Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 132, Section 131: A classmate visits, reminiscing about the past; Sixth Sister, the teacher, joins a company, friend or foe unclear.
Hearing his wife's calls, Fang Wen groggily woke up.

Min Bangren.

My high school classmate.

When I flew from Nanyuan Airlines to Shanghai, I tried to look for him.

At the time, I was working as a flight specialist for China Airlines, spending all my time at the airport, and I didn't have any connections in Shanghai, so I couldn't get in touch with them.

After the January 28 Incident, when the Japanese warships were bombed, there was even less chance to go to the city.

I only got in touch with them a month ago, but I've been busy with the bomb factory and haven't had a chance to speak.

I never expected them to come and visit me on their own.

As an old classmate, I must not neglect the proper etiquette, so Fang Wen immediately got up.

"Where is he now?"

"Go wash up and change in the living room first. There are some plants outside to take care of things."

Fang Wen nodded, got up, took the towel his wife handed him, wiped his face, and then picked up his toothbrush and toothpaste.

The toothpaste is the Samsung brand produced by "China Chemical Industry Corporation," and it is currently a star product among domestic brands. Its parent company, China Chemical Industry Corporation, has expanded into toothpaste, mosquito coils, and soap, defeating foreign products with low prices and high quality, becoming the largest domestic chemical enterprise in China.

Fang Wen naturally supports domestic products, so the brands used at home are all "cheap" products produced by Zhonghua Publishing House.

How cheap? Take toothpaste for example, Samsung toothpaste costs 2 cents, while American-made Ribbon toothpaste costs 7 cents, but the quality and fragrance are about the same.

After brushing his teeth, Fang Wen took off his pajamas, put on a coat, and left the bedroom.

As soon as he entered the living room, he saw a young man sitting upright.

"Min Bangren".

The man looked up at the sound and saw Fang Wen, so he stood up in surprise: "Fang Wen, it's been so many years, you still look the same."

"You too. Come on, let's go outside and talk," Fang Wen replied with a smile.

The two went out and arrived at their usual tavern, where they sat down in their usual spot by the window.

We ordered some snacks to go with the drinks, and a pot of warmed Shaoxing rice wine.

After a drink, they naturally became more talkative.

Min Bangren sighed, "That year we left home together in Jiaxing to study. I was seventeen, and you were eighteen. We agreed to go north together, but I was too timid and changed my mind at the last minute, going to Shanghai instead. You won't blame me, will you?"

"What's so strange about that? We all have our own futures now," Fang Wen said with a smile.

"Yes. But when I think about you now, I regret it. If I had gone with you back then, I might be a pilot now too." Min Bangren drank his drink in one gulp and sighed.

Fang Wen poured wine for Min Bangren, saying, "I also have an opportunity. By the way, what are you doing now?"

“I work at the Shanghai Commercial Savings Bank,” Min Bangren replied.

"The bank is good, it's a good job."

Fang Wen nodded; he had heard about the current operating models of money shops and banks from Manager Liu.

These days, there are no banking regulators. As long as you have a capital account, find some large businesses to deposit the funds, and then lend to familiar companies, you can create a cash flow and earn interest spreads.

This Shanghai Commercial Savings Bank is a model for the development of small banks.

He heard from Manager Liu that 18 years ago, the bank's capital was only 7 yuan. From the boss to the employees, they were busy with business all day long, attracting deposits, visiting shops and factories, and finding people to lend money.

The reason it has been able to achieve such a large scale is that it does not compete with large foreign banks, but specializes in small-amount savings deposit business that large banks look down upon.

It is precisely this kind of bank, which deals directly with citizens, that has allowed it to accumulate a large number of stable savings customers and gradually grow bigger and stronger.

Therefore, Fang Wencai's statement that it was a good job was not just a perfunctory response.

Min Bangren smiled and said, "It's alright. I've been doing this job since I graduated. In the current situation, having a decent-paying job is enough to support my family."

"That's right." Fang Wen nodded: "If there's anything I can help with at work, just let me know."

"Yes, we do. Our bank offers a new type of current account checking deposit. If you're interested, old classmate, you can help me out."

So that's why Min Bangren came. Fang Wen said he was willing to hear the details and would definitely help if possible.

Simply put, it's a method of withdrawing bills based on depositors' savings, without requiring the depositor to personally go to the bank.

For example, if Fang Wen deposits a sum of money in the Shanghai Commercial Savings Bank, he can get a checkbook.

Fang Wen only needed to sign his special signature on this checkbook, fill in the amount to be withdrawn, and then tear out that page and give it to anyone.

With the check page in hand, one could go to the Shanghai Commercial Savings Bank to withdraw cash.

However, this process must include measures to prevent counterfeiting and theft of funds using checks.

Therefore, withdrawals by check could only be completed with the verification of Min Bangren.

