Chapter 1030

The delegation led by Molotov left for the United States on April 5. We took the train for two days and two nights to Yekaterinburg, which is located on the Eurasian boundary. We changed planes here and flew to Alaska. After flying to Seattle, we had a rest day and flew to Washington in the morning of the 9th.

Because the comfort of aircraft in this era can't be compared with that of later generations, when the plane landed at the military airport in Washington, I was on the plane for several days. I feel like I'm going to break up.

After the plane stopped and put down the gangway, a round faced old man with glasses came up with a group of people. After the introduction of general khrushiev, I learned that this smiling old man was actually Soviet ambassador to the United States Maxim livinov.

After shaking hands with everyone, livinov guided Molotov to a luxury car and opened the door for him. After Molotov got on the bus, he followed.

Khrushiev and I were sitting in a car behind them. After the car started, I couldn't help but ask khrushiev curiously, "Comrade minister, how long has this comrade levinov been an ambassador in the United States?"

After thinking for a moment, khrushov replied, "after the outbreak of the patriotic war, comrade Stalin appointed livinov as the foreign affairs representative and the Soviet ambassador to the United States. After he became an ambassador, he signed the "lease treaty" with the United States in 1942. This time, when we talked about military aid with the United States, we still need him to help me. "

After listening to khluliov's introduction to livinov, I turned to Molotov. I glanced at the driver in the front row, approached khrushiev and asked in a low voice, "do you think we can accomplish this mission?"

"I don't think it's a big problem." Khluliov said confidently: "although you are responsible for the discussion of opening up a second battlefield, comrade Molotov has already laid the groundwork for you. As early as last year, when he met with US President Roosevelt at the White House, he held talks on the issue of opening up a second battlefield occasionally. "The second battlefield issue is not only a military issue, but also a political issue, but mainly a political issue," he said at the meeting Through negotiations, the two sides also signed an agreement on the second battlefield. "

Looking at the high-rise buildings on both sides of the street and the people coming and going on the street, I continued to ask, "where are we going? Is it the Embassy in the United States?"

He looked out of the car window, then shook his head and said, "I've been to Washington once before. From the route, it's not like going to the embassy, it's a bit like going to the White House."

When I went to the White House, khrushiev's words made me shiver. I thought I would have to rest for at least one or two days before I went back to see Roosevelt. I didn't expect that I would get off the plane and go directly to the White House. But I still held a skeptical attitude and asked with half a doubt: "Comrade minister, if you really want to see President Roosevelt, you should see the person he sent to meet us at the airport." I stopped to think about it, and then said, "as Comrade Molotov, at least Secretary of state hull is needed to receive him."

Khluliov is obviously much more experienced than me in this respect. He said lightly, "don't worry, comrade oshanina. According to my analysis, the US side doesn't want too many people to know about our visit, so the people who welcome us will wait at the door of the White House. Maybe not only hull, but also Hopkins."

I thought khrushiev was just guessing, but I didn't expect that when our team arrived at the door, they were really received by hull and Hopkins outside the White House.

A few minutes later, when Roosevelt and I were sitting around the same round table in the White House conference room, I thought I was dreaming. I pinched my leg. The pain made me realize that I really came to the White House, not a dream.

Many people sat around the round table, including President Roosevelt, Secretary of state hull and Hopkins, Secretary of war Stimson and chief of Staff General Marshall. On our side, there are only Molotov, khluliov and me. Behind us, there is a translator provided by the US side.

"Mr. President, first of all, I would like to thank you and your country for supporting us in fighting against the German Communist aggressors for a long time, and give you Comrade Stalin's letter." Molotov stood up, went up to Roosevelt and handed him a thick envelope.

Roosevelt took the letter, weighed it in his hand, put it directly on the table without looking at it, and then said to Molotov with a smile, "Mr. Molotov, I think the content of Marshal Stalin's letter has something to do with when and where we will open up the second battlefield?"

