Chen Qiang followed Secretary Song to the Chinese Embassy and met Ambassador Hu.

Chen Qiang met Ambassador Hu several years ago. At that time, Hu Shi was the dean of the School of Literature and the director of the Chinese Literature Department. Chen Qiang had no funds to participate in the Los Angeles Olympics and went to Peking University to raise funds. At that time, Chen Qiang met Hu Shi, and Hu Shi also donated money to Chen Qiang at that time.

Although later generations had controversial concerns about this Ambassador Hu, he was still very competent in his work during his tenure as ambassador to the United States. Hu Shi took office after the July 7 Incident, and China was only facing the most critical moment. Hu Shi was also appointed as a scholar and became a Chinese diplomat. During his tenure, although he did not allow the United States to directly send troops to aid China, he obtained a loan of 12.5 billion US dollars from the US government, which was undoubtedly of great help to the Chinese people who were in a difficult period of the War of Resistance against Japan.

Moreover, after the news that Hu Shi was appointed as the Chinese ambassador to the United States reached Japan, Japan felt even more pressure. At that time, the public opinion in Japan proposed that three people should be sent to serve as the Japanese ambassador to the United States at the same time to suppress Hu Shi's ability. The three people were Tsurumi Yusuke, Ishii Kikujiro and Matsuoka Youu. Tsurumi was a literary expert, Ishii was an economic expert, and Matsuoka was an eloquent orator.

Chen Qiang plans to spend his days in the United States in the next few years, so he naturally cannot avoid the embassy in the United States, and he will inevitably have a relationship with Ambassador Hu Shi. So when Chen Qiang meets Hu Shi, he is naturally respectful and considerate.

Hu Shi was so arrogant. He was originally a scholar, not a bureaucratic person, and he was straightforward in dealing with people and things. To put it nicely, he was approachable, gentle and kind, but he was a nerd. He also had the kind of stubbornness of a sour scholar.

However, such people are easy to date, so you don’t have to consider any intrigue when chatting with him.

Hu Shi brought Chen Qiang into the living room. After the guest and host were seated, Hu Shi asked, "Chen Qiang, why are you here in the United States? I have not received a telegram from Chongqing here. It shouldn't be sent by Chongqing?"

"Oh, it's a long story!" Chen Qiang encountered an air strike when he evacuated Nanjing, and then hid in Rabe's house. He was then invited by the Germans and intercepted by the Americans on the way. He was told in detail.

After listening to it, Hu Shi couldn't help but sigh. Chen Qiang's experience can write eight chapters of the story!

"I really didn't expect that after the fall of Nanjing, you would have experienced such a tortuous experience. Speaking of which, you can be considered as having escaped from the danger!" Hu Shi sighed lightly and continued: "I came to the United States in August last year. I only have a general understanding of the domestic situation, but I don't know very much in detail. Last month, we exploded the Yellow River Dam at Huayuankou and temporarily blocked the Japanese army from heading south. However, I heard that the Japanese army was gathering forces again and preparing to attack Wuhan. I wonder if Wuhan can be saved!"

Hu Shi said, and then changed his voice and asked, "By the way, do you have any plans for you to come to the United States?"

Chen Qiang shook his head: "I was arrested by the Americans temporarily, so what are the plans?"

"If not, then don't go back to China. The current situation in China is not very good. You may be in danger when you go back. Why not stay in the embassy?" Hu Shi said.

Chen Qiang thought about it and said that he had nothing to do for the time being, so he would still be in charge of food and accommodation when he stayed in the embassy.

So Chen Qiang nodded and agreed, "Then we're going to bother Mr. Hu."

"Don't bother, don't bother." Hu Shi waved his hand and then said, "Speaking of it, I have to ask you for your business!"

"Mr. Hu, please." Chen Qiang said.

"I heard you know US President Roosevelt?" Hu Shi asked.

