Knox was not interested in individual light weapons, so he didn't step forward just now, and when he saw his old friend asking for help, he could only take the initiative to speak: "General Pan Sen, I know that when you first took up your post in Shanghai, the initial military positions and ranks you obtained were all navy, and then you personally formed the 327th Marine Regiment in the Far East, concurrently served as its commander, and also commanded the 4th Regiment of the Navy and Army for two years......

"Even now, you also have the rank of major general of the sea and land, speaking of which, your relationship with the sea and land is extremely deep! Therefore, the Marine Corps is also responsible for the affairs of the Marine Corps. ”

This made Li Junhao speechless, of course what the other party said was right, he did have an inseparable relationship with the sea and land, so he could only say: "Mr. Minister, I admit that you are right, but now I have a lot of positions, not counting other concurrent positions, the work of the director of national intelligence and the commander of the Allied Indo-Burma Theater that needs to involve my energy is very heavy, and it is true that I don't have the energy to take care of sea and land affairs." In this way, I will communicate more with Mr. Roosevelt and strive for better living conditions on land and sea......"

"General Panson, this is not enough!" "The development of the Marine Corps requires more effort, and the increasingly heavy combat missions of this force require a strong leader who can secure better resources from Congress, the President, the Administration, and so on...... I thought about it, among the current military generals, only you can do it! ”

"Oh? Minister, Commander, are you looking too highly of me? Li Junhao said helplessly.

Knox said, "No, you do! Or rather, you're most likely to do it. ”

"I would like to ask you to resign from your position as commander of the Allied Indo-Burma Theater of Operations......" At this time, Holkum said directly, "I will ask the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Admiralty Department that you be the first deputy commander of the Marine Corps!" ”

Li Junhao scratched his head, this position is a little tempting, but it doesn't mean much to him, he doesn't know how much to worry about when he goes to this "poor yamen"! Moreover, it is not good to be the boss in the Indo-Burma theater, especially now that the third Burma campaign has been won, no matter whether the next step is to counterattack the Malay Peninsula or attack French China, it is an opportunity to make meritorious contributions again, why should I give it up?

Knox added: "General Panson, you are now a rear admiral, and if you agree to be the first deputy commander of the sea and land, I promise you that before the end of the year, you will be promoted to vice admiral." ”

Li Junhao glanced at him, he was promoted to vice admiral before the end of the year, this condition is good, but it is not good enough to make him tempted.

Seeing that he still didn't say anything, Holkum gritted his teeth and said heavily: "Pan Sen, as long as you come to the sea and land, after you are promoted to vice admiral at the end of the year, I will immediately resign to make way for you and let you take over the post of commander of the Marine Corps!" ”

Hey? This condition ...... Li Junhao admitted that he was tempted!

Knox glanced at Holcomb in some surprise, and found that this old friend's hair had all turned gray, and then think about his 64-year-old age, only five years younger than himself, but he looked like he was much older than himself, which was all tired from the position of commander of the sea and land! Thinking of this, naturally I won't persuade him anymore.

Seeing the old general's eager gaze, Li Junhao finally said: "Minister, commander, I have two conditions: first, I want to be promoted to lieutenant general of the Marine Corps, not vice admiral; Second, when I become commander of the land and sea, I will ask to become a full member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Secretary Knox must help. ”

Knox and Holcombe were stunned and looked at each other, both surprised and surprised!

Holcomb said, "Lieutenant General of the Marine Corps, this has never happened before......

Knox, however, had higher political wisdom than his old friend, reached out and slapped the table, saying, "Good idea!" Og, you're amazing! If you can fulfill both of these requirements, the status of the Marine Corps will be greatly improved...... Wait a minute, you're not going to think ......"

"Yes!" Li Junhao said, "When I become the commander of the navy and land, I will make every effort to promote this force to be completely independent from the navy and become the third largest branch of the military, and it will be ahead of the air force!" ”

Knox was stunned for a moment, then reacted and said, "I understand!" Ogur, you are indeed fit to be a commander on land and sea! ”

Holkum still didn't understand, he didn't understand the two demands put forward by General Panson and the fact that he would become an independent branch of the armed forces before the Air Force!

Knox explained to him: "If General Panson is promoted to lieutenant general in the Marine Corps, it will be a big move to break with the tradition of the American army; Becoming a full member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff indicates that the navy and land have the qualifications to be on a par with the army and navy; According to the development of modern military affairs, it is inevitable that the air force will become an independent service, and if the navy and land become independent before the air force, they will force the Congress to give the same treatment to the sea and the land......

After hearing this, Holkum patted his head and said, "General Pansen, this is the method you just thought of?" That's amazing, isn't it? ”

"That's not what I just thought!" Li Junhao said, "I have been thinking about it since Admiral Leahy put forward his hope for the presidency to the Joint Chiefs of Staff the day before yesterday when I attended the Joint Chiefs of Staff...... On the one hand, if you can't think of it, how to refuse; On the other hand, I was thinking, if I go, what will I do for Hailu and myself? ”

Holkum smiled: "In any case, based on your requirements and vision of the future of the sea and land, it proves that you are more suitable to be the commander than me." ”

Knox nodded, not agreeing, so as not to hit his old friend.

——

After seeing off the two guests, Li Junhao stayed on the shooting range for a while before getting up and returning to the study.

After reviewing the conversation with the two just now, I made sure that I expressed my requirements clearly, and decided in my heart: If these two conditions can really be met, I will really go to sea and land!

So, he called the White House, told Ayres and Admiral Leahy of his decision, and explained the two requests he made!

Ayres applauded his decision and promised to push the matter forward with all his might and fight for the best for him......

Leahy also quickly understood the intention of the proposed conditions, and patted his chest to assure that with his and Minister Knox working together, the navy would definitely support him; In addition, he would persuade Marshall and Arnold to agree to these two conditions, and then report to President Roosevelt for approval in the name of the Joint Chiefs of Staff......

Next, things developed faster than Li Junhao expected! At the same time, it is also unexpected by most people.

(End of chapter)