Of course, at this moment, Yang Zhen had not thought that the British were really so thick-skinned. During the negotiations, he had repeatedly reminded them not to think of shoddy goods, thinking that the leaders of the Anti-Japanese Alliance were all a bunch of people.
A country bumpkin who has never seen the world tries to fish in troubled waters out of wishful thinking.
But these guys still ignore this. Even after they modified it, the reliability of the engine has not been fundamentally improved. Once the driving speed exceeds 37 kilometers per hour, and under off-road conditions, the engine is still very easy to use.
The boiling tanks were provided to the Anti-Japanese Alliance.
However, although he did not expect the British to be so thick-skinned afterwards, he still did it regardless, but now Yang Zhen had to raise it. For these selfish British, he had to be just in case. He couldn't
Giving them every opportunity to exploit their own loopholes. Nipping all risks in the bud is what he is most accustomed to doing.
Yang Zhen, who thought he had plugged the loophole and did not get too entangled in this matter, carefully reminded Admiral Wavell that he was not a country bumpkin. He turned his head and looked into the eyes of the silent Hopkins, and hesitated.
After a while, he finally said: "Mr. Hopkins, I think this can be a supplementary clause."
"Now the U.S. military has not officially participated in the war. Even if it does, it is still unknown how much results it can achieve. Whether the U.S. military can defeat the German army is still unknown. This small request of mine is to believe that the powerful United States will definitely be able to defeat Germany.
On the basis of this. After all, if you cannot defeat the German army, we may get nothing."
"This also reflects an aspect of our immense trust in the United States and the Kingdom of Great Britain as an ally, doesn't it? Moreover, this exchange has only benefits and no harm to you two countries. I have already said,
It’s an exchange that benefits several areas.”
It's just that Hopkins didn't answer Yang Zhen immediately, but stared at him for a long time before saying: "Okay, although this supplementary clause shows that you have some distrust of the United States, which makes me feel very unhappy. But it's true.
As you said, it is an agreement that is beneficial to everyone. I can agree to write this supplementary clause into the document."
"As for your request to provide some radio communication equipment to the Soviet Union, I will consider it carefully and give you an answer before parting. Yang, apart from these two requirements, you have no other requirements for this agreement. Then I
It’s time for us to formally sign this agreement.”
"As for your last remaining request, I think I will sign a supplementary agreement with you after I think it through. Yang, you know very well that this is not a distrust of you. It is because of this matter and the relationship.
It is a very important factor in the current strategic alliance between the United States and the Soviet Union."
"If your production capacity cannot meet the needs of the Soviet army, it will affect the relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union. It will also have a fatal impact on the Soviet-German battlefield. I must carefully consider this point.
And only after detailed research and seeing your manufacturing capabilities with my own eyes can I finally make this determination."
Regarding Hopkins' reply, Yang Zhen said simply: "We understand your difficulty. As for your request, there is no problem in this regard. As long as it is convenient for you, we can arrange for you to go there tomorrow.
A field trip to our radio production factory.”
Originally, Hopkins' so-called personal visit and detailed research was just an excuse. However, he did not expect that Yang Zhen would immediately follow the pole and immediately said that he could arrange an on-the-spot investigation immediately. After Yang Zhen did this, he actually
It's not good to make Hopkins feel better or worse. It's not good to agree, and it's not good to not agree.
Seeing that although Hopkins was hiding it well, there was a flash of embarrassment on his face. Yang Zhen smiled and said: "Mr. Hopkins, there is a saying in China that hearing is false and seeing is believing.
"Whether we have the ability to meet some of the Soviets' requirements, you can see with your own eyes, and it will be better to draw this conclusion."
"I know that you are busy with your affairs. Maybe today we complete the signing, and tomorrow you will be in a hurry to return to the United States to implement this agreement as soon as possible. But I still hope that you can see with your own eyes whether we have the strength in this regard.
Drawing conclusions."
"And the factory we arranged for you to visit is not very far from the Soviet border. Near this factory, there is one of our military airports. After you visit there, you can fly directly back to the Soviet Union. Of course, if you choose to go through Yan'an
, Chongqing returns to the United States, then we must return to Harbin first."
Although Yang Zhen's words were just semi-forced persuasion to persuade Hopkins to follow his own intentions, he unintentionally guessed Hopkins' itinerary. Indeed, after signing the agreement today, he followed his own plan
.Hopkins originally planned to return to the United States tomorrow.
In addition to the repeated urging from the White House, Hopkins himself felt that he had stayed in China long enough. But Yang Zhen's behavior made him feel somewhat embarrassed. For Hope
For Kings, he did not want anything unpleasant to happen to the Anti-Japanese Alliance because of such a trivial matter.
After hesitating for a long time, Hopkins finally nodded in agreement and postponed his trip for a day. He went to see if the scale of the radio production factory pointed out by Yang Zhen could meet the final needs of the Soviet Union. In fact, after listening to
After Major General Stilwell's report, he was also very curious about the military production capacity of the Anti-Alliance. He took this opportunity to take a look at it from their perspective.