As for how to verify its authenticity and whether it is Fang Wen's own signature, there are some little secrets to that.

The placement and writing style of the signature are both important.

Min Bangren could detect whether a check was counterfeit by folding it in a special way.

After listening to Min Bangren's description, Fang Wen nodded.

This is an early, primitive function of checks, which has appeared abroad but is rare in China.

Yes, you can. Sometimes paying with checks can be very convenient, but you can't save too much.

He agreed, saying, "It's inconvenient for me to go into the city. I'll send someone to the bank to deposit some money tomorrow. Can you give me the checkbook first and teach me how to use it? Is that alright?"

“Sure.” Min Bangren took out a checkbook from his briefcase and handed it to Fang Wen: “These are ten checks that haven’t been used yet. The check numbers are all consecutive. If the deposit is successful, I will use these ten checks. You can sign them, write the amount, and give them to someone else so they can come to the bank to withdraw the money. As for the anti-counterfeiting lettering, I’ll teach you how to write it.”

The two sat in a row, discussing the anti-counterfeiting handwriting on the table. After a while, Fang Wenxue learned about it.

Next, Min Bangren spoke freely, reminiscing about Fang Wen's high school days.

These were memories Fang Wen didn't have, and he listened with great interest.

"That year, the whole country was in agreement to take back the concessions, and we even took to the streets to demonstrate in support. You know, just talking is useless. Foreigners are bullies who prey on the weak and fear the strong. We can only do it by defeating them. They invited me to go to Beiping to study with them."

As Min Bangren spoke, he reached out and put his arm around Fang Wen's shoulder, as if he had returned to his student days a few years ago.

"Mm," Fang Wen responded, poured wine for Min Bangren, and the two clinked glasses and drank it all.

Min Bangren, still quite drunk, continued, "We went to Nanjing together, but I was pickpocketed. You fought with the pickpocket and got your money back, but you got your arm cut. I was terrified at the time, thinking that I was going to the north for thousands of miles, all alone, and I was afraid to live. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left you alone and ran back to Shanghai that day."

As he spoke, Min Bangren burst into tears. Under the influence of alcohol, he revealed his true feelings with deep emotion.

Fang Wen patted Min Bangren gently and comforted him, "It's alright, I've already forgotten about it."

He had forgotten, because he simply didn't have those memories. But through Min Bangren's words, Fang Wen also learned about his past experiences.

It's not easy for an 18-year-old boy to embark on a journey alone after his companions have left.

After getting extremely drunk, Min Bangren was eventually sent back to the city by Fang Wen's men.

The next day, Fang Wen sent someone to deposit 3000 silver dollars at the Shanghai Commercial Savings Bank.

With that money, the checkbook in hand can be used.

This convenient withdrawal method allows for easy transfer of cash to others, which is very convenient in Shanghai.

Now, there's one more person I should meet.

Sixth Sister's teacher.

The middle school teacher who got into a dispute with the Japanese because he went to the streets to promote anti-Japanese propaganda.

What exactly is this person's identity? If he's just an ordinary patriot, then it's not a big deal.

But if it's related to the underground party, I can use him to establish contact with them.

Now is the critical moment of the Kuomintang's fourth encirclement and suppression campaign. If we can establish contact with the underground party, we can send the necessary supplies to the Soviet area by airdrop.

Thinking of this, Fang Wen asked his wife.

"Mingzhu, how is Sixth Sister's teacher doing now?"

"After he was released on bail, he had injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment. He should be better now."

"Send someone to the hospital to check on him. If he's better, bring him over. I want to talk to him."

"Okay. Chuncao, come here."

Because Fang Shouxin and his son went to western Hunan, only two maids were left at home, so they had to be the ones to handle the matters in the city.

Fang Wen was a little worried that they wouldn't be able to find their way.

As it turned out, such worries were completely unnecessary. The two maids who had followed Kuang Mingzhu since childhood were efficient in their work and often went out, and were no less capable than Shunzi.

Chuncao went out in the morning and brought the person back at noon.

Sixth Sister also returned with them.

Clearly, it was the sixth sister who took care of him in the hospital, and they had developed some feelings for each other.

Fang Wen saw all this but didn't show it, after all, Sixth Sister was born to the second wife and it wasn't the third wife's place to manage her.

He whispered to Kuang Mingzhu, "Take Sixth Sister out. I want to talk to him alone."

Kuang Mingzhu nodded, smiled, and walked towards Sixth Sister, inviting her to see the cats and dogs she kept at home. Sixth Sister happily went out.

Everyone else has left, leaving only Fang Wen and that other person.

Fang Wen asked, "What is your surname, teacher?"

"My surname is Liu, and my courtesy name is Shijie," replied Teacher Liu, whose face still had some bruises.

"Teacher Liu, I was in Europe when the incident happened, and I only returned last month. I'm not very familiar with your situation yet. Could you please explain?"

