Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 232, Part 231: Personal Feud, A Duel in the Sky, Investigation of Tianjin
Tianjin, the French Concession.

Five special operations team members were mixed in among them.

They were from the underworld, using the skills and experience they learned from their fathers to infiltrate the foreign concessions and gather intelligence.

The five men explored the area where the gunfight had taken place that night, keeping a very low profile and being extremely cautious.

This was not only at Fang Wen's request, but also because there was a group of plainclothes investigators in the concession.

Although these people were in plainclothes, they were arrogant and overbearing. The police officers in the French Concession turned a blind eye to them, which meant they were obviously not ordinary people.

It's safe to say they were spies sent from the neighboring Japanese concession.

When the five returned to report, they discussed the matter and felt that something was amiss.

Didn't they say the Japanese had arrested everyone? Then why did they send out spies to investigate?

After some discussion, the action team members came to the conclusion that someone must have escaped from the attack that night, and the Japanese believed that no one had escaped from the French Concession, which is why they arranged for people to continue their covert investigation.

Where did the escapees go?

The temporary squad leader of the action team reported the matter to Shanghai.

They then began a clandestine investigation in the French Concession.

In Shanghai, Fang Wen is painting the Shrew.

The originally beautiful paintwork was completely covered up with black paint.

He planned to use a Blackbird 'Shrike' to hijack the plane in mid-air.

Of course, this is a last resort, and if it is used, it will have serious consequences.

Even if they change their paint scheme, the Japanese will still point the finger at themselves; a businessman cannot stand against a nation.

Fang Wen was considering a plan to turn this matter into a personal grudge.

He turned the rescue of Yue Jinping into his personal matter.

Therefore, after the painting was completed, Fang Wen disguised himself and went to the salon of Mr. Liang and Mr. Lin in SH city.

Fang Wen disguised himself again and waited at the door.

A moment later, Liang and Lin came to open the door.

Mr. Liang looked around and said, "At this time, and with someone I don't recognize, could it be that pilot again? Or someone he sent?"

Fang Wen was stunned. It seemed that disguise alone couldn't fool acquaintances. He nodded: "Is it urgent? Are there any people from the newspaper working at the salon today?"

Upon hearing that there was an emergency, the two immediately let Fang Wen in. Mr. Liang replied, "Go to the guest room to change your clothes. Reporters from several newspapers are here today."

Fang Wen nodded, quickly walked into the guest room, and changed out of his disguise.

After he came out, Mr. Liang said, "Everyone, please stop for a moment. General Manager Fang of Taishan Airlines has something to say."

Everyone in the salon knew about Fang Wen's elusive nature, and they all turned around to look at him.

Fang Wen walked to the center of the living room and said, "I have a close friend who has been captured by the Japanese and is trapped in Tianjin. I would like to ask friends in the cultural circle for help to write an article to rescue him and publish it in the newspaper to create momentum."

The matter involves Japanese people and also touches on Fang Wen, the salon's mystery shopper, which has piqued everyone's interest.

The next day, all the newspapers in Shanghai published the same article.

[A high-stakes gamble involving the feud of Taishan Airlines General Manager Fang Wenzhi]

Taishan Airlines General Manager Fang Wen made this public announcement.

In 1932, Fang participated in the anti-Japanese air battles and forged an irreconcilable enmity with the Japanese.

This feud is not a personal grudge, but a struggle for national righteousness. It was originally a war of national righteousness, but the Japanese took revenge for personal grudges and repeatedly plotted against us.

This matter can be handled by Fang.

Unexpectedly, the Japanese, being so wicked, extended their evil clutches to the innocent, implicating my dear friend Yue Jun.

He used Yue Jun as bait, attempting to lure Fang into a trap, but fortunately he noticed in time and escaped.

Fang was determined to rescue his friend from this dire situation. However, the Japanese pirates were too powerful, and he feared he could not succeed by relying on his own strength alone.

Therefore, Fang is willing to pledge the foundation of Taishan Airlines and offer a reward of 5 silver dollars to heroes from all over the world to rescue Yue Jun from his predicament.

Even more extreme, Fang was willing to sign a life-or-death agreement with the Japanese, setting up a shocking gamble—to engage in an aerial combat battle in the skies above Beiping, using airplanes as weapons.

If I, Fang, am fortunate enough to win, I hope the Japanese will release my friend and restore justice; if I am unfortunately defeated, and if I survive the air battle, I will accept whatever punishment I may receive without complaint.

Fang Wen has issued a challenge, and a reward has been offered. May the world know this.

A rousing reward notice and challenge spread throughout Shanghai in no time through newspapers, radio, and word of mouth.

The fact that such challenges only appear in novel plots has made them a popular topic of conversation.

Not only Chinese people were discussing this matter, but people in various concessions were also talking about it.

Subsequently, the news spread throughout China, as well as to other Asian countries, and even to Europe and the United States via radio waves.

The focus of everyone's attention was not the bounty, but the aerial duel.

