Before the last negotiation, Huang Ke, Xu Shaozhou, Song Ziwen and others had a simple consultation in the small conference room next to it.

He said that Sino-US cooperation in building an airport cannot be refused, even if it temporarily damages China's interests, but considering the overall process of anti-fascism and the relationship between allies, Sino-US cooperation in building an airport is a matter that both sides have reached consensus.

Whether to build or not has already been considered, so Huang Ke directly threw out the next question, where to build? That is, the question of airport location.

Xu Shaozhou is the Minister of the Air Force, and the Ministry of the Air Force has already done research and basic planning on this matter, and the collection of books has been sent to his desk. After Huang Ke asked this question, he replied without hesitation: "We have made a preliminary assessment in advance, and according to the requirements of the US side, and taking into account various factors such as the range of the B-29 and comprehensive supply, the following cities can be used as alternative locations for airport locations: Chengdu, Kunming, Wuhu, Suzhou, and Jinan." ”

Xu Shaozhou added: "The equilibrium conditions of these cities have their own advantages and disadvantages, and in general, the closer to the inland cities, the safer they are, but at the cost of losing the voyage." ”

Huang Ke nodded, "This can't fully consider us, and we have to negotiate with the US side." In this way, the assessment materials will be directly submitted to the US side, so that they can also consider it comprehensively. ”

Xu Shaozhou nodded and replied "yes".

Then, Huang Ke did not ask directly, but instructed Song Ziwen: "Minister Song, when you communicate with the US side before the meeting, you must inform the other party of our eagerness to build an airport, and at the same time convey the goodwill of our cooperation, but we also have our own requirements." ”

Speaking of this, he seemed to deliberately leave a riddle for the other party as if he was guessing a riddle, and without waiting for Song Ziwen to ask, he raised his hand to look at his watch and said, "It's almost time, let's discuss this first." Alright, adjournment. ”

With that, the conference room was already dispersed. Everyone got up and went straight to the large conference room.

Stilwell and a group of U.S. representatives were already in place, and it was clear that Stilwell was in a better mood than just now, and he laughed loudly from time to time while chatting with his colleagues, and it seemed that the meeting was still in line with their overall expectations.

After the personnel of both sides were in place, everyone began to sit down one after another. From the very beginning, Soong Ziwen conveyed the basic meaning of the Chinese side, and the last talks between the two sides began in a friendly atmosphere.

Air Force Secretary Xu Shaozhou handed Stilwell a form of opinion on the Chinese side's site selection and said that the United States can make a choice according to actual needs.

Stilwell and the others nodded incessantly, apparently appreciating the meticulous work of the Chinese side.

"We appreciate your rigorous and pragmatic approach. The exact location of the site is still uncertain today, and we still need to do research after we go back, but I believe that the results will be available soon. Stilwell changed his initial attitude and some rare smiles appeared on his face.

Subsequently, the two sides discussed some relevant details. Stilwell raised questions about the construction of the airport, and Huang Ke waved his hand and said, "The construction of the airport will be undertaken by the Chinese side, and the United States can also send a technical team to guide it." The materials and engineering personnel for the construction of the airport are borne by ourselves. ”

Stilwell and the US personnel looked at each other and expressed their approval, and the atmosphere was very harmonious for a while.

The US side is to maintain the number of B-29 bombers in the Chinese theater to ensure the complete suppression of the Japanese mainland.

All this was expected, and China and the United States had previously conducted a preliminary communication on this, so when Stilwell said it, there was naturally no objection.

However, Huang Ke's next words surprised Stilwell and even the Chinese personnel, and Huang Ke threw out his long-awaited opinion, "We propose that China and the United States form a joint bomber formation, and we can send pilots to participate in the bombing operation against the Japanese mainland." ”

When Stilwell and the others were surprised, Huang Ke said frankly: "Technically, although the pilots of our Chinese Air Force are not as experienced as the American air force in long-range bombing, we also have experience to share in dealing with complex climatic conditions and fighting against Japan." Both of us are allies, and China should do its part to do so. ”

Stilwell didn't speak, looked at Huang Ke and continued: "In terms of national feelings, we are a country that has suffered greatly from Japanese aggression, and our people and army hate Japanese imperialism. ”

"In addition, from your country's point of view, your country is now at war in the Pacific, Europe, Africa and other places, and the pilots are facing tensions, which can also relieve your pressure."

Huang Ke then expounded his views on the specific prospects of cooperation between the two sides and the maintenance of the battlefield in the Chinese theater. In fact, Huang Ke had fully stated this point of view in the handwritten letter that Stilwell had forwarded to Roosevelt, and he believed that with President Roosevelt's wisdom, he would definitely agree to this plan.

