Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 149: The final flaw resolved; future strategy: Aviation Logistics Park.
The plane returned at around 7 a.m.

When the aircraft was parked in the hangar, Shao Sishen made a suggestion.

"I don't think what we're doing is safe enough. There has to be a reason for Taishan-1 to take off and return."

His words were something Fang Wen had considered as well.

Fang Wen nodded, "I'm also thinking about this. It will be resolved. You guys go back first."

After everyone else got off the plane, Fang Wen was alone on the plane, lost in thought.

After buying Taishan No. 1, we have to do something to make it a cover for daily operations.

But what would be a reasonable thing to transport with a heavy transport plane that has a payload of nearly 10 tons?
It must make money, and it must be a long-term endeavor, before outsiders will see the Taishan-1 as an ordinary cargo plane.

These days, what kind of goods are worth air freight?

If you were to ask what kind of business is profitable and in high demand these days, requiring timely air freight to deliver goods to all parts of the country, Fang Wen would know a thing or two.

The first one is the tobacco business.

Although the competition among domestic and foreign tobacco companies is fierce, and each one advertises more and more, none of the tobacco companies are losing money.

This industry has extremely high profit margins; as long as you have a sales channel, you can make a fortune.

However, these tobacco companies are severely lacking in sales channels.

You can tell from how badly they fought their advertising war in Shanghai.

If Taishan Airlines were to transport large quantities of their tobacco to the mainland by air and thereby establish tobacco distribution channels, it could not only make huge profits but also provide the best cover for Taishan No. 1.

Besides tobacco products, medicinal herbs are also commodities with huge transportation volumes and wide demand, and air distribution channels can be established.

These two things are enough.

After making the decision, Fang Wen immediately got off the plane, not to discuss the matter with everyone, but to go home and take a nap to replenish his energy.

We'll discuss that in the meeting tonight.

Oh, and there's also Sun Debiao's plan. Two bombings were already the limit for the Taishan Volunteer Army; it's time to inform him to come back.

After returning home, Fang Wen immediately sent a telegram to Sun Debiao.

The section of the Great Wall at Nantianmen in the north.

The sky was still filled with smoke, and flames flickered on the ground.

Overnight, the tide of war turned.

Soldiers of the 57th Army, their faces covered in soot, patrolled the Japanese positions, searching for useful supplies.

Last night's sudden fire swept across three Japanese positions. The 57th Army, along with allied forces providing support, launched an attack and repelled the Japanese.

With their positions lost and the chaos caused by the nighttime fires, the Japanese troops had no choice but to retreat to the south bank of the Luan River.

Unfortunately, the 57th Army did not press its advantage and instead chose to hold its ground.

By now, it's already dawn.

Without the cover of fire and darkness, the army's morale was not as high as it had been the night before, and the battle came to an end.

Further away beyond the Great Wall, the Japanese camp in the valley was also completely burned down by two 50-kilogram napalm bombs due to the terrain.

Sun Debiao, observing these scenes from the mountaintop, was filled with smug satisfaction, his joy barely contained.

He wanted to shout that all of this was thanks to him, Sun Debiao.

But in the end, he didn't say it; how could a great hero boast?

It's just that I'm getting old, and I'll just tell it to my grandchildren as a story.

It was exactly 8 o'clock, time to receive the telegram as scheduled.

Sun Debiao vigorously cranked the hand-cranked telegraph machine and picked up the receiver to listen.

The radio broadcast arrived as scheduled, and he listened and took notes.

The general manager called to say that the bombing was over and he was going back.

Sun Debiao felt a little regretful, feeling that he hadn't bombed enough; there were so many Japanese devils, there was simply no way he could bomb them all.

But he also knew the company's situation; organizing two bombings was already the limit. He could only hope that the National Revolutionary Army would take this opportunity to drive the Japanese out of the Great Wall defense line.

Oh, and Zhang Laifu too.

This person cannot stay here; he knows some of the company's secrets.

Sun Debiao, a former bandit, felt a surge of murderous intent and decided to kill Zhang Laifu on the spot to prevent future trouble.

But the next second, his killing intent subsided.

They're not bandits anymore. How can they still act like bandits?

If Zhang Laifu cannot stay locally, should we bring him back to the company?

He also has a wife, children, and an elderly mother. Taking them all out of this war zone can be considered a good deed, and it also helps to keep the secret.

Therefore, Sun Debiao smiled and looked at Zhang Laifu: "Laifu, I've finished my business here and I'm going back to enjoy myself. Would you like to come with me?"

"Go and enjoy a life of luxury with me?" Zhang Laifu was delighted, but then shook his head: "No, I have to go back to take care of my mother."

"Bring your whole family with you."

"Really? That's great, let's go back."

Zhang Laifu happily agreed.

