Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 358 356 Nanjing Trip: Fang Wen's Life Cannot Allow a Massacre to Happen
In the night sky, 20 seaplanes crossed the Yellow River and flew towards the Central Plains region.

Then head north along the Taihang Mountains.

A glimmer of light appeared on the distant horizon, and the sky gradually brightened.

Fang Wen glanced at his watch: "It's 5 a.m. now. We're expected to arrive in Fuping around 6 a.m. Continue checking if the flight path has deviated."

Pan Jiafeng replied seriously: "The fifth nighttime course check shows that the radio wave guidance device is pointing in the same direction as the current flight path."

The most dangerous phase of the nighttime group flight was thus safely navigated.

There was no deviation from the course, no in-flight incidents, and everything was normal.

But to do all this, every pilot must strictly adhere to their flight schedule, including altitude, position, following distance, and speed.

Although there were some minor issues during the process, the pilots made timely adjustments and adapted quickly thanks to Fang Wen's constant reminders.

Fang Wen made nighttime air transport feasible by using standardized flight strategies.

After the final hour of flight, the seaplane formation arrived over Fuping.

The soldiers at the camp outside the city were initially a little nervous when they saw a formation of 20 planes in the sky.

But soon they recognized it as a seaplane from Mount Tai, and their tension turned into excitement.

Under their watchful eyes, 20 planes landed one after another on the river.

The supplies finally arrived, and the soldiers of the Taishan Independent Regiment and the Provisional 7th Division were very excited.

In mid-November, the temperature in the northern Taihang Mountains had already dropped to zero degrees Celsius. The cold weather was the hardest thing for soldiers from the south to bear.

Wearing thin military uniforms, they shivered in the low temperature, yet still lined up to wait for supplies.

As Fang Wen disembarked from the plane, he looked at the long queue outside the seaplane airport and said to Wu Yingzong, who was there to greet him, "Notify the soldiers to return to camp and wait. Someone will be in charge of distributing supplies, making sure everyone receives some. Also, have officers of company rank and above come over to arrange the distribution of supplies."

"Yes, I'll go and inform them right away."

Wu Yingzong strode out of the seaplane base, loudly ordering the soldiers to return to the camp and wait, and then led a group of officers of company rank and above over.

The officers arrived at the largest room in the airport, where Fang Wen presided over the distribution of supplies.

He instructed, "Kuang Anming, find a few people to compile a list and have them report the situation of their company, including the number of people and the height of the soldiers. Currently, there are three sizes of winter uniforms: small, medium, and large. Different sizes of winter uniforms will be allocated according to different heights. Oh, and we also need to order the sizes of fur shoes before they can be distributed. As for other supplies, there are no requirements; each soldier will receive one set."

After talking with the officers, Kuang Anming reported the problem: "Commander, they can't say their height either. We need to go back and measure it. Also, we need to measure their shoe sizes one by one. But the problem is, we didn't bring that many measuring tapes."

We considered all aspects of transporting large quantities of supplies, but we never expected to bring a batch of rulers.

But this is not difficult to solve. There are plenty of skillful people in the military camp. Just have them make a batch of simple measuring rulers using wooden strips and sticks according to the measurements.

Immediately, Kuang Anming and the officers went out and got busy.

Fang Wen continued to make arrangements, with Pan Jiafeng, the pilots, and the accompanying personnel responsible for issuing supplies from the warehouse, while William was responsible for receiving them into the warehouse, ensuring that the quantities matched and establishing supply accounts.

At the same time, the materials entering the warehouse should be arranged in categories to facilitate retrieval, registration, and accounting.

As for warehouse management personnel, it is essential to find honest, reliable people who are also good at calculations to take on this role.

With these arrangements made, the airport began to bustle with activity.

Batch after batch of supplies were handed over, tallied, and transported to the airport warehouse.

Meanwhile, the officers with wooden measuring tapes returned to their barracks to measure the height and shoe size of the soldiers in their companies.

After all the companies had finished registering their data, Kuang Anming brought a large stack of record forms back to the airport to report.

Based on this registration data, officers from each company came to collect their supplies.

Batch after batch of supplies were loaded onto carts by happy soldiers and transported back to the barracks. Officers held slips of paper, read out names aloud, and distributed winter clothes, fur shoes, belts, water bottles, blankets, and military quilts of different sizes.

While supplies were being distributed to the various barracks, senior officers such as Fang Wen and William Wu Yingzong also came to the barracks to check on the distribution of supplies.

Wu Yingzong was about to push open the door when Fang Wen stopped him.

"No, if we go in, it will make these soldiers uncomfortable. You hear how lively it is inside, don't spoil their fun. Let's just watch from the outside."

