Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 389, Section 387: Agricultural Machinery Substitution and Deep Processing; Encounter with an Old Friend in Guanghan County.

A man in a brocade robe walked out from behind the courtyard.

He wore a well-tailored long gown with a jade button at the collar, making him look exceptionally refined.

The long gown was made of top-quality Shu brocade, which, unlike silk, boasts rich colors and exquisite patterns. This made it a more fitting symbol of a person's status and position in Sichuan.

The way those burly men stepped aside was enough to demonstrate his status in the Jin family.

This whole setup is a show of force in the martial arts world, demonstrating their strength to the visitors.

Fang Wen smiled slightly at this. He had seen much bigger scenes before, so how could he be intimidated by this situation?

He clasped his hands in greeting: "Fang Yiguan, investment manager of Taishan Aviation, has come to visit the Jin family on business. This is just a small gift to express my respect."

Gong Xiuneng, who was guarding the front, picked up the gift bag printed with Taishan Airlines and handed it to a burly man, who then passed it on to the man in the brocade robe.

The man didn't look, but strode over and said with a smile, "My name is Jin Lanrui, the current manager of the Jin family in western Sichuan. I heard that the owner of Taishan Airlines is also surnamed Fang. Are you related?"

“Distant relative, it is thanks to the general manager’s help that I was able to earn a living at Taishan Airlines during this chaotic time,” Fang Wen replied.

Upon hearing this, Jin Lanrui's smile deepened.

“Distant relatives are still relatives. Taishan Airlines has become famous overseas in recent years, especially last year when it led a Sichuan army to win several battles in northern Shanxi, which really made us Sichuan people proud. Come, let’s talk inside.”

He grabbed Fang Wen's sleeve and led him to the backyard. Gong Xiu saw this and almost made a move, but fortunately Fang Wen gave him a look and stopped him.

The group arrived at the backyard house, where maids served tea and pastries. Jin Lanrui looked very curious about the war.

"Manager Fang, you have a lot of information from the outside, so what exactly is the situation now?"

"Both the North and the South are actively resisting the invaders, but the invaders have been preparing for this for several years, while we have many problems and we may not be able to drive them away for some time."

Jin Lanrui slammed his fist on the table: "How dare those short Japanese lay their hands on the great land of China? We Sichuanese will be the first to object!"

Fang Wen praised, "Well said. As long as the 400 million compatriots of China are united as one, we will surely win."

A good start makes the conversation go very smoothly.

Then, Jin Lanrui asked, "You came to our Jin family this time because you want our family to support the war of resistance. There is absolutely no problem with that."

Fang Wen's mind raced. Asking directly about the incident from over 20 years ago might arouse suspicion, so he needed to find a different way to understand what happened back then.

He glanced at Gong Xiuneng and had an idea.

"One reason I'm here is to contact various families in Chengdu to contribute to the war effort. Specifically, I'd like to invite your Jin family to join the logistics park project. Another reason is for my colleague. He was separated from his parents at a young age and only recently learned that his ancestral home is the Gong family in Sichuan. He's heard that your Jin family has a good relationship with the Gong family, so he'd like to ask for your help."

The logistics park project in Taishan has been focused on profitability from the very beginning, which has been noticed by many people in Sichuan, who privately believe it has great potential.

Fang Wen's invitation to join the company is naturally a great thing for the Jin family.

Jin Lanrui proactively refilled Fang Wen's tea: "Our Jin family is willing to contribute to the war effort. I can now state that our Jin family will definitely join the logistics park project. As for your question about the Gong family and your colleague, that's easy to discuss. I can contact the Gong family on your behalf, but you need to clarify when he got separated from his parents so I can relay the message to the Gong family."

Gong Xiuneng replied, "I am 32 years old this year. I have been traveling the world with my master since I can remember. If you want to talk about when I got lost, it was probably 30 years ago."

"Alright, where do you two live? I'll contact the Gong family and send someone to inform you."

“We’ll be staying at the Jiang’an Water Airport outside the city for the next few days,” Fang Wen replied.

The subsequent conversation mainly concerned cooperation with the Kim family.

The Jin family not only had businesses in Guanghan, but they also owned a large amount of farmland throughout the Chengdu Plain, and had a lot of grain surplus every year.

That is, a once-in-a-century drought in 36-37 led to poor harvests and caused them heavy losses.

Therefore, the Kim family originally wanted to expand their businesses to cope with the crisis.

Fang Wen's proposal for deep processing of grain is very attractive to them.

Jin Lanrui asked, "What's the deal with those processing plants in your Taishan?"

Fang Wen replied, "By replacing manual labor with mechanization, Taishan will invest in machinery and capital as shares. In terms of machinery, there will be rice milling machines, oil presses, etc. to replace traditional processing methods, which will increase efficiency by several times to ten times."

