Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 236-235 Planning for the Future: Doing Two Things at Once, Remote-Controlled Bombs and a Police Drama Strategy
The plan against Nagano Osamu continues.

In order to lure out Osamu Nagano, there must be something attractive enough for him.

Scholars like Nagano Osamu preferred ancient Chinese paintings that had a Zen Buddhist flavor.

Therefore, the special operations team specifically targets this type of search.

While the special operations team was out searching for the painting, Fang Wen was also reflecting on his actions during this period.

Wasn't this acting too impulsively?
Perhaps, after discovering that the Japanese had used Yue Jinping as bait and confirming that Yue Jinping had been arrested, Fang Wen felt that he was being controlled by his emotions.

This is how aerial duels are conducted.

Although it was carried out, it did not achieve the desired effect.

The kidnapping of Nagano Osamu is also due to emotional provocation.

As he gradually calmed down, Fang Wen realized that he was doing something very important.

Osamu Nagano was no ordinary Japanese officer.

During the January 28 Incident in Shanghai, he was the Vice Chief of the Naval General Staff of the Japanese Navy and commanded all naval operations related to the incident.

It can be said that he was the culprit behind the January 28 Incident.

He was later promoted to general last year and appointed as a military councilor, becoming a powerful figure in the Japanese Navy.

The value of kidnapping or killing such a person is far less than the value of continuously obtaining future naval intelligence from him.

Thinking about this, Fang Wen gradually elevated his focus from rescuing Yue Jinping to a higher level.

He had made up his mind.

1. Yoshida must not be exposed, as he will be an important pawn and source of intelligence for Fang Wen in the future.

2. Nagano Osamu cannot die. After Yue Jinping is brought back, he must continue to serve in the Navy so that Yoshida will have a chance.

Therefore, Fang Wen felt that in addition to luring the other party out with calligraphy and paintings, he also needed to do some other things.

For example, getting Yoshida to work wholeheartedly for him, and devising a brilliant kidnapping plan.

On June 7, Japanese Navy Military Advisor Osamu Nagano visited the Shanghai base for the fifth day.

That night, Nagano Osamu's adjutant, Yoshida, went out with his old classmate as he had done a few days before. The staff and guards in the Japanese Marine Corps headquarters building all knew what the two were doing, and no one stopped them.

No one noticed the hint of worry hidden beneath Yoshida's seemingly happy demeanor.

The two arrived at the dance hall, where Yoshida encountered his 'old flame' again. He took the woman and said goodbye to his old classmate before heading to the hotel where they had been staying for a long time.

Once back in his hotel room, Yoshida stood stiffly in a corner, not daring to move.

He knew that those ruthless guys would be here soon.

Ten minutes later, the person indeed arrived.

But this time there was one more person.

Fang Wen after disguising himself.

Fang Wen walked over and looked at Yoshida.

His demeanor and presence made Yoshida realize that this was the real person in charge.

"sit."

Yoshida sat down in response.

Fang Wen sat opposite him and said, "Yoshida, a samurai family in Kochi Prefecture. Your father is Yoshida Katsuri. Your family once served the 15th lord of the Tosa Domain, Yamanouchi Yodo."

Upon hearing this, Yoshida immediately bowed his head.

"Yes. The Tosa Domain has now been renamed Kochi Prefecture. Many of the samurai families in the prefecture come from the Tosa Domain. My family, the Nagano family, the Yamashita family, and the Sawada family are close because they all served the lord of the Yamauchi Domain."

He proactively explained his relationship with Nagano Osamu, fearing punishment for not being clear enough.

Currently in Shanghai, Yoshida is completely submissive due to the issues surrounding his letter of surrender and the photographs.

But Fang Wen wanted more than just him to behave himself in Shanghai; he also wanted him to continue working for him in the future.

Therefore, insurance measures need to be added.

Fang Wen continued, "As far as I know, the Yoshida family has declined. Apart from your father's relationship with Nagano Osamu, your family has even lost its eligibility to be a candidate for knight in the House of Nobles."

These words made Yoshida feel ashamed.

The Meiji Restoration in Japan abolished feudal domains and established prefectures. Those daimyo and samurai families subsequently became nobles, continuing to exercise their rights through the House of Peers.

Not having the status of a candidate for the House of Peers means losing the honor of one's family and no longer being eligible to participate in politics.

That's why Yoshida joined the army; it was the only way for him to bring prosperity to his family through military achievements.

Fang Wen, however, proposed another possibility.

"Do you think going to the battlefield can change everything? The noble pilot who was shot down in the Bohai Sea a few days ago thought the same thing. Unfortunately, once a person dies, it's all over. But I have a way to make your family noble again. Do you want to know?"

These words echoed in Yoshida's ears like the ravings of a demon.

The temptation is immense.

He couldn't help but reply, "Yes."

"If you want to, then I'll tell you. Come here." Fang Wen smiled and beckoned to Yoshida, who subconsciously lowered his head to listen.

Fang Wen explained a very simple principle: class and interests.

In modern Japan, the aristocracy remains a very high social class, and it is difficult for people from other classes to enter it, except for those who have been eliminated.