Fang Wen stood by the window, looking into the room.

Inside the barracks, the Sichuan Army of the Provisional 7th Division were putting on the supplies they had received.

They put on thick winter clothes, along with fur-lined leather shoes, buckled their belts, and carried shoulder bags, making them look much more energetic.

They joked and laughed with each other, their voices carrying outside through the wooden house.

"If I wear this outfit back home, I guarantee people will think I'm a young master returning from outside. I look very stylish."

"How can I put it? I've never worn such fine clothes in my entire life. And the leather shoes are lined with fur, they're so warm to wear. If I survive the war, I'll take them home and pass them on to my son."

"You little rascal, you haven't even grown your hair yet, and you already want to get married? Dream on. But we're lucky to have such a good officer to us, that's why we get this kind of treatment."

"Such treatment is probably unheard of in other Sichuan military units. Being a soldier in Taishan Aviation is truly a great job."

“He was originally a businessman, but he was willing to contribute money and effort to the war effort because of his patriotism. I’m telling you, Mr. Fang is a good man; he truly embodies both loyalty and righteousness.”

Hearing the words inside, Fang Wen felt a warmth in his heart, turned around and led his team away.

"Commander, aren't we going to continue watching?" Wu Yingzong asked.

"No need, it's just our own people distributing supplies, as long as everyone is satisfied. We still need to have a meeting, there are some things we need to discuss."

This time, Fang Wen held a meeting with senior officers from the Independent Regiment and the 7th Division who had temporarily evaded capture.

During the meeting, Fang Wen explained the situation.

"Currently, the Taihang Mountains have entered winter, with a sharp drop in temperature and harsh conditions. It is estimated that the Japanese army will not launch a large-scale attack here in winter, and we cannot go out of the mountains to attack the Japanese army in the snow and ice. In other words, this period is our period of dormancy, and everyone should seize the time to prepare in Fuping. As for me, I will not stay in Fuping during this period; I have to go to Nanjing on business."

Wu Yingzong asked with concern, "Commander, Shanghai has fallen, and the situation in Nanjing is critical. Wouldn't it be too dangerous for you to head south now?"

"There are some things I have to do, or I'll regret it for the rest of my life," Fang Wen said resolutely.

11 month 16 day.

Fang Wen returned with the sea transport aircraft formation.

Upon arriving in Wuhan, Fang Wen explained the situation to his wife, Kuang Mingzhu.

"I'm going to Nanjing."

Kuang Mingzhu asked with concern, "To Nanjing?! The evacuation has already begun there. We've been using 30 seaplanes that we used to have to transport supplies and personnel between Wuhan, Chongqing, and Changsha."

"Yes. They retreated, but the entire city is still there. I'm afraid the Japanese army will massacre the people once they capture Nanjing."

"No way!" Kuang Mingzhu couldn't believe it.

Fang Wen replied heavily, “It’s very possible. Their atrocities in many parts of the north have shown that these invaders are capable of anything. Especially given the heavy losses they suffered in the Battle of Shanghai, they are even more likely to carry out a large-scale massacre in Nanjing. I have to go there and do something.”

Kuang Mingzhu did not stop her husband from doing so, but was very moved: "Go, do what you should do, I will always support you." Fang Wen hugged his wife tightly.

He held on for a long time before letting go, solemnly making a promise to his wife.

"You are a good wife. I have failed you. After this war is over, let's enjoy life, have some children, and travel the world."

Kuang Mingzhu's face immediately turned red. "Why are you saying such mushy things?"

"It's not cheesy, it's my honest opinion."

Fang Wen smiled and said goodbye to his wife, then piloted a seaplane towards Nanjing.

Two hours later, the plane arrived over Xuanwu Lake, north of Nanjing.

A temporary seaplane airport was set up here, and 30 seaplanes borrowed by Taishan Airlines took off and landed here.

Fang Wen requested to land while in the air.

"Xuanwu Lake Water Airport, this is Fang Wen, requesting to land."

The air traffic controllers here were also transferred from Taishan Airlines, and they responded immediately.

"General Manager, please land on the water to the east. There are no aircraft scheduled to take off or land there."

Fang Wen then landed on the water, parked the plane at the dock, and disembarked with Gong Xiuneng.

A scene of hurried activity unfolded at the dock.

Well-dressed men and women, carrying their luggage, hurried to the pier, holding up the papers in their hands to request boarding.

These people, through various connections, obtained the privilege of leaving by plane, but they were not the most favored.

The soldiers stopped these people, but on the other side, a group of people strolled over leisurely.

A woman dressed in fur and heavily made up walked at the front, carrying her pet dog.

A group of people followed behind her. Judging from their attire, they were not noble people; they seemed more like servants or housekeepers in a woman's home.

