Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 225, Section 224: Assassination, Vascular Suturing Surgery, Switching and Drowning
Amid cheers, Fang Wen took the stage.

He delivered his speech loudly, behaving just like the real Fang Wen.

"Taishan Aviation is committed to the development of the aviation industry, and we have been seeking breakthroughs in aircraft manufacturing. The Yunhe is the first generation of aircraft manufactured by Taishan Aircraft Manufacturing Plant. Aircraft of the same type will be manufactured and deployed in various parts of China. In the future, our Shuiyun series seaplanes will be used on all major waterways in China."

While he was giving his speech, the real Fang Wen was observing the situation in the audience backstage.

He found nothing unusual; the students were enthusiastic and happy about the rise of national industry.

At this moment, Zhang Yunfei, a member of the action team, came backstage.

He was stunned when he saw Fang Wen: "General Manager, weren't you on stage?"

"Wu Yingzong, impersonate me and go on stage. Tell the others to keep an eye on the audience and watch out for any Japanese causing trouble," Fang Wen instructed.

"Yes." Zhang Yunfei left.

Whether or not Japanese people would come was uncertain to Fang Wen and his team, but caution was necessary.

Fang Wen was still giving his speech on stage.

"Students, everyone says that industry can save the nation. We need more than just consumer goods and chemical materials; we also need aircraft. The airplane is the greatest invention of the 20th century. It allows humans to soar through the air, with speeds far exceeding those of land and sea, a vast field of vision, and a lack of natural enemies, making it the most advantageous tool in warfare. While we at Taishan dare not say we can build fighter jets and bombers right now, we will strive in this direction. Only with a large accumulation of aircraft manufacturing experience can that be possible. Students, are you willing to join us in building China's fighter jets?"

Fang Wen's words were not entirely based on the manuscript; he added the last sentence.

This sentence greatly stirred the emotions of the students from both universities, who responded loudly and enthusiastically: "We are willing!"

Amid cheers and applause, an unusual situation arose.

A few people in the crowd below the stage were pushing forward.

Before long, these people squeezed out of the crowd and then suddenly pulled out their pistols.

Because Fang Wen specifically reminded them, the eight members of the action team below the stage also acted at the same time and subdued three people on the spot.

Two more people appeared, one on the left and one on the right, in the blind spots of the defense, each with a gun raised.

At that moment, Fang Wen's heart leaped into his throat, and his hands involuntarily pressed against the vacuum tube amplifier.

These expensive audio devices, popular in the 1930s, consisted of eight units, placed in the eight cardinal directions (north, south, east, and west) for better sound quality.

However, they only have one microphone, which is a microphone on stage, thus forming a unified external sound source system with cable connection.

In a moment of desperation, Fang Wen actually activated the fusion of mechanical perception with this system.

In an instant, Fang Wen sensed something strange.

The direction of sound waves, the amplification or reduction of sound sources, and even changes in frequency.

Although he cannot modify sound waves, he can amplify and reduce the volume and change their frequency.

Then, a piercing sound source was released from the eight tube amplifiers, the intensity of which was unbearable.

Startled by the sudden, jarring sound, the two assassins hesitated in their firing.

Then, Fang Wen on stage responded by rolling behind the curtain.

Two gunshots rang out, and the curtain was riddled with two holes. The two men were then tackled to the ground by the angry students.

Fang Wen also rushed behind the curtain to check.

A body is lying face down on the ground.

The two bullet holes above let in the light from outside.

"Wu Yingzong, how are you?" Fang Wen squatted down to check on him.

There was no response; there was a bullet hole in his shoulder, and blood was gushing out.

He had clearly been shot and was unconscious.

Fang Wen picked up Wu Yingzong, removed his mask, and strode out of the job fair.

Just then, belated sirens sounded, and a group of military police rushed into the venue.

The leader shouted, "We've received orders that someone here is causing trouble. Hand over the suspected troublemakers; we need to take them back for questioning."

The action team would certainly not release the person in this situation, and the students were unwilling to do so either.

A student shouted, "Last year when the Japanese entered the city, you dared not utter a sound. This year, these people are holding guns and about to kill people, but you say they are causing trouble. Handing them over to you is tantamount to letting them go. Absolutely not."

His words resonated with other students, who came over and surrounded the special operations team to protect them and prevent the security personnel from taking them away.

The two sides were locked in a stalemate for a time.

Meanwhile, Fang Wen carried Wu Yingzong as they ran through the campus of Peking University.

Wu Yingzong was very light and weak. Blood kept gushing from the wound on his right arm, and Fang Wen couldn't stop it no matter how hard he pressed.

Fang Wen didn't want to see Wu Yingzong die like this, so he shouted, "Does anyone know where the medical facility is?"

Peking University has a medical department and its own hospital and clinic. A student ran over, checked on Wu Yingzong's condition, and said urgently, "I know, come to me quickly."

