Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 121, Treasure Auction, Wealth Sharing, Return to Asia
After a long overnight flight, Ford III returned to Paris.

Just before landing, the treasure hunting team covered the cross with a tarpaulin.

After the plane landed and drove into the hangar, Fang Wen drove over the truck that was parked at the aircraft manufacturing plant.

The truck's rear was facing the aircraft. A Weimar officer went over and closed the hangar, peering out through the crack in the door.

The others got busy, wrapping their arms in cloth again, carefully lifting them out of the cabin and placing them into the truck bed.

Three bags of jewelry, seven Weimar soldiers, and two American agents squeezed into the carriage and pulled down the canvas curtain.

Lin Shuiwang then opened the hangar door and sat in the passenger seat.

Fang Wen started the truck, drove it out of the hangar, and left the aircraft manufacturing plant.

Once outside the manufacturing plant, the train carriages immediately became lively.

"Wow, we're going to make a fortune!"

"Yes, when I get back I'm going to buy a large plot of land and become a farmer."

"I want to go to the snow-capped mountains in my hometown and build a ski club."

"Me? I'll buy a boat and travel the world."

Lin Shuiwang listened with great interest, and he also translated the German spoken by the Weimar officer for Fang Wen.

Fang Wen asked, "Shui Wang, what are you planning to do with the money after you've received your share?"

Lin Shuiwang thought for a moment and replied, "Buy a fishing boat, a big one, one that runs on oil. I can catch a lot of fish and earn more money."

This suggestion is not good. During wartime, the ocean is a battleground. Fishing boats are either requisitioned or face various threats, such as artillery fire, fish, and submarines.

Fang Wen gently reminded him, "It's better not to buy a ship. Haven't you seen the situation in the Weimar Republic? If war breaks out, your money will be wasted."

"Then what can I do?" Lin Shuiwang asked worriedly. He hadn't thought about using the money to enjoy life, but rather about his career.

Fang Wen quite admired this person; he was bold, multilingual, and a good liaison.

He could have had a much wider horizon.

Thinking of this, Fang Wen made a suggestion: "Why don't you become the overseas development manager of our Taishan Airlines?"

"What is a business development manager?" Lin Shuiwang asked, puzzled.

"After I return to China this time, I plan to open up shipping routes from south of China to the Mediterranean and overseas. However, I don't have anyone under me who is proficient in foreign languages ​​and good at socializing. I think you would be very suitable. What do you think? Consider it."

Hearing Fang Wen's suggestion, Lin Shuiwang fell into deep thought.

After a while, he replied, "Mr. Fang, actually there's a hurdle I can't get over, which is my wife who ran away after only two months of marriage. I won't be at peace until I find her and ask her. Once I find her, I'll take Amu back to China. What do you think?"

That's what it was for.

Fang Wen remembered that he was still living in Lin Shuiwang's new house in London.

Perhaps Lin Shuiwang no longer likes that woman, but he must find her and ask her before he can be at peace.

He reached out and patted Lin Shuiwang on the shoulder: "You really should ask her. I support you in doing so. After you talk to her, send me a telegram."

"Okay." Lin Shuiwang reverted to his usual carefree self.

At that moment, Indiana banged on the driver's side window from inside the carriage.

Lin Shuiwang opened the interior window and heard Indiana ask, "Where are you going to take the cross?"

“We rented a warehouse in advance, which was originally for storing treasure. Now everything else is in the vault, and the cross is in there,” Lin Shuiwang replied.

Fang Wen added, "We tell the public that we are a performing group, and the cross is a prop for the performance. It's so big, no one should suspect anything."

Indiana nodded: "That's a good idea. I'll discuss how to proceed with them after the auction."

The "they" he was referring to were the Weimar officers. In five days, after the auction, Fang Wen would leave this small group, and the rest would be a matter between the German officers and the American agents.

Five days.

Everyone stayed in the warehouse. In order to live in a better place, they bought all kinds of living utensils. They ate at nearby restaurants, so there was no problem.

Meanwhile, in Paris, an auction promotion titled "Byzantine and Armenian Symphony" attracted considerable attention from collectors.

As the owner of the items in this auction, Fang Wen requested three admission tickets: one for himself, one for the Weimar military officers, and one for the American agents.

On the day of the auction, the three changed into formal attire and took a taxi there.

When we arrived at the auction house in Île-de-France, there were many private cars parked nearby, and people in formal attire were tipping their hats to each other.

They flocked to the auction hall, eager to admire art treasures from 1000 years ago.

Fang Wen and the other two followed the crowd into the venue and sat down in the middle.

The first item to be auctioned is now on the table.

