Among the people seeing off on the embankment, there were a few Westerners wearing French navy uniforms who looked unique. Their expressions were cold from beginning to end, as if they had nothing to do with the matter.
They were the senior officials of the French Far East Fleet headed by Degoux.
The French who have lost the asylum of their motherland are very pitiful. After being dragged to Guangzhou, although they are not treated harshly in life, they have completely lost their freedom of movement. In their eyes, it is almost the same as being detained.
De Gu and others did not know where they would be taken before they were invited into the car, and they were all very nervous. No matter how tough they appeared on the surface, in fact, they had never been people who looked down upon death.
The Xuebing Army used to "detain" the French was a military camp. This military camp in Panyu currently houses Li Ganjiang's Xueyi Division. As the starting unit of the Xuebing Army, the Xueyi Division has always been the most well-equipped and The soldiers were of the highest quality, so after only three days there, the French were shocked.
Whether they admit it or not, the fact is that the Cadet Army is the most elite force they have seen so far. In the eyes of some of them, they even think that its eliteness has surpassed the German Army, which is known as the world's most powerful army.
And because their traditional concept has always been that the Chinese army is synonymous with backwardness and laxity, so now when they see the Xueyi Division with extremely sophisticated weapons and equipment and excellent morale of its officers and soldiers, they are even more shocked.
For a time, the French thought that this was a model unit carefully selected by the cadet army just for them to see. However, after seeing large formations of fighter planes passing overhead for several days in a row, the French were completely shocked. ,
Whether it is the Beluga fighter jet or the Sky Fortress long-range bomber, they are all top-notch among the same types of aircraft in the world. The French do not lack knowledge in this area, so the feeling will be more profound.
The news that the cadet army intends to form a French navy volunteer force has spread among the French. Seventy percent of the people are resistant to this, and 20% are uncommitted. Others feel that they can cooperate with the cadet army. Negotiate with the military to obtain considerable rights and interests,
After being asked to get out of the car and learn about the situation on the dock, Degu knew Ouyang Yun's intentions. He calmly said to Lu Lai, chief of staff of the fleet: "What benefits did the Americans give to the Xuebing Army? Ouyang Yun is actually willing to send troops of this size to be used as cannon fodder."
"The Chinese want to build a blue navy wholeheartedly. Could it be a fleet?"
"There is a possibility that the Japanese are too powerful in Southeast Asia, and the Americans' military strength in the Philippines is simply not enough to compete with them. If one fleet can be used to exchange for so much cannon fodder, it would be a good deal, huh, Ouyang Yun is thinking Prove to us that they have friendly relations with the Americans, ridiculous."
"Sir, if the Chinese are willing to give us complete autonomy, I think this may be an opportunity for our Far East Fleet to re-emerge."
"It's impossible for him to give us complete autonomy. Lu Lai, you don't know Ouyang Yun at all. If you think carefully about Xuebingjun's actions in Southeast Asia, is he the one who suffers?"
Lu Lai thought about it seriously, then nodded thoughtfully,
When Ouyang Yun led Ji Xingwen and others towards Degu and his friends, the crowd on the embankment had almost dispersed. He walked straight to Degu and asked straight to the point in English: "Commander Degu, what do you think about the United States?" What is the combat effectiveness of this mixed fleet?"
Degu said lightly: "Several capital ships are treaty ships. Today, we can only say that they are still capable of fighting." As he said, he suddenly raised his eyebrows and asked: "Do you know about treaty ships?"
"Treaty ship" is a professional term. Degu suddenly raised this question, obviously wanting to embarrass Ouyang Yun, but he underestimated Ouyang Yun's accomplishments in this area. Ouyang Yun was not angry and replied: "Of course, treaty ship" Well, isn't it just a series of warships built according to the standards specified in the Washington Naval Treaty? Most of your country's warships also fall into this category."
Ouyang Yun was not troubled. Degu was a little surprised and said: "I didn't expect that the commander-in-chief also studies the navy."
"Of course, we all have our own aircraft carriers. How can we know nothing about these naval terms? Commander Degu, you are a smart man. You should know the purpose of my invitation to come here. You have also seen that we The Xuebing Army must keep its word. Since I have reached an agreement with Ang Bos before, it will definitely be fulfilled. If you want to counterattack Europe, you must not do without the ocean-going navy. I still say the same, as long as you are willing to join Our Pacific Fleet, then if conditions permit, we will provide you with assistance and help you counterattack Europe."
"Counterattack Europe, huh, who does Ambos think he is? Marshal de Gaulle doesn't dare to say such nonsense now. He actually, I said the same thing again, I'm sorry."
"You are stubborn. If that's the case, then you can't blame me." Ouyang Yun said coldly with a cold look on his face,
De Gu looked at him, without any flicker or flinch in his eyes.
Ouyang Yun turned to Ji Xingwen and said: "Lao Ji, didn't Li Hanhun complain about the lack of manpower for road construction? He transferred everyone from the Far East Fleet to him. Huh, our Xuebing Army is not a charity department and we will not support idle people. "
Ouyang Yun still said these words in English. When De Gu and others heard this, their expressions immediately changed. Lu Lai said: "Commander Ouyang, you can't do this. We, we are here to take refuge, not prisoners of your army. .”
"It is precisely because you are not prisoners that I allow you to join our road construction team to earn money to support yourself. Otherwise, huh."
"Ouyang Yun, it was you who captured us from Hanoi. I, I want to accuse you at the Hague Military Tribunal."
"Please do it, but I want to remind you that not everyone in our Xuebing Army is as easy to talk to as I am, so you must be mentally prepared." After saying this, Ouyang Yun got in the car and left without giving any advice. De Gu and others continue to "bargain" opportunities,
Stern was the last one to leave. Before leaving, he looked at De Gu and the others, and opened his mouth to say something, but in the end he shook his head and left.
When only the French and the cadets who were guarding them were left on the embankment, Lulay said with a worried look: "They won't really let us build the road."
Degu could no longer keep calm. He thought of what Xuebingjun did in Bangkok, and gritted his teeth and said, "It's hard to say that this bastard Ouyang Yun is just a lunatic."
Ji Xingwen and Ouyang Yun were riding in a car together. On the way back to Guangzhou, he asked: "Commander-in-Chief, what if the French are still not convinced?"
"Then let them build the road. Why, do you think I just threatened them?"
"I'm afraid it will have a bad impact if word spreads."
"The influence is not good, Lao Ji. It seems that you don't understand the rules of the game in this world at all. Don't worry, as long as the combat power of our Xuebing Army remains unchanged, who will make a fuss about such a trivial matter? I will still be here Staying in Guangzhou for one night, I hope the French can seize this last opportunity, otherwise after tonight, they will be waiting to become road builders."
Ji Xingwen smiled bitterly,
That night, in the French camp in Panyu, General Degou called together officers above the rank of colonel and held a serious meeting on the "French Navy Volunteer Force".