These people boarded the seaplane with a large amount of stuff and were the first to take off.

This kind of thing was commonplace for those who were kept out, and as soon as the woman's plane took off, the noise resumed as they scrambled for the next batch of seats.

Fang Wen saw all of this; the transport capacity of 30 aircraft was being used here, but it was completely useless.

He was disheartened, so he left his plane to the airport staff and then took Gong Xiuneng away.

After exiting the airport, Fang Wen waited outside the nearby Xuanwu Gate.

Not long after, a black sedan drove up.

The car window opened, and Quan Yuncai stuck his head out: "General Manager Fang, it's been a long time. Let's talk in the car."

Fang Wen got into the car from the back, while Gong Xiuneng sat in the passenger seat.

Inside the car, Quan Yuncai said enthusiastically, "Your achievements in the north are known throughout the Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas. You played really well."

Fang Wen revealed a hint of emotion: "But we still couldn't hold Taiyuan. Our army still has a gap, but if we persevere, time will change everything."

"Yes, as long as we persevere, we will definitely win," Quan Yuncai replied with a smile.

What's the situation in Nanjing right now?

"The Japanese army is currently attacking Changshu, Suzhou, Jiaxing, and Wuxi. The fighting is fierce, and our army has suffered heavy casualties. Various government agencies are preparing to move to Chongqing, Hankou, and Changsha."

Fang Wen's thoughts were racing.

In other words, the Japanese army is currently only 160 kilometers away from Nanjing.

At a marching pace of 30 kilometers per day, it can be reached in 5 days.

However, they will definitely be blocked along the way, and the time when they can actually reach Nanjing will be delayed.

It is estimated that the Japanese army will not reach Nanjing until December.

In other words, I don't have much time left, not even a month.

He said solemnly, "I am here today because I have something very important to discuss."

Quan Yun hesitated for a moment, then said, "Fang Wen, some things are not meant to be done, so don't force them. In the battle of Shanghai, our elite troops suffered heavy losses. Now, the troops intercepting the Japanese are only second-line forces, and they are even less likely to stop the Japanese. At most, they can only delay the retreat for a while to make it more complete."

"A more thorough evacuation? You've all left, but what about the civilians here?" Fang Wen retorted.

"Now that things have come to this, who cares about anything else? Perhaps if we leave, they won't suffer from the ravages of war."

Quan Yuncai's sophistry angered Fang Wensheng.

“I was in the north, and I saw and heard a lot of atrocities committed by the Japanese army. They did all sorts of evil in the cities and villages, burning, killing, and looting. There are many inhuman thugs in these unrestrained invading troops. As long as the war continues, those people will become even more ruthless. And here, the Japanese army has already lost tens of thousands of soldiers. Their suppressed brutality will erupt. How can you say that they won't harm innocent people?”

Quan Yuncai rarely showed anger: "I'm just a white glove, nothing I say will make a difference. You think I don't hate the Japanese? This is my home, I'm a native of Nanjing, but it's all over now, what can I do?"

"You're a native of Nanjing, are you just going to watch this city be slaughtered by the Japanese army? Let me put it this way, if the Nationalist government runs away, Nanjing will definitely fall. The Japanese army, which finally managed to capture Nanjing, will find that they didn't get what they wanted. Won't they take their anger out on the civilians of Nanjing? Think about it, an entire city of civilians, unarmed, facing tens of thousands of vicious Japanese soldiers, they might even treat the civilians as deserters from the Nationalist army who have taken refuge in the city."

Fang Wen described everything that would happen soon.

"Massacre? Impossible! The consuls of various countries in the Shanghai concessions were watching. The Japanese army wouldn't do something so heinous," Quan Yuncai exclaimed in surprise.

"Do you really think it's impossible?" Fang Wen looked coldly at Quan Yuncai.

Under his gaze, beads of sweat the size of soybeans appeared on Quan Yuncai's forehead.

"If that's the case, I really should do my part. What do you suggest we do?"

"Get me a car and a place to stay first," Fang Wen replied.

"Okay, here's the car. I also have a house in the city, you can stay there."

The car started and drove into the city.

Inside Nanjing, Fang Wen stayed at Quan Yuncai's house.

Quan Yuncai agreed to help, but Fang Wen has no clue yet.

This is a huge predicament, and Fang Wen needs a way to break it.

Under the current circumstances, the Battle of Wusong has already failed, and this is an unchangeable fact.

With morale shattered and the Nationalist government having fled, even if Fang Wen led the air force to perform exceptionally well, there was nothing that could be done.

The only thing Fang Wen could do was to prevent the Nanjing Massacre from happening.

After much deliberation, he came up with a plan.

(End of this chapter)