The Yoshida family was on the verge of being eliminated, and for those wealthy merchants who rose to prominence later, it would be extremely difficult to become nobles without a samurai background.

Therefore, although the Yoshida family had fallen from grace, they still retained the facade of a samurai family, which was their only source of honor.

To retain this status, joining the army and regaining it through military merit is the most common and also the most competitive way.

But it's not the only one.

They could also operate through more clandestine means, such as noble factions forming alliances, exchanging benefits, and supporting each other.

Just like the noble pilot who was shot down by Fang Wen, the Taiga Takashi organization he joined was one such example.

However, to join these secret societies, one needs to have equivalent wealth and status, and also be accepted by other members of the samurai class.

Fang Wen's proposed solution was very simple.

Yoshida stayed by Nagano Osamu's side, providing him with various intelligence.

Yoshida's father will receive continuous financial support, enabling the Yoshida family to possess corresponding wealth and status, thereby revitalizing the Yoshida family.

After listening to Fang Wen's words.

Yoshida hesitated, for this was not only an attempt to win him over, but also the most likely opportunity to revive his family.

Fang Wen beckoned, and Zhao Wanping placed her suitcase on the table between the two of them and opened it.

There was 30 yen in the box.

According to this year's exchange rate, 1 US dollar is equivalent to 3.5 Japanese yen, or 2 silver dollars.

This box contains the equivalent of US$8.5 or 17 yen.

There's also an IOU.

Fang Wen said softly, "Once the IOU is signed and a photo is taken, our cooperation will officially begin. Regardless of how the war goes, you and your family will benefit."

Signing it meant that Yoshida had no way out.

Hesitant, Yoshida looked at the money in the box, thinking about his family's predicament, and said in a deep voice.

"Yoshida is willing to join your organization. I hope you will take good care of me in the future."

After he finished speaking, he picked up the IOU, signed his name, and pressed his fingerprint. Then, with a smile on his face, he took a group photo with Fang Wen (who was disguised), a box full of money, and the IOU.

Yoshida got it sorted out.

Next up is Osamu Nagano.

Fang Wen had no intention of kidnapping Nagano Osamu and taking him to Tianjin to exchange for hostages.

That would be too foolish and too dangerous.

His memories of the future gave him a new plan.

A clever way to get the Japanese to release Yue Jinping without revealing her identity.

After the team members had settled the matter regarding the ancient painting, Fang Wen explained his plan to them. June 10th.

The third floor of Anping Trading Company.

The action team members reported on the situation.

“We secretly interviewed some calligraphy and painting collectors and learned from them that the Japanese admire the ancient paintings of Wang Wei from the Tang Dynasty. They say that Wang Wei is the patriarch of Zen painting and is the most popular. We judged that Wang Wei's authentic works would definitely be attractive to Nagano Osamu.”

Wang Wei of the Tang Dynasty, whose courtesy name was Mojie, was named after Vimalakirti, the lay Buddhist in the Vimalakirti Sutra.

It is indeed the pioneering work of Zen painting.

However, very few of these genuine works have survived after more than a thousand years.

Even if they had it, they couldn't give the original to the Japanese; Fang Wen only wanted to use it as bait.

Fang Wen couldn't help but ask, "Have you found Wang Wei's original work?"

“No. But someone has a rubbing of Wang Wei’s ‘Wangchuan Villa’,” Zhang Yunfei, who was in charge of the operation, replied.

"The Wangchuan Villa Map?" Fang Wen had no recollection of it.

Zhang Yunfei explained: "Wang Wei's murals in Lantian County were later copied and rubbed by many people during the Song Dynasty. As the murals were destroyed, the Song Dynasty rubbings became the originals. A Japanese collector has a Song Dynasty rubbing, and there is also a Korean collector. The copy of Guo Zhongshu's copy of Wang Wei's Wangchuan painting that is now in the hands of a collector in Shanghai is a masterpiece among Song Dynasty rubbings."

“Buy it, no matter the price,” Fang Wen said. This thing would be the key to success.

These rubbings of ancient paintings are not expensive. A collector offered 2000 silver dollars, but the stunt team, disguised as buyers, bought them in one go.

After obtaining the items, Fang Wen informed the action team members of the plan.

"I plan to conduct the transaction near the headquarters of the Japanese Marine Corps and take action during the transaction."

The team members couldn't understand what he meant.

Zhang Yunfei, the squad leader for this operation, asked on behalf of everyone:

“General Manager, if we act so close by, we won’t be able to leave with Nagano Osamu once the Japanese find out.”

Fang Wen smiled and said, "There's no need to take him away. Just keep him where he is. My plan is to plant bombs and turn the entire area into a bomb-filled wasteland. The bombs will only be deactivated after the hostages are exchanged."

People were even more confused.

Fang Wen took out a topographic map and began to explain.

According to his plan, bombs would be placed at all the entrances and exits of the trading site, so that Nagano Osamu inside would not be able to escape, and the Japanese troops outside would not be able to go in to rescue him.

Wu Yingzong asked, "If the people inside can't get out and the people outside can't get in, how do we get in and out?"