The two dug a large pit on the spot and buried everything in it, leaving nothing behind.

They then retraced their steps and returned.

At 5 p.m. on May 13, Fang Wen got out of bed.

Kuang Mingzhu, who had already changed out of her red wedding dress, brought over a basin of water, a toothbrush, and toothpaste.

While Fang Wen was washing up, Kuang Mingzhu brought over a package.

"This is intelligence that just arrived from the city. It hasn't been opened yet. Read it after you've finished washing up."

Fang Wen mumbled "Oh," amidst the toothpaste foam.

After finishing quickly, Fang Wen took the package and cut it open with a utility knife.

After examining the intelligence inside, he slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Good, Mingzhu, let's have a celebration party tonight! We'll get some good wine and food!"

Kuang Mingzhu smiled and replied, "We have good wine. The good wine left over from the wedding banquet is stored in the inner room, enough for you to drink for a while. As for the dishes, I'll cook them."

"I'll go grocery shopping with you." Fang Wei smiled as he packed up the intelligence package and went out with his wife.

The two went out to notify the members of the Taishan Volunteer Army to hold a meeting, and then went to a nearby market to buy some fresh ingredients.

After buying the ingredients, the two went home and, with the help of the cook, Chuncao and Qiuju, prepared a large meal.

After all that was done, it was 6 p.m., and all the members had arrived.

Everyone took their seats, and Fang Wen poured wine into each person's small glass. Then he gave a toast.

"Tonight's dinner is a victory celebration for our Taishan Volunteer Army. Everyone knows that this is all we can do right now, but the results are remarkable and enough for us to celebrate. Let's all have a drink together, and then I'll give a summary of our two bombings."

Shopkeeper Liu, Pan Jiafeng, Fang Shouxin, Fang Shun, Shao Sishen, Howard.

Fang Wen and Kuang Mingzhu also raised their glasses and drank together.

Fang Wen poured himself another cup and gazed at the empty space.

"This toast is to Sun Debiao in the north, and to Huo Duanyang and William at the Xiangxi Airport."

After finishing his second cup, he took out the paper he had written on and read aloud.

"The first bombing caused 2300 casualties to the Hiraga Brigade of the Japanese 6th Division, including the death of the brigade commander and several senior officers, which directly caused chaos in the Hiraga Brigade. Unfortunately, no ground troops followed up with the attack, and the opportunity to annihilate the brigade was lost, allowing it to retreat and regroup safely."

"Although the results of the second bombing cannot be tallied, last night's bombing caused chaos in the positions of the entire 6th Division. At the same time, the 57th Army, which had retreated to the second line of defense behind the Luan River, launched a counterattack and successfully repelled the Japanese army as a whole."

After hearing Fang Wen's words, everyone was in high spirits.

Manager Liu said, "From what I understand, the Japanese army has deployed two divisions, two mixed brigades, and 30,000 puppet troops in the Great Wall operation. The Sixth Division is the main force of their flanking maneuver to the south. If we can take this opportunity to drive the Sixth Division out of Shanhaiguan and recover the lost territory inside the pass, that would be the best outcome."

Fang Wen remained silent.

In the past, he might have agreed with Manager Liu's statement.

But now, having witnessed the actual battle between the two armies, he realized the enormous differences between them.

During the Great Wall Resistance War, the most capable fighters were all on the Great Wall.

Other units were no match for the Japanese army when fighting on flat ground.

Last night's results were not the best outcome he had envisioned.

A counterattack overnight engulfed the Japanese positions in flames, but this failed to drive the Japanese to the north bank of the Luan River.

It's fair to say the outcome wasn't optimistic.

Shao Sishen shared the same idea as him.

Shao Sichen shook his head and said, "It's difficult. If we had been able to press our advantage last night and drive the Japanese army north of the Luan River, and then hold our ground there for a long stalemate, there might still be hope. Now, the Japanese army is on the south bank of the Luan River, fighting with their backs to the river. I estimate that it won't be long before they launch a counterattack. At that time, the positions we've recaptured will probably be taken back again. And we can no longer bombard them to provide support."

His words were very realistic, silencing the members of Fang Wen's small group.

Fang Wen could only continue to reveal other information.

"At present, the Japanese still suspect that the strategic bombers came from the Soviet forces in Siberia. They have assembled a force for defense north of Jehol."

"At the same time, an internal investigation was launched to find the inside agent who directed the bombing."

"In addition, the Japanese offensive remains strong today. Although the threat from the 6th Division has weakened, the pressure from the Rehe and Chengde directions has increased. Artillery fire has reached the Miyun area, and Japanese aircraft are still conducting intimidating flights over Beiping."

At this point, Fang Wen felt indignant.

He blurted out, "I really want to fly the Shrike over Beiping and shoot down Japanese planes."