To Roosevelt's conjecture, he replied positively, "yes, Mr. President. If Britain and the United States can open up a second battlefield as soon as possible, we can defeat the Germans as soon as possible and change the pattern of the whole world. "

"Mr. Molotov, you have said before that opening up a second battlefield is a military issue," Roosevelt asked, leaning back against the back of his wheelchair, raising his eyebrows slightly. "Are you here to discuss this issue with us on behalf of the Soviet military?"

"Mr. President," Molotov said politely, "the person in charge of the negotiation with your military is selected by Comrade Stalin himself." After that, he pointed to me and introduced to Roosevelt, "this is lieutenant general o'shanina. She will be fully responsible for discussing the second battlefield with your military."

Roosevelt looked at me in the direction of Molotov's finger. When he looked at me, he gave me a smile. There was a trace of curiosity in his eyes. Then he said in a calm voice, "Mr. Molotov, I have a suggestion. Do you want to hear it?"“ Mr. President, go ahead Molotov said politely“ It's a time of war, and the steps of some things can't be the same as in peacetime. " Roosevelt said without hesitation: "I know you have a special mission this time. In order to reach your destination as soon as possible, I suggest that we should conduct decentralized negotiations to improve each other's efficiency."“ Separate negotiations? " After listening to Roosevelt's words, Molotov couldn't help looking back at khrushiev and me, and then turned to write to each other, "I don't know how to talk?" Roosevelt kept a smile on his face and said, "you are here to normalize diplomatic relations between the two countries. You can talk to Secretary of state, Mr. hull; General khrushiev, on the other hand, came for the purpose of leasing the bill, which was in the charge of Mr. Stimson, Minister of war; General oshanina and General Marshall will be invited to the war hall to discuss the second battlefield. What do you think? " What Roosevelt meant was to let the three of us separate and negotiate in three aspects at the same time. Molotov gave a little thought to his suggestion and readily agreed. I followed Marshall out of the conference room, ready to go to the war room in the war room. In order to prevent language barrier, the US side specially equipped me with a portable translator. When we got out of the White House and got into the car parked outside, I asked Marshall cleverly, "admiral, are we going to the Pentagon next?" After hearing the translation, Marshall looked at me blankly and said, "general o'shanina, you may be disappointed. The Pentagon you mentioned, the future office building of our War Department, was just completed at the beginning of the year. Now it is undergoing interior decoration, and it will not move in until June at the earliest. " When I heard that I couldn't go to the Pentagon, I was somewhat disappointed, but I was still reluctant to ask, "where is the war hall we are going to?"“ Because of the space problem, the office space of our war department is scattered in many places. " When I asked about the office location, Marshall said helplessly, "for example, national square, Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia all have our office location. But we're going to the war hall. It's in the national square. It's not far from here. It'll be there in a few minutes. You can see the famous Washington Monument from the window, as well as many famous buildings of time. " With these words, he suddenly stopped and did not speak. He just looked at the front silently, as if thinking about something important. Looking at this chief of staff from the side, I thought with great interest that the reason why the United States has only five-star admiral but no Marshal Rank is related to Marshall. Because the pronunciation of "marshal" in English is very close to "Marshall", if he is awarded the rank of Marshal, others will call him "Marshall". Therefore, in order to avoid such an embarrassing title, the United States does not set up the rank of Marshal, but only the rank of five-star general. After we got off, we entered a building, crossed a long corridor and came to a wide war room. The people inside knew that we were coming, and they all stood at the door waiting for us. Seeing that the people who welcomed us were almost uniform school officials, and the generals who occasionally appeared in my field of vision were only brigadier general level. I feel a little more down-to-earth. As long as there is no officer with a higher rank than me, I will not be too nervous in the next negotiation. When I finally walked into the war room after shaking hands with the generals introduced by Marshall, I found another general standing with his back to the door. Looking at his broad back and big bald head without a military cap, I suddenly had a feeling of deja vu. When I took a few tentative steps forward, the general turned slowly and looked up and down at me with provocative eyes. Seeing the familiar face and the three stars on his badge representing the rank of lieutenant general, my heart beat faster. I took a deep breath, tried to control my situation, reached out to him, and politely said in English, "Hello, General Patton, nice to meet you here!"