"Ahem, ahem—"

"Ahem—ahem!"

"Ahem—"

The coughing sound one after another showed how dark Qin Wei's heart was. To know Lu Dao, almost none of these people sitting next to him are not black-hearted, but these people are so shocked by his words that they can't hold it back, so we can know how dark his words are. And this naturally made Chennault's not very sunny expression cough more and more cloudy.

"As far as I know, the Chinese government's original request for assistance from the United States should have been $140 million!" "General Flying Tiger" gritted his teeth and looked at his "boss": "General Qin, you have increased the loan amount without authorization, I wonder if Lu Dao has discussed it with others in advance?" ”

"You also saw it," Qin Wei spread his hands and glanced helplessly at the uncooperative crowd, "We definitely didn't discuss it in advance." ”

"That means that your words now represent the will of the Chinese government?" Chennault's face was gloomy. He decided to fight back. 140 million US dollars has become 320 million, more than doubled, this kind of behavior of treating them as the wronged head of the Americans is unacceptable to him, he has already regarded Qin Wei as half of an enemy, even though he has always admired this guy very much before.

"Claire, you're tearing down my platform." Qin Wei smiled bitterly, "In front of so many people, you obviously want to create discord within us." ”

"But isn't that what you're doing?" Chennault still did not let go, and swore to make Qin Wei have a conflict with Lao Chiang, "Without consulting anyone, he dared to make such a request to us on behalf of China...... If it weren't for the fact that I've been working in China for so long, I almost thought you were the supreme leader of China. ”

Claire ......

"Qin Wei is young and has achievements. I have the ability again, and when we guys are old, I am very relieved to have him at the helm of our China. Chiang Kai-shek's thick Fenghua accent suddenly interjected, "General Chennault, I know you're angry right now. But let me tell you, the problem in affairs with the United States is that General Qin's words are my words. ”

“……”

Lao Jiang's words were beyond everyone's expectations. Chennault was dumbfounded. And the others couldn't help but stare at Qin Wei fiercely twice, and began to exchange glances again...... It's not a formal occasion, though. But how did Lao Jiang say about the heir in front of people? This is the first time. Although this may have been mainly a response to Chennault, is there some truth in it? And He Yingqin and Chen Bui are just that, one has long known that he can't be the boss, and the other has no political ambitions, but Song Meiling and Chen Cheng. and the brothers Chen Guofu and Chen Lifu are different. Song Meiling is better, Chen Chengke has always regarded himself as Lao Jiang's successor. And the Chen brothers have always been extremely ambitious for the power of the Kuomintang. Although they usually don't seem to have any conflicts with Qin Wei, and only occasionally have some disagreements on individual issues, once Qin Wei really starts to plan for future succession as Lao Jiang said, they can't help but change their attitude.

"Chairman, that's not how the joke is made." Qin Wei was also taken aback by Lao Jiang. But after reacting, he just laughed: "Our affairs in China are too troublesome!" It's not that I said, if I sat in your current seat, then. In less than three years, I'll be twenty years old! Believe it or not? ”

"You're too modest." Lao Jiang smiled and said, "Although you are still young, with your ability, you will definitely be able to manage our country well in the future." I believe you. ”

"I can't." Qin Wei shook his head directly, "Chairman, let's not say that I have a shallow foundation in the country, even if I have a deep foundation, I can't stand the constant troubles." …… A country's leaders need great wisdom, but in China they need great perseverance, a will as strong as steel, and immense patience. I've got a little bit of confidence, but that's all. If it weren't for the support you and all of you have always given me, I might have backed down at the slightest trouble. I'm not the kind of person who can go all the way. I'll only do what I can, and if I can't, I'll hide faster than a rabbit. Therefore, the position of leader of a country is not suitable for me. ”

"You, you don't have ambition." Lao Jiang stretched out his hand and tapped him twice, sighing, as if he was a little disappointed.

"I'd rather be a staff member if I could. Whether it's General Wenbai, Mr. Bray, or Brother Zu Tao, I think I'm still up to one or two of the three of them. Of course, the premise is that I also need a deputy who can do things. Qin Wei smiled: "You know, I hate trivialities the most. ”

"If you hate trivialities, don't bother us. The door of the office of the director of the Yunnan-Guizhou Pacification Office has not been opened a few times until now, and if the chamber is like this, then what is it? Chen Guofu coughed dryly, glanced at Qin Wei angrily, and smiled at Chennault, who was sulking on the side: "General Chennault, what the chairman said just now is actually not wrong. Although General Qin's actual post is only that of commander-in-chief of the Air Force, he is also a member of the Central Military Commission and has the most right to speak on US affairs. ”

"Well, if even the chairman agrees with the conditions that General Qin just proposed, I have nothing to say. But I need a reason. ”

Chennault now understands, too. If he broke into the circle of this group of Chinese bigwigs alone, it would definitely not be possible for him to fall into good place. But since he was ordered to come, he had to go back with a charter. No matter how infuriating this charter is.

