"You're here?"

When Qin Lang heard Rachel's voice, he immediately knew that his conversation with Yi Shui had reached the end of time. Pen, fun, pavilion www. biquge。 He quickly stood up and turned to the beautiful lady who was walking by. "Rachel, I'll leave it to you." He winked at her narrowly, "Make sure he behaves better tonight." ”

"Of course, I don't need you to remind me, I know what to do, Qin." She smiled and took Yi Shui's hand and walked towards the center of the venue.

Qin Lang stared at the back of his door for a while, and then turned his gaze to the others, the guests attending the ball—all acquaintances. Qin Lang saw him and Rachel's canned luncheon meat partner, old Rickman and his unangry son, saw the company's military adviser, Lieutenant Colonel Harrington, and saw George. Smith. Barton and his wife, and a young boy with them......

Another unexpected surprise. Qin Lang laughed. It was already a surprise for the Pattons to appear here, and he didn't expect them to bring with them a future army general, something he had never imagined: in general, no parent would take their minor children to another city for social events, unless there was something special.

Qin Lang was curious.

"Mr. Patton, Mrs. Patton." He walked up to Mr. and Mrs. Patton, bowed gracefully, and said with a smile, "It's a surprise that you're here." It's a great pleasure to be there. ”

"You're so polite, Mr. Qin." Barton laughed and glanced at his wife, "You and Miss McBride are friends of me and Ruth, and of course we are happy to accept your invitations. ”

But this is only a courtesy answer. Qin Lang knew very well that the Bartons could not really see themselves and Rachel as friends - the couple were prominent figures in California's high society. Barton was the first mayor of San Marino and served as a district attorney; His father-in-law was not only a large landowner in Pasadena and the first mayor of Los Angeles, but also the largest wine and brandy manufacturer in California.

Of course, if you go back further, Patton's family and his relatives are all very prominent figures, including governors, senators, and many generals - born in such a prominent family, even if he is not a person with empty eyes, it is impossible to regard Qin Lang and Rachel as his friends.

However, Qin Lang was not surprised at all. In fact, if Barton really thought of him and Rachel as friends, he would have had weird feelings. But this situation should not last forever, and Qin Lang is very hopeful to establish a good and close relationship with the Barton family.

Although in terms of political leaning, the Patton family supports the Democratic Party and is a Wilsonian in the Democratic Party, while Qin Lang chooses the Republican Party......

Because of the social status and influence of Patton and his in-law family, and because of Army General George Brown. Smith. Barton [Note]. For the sake of the company, Qin Lang needed friends who could influence the military, and Patton was a long-term investment—in addition to MacArthur, Bradley, and Eisenhower...... And so on, every star he knows will shine in the future. Of course, Barton was the closest he came to.

Even if he could not have predicted what would happen forty years from now, this investment was still necessary.

Qin Lang tilted his head towards the future army general who was not yet eleven years old. "This gentleman is ......," he thought deliberately, "your son?" ”

"Yes......" Before Barton had time to answer the question in full, his son introduced himself in the most standard way: "Little George. Smith. Barton, George. Smith. Barton & Ruce. Wilson's son, George. Smith. Barton & Susan. Thornton. Grace's grandson......"

He was very proud; Regardless of his tone, expression, or posture, it all fully shows that His Excellency the future general is very proud of his family. Of course, according to Qin Lang's understanding, Barton seems to be such a person, and the family members make him extremely proud and become an example for him to follow.

And he believes in the reincarnation of souls, believes that he is blessed by his ancestors, and believes that he will become a general and a hero in the future...... Since childhood.

Qin Lang laughed happily - in his heart. It's easy to get close to a proud little boy who isn't even eleven years old. "A descendant of a great family," he lamented, "I am sure that you will be as good as your elders." ”

"Of course." Little Barton replied confidently, then became happy, and added, "Thank you for the compliment, sir." ”

Qin Lang smiled, and then turned his gaze back to the Pattons, after all, they were still here, and he couldn't waste too much time on their son. But praise is still essential. "You have a wonderful son, Mr. Patton."

"Yes, he's always been brilliant and I'm proud of Ruce." Barton said happily, the smug and proud expression on his face. And of course, why not? For parents, having an excellent son is naturally something to boast about, and there is no need to hide it.

