Chapter 57

Although Hu Wenhai reported his contact with Yulia in a timely manner, he was not entirely free of suspicion. At this moment, taking the initiative to inquire about the negotiations for the introduction of the F-14 fighter jets seemed a bit like not knowing how to avoid suspicion.

Who knew if his frankness wasn't a bitter stratagem? That's why Lin Qianjun and Zhang Tianqiao both looked puzzled when they heard about Hu Wenhai's issue.

"Do you think the Soviets don't want us to get the F-14, but isn't it a bit too hasty to contact me at this point?" Hu Wenhai cautiously proposed his hypothesis: "And asking for photos suggests that their focus is still on intelligence, not on diplomatic aspects."

"Hmm, what are you trying to say?" Hu Wenhai's statement piqued Lin Qianjun's interest, and he asked thoughtfully.

"What I'm trying to say is that the Soviets might just be using this method to convey a message: they will never allow a secret deal between China and the United States."

"I don't understand." Zhang Tianqiao sat down and shook his head: "The Soviets definitely don't want us to get the F-14, so by telling you this, aren't they essentially telling us? What benefit does this have for the Soviets?"

"Yes, that's also what I don't understand, so I'm wondering if the Soviets know more than we think?"

Hu Wenhai looked at the two men inquiringly and asked: "So I'm a bit curious, how are the negotiations with the Americans going? What situation has caused the Soviets to take this attitude towards this matter..."

Lin Qianjun and Zhang Tianqiao exchanged glances and their faces showed a serious expression. The F-14 was definitely a good aircraft, and the Chinese were absolutely sincere about wanting to buy it. Now it seemed that Grumman was also very sincere about selling it.

If that was the case, there was no reason for the negotiations to fail, right?

Unfortunately, if it could be that smooth, the F-14 would have long been soaring in China's skies in its previous life.

"I think Comrade Hu can still be trusted, don't you think?"

"Hmm..." Zhang Tianqiao, hearing Lin Qianjun's assessment, pondered for a moment and then nodded readily: "Yes, if we can't trust a comrade like Hu, who can we trust?"

After all, Hu Wenhai's family background was simply too good. In ancient terms, this was the backbone of the ruling class, a typical family that had been favored by the state for generations. Who else could they trust if not them?

The files on the Hu family, spanning three generations, were all in Lin Qianjun and Zhang Tianqiao's minds. Not only their political background but also their daily behavior and conduct. The files included personal lifestyle, work experience, and even the comments written by Hu Wenhai's teachers every semester, as well as the content of his essays in Chinese exams.

While he couldn't say with absolute certainty, Lin Qianjun believed that based on these materials and his observations over this period, he had the ability to judge a person's values.

And what Hu Wenhai demonstrated in his thoughts was not just patriotism, but a deep sense of pride and superiority in being Chinese.

Patriotism was not scarce these days, but to be a Chinese person and feel a sense of superiority without any psychological inferiority...

Just look at how even a minor figure like Li Jiapo Guangyao from a small country had become a guest of honor in the current administration.

Ha, just this point alone, Hu Wenhai could outshine 99% of the Chinese. After all, the difference between a sense of superiority and arrogance born out of inferiority was like the difference between the moon's reflection and the sun.

Since Hu Wenhai could be trusted, perhaps hearing his thoughts on this diplomatic issue might be helpful.

With this in mind, Lin Qianjun began to introduce the situation: "Actually, we and Grumman are both sincere. The F-14 fighter jet is of great significance to our national defense, and Grumman has been looking for new buyers for the F-14. In the international market, Grumman's situation is not very optimistic."

"Hehe, not just not very optimistic, it's practically no income except from Persia. After the fall of the Pahlavi dynasty, even the Persians can't buy them anymore."

"Cough, cough—" Lin Qianjun, hearing Hu Wenhai's nickname for the F-14 sold to Iran as "Persian Cat," was unsure whether to be amused or find it apt, so he coughed to shift the focus.

"Exactly, so Grumman still values us a lot." Lin Qianjun continued: "But this doesn't mean there are no obstacles in the negotiations. One of the issues is that the price of the F-14 is really too high. Even though Grumman gave us the internal procurement price for the U.S. Navy, it's still a staggering $24 million per aircraft, which is extremely expensive!"

"Right, $24 million, and to form a squadron of 20 F-14s would cost $480 million!" Zhang Tianqiao chimed in from the side: "The Air Force's annual foreign exchange allocation can't even cover this amount."

