As soon as Gao Hongming spoke, not only Huang Baitao's expression froze, but also Yan Xishan and Master Liu were stunned.
It was still a familiar tone and familiar smell, and the atmosphere in the command center fell into a strange atmosphere for a while.
After a long time, an unknown source of laughter broke the silent atmosphere.
Huang Baitao also came back to his senses and looked at Gao Hongming with some surprise, "Captain Gao... did I hear you right? You said... that you want to pay?"
"nonsense!"
Gao Hongming was unhappy when he heard this.
"Chief of Staff Huang, you have to understand that this is the Liantai Militia.
From the time we were founded to now, I have never received a large sum of military pay from the Ministry of Military and Political Affairs, nor eaten a grain of rice from Chairman Chiang Kai-shek. The entire regiment of tens of thousands of people is all supported by my small business. Is it easy for me?
Now you come here and ask me to send planes and troops to support you as soon as you come here, but you don't even have a piece of the ocean, you don't want to have sex for nothing, do you?"
Looking at Gao Hongming who spoke plausibly, and then hearing the word "prostitution for free", even Yan Xishan couldn't help but laugh.
But don't tell me, Gao Hongming's words speak to his heart. After all, he is a businessman at heart, and in his heart, everything in the world can be measured by money.
He stroked his beard with his right hand and nodded: "Captain Gao is right. Your Third War Zone asks others to do things, but you don't even want to give them any benefits. Is there anything like this in the world?"
"you……"
This was the first time that Huang Baitao saw someone who spoke so confidently about collecting money for fighting, and he couldn't adapt to it for a while.
After a long time, he said helplessly: "As for Commander Yigao, how much will you charge for this mission?"
"It's easy to talk about."
Gao Hongming smiled and stretched out a finger, "One and a half million oceans, or five thousand large yellow croakers, or US dollars of the same value will do.
By the way, let me explain in advance, I don’t want legal currency.”
"Well... the price is quite fair!" Yan Xishan pondered for a while and nodded.
The group of people looked at Gao Hongming and then at Yan Xishan, and couldn't help but sigh. As expected, they were all from Liantai County, and they couldn't do anything without money.
Huang Baitao really didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "Commander Gao, you are too kind to me. It costs 1,500,000 yuan to save a few people. Isn't this too cruel?"
Gao Hongming's face was straight: "Why... Chief of Staff Huang thought it was too much?"
"Let me settle the score with you."
He first held out two fingers and said, "I can tell you clearly that in my aviation fleet, the price of a P-47 fighter is 200,000 oceans, and the price of a C-47 transport aircraft is 530,000 oceans.
This does not include pilot training, parts loss and fuel costs.
I just promised you to send out a squadron each of fighter jets and transport aircraft. Their total cost is 11.19 million oceans.
If you add in the reconnaissance planes sent out, the personnel, the loss of ammunition and fuel during the mission, and the compensation for the deaths of personnel, it would be impossible to get it without 12 million oceans."
At this point, Gao Hongming sneered, "Chief of Staff Huang, if I do you a favor, it will cost you 12 million. Now do you still think that my charge of 1.5 million is high?"
The people on the side were dumbfounded after hearing this. No one expected that such a seemingly small task would actually cost so much money.
Today, Yan Laoxi didn't know what was going on, and he praised him one after another, "Well... the Gao family's son is right. He invested 12 million in capital and only made a profit of more than 10%. This is already a lot."
That’s so kind.”
"Very kind?"
Everyone, including Huang Baitao, was a bit dumbfounded. Asking for 1.5 million oceans with just one mouthful, is this considered kind?
But then I thought about it, and it’s really not my fault that Gao Hongming opened his mouth so wide.
On the surface, Gao Hongming just told the prices of those weapons, parts, ammunition and oil, but let me ask you, in today's China, you can't get these even if you get 20 million or even 30 million, let alone 12 million oceans.
airplane.
Some in the United States, the British, and even the Soviets have these advanced fighter jets, but will they sell them to you?
This is the saying that the most important weapon of the country should not be given lightly to others.
Take Germany, for example. Before the outbreak of the all-out war of resistance against China, its relationship with China was as good as honey mixed with oil.
They sold weapons, sent military advisors, and even helped the Nationalist Government to organize German weapons divisions.
But once the war started with the Japanese, China immediately changed its attitude. Not to mention buying aircraft and artillery from Germany, China would not even sell you a bullet. This is the naked diplomatic relationship between countries.
"All right!"
After thinking about this, Huang Baitao thought for a while and gritted his teeth, "I agree to this condition, but the matter is serious. I have to ask Chief Gu for instructions and report to Chongqing. I can only agree to you after getting approval.
hope……"
"We won't do anything until we get the money."
Gao Hongming blocked Huang Baitao's next words before he could finish speaking.
"Chief of Staff Huang, don't blame me for only talking about money. Just maintaining the operation of this militia under my command costs at least 200,000 to 300,000 oceans a month.
This is still the case when there is no war. Once there is a war, the cost will have to double, which will be difficult for me!"
After hearing Gao Hongming's complaint, Huang Baitao stopped talking.
The people present were all generals who were used to leading troops, and of course they understood that what Gao Hongming said was the truth.
The army is a gold-eating beast, swallowing large amounts of money every day.
It's better in peacetime, but once a war breaks out, the cost will be like sea water.
Not to mention anything else, let’s take weapons and ammunition as an example.
The cost of an 81mm mortar shell is equivalent to the annual income of a farmer in northern Shaanxi, let alone the more expensive 105, 155 and even 203 caliber shells.
Why has Gao Hongming been able to repeatedly inflict heavy losses on the Japanese army over the years? Is it because his commanding skills are the best in the country?
No
There is only one reason. To put it bluntly, this guy's victory was achieved with weapons and ammunition.
The powerful 155 and 203 caliber artillery shells are smashed down one after another, and the bullets scatter like raindrops. In addition, a large number of aircraft drop aerial bombs and incendiary bombs regardless of the cost. It is difficult to win such a battle.
Everyone knew these truths, so after they figured it out, no one said anything.
But Gao Hongming gave Huang Baitao another idea.
"Chief of Staff Huang... Actually, our National Government does not necessarily need to provide this money."
Gao Hongming showed a wicked smile.
"Didn't the Americans entrust us to rescue their pilots? We have to work for the landlords and take care of the food. We can't let us work in vain.
Those Americans came to our country without even saying hello, and asked us to help save people. For this reason, it’s not too much for us to ask Roosevelt for a few million dollars, right?”
Huang Baitao was dumbfounded for a while, could he still operate like this?