“Yes. That day we went out to do anti-Japanese propaganda. The students were preparing to perform a chorus when that Japanese businessman rushed over and tore down the propaganda banners. We argued with him, but as soon as people surrounded him, he fell to the ground and said we hit him.”

After listening to Teacher Liu's words, Fang Wen said, "The Japanese are resorting to such despicable tactics; they are truly hateful. What are you planning to do this time, Teacher Liu?"

"The school has already dismissed me, and I'm preparing to look for another job."

At this point in the conversation, Fang Wen felt conflicted.

How should I ask?

You can't just say, "Hey, are you a member of the underground Communist Party?"

In Shanghai today, the Kuomintang's arrests of underground party members have become so public that the mere mention of those three words evokes fear and dread.

If Teacher Liu wasn't a member of the underground Communist Party, or even had no connections, he would have given away the information simply by asking.

Once accused of being a communist sympathizer, Taishan Airlines would be lost, as many people would want to take a slice of the pie, and all of his plans would fall apart.

Just as Fang Wen was struggling with his decision, the other party took the initiative.

"General Manager Fang, I admire your efforts in resisting the Japanese and am willing to work for you, is that alright?"

"You want to join Taishan Airlines?" Fang Wen asked in surprise.

"Yes, Fifth Brother, Teacher Liu has lost his job at the school, please help him out," Sixth Sister, who came in from outside, also pleaded.

It's very simple to arrange for someone to work at Taishan Airlines.

Fang Wen thought for a moment and agreed: "Okay, you can start tomorrow. You'll work at the ticketing company, and I'll have someone train you. The work there is very simple."

Liu Shijie shook his head: "General Manager, you don't need to take care of me. I can work at the airport, I can do anything."

"You don't want to go to the ticketing company?"

Fang Wen was surprised again. He didn't want to work at the ticketing company, which was such an easy job, but wanted to work at the airport.

Airport jobs only involve some physically demanding tasks that you can start doing right away, such as refueling and security.

Everything else requires training, and Fang Wen doesn't feel comfortable letting a novice do it.

At this moment, Sixth Sister chimed in, "Fifth Brother, isn't it better that Teacher Liu is willing to endure hardship? He must not want to see the corrupt life in Shanghai, which is why he made this decision. Teacher Liu, don't you agree?"

"Yes. That's exactly what I think," Liu Shijie stated very seriously.

Fang Wen became wary of this somewhat unusual behavior.

He's not like Sixth Sister, who's love-struck and believes everything the person she likes says is right, and even helps her fill in the blanks with her own interpretations.

What exactly is the other party's purpose in trying to gain access to Taishan Airlines?
What was his identity? Was he a member of the Kuomintang, an underground party member, a Japanese, or an ordinary patriot?

Fang Wen harbored suspicions, but outwardly remained calm and agreed.

Having agreed to Liu Shijie's job, Fang Wen arranged for him to live in the Taishan Airlines employee dormitory, while Liu Mei stayed at home with her sister-in-law.

The next day, Fang Wen brought Liu Shijie to the company.

Inside the general manager's office, Fang Wen told Liu Shijie to wait while he went out to call the deputy director of the administration center.

With Fang Shouxin absent, he is currently managing the administrative center.

Fang Wen ushered him into his office and, in front of Liu Shijie, asked, "Besides the ticketing company, what other positions are currently vacant?"

The deputy director of the administration center replied, "Taishan Airlines currently has vacancies for radio dispatchers at Wuhan Airport, and night shift security guards and refueling workers at Nanchang Airport."

After the deputy supervisor finished speaking, Fang Wen looked at Liu Shijie and asked, "What kind of work do you want to do?"

"Is it okay if I just stay at Shanghai Airport?" Liu Shijie asked.

“That works too.” Fang Wen thought for a moment. “Then you can work as an airport inspector. Go back to your dormitory first, and once everything is arranged, I’ll have someone come and train you to your post.”

Airport inspection sounded like a good job, and Liu Shijie left happily.

As they were leaving, the deputy head of the administration center asked, puzzled, "General Manager, we don't have an airport inspector position."

"It's about inspecting the airport's hygiene and environment. You're in charge of making the arrangements. To the outside world, it's called airport inspection, understand?"

"Understood. I'll arrange it right away."

The deputy manager went out.

Fang Wen, however, was deep in thought in his office.

Because of the bomb factory incident, Fang Shouxin, Fang Shun, and Sun Debiao all went there.

Manager Sun also shuttled between Wuhan and Beiping for the penicillin laboratory matter.

Pan Jiafeng has to run flight routes and manage flight schedules.

Shao Sishen was a full-time teacher, but he also had physical disabilities.

The only person I can rely on is Howard.

He left the office, went to the airport maintenance hangar, found Howard, whispered some instructions, and gave him a note.

Howard then took the airport shuttle to downtown Shanghai.

(End of this chapter)