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

Since the comfort of airplanes in this era is not comparable to that of later generations, when the airplane landed at the military airport in Washington, I was sitting on the airplane for a few days. I felt like I was about to fall apart.

After the plane stopped and lowered the gangway, an old man with a round face and glasses came up with a group of people. After the introduction of General Khrulev, I learned that this smiling old man was actually Maxim Livinov, the Soviet ambassador to the United States.

After shook hands with everyone one by one, Livinov led Molotov to the side of a luxury car and opened the door for him personally. After Molotov got in the car, he followed.

Khrulev and I were sitting in a car behind them. After the car started, I couldn't help but curiously asked Khrulev: "Comrade Minister, how much is Comrade Livinov as an ambassador in the United States? Long time?"

After thinking for a while, Khrulev replied: "After the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War, Comrade Stalin appointed Livinov as the representative of foreign affairs and the Soviet ambassador to the United States. After he became the ambassador, he signed a contract with the United States in 1942. After the "Lease Treaty", when discussing military assistance with the United States this time, he still needs to come forward to assist me in my work."

After listening to Khrulev's introduction to Livinov, I turned the topic to Molotov again. I glanced at the driver in the front row, approached Khrulev, and asked in a low voice, "Do you think we can accomplish this mission?"

"I don't think there is a big problem." Khrulev said confidently: "Although you are responsible for discussing the opening of the second battlefield this time, Comrade Molotov has already laid the groundwork for you. Last year, when he met with US President Roosevelt at the White House, he held talks on the occasional second battlefield opening. He said at the meeting:'The second battlefield issue is both a military issue and a political issue, but the main issue is Political issues. "Through negotiations. The two sides also signed an agreement for the second battlefield."

I looked at the tall buildings on both sides of the street, and the people coming and going on the street, and continued to ask: "Where are we going? Is this the embassy in the United States?"

Khrulev looked out the car window. Then he shook his head and said, "I've been to Washington before. From the route, it doesn't look like going to the embassy, ​​but it's a bit like going to the White House."

When I went to the White House, Khrulev's words made me shiver. I thought I would have to rest for at least a day or two before I went back to see Roosevelt. I didn't expect to get off the plane and go directly to the White House. But I still held a skeptical attitude and asked dubiously: "Comrade Minister, if you really want to see President Roosevelt, you should see the person he sent to pick us up at the airport." I paused and thought. He went on to say, "As Comrade Molotov, at least Secretary of State Hull is needed to receive him."

Khrulev obviously has much more experience in this area than I am. He said lightly: "Comrade Oshanina. Don’t worry, according to my analysis, the US does not want too many people to know about our visit, so welcome Our people will wait at the door of the White House, and maybe not only Hull, but even Hopkins."

I thought Khrulev was just a guess. I didn't expect that when our convoy arrived at the door, outside the White House, I was really welcomed by Hull and Hopkins.

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 severely pinched my leg, and the huge pain that came from it made me realize that I really came to the White House in the United States, not dreaming.

There were quite a few people sitting around the round table. In addition to President Roosevelt, Secretary of State Hull, and Hopkins, there are also Secretary of War Stimson and Chief of Staff General Marshall. On our side, only Molotov, Khrulev and me, behind us, there is also an interpreter provided for us by the United States.

"Mr. President, first of all. Thank you and your country for supporting us in fighting against the German fascist invaders for a long time, and handing over Comrade Stalin’s letter to you." Molotov said, stood up and walked to Roosevelt’s In front of him, he handed a thick envelope to Roosevelt.

Roosevelt took the letter and squeezed it in his hand. Without reading it, he placed it directly on the table. Then he smiled and said to Molotov: "Mr. Molotov, I would like to talk about it in the letter from Marshal Stalin. The content we arrive should have something to do with when and where we will open up the second battlefield, right?"

To Roosevelt’s speculation, he replied affirmatively: “Yes, Mr. President. If the United Kingdom and the United States can open up a second battlefield as soon as possible, we can defeat the Germans and change the pattern of the entire world.

