After learning a little about Europe from John, Nevins and Jairo took their leave. Pen & Fun & Pavilion www.biquge.info This is the busiest time in the Army Staff, and they don't have much time to chat.

On September 16, the Senate passed the Compulsory Military Service Act, which obligated all American men between the ages of 21 and 35 to be required to serve in the military, and the Army was officially expanded to 900,000. At present, the entire army staff is busy with the enlistment of these hundreds of thousands of recruits. Marshall's visit to Fort Lewis this time was to inspect the boot camp.

In addition, not long ago, the United States and Britain concluded a secret arms agreement, promising to provide them with 10 more army divisions in addition to the previous 250 aircraft engines, 2.5 million tons of explosives, 78 million rounds of Thompson submachine gun ammunition and 78 million rounds of rifle ammunition.

In order to avoid the interference of Congress, Roosevelt also played a trick this time, and his aides dug up an 1892 law from the pile of old papers: "It is permissible to lease military assets not needed for public use for a period of five years." This was not the first time Roosevelt had done this, as he had used it when dealing with the "Nine Elders" (the Supreme Court of the United States). It's a bit of a scoundrel, but it's effective.

After Nevins and Jairo left, John knew that Major General Bull had left him alone to discuss with him about future work arrangements.

"John, you've been in the battle planning department for a year."

"I reported on October 1 last year, exactly one year."

"Time flies." Major General Bull lit a cigarette and tossed the cigarette case and lighter to John. "Recently, there has been a shortage of personnel in various units, and six important roles have been taken out of the department in a row. To be honest, I'm really reluctant to let you go. ”

The army has expanded by more than 400,000 troops at once, and it is easy to recruit new recruits. Recently, a large number of middle-level officers in the staff department have been transferred to serve in grass-roots units. Of course, many of these people applied for the army on their own initiative. Because before they go down, they can basically be promoted to the first rank.

"I'm also reluctant. When I first arrived, I didn't know anything about the Army. On the first day of the meeting, I was like a fool. It was you and your colleagues in the department who taught me so much. Without your help and your help, I wouldn't be where I am today. John hurriedly expressed his "reluctance".

Although he also knew in his heart that Major General Bull was just talking. In fact, it won't be long before Bull himself will leave the Battle Planning Division. It seems that he is going to the Supplementary Corps Command to take over the position of General Hodges.

John's attitude made Bull happy: "You're too modest, John. Your abilities are obvious to all. You're a lot better than us old men in some areas of expertise. As I've said to Nevins, you're a natural fit for the job, and few people adapt to the job of the Operations Planning Division as quickly as you do. ”

John was embarrassed by Major General Boer's praise. He just has some expertise in logistics, and if he really wants to go to the combat units below, it is estimated that he will not be able to command even a platoon.

"However, this is the case in the army, and orders from higher authorities must be carried out unconditionally. Even if I don't want you to go, there's no way. Major General Bull shrugged helplessly, "Chief of Staff Marshall has already told me that your job will be adjusted, and the transfer will come down in the near future." ”

"I understand, resolutely obey orders, General!" John wanted to open his mouth to ask where he would be transferred next, but he swallowed back the words.

Major General Bull, of course, knew what John was most concerned about, and he didn't talk to John: "I know what you want to inquire about, but I don't know where you're going next." The specific arrangements will be discussed with you when Chief of Staff Marshall returns. ”

Immediately, he smiled and said, "You kid is very popular." During the meeting, General Arnold and General Somerville (Army Logistics Commander) choked on you again, and even General Drum (Commander of the First Army) wanted you to go to New York to be his logistics director. ”

"Lieutenant General Hugh Drum?" John was a little surprised, he and the old man had not crossed paths before. Could it be that Marshall hinted that he was doing so? (Although Drum was a veteran in the army, he had a good relationship with Marshall, who was Marshall's direct superior during World War I.) Or does the family have something to do with him?

No matter, it's useless for him to worry about this kind of thing now anyway. "Then when will Chief of Staff Marshall return? I have an expedition report to give to him. As he spoke, John pulled out the psychological warfare report he had written with Joseph Jr. from his briefcase.

"He's going to Fort Knox next week. Report that you will wait for him to come back and give it to him yourself. Major General Bull did not take the report: "Anyway, it will only be four or five days, and I will not arrange other work for you." In the future, Jairo will be in charge of your stall, and you will do the handover yourself. ”

"Understood, General!"

"Alright, so be it. Your business trip is hard enough, I'll give you a few more days off, and go back and have a good rest after the handover. ”

"Thank you, General!" John was about to ask Commissioner Bull for leave. Adele may be giving birth at any time in the next two days.

After leaving the director's office, John went to Jero to discuss the handover. As soon as they had not finished talking, Pakarina rushed in in a hurry: "Lieutenant Colonel, oh no, Colonel, you called from home and said that your wife is going to give birth!" ”

John stood up with a bang, and the day had finally come. This kid is really sensible, and his father is in a hurry to come out as soon as he comes back.

"John, go back quickly. I'll talk about the handover in two days," Jairo hurriedly urged.

Without saying a word, John grabbed his briefcase and ran out. "Hat, Colonel! Your hat! Pakarina hurriedly chased after her.

By the time John arrived home, Grandma Susan and Dr. Edward, along with a large group of servants and midwives, were already on standby.

"How's it going?" John asked hurriedly.

"It's early, the water just broke." Dr. Edward said slowly, sipping his coffee leisurely. "If you want, you can go up and have a look first, and remember to ask the nurse to help you get rid of the poison."

When John enters the makeshift delivery room on the second floor, he finds Adele lying on the bed, eating fruit while asking Mary to give her a leg massage.

"How do you feel, dear?" John stepped forward and kissed Adele on the forehead. Recently, Adele has been so swollen that her whole body has become "round".

"It's okay, it's just that my leg was a little cramped just now." Adele comforted John in turn: "Don't worry. It's not the first time I've had a baby. Grandma Susan and Dr. Edward are there, as well as the midwives at the University of Washington Hospital, so there will be no problem. ”

Uneasy, John questioned Mary and the midwife carefully and made sure everything was okay before leaving the delivery room. In these years, her husband is not willing to accompany the birth, even if he wants to stay, Adele is unwilling.

By six o'clock in the evening, Adele had finally started to launch. John fidgeted alone on the couch downstairs, his cigarette almost shredded. As the minutes ticked by, John began to get more and more worried. After all, Adele is in her 30s, and she will be considered an advanced maternal age in the future, so there will be no accidents.

Finally, just as John could barely resist rushing into the delivery room, he heard the cry of a baby coming from upstairs. Grandma Susan ran out excitedly: "Boy! Sir, it's a boy! It's 8 pounds! ”

When the midwife handed him the swaddling baby, John was speechless with excitement. Looking at the child's wrinkled little face, John felt connected by blood for the first time. It was a completely different feeling than what he had experienced from little Ella. This is my son, not only the son of John Vanderbilt, but also the son of my king Scott (King Eric).

"Sir, what is the child's name?" The midwife at the hospital found John with his birth certificate.

"Eric, Eric Degallo Vanderbilt!"