Bright Sword: The Flowers of War

Chapter 205 Gift
Airport on the banks of the Jiuqu River in Wutai County, early morning of October 26, 1938.

The golden rays of dawn gently bathed the newly awakened yellow earth, illuminating the three silver DC-3 transport planes that had traveled from afar, as well as the excited crowd on the tarmac.

As Su Yaoyang and Doolittle were talking and discussing the follow-up arrangements and cooperation details, the other Americans who were getting off the plane, after a short rest and a sense of novelty, began to carefully examine the Chinese airport, which was full of mystery to them, with their professional eyes.

"Country bumpkins" coming to the city? No... this is a professional's perspective!
John, the former supreme commander of the Shanxi militia armored forces, was now proudly introducing the situation here to his former comrades after embracing them one by one.

"Hey guys, welcome to your 'Eagle's Nest' in China!"

John grinned, revealing a set of pearly white teeth, and said in his distinctive Texas accent, "Don't let the current state of things fool you, believe me, this place will soon make the Japanese run for their lives!"

Beside him, Hoddle coughed and said impatiently, "That's enough, John. I know you're doing well here, but no matter how well this place is built, it has nothing to do with us tank crewmen. All I care about now is when you're going to keep your promise to me?"

Although Hoddle's tone was very impolite, John was not angry. He patted Hoddle on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, buddy. I've already talked to the boss about your situation. He promised me that he would send you to the hospital for treatment as soon as you land."

Of course, all of these treatments are completely free.

But I have to remind you of something: once you get to the hospital, you must behave yourself. Don't flirt with the doctors and nurses, or even touch them inappropriately. Otherwise, don't blame me if you get beaten up.

Especially the hospital director—you must respect her, otherwise no one can save you!

“Shit, John, what do you take me for? Do you think I’m that kind of person?” Hoddle felt offended, glared at John, and then asked, “By the way… is that dean very fierce?”

"She is certainly not fierce; on the contrary, she is a very young and beautiful lady."

However, the hospital director was not only our boss's wife, but also a highly skilled surgeon.

Believe me, you can't afford the consequences of offending her, and you don't want to wake up in the morning in a hospital bed to find your testicles gone, do you?

"Hahaha……"

A burst of laughter erupted from the surrounding area, and some people even whistled.

"Don't worry, Hoddle, if it really happens, we won't tell Valerie about your missing testicles."

"Fuck you, I'm not short of balls!" Hoddle cursed. A man can be poor and powerless, but he can never be short of balls.

While Hoddle and John and a group of other old comrades were chatting and joking around...

The pilots, aircraft mechanics, ground crew, and others looked around curiously, since this was now their territory.

"One-Eyed Jack" and Doolittle's co-pilot, young Tom King, were looking around curiously, his professional instincts prompting him to immediately try to imprint everything in front of him firmly in his mind.

They, along with other American pilots and technicians who had just disembarked, were filled with curiosity about the airport, which was still under construction but already taking shape, like country bumpkins visiting a grand garden.

“My God, John, are you building this airport with hoes and shovels?”

Jack stroked the rough stubble on his chin, looking at the migrant workers still leveling the ground in the distance, and the simple ramming tools they were using. His tone was a little teasing, but mostly full of admiration, as he said, "This is simply a miracle! To be able to create such a smooth track under these conditions is truly remarkable!"

Tom carefully observed the airport's layout and the surrounding terrain: "The location here is good, with a wide view and no high mountains blocking the way."

However, the navigation facilities appear quite rudimentary, and takeoffs and landings at night and in complex weather conditions will be a significant challenge.

Jack, however, was more interested in the length and material of the track. He even squatted down, picked up some yellow soil from the track, and rubbed it between his fingertips.

"Well, the soil is fairly firm, but it will probably be very muddy during the rainy season. However, the main runway is long enough for most medium-sized aircraft to take off and land. It's just that... the altitude here is not low, which may affect the aircraft's takeoff performance."

Tom, however, was more interested in the busy Chinese soldiers and laborers at the airport.

