"Sir, if I leave the Fourth Brigade, can I take the 23rd Squadron with me?" Li Hang asked with a smile.
"Take away the 23rd Squadron? You dare to think about it." Lao Zhou looked at Li Hang in surprise, "I will let you take away a few people at most. Liang Tiancheng can't do it. If you leave, he will leave too, and the 23rd Squadron will be abolished." ”
"I can't take the 23rd Squadron with me, and I can't fly the I-16 fighter jets. It's pointless for me to go to the 3rd and 5th Brigades." Li Hang looked helpless.
"Haven't you always wanted to build an airplane? Why not choose the second option? If you can build an airplane, you don't have to work hard on the front lines. As for bonuses, I might be able to get you more, but don't be too greedy."
Regarding the bonus, Li Hang has actually given up treatment.
It's very simple, because at the beginning of the all-out war of resistance, the micromanager said that if he shot down a Japanese plane, he would be given 10,000 yuan.
Li Hang's current record has reached 36.5, but in fact the total bonus given is less than 30,000.
Of course, if you include the extra 50,000 yuan allocated by Lao Zhou to develop the aircraft, you have more than 70,000 yuan, and that's it.
The main reason why it was not fulfilled was that Li Hang shot down too many planes, and the government had no money, so the matter went nowhere.
The Flying Tigers behind them were given five hundred dollars for shooting down a Japanese plane.
You know, this is US dollars, not legal tender.
If converted into legal currency, it would be almost 100,000.
Moreover, Li Hang worked so hard in the air not just to earn the ten thousand dollars.
"Sir, I want to build a plane, but I don't want to leave the front line either." Li Hang told the truth.
Lao Zhou was stunned when he heard this, stood up from his seat, then came to the office door, looked outside, and then closed the office door.
Li Hang was a little confused and stood up subconsciously, "Sir Zhou?"
"Sit down." Lao Zhou smiled and motioned for the other party to sit down, then came to sit on the sofa next to him. "What do you think of me, the director of the Aviation Committee?"
"Sir, why do you ask this? From the perspective of his humble position, he is quite conscientious." Li Hang didn't know why the other party asked this, and was a little confused.
"Doing your duty?" Lao Zhou couldn't help but laugh at himself, "But what's the use? The only thing I can control is you pilots. I can't control the procurement of aircraft. Now I can't even control the training of student pilots."
Li Hang couldn't help but remain silent after hearing this. He guessed what the other party meant.
Although Lao Zhou is the director of the Aviation Committee and the nominal leader, there is a secretary-general underneath, that lady.
Nominally, Lao Zhou manages all affairs of the Air Force, but the aircraft purchase funds are not under Lao Zhou's control.
What kind of aircraft a pilot can fly is not decided by Lao Zhou and other managers of the Aviation Commission, but depends on what kind of aircraft the Song brothers and sisters are willing to buy.
The Song brothers and sisters bought planes one after another, sometimes from Italy, sometimes from the United States, and then mostly from the United States.
From the original P-26 to the current Hawker II, Hawker III, and B10 bombers, etc.
Not to mention any other British-made aircraft, this is the Fighter biplane fighter equipped by the Fifth Group.
In short, when the Song brothers and sisters buy airplanes, they just follow the chance, or see who gets the bigger kickback.
But there is nothing we can do, the money is all with Miss Song San.
The conflict between Lao Zhou and Miss Song San is actually not small, but both of them are amateurs. The former is still doing something, while the latter can be described as short-sighted.
However, the conflict between the two finally ended with Lao Zhou giving in.
How can you, a minister who is not considered a close confidant, win over others?
Seeing Li Hang who was silent, Lao Zhou showed a serious expression, "It seems that you know a lot of things. So I really want you to develop a new aircraft. Although the engines cannot be produced by ourselves, at least they can reduce the number of aircraft." Some external dependence.”
"Even if we can solve the problem of aircraft fuselage materials, engines, propellers, and tires will still have to be purchased from abroad."
"Are you afraid that you have forgotten the Soviet Union? The Song family can't get involved in the Soviet Union's loan assistance. Deputy Director Huang is also a person who sincerely develops the Air Force. There is no problem in purchasing more core components such as engines." Old Zhou also That's pretty frank.
Li Hang suddenly realized that this was what he had in mind.
As the power of the air force increases, Lao Zhou, the director of the Aviation Commission and the nominal commander of the air force, has a higher say.
He couldn't get involved in the purchase of advanced fighter jets from Europe and the United States, so he wanted Li Hang to build his own jet.
As for the missing parts, they can still be purchased from the Soviet Union for the time being.
This can be regarded as a way for Lao Zhou to bypass the Song brothers and sisters.
I have to say, this move is really good.
At least, Li Hang will not object.
No matter that Lao Zhou's original idea was to fight for power for himself, it would allow the country's aircraft manufacturing industry to develop. Based on this alone, Li Hang could not refuse.
"Sir, do you mean to let the subordinates research new aircraft?" Li Hang confirmed again.
"That's what I suggest. But don't worry, I won't let you make a decision at this moment. You are very capable, and you probably won't be willing to go to the aviation school in Kunming to be an instructor.
It is not an exaggeration to say that you have made great achievements twice in a row, especially the second time that you have made great achievements in escorting me. It would not be appropriate if you do not reward me. You should first apply for the position of deputy captain of the fifth brigade. You don't need to report. "Lao Zhou made the decision without waiting for Li Hang's objection.
Li Hang also knew that the other party was thinking about himself.
The position of deputy captain is so that he can lead a brigade alone.
Of course, he can also choose to retire from active service, which is equivalent to giving Li Hang a relatively free choice.
"Thank you, sir!" Li Hang stood up and saluted.
"Go back. If you have time during this period, teach me how to fly a plane, otherwise those people will always use this to accuse me of being an amateur."
Li Hang was also surprised when he heard this.
In fact, it's not a big deal if someone from the Army is in charge of the Air Force.
After all, the Air Force was a new thing, and most of the early pilots were not from military schools. It was impossible for the Nationalist Government to really find a pilot to manage the Air Force.
The previous heads of the Air Force of New China in later generations were all from the Army, and no one else said anything about it.
. . . . . .
"Why do you have time to come to this old man like me?"
At the Chen Mansion, Chen Qingshan was quite surprised when he saw Li Hang coming to the door with gifts.
You must know that Li Hang, who took advantage of his daughter, never came to the house after her daughter went abroad.
He also knew that this cheap son-in-law was really busy, but he still felt a little uncomfortable.
"Uncle Chen, are you blaming me for not visiting you more often? It's not what happened in the past two days that worries you. It's nothing, anyway. Why don't you come over and see Uncle Chen and Auntie."
"That's right, come as often as you want. Isn't this your own home?" Mother Chen glanced at her husband and took the gift from Li Hang, pulling her future son-in-law towards the living room.
Chen Qingshan was helpless and could only follow him.