The gloved auctioneer held up a dark red coin and introduced it:

"Many collectors who study Byzantine civilization know that the Soledo was one of the main currencies circulating in the Byzantine Empire for a long time. The coin was known for its stable weight and purity, making it an important currency in international trade. However, during the reign of Emperor Basil II, a coin with his portrait was also minted. These coins are very rare, and it is difficult to find one in good condition. The one I have in my hand is one of them."

At his description, many gold coin collectors went up on stage to watch.

Everyone agreed that, judging from the craftsmanship and materials, the gold coin was genuine.

Many people are interested in acquiring and collecting them.

I originally thought it would require fierce bidding to obtain, but to my surprise, the auction house offered more than 1,200 pieces.

There was an uproar.

Someone shouted, "There can't be that many, unless a treasure has been discovered."

The auctioneer smiled without saying a word; his silence spoke volumes.

This was truly a treasure auction!
Everyone present took a deep breath, which meant there was more good stuff to come.

After ten minutes of bidding, all 1,230 gold coins were auctioned off.

The auctioneer then began the formal introduction to the auction.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this auction will be the grandest of my career, and these 1230 ancient gold coins are just the beginning. Let me give you a proper introduction to the two historical figures featured in today's auction."

"The first was Emperor Basil II, the Byzantine Emperor, whose title was: Butcher of Bulgaria. During his reign, he destroyed the once-powerful First Bulgarian Kingdom and conquered Armenia."

"The second historical figure in our auction may not be familiar to everyone. He is the Vasprakan Kingdom, founded by the Atzruni family of Armenia."

"We estimate that Emperor Basil II gifted a large amount of wealth to the Kingdom of Vaspracan and then annexed it. Unwilling to accept its demise, the Kingdom of Vaspracan buried the treasure, preparing to rise again. Therefore, this treasure includes royal items from the time of Emperor Basil II, as well as precious jewelry and artifacts from the Kingdom of Vaspracan."

Through the auctioneer's explanation, everyone understood the rarity and value of the items in this auction.

Those were not ordinary folk items from ancient times; they represented the royal collections of two kingdoms, making them far more valuable.

As the bidders hinted, a variety of exquisite collectibles appeared next, all crafted with superior materials and rare finds.

Collectors bid against each other for the auction items they wanted, pushing the auction to one climax after another.

Fang Wen, Indiana, and the Weimar officer who spoke English enjoyed the atmosphere.

The more intense the auction, the larger their share of the profits.

The auction houses, too, were scrambling to maximize their commissions, with auctioneers becoming incredibly excited and encouraging bidders to keep raising the prices.

It started at 8 a.m. and continued until 3 p.m.

The first auction has ended.

There are too many treasures to auction off in a single day.

The effect of that first day quickly spread throughout Parisian collecting circles, attracting even more guests to the auction the following day. After three consecutive days of auctions, all the items were finally sold; not a single item went unsold. All the participants understood that what had been sold at these three auctions was gone forever. Acquiring even one item would undoubtedly lead to its future appreciation.

After the auction, Fang Wen and his two companions went to the auction company and requested immediate settlement.

The auction house manager was surprised by this.

"I'm sorry, gentlemen, we are an intermediary company. We can only release the items to you after the bidders have paid the full amount."

Fang Wen asked, "Your company takes 5% of the auction proceeds as commission, right?"

The other person nodded.

"Now, we'll give you an extra two percent. Can we settle the payment early?"

The person in charge was tempted by the two percent offer.

The value of these auction items is astonishing, and there is actually no risk involved. Even if someone chooses not to pay for the items, the auction house can keep them and make even more money.

The fact that the other party is willing to give an extra two percent means they must have an urgent need for money; this is a rare opportunity.

Therefore, the auction company accepted the proposal.

Based on the total auction amount of 4210 million francs, after deducting a 7% commission and a 2% art auction tax, the auction house determined the net auction income to be 3830 million francs.

That's equivalent to $174 million and £43.5.

As expected of France, which possesses a quarter of the world's gold reserves, its wealth before being occupied by Germany was astonishing, and the people who came to the auction were very generous in their spending.

However, it would be inconvenient to bring this money back to China in cash.

Fang Wen thought of his father-in-law's method and immediately asked that 20% be converted into US Treasury bonds.

The rest were all exchanged for large denomination francs and taken away.

The three returned to the warehouse with their loot.

The final treasure hunt will be conducted and the spoils will be shared.

Fang Wen placed a stack of US bonds with a face value of $1000 each, along with two large suitcases of francs, on the table.

"Here is 3064 million francs and 766 million francs worth of US Treasury bonds. The Treasury bonds are my share of the profits. After deducting 10% for the church construction donation, the rest is yours. Our cooperation ends here."