The soldiers were all dressed in German uniforms and carried American equipment, yet they exuded a sense of competence.

The migrant workers who participated in the construction, although dressed in tattered clothes and looking malnourished, worked meticulously and with great enthusiasm.

“These Chinese people…they look…well, very determined.” Tom thought for a long time before he could barely come up with an adjective.

John listened to his companions' discussion, a smug smile spreading across his face: "Hey, don't underestimate this place. You'll soon find out how many astonishing miracles Commander Su and his troops can create!"

Just as this group of Americans were commenting on the airport's "hardware facilities" and taking in the place where they would live and work in the future, someone shouted, "Hey... guys, look at those guys over there!"

In an instant, everyone's attention was drawn to the scene at a corner of the helipad in the distance, and then, as if drawn by a magnet, everyone's feet involuntarily walked in that direction.

Bathed in the morning light, a parking area cleverly concealed by camouflage nets and tree branches was clearly visible, where rows of brand-new aircraft, gleaming with a cold metallic sheen, were parked.

The aircraft were painted in the standard olive green and gray of the U.S. Army Air Corps, with the striking blue sky and white sun insignia painted on the fuselage, as well as some unit numbers and totems with a strong Chinese style that they had never seen before (this was naturally designed by Su Yaoyang's subordinates to distinguish and keep secret).

"Oh my God! What is that?!"

"Look! Those planes! Are they... are they P-40 'Tomahawks'?! No! They don't look quite the same... but look at that robust fuselage and powerful firepower..."

"And over there! That's... a C-47 'Sky Train'! Yes! It's definitely a C-47! And there are quite a few of them!"

"My God! Dive bombers! Look at those gull-winged wings! Is it an SBD 'Dauntless'? Or a newer model?"

Exclamations rose and fell, like a series of bombs dropped on a calm lake!
The American experts, who had just been somewhat "picky" about the airport's rudimentary facilities, were now all ecstatic, their eyes wide open, their mouths agape, their faces filled with disbelief and ecstasy!

Like curious children, they rushed towards the planes without a care, leaving Su Yaoyang, who was talking to Doolittle, standing aside.

An elderly mechanic in his forties was the first to rush to the side of a burly single-engine fighter jet.

The fighter jet had an unusually robust nose section, equipped with a high-powered radial piston engine, and eight thick gun barrels protruding from the wing roots, radiating a deadly cold light.

Its overall shape is somewhat similar to the P-40 "Thunderbolt", but there are some differences in the details.

"No... this isn't a Tomahawk, this is a brand new fighter jet!" The mechanic muttered to himself as he stroked the jet and examined a line of letters printed on the engine.

"P-47N? Or a simplified version of the XP-72? No... this air intake and radiator design..."

The old mechanic caressed the cold metal skin as if it were a lover, muttering to himself, his eyes filled with fascination and bewilderment. He could sense the immense power contained within the aircraft.

"One-Eyed Jack" was drawn to several dive bombers parked side by side. These planes had distinctive folding gull-wings, heavy bombs mounted under their fuselages, and machine gun turrets on their rear sides. They stood there silently, like a flock of raptors waiting for their moment to strike.

“SB2C ‘Helldiver’? Or A-24 ‘Banshee’ (the Army’s version of the SBD)? Look at that aerodynamic shape and weapon loadout… its power is absolutely astonishing!” Jack circled the plane several times, marveling at it.

Tom King and the other young pilots excitedly climbed the gangway of a C-47 transport plane, crawled into the spacious cargo hold, and ran to the cockpit, touching the familiar control sticks and instrument panels, as if they couldn't wait to fly them into the blue sky.

"Fantastic! Absolutely fantastic! We have so many C-47s! It will be so much easier to transport supplies and troops in the future!"

"These aircraft look to be in excellent condition! They're practically brand new!"

Even the usually stern technical officers and engineers were stunned by the sight before them, and they all took out their notebooks and measuring tools to begin preliminary observation and recording of the aircraft.

