At this point, Yang Zhen paused for a moment, then said in an extremely firm tone: "We can't change the national policy of the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom in the European battlefield, the United States. How much is left? To put it bluntly, what can we get?
One-tenth that of the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom is already pretty good."
"However, I ask Mr. Hopkins to remember that our enemy is definitely not just the Kwantung Army, but also the entire Japanese army that invaded China. Those who ravaged more than half of China and massacred tens of millions of our compatriots.
The Japanese soldiers. Those Japanese soldiers who used us Chinese as experimental subjects for germ warfare. Those two-legged beasts who would not even spare a child who has just learned to walk or a suckling baby in the mother's arms."
"We will not make any compromises with them in this war. If you ask me about my attitude, it is to fight to the death. Even if it means firing the last bullet or the last person, we will persevere.
From the day when more than a hundred of us prisoners of war broke out of the Japanese bacterial warfare base, we vowed to fight them to the bitter end without any compromise."
"But Mr. Hopkins, we can't rely solely on bravery on the battlefield. To fight against a powerful opponent armed to the teeth, we also need sophisticated equipment. We are not afraid of sacrifice, but sacrifice does not mean losing our lives in vain. We
The sacrifice must be worthwhile."
"Your national policy of putting Europe before Asia is your own problem. I have no right to ask or interfere. But while you want us to bear our so-called responsibilities, you cannot give us a large amount of additional heavy equipment. But we should always let ourselves
If you have the ability, go and replenish the battle-damaged equipment yourself."
Yang Zhen's words were categorical, and even sounded harsh to many people. Others here who did not know the future national policy of the United States were a little unclear about his words. But Hopkins and
Pearson clearly understood the meaning behind his words. Neither of them expected that Yang Zhen would judge the entire strategic policy of the United States so accurately.
Looking at Hopkins who chose to remain silent without any answer after hearing what he said, Yang Zhen clicked on the list in front of him and said: "Mr. Hopkins, the numbers on my list,
Compared with what you promised to provide to the Soviet Union, do you tell more truth?"
"The amount of materials you allocate to them will probably far exceed ours. Yes, the number of their troops is indeed far greater than ours, but we have been expanding. Because if we realize our strategy, these troops in our hands will definitely
It’s not enough.”
"It's just that our current population base is limited, and we can't massively expand our troops in a short period of time. But the population in the pass is huge, and we can only get more reinforcements by fighting out. As long as we open up the land connection with the pass, our
The size of the force will be expanded to what you expect."
"There is no doubt that we have to fight out in order to contain more Japanese troops and expand our troops on a larger scale. Because with our current military strength, even if we try our best, it will be difficult to completely contain the Kwantung Army. We are
Surviving in a cage, without enough soldiers and equipment, how can we shoulder the expectations of our U.S. allies?"
"As for other issues, I have expressed our thoughts to Lieutenant Colonel Pearson. But today I still want to say that we will not retain any strength in the war against Japan. In this war, it is our turn
We will never shirk the responsibilities we bear."
"As for the quantity of supplies and equipment, can we discuss it slowly? This number is just a rough number we have proposed. How much can really be implemented requires us to sit down and talk together. Mr. Hopkins, are you so busy?
Isn’t this the reason why we came to the Northeast under such circumstances?”
After listening to Yang Zhen's entire explanation, Hopkins thought for a moment before replying: "General Yang, no matter what your reasons are, we will never agree to such a large amount of supplies under any circumstances.
Because this has far exceeded our ability to bear it, and it has also exceeded your ability to accept it."
"It is true that your statement makes sense, but even if your industry doubles in development, it will not be able to absorb such a large amount of supplies. General Yang, we can provide you with part of the industrial equipment to enhance your own weapons and equipment production.
Quantity, but the quantity can never be so large."
After that, Hopkins picked up the thick list that Yang Zhen handed him, and after reading it carefully, he said to Yang Zhen: "Well, I'll take this list back and study it. As for the final number,
We still have to give you a reply after giving it some thought."
"As for how much equipment we can give, we have to wait for Admiral Wavell to return and we will study it together. You must know that assisting you is not a matter of the United States. And for many of the supplies you need, we need the United Kingdom.
It can only be solved with help from people.”
"General Yang Zhen, I admire your strategic vision very much. You are so young and in such a closed situation, but you can still have such a strategic vision. However, although General Yang admires your character very much, but
Negotiating with you is not a pleasant experience."
"You are always setting traps for us, asking us to follow the route you have drawn. Yang, you are too cunning. At the same time, you are too greedy. Only a few hundred thousand
The army actually requires the United States to provide supplies that are almost the same as those of the Soviet Union, whose army is more than ten times larger than yours."
