Chapter 638: The Mysterious Library

Not long after the reception ended, MacArthur chose to leave early, saying that he wanted to go to Japan to see the cherry blossoms along the way, and it was all for tourism.

For this reason, Li Zitao specially arranged a private jet for him, equipped with the best crew and bodyguards, to ensure the safety of his journey and let him have fun.

This is not only because during his tenure, MacArthur won orders for Aegis cars and skunks, allowing them to join the competition for arms procurement.

And he wants to convey a message to the outside world, Charlie Lee is a nostalgic person.

Just like MacArthur, who was "exiled" to the remote South China Sea, for many people he has no "benefit" value.

Not only Laomei, but the whole Western world is so realistic. When you need it, you can say anything. When you don’t need it, you can forget your name when you turn around.

For them, when you are more valuable, buy back your "friendship" with a higher price or something you care about.

Of course, in a few decades, the whole world will have almost the same routine, and turning faces and denying people will gradually become the mainstream and the norm.

Taking the current arms market as an example, the European and American continents represent 80% of the market, so MacArthur who was dispatched to the South China Sea is no longer important.

When they came to see him off, the scene looked a little deserted, but there were quite a few people from the military, and Li Zitao personally sent him to the plane.

"Charlie, my friend, I will remember our friendship." MacArthur patted him on the shoulder meaningfully, it seemed that he was very sure about his future.

After the plane took off, there was another person beside Li Zitao, Major General Andrews whom he had only met before, although it was a temporary one.

"Charlie, are you interested? Take us to visit the skunk now. My friends can't wait." Andrews pointed to the colonel beside him.

"No problem, I'll have someone prepare it." This proposal was a bit hasty, but Li Zitao agreed anyway.

With a phone call at the airport, the 40-minute crew was in place and his Gulfstream One was ready.

"Mr. Major General, does the Air Force have any plans to expand?" On the plane, several people chatted casually while drinking whiskey with ice.

The air conditioner made the temperature of the cabin very warm, just right for drinking whiskey on the rocks.

"The military has plans to increase the bombing formations. Does the skunk have any research on this?" Andrews said in a deep thought.

The command of the air force is currently firmly in his hands, but Andrews doesn't know how long he can last.

The newly appointed chief of staff is not the same as them. What Andrews is most worried about now is to change the order from day to day, thus losing the command power in his hand.

"Of course, the Douglas studio and Grumman studio under the skunk both have research in this area. You may not know much about the skunk.

The Skunk International R&D Center is just a general term. There are three studios under its umbrella, Skunk Works, Douglas and Grumman,

At present, the skunk factory is mainly responsible for the research and development of large aircraft and turbine engines, Douglas is responsible for the research and development of fighter jets, and Grumman is responsible for the bomber project. "

Hearing Li Zitao's introduction, Andrews put down his glass and asked in surprise, "Do skunks have such a large scale?"

"Our scale is beyond your imagination." Li Zitao smiled confidently.

The research and expansion of the skunk has not stopped over the years, from the original 5 acres to the current 15 acres.

With the annexation of Douglas and Grumman, the International R&D Center is no longer a fictitious chart, but really has the scale and appearance of an "international".

Looking at the 80,000-square-meter building complex from above, the continuous shade is shocking. Andrews has not calmed down until the plane landed.

"Our three major studios have cooperated with the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Columbia University, and Caltech. There are currently 22 Ivy League PhDs in the field of aviation.

There are 120 research interns from various universities, as well as Professor Millikan and Dr. von Karman, who enjoy international authority. "

Listen to the self-introduction in front of you as the person in charge of the skunk,

Introduced by a colonel named Kelly Johnson, Andrews and his fellow colonel gained a better understanding of the skunk.

The scale here is indeed beyond their expectations, and perhaps even the former chief of staff, MacArthur, has never really understood it.

Looking at Li Zitao, who was smiling and silent beside him, Andrews said in his heart: The military department completely underestimated the importance that this super rich Chinese attaches to the field of innovation and knowledge.

"Boss, major general, colonel, please get in the car and continue to visit. After all, this place is very big, and walking will waste a lot of time."

Johnson pointed forward, and there were two army green Wranglers parked on the side of the road outside the runway. This is a "sightseeing vehicle" specially used by skunks to receive visitors. '

After everyone got in the car, the two cars drove forward slowly side by side. Every time they passed a building, Johnson would point out and introduce them to them.

Only the pointed building in the middle, Johnson simply said "library," and changed the subject.

"Mr. Johnson, I'm very interested in your library. I wonder if I can visit it in person?" Andrews looked back with great interest.

"This..." Johnson looked at the boss next to him with some embarrassment, and waited for him to nod before saying, "Okay...go to the library."

When the two cars stopped at the door, Andrews got out of the car, looked at the two security guards guarding the door with live ammunition, and said meaningfully; "It seems that the collection of books here is very important."

"So to speak, please." Li Zitao took over Johnson's job as a 'tour guide' and personally led the two of them into the steeple building.

Above the brown-yellow arch, the spelling of 'Research and Development Comprehensive Strategy Laboratory' is engraved on the white ashlar, and the abbreviation of 'Rand' is also on the door frame of the stone pillar on the right.

Pushing open the door, the 'secret laboratory' that Andrews imagined does not exist.

In front of them are rows of neat bookshelves, at least 4 meters high. There are moving slides in front of each bookshelf, and the bottom is embedded in the floor to ensure that it can remain stable in front of the bookshelves.

'Scholars' with eyes flowed endlessly in the aisles between the bookshelves, and occasionally someone stopped to look for the books they needed.

At the end of the bookcase against the wall is a wooden high platform with a huge table on which many people are standing and discussing in whispers.

"This way please." Li Zitao led the two of them through the rows of bookshelves.

As they approached, they discovered that the high platform continued from the left wall to the right wall, and there were not one but six huge tables on it.

Walking up the high platform along the wooden stairs against the wall on the left, Andrews couldn't help his inner curiosity, so he quickened his pace and walked towards the large square table closest to him.