They could hardly believe their eyes! Before arriving, they hadn't had high expectations for the air force of this inland Chinese base. They were even prepared to start from scratch, teaching the Chinese how to assemble and repair the "junk" equipment they'd brought from the United States.

But now, what is presented to them is a well-equipped, diverse, and clearly well-maintained "ready-made" air strike force!

These aircraft, whether it was the fighter jet (P47) they had never seen before, the considerable number of C-47 transport planes, or those deadly dive bombers (SBDs), far exceeded their imagination!
"Commander Su! Where...where did you get so many treasures?!"

'One-Eyed Jack' ran back to Doolittle and Su Yaoyang excitedly, his voice trembling slightly.

Other Americans also gathered around, expressing their shock and excitement all at once.

Doolittle looked at his compatriots, who were as excited as children, and then at Su Yaoyang beside him, who was smiling and calm. He was filled with emotion.

He knew that Su Yaoyang's earlier mention in the telegram of "preparing some surprises for them" was not just empty talk. But the "surprise" before him was simply too big! So big that it caught him somewhat off guard!

Su Yaoyang looked at the group of "tech geeks" who were excited about seeing the new toy and felt secretly pleased.

These planes were naturally created "out of thin air" by him over the past few days by expending a large amount of mental energy through the matter converter.

To avoid appearing too abrupt, he specifically instructed his subordinates to make some "localized" modifications to the paint scheme and markings of these aircraft, and fabricated a story that they were "obtained from overseas through special secret channels."

At this moment, he cleared his throat and said with a smile in somewhat broken English, "Gentlemen, welcome to Wutai County. These are just a small 'welcome gift' we have prepared for you. We hope they will make your work and battles here more successful."

A "gift for meeting"?
Upon hearing this word, all Americans gasped. If these were merely "small gifts," what would the real "feast" look like?
Seeing the surprised looks on these Americans' faces, Su Yaoyang smiled and said, "Come with me, I have a surprise for you."

He clapped his hands, attracting everyone's attention.

The noisy tarmac suddenly quieted down, and everyone's eyes were focused on the young Chinese officer.

"Everyone, everyone! Please listen to me!" Su Yaoyang raised his voice, a faint smile on his face. "You can take your time looking at the airplanes. There will be plenty of time for you to take them apart and put them back together later."

However, in my opinion, you have come from afar and must be tired from your journey. What you need most right now is probably not these cold lumps of iron.

He paused, deliberately keeping everyone in suspense, and seeing the puzzled expressions on their faces, he continued, "Come with me, I have another surprise for you."

Trust me, this surprise will absolutely make you forget the fatigue of your journey and feel the warmest welcome from the people of Wutai County!

After saying that, Su Yaoyang didn't explain further and turned to walk towards a newly built complex of buildings on the edge of the airport.

Doolittle, Foll, and the other Americans exchanged glances, their faces filled with curiosity and anticipation. They had just been thoroughly "surprised" by those advanced aircraft, and now this Soviet commander was saying there was "another surprise"—how could they not be curious?

"Hey, Jimmy, what kind of treasure do you think Commander Su will bring out this time?" Forl leaned close to Doolittle and asked in a low voice, his tone full of anticipation.

Doolittle shrugged, a glint of curiosity in his eyes. "I don't know, Fell. But from what we've seen so far, this Commander Su always seems to be able to do things beyond our wildest imaginations."

Let's go along and take a look. Hopefully, it's not like we're being shown his armory. Right now, I'd rather have a hot coffee and get a good night's sleep.

Despite their various speculations, all the Americans couldn't help but follow Su Yaoyang. They walked through the still-busy airport construction area, bypassed several rows of makeshift barracks and warehouses, and finally arrived at a rather unique two-story bungalow.

This bungalow is quite different from the other simple buildings in the airport that were built purely for practical purposes. It occupies a considerable area of ​​about two or three hundred square meters, enough to accommodate hundreds of people at the same time.

What's even more striking is its architectural style, which is a typical Chinese design!

