Outside the door of the Presidential Office of the White House, the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, General Marshall, and the Commander of the Pacific Rock Fleet, Admiral Nimitz, were sitting with their backs against the wall. Both of them were holding coffee that Roosevelt's secretary had just brought to them.
After a long while, Marshall put down the coffee cup in his hand and said to Nimitz: "William, do you think the president will agree to the Chinese people's conditions? If he agrees to their conditions, it will mean that we have given up the opportunity to participate in Asian affairs, and the president will be criticized for this.
Declare war on China?”
Nimitz shook his head: "George, to be honest, I'm not sure. After all, the world is full of too many variables. Let's talk about China seven years ago. You said they dared to do this with our great United States at that time?
Is the United Nations talking like this? Let the government of our country apologize to them in writing. This is the biggest joke I have heard in this century. But George, this kind of thing just happened to him. Don’t you think this world is too wonderful?"
Marshall glanced at the President's Office not far away, and said with a strange expression: "Fortunately, we will know the answer soon, won't we?"
Coincidentally, as soon as Marshall finished speaking, the door to the President's Office opened, and Roosevelt's female secretary Margaret Lehand walked out lightly. She smiled slightly at Marshall and Nimitz and showed a smile.
With a professional smile, he said: "General Maher, General Nimitz, the president invites you in."
"Thanks"
Putting the coffee on the small wooden table next to them, the two arranged their appearance, opened the door of the office and walked in. Roosevelt was sitting behind the desk, his originally clear face becoming thinner.
"Give me a reason, a reason you put forward in your report why it is not appropriate to start a war with China now." Looking at the two capable men in front of him, Roosevelt asked directly in a deep voice.
At this moment, he had in front of him a report signed by Nimitz and Marshall. In this report, the two men strongly opposed the United States' interference in China's internal affairs at this time. They believed that although the Chinese government ordered the detention of Lieutenant Colonel Doolittle,
A group of people, but the Chinese government did not make any public statement on this matter. There is still room for redemption, and the American government should not go into war over this.
After swallowing his saliva, Marshall looked at Nimitz, who nodded at him. Marshall then cleared his throat and said: "Your Excellency, the reason is very simple. Now is not a good time to fall out with the Chinese. One day
Germany and Germany are enough for us to cope with. God knows what will happen if we add the Chinese. And I think the first two conditions proposed by the Chinese are nothing. They are nothing more than losing some money and issuing a notice. In the end,
The main thing is the third condition. If we make such a commitment, it will undoubtedly be equivalent to admitting that we will not participate in Asian affairs. This is very detrimental to the future development of our country. I think this is what Mr. President is struggling with.
place”
"Well, yes, if we agree to the Chinese conditions, it will be equivalent to recognizing China's leadership in Asia. This is undoubtedly a self-reinforcing behavior." Roosevelt reached out and rubbed his eyebrows, "Now Congress
There has been a huge commotion here, and many members of Congress are already clamoring to teach the Chinese people a lesson and make them look good."
Nimitz sneered: "Teach them a lesson, how can you use their saliva?" Nimitz shook his head as he said: "It is no exaggeration to say that China's naval strength is now ahead of ours, the United States. In the Pacific, the Japanese
The combined fleet is looking for our main fleet for a decisive battle, but some of our senior officials in Congress still cannot see the current situation clearly. At this time, they are still clamoring to go to war with China. Mr. President, it is a good thing to have courage, but blind optimism
But it’s very dangerous.”
Roosevelt was silent. After a long time, he said: "But the conditions proposed by the Chinese government to not allow American troops to enter the Japanese mainland are indeed too harsh. This is also the reason why Congress has a strong opinion."
"That's why we need to communicate with the Chinese government." Nimitz replied without hesitation, "We can understand that the Chinese government is worried about us entering Asia. After all, if a country sends troops to enter
In the Americas, we will also be nervous and react in the same way, which requires some trust from both of us."
"George, I just want to ask you now, if the United States and China go to war, can we win this war?" Roosevelt turned to Marshall and asked.
Marshall was silent. With the rise of China, Marshall paid more and more attention to everything in this ancient country. He also collected many assessment reports of the combat effectiveness of the Chinese army from military attachés, businessmen and officials stationed in China.
He was surprised to find one thing in the reports of these people, that is, many people mentioned too many battles of will between Eastern soldiers, such as in the battle between China and Japan on Sakhalin Island, and in many smaller battles.
The casualties suffered by both sides in the battle would have led to the collapse of the troops and the surrender of the officers in any European and American army, but they chose to die happily and raised their hands to surrender to the enemy. In the tradition of the Eastern army, it is the greatest number of soldiers.