Fang Wen nodded: "That's the key. I'll give you a set of tools to activate and deactivate the bomb. But it'll take a few days."

Fang Wen was waiting for someone who could make remote-controlled bombs.

Bai is good.

On June 11, Bai Zeshan returned to Shanghai on an Eurasia International flight.

He did not go into the city, but went to Jiaxing instead.

In a farmhouse courtyard on the outskirts of Jiaxing, Bai Zeshan, Huo Duanyang, and Fang Wen met.

Fang Wen explained the situation: "I have something important to do, and I need the two of you."

Huo Duanyang replied without hesitation, "Please give your instructions, General Manager." He and Fang Wen had been through a lot together, so he naturally trusted him unconditionally.

Bai Zeshan hesitated for a moment: "General Manager, can I know what to do?"

"Once you know, you'll have no way out," Fang Wen explained meaningfully.

“Then I need to know too,” Bai Zeshan insisted.

“I’m going to deal with the Japanese admiral who led the invasion of Shanghai two years ago. Now that you know, you have to do it. But you can either leave the country to continue your studies afterward, or you can stay and work for me,” Fang Wen replied.

Upon hearing this, Bai Zeshan no longer hesitated: "Dealing with the Japanese? I chose to stay, but I don't know what I can do?"

"Do you remember the adder I told you about back then?" Fang Wen asked.

Bai Zeshan replied with emotion: "The adder made me realize that vacuum tubes can do more complex things. I spent that year in France researching this."

"Then do you think this is okay?" Fang Wen wrote down his idea for a remote-controlled bomb on a piece of paper and handed it to Bai Zeshan.

This is a way of thinking that doesn't exist in today's world.

Bai Zeshan, however, grasped the concept immediately because he had already been researching in this area.

He pondered deeply and put Fang Wen's idea of ​​a remote-controlled bomb into reality.

Even before integrated circuits existed, wireless remote control was still possible.

Semiconductors are not needed; vacuum tubes can do the job just as well.

The overall idea is that remote control commands are sent from the control terminal to the controlled terminal via specific signal commands, causing the controlled object to perform corresponding actions. These commands can be transmitted via radio waves, and after being received, they are converted into different logic implementations by electrical signals.

The first step is signal generation at the transmitting end:

Bai Zeshan made a radio signal transmitter the size of a suitcase, using vacuum tubes as amplifiers to amplify the radio signal before transmitting it.

The second step involves receiving signals through an interlocking system that extends throughout the entire building.

Electron tube receiving devices will be installed on different floors and in different corners of the pre-designed house.

These signal receiving devices will produce different logical results after receiving different signals.

One logical outcome is "on", and another is "off".

A bomb in the activated state can be triggered to detonate, or it can be remotely detonated. Both states exist simultaneously.

(Fritz-X radio-guided bomb, a World War II radio-controlled bomb, 40s)

While Bai Zeshan was making wireless receiving and transmitting systems.

Huo Duanyang also began making bombs.

This is what Huo Duanyang once wanted to do most, and now his wish has finally come true.

Moreover, he was dealing with the Japanese, and Huo Duanyang was full of enthusiasm.

Despite his long tenure in chemical management, he has not neglected his professional skills.

He made one powerful bomb after another, and then carefully installed the firing mechanism.

Because the requirements for this operation were different, the bombs were no longer detonated by impact, but by more complex contact and electrical detonation.

Huo Duanyang had never seen an electric shock incident before, but after communicating with Bai Zeshan and Fang Wen, he quickly understood.

It simply involves using the high temperature generated by electricity to ignite the igniter.

This equipment is dangerous but also highly efficient, and the manufacturing process must be extremely careful.

To make things safer and more efficient, Fang Wen also joined the bomb-making work.

He had worked on catalysts for napalm bombs and had also done related work with Huo Duanyang. Combined with his highly focused mental abilities, he actually did a better job than Huo Duanyang.

The three worked together carefully to complete the production of the bomb and remote control device.

They then disguised themselves and returned to Hongkou District, Shanghai.

6 month 15 day.

Fang Wen and his group quietly moved into a detached house just one street away from the headquarters of the Japanese Navy Special Landing Force.

This house originally belonged to a British businessman, but due to the impact of the January 28 Incident, the British businessman returned to his country and handed the house over to a friend to rent out.

Because it is very close to Japanese military facilities, it is frequently inspected and difficult to rent out.

The sub-landlord was very easy to talk to, which is why the rental was successful this time.

After Fang Wen and his team entered the detached building, they began their work.

Small holes and hidden channels were dug into the wall.

These holes are for protection against receiving devices and bombs, while the hidden channels are for connecting electrical wires.

From the first floor to the third floor, everything has been renovated, with bombs hidden in every corner, passageway, behind door, and in the ceiling.

Of course, the implementation process is not as simple as it seems; every step requires meticulous care.

First, the radio receiver must be installed, and the operation of the vacuum tube logic switch must be tested to ensure it is working properly. Only after it is working properly can the bomb be carefully installed inside.

(End of this chapter)