"Yang, I appreciate your ambition. It is impossible for a general without ambition to win a war. But I don't like your greed and extreme cunning. To use your Chinese words
, you can't eat from the bowl and still look at the pot. This sentence was taught to me by the Chongqing ambassador to the United States, and I think it is very suitable to evaluate you now."
"But considering the situation you are facing now, I can promise you first. Regarding the fuel issue, the United States will double the supply before the end of this year and help you build a certain reserve before March next year.
In terms of high-grade alloy steel used to make artillery, we can also increase the quantity for you before March next year."
"In addition, before May, we will provide 200 P-40 fighter jets, 100 A-20 attack aircraft, and other types of fighter jets depending on the situation. In this way, the strength of your tactical aviation will be greater.
There is currently a major enhancement. As for the number of tanks and artillery assistance, I suggest you talk to the British first."
"We in the United States will not be able to meet your needs for tanks until at least May next year. The same is true for artillery. However, we can first allocate part of the combat defense supplies from the aid supplies originally provided to the British.
The artillery will assist you first. But you must be mentally prepared, the number will not be too many."
"But we want you to guarantee that when the Japanese launch an offensive in Southeast Asia, they will launch a large-scale offensive in Manchuria to reduce the pressure on the United States and Britain on the battlefield in Southeast Asia. At least we must ensure that the Japanese troops in Manchuria are not
Transferred to the battlefield in Southeast Asia."
Hopkins's reply and request made Yang Zhen smile knowingly. Although he was not satisfied with the amount, he knew that this meant that the Americans were somewhat relaxed. Yang Zhen knew very well that no matter how much Americans study, they would need him again.
To contain the Kwantung Army, not all the supplies on the list will be satisfied. What I can do now is to get as much as possible.
But in response to Hopkins' request, Yang Zhen shook his head and said: "Mr. Hopkins, I said before we get a sufficient number of new tanks and aircraft, we will not be able to launch an offensive to cooperate with you in the Southeast Asian battlefield.
Let alone the Japanese invasion of Southeast Asia, even if the Japanese invaded Washington, we would not have the power."
"And our current material reserves are far from being able to cope with an offensive. Our previous reserves of artillery shells and aerial bombs have been consumed in this battle. Before sufficient supplies are stored, especially artillery shells and aerial bombs,
Before the bomb, we were unable to launch any offensive."
"Mr. Hopkins, I have said more than once that the amount of supplies consumed in a battle is an astronomical figure. I need to reserve enough ammunition to launch the offensive you need. You must at least produce 100% of the supplies before the end of the year.
The raw materials for artillery shells and bombs, as well as machinery and equipment, must be doubled to meet our needs for launching an offensive."
At Yang Zhen's answer, Hopkins rolled his eyes rudely and said, "Yang, the British have what you need about the tanks. As for the aircraft, I said I would consider them, and the British will also give them some consideration."
Okay. Let’s not include this matter in the negotiations, okay? Yang, don’t forget that you have made enough promises.”
When Hopkins mentioned his promise, Yang Zhen also pointedly said to Mai Mang: "Mr. Hopkins, I have not forgotten my promise. But I have mentioned it more than once, the premise for us to launch an offensive. No."
With enough heavy equipment, we don't have the strength to launch an offensive. You can't let us use our teeth to chew through the Japanese defenses."
"Mr. Hopkins, I admire your character and professionalism. But I can also say that negotiating with you is not a pleasant thing. You are too stingy and too fussy about us.
No. I didn’t ask for the same treatment as the British and Soviet Union, but you can’t be so stingy either.”
"The lives of American youth are precious, and the lives of Chinese people are not bought with salt. In this exchange of interests, Hopkins and we are equal. You use materials and equipment to help us defeat the brutal enemy on the battlefield.
Enemy, we use our fighting to help you Americans reduce the blood and lives that Americans have paid, and reduce the pressure that you Americans have to bear on the battlefield."
"But in this originally fair transaction, for our ally who will have to pay a heavy price, you are just like Mr. Grandet in Balzac's works and Mr. Shylock in Shakespeare's works.
Count them one coin at a time."
"I can say unceremoniously that what you and the people behind you are doing is a bit unethical. Let your allies pay the blood, but you are only willing to pay a small price. Mr. Hopkins, I think
The U.S. Congress should award you with a Congressional Medal of Honor for your devotion to duty and stinginess as a reward for being so prudent."
At the end of his reply, Yang Zhen forwarded Hopkins' unkind comments about him to Hopkins without any politeness at all. He even referred to the man in front of him, Hope, who holds the power to distribute all aid supplies in the United States.
Jeans is likened to Grandet, the famous miser written by Balzac.