Jin Lanrui couldn't believe it: "If it increases tenfold, doesn't that mean one factory can monopolize the oil pressing and rice milling business in Chengdu?"

“That’s right. Machines don’t get tired, and they can be deployed in large quantities at once,” Fang Wen replied.

"Your Taishan Airlines can make these kinds of machines?"

"Of course, we in Taishan can build airplanes, tanks and cannons, so we can definitely make this kind of equipment."

Fang Wen's answer completely convinced Jin Lanrui.

However, in reality, agricultural machinery manufacturing is not a part of Taishan's current industries.

However, manufacturing agricultural machinery is not a difficult task.

These machines are not complicated in their operating principles, and engineers at aircraft manufacturing plants are perfectly capable of handling them.

As for the internal combustion engines needed for agricultural machinery.

Fang Wen has set his sights on the internal combustion engine technology of a Swiss locomotive and machinery manufacturing plant. This long-established engine company has recently encountered some difficulties and will sell a batch of internal combustion engine production lines and supporting technologies in order to solve its financial problems.

Once the semiconductor radio is developed and sold overseas, Fang Wen can obtain more support from the three American conglomerates. Through their channels, he can acquire a complete internal combustion engine production line and supporting resources and technology from Swiss locomotive and machinery manufacturers.

Back then, not to mention agricultural machinery, even cars could be manufactured.

After a brief conversation, the visit to the Jin family came to an end.

Fang Wen and Gong Xiuneng were personally escorted to their parking spot by Jin Lanrui, who even chatted with Fang Wen for a while on the street before leaving.

Sun Debiao and Boss Yu arrived after the Jin family left.

Mr. Yu exclaimed in surprise, "Everyone says the Jin family is difficult to deal with, but Manager Fang is truly eloquent."

Fang Wen simply smiled in response and said nothing. The three of them then got into the car, said goodbye to Boss Yu, and drove out of Chengdu.

On the way back, Fang Wen instructed, "The Jin family has also joined the logistics park plan, and I also plan to have the other four families join later. Sun Debiao will be in charge of this. Gong Xiuneng, you also have something to do. I'm entrusting you with the task of infiltrating the five major families. You need to go back to the Gong family under the guise of recognizing relatives and find out from within about the treasure appraisal meeting more than 20 years ago."

"Yes." Sun Debiao accepted the new job assignment.

Gong Xiuneng hesitated, saying, "Commander, I don't really have any feelings for the Gong family. From the bottom of my heart, I only recognize my master as family. If they find me, I'm afraid I won't be able to handle it."

Gong Xiuneng, a man of great fighting spirit, dared not face this moment.

Fang Wen comforted him, "I know what you're thinking. You're afraid that after your background is revealed, there will be situations you don't want to see, such as your master secretly taking you away from the Gong family, right?"

Gong Xiuneng nodded. Fang Wen continued to comfort him: "I think it's impossible. Do you remember the last thing your master said when he left? There must be something else going on with the Gong family, otherwise your master wouldn't have taken you back to Sichuan later. That time was probably to help you find your relatives, but it didn't succeed because of the five families fighting over the treasure."

Hearing this, Gong Xiuneng felt much better. As long as it had nothing to do with his master, he could let go of his worries.

Back at the sea airport, Fang Wen and Gong Xiuneng waited for news from the Jin family.

The next day, the Jin family sent someone over.

The visitor explained the situation: "We've already spoken to the Gong family about it. They did indeed lose a baby boy 30 years ago, and the baby boy had two birthmarks, each the size of a copper coin, on his back. They said that if you have one on your back too, you should go to Guanghan to acknowledge your ancestors."

Gong Xiuneng was unaware of whether he had a birthmark on his back. After all, he had been single for over 30 years and had never seen his back except for his senior brother and master.

He then asked Fang Wen and Sun Debiao to check if he had that kind of birthmark on his back.

After taking off his shirt, Fang Wen saw that there were indeed two birthmarks, one on his left shoulder and one on his right waist. They were much larger than copper coins, but they must have grown bigger as he grew up.

Therefore, it can be basically confirmed that Gong Xiuneng is related to the Gong family by blood. Subsequently, Fang Wen and Gong Xiuneng began to prepare for their trip to Guanghan.

how to go?
Guanghan is more than 50 kilometers away from Jiang'an. If you drive there, the road conditions are a bit bad, and that old car probably won't be able to make it back.

Sun Debiao made a suggestion.

"General Manager, we happen to be planning to set up a logistics station in Guanghan. Why don't you fly a plane and take people there? It would kill two birds with one stone."

That's a good suggestion. Fang Wen was also curious about how Sun Debiao and his team built grassroots logistics stations.

He and Sun Debiao then discussed how the plane could land in Guanghan.