With its upturned eaves and carved beams and painted rafters (although the carvings are a bit rough due to the rush to finish the work, and the paint is just a simple red and black tone, the charm is still there), two big red lanterns hang at the entrance, with the three characters "Yingbinlou" written on them in a flowing, elegant style.

The windows were antique wooden lattice windows covered with semi-transparent oil paper, through which one could vaguely see the warm light shining from inside.

If it weren't for the dusty, still-smoky airport environment, people would almost think they had entered a restaurant or teahouse in a small town in southern China.

"Oh my God! Where...where is this place?"

"Commander Su, are you sure we're not in the wrong place? This doesn't look like a pilots' club!"

The Americans gasped and discussed the sights. Some of them had seen Chinese architecture in the concessions of Shanghai and Tianjin, but the sudden appearance of such a building full of oriental charm on this remote Loess Plateau still struck them as very novel and unexpected.

Su Yaoyang smiled and pushed open the heavy wooden door, gesturing for you to come in: "Gentlemen, please come in. This is the 'Pilots' Home' of the Shanxi Militia that I have prepared for you, and it will also be your place to relax and have fun in the future."

The group went inside with some skepticism.

Upon entering the interior, a unique aroma, a blend of the fresh scent of wood, a hint of wine, and tobacco, immediately greets you. The interior design is a fusion of Chinese and Western styles, retaining Chinese elegance while incorporating Western practicality and comfort.

The hall was spacious and bright, with smooth bluestone slabs on the floor and several freehand landscape paintings and some captured Japanese military flags and swords as decorations on the walls.

Several uniquely designed chandelier-style lamps hung from the ceiling, emitting a soft glow. In the center of the hall were several sets of sturdy wooden tables and chairs, with coarse tablecloths covering the tabletops.

What attracts everyone's attention the most is the long bar counter made of dark solid wood on one side of the hall!

The bar was polished to a shine, and behind it, rows of neat liquor shelves were filled with a dazzling array of bottles they were very familiar with!
"A whisky, please! Scotch, I'll have a bourbon, then!"

"One drink each... serve the drinks in order!"

Flander, the old drinker, was the first to let out a delighted scream. He practically pounced on the bar, his eyes gleaming as he stared at the bottles, drool practically dripping from his mouth. Behind the bar, the shelves held everything from Scotch single malt whiskies to Kentucky bourbon; from Bordeaux red wines to Moët & Chandon and Krug champagne; gin, rum, vodka… practically encompassing all the world's major spirits and wines! Every bottle was clearly labeled and spotless, obviously carefully selected and preserved.

On the other side of the bar, in an equally exquisite glass counter, various brands of cigars and cigarettes are neatly displayed!

Cuban Havana cigars, Dominican premium cigars, and cigarette brands familiar to American soldiers such as Camel, Lucky Strike, and Marlboro—it's all there! There are even some beautifully packaged Chinese-made flue-cured tobaccos.

"Oh my God! Am I dreaming?!"

"Cigars! Real Havana cigars!"

"Look at that champagne! Is that a Dom Pérignon?!"

This sight completely captivated all the Americans who had just been intrigued by the Chinese architectural style!
Anyone familiar with American culture knows that for these American soldiers (or soon-to-be soldiers) who have traveled a long way to fight in a foreign land, nothing can soothe their homesickness and tense nerves more than a bar where they can drink, smoke, and chat to their heart's content! "Party" and "Bar" are almost etched into the genes of Americans, an indispensable part of their lives.

They never dreamed that in this godforsaken, impoverished inland base area of ​​China, they would find a bar with such "luxurious" decor and such a rich wine collection! It was even more extravagant than some of the high-end clubs they had seen in San Francisco or New York!
"One-Eyed Jack" even excitedly removed his blindfold and carefully examined the bottles behind the bar with his intact eye, as if afraid he was seeing things wrong.

Tom King whistled excitedly, grabbed Hoddle's shoulder, and shouted, "John...you bastard! You knew this was a great place all along, didn't you?! And you didn't even tell us!"

