Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 108, Section 107: The Scheme of Farmang, Bad News from Shanhaiguan

The Farman F.220 bomber perfectly matched Fang Wen's image of a heavy bomber.

Fang Wen, who has a deep understanding of air warfare, can clearly see its advantages and disadvantages from the available information.

The advantages are:
With a long range of 2000 kilometers, it can carry out various land-based long-range bombing missions.

With a large payload capacity of 8 tons, it can conduct a thorough bombing campaign against a strategic target.

However, its drawbacks are also obvious.

Its maximum flight altitude is only 8000 meters, and its maximum flight speed is only 320 kilometers per hour.

At this speed, older biplanes couldn't catch up, but monoplanes like the P-26 could easily intercept them.

Once caught up by fighter jets, it is difficult to escape even with escort wingmen.

The three machine guns on board were barely enough to evade enemy fire; once locked on, there was no chance to turn and dodge.

At that time, it was like a coffin in the air.

This is why the French Air Force requested that it be designed as a night bomber.

Furthermore, even for nighttime bombing missions, current radar technology is simply insufficient to locate the aircraft, let alone with the application of future bomber technologies such as infrared and satellite.

Fang Wen could even sense a kind of French military romance.

Fly heavy bombers through the night sky, drop their bombs and leave, regardless of accuracy, as long as they are safe.

It can be said that Fang Wen had already concluded that this bomber would be of no use in the war.

But for Fang Wen, it was completely different.

If mechanical perception could be integrated with the Farman F.220 bomber, Fang Wen would be the king of the skies at night.

Piloting a Farman F.220 bomber to the bombing area, accurately dropping bombs, and creating a strategic effect.

This might have a surprising effect on the war effort.

Therefore, Fang Wensheng went to the Farman Aircraft Manufacturing Company for an on-site inspection and planned to get up close to the Farman F.220 bomber.

If possible, he would also like to fly the Farman F.220 bomber in the air once.

If things go as planned, I'll try to buy a Farman F.220 bomber.

Fang Wen shared this idea with Lin Baoluo.

The other party was extremely surprised.

"I can arrange the visit to the Farman company; it's not difficult. But flying the Farman F.220 bomber, and even buying it, I think is impossible. After all, this is a new bomber that the French Air Force is developing; how can we sell it to someone else?"

"We'll find out whether it works or not later. Just arrange for me to go to Farman Company first," Fang Wen replied.

“Okay, I’ll go find someone, but it will cost some money, and you’ll need to make some changes. The French are very image-conscious.”

After saying that, Paul Lin went out and left.

Fang Wen also agreed with Lin Baolu's point about image issues.

Without a background or identity that can attract the other party's attention, what makes you think you can talk to someone about test driving or buying a plane?

This identity requires more than just outward appearance; it also needs a strong background to back it up.

It was 2 PM, which is about 8 PM in Shanghai.

Fang Wen took out the transmitter and sent a message.

January 3rd, Shanghai, 8 PM.

As usual, Taishan Airlines and Fang Wen's small group gathered in the courtyard.

Kuang Mingzhu instructed Chuncao and Qiuju to prepare tea for everyone.

Everyone was waiting for Fang Wen's call.

At 8:05, Manager Liu raised his hand, indicating that he had received the signal.

After recording the Morse code and translating it into plain text, he got up and handed it to Kwong Ming-chu.

Holding the paper, Kuang Mingzhu read aloud:
"The gentleman said he is currently in France and everything is fine. He needs a special identity to visit an aircraft manufacturing company. He asked us to contact the Nanjing government to find someone to help him obtain identity verification. The identity he needs is that of an agent arms dealer for the Republic of China government."

People started discussing it.

"An identity should not be difficult to obtain without spending money or effort."

“Our two founding shareholders have been receiving generous returns, and they’ve only contributed a little to the airport issue. It’s time for them to help out.”

"Yes, these people get so much in dividends every year, they have to do something, not to mention the general manager's job."

"I'll go to Nanjing tomorrow to find them." Manager Liu, who went with Fang Wen to negotiate the shareholding issue, knew how to contact the middlemen in Nanjing and volunteered.

Kuang Mingzhu nodded: "Then I'll have to trouble you."

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

Pan Jiafeng got up and went to open the door.

After a while, he returned, looking very serious.

"The company brought back news from the city: the Japanese station has captured Shanhaiguan."

Instantly, everyone's expression changed.

"Should we tell the general manager?" someone asked.

“The master said that if anything happens in the country, we must inform him immediately.” Kuang Mingzhu instructed Manager Liu decisively, “Return the call to the master.”

Paris
Fang Wen received a reply from Shanghai.