It's such a shame. Fighting with such an army is a nightmare for any army.
The most common saying among Chinese military officers is: "There is no distinction between north and south, no age, no age, we should all be determined to sacrifice everything to fight an all-out war with the enemy. We will never have a way out. The only way is to move forward. The only way forward is to move forward."
Defeating the enemy and forcing them to sue for peace or surrender is the only path I can choose."
Compared with any other country in the world, China is the only powerful country that was subjugated to foreigners, suffered more than 270 years of slavery, and was on the verge of subjugation a few years ago. Because of this, every Chinese
Almost everyone understands the truth. Once a war breaks out, China will have no retreat. It must either win the war or lose the war and become a subjugated slave. If a war occurs, they would rather die on the battlefield before becoming a subjugated slave.
"With the determination that there is no way out and the belief that there is no way back, and with the belief that everything will be sacrificed, the battle will be won and the attack will be captured."
Marshall shuddered when he thought about the evaluation of the Chinese army in these reports. These Chinese armies now have more than five million people. If there is another emergency call-up, they can pull out an army of tens of millions at any time.
An army of tens of millions. When Marshall thought of this number, he felt difficulty breathing.
Looking at Marshall, Roosevelt had already gotten the answer from the look on his face, and he couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
"Okay, George," Roosevelt said with a helpless tone: "I think I already know your answer." After saying that, he reached out and picked up the phone on the table and said: "Gret, please call the Chinese Ambassador to the United States Wang
Please come in, sir."
When Wang Ziyang, the Chinese ambassador to the United States, walked in, he found that in addition to Roosevelt, two senior American generals were sitting in this bright yellow office. Their eyes were sharp, wise, or peaceful.
Look at yourself.
Wang Ziyang smiled and nodded to several people in the office: "Hello, Mr. President, we meet again."
"Yes, this is probably the first time we have met since we met that day when you submitted your credentials to me." Roosevelt came out of his desk in a wheelchair and extended his hand to Wang Ziyang with a smile.
Wang Ziyang stepped forward, held the other person's hand and smiled: "Yes, the threshold here is too high. I don't dare to come often."
As if he did not hear the pun intended by the other party, Roosevelt loosened his finger and pointed to the side: "Before I ask you to sit down, I will introduce to you my two assistants. They are the Chief of Staff of the Army, General Marshall, and the Commander of the Pacific Fleet.
Admiral Nimitz."
"Hello, it's an honor to meet you"
“Hello, you’re welcome”
After both parties met, Roosevelt said sternly to Wang Ziyang: "As for your country's detention of Lieutenant Colonel Dulittle, an officer of the Chinese Air Force, our country's government still adheres to its consistent purpose, which is to release our innocent officers and soldiers as soon as possible.
, they are all brave warriors who do not deserve such treatment."
Wang Ziyang shook his head: "Mr. Roosevelt, I know everything you said, and I sympathize with it. But they have violated our country's laws, and it is impossible for them to be free until the two sides negotiate a good solution."
Roosevelt said seriously: "But there are some things in your agreement that we cannot accept, such as the prohibition of our country entering the Japanese mainland."
"Then do you have any good solutions?" Wang Ziyang said calmly: "I would like to ask if your country can accept it if our country sends troops into Mexico or Canada?"
Wang Ziyang’s question is very tricky. Americans have believed that the Americas belong to Americans since the founding of the country and will never allow other countries to interfere in anything in the Americas. According to the principle of diplomatic reciprocity, Wang Ziyang’s words are indeed correct.
, Roosevelt was at a loss for words at this time. As the president of a country, naturally he couldn't act rogue like ordinary people.
"Mr. Wang, I think these are two different concepts. Japan is currently at war with our country, and it is in line with international justice for us to retain the right to invade their territory." Seeing his boss being embarrassed, Marshall on the side quickly spoke up to save the situation.
Wang Ziyang slowly closed his eyes. He thought of the latest instructions sent to him by the country. After thinking about it slowly, he said: "If your country agrees to a condition, we will not only immediately agree to release Dulit and the others."
country, and we don’t need those compensations.”
"What conditions?" the three people in the office asked in unison.
Wang Ziyang smiled slightly and did not answer. He reached into his coat pocket and took out a pen and a piece of paper. He wrote a few words on them and handed them to Roosevelt. He said: "Mr. President, we only need this place."
Okay. Everything else is negotiable.”
When Roosevelt saw the note, he gasped: "Hey, you want the Middle East."