Chapter Thirty: Gratitude and Virtue

  Because it was too late, Gilani was sent to the State Guest House after meeting with Ji Yunggui.

  On the fourth day, Wang Yuanqing came to the State Guest House in the early morning and politely invited Gilani to go to the Presidential Palace for talks.

  Jilani was well aware of Wang Yuanqing's identity, and he had already instructed his secretary to send a portion of the "local specialty" brought by him to Wang Yuanqing. The gift was not expensive, because according to the law of the Republic, gifts given by foreign guests, unless they have significant commemorative significance, must be unconditionally submitted to the state treasury if their value exceeds 200 yuan.

  Along the way, Gilani took the opportunity to show his concern and ask about Wang Yuanqing's well-being, drawing closer to him.

  For the overly enthusiastic Pakistani foreign minister, Wang Yuanqing can only respond with great effort. After all, Gilani represents the President of Pakistan, and Sino-Pakistani relations are at a critical moment, so they cannot neglect their distinguished guest.

  Ji Zhongxing made an emergency visit to China, definitely not specifically to have a casual chat with Wang Yuanqing.

  After meeting with the Pakistani Foreign Minister, Ji Youguo asked Wang Yuanqing to drop other foreign affairs work and invited Gilani to the study.

  "Your Excellency, on behalf of the President and the people of Pakistan, I once again thank your country for its strong support to Pakistan. China and Pakistan are forever comrades-in-arms and brothers."

  "Foreign Minister, the interests of Pakistan are the interests of the Republic." Ji Youguo was polite for a moment, made a please gesture, "Please sit down. I have prepared the best Longjing tea for you."

  "The president is too polite." Gilani spent eight years studying and living in China when he was young, and married a Chinese wife, mastering Chinese language and customs.

  "Your country's president has sent you here to discuss military aid, isn't that right?"

  "It's exactly like that." Seeing Ji Youguo being straightforward, Gilani also stopped beating around the bush. "Before departure, the President specifically instructed that your country's assistance is not only related to the victory or defeat of this war, but also to the life and death of Pakistan. The war has entered a critical period, if we can't keep air superiority, we will quickly lose this war."

  Ji Youguo nodded slightly, he had a phone call with Peng Maobang last night.

  The situation is extremely unfavorable for Pakistan. After the big air battle on the first day of the war, the Indian Air Force quickly adjusted its tactics and launched another attack yesterday morning, shooting down more than 30 Pakistani fighter jets in an air battle. Yesterday afternoon, the Indian Air Force bombed military airports, radar stations, anti-aircraft positions, and command centers in northeastern Pakistan, forcing Pakistan to transfer its early warning aircraft westward, almost completely destroying Pakistan's domestic air defense capabilities.

  After two days of fierce fighting, the Pakistan Air Force's "Thunder" fighter jets lost two-thirds, and the "Lightning" fighter jets lost half. The F-16 fighter jets that just joined the battle yesterday also lost more than 20 aircraft, with 11 of them crashing due to electronic equipment failure shortly after taking off!

  Last night, Pakistan Air Force had to scramble J-7 fighter jets that were supposed to be replaced by "Thunder".

  The loss of aircraft is secondary, but the loss of a large number of experienced pilots has dealt a severe blow to the Pakistan Air Force.

  Within two days, Pakistan lost fifty-four of its best pilots and over twenty were missing in action; only eight shot down pilots returned alive to Pakistan.

  At this rate of progress, by tomorrow evening, the Pakistan Air Force will be completely defeated.

  It has to be said that the situation is extremely critical.

  After a moment of contemplation, Ji Youguo said: "I am also quite familiar with the situation in your country. I have discussed the aid to Pakistan plan with the Minister of National Defense, the Chief of Staff and the Commander of the Air Force. We can provide J-10 fighter jets equipped with Taihang engines to your country through a pay-later arrangement after delivery, as well as sell various matching equipment and ammunition."

  "Of course it's necessary," Gairani hesitated for a moment before adding, "as long as the price is fair."

  "Price is not a problem, it can be executed according to the previous contract, without calculating inflation, and paid in half of your country's currency and half of our country's currency."

  Jilani didn't hesitate anymore and immediately nodded in agreement.

  The "Thunder" of the Pakistan Air Force was purchased three years ago, and it is still in dollars. The dollar has depreciated by nearly a third so far, and Pakistan does not have much foreign exchange reserves. After deducting the depreciation price with the rupee payment, Pakistan can still make a small profit. Most importantly, the delivery time of new goods has been delayed, whether it is second-hand or not, only spot goods can solve Pakistan's urgent needs.

  "Your Excellency, there is one more thing," Jirani brought up a more important issue. "Apart from fighter jets, we need pilots even more."

  "Combat personnel?"

  Girani nodded vigorously, his expression very sincere. "Your country's air force J-10 and 'Thunder' have some differences, although pilots can quickly adapt, but we are seriously lacking experienced pilots."

  "This issue is quite tricky."