The first half of the telegram stated that the matter would be handled as soon as possible, but an additional sentence was added in the second half.

"Shanhaiguan was captured by the Japanese army."

Fang Wen quickly took out a map to check.

Shanhaiguan is a pass on the eastern section of the Great Wall, bordered by the Yanshan Mountains to the north and the Bohai Sea to the south.

There is a narrow passage leading into the interior.

Back then, the Qing regent Dorgon led the Eight Banners army to join forces with the Ming general Wu Sangui, and together they defeated Li Zicheng's Shun army at Shanhaiguan, allowing the Qing army to enter the Central Plains.

But things are different now.

It was impossible for the Japanese to launch a direct attack on Beiping and Tianjin from Shanhaiguan.

Other passes along the Great Wall would provide support from behind.

Therefore, the fall of Shanhaiguan was just the beginning; what followed was the Great Wall resistance.

Unfortunately, I don't have a Farman F.220 bomber right now. Otherwise, I could fly over there and drop 8 tons of bombs on the Japanese over the Great Wall. That would be so satisfying.

He shook off his thoughts and put the telegraph machine and map back into the canvas bag.

Everyone says that appearance is very important, so I should do as the Romans do and find a tailor shop in Paris to dress up nicely.

It's only 2:20 PM Paris time, so the shops on the street should still be open.

As Fang Wen prepared to leave, he did not forget to hide his valuables.

He dragged the wooden bed out of the room, ripped the wallpaper on the wall at the head of the bed, and used a knife to dig a hole in the wall behind the wallpaper.

The hole was just big enough to fit a briefcase containing $30 in U.S. Treasury bonds.

After putting the bag inside, Fang Wen then pasted the wallpaper back on, glued it in place, cleaned up the dust on the floor, put the bag in the used pastry paper bag, and finally pushed the wooden bed back into place.

After doing all this, he packed the bags of ash into a canvas bag, slung it over his shoulder, and prepared to head out.

Wait, I once saw a spy movie where they showed how to determine if a room had been broken into.

He followed suit, taking out his sewing kit from his canvas bag and tying one end of a thin thread to the door lock and the other end to the doorknob. This way, if someone opened the door, the thread would snap immediately.

I went outside, reached my hand inside, hung a thin string on the door, closed it, and then tried opening it again.

After confirming that the preventative measures were effective, Fang Wen went to knock on the door of the next room.

"Lin Shuiwang, let's go out and get some nice clothes."

The two went out, and Lin Shuiwang, who was very familiar with the area, took Fang Wen directly to a clothing store called Civonelli.

He introduced the place at the entrance.

“Cifonelli opened six years ago. The owner is from Rome and mainly makes bespoke suits. In the last two years, Parisian officials have been preferring to have their clothes made here.” Lin Shuiwang’s thinking was that Parisian officials must be looking for the right place to have their clothes made.

Fang Wen nodded, agreeing that this was an aesthetically pleasing judgment. He and Lin Shuiwang pushed open the door and entered.

There were already guests inside.

The shop owner is measuring a customer with a soft measuring tape, while a very young apprentice is carrying a tool tray nearby.

He wasn't speaking French or English, and he spoke very quickly.

You can tell it's Italian just by the speaking speed, especially when two fellow Italians are together; they'll talk a lot.

While the shop owner chatted with his fellow villagers, he had his apprentice serve Fang Wen and his group.

The apprentice approached and asked, "Gentlemen, are you having custom-made clothes or buying ready-made garments?"

The tailor shop not only offers professional custom tailoring, but also produces a batch of ready-made garments, which are displayed as samples and sold to suitable people at lower prices.

Lin Shuiwang replied, "Make a complete set of custom-made clothes for this gentleman, and I'll get a servant's uniform that matches his status."

The apprentice didn't know how to answer.

Just as they finished their conversation, the boss saw his friend off and came over with a big smile.

After hearing the apprentice whisper in his ear, he spoke aloud:

"What kind of status do you meet?"

“A government procurement agent from the East, a big shot who can make decisions on very important matters,” Lin Shuiwang replied.

“I understand. It’s very formal, official attire, but different occasions require different outfits, such as banquets, formal work, and visits. I suggest making three sets to deal with various social occasions.”

The owner of Cifonelli spoke eloquently, and although it had the intention of promoting the product, it also reflected the characteristics of high-level social interactions in France today.

These investments were necessary, and Fang Wen readily agreed.

After measuring height, chest circumference, waist circumference, and other data, the owner of Cifonelli said.

"Come and try on the clothes within a week, and we will make adjustments if there are any parts that don't fit."

Fang Wen couldn't wait a week, so he looked at Lin Shuiwang.