Chen Qiang could only nod his head with a tough bullet, but he didn't know in his heart whether Roosevelt's busy man still remembered himself.

Hu Shi continued: "I want you to find an opportunity to visit President Roosevelt and take me with you."

"Mr. Hu, you are the Chinese ambassador to the United States. Is it still difficult to meet President Roosevelt?" Chen Qiang asked in confusion.

"It's harder than climbing the sky!" Hu Shi shook his head and continued: "Now it's not just that I want to see President Roosevelt, but the Japanese want to see him too. The British and French are also queuing to see President Roosevelt. I heard that in Europe, Germany is going to take action against Czechoslovakia. There are also many Jews who want to see him, hoping that the United States can help them and rescue the Jews locked in German concentration camps. So now if you want to meet President Roosevelt, you have to wait for several months in line!"

Ambassador Hu said, shook his head helplessly: "I have made an appointment with the White House for a long time and have not been arranged yet! This time I went to find President Roosevelt, mainly hoping that he would give some loans. Now the domestic situation is getting more and more difficult, and money is needed in all aspects. I have mentioned this to President Roosevelt before, but he did not respond. If the United States can assist us with some machinery and equipment, even weapons, that would be even better!"

"Okay, no problem, then let's meet President Roosevelt as soon as possible. The domestic situation is so tense, but it can't be escaped for too long." Chen Qiang agreed without hesitation.

China is about to enter the most difficult period. At this time, being able to get more assistance from the United States is also a more support for the War of Resistance Against Japan. Chen Qiang naturally has no choice but to do this.

...

In the White House, the Oval Office of the US President, President Roosevelt was sitting at his desk busy, beside him, the presidential secretary was reporting to him about the next schedule.

"Mr. President, do you still remember that there is an athlete in China named Chen Qiang? He has come to the United States and wants to visit you!" said the presidential secretary.

"Was that Chen Qiang coming to the United States? I remember the first time I met him, and I was the governor of New York State!" Roosevelt had a good memory and immediately remembered Chen Qiang.

"So, Mr. President, do you need to make an appointment for Mr. Chen Qiang?" the presidential secretary asked.

"Well..." Roosevelt hesitated obviously.

Now that Asia has started fighting, Europe is full of battles, and the United States still has a lot of things. President Roosevelt is as busy as a dog, so he has no time to meet a Chinese athlete. But after all, he is an old acquaintance and can't say anything, and he seems too unhuman.

The presidential secretary was very understanding and said, "Mr. President, I will find a reason to refuse."

However, Roosevelt suddenly remembered something, and he asked, "By the way, when I was running for re-election two years ago, Chen Qiang happened to win seven gold medals at the Berlin Olympics. The Republican Party seemed to be using this to attack me, saying that the sports facilities I built were useless and that American sports were defeated by Chen Qiang alone. Is this the case?"

"Yes, but we arranged for someone to conduct an exclusive interview with Chen Qiang. During the interview, he expressed his admiration and admiration for you without reservation." The presidential secretary said.

When he was in Berlin, American journalists did interview Chen Qiang. When the reporter asked Chen Qiang about his opinion on President Roosevelt, Chen Qiang certainly could not say bad things about Roosevelt, so he had to pick up nice words. Moreover, Chen Qiang also hoped to use his relationship with President Roosevelt after returning to China, so Chen Qiang said flattering words, such as adjectives such as wise elders, mentors, etc., to apply them to Roosevelt.

In order to build momentum for Roosevelt's campaign, American journalists also added fuel to the fire when reporting, so in American newspapers, Chen Qiang even described Roosevelt as a saint!

(See Chapter 197 for details)

President Roosevelt thought about it and felt that in such a thing, he should act like a "perfect person". He can't turn his back on his face! So he said, "Then let's see him."

"Did you see Chen Qiang alone?" the presidential secretary continued: "This visit letter was sent by the Chinese Embassy. I think the Chinese ambassador will accompany Chen Qiang."