Immediately, Fang Wen carried Wu Yingzong and ran with all his might, following the students to a small building.

A medical professor was leading students in clinical practice there, and upon seeing Wu Yingzong's condition, he immediately began emergency treatment.

The professor cut open Wu Yingzong's clothes on his right shoulder, cleaning the wound on his back shoulder while trying to stop the bleeding.

"The injured person appears to have been shot; judging from the amount of bleeding, an artery may have been damaged."

Fang Wen immediately responded, "He was shot by a pistol bullet, doctor, you must save him."

The professor did not respond, but instead removed the bullet with the help of the students.

As the bullet was removed, even more blood flowed out.

He said seriously, "Artery damage is a very serious matter. In order to stop the bleeding, I must ligate the artery."

"What is arterial ligation?" Fang Wen asked eagerly, and a student explained.

It involves cutting off the blood vessel to stop the bleeding.

This is the most effective surgical procedure of our time.

Fang Wen, however, did not think so. He clearly understood that it was precisely because of vascular ligation that many surgical patients would suffer from ischemic necrosis of tissues after surgery, thus facing amputation.

Absolutely not, that would be tantamount to cutting off Wu Yingzong's right arm.

Fang Wen stopped the other party's actions.

"No, can we perform a vascular suturing procedure?"

"How do you know about vascular suturing surgery? This technique is only now appearing in formal medical procedures in Europe," the professor asked, puzzled and surprised.

This is common knowledge that people in the future would know: blood vessels can be stitched up. But in this era, only a very few doctors possess this amazing ability.

Fang Wen didn't care about any of that; he just wanted to save Wu Yingzong.

“I will pay 1 silver dollars to whoever performs the vascular suturing surgery on him.”

The professor was interested, but then shook his head: "I don't know this technique, I'm sorry."

“I’m here because I learned this skill when I was in Europe years ago, and I hope I can still do it now,” an elderly doctor said as he approached.

He was very old, and Fang Wen wasn't even sure if he could perform the surgery.

But if he doesn't do it, no one else will; there's no other way but to take the risk.

Immediately, the old doctor stepped in.

With the help of others, he carefully cut open the wound and had someone use a hook to pull it open.

It was cruel, but necessary.

The open wound was cleaned, revealing the source of the injury. A blood vessel had been severed by a bullet; although not the aorta, the severed vessel was causing continuous bleeding.

The old doctor had his assistant pull the ruptured blood vessel in order to suture the wound.

But several attempts failed.

"Ah, I'm getting old, I can't do it anymore, I'm sorry, young man," the old doctor said guiltily.

"We absolutely cannot give up now that things have come to this," Fang Wen replied. "Teach me, and I'll give it a try."

"You?" The old doctor couldn't believe it.

“Yes, no one can save my friend’s life, so I’ll give it a try. If I can’t save him, I’ll get him sterilized. You teach me the procedure, and I’ll give you 5000 silver dollars regardless of whether it’s successful or not.”

Fang Wen replied firmly.

The old doctor hesitated for a moment before agreeing. "I don't want the money. If you can do this surgery, it will be a blessing for your friend."

He taught Fang Wen the vascular repair surgery techniques he had learned in Europe.

In reality, it's not complicated to operate.

First, three stitches are placed at equal intervals at the ruptured blood vessel to fix the wound into the shape of two folded lines. Then, sterilized biomass thread is used to fold the broken ends of the blood vessel back and suture them together.

Fang Wen had never studied medicine, but through constant operation of the universal milling machine, he developed a very stable technique. At the same time, his continuous improvement in mechanical perception also made his mental concentration far higher than that of ordinary people.

The moment I pick up the surgical instruments, I am in a state of high concentration.

Just like piloting a fighter jet to fight against a large number of enemies, one wrong move and you will be smashed to pieces.

With intense concentration, he carefully carried out the procedures instructed by the old doctor.

He did it more carefully, more cautiously, and more meticulously, just like using a universal milling machine to make high-precision parts.

The doctors and students watching nearby watched in amazement as he completed the vascular suturing surgery. In the final stage, the blood vessel was released, but the sutures remained connected, and no more blood leaked out.

Fang Wen stopped and looked at the old doctor: "Is this alright?"

"Okay. You can continue," the old doctor urged.

"I don't know what to do next," Fang Wen answered truthfully.

"You really can't do it? You can still complete this surgery?!" the old doctor exclaimed, then instructed other doctors to take over the subsequent follow-up surgical procedures.

He took Fang Wen outside, where they washed their hands in the corridor and chatted.

"Young man, you are a surgical genius. Are you interested in studying medicine? You will definitely become the world's best surgical expert in the future."

These words reminded Fang Wen of someone, and he shook his head and said, "Studying medicine can't save the country, and I don't have that much energy to do other things."