It was precisely this public declaration, brimming with individual heroism, that provoked the Japanese army.

The Bushido spirit prevalent in the Japanese army was most intolerant of such duel-like challenges.

Both the navy and the Kwantung Army had a group of fanatical Bushido officers who were calling for the challenge.

In their view, not accepting it would be a disgrace.

This assertion formed a voice and also influenced those at the top.

Subsequently, the Kwantung Army dispatched a squadron of pilots to fly to Tianjin.

After the plane landed at Tianjin Airport, several pilots arrogantly went to the Japanese concession and were led to an underground secret detention center by the head of the concession's intelligence chief.

Inside the underground secret detention center, more than twenty members of the Fuxing Society were being held separately, some of whom were being interrogated and tortured.

Screams and curses continued.

A short-haired woman in a black suit sat on a bench, coldly watching the interrogation process.

Despite her cold demeanor, she was confident of victory.

At this moment, the chief of staff in charge of intelligence in the North China region entered with several pilots.

The pilots were deeply disturbed by the appalling conditions in the prison, and the Chief of Intelligence immediately ordered, "Stop the interrogation."

"Why? Ono, you can't control me," the short-haired woman said coldly.

"Kawashima, you're being presumptuous. I have the right to manage all intelligence work in the North China region."

"No, I am directly under the Second Division of the Kwantung Army."

Yoshiko Kawashima stood up and looked at Ono with a smug expression.

The Kwantung Army was divided into four sections: the first section was in charge of combat and communications, the second section was in charge of intelligence, the third section was in charge of military training and indoctrination, and the fourth section was in charge of so-called Manchurian internal affairs.

Kawashima believed that her power was above Ono's.

Unexpectedly, the officer next to Ono took out a letter of order.

"According to orders from the House of Nobles and the military, this operation will be taken over by us."

Kawashima received the order with a look of surprise.

"You actually canceled my operation because of Fang Wen's challenge?"

"Yes, we must accept the challenge; this is a consensus reached by the samurai spirit and the nobles."

The pilots looked down arrogantly at Kawashima, overturning his long-planned scheme.

Kawashima was filled with regret. He had never imagined that a businessman would ruin his plans.

Her targeting of Fang Wen was originally just a small episode in the plan, meant to lure Fang Wen to Tianjin for arrest. If it succeeded, it would be a bonus to the plan; if it failed, it wouldn't matter much.

I never expected it to turn out like this.

At Shanghai Airport, a car was parked outside the headquarters office area of ​​Taishan Airlines. After some discussion among the people inside, the security team immediately ran upstairs to the general manager's office to inform them.

"General Manager, someone who has submitted an application is looking for you."

"Let them come over."

Fang Wen nodded in agreement and activated the office's security system.

If anything seems amiss, pressing a button will split the office in two with a bulletproof metal wall, trapping the assassin and giving you time to escape.

The door opened, and in came an old acquaintance, Shen Bao with his thick beard. Fang Wen's hand moved away from the button.

The bearded man chuckled, "The consul of the Japanese concession is demanding a declaration of war and insisting that the duel be conducted in accordance with Japanese Bushido."

Fang Wen shook his head and said, "They have their rules, and we have ours. We each have our own way, and the victor will be decided in the heavens."

The bearded man nodded and said, "They also said that your opponent is Ishikawa Gentaro, a noble pilot from the Kwantung Army, and some kind of Taiga Takashi. They challenged you to a duel over the Bohai Sea in a week. If you agree, they will publish an announcement in the newspaper."

Fang Wen nodded: "I agree, go tell them."

The bearded man nodded solemnly: "Fang Wen, I don't know anything about flying. I just hope you can come back alive and win this battle."

"Don't worry, I'll definitely win." Fang Wen smiled as he saw the bearded man out the door.

As soon as the bearded man came downstairs, Kuang Mingzhu came over.

Her expression was complex, but in the end, all her words boiled down to one sentence: "Husband, you can do it, I'm waiting for you."

These are the words spoken by countless couples parting ways during wartime.

Moved, Fang Wen embraced his wife.

The week of preparation was mainly to let the matter escalate and let more people know about it.

Clearly, the Japanese military was very confident in this and wanted to use it to publicize their military strength.

Another reason is to erase the past humiliation. Only when Fang Wen dies from the bombing that sank the Izumo will that humiliation be erased.

These seven days are also very useful for Fang Wen.

On the first night, he piloted a seaplane to land at a water transit airport in the Haihe River basin, and then quietly disguised himself and arrived in Tianjin.

Six members of the action team met him.

Team leader Liu Yubao explained the situation to Fang Wen in a low voice.

"General Manager, we are currently outside the city wall. The gates here are not strictly guarded, and you can come and go freely after daybreak. Once you enter the city wall, you will be in Tianjin Wei City. Our accommodation is in the old city wall, where there are fewer Japanese and it is relatively safe. As for the various concessions, they are just outside the city wall, but they are guarded by their own patrol police. If you sneak in at night, you will encounter patrols. It is actually easier to get in during the day."