Stilwell didn't say anything about it right away, he lifted his glasses on the bridge of his nose, crossed his emaciated fingers together, pursed his lips, shook his knees again, adjusted his sitting position, and stuck the thumb and forefinger of his right hand between his temple and chin.

"Mr. Chairman, your proposal goes beyond what we have agreed upon, and I think I will need to report back to Washington before I can give you a clear answer."

Huang Ke nodded, "It's understandable, but time waits for no one, and I ask General Stilwell to do it as soon as possible." ”

As he spoke, he stood up and shook Stilwell's hand, meaning to declare the meeting over. The staff of both sides sorted out the minutes of the meeting and compiled them into a book after confirming that they were correct.

On the evening of the week after the talks, Huang Ke held a welcoming banquet for Stilwell and his entourage in the Zhongshan Hall of the Ministry of National Defense.

In addition to a number of Chinese and American participants, the embassies of Britain, the Soviet Union, and other countries in China, their wives, and the famous writer Hemingway, who is visiting China, and his wife Martha were also invited to attend the banquet.

Grape wine, mellow Moutai, and delicious food dedicated by Chinese chefs, in a happy and peaceful atmosphere in the midst of the staggering, Huang Ke and everyone raised their glasses frequently, and was pulled to the balcony of the hall by Song Ziwen and Xu Shaozhou and chatted alone.

"Ziwen, Shao Zhou, do you have anything else to talk about separately?" Huang Ke said with a smile, he has a very personal relationship with Song Ziwen, and he is one of the few people in the Wuhan gang who still has close contacts, and he and Xu Shaozhou have also had a relationship between superiors and subordinates for many years, and this is a private occasion, so naturally he can say whatever he wants.

But in the final analysis, Song Ziwen is also a descendant of the Wuhan gang, Minister Kong has many contradictions with him, and Jiang Zhongzheng's relationship with him is not salty or light, the two sides are nothing more than relatives, sometimes because of interests, sometimes because of interests, sometimes separated because of interests, not very close.

Song Ziwen heard Huang Ke ask like this, and he also lowered his face and said in a low voice: "Brother Xinghua, how can you make such a request to the United States?" Our pilots are already in short supply, so why should they be involved in their bombing of Japan? You must know that such a casualty rate is high, and besides, the Americans may not necessarily buy it. In addition, if we build a joint air force with the Americans, we will inevitably have to share a part of the cost, and this will also increase the financial expenditure. ”

Xu Shaozhou also said: "That's true. It can be seen that he also agrees with Song Ziwen's point of view.

Huang Ke shook the goblet in his hand and listened carefully to the opinions of the two. The two had unquestionable intentions, but their thinking was wrong, or not long-term enough. As a "person who has come over", Huang Ke will naturally be able to make a basic judgment based on the world situation in the next five or ten years.

This is a rare accurate foresight of the future!

"You all have a point, but have you ever thought about it? What is the reason why the United States needs to beg us to build this air base now? Huang Ke looked at the two of them.

Xu Shaozhou said quickly: "Naturally, it is because they can only be passively beaten in the Pacific Ocean, and they have no base capable of attacking the Japanese mainland. ”

Huang Ke nodded: "What Shao Zhou said is right, but the question is that once the US military turns from defense to offensive in the Pacific, will they still be so eager to establish an air base in our country?" ”

The reason is self-explanatory, obviously there is no need, Song Ziwen and Xu Shaozhou are very clear about this.

Huang Ke then asked Xu Shaozhou, "You are the Minister of the Air Force, is it not beneficial for China and the United States to engage in a joint bomber fleet?" ”

Xu Shaozhou naturally denied it, "It is obvious that there are benefits, and our air force lacks a lot in long-range bombing." First, let's try the H series bomber developed by our country has a short range and insufficient bomb load, and secondly, the quality of pilots. Of course, this is related to the actual needs of our current air situation, and our air force is mainly defensive for the Japanese air force, and this area is also vacant. ”

"Isn't that right?" Huang Ke didn't continue, but Song Ziwen and Xu Shaozhou also understood the deep meaning. Since Huang Ke insisted on this, they had no choice but to fight for more bargaining chips in the negotiations.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Please pause the gathering, I have good news to announce. Mr. Warren, the British Consul in China, walked to the center of the dance floor.

When everyone turned their eyes to him, he raised his arms and exclaimed: "The federal army under the command of the British commander of the Middle East battlefield, Claude Auchinleck LinkedIn has won the victory of the German Nazi defense in the El Alamein area, and the next step is to turn defense into attack!" Banzai! ”

The venue burst into long-lasting applause.