Hu Wenhai was even more straightforward, adding: "That's not right, we would need at least 4 spare aircraft. If we follow the Persian Cat standard, a squadron should have 8 reserve aircraft. Plus, we need to consider the procurement of regular spare parts, major overhauls, and the import of accompanying weapons. This project would cost at least $1 billion."

"So, this price is unacceptable to us." Lin Qianjun nodded with difficulty, saying painfully: "And it's not just the price. The Americans also hope to tie us to their war wagon. In addition, they have made some political demands, which we cannot agree to. It's said that some people even suggested that the aircraft sold to us could also be sold to Taiwan, which is absolutely unacceptable domestically."

"Hehe, the Americans are dreaming. Selling some airport defenders to Taiwan is one thing, but selling the F-14, a long-range, high-altitude, high-speed aircraft, is forcing us to confront them."

"What can we do, this is reality." Lin Qianjun sighed helplessly.

"So, the negotiations are at an impasse now?"

"Pretty much, Grumman also seems to be under a lot of pressure."

"It seems the Soviets have already grasped the progress of the negotiations, so they are not very concerned about disrupting our introduction of the F-14. They leaked the information to me because I am indeed the contact point between both sides in this matter, and also because I am the only one they can reach, given the strict discipline of the delegation." Hu Wenhai mused: "Can we use the Soviets to our advantage?"

There was another judgment Hu Wenhai did not voice: the one leaking information to the Soviets might very well be an American. The Americans might not have any particular designs on the Soviets, but they do have designs on Grumman selling the F-14 to China. This could be the American military hawks or Lockheed and Boeing pulling the strings.

If the U.S. government allowed the F-15 Eagle to be sold to China, Grumman probably wouldn't just stand by. The photo of the Su-27 fighter jet might have leaked in ways we don't know.

If China were to lay all the cards on the table in front of the Americans, it might fall right into their trap. Grumman, the first to break the rules, would be kicked out, and the entire F-14 introduction negotiation would fail, possibly over just one word.

Since it wasn't a Soviet insider who leaked the information, the KGB's handling of this intelligence, which was somewhat careless in terms of confidentiality, could be understood.

After all, the Soviets' focus was still on that photo. With the photo, the KGB could find out who the mole was. Hu Wenhai, who had contact with the photo and had significant interests influenced by Yulia, was a potential weak link. If he reported to the Chinese delegation, it would only mean that the mole was not on the Chinese side, which could create communication barriers between the negotiating parties—knowing there was a mole on the other side, the Chinese would not be able to reach any secret agreements with the Americans.

Lin Qianjun and Zhang Tianqiao nodded silently, provisionally accepting his hypothesis. However, they were still puzzled about his suggestion to use the Soviets.

"What do you mean by using them, how would we do that?"

"Use the pressure from the Soviets to push the Americans to make concessions." Hu Wenhai said seriously: "If someone can influence the U.S. government to believe that China might change its attitude towards the Soviet Union due to economic needs and military reforms..."

"There is a risk in diplomacy, the Americans might take it seriously." Lin Qianjun did not say that Hu Wenhai's hypothesis was not just a guess but a possible direction for the higher-ups.

"But the deployment of the F-14 could lead to an escalation of military deployments in the Far East, which would be a burden on the Soviet economy. Using Chinese money to drag down the Soviets, the Americans would not disagree." Hu Wenhai smiled easily: "There's no such thing as a horse that runs without eating. If the Americans don't sell the F-14, we might as well ease relations with the Soviets."

"This plan..." Lin Qianjun was somewhat tempted and nodded silently: "I can report it upwards, but I doubt it will have much effect. The biggest issue domestically is still the price. Sigh, the F-14 is just too expensive, we can't afford it or maintain it!"

Hu Wenhai was confident, sitting up straight and raising his head: "There are ways to deal with the price. If Director Lin can arrange for me to talk with Grumman's top management, perhaps I can convince Grumman to accept Renminbi."

"Accept Renminbi?" Lin Qianjun and Zhang Tianqiao were both stunned and shook their heads in unison: "That's impossible, the Americans would have to be out of their minds to accept Renminbi!"

"Never mind how I convince them, as long as we can pay for the F-14 with Renminbi, would the price still be an issue, Director Lin?"

Lin Qianjun swallowed hard.

"If it's Renminbi..."

"Yes, if we can pay with Renminbi."

Zhang Tianqiao was also visibly excited, clenching his fist and waving it forcefully.

"Then we could buy F-14s by the dozen!"

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