Fang Shouxin analyzed, "It's difficult. This matter needs to be approved by the National Government and the Beiping Military Sub-Committee. The general manager is just an ordinary civilian, and there's no way he'll be allowed to participate in the war."

"Not necessarily, we'll have to ask to know." Fang Wen thought of Yue Jinping and several dividend-paying shareholders of Taishan Airlines; perhaps they could help smooth things over.

But that's not something we're discussing now.

He went on to state the next item on the agenda.

"The two bombings have exhausted our bomb and material reserves. Considering that we can no longer make large-scale purchases in Shanghai, the resources for subsequent bombings need to be transported by air from the South Asian port of Yangon. This requires sending someone to oversee airport construction and communicate with the Calcutta side regarding flight routes. Who is willing to go?"

Fang Shouxin, Manager Liu, and Shao Sishen all raised their hands.

It was expected that the first two would be willing to go to Fangwen, but why was Shao Sichen also willing?

Fang Wen looked at Shao Sichen in surprise: "You're going?"

"Yes, General Manager, don't worry about my health. I can walk normally now, and I can grasp with my right hand."

As Shao Sishen spoke, he got up and walked. Although he still walked with a limp, he was able to move around smoothly.

He then demonstrated holding the wine glass with his right hand; it trembled slightly, but he managed to grasp it.

In the past six months, Shao Sishen has actually managed to recover his disabled body through exercise.

Fang Wen was somewhat moved, but did not agree immediately. Instead, he asked, "Shao Sishen, you have to tell me what advantages it would have for you to go. Yangon Airport is very important."

Shao Sichen replied, "Our Shao family originally did business abroad, and only returned to Guangzhou to buy property a few years ago. Kuang Mingzhu can vouch for me."

Kuang Mingzhu explained, “Our Kuang family has more dealings with the French, so my third son went to France to study. The Shao family mainly deals with the British, and their overseas businesses used to involve trade in British colonies.”

Shao Sichen chimed in, "Yes, my family used to mainly export porcelain, taking the sea route from Calcutta to Europe. My elders often went on the boat, and I grew up surrounded by it. In addition, my family also has acquaintances in Yangon."

From this perspective, Shao Sicheng is indeed a good candidate. Fang Wen nodded: "Then that's settled. You get ready first. I'll fly you to Kolkata in a couple of days, and then you can take a boat or land to Yangon."

“No problem.” Shao Sichen readily agreed, then added, “The theoretical courses for the second batch of flight apprentices have finished, and Pan Jiafeng will take over the practical flight training. The general manager can also take some time to oversee it. So, who should be responsible for the selection and training of flight attendants?”

Shunzi immediately stood up: "I'll take care of the beauty pageant."

"You little rascal, your tricks are about to spill out. Sit down!" Fang Shouxin said with a laugh, pulling Shunzi back to his seat.

Come to think of it, of all the people here, Fang Wen seems to be the only one with a wife.

It's not a good idea to let a large group of single men take over the selection and training of flight attendants.

Fang Wen looked at his wife.

"Mingzhu, I think it's best if you take over this matter."

Kuang Mingzhu smiled and agreed.

There is still one issue we haven't addressed here.

Fang Wen continued, "The last thing is about Taishan No. 1. Such a large aircraft would definitely arouse suspicion if it wasn't used for transportation. After thinking about it, I decided to use it for air distribution channels."

What is an online distribution channel?

Nobody understood.

Fang Wen explained it to everyone.

"I plan to deal with tobacco and medicinal herbs, which have high profit margins. Let's start with tobacco. It has high sales volume and high profit margins, but tobacco companies lack stable and timely supply channels."

As Fang Wen spoke, he unfolded the map.

"Our Taishan Airlines has this advantage, as you can see. We can transport large quantities of cigarettes to major cities like Jinan, Wuhan, Nanchang, and Fuzhou by plane. Then we can establish warehouses there for distribution. We have the capacity of the Taishan No. 1 aircraft, which can transport 8 tons of goods at a time, or even make multiple round trips a day, transporting 10 or 20 tons without any problem. What those tobacco companies with high profits want is sales volume, and we've solved that for them."

Fang Wen paused for a moment.

"Medicinal herbs are also highly profitable commodities, which can cover the air freight costs. Similarly, we transport large quantities of medicinal herbs to various places in a timely manner and radiate to the surrounding areas. Pharmacies in various places can obtain the medicinal herbs and precious medicinal herbs that they lack through our distribution warehouses."

Everyone listened with confusion, yet it was as if they had discovered a new continent.

Little did they know that what Fang Wen was talking about was the future aviation logistics park. Of course, it hasn't reached the point of becoming an aviation logistics park yet; it still needs continuous efforts.

(End of this chapter)