He picked up the bonds and prepared to leave with Lin Shuiwang.

"Fang, wait a minute."

Indiana and the Weimar officer who spoke English came over.

Both of them had something to say, so Indiana went first. He took out a notebook and said, "My new contact information is here. If you want to contact me in the future, just use the methods in this notebook. Also, you don't need to contact Boeing. I've already arranged for you to be picked up at the airport when you fly back to Asia."

After finishing his explanation, Indiana wanted to open his arms for a hug, but Fang Wen refused.

"Let's shake hands."

Indiana shook hands with Fang Wen and walked away, leaving the Weimar officers with space for private conversation.

"Fang, thank you so much for giving us this opportunity. No one was injured or killed, yet we gained a great fortune and were able to bring back the True Cross."

“This is a collaboration in itself. I need a group of operatives, and you are the perfect fit,” Fang Wen replied.

“There are many people suitable for the operation, and you didn’t abandon us afterward. You are the best organizer. Thank you.” The officer was still grateful.

Fang Wen shook hands with them: "Now that the church is finished, you'd better not go back to China. Take the money and enjoy yourself. Just like you said."

“We will consider it.” The Weimar officer released his grip and watched Fang Wen and Lin Shuiwang leave.

After leaving the warehouse, Fang Wen and Lin Shuiwang inexplicably felt relaxed all over.

After all, we're not on the same path, and everyone's wary of each other. Now that we're out here, we don't have to worry about leaving our backs to them.

Fang Wen took out fifty bonds and handed them to Lin Shuiwang.

"Here is $50,000, your reward and bonus."

"No, no, I don't want it. I've thought about it these past few days. Take the money back and use it to make penicillin and artillery shells." Lin Shuiwang refused.

Fang Wen was somewhat touched, but he couldn't let Lin Shuiwang work for nothing, so he changed his suggestion.

"Here's what we'll do. Taishan Airlines has a pension system. You can keep this money in the company and receive a monthly allowance for a total of 30 years."

"I really can't accept it." Lin Shuiwang shook his head and refused.

"Don't you think about your mother? Even if it's for her, take your mother back to China, and she'll have a pension every month, so you won't have to worry about her retirement."

Hearing Fang Wen say this, Lin Shuiwang could no longer refuse. He nodded vigorously in agreement and made a promise.

“Mr. Fang, I will definitely bring Amu back.”

3 month 12 day.

Farman will fly the F.220 to Marseille airport, from where it will be loaded onto a ship.

In this way, one can travel via Marseille – Mediterranean Sea – Suez Canal – Red Sea – Gulf of Aden – Arabian Sea – Bay of Bengal to reach Kolkata.

It's also the most recent route, taking less than a week.

From Paris to Pegasus, Fang Wen drove himself.

After watching the plane being loaded onto the ship, he took a boat from Marseille directly to Istanbul.

Two days later, the cruise ship docked on the west bank of the Bosphorus Strait.

Fang Wen disembarked with a group of European tourists.

He chatted with tourists familiar with the local area, boarded a tram, and went straight to the airport.

Inside the airport hangar, Fang Wen took out a telegraph machine and sent a telegram home to let his family know he was safe.

The telegram was sent.

They called back very quickly.

I'm waiting for you in Kolkata, Pearl.

Fang Wen was stunned; his wife had actually gone to Calcutta.

He couldn't help but worry. Kolkata was hot, had many mosquitoes, and a bad environment. Could his wife's health withstand it?

With this thought in mind, he wanted to go back even more sooner.

Immediately, they began checking the aircraft, adding water and refueling, then purchasing food and drinking water needed for the flight, and also filling air tanks with fresh Mediterranean air.

After doing all that, another day passed.

On the morning of the second day, the hangar opened, and the Shrike sailed out of the hangar, onto the runway, and accelerated into the sky.

It's been a long time since I've had a proper flight.

The Ford Tri-Engine's speed of 150 km/h is like an old ox pulling a cart.

Fang Wen entered a state of mechanical perception, increasing the aircraft's speed to 380 kilometers per hour, transforming it into a swift bird in the air.

Three hours later, the plane landed on the road next to the Van Lake pier.

The room was still under lease for the treasure hunting team, so no one was bothering them for the time being. Fang Wen took out fuel from the room, filled the plane with it, and took off again.

Before leaving, he took a special look at the small island in the lake. At that moment, the island was covered with blooming red flowers, and tourists were strolling on the island, completely unaware that the secret beneath their feet had been discovered.

Fang Wen reached into his collar and took out the most valuable treasure.

(End of this chapter)