The old doctor did not insist on Fang Wen's answer, but asked, "So what do you do? I'm very curious how you can complete this kind of surgery in one go."

"I fly planes, run a company, and manufacture planes on the side. As for surgery, I treat it as a manufacturing process. I just follow your instructions wholeheartedly, and I succeeded."

The old doctor sighed, "Extensive learning and firm resolve, earnest inquiry and close reflection—benevolence lies within these qualities. I was too attached to appearances."

Fang Wen turned around and went back into the house to check on Wu Yingzong. After hearing that the situation was stable, he went out to say goodbye to the old doctor: "Please take care of my friend. I am Fang Wen from Taishan Airlines. I will definitely come back to thank you all after I finish what I have to do."

(A diagram of a vascular suturing surgery described by Fang Wenxue)

The stalemate at the job fair continues.

More students arrived, and with so many students protecting them, the security personnel dared not act recklessly.

They brought in the school's administration to persuade them.

However, the school also lost face in this matter and was unwilling to participate, leading to a stalemate.

During the stalemate, some students who knew the situation analyzed the whole matter clearly and spoke out loudly.

"This was definitely done by the Japanese. A few years ago, General Manager Fang of Taishan Airlines piloted a plane and sank the Japanese battleship Izumo. Although it was a state act, the Japanese will definitely hold a grudge and seek revenge. Then, this year, another incident occurred: newspapers in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai published reports of the Japanese's atrocities in Northeast China. I heard that General Manager Fang of Taishan Airlines was the one who funded this, and he went abroad because of it, only recently returning. Now, General Manager Fang is piloting a plane he built himself, engaging Japanese warplanes in combat over Beiping (Beijing), holding his own against three Japanese aircraft. He's truly slapped the Japanese in the face again. Don't you think the Japanese will be furious?"

"Yes!" the students responded loudly.

"I think it was the Japanese who did it. This city of Beiping has become a sieve that can slip through the net. The Japanese can come and go as they please. Who knows how many Japanese spies have infiltrated the city? They must be thinking of making an example of them after being humiliated like this."

"Yes, that's why we absolutely cannot hand these people over to the garrison; they'll just disappear the next day."

"Yes, we absolutely cannot hand it over to them."

The students' indignant words were logical and reasonable, and not so easy to refute.

The rough-around-the-edges officer in the garrison didn't know how to respond.

Just then, Fang Wen returned.

The team members inside said urgently, "Make way so the general manager can come in."

Everyone quickly made way, and Fang Wen went inside.

His first words were to let everyone know that Wu Yingzong was alright: "Wu Yingzong is fine."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and Zhao Wanping, with her red-rimmed eyes, was the happiest.

Fang Wen continued, "This can't go on forever; we have to clean up the mess."

Liu Yubao, a member of the action team, spoke up: "I have a solution."

"What method?" Fang Wen asked immediately.

“If the garrison command wants people, we will give them to them, but if they escape from their hands, it has nothing to do with us.”

"Why are you running?" one of the team members asked.

“The real ones certainly won’t run away, but the fake ones are another story. You guys are quite skilled at forgery when it comes to stealing doors,” Liu Yubao revealed the complete plan.

He wanted to find five members of the action team to pose as the perpetrators and hand them over to the security department, then escape midway. The security department would not know the situation and would certainly not stop him.

But there's another hurdle: the students outside. They won't cooperate if they don't understand the plan, and once they do, they'll know too much and won't be able to keep it a secret.

Fang Wen thought about this for a moment.

It's not impossible. Students at both universities are organized, and many students follow the instructions of the school's organizations.

He then instructed his team to find the leaders of the school organizations present at the scene.

Explain the situation directly.

The student council leaders on both sides couldn't believe it, yet they witnessed the transformation of a person into a living being.

Subsequently, with their help, an agreement was finally reached with the police, and the person was handed over to them.

And shortly after they were given the gifts, the incident occurred.

The five perpetrators, for reasons unknown, jumped into the East Lake of the Old Summer Palace and disappeared.

The security personnel were not alarmed; they pretended to search for a while before withdrawing and leaving.

No sooner had they left than Fang Wen and his group arrived at East Lake with five real Japanese assassins, tied them to large stones, and sank them to the bottom of the lake.

Now look what's happened. Everyone saw them jump into the lake. Even if they're discovered later, it's their own fault for bringing this upon themselves.

The shooting incident on the shore of East Lake in Yuanmingyuan Park has come to an end.

Students continued to enthusiastically sign up, and Fang Wen and his team spent their days reviewing student applications and visiting the school hospital in Beiping to check on Wu Yingzong's condition.

Meanwhile, Fang Wen also made an unexpected discovery after that accidental surgery.

Although he had no intention of pursuing a career in medicine, he saw the importance of suturing in war. He believed that if there were a convenient suturing tool, there would be fewer accidents caused by excessive blood loss during surgery.

(End of this chapter)