete with the Messerschmitt and Spitfire.
Engines have always been a shortcoming in the Japanese aviation industry. Their best engine currently has only 850 horsepower. The horsepower of British and German fighter jets has reached 1,300 or more, so the Zero fighter is not a concern. "
Laughlin Corey nodded: "The military observer of the U.S. Embassy in China sent news not long ago that the Chinese ace pilot Colonel Zhou shot down a Messerschmitt over Chongqing before coming to the United States. A Japanese Zero fighter."
President Luo asked: "What news has come from the S League and Germany?"
"It's still the same as before. Germany is gradually putting pressure on the eastern front, and the S-Union is constantly increasing its troops on the border to prevent the German blitzkrieg. But from the current point of view, there is no possibility of war between the two sides."
"It's hard to say," Mr. Luo SF leaned forward from the soft chair. "Germany's plan to invade Britain was blocked, and the Sea Lion plan was stranded, so it turned part of its attention to the North African battlefield. But only God knows, this is This is not a strategy used by Hitler to invade the east and attack the west.
Oh, by the way, you told me before that Major Zhou was the commander-in-chief of the Allied forces during the Dunkirk and London defense battles, and his record was brilliant..."
Laughlin Corey "..."
…
Song Ziwen saw Mr. Laughlin Corey personally escorting Zhou Zhihan out, and he knew that the big deal was 60-70% done.
The two did not leave in a hurry. Instead, they drank coffee in the reception lounge and chatted about some insignificant matters. They walked out of the White House after nearly an hour.
Don't the Japanese want to see how long we have Mr. Laughlin Corey in the office?
Then we will sit here a little longer to make you feel more anxious and suspicious.
The two of them said nothing during the ride back to the hotel.
After walking into the hotel room and closing the door, looking at Zhang Mufei and Gong Yeti's anxious questioning eyes, Zhou Zhihan and Song Ziwen suddenly waved their fists excitedly, and then the four of them celebrated silently, with tears in their eyes. A weak country has no diplomacy. It is not easy for China, which is swaying in the wind and rain at this time.
Although the fighter jets have not yet entered into the final contract, it is already a huge victory to reverse the US authorities' decision not to sell fighter jets to China.
Now is not the time to forget about celebrating. You have to avoid the eyes and ears of Japanese spies. Many things changed during the war. Only the day when the fighter jets arrive in China can it be considered a success.
After leaving the White House, Nakasa Moritaka, Nishizawa Hirotaka, and Kato returned directly to the hotel where they were staying. They opened sake with their entourage and started celebrating. Just now, Mr. Laughlin Corey said that the United States has decided not to sell weapons to China for the time being. kind of assistance.
Kato's face turned red and he said to Moritaka Nakaba: "General! When the Chinese saw you being received by the President's Chief Advisor first, their faces turned yellow. I guess they are crying in the hotel now and are ready to pack their bags and go back. Ha ha……"
Moritaka Nakaso had arrogance written on his face: "No matter how stupid Americans are, they can never offend the Empire of Japan. Is there any news about the people we left at the door of the White House?"
"Not yet, General!" said one of the attendants. As soon as he finished speaking, he saw a folded paper being shoved through the crack at the bottom of the door.
"We have news, General!"
Saying that, the attendant quickly walked behind the door, picked up the piece of paper, and handed it to Nakasa Moritaka.