After some haggling, they paid extra and agreed to come back for the clothes in two days.

After finishing these tasks, Fang Wen and Lin Shuiwang went back.

They had dinner at a small restaurant near the hotel.

The restaurant's menu was simple, consisting of smoked meat, bread, and pea soup.

The taste is alright, it's probably French home cooking style, and many middle-class people come here to eat.

While eating, Fang Wen explained the situation in China.

"Now the Japanese have mobilized again; Shanhaiguan fell yesterday."

Lin Shuiwang exclaimed in surprise, "Shanhaiguan is gone! How can we possibly defend it? Wouldn't that mean Beiping and Tianjin are right under the Japanese noses?"

"Not yet. The other passes of the Great Wall are still under our control. Japan must capture the other passes to open up the passage between the inside and outside of the Great Wall," Fang Wen explained.

Lin Shuiwang has a strong sense of patriotism, which is why he was willing to come and help.

He was very unhappy about the capture of Shanhaiguan.

So I just ordered a bottle of brandy.

For locals, brandy is the most potent spirit among wines.

Lin Shuiwang drank two bottles before getting dizzy from the aftereffects.

Fang Wen had no choice but to put the money on the table, indicating that he would pay the bill, and then helped the dizzy Lin Shuiwang leave.

After leaving the restaurant, Fang Wen helped Lin Shuiwang to a nearby alley and had Lin Shuiwang stand against the wall. He then took out the paper bags filled with ash from his canvas bag and threw them into the sewage-filled alley.

Only then did they help Lin Shuiwang up and take him back.

Arrive at the hotel.

After leaving Lin Shuiwang on the bed and closing the door, Fang Wen returned to his own room.

He opened the door and pushed it gently.

A thin thread is taut.

It seems no one has broken into my room.

Fang Wen removed the thin thread from the doorknob, opened the door, closed it behind him, and went to take a shower and rest.

1933 1 Month 5 Day.

Despite being hungover all night, Lin Shuiwang woke up earlier than Fang Wen.

He brought Parisian breakfast specialties and woke Fang Wen up.

After getting up and washing up, Fang Wen prepared to have breakfast, but looked at the two paper bags in front of him and didn't know which one to choose.

"what is inside?"

Lin Shuiwangjiang took the food out of the two bags.

"Croissant and hot chocolate. And fresh buttered baguette slices."

Melted chocolate paired with a croissant provides enough calories to satisfy your cravings for the whole morning.

It's just too greasy.

Fang Wenning would rather eat a butter baguette.

The two were having breakfast when there was a knock on the door.

They looked toward the half-open doorway.

A man introduces himself outside the door.

"Hello Mr. Fang, I am from the Consulate General in Paris. Your case has been notified by telegram from China. We will fully cooperate."

Fang Wen stood up, shook hands with the other person, and invited him into the house, whereupon he explained his plan.

"Thank you. I would like to extend an invitation to the senior executives of Farman Company to the dinner on behalf of the consulate."

“Falmans has a lot of cooperation with the military, so it might not be convenient to just invite people from the Farman company. It would be better to invite a group of commercial enterprises in the name of the consulate,” the consulate staff analyzed.

"Alright, I'll take care of the banquet arrangements. I'll leave the invitations to you."

"Okay, I'll go back and make the arrangements right away."

After seeing the other party off, Fang Wen and Lin Shuiwang discussed the matter.

"The funds we brought this time can't be used recklessly. Do you have a way to save money on the banquet expenses?"

"Saving money is an option, but I'm not sure if it's appropriate. My suggestion is to ask us Chinese for help. Some of them own restaurants, and others work as waiters. You can gather all the people you need. Leave this to me, and I guarantee I'll get it done."

Lin Shuiwang had given his assurances, so Fang Wen agreed.

Lin Shuiwang immediately went out.

Lin Shuiwang left the hotel and went to find Lin Baoluo resting at home nearby.

He explained the situation: "Mr. Fang is planning to host the banquet himself. As the owner of an airline, he is trying to save money on procurement and is very frugal. We have to help him out."

Paul Lin agreed: "Although I've never been back, I still have Chinese blood flowing in my veins, and I'll definitely help when I can. What do you suggest?"

"Go to Rue au Maire to find someone."

“There are many fellow villagers there, so we can definitely ask them if they are willing to help.”

After discussing it, the two headed to the 3rd arrondissement of Paris.

The third arrondissement has many famous places, including the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Place de la Concorde.

The two walked along the Seine to the right bank and found Rue au Maire.

It was a pedestrian street with shops on the ground floor of buildings on both sides, some of which were owned by Chinese.

Lin Shuiwang walked into one of the restaurants.

(End of this chapter)