Sure enough, as Ouyang Jian expected, Chennault came uninvited that evening. Americans like to drive their own cars, which stop at breakneck speeds and kick up dust. Gong Nan stepped forward and opened the car door and said, "Welcome General Chennault to visit, please!" Chennault got out of the car and simply tidied up his appearance, looked up and saw Ouyang Jian and his wife standing in front of the door with a smile on their faces, and strode over. There is no need to repeat the greetings between the two parties, and after entering the living room and taking a seat, Mei Fang hurriedly served the food, showing the status of the hostess.

Looking at the sumptuous dinner, Chennault said, "General Ouyang, the meal is so sumptuous that I can't help but make my stomach and intestines molostatic. But I'm not in the mood to eat, I'm here to ask for your help. Chennault said bluntly that Ouyang Jian and his wife were fluent in English, and there was no problem in communicating between them. General Chennault, I understand your feelings, let's talk while we eat. Maybe your depression will melt away tonight. Chennault's eyes lit up and said: "It is said that General Ouyang is like a god, please speak up, I will listen to you." ”

"General Chennault, you have been living in China for many years. There is a slang saying in China called "follow the customs of the locals", I wonder if you are interested in Chinese liquor? "I can drink a little bit, but the Chinese wine is too strong, and it is still difficult to adapt to it after coming to China for a few years." "In that case, you're welcome!" Ouyang Jian personally gave Chennault half a cup of Moutai. "General Chennault, Chinese can't drink without food, eat a few bites of food first. These dishes are ordered in several famous restaurants in Chongqing, please! After a few sips of wine, Chennault's face flushed, and his emotions came up.

"General Ouyang, Chinese food is a must, and I can't eat this tempting and hearty dish in the United States, and I never get tired of eating it." "General Chennault, I heard that you have married a Chinese wife!" Mei Fang took the opportunity to ask. "Yes ma'am, maybe it has something to do with Chinese food. But I like Chinese women, who are virtuous, gentle, bird-friendly and housekeepers. We have a good relationship as a husband and wife, and I love her very much! Mei Fang glanced at her husband and teased: "Ouyang, when did you say you loved me?" ”

"Madam, the cultures are different, and you can't generalize, General Chennault, what do you say?" "I don't understand the concept of the Chinese, so it's not good to comment on it." "It seems that Chinese food can be brainwashed, and General Chennault really follows the local customs!" Mei Fang teased. "Madam, I'm not following the local customs, but thinking from your point of view." "General Chennault, when it comes to thinking from our point of view, I think the general's depression can be relieved."

Chennault couldn't help but laugh when he heard this: "General Ouyang is really shrewd, yes, I'm in a much better mood now, please be outspoken." "General Chennault, as the saying goes, good things come in good things. Now that the United States is half of its foot involved in the war, the world's anti-fascist camp has also revealed its clues. If I am not mistaken, the achievements of the Eighth Route Army in air combat have already attracted the attention of the US Government, and perhaps the day is not far off when the Eighth Route Army Air Force and the US Air Force will fight side by side. Chennault shook his head and said, "General Ouyang, although the US government and people sympathize with the weak, they are unwilling to get involved in the war. ”

"Under what circumstances do you think the Americans will get involved in the war?" "Unless the Japanese attack us and cause public outrage among the American people, the Japanese will not do that." "General Chennault is naïve. Since the U.S. government has stopped all trade between the United States and Japan, and has taken a strong attitude to demand that Japan stop all military operations, the Japanese have no way out, and I think there will be a war between the United States and Japan! "You mean to say that the Japanese army is attacking the South Seas! The South Seas were the sphere of influence of the British and Dutch. We will do everything we can to the British, but we will not go to war. ”

"If the Japanese take the initiative to attack you!" "You're saying that the Japanese army is attacking the Philippines, and if that happens, we will evacuate the Philippines and not go to war. Unless war threatens the security of the continental United States. Ouyang Jian knew that the U.S. government and U.S. soldiers, including Chennault himself, had never expected the Japanese Navy to attack Pearl Harbor. Ouyang Jian would not tell Chennault about the actions of the Japanese army. It seems that the paralysis of the Americans is not just at the level of government, but also ordinary military personnel.

Ouyang Jian knew that there was no need to discuss this issue now, the facts would speak for themselves. "General Chennault, although the Sino-US Volunteer Air Force has been formally established, you have also encountered a problem, and I will try to analyze it to see if it is accurate. At present, although the Volunteer Air Force has recruited a large number of retired pilots, their technical level is uneven, and the vast majority of pilots have not experienced actual combat. If you let such a group of people go into battle, you can't be terrified. "General Ouyang's vision is really sharp, yes, this is my problem."

"I have a suggestion!" "But it doesn't hurt to say it!" "I sent a few good pilots to the Flying Tigers to learn and train together. This can stimulate the fighting spirit of American pilots, what does the general think? "Good idea, I'm worried about how to train this bunch of unruly cowboys, and let your warriors teach them a lesson." Chennault was so excited that he drank the wine in one gulp, but there was no reaction. Ouyang Jian knew in his heart that after the outbreak of the Pacific War at the end of the year, Chennault would serve as the supreme commander of the 14th Air Force of the US Air Force in China.

Select a few excellent pilots and go to the Flying Tigers to train together. First, it can defeat the arrogance of US pilots and increase trust in each other, and second, it can establish contact and affection in advance, so as to lay a good foundation for cooperative operations in the future. Now there is no need to worry, it is a foregone conclusion that the Flying Tigers will enter the Xiaoshan base next year. As long as the Eighth Route Army Flying Regiment is responsible for the escort mission of the US bombers, a large number of US fighters will be continuously delivered, which is the first goal that Ouyang Jian wants to achieve.