"That Chinese ambassador must have come to borrow money!" Roosevelt patted his head with some distress, and then continued: "It took the Japanese less than half a year to capture the capital of China. I don't know how long China can last. Now lending money to China is likely to be wasted! But the other party is the ambassador to China, and everyone is here. I can't leave him alone yet, so let's see him together!"

...

On the car heading to the White House, Chen Qiang asked, "Mr. Hu, how much money do you plan to borrow from the US government?"

"Of course, Han Xin ordered the troops, the more he wanted, the better. No matter how much he borrowed, it would be too much." Hu Shi said.

"Then you have to have a goal!" Chen Qiang said.

"Try to borrow 50 million first!" Hu Shi replied.

"US dollars?" Chen Qiang asked subconsciously.

"Of course it's US dollars! If you borrow money from the United States, can you still borrow fiat currency?" Hu Shi nodded and said.

Chen Qiang smiled helplessly: "You really dare to ask for a price! I finally understand why President Roosevelt refused to see you!"

Hu Shi also smiled awkwardly: "50 million US dollars is a bit too much, but the country is in danger, so I can only speak loudly at this time!"

Chen Qiang is a little impressed by Hu Shi now. This guy is too straightforward. Even if he cheats, he is straightforward. He doesn't look like a diplomat. I really don't know how he got 12.5 billion US dollars from the United States in history.

"Mr. Hu, I think it's not easy to say that it's $50 million, even if you cut half of it and get $25 million, it's not easy to hear it." Chen Qiang said.

"25 million is fine, anyway, you need as much as you want." Hu Shi still looked straightforward.

"I mean, even if it's 25 million, people are unwilling to lend it to us!" Chen Qiang paused and continued: "The domestic situation is very bad. The Japanese are determined to destroy China. Moreover, they only took a year to conquer North China and East China. If anyone lends money to us at this time, aren't they afraid of being useless in the bamboo basket?"

"What you said makes sense, what should I do?" Hu Shi asked.

"If you don't know the truth, you can only lure it for profit." Chen Qiang lowered his voice and said, "America is a business society after all. If it really doesn't work, you can only find some things as collateral and borrow money from the Americans!"

"Are you asking me to sell my country? No, absolutely not! I, Mr. Hu, can never do anything to sell my country!" Hu Shi shook his head quickly.

"Why did mortgage loans become stolen? You go to the bank to borrow money. If you don't have anything as collateral, the bank will not lend it to you!" Chen Qiang said.

"How do you say that, but how can the country's things be easily mortgaged to foreigners!" Hu Shi said stubbornly.

"If you don't mortgage something, people are unwilling to lend us money! If you don't have money, the domestic situation will collapse even more, and the Japanese army will invade more of our territory. Instead of stolen domestic resources by the Japanese, it is better to mortgage them to the Americans and get money from the Americans. With money, we can build weapons, recruit new recruits, and then drive away the Japanese invaders!" Chen Qiang said.

Chen Qiang's explanation finally moved Hu Shi. Hu Shi also realized that it is no longer a matter of concern about whether state-owned assets will be outflowed. The country is in danger, and the top priority is to drive the Japanese away. Even if the ancestors left behind a lot of gold, silver and treasures, it would be useless if their descendants could not keep them. In the end, it was not cheaper for the Japanese.

...

Chen Qiang and Hu Shi met with the US President, and Hu Shi eventually obtained a loan of US$25 million from the Americans, with an annual interest of 4.5 cents and a 5-year repaid, and the loan was mainly used to purchase US materials.

At the same time, China needs to use 220,000 tons of tung oil from Yunnan as collateral, and the price per ton of tung oil is US$440. Half of the proceeds are used to repay principal and interest, and half are used to purchase American products.

Tung oil is an excellent dry vegetable oil with a wide range of uses and is the main raw material for making paint. Waterproofing and anti-corrosion of construction, machinery, weapons, vehicles, ships, fishing gear, electrical appliances, as well as the production of oil cloth, oil paper, soap, pesticides, etc. For industrial countries like the United States, tung oil is a very important raw material.