John was also completely bewildered. He rubbed his eyes hard and stammered, "I...I swear! I had no idea Commander Su had such a trick up his sleeve! I thought we'd only be able to drink those unpalatable sweet potato drinks from now on!"

Doolittle stood at the back of the crowd, watching his men transform from "professionals" into "wolves pouncing on their prey" in an instant, a wry smile on his face. But in his heart, his opinion of Su Yaoyang silently rose another notch.

This young Chinese commander not only possessed formidable military strength and a secretive logistical network, but also had a deep understanding of how to manage subordinates and knew how to win over these white people in the most direct and effective way.

Seeing everyone's eager expressions, as if they couldn't wait to rush to the bar and finish their drinks, Su Yaoyang's smile widened. He walked behind the bar, skillfully picked up a corkscrew, and opened a bottle of chilled champagne. With a "pop," the cork popped open, and the golden liquid, accompanied by delicate bubbles, flowed out of the bottle.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Su Yaoyang raised his bottle and said loudly, "To celebrate our successful meeting, to celebrate our upcoming joint battle, and to wash away the dust of your journey! Today, all the drinks and cigars here are on me, Su! Please enjoy!"

"Cheers!"

“Long live General Su!”

"To victory!"

A deafening cheer instantly filled the entire "Welcome Building"!
These Americans could no longer contain themselves and flocked to the bar, busily selecting their favorite wines and cigars.

Just as a group of men inside the "Welcome Building" were indulging in a revelry over fine wine and cigars, Su Yaoyang keenly noticed that a few women stood out somewhat from the crowd at the edge of the noisy scene.

There were about four or five of them, all dressed in simple but neat uniforms with red cross armbands on their chests, clearly medical personnel who had come with the team.

At this moment, instead of rushing to the bar like the men, they stood together somewhat reservedly, looking around at this place full of male hormones with a mixture of curiosity and helplessness.

Although their faces showed the fatigue of a long journey and a hint of novelty towards the new environment, their presence seemed somewhat abrupt and ignored in this almost entirely male-dominated carnival atmosphere.

Su Yaoyang immediately realized his oversight. In any team, female members often need more respect and meticulous care.

Especially in such a harsh wartime environment, these women who are willing to travel to foreign lands and devote themselves to dangerous medical rescue work are even more worthy of respect.

He carried a glass of freshly poured juice (he hadn't been drinking himself; staying sober was necessary), walked through the noisy crowd, and went straight to the ladies.

"Ladies, welcome to Wu Tai Shan."

With a gentle and apologetic smile, Su Yaoyang said in English, “I’m very sorry. Due to a lack of prior communication, I didn’t know that such brave and beautiful ladies were also in our group. This place may be a bit too noisy and… well, a bit rough right now. I hope it hasn’t disturbed you.”

His voice was clear and magnetic, reaching the ears of several women amidst the noise. Hearing this, they all looked up at Su Yaoyang in surprise.

The leader was a woman who appeared to be around thirty years old, with blonde hair and blue eyes, and a calm and elegant demeanor. Her uniform was spotless, and even after a long journey, she maintained excellent bearing. She was likely the person in charge of the medical staff.

"Oh, hello, sir."

She responded politely, her eyes holding a hint of scrutiny, but more so revealing the weariness of a long journey and caution towards an unfamiliar environment.

"You're too kind. We just... didn't expect this place to be like this." Her gaze swept over the men who were drinking and reveling, a hint of helplessness in her tone.

Su Yaoyang immediately understood what she meant. For women, this kind of almost primitive and wild party might indeed make them feel a little uncomfortable.

“I completely understand.”

Su Yaoyang nodded, his apology deepening. "It was indeed my oversight. Considering that the ladies need a quieter and more private space to rest and relax, I have a suggestion."

He pointed towards the stairs and continued, "There are several private rooms on the second floor of this building. I can arrange for someone to clean out the largest one immediately, specifically for the ladies."

It will be quieter there, with a better view overlooking the entire airport. And I will stipulate that no man, including myself, may enter that area without the ladies' permission. You can relax there peacefully, or enjoy some refreshments and drinks we have prepared especially for the ladies.”

