Chapter 785 A gift from an old friend (Third update, please subscribe)
On the vast ocean, two DC7 aircraft were flying one behind the other. The fuselage of one of the aircraft was painted with many Large eagle head graphic slogan.
This is the VC-118 "Independence" special plane of US President Truman, which has been the presidential plane since 1947.
On November 20, just as the Chang'an International Defense Equipment Exhibition concluded successfully, Truman finally embarked on his journey to Southeast Asia.
After passing through Hawaii to refuel, the "Independence" flew straight towards the South China Sea. During the period, it needed to pass through Midway Island and Guam to replenish fuel.
As the plane passed over the Philippines, Truman glanced out the window, his brows furrowed and his expression seemed quite solemn.
Occasionally, he will turn his attention to the north. On that peninsula, the war is still continuing. Although negotiations are also continuing, the end of the war seems to be far away.
"It seems that it is impossible for this war to end before the end of his term..."
Thinking of this, Truman said to himself,
"Hope Ike can put an end to this!”
Fifteen days ago, Truman's Democratic Party suffered a disastrous defeat! Eisenhower, commander of the Allied Forces in World War II and candidate for the Republican Party, was elected as the next President of the United States.
For Truman, this trip is likely to be the last in his presidential career. Although the trip was confirmed as early as the first half of the year, due to the election and other reasons, it has been postponed until now. .
Although it was a little late, he was still looking forward to this trip to Southeast Asia.
Not only because he had promised his friends a long time ago that he would definitely visit Nanyang, but there was also a more important reason. He wanted to visit this land full of miracles. Take a good look and see everything here.
At this moment, an officer walked up to him and said softly.
"Mr. President, we have entered the airspace of Nanyang, and their escort aircraft are coming."
Four F-1B jet fighters appeared on the side of the special plane, looking at the escort fighters of Nanyang through the window, Truman asked softly.
"Major, is this their Thunderbolt?"
The "Thunderbolt" is the nickname of the F-1B jet fighter because of the thunderous sound it makes when it breaks the sound barrier. , and because of this, it has become the object of attention from all parties.
The major looked out the window and said.
"Yes, Mr. President, this is Nanyang's "Thunder", the world's first supersonic fighter."
Then the major added.
"I heard that some pilots of the Air Force stationed in the Philippines went to Nanyang to test fly the "Thunder". It is indeed a fighter with excellent performance."
Nodding slightly, Truman did not As he spoke, he looked quietly out the window, then withdrew his eyes and spoke softly.
“Some things are really unexpected!”
A few years ago, there was nothing here, just a rainforest, but what about now? The most advanced aircraft in the world, the White Swan, can be manufactured here. Even the United States does not have such a jet airliner. Even their fighter jets have broken through barriers. In the United States, some newspapers even used the phrase "America overnight" "Being completely surpassed in time" is used to describe the impact of the Nanyang aviation shock wave on the United States.
In fact, this kind of impact was as early as the beginning of the year. After the "White Swan" flew to New York for the first time, it brought an unprecedented impact to the Americans. Facing that elegant White Swan, the Americans were jealous. Yes, although the British Comet has been test-flying a long time ago, and although the Canadian jetliner has also been test-flighted, they have never flown to New York, and they have never told the Americans so openly - you didn't!
Faced with such an impact, Truman, as president, even had to meet with Boeing, Douglas and other companies to ask them to develop jet airliners, and even funded their development of jet airliners with official funding to "ensure The U.S. aviation manufacturing industry will not be surpassed by other countries."
With emotion, the special plane was getting closer and closer to Chang'an. Finally, as he looked at the city outside the window and the horizon that was vaguely similar to New York, Truman said softly.
“The City of Miracles...is finally here!”
The city of miracles!
This is the outside world's impression of Chang'an, because in the past few years, its construction and rise have been like a miracle.
After the plane landed at Chang'an Airport, before the cabin door was opened, Truman saw Li Yi'an and Margaret, who had arrived here early.
"An old friend is here!" Looking at this propeller plane, Li Yian couldn't help but think of another person - Heda Corn Cob. A few years later, when he visits Nanyang or the United States, he will still fly Are you looking at the passenger plane modified with Tu-95?
If you didn’t sit on the huge Tu-114, you wouldn’t have been able to see the dramatic scene - because the Tu-114 was so big that when it first arrived at Andrew Air Force Base in the United States, the United States didn’t even have a suitable ladder. . When Khrushchev got off the plane, he could only climb down from the plane by himself with the help of auxiliary tools. Big Corn was naturally very happy about this, because he felt that this finally made Americans realize what a big airplane is!
Therefore, on many occasions, he talks about his big plane.
Uh... In comparison, Truman's plane is really small, why not as good as the C717?
Do you want Americans to see what a big plane is?
However, Li Yi'an has no interest in stimulating the Americans' pride at the moment. After all, he still has to get free prostitution from the United States!
At this time, Truman came out. When he walked down the gangway, the salute sounded. Under the rumbling sound of the gunfire and the gaze of the cameras and cameras of reporters from both countries, Li Yian stepped forward and shook hands with him tightly.
"Harry, my friend, you are finally here in Nanyang!"
"Yes, my friend, I am finally here!"
Then the two met. With a smile, the next step is traditional, which is to review the guard of honor. After the welcome ceremony, Truman left the airport in a special car flown in in advance.
That evening, a grand state banquet was held in the official residence, and the various delicacies at the state banquet were naturally a feast for the guests from foreign countries.
In this harmonious atmosphere, Truman finally walked into Li Yian's office the next morning. In fact, this was the real meeting. After a simple courtesy, Truman said directly.
"Li, it seems that before the election started, you were very sure that Ike would win the election."
As early as a few months ago, before Ike made the decision to participate in the election Later, Truman once asked Li Yi'an about the election, and the answer he got was very simple.
Li Yian smiled.
“As it turns out, I was right.”
This is the advantage of standing on the huge shoulders of history. You can always look at problems with a perspective that transcends the times.
"So..."
Truman, who originally wanted to ask why, did not ask further, because the two people had already discussed it in the letter, because of the war, because The current war makes Americans more willing to choose a person with war experience as president.
"Okay, now everything is no longer important. After January next year, I will step down, Ike will succeed to the White House, and now..."
With the words on his lips, Truman changed the subject.
"Li, as I promised in the past, one day I will come to Nanyang. Of course I will not come here empty-handed. After all, as a friend, I should prepare a gift for you."
As he spoke, Truman asked with a smile on his face.
“How about it, can you guess what kind of gift it is?”
It’s coming, it’s finally here!
What kind of gift will President Du give?
It has to be said that Li Yian was very curious. Although he was full of curiosity, he smiled when faced with Truman's pretentiousness.
"Harry, I believe the gift you sent must be what I need."
What will this gift be?
The simplest answer is "aid". Although the budget for the new fiscal year has been passed and aid to Nanyang has been determined, specific projects have yet to be discussed by both parties.
But there are not many gifts that can make Truman appear on the stage and be mysterious!
When Li Yian showed his curiosity, Truman pretended to be mysterious and took out a card and said.
"This is my gift."
Postcard?
That’s it?
When Li Yian took the card with doubts, his expression changed. His eyes suddenly opened wide, filled with disbelief. There is only one thought left in my heart - Truman is indeed an old friend of the Nanyang people!
(End of this chapter)