If you count carefully, the United States did not suffer any losses in this transaction, and it also made a profit. They lent money to buy American goods from China, which stimulated the US economy and obtained 220,000 tons of tung oil.

This is the "China-US Tung Oil Borrowing Contract" in history, which was called "Tung Oil Borrowing".

The future public intellectuals praised the amount of aid the United States gave to China during World War II, saying that the Americans are really learning and willing to help others and give China free of charge. In fact, Americans are also unable to get up early. The reason why they are willing to give money is to make a return because they want to make a fortune from China. So, Americans should thank them for helping us fight the Japanese, but the United States also got what they want from China, and we don’t owe the United States anything.

...

On July 5, Spain heard news that the Commission would not interfere with the decision to withdraw all foreign volunteers from Spain. Subsequently, the "international brigades" of Britain, the United States, France and other countries were withdrawn one after another. However, Germany and Italy ignored this decision. The German and Italian troops were still involved in the Spanish civil war.

On July 6, the Evian-les-Bains Conference, which specializes in discussing Jewish refugees, was held in France. Although many European countries participated, no European country was willing to accept those Jews who evaded persecution. Only the United States announced that they were willing to accept 2,770 Jewish refugees.

Europeans in this era were completely different from those in later generations. Europeans in later generations seemed very willing to accept refugees from the Middle East and North Africa. However, in that era, European countries were unwilling to accept Jews from the same Europe.

On the contrary, the United States will only create refugees and accept refugees in the future. However, during the reign of Roosevelt, the United States was a country that was willing to accept refugees.

In August, the Battle of Wuhan finally began. At the same time, Britain and France were arguing over Czechoslovakia. It was a foregone conclusion that Germany attacked Czechoslovakia. At this time, Britain said to France that you have to fulfill your defense commitment to Czechoslovakia. On the other hand, British Prime Minister Chamberlain planned to visit Germany in person and prepare to sell the Czech Republic to Germany.

It was also at this time that Chen Qiang saw this news in the Washington Daily: The 198 US National Tennis Championship will be held in New York on September 8, and the championship prize of this competition is as high as US$2,000...

"The US National Tennis Championships should be the predecessor of the US Open, one of the four major slams in the future! The championship prize is as high as 2,000 US dollars. I didn't expect that in the 1930s, the US Open champion would have so many prizes."

Chen Qiang suddenly remembered that Wimbledon, the leader of the four Grand Slams, also issued tennis bonds every five years. The first issuance was in 1920, and that tennis bonds directly raised 100,000 pounds for Wimbledon, and Wimbledon's venue was expanded, and Wimbledon gradually became a holy place for tennis.

"In this way, Wimbledon could get 100,000 pounds in 1920. The US Open champion in 198 was not much of a bonus of 2,000 US dollars. And with the prosperity of New York, the organizer would definitely be more than enough to earn money."

The 2,000 US dollar bonus is of course far behind the US Open, which is often millions of US dollars. However, considering that the tennis players in the 1930s were only amateur level in later generations and the commercialization of tennis was not enough, the 2,000 US dollar was already a lot.

Just imagine, an amateur tennis match, where the champion can get an ordinary American's salary for a year, the result is already perfect.

Thinking of the 2,000 US dollar bonus, Chen Qiang suddenly felt a little moved.

"It's not a big deal to eat and drink in the embassy. The funds in the embassy are not blowing by the strong wind. Now that the national crisis is in danger, it's a little bit to save the country. It's time for me to go out and make some money."

Chen Qiang put down the newspaper in his hand. He planned to sign up for this US National Tennis Championship to earn the 2,000 US dollars championship bonus!

"The tennis players of this era are so weak, I'm going to abuse the food again. I'm so happy to be able to show off in front of the American people!"
Chapter completed!