Su Yaoyang's words were both considerate and thoughtful, fully taking into account the needs and feelings of women.

The women were pleasantly surprised and grateful after hearing this. They had thought they might be marginalized or even ignored in this male-dominated military environment. They hadn't expected this young Chinese officer to be so considerate and respectful.

A warm glint flashed in the blonde woman's eyes. She extended her hand and shook hands with Su Yaoyang. "Sir, you are so considerate! On behalf of Anna, Margaret, Susan, and Catherine, I would like to express our sincerest gratitude to you. Your arrangements are extremely important to us."

"Just call me Su, or Yaoyang."

Su Yaoyang smiled and shook her hand, feeling the softness and coolness of her palm. "It is my honor to serve brave ladies. Please come with me, I will personally take you upstairs to see the private room. If there is anything you are not satisfied with, please tell me and I will have it improved immediately."

“Su, you are such a gentleman.” Another young nurse with red hair and some cute freckles on her face, Anna, couldn’t help but exclaim, her voice clear and melodious.

“Then, I’ll have to trouble you, Su.” The blonde woman… her name was Elizabeth, the leader of this small medical team and an experienced surgeon, nodded and accepted Su Yaoyang’s invitation.

So Su Yaoyang personally led Elizabeth, Anna, Margaret (a seemingly quiet and introverted pharmacist), Susan (a lively and cheerful battlefield nurse), and Catherine (a clerk in charge of logistics and records) through the noisy hall and up the wooden staircase to the second floor.

The men downstairs were still partying, but when they saw Su Yaoyang personally accompanying several ladies upstairs, the noise subsided, and some even cast curious glances.

The second-floor corridor was much quieter than the first floor. Su Yaoyang pushed open the door to the largest private room at the end of the corridor.

The private room was indeed spacious and bright, about forty or fifty square meters. It contained several comfortable sofas and a coffee table, as well as a separate washroom. The windows were large, facing the airport runway with an excellent view. In the corner of the room, several potted plants were thoughtfully placed, adding a touch of warmth.

"How is it here?" Su Yaoyang asked with a smile. "I'll have someone bring over some clean sheets, blankets, hot water, and some refreshments for ladies right away. You can rest here for a while or enjoy the view outside the window."

"Oh, Sue! This is amazing!" The lively Susan was the first to exclaim with delight. She ran to the window and excitedly looked at the planes on the tarmac outside.

Elizabeth nodded in satisfaction, her eyes filled with gratitude: "Sue, this place is perfect. We love it. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness."

Just then, Anna, who had been somewhat shy, suddenly did something that surprised Su Yaoyang. She quickly walked up to Su Yaoyang, a sincere smile on her face, opened her arms, and gave Su Yaoyang a gentle hug.

"Thank you, Sue! You're such a good person!" Her voice was tinged with emotion.

In American culture, hugging is a common way to express gratitude and friendliness, but Su Yaoyang was still slightly surprised that a young and beautiful Western woman would take the initiative to do so in this place and at this time.

Immediately afterwards, the lively Susan also stepped forward with a smile and gave Su Yaoyang an even warmer hug, even quickly kissing him on the cheek.

"That's fantastic! Commander Su, thank you so much! You're our hero!"

Even the composed Elizabeth hesitated for a moment before stepping forward to give Su Yaoyang a polite hug and whispering, "Su, we are very grateful for everything you have done for us. We will do our best to provide the best medical care for the wounded here."

Margaret and Catherine stepped forward and expressed their gratitude with hugs.

Embraced in turn by five Western ladies, Su Yaoyang maintained a calm and smiling demeanor on the surface, but his heart couldn't help but flutter slightly. He could smell the faint fragrance and shampoo emanating from them, and feel their soft bodies and sincere gratitude.

"It is my honor to serve you," Su Yaoyang said with a smile again. He could feel that through this small gesture, the distance between him and these female medical team members had instantly shortened a lot.

He knew that these seemingly insignificant acts of care and respect could often play an unexpected role at crucial moments.