"Mr. Molotov, you said before that opening up the second battlefield is a military issue," Roosevelt asked with his back on the wheelchair back and raised his eyebrows slightly. "Could it be that you are here to represent the Soviet military and discuss with us." Is this a problem?"

"Mr. President," Molotov said politely: "This time the person responsible for negotiating with your party was personally selected by Comrade Stalin." After that, he pointed at me and introduced Roosevelt. " This is Lieutenant General Oshanina. Discussing matters concerning the second battlefield with your party will be the responsibility of her."

Roosevelt's gaze followed the direction of Molotov's fingers and looked at me. When he met my gaze, he smiled at me, and a hint of curiosity flashed in his eyes. Then he said in a calm tone: "Mr. Molotov, I have a suggestion. Would you like to hear it?"

"Mr. President, please speak." Molotov said politely.

"It is now during the war, and the steps of some things cannot be the same as in peacetime." Roosevelt said unhurriedly: "I know you have a special mission this time, in order to achieve your mission as an envoy as soon as possible. , I suggest decentralized negotiations to improve each other’s efficiency."

"Separate negotiations?" After hearing Roosevelt's words, Molotov couldn't help but look back at me and Khrulev, then turned to the other party: "I don't know how to talk?"

With a smile on Roosevelt’s face, he said, "You are here for the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries. You can talk to Secretary of State Mr. Hull on this point; and General Khrulev came for the lease of the bill. This matter is under the responsibility of the Minister of War, Mr. Stimson; and for the opening of the second battlefield, General Oshanina and General Marshall must be invited to the battle hall to discuss it in detail. I don’t know how you feel about it?"

Roosevelt meant to separate the three of us and conduct negotiations in three areas at the same time. Molotov thought about his suggestion a little bit, then readily agreed.

I followed Marshall out of this conference room, ready to go to the war room in the war hall. In order to prevent language barriers, the U.S. also specially equipped me with a portable translator.

When we walked out of the White House and got in the car parked outside, I cleverly asked Marshall: "Mr. Admiral, are we going to the Pentagon next?"

After listening to the translation, Marshall looked at me blankly and said, "General Oshanina, you may be disappointed. The Pentagon you mentioned is the future office building of our Department of War. It was just built at the beginning of the year. Finished, the interior decoration is currently underway, and we will not be able to move in until June at the earliest."

I heard that I couldn't get to the Pentagon, but I couldn't help feeling a little disappointed, but I still asked unwillingly, "Then where is the combat hall we are going to?"

"The office of our Department of War is scattered in many places due to space issues." When I asked about the office, Marshall reluctantly said: "For example, the National Mall, Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Our office location. But we are going to the war hall in the National Mall, not far from here, within a few minutes. You can see the famous Washington Monument and many famous buildings from the window."

After saying this, he suddenly stopped talking, just silently looked ahead, as if thinking about something important.

Looking at the U.S. Chief of Staff from the side, I thought with interest that the reason why the United States has only five-star generals and 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 Marshall", so in order to avoid such an embarrassing address~lightnovelpub.net~USA There was no marshal, but the rank of five-star general.

After getting off the car, we entered a building, walked through a long corridor, and came to a wide war room. The people inside had already known that we were coming, and they all stood at the door waiting for us.

I saw that the people who greeted us were almost all school officials, and the generals who occasionally appeared in my field of vision were only at the rank of brigadier general. I feel a little more at ease in my heart. As long as there is no officer with a higher rank than me, I will not be too nervous in the next negotiations.

After I finished shaking hands with the generals introduced by Marshall at the door, when we finally walked into the war room, we unexpectedly found that there was another general standing with his back to the door. Looking at his broad back and his big bald head without a military cap, I suddenly felt a sense of deja vu.

After I walked tentatively a few steps forward, the general slowly turned around and looked at me up and down with provocative eyes. Seeing that familiar face and the three stars on his collar that represent the rank of lieutenant general, my heart beat faster. I took a deep breath, tried to control my situation, reached out to him, and said in English politely: "Hello, General Patton, I am glad to see you here!" (To be continued.)

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