Since Hopkins nodded in agreement, Yang Zhen had nothing to say. According to the latest negotiation results, after the three parties re-drafted the agreement, a meeting was still held in this conference room in the afternoon with only the attendees.
A small signing ceremony.
Yang Zhen and the old coach represented the Anti-Japanese Alliance, Hopkins represented the United States, General Wavell and Air Force Major General John Slesser. The three parties happily signed their names on the agreement. After hesitating, Hopkins
Major General Stilwell, who had been avoiding Yang Zhen since returning from the visit, also signed his name on the agreement as a representative of the US Army.
As for the supplementary agreement proposed by Yang Zhen that the United States would provide production raw materials and the Anti-Japanese Federation would bear part of the assistance to the Soviet Union for radio communication equipment, Yang Zhen did not care at all whether the United States would agree to it, so he drafted the content of the agreement. However, for this supplement
Hopkins only read the contents of the agreement, but did not sign it.
In his words, this matter will be discussed again after the on-site inspection is completed. As for whether to discuss it again after seeing it, or discuss it without making a decision, it still depends on his thoughts. However, regarding this matter, Yang Zhen was very expressive.
The enthusiasm that was beyond the ordinary level made Hopkins always feel that there was a lot of conspiracy hidden in his strong child in China.
When the signature pen in Yang Zhen's hand finally signed his name on this more than 70-page agreement, it also represented the confrontation between the Anti-Japanese League and the United States and Britain during the entire war against Japan.
The negotiations on the size and quantity of aid supplies and equipment to be adopted by the United Nations, although not fierce, were very infighting and officially came to an end.
Yang Zhen put the pen in his hand back into the pocket of his military uniform and looked at the document, which was more than 70 pages thick. While he breathed a sigh of relief, he knew that this was only the first step in the long march of thousands of miles.
One step. As for the actual implementation of this agreement, it is still unclear what kind of difficulties it will encounter.
Although he finally got off to a good start, Yang Zhen clearly realized that whether all the equipment and supplies promised by the Americans could be implemented would still depend on the Anti-Japanese Alliance and his own performance on the battlefield, as well as his own efforts to fight for it bit by bit.
.The overt and covert struggle for US aid supplies will last throughout the war.
The Soviets, who control their own lifeline, are extremely greedy. The British are always selfish and want to put everything in their pockets. They also have a huge appetite and believe that as long as it is a piece of material given to China, even a copper plate
They should all be their own Chongqing side.
They will have conflicts of all sizes with themselves in the competition for supplies and equipment. Although the Americans secretly incorporated the aid supplies from the Anti-Japanese Alliance into aid to the Soviet Union, with Chongqing's sense of smell, they would not notice it at all.
None. In order to compete for the materials and equipment that at least they think should belong to them, they will inevitably stir up a pool of muddy water.
Compared with the troubles caused by the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom, the internal fighting in our own country has made the situation more complicated and will bring endless troubles to ourselves throughout the war. This is not unfounded worry, but a fait accompli.
With so many aspects being mixed up, it remains to be seen whether the results achieved after the war can achieve its goals.
As for how much supplies Chongqing could be allocated in this feast that Yang Zhen privately called a spoils-sharing conference, Yang Zhen didn't ask a word. He didn't ask, and Hopkins, who understood everything, wouldn't say anything.
.At this time and within this period, the word Chongqing was forgotten by everyone present.
Although Hopkins has not mentioned the word Chongqing for so many days since he arrived in Northeast China and started negotiations until today when he officially signed the contract, Yang Zhen also knew that as a very important part of the entire United States in the Pacific battlefield, the United States
People will not take Chongqing into consideration at all.
In this feast of US aid, how much external aid Chongqing can receive depends on their performance on the battlefield in the next few years. And after Major General Stilwell's profligacy, what will be left?
How much. As for the equipment, the Americans will definitely provide it. The difference is only in the amount.
But if the Major General Stilwell in front of him is still responsible for U.S. aid to China according to the period of history he is familiar with, I am afraid that all the expectations of Chongqing will only be leftovers in the end. The Americans are
No amount of aid given to Chongqing is enough for this guy to waste in the tropical rainforest of Myanmar.
And if their troops perform poorly on the battlefield in the next few years and fail to meet the expectations of the United States and Britain, the Americans will not hesitate to cut off all military and material assistance to the Anti-Alliance. I am afraid that they will eventually
Like Chongqing, it will end in vain.
Americans are extremely realistic. Since they can't help you much strategically, they won't be much more generous than Grandet. After all, their equipment and supplies are not brought by strong winds, let alone from the sky.
If it falls, you need to invest a lot of dollars in exchange for it.
The entire Asia-Pacific theater is ranked behind the European battlefield on the American strategic chessboard. On the list of the Lend-Lease Act, China is even ranked behind France, which has even lost its homeland. If you are on the battlefield
Behave and make them feel like you are there, and they will be stingy without even giving you a dollar.