With these professional female medical teams, they will undoubtedly provide indispensable and valuable support to the airport and Shanxi militia in the future.

After arranging a private space for the ladies, Su Yaoyang gave a few more instructions to the orderly who had rushed over, asking them to deliver the necessary items as soon as possible and to ensure absolute quiet and safety in the area.

After doing all this, he politely took his leave and prepared to go downstairs to continue "dealing with" the "drunkards" who were already a bit tipsy.

When Su Yaoyang returned to the first floor, he saw that the lobby below had become a complete mess, with a group of Americans gathered together drinking and smoking heavily, making it look like an apocalyptic carnival.

Seeing this, Su Yaoyang shook his head helplessly and walked over to Doolittle, who was sitting quietly in a corner of the military building, drinking red tea.

"Jimmy, may I call you that?"

“Of course!” Doolittle put down his tea and smiled.

"I know that most of you have come to China from foreign lands to fight for the generous rewards and salaries. There is no problem with that. As long as you fight well, I will not be stingy with those US dollars."

But since it is a war, and the Shanxi militia is a regular combat force, it must follow the rules of a combat force.

The reason I opened this club is to allow pilots to relax during their leisure time after combat operations, not to encourage alcoholism. Therefore, I hope you will agree to become the commander of this air force, so that you can discipline them and help them become qualified pilots again.

Of course, as the commander, your salary will naturally be the highest, tentatively set at one thousand US dollars per month. What do you think?

Doolittle didn't agree immediately. Instead, he looked at Su Yaoyang curiously and asked, "Commander Su, why do I have this feeling that you know me very well and are very friendly to me and the guys? Can you tell me why?"

"Ha ha……"

Su Yaoyang chuckled: "Jimmy, you're absolutely right. I happen to have a file on you."

I must admit, I was almost scared when I saw your resume.

I simply cannot reconcile the image of an outstanding gymnast, boxer, and warrior who dared to drive a dog sled and fight American bullies with a master's and doctoral degree in aerospace engineering.

My intuition tells me that you are the talent I've been hoping to acquire all along. With your help, we will never have to fear Japanese planes again.

Doolittle showed no modesty in response to Su Yaoyang's praise, simply smiling faintly to indicate that he gladly accepted it.

Actually, Su Yaoyang's praise just now was only part of Doolittle's abilities; he is a true genius.

Other pilots, no matter how skilled, can only fly airplanes, but this guy is a genius who, if given enough tools, can immediately build an airplane with his bare hands.

Moreover, he not only has expertise in aircraft, but over the years he has also been able to improve aircraft fuel and increase its combustion efficiency; otherwise, Shell would not have spent a lot of money to invite him to be a consultant for Shell.

Although Su Yaoyang didn't know why Doolittle had come to China from Shell, he would never let this opportunity slip by. As long as he could get help from this expert, he was confident that he could build an air force belonging to the Shanxi militia within a year.

“Alright!” Doolittle finally nodded slowly. “I accept your invitation, and I will also keep those pilots in check to get them into the swing of things as soon as possible.”

"Jimmy, there's something else," Su Yaoyang said seriously. "I hope you and your buddies can help me train a group of pilots within a year. As for the number... let's tentatively set it at five hundred. What do you think?"

"Five hundred people?" Even though Doolittle was somewhat prepared, he was still taken aback by this number.

"Commander Su, aren't there too many people? You know, we only have forty people in total. How can we manage to fight and train new pilots at the same time?"

In response, Su Yaoyang simply said, "Please tell those guys that if they train a qualified pilot, I will reward them with two thousand US dollars."

As for you, I'd like to offer you an additional bonus of $100,000 per year. What do you think?

"Damn it." Doolittle swore, a rare occurrence for him.

He rubbed his forehead and said helplessly, "Commander Su, you've really given me a big problem."

Su Yaoyang didn't answer, but said slowly, "Jimmy, I only believe in one thing: if you want something done, you have to pay up."

If things don't go smoothly, there's only one reason: not enough money was paid.

(End of this chapter)