In addition, with the deepening of cooperation between the two sides and the needs of the war situation, the United States will ask the pilots of the Eighth Route Army to fly bombers to carry out missions, and this will create conditions for the formation of the Eighth Route Army's bomber team. Chennault was a key figure, and he must be used to further strengthen the Eighth Route Army's aviation unit, and he should not be allowed to play a role in fueling the flames.

The moonlight was soft, and Chennault was a little top-heavy, but he was in a cheerful mood. Seeing Chennault's car disappear quickly, Ouyang Jian excitedly gave a prickly crack, and immediately went back to the house to send a report to the Xiaoshan base.

At the beginning of September, the golden autumn is cool and the sun is shining. At an airport near Changsha, Hunan Province, where the Sino-US Volunteer Air Force is located, dark gray fighters are lined up in an orderly manner on the tarmac. Next to several fighter planes, a US military mechanic in ground support clothing was overhauling the plane. At this moment, there was a roar in the sky, and a transport plane appeared in the eastern sky. Hearing the sound of the air breaking, Chennault walked out of the room in a straight military uniform and a pair of sunglasses. Many US military pilots lazily looked at the sky, wondering what this transport plane was doing all of a sudden?

The transport plane landed smoothly, and when the cabin door opened, I saw four officers wearing the uniforms of the Eighth Route Army, walking down heroically. Eighth Route Army Air Force Officer Deputy: Large cap, tight jacket lapels, trousers, shiny leather shoes under his feet, and the color of the military uniform is dark green. The beauty of the military uniform even exceeds that of the US military uniform, and as soon as the four people appeared collectively, they immediately attracted everyone's attention.

A few days ago, Liu Yalou received a telegram from Ouyang Jian, and immediately selected Tie Ying, Li Xiang, Sun Hao, Zheng Hui, and four elite team captains and deputy captains to form a group and go to Changsha, Hunan. They will represent the highest level of the Eighth Route Army Flying Regiment and go to the Flying Tigers for exchange and study.

At this moment, Tie Ying led the team to Chennault's side and saluted, "Report to the general, Tie Ying, the pilot of the Eighth Route Army, led the team to report!" Please instruct! "Among the four, Tie Ying has the best English." Everyone, it's been a great trip! My lieutenant will familiarize you with the environment here, and I will officially introduce you in the evening! Chennault shook hands with Tieying and others, and looked particularly enthusiastic. In the evening in the auditorium of the station, US military pilots gathered. Soon, Tie Ying and four others came to the front desk and raised their hands to salute, and Chennault said in front of all the pilots.

Not long ago, in the skies over Fujian, the Eighth Route Army Flying Regiment broke out in an air battle with the Japanese army, showing great courage and achieving remarkable results. They are all excellent pilots and true warriors in the air. This is Captain Tie Ying, the captain of the 1st Elite Squadron of the Eighth Route Army, and this is Lieutenant Li Xiang, the deputy captain of the brigade. This is Lieutenant Sun Hao, the captain of the 2nd Elite Squadron, and this is Second Lieutenant Zheng Hui, the deputy captain. Iron Eagle and the others raised their hands again in salute.

"Ladies and gentlemen, tomorrow we will select the best pilots of the Flying Tigers to compete with the pilots of the Eighth Route Army. As for who is superior, let the results tell. Major Jones, Major Roger, Captain Jack, Captain Owen!" As Chennault took the roll call, four U.S. pilots stood up in the crowd. They were very lazy with their arms in their arms, and they were between 30 and 40 years old. "The four of you are the best pilots of the Flying Tigers, and tomorrow's competition will test your flying skills. Please show the courage of a cowboy and don't let me down. ”

Jones walked up to Iron Eagle and said arrogantly, "Boy, watch out for your ass tomorrow!" Back in the bedroom, Zheng Hui asked in confusion: "Brother Tie, what did the Yankees say in front of you, it seems to be menacing." "He said watch out for my ass tomorrow!" "Damn, the Yankees are so arrogant, look at their arrogant demeanor, it's uncomfortable to look at!" Sun Hao was disrespectful. "Brothers, don't forget how the commander explained, after all, these Yankees are here to help us fight Japan." Li Xiang stood up and reminded.

Tie Ning said: "Brother Li is right, the arrogant attitude of the Yankees does disgust us, but what is our mission? It's about connecting feelings and friendships. In tomorrow's competition, you must give your best, and if you want the other party to respect us, you must beat the arrogance of the other party. "Brother Tie is right, tomorrow's competition is the key ・・・・・・." The next day, in the heavenly competition, Iron Eagle defeated Jones 4:0, Li Xiang defeated Roger 4:3, Sun Hao defeated Jack 4:2, and Zheng Hui tied with Owen 2:2.

After the two sides landed with the fighter planes, Major Jones took the initiative to come over and hold Tie Ying's hand and said, "Young man is so good, admire!" "Major Jones, if you're willing to appreciate it, I'll treat you to a drink in the evening!" Iron Eagle took the opportunity to invite. “ok!” Jones gladly accepted. Tie Ying glanced at the three of them, and the three of them took the initiative to walk towards each other ・・・・・・. The outstanding performance of the pilots of the Eighth Route Army greatly stimulated the pilots of the Flying Tigers, prompting Chennault to make a bold move to integrate the Flying Tigers, setting off an upsurge of military training