Listening to Liu Yubao's words, Fang Wen gained a general understanding of Tianjin.

Tianjin is actually similar to Shanghai; the old city area doesn't occupy a large area, and most of it is concession area.

Moreover, to get to the French Concession, one had to pass through the Japanese Concession or go around via Nanmenwai Street.

As dawn broke, the city gates opened, and Fang Wen and his group followed the farmers who were buying vegetables into the old city garrison.

In his newly rented courtyard, Fang Wen learned more about the French Concession.

The team members chattered amongst themselves.

Chen Suoxin: "Japanese spies searched everywhere in the concession, but found nothing. We thought it might not be above ground, but underground."

Zhou Pomen interjected, "The Liu family is best at underground matters."

Liu Yinfeng immediately exploded: "Who said the Liu family is good at this? We dig tunnels, not latrines."

Everyone chuckled softly; it was clearly a joke they were using to make themselves laugh.

Fang Wen said, "Alright, jokes over, let's get down to business."

“Yes, yes, let me explain,” Liu Yubao explained the situation. “There might be underground drainage pipes in the French Concession, and we suspect that people have escaped down there. For this reason, we went out of the city to find fertilizer merchants who collect swill and manure.”

Fertilizer merchants are fertilizer traders. Although it is a dirty and smelly business, it has been a lowly profession since ancient times.

The Taishan Special Operations Team members were also from the lowest rungs of society. The other party gave them face and actually managed to get a map of the underground sewer system in the French Concession.

Fang Wen unfolded the map of the underground sewer system with French annotations and began to look at it.

This is a widely distributed drainage system that discharges surface floodwater as well as domestic sewage.

Its outlets are the Qiangzi River on the edge of the concession and the Haihe River in the city.

Looking at the complex underground pipe network diagram, Fang Wen noticed a marked area in the middle.

That's where the accident happened.

He asked, "Are you saying that on the day of the incident, someone escaped into the underground passage and then entered the Haihe River through the pipeline network?"

Liu Yubao shook his head: "We went to check the exit, but it's blocked off with iron bars, and no one has come out at all. We suspect the person is still inside, and we're thinking of going down tonight to investigate."

"I'll go with you," Fang Wen said.

"No!" the team members responded in unison.

"Why? Are you afraid I can't stand the filth and stench?" Fang Wen asked, puzzled.

Liu Yubao replied, "The drainage system built by the French doesn't have septic tanks, so the stinking water accumulates in the pipe network. Whenever the Haihe River rises, the sluice gates are opened to flush the pipe network with river water, while simultaneously releasing sewage. The general manager can't take that risk; we should handle it."

So that's how it is. Fang Wen really couldn't accept this; it wasn't just ordinary dirt and stench.

However, he couldn't allow his men to take reckless risks, so he had to prevent the gates of the underground pipe network from opening when his own men were on the move.

Immediately, the action team split into two groups: one went to the underground pipeline exit to explore, and the other went to the French Concession with Fang Wen.

Fang Wen took Liu Yubao to the French Concession, their target being the person in charge of opening the gates.

This person was in a small, detached tile-roofed house in the French Concession Municipal Office.

There is a turntable in the tile-roofed house. His job is to open the turntable during the flood season, close it after the Haihe River water flows in, and open it again to release water when the Haihe River water level drops.

But this time, when he placed his hand on the turntable, someone pointed a gun at him.

This terrified the man. "Grandpa, why are you robbing me? I'm starving and penniless. You must have mistaken me for someone else."

Liu Yubao held up a money bag in front of him using the barrel of a pistol, saying, "There are 10 silver dollars inside, consider it compensation for you."

The man was overjoyed. He took the money bag, counted the silver dollars, and asked, "Sir, I'll do anything you want."

"You don't need to do anything." Liu Yubao struck him on the back of the head with the butt of his gun, and he immediately passed out.

If the person opening the valve faints, there will be no backflow below, and the team members will not be in danger.

That continued until the afternoon, when a member of the action team came over and said, "General Manager, it's done."

Fang Wen then left with Liu Yubao.

They returned to the rented courtyard, where a weak man was soaking in a large vat to wash himself.

Even so, there was still a foul smell.

Fang Wen recognized him; it was this man who delivered the letter last year when Yue Jinping sent someone to tell him to go abroad temporarily.

He walked over. "Can you speak?"

The man lowered his head and weakly asked, "Who are you?"

"Look who I am."

The man looked up and saw Fang Wen, and was stunned: "You saved me?"

Fang Wen nodded: "Where is Yue Jinping?"

"She must have been arrested. The last time I saw her, she was captured by the Japanese because she had been shot," the man replied.

"Could you tell me about what happened that day?" Fang Wen asked.

“I can tell you everything, but I can’t contact the Revival Society. I don’t trust those people anymore,” the man weakly recounted what had happened that day.

(End of this chapter)