"What more reason can we have?" Qin Wei smiled bitterly, "Claire, in your opinion, I am taking the opportunity to blackmail and extort the wealth of your United States of America, but you have been in China for so long, you should know what our China is like." I don't have any reason. If I had to give a reason, it would be in one word: poor! ”

"Poor?" Chennault was silent for a moment, his face slowing slightly. He had been in China for a few years, and of course he knew that China was poor. But many Chinese officials are reluctant to admit it in front of foreigners. Therefore, Qin Wei's willingness to come up with this reason is already sincere: "But just one word, I still can't accept it, and I can't report it to the government." ”

"Then mention the Battle of Shanxi." He Yingqin suddenly spoke, "You are also in Shanxi, you should know that we are trying to recover Shanxi." Then look forward to how much effort and cost Beijing and Tianjin have paid. Such a loss naturally needs more replenishment. ”

"That's right." Chen Cheng then said: "Chinese soldiers do not lack combat effectiveness. But more than half of our troops are not adequately replenished with ammunition. A battle like the one in Shanxi was the only one since the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War. If the United States does not provide us with sufficient logistical support, this kind of fighting will only happen once. And for such a huge battlefield as China, $300 million is not much. ”

"If the Chinese government is willing to send troops to rescue General MacArthur and the 30,000 American soldiers trapped in Manila, we are willing to bear all the military expenses of your operation." Chennault hesitated, and did not directly respond to the words of He Yingqin and Chen Cheng, but put forward the conditions of his own side.

"Claire," Qin Wei sighed, "what do you think of this condition of yours?" ”

“…… I'm just in charge of conveying that. Chennault's face darkened again. However, this time it was not because the conditions of Qin Wei and others were too harsh. but because of the pettiness of the US government...... Let the Chinese take huge risks to rescue their generals and soldiers, but only promise military expenses. Wouldn't that make the family earn nothing? What is this treating the Chinese for? Beggars or mercenaries?

"Conveyed? Then you also convey our conditions to your superiors for me," Qin Wei sneered: "Four hundred million dollars, six hundred B-17s!" We'll get MacArthur and the soldiers out for you. ”

"General Qin......" Chennault stood up suddenly: "This is a major event involving the diplomatic relations between the two countries, as well as the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers. I hope you don't get too busy. ”

"Qin Wei, don't go too far." Song Meiling also reprimanded Qin Wei in a low voice. She felt that Qin Wei was a little too ruthless. And this condition is certainly unlikely to be agreed to by the Americans.

"Life is priceless. Claire. Qin Wei sighed. In order to rescue your soldiers, you are willing to provide us with military expenses. What about our soldiers, have you thought about it? Your soldiers are people, and our soldiers are garbage? ”

"I have never underestimated the value of any Chinese soldier." Chennault choked up and had to sit back down, "But I hope we can negotiate well." It's not like this just to fight for a breath and keep hitting each other. ”

"Roosevelt and his cabinet members have always been insincere with us!" Qin Wei smiled ugly again, "We once sincerely hoped to go to the Philippines to help in the war, but whether it was Roosevelt. Or MacArthur refused. Are they really not worried about the Japanese offensive? No, they are afraid that after we enter the Philippines, we will rob the colonies that belong to the United States! …… And now, the Japanese have snatched the colony and besieged your army general in Manila, who may soon be captured alive. We are willing to help, and we propose that both sides form a coalition force and establish a Southeast Asian coalition command to unify military operations in Southeast Asia in response to the imminent full-scale Japanese offensive in Southeast Asia. But you still didn't respond, just urging us to help you get people out......"

"I know this, but ...... Your conditions are too high. Not only do I have no way to give an account, but the military also has no way to give an account to the government and to the parliament. Chennault's face was bitter, for he suddenly realized that his side did not have any moral advantage. It's a shame that he actually put on an angry appearance just now. It should be the Chinese who should be angry.

"You're wrong again, Claire." Qin Wei sighed again, "Your superiors have every way to give an account to the government and the parliament!" As long as they are willing to make up their minds, let alone $400 million, it's $4 billion, and that's not a problem at all. ”

"General Qin......" Chennault looked at Qin Wei as if pleading, but seeing Qin Wei's face, he knew that there was no hope, so he turned to Lao Jiang and Song Meiling: "Chairman, madam...... I hope that you will be realistic and come up with a reasonable price for assistance. ”

"Qin Wei, don't always be so excited, we and the Americans still have to continue to cooperate." Perhaps Chennault's plea worked, or perhaps he wanted to reduce some difficulties for his big brother who was in the United States, after all, the real negotiations were still in Washington, and Soong Ziwen represented the Chinese government with the Americans. Therefore, Song Meiling thought about it and began to advise Qin Wei.

"Madam, I really don't ask for much of this." Qin Wei smiled bitterly, "The Philippines has been determined to fall, even if we can rescue MacArthur and his gang, we can't stop the Japanese invasion of other countries in Southeast Asia!" But the real battlefield of Britain and the United States and other countries is in Europe...... Therefore, we will be the only ones who can fight Japan in Asia! This burden is too heavy. With our strength, we simply can't afford it. Therefore, let alone 400 million US dollars, I am afraid that 40 billion US dollars will not be able to stop at the end. The Americans offered this price, and it was totally worth it. ”

"No matter how much you spend, you can take it one step at a time."

Chen Lifu suddenly said, and Chennault nodded hurriedly.

"Yes, yes, yes."

"Step by step? How many supplies do we have now? How many battles do we have enough weapons to fight? Do we want our soldiers to fill the battlefield with their lives? Qin Wei smiled bitterly, "Besides, who dares to guarantee that we will be able to stop the Japanese?" If we hadn't made reserves in advance, we wouldn't have been able to stop the Japanese and let them invade India...... How can this consequence be made up for by $400 million, $4 billion, or $40 billion? ”

"India? ......" Chennault suddenly changed color. (To be continued......)