  Ji Youguo did not lie, soldiers are not "commodities" that can be bought or sold or given away, and even the head of state cannot "provide" soldiers to Pakistan through sale or gift.

  "I can fully understand the difficulties of the head of state, it's just that now..."

  "I understand what you mean," said Ji Youguo, exhaling a breath. "The Foreign Minister should also be clear that if we send pilots to your country to participate in combat operations, it would be equivalent to going to war. India may use this as an excuse to declare war on us or launch a war against us."

  "Mr. President, we have considered all these issues." Gohar brought out a document. "This is what the President asked me to bring. On the issue of sending combat troops, we can adopt a voluntary approach. When your pilots join the Pakistan Air Force, we will give them diplomatic privileges and let them temporarily become Pakistani citizens, and then sever their relationship with our country after the war."

  "Does this mean they have an obligation to fight for Pakistan?"

  "That's right, that's what I meant." Only after saying this did Jirani realize that Ji Youguo didn't mean that at all.

  "How does your country guarantee that they will be repatriated after the war? Moreover, in essence they are still soldiers of the Republic; if there are casualties, who will take responsibility for the losses and how will the losses be borne?"

  "Girani's head suddenly expanded three times in size, and after a moment of contemplation, he decided to switch from offense to defense. "Your Excellency, what do you mean?"

  "The method proposed by your country is not impossible, mainly it's about how to implement the details." Ji Youguo tapped on the documents placed on the table. "I think we can adopt a contract employment approach, letting our pilots fight for your country. In the contract, we can clearly state the employment time, salary and so on. We can also specify that after the employment period ends, if the war has not ended, we can prioritize renewal."

  Jilani quickly calculated.

  Hiring Chinese pilots is also a means to solve the problem, but it involves more terrible relationships, such as how to determine the salary of hiring, how to compensate if there are casualties during the hiring period, and what level of treatment the hired pilots enjoy in the Pakistan Air Force.

  After a moment's rapid thought, Giraldo said: "The Fuehrer's proposal is also within the range of our consideration, only I am unable to make such an important decision."

  "Time is pressing, the enemy will not wait for us to finish our discussion before launching an attack. You can immediately seek your President's opinion." Ji Youguo glanced at the red phone on his desk and stood up, saying "In order not to affect Your Excellency's discussion with your President, I'll go outside and wait for your reply."

  Jirani did not refuse and had to get Sheriff's consent as soon as possible.

  Fifteen minutes later, Gilani got a definite reply, and Ji Youguo also returned to the study.

  "The President has agreed to hire your country's pilots on an employment basis, the details of which we will discuss separately. The key is to get your country's pilots here as soon as possible."

  "This is no problem, I believe your country will not disappoint those who have shed blood for the interests of Pakistan and the deep friendship between China and Pakistan." Ji Youguo did not gain an inch, he was sincere in solving the problem, rather than arguing with the Pakistani Foreign Minister. "Alright, I'll make arrangements as soon as possible, striving to send the first batch of pilots and the first batch of aid planes within 24 hours. Hope your country will make relevant preparations as soon as possible to welcome the arrival of our combat forces."

  "Thank you, Mr. Premier!" Gilani became excited all of a sudden, he was truly grateful to Ji Yaqi, almost kneeling down and kowtowing. "Your generosity, your friendship has once again saved Pakistan. I...I don't even know how to express my gratitude."

  "Foreign Minister, you are too aloof." Ji Youguo was startled, he didn't expect the Pakistani Foreign Minister to react so strongly. "Pakistan is our comrade and brother, Pakistan's interests are the Republic's interests, the Pakistani people's interests are the Republic's people's interests. When lips are gone, teeth will be cold, we absolutely won't watch Pakistan being ravaged by war with our eyes open. Moreover, distant relatives are not as good as close neighbors, China-Pakistan friendship has been strong for a long time and will only continue to grow stronger. This war will once again prove that the China-Pakistan friendship can withstand not only the test of time but also the test of gunfire."

  "Your Excellency..." Gilani's eyes were moist, this was not just a friend, but also a comrade in arms who had shared life and death together.

  In order not to embarrass the Pakistani Foreign Minister, Ji Youguo stopped talking. To make a country's foreign minister so excited and incoherent, how deep must the emotions be, how great must the kindness be?

  After seeing off Gilani, Ji Youguo immediately made arrangements and contacted Huang Guohua to let the Foreign Minister handle the envoys from other countries. The Republic dispatched a fleet to the Indian Ocean, increasing the level of aid to Pakistan, which was enough to show the attitude of the Republic, and it was not necessary for the head of state to receive "lobbyists".

  Actually, all relevant preparations had been made before Ji Yugu met with Gilani.

  The Air Force of the Republic withdrew one hundred and eighty J-10 fighters from five air divisions, and ordered two hundred and forty J-10s and one hundred and eighty FC-1s from Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, with sixty J-10s and forty-five FC-1s to be delivered within fifteen days. Yan Yulong also issued a mobilization order, recruiting volunteer pilots to go to Pakistan for combat.

  The Chinese Air Force, which has been working behind the scenes all along, is finally going to take center stage.