Sun Debiao took out a map of the logistics department and pointed to the markings on it, saying, "There is a Qingbai River south of Guanghan County. We have discussed with the local county government and decided to set up the logistics station on the banks of the Qingbai River, which will allow us to take advantage of the river's water transport and the landing of our seaplanes. The specific location is here."

Fang Wen noted down the location, took out his map, and marked it.

Subsequently, passengers heading to Guanghan began to assemble.

Apart from Fang Wen and Gong Xiuneng.

Also present were Sun Debiao, a manager of the logistics station, and five staff members.

In addition, Mr. Yu also volunteered to return to Guanghan together.

Considering that Mr. Yu was a local and there were some things he could help with, Fang Wen agreed to Mr. Yu's request to fly back.

Then, at noon that day, everyone boarded a seaplane and flew to Guanghan County, north of Chengdu.

The journey of over 50 kilometers took only a dozen minutes by plane.

When the plane landed over Qingbaijiang, Mr. Yu was still in a daze.

"What! We've arrived in Guanghan?"

He stared blankly at the familiar banks of the Qingbai River.

In the past, whether by boat, sedan chair, or on foot, it would take a whole day, and even by car it would take two or three hours.

Unexpectedly, the plane was so fast that I hadn't even had time to process what was happening before we arrived.

He couldn't help but exclaim, "Why do you say airplanes are so fast? Manager Sun, when are you going to set up a flight route in Sichuan? That way, we can fly home and not have to spend the night on the road."

Sun Debiao chuckled: "Sure, once the logistics project is completed, the seaplanes will not only be used to transport goods, but also for passenger transport. You will be able to take a plane within Sichuan and out of Sichuan, and you can basically arrive within a day."

"That would be wonderful, I can wait." Boss Yu said with anticipation.

Then, Gong Xiuneng was the first to jump ashore and secure the seaplane. The others stepped on the buoys and held onto the ropes, jumping ashore one by one.

Fang Wen was the last to get ashore. After he got ashore, Sun Debiao said, "Manager Fang, Gong Xiuneng, Boss Yu, and I are going to the county government. The rest of you stay here and keep an eye on the plane."

After making the arrangements, Fang Wen and his group set off.

After walking for a while, they reached the main road, and Boss Yu began to make arrangements.

He talked with the local villagers who were farming, paid them a fare, and then the villagers brought an oxcart. The four of them sat in the oxcart, which was covered with clean straw, and headed north.

It took the oxcart two hours to reach the south gate of Guanghan County.

Before even entering the city, Fang Wen spotted two familiar figures, one of whom was taking pictures with a camera.

He quickly stopped the oxcart and went over.

"Mr. Liang, Mr. Lin, I didn't expect to see you here."

The two turned around and were overjoyed to see Fang Wen.

"General Manager Fang, oh no, I should call you Chief Fang now, it's been a long time indeed," Mr. Liang said with a smile.

“We’ve read a lot of reports about the Taishan Independent Regiment, but we didn’t expect you to be such a good fighter,” Mr. Lin praised Fang Wen.

"You flatter me. I was just doing my part. By the way, when did you arrive?"

"I came to Sichuan by boat from the Yangtze River two months ago. How come you've come to Sichuan too?"

“I have a logistics project in Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan. I came to Guanghan this time to discuss the establishment of a logistics station.”

Mr. Liang and Mr. Lin were unfamiliar with the logistics project mentioned during the conversation, but they quickly understood it after Fang Wen's explanation.

Regarding this project to improve the flow of supplies, Mr. Liang shared his opinion: "I think it's great. It can improve people's lives, allow resources from different regions to complement each other, and provide assistance to the front-line operations. This is a very good thing."

The three had a pleasant conversation when Fang Wen suddenly remembered that he had something to do, so he took his leave and agreed to meet again at the Hanzhou Hotel in Guanghan County after he had finished his business.

Fang Wen then said goodbye and walked into the city with Sun Debiao.

Fang Wen and his group entered Guanghan County through the West Gate and walked eastward to the county government.

There were guards at the entrance of the county government. Sun Debiao took out a document with an official seal and handed it to the guards to be presented to the county government officials.

Not long after the items were taken inside, guards and several men in Zhongshan suits came over.

One of them, a balding middle-aged man, greeted us with a broad smile.

"Manager Sun, since we parted in Chengdu, I've been eagerly awaiting your arrival in Guanghan. Now, I'm so glad you've finally come."

Sun Debiao explained to Fang Wen in a low voice, "It's the county magistrate of Guanghan. We discussed the project in Chengdu."

After saying that, he walked toward the bald county magistrate with a smile on his face.

(Photo taken by Mr. Liang at the West Gate of Guanghan County)
(Photo taken by Mr. Liang, Guanghan County Government)
(End of this chapter)