Qin Lang likes him to do this, which is a good thing and can help him achieve his goals. He smiled happily to himself, and complimented the little boy who was becoming more and more happy for a while in accordance with the wishes of the Bartons, and then naturally changed the subject: "So, Mr. Patton, you are traveling in San Diego as a reward for little George's excellent performance in school?" ”

"So to speak." Barton nodded, and continued, "But not tourism." We are military advisors visiting you in San Diego. ”

"Lieutenant Colonel Harrington?" Qin Lang was curious. Desmond. Harrington turned out to be connected to the Patton family? This was another piece of news he didn't know. But how are they connected?

"The lieutenant colonel's father is my father's comrade-in-arms, and he's an alumnus of mine—just a few years older than me." Barton explained.

Qin Lang raised his eyebrows. Harrington's father turned out to be the first George. Smith. Patton's comrade-in-arms, and he himself was a graduate of the Virginia Military Academy...... Perhaps, he was also a member of the "Capa-Alfa" brotherhood...... Qin Lang felt the need to deepen his relationship with Harrington.

Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Harrington, who was dancing with his wife, and began to seriously think about some new supplementary plans. At the same time, he pretended to listen very carefully to Barton's explanation.

“…… George Jr. was interested in the military side of things, and he insisted on visiting Lieutenant Colonel Harrington with us, so we brought him in. He gestured, "And just in time for the welcome ball you and Miss McBride are organizing." ”

"I think he must have been curious about a Marine lieutenant colonel in his twenties." And he is also a Chinese. Of course, all of California is curious about Yi Shui, but on the other hand, most people talk about him with jealousy, contempt, and even hatred.

So which one does the future army general belong to?

"He is not eligible for the title of lieutenant colonel." "I beg your pardon, sir," Barton Jr. was already voicing, "but I don't think that a man like him, who has neither any military exploits nor a formal member of the army, should not be awarded any rank at all." ”

"That's how I see it." Qin Lang's statement surprised Barton and his son, but this was indeed his opinion. "Whether it is Yi Shui's age, qualifications and performance, awarding him the rank of lieutenant colonel is too ...... Out of line. It's just that," he shrugged, "it's a congressional decision." ”

"It was a mistake."

"Yes."

"If I were him, I would refuse to accept such a promotion." Little Barton said solemnly.

"I'm sure you will, little George." Qin Lang also became serious, "I believe that you will show that you are an excellent soldier, a great general, and a hero with practical actions, and you will make countless outstanding military exploits, and the entire United States will be proud of you." ”

So the eleven-year-old boy became even happier, happier than he was to get any nice Christmas present. His parents weren't aware of anything either, and in the Bartons' opinion, all Qin Lang did was amuse a likable child—but any adult would do that.

But Qin Lang quickly changed the topic and slowly talked about the 1896 U.S. presidential election. Obviously, if he had been entangled in Little Barton, his parents would eventually realize that he might have some implicit purpose, which would make them less pleasant, which Qin Lang didn't want to see.

And, by the standards of the ball, his conversation with the Pattons had been going on for a little longer, and it was time to end.

So Qin Lang turned the conversation to the presidential election.

Mrs. Patton and Patton Jr. have not the slightest interest in the presidential election, and when a Republican supporter talks to a Democratic supporter about the presidential choice, things will either turn into a heated argument or it will come to an end quickly — in public, the conversation usually doesn't turn into an argument, it ends quickly.

It only took a few minutes for Qin Lang and Barton to say "goodbye" to each other.

Then Qin Lang walked towards his military advisor. Harrington had just left the dance floor and was resting on the couch next to him. Qin Lang sat down beside him, but before he could start speaking, the lieutenant colonel spoke.

"Oh, Mr. Qin, I'm looking for you for something."

"What's the matter?"

"I have some friends in the Army," Harrington said, "who want to work for the company." ”

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Note: Patton's grandfather, father, himself, sons, and grandsons were all named George. Smith. Patton - What an inherited family. (To be continued, if you want to know what will happen next, please log in to the www.qidian.com, more chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!) (To be continued.) )