Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 215, Section 214: Countering Moves, Food Supplies Before the Red Army's Long March, and the Hong Kong Negotiations

1934 October.

Taishan Airlines operates Asia-Europe flights, and routes between Europe and Asia.

The plane landed at Kolkata Airport, and the flight attendants announced loudly, "Passengers, please disembark here. You will be transferring to another plane to Guangzhou and Shanghai."

When they arrived in Kolkata, there were not many passengers left on the plane, and they lined up to disembark.

Only one passenger remained still. A flight attendant walked by and said softly, "General Manager, shall we fly to Yangon now?"

"Hmm." Fang Wen nodded, but did not open his eyes, continuing to rest with the curtains closed.

The plane then took off and landed at Yangon Airport.

Fang Wen received a warm welcome as he disembarked from the plane.

Fang Wen's inner circle all came.

Pan Jiafeng, Shao Sishen, Liu Zhanggui, Sun Debiao, Fang Shouxin, Fang Shun, Huo Duanyang, Howard, William.

And there's Kwong Ming-chu.

And the seven members of the action team who remained in Yangon.

Fang Wen was very pleased. These people were of one mind with him and were partners who had been tested.

He smiled and said, "Let's go to the industrial park first and have the chef there prepare some appetizers. Then we can talk slowly."

The group boarded the car, chatting and laughing.

Upon arriving at the industrial park, the chef had already prepared the dishes that Fang Wen used to like, and everyone sat around the table as before.

After the meal, the meeting naturally began.

Hosted by Fang Wen.

"In the past two months, I went to the United States, bought a listed company, and used its cargo ships to transport all the silver to the US and sell it all. Incidentally, I also acquired Taishan Casino Company into the listed company. Then I purchased a huge amount of equipment for building airplanes. Next, I'll have to build our own Taishan Airlines planes."

Everyone was very happy; Taishan Airlines should have its own planes, and they were really looking forward to it.

Then, Manager Liu spoke on behalf of everyone about the current situation of Taishan Airlines: "Domestically, we have faced some suppression, and some regional airlines have emerged. Although their aircraft quality is not good and their flights are short, their prices are correspondingly cheaper, which has a certain impact on our business. But we are, after all, the flagship of China Express Airlines, and we are still the preferred mode of air travel for most passengers. However, we have a competitor on international routes: Eurasia Airlines."

"Eurasia Aviation?"

Fang Wen was surprised.

This company was actually established very early, in March 1931, as a joint venture between the Republic of China government and Lufthansa, with Lufthansa holding one-third of the shares.

Originally, their planned route was to open an airmail service from Europe to China, using German-made Junkers 52 and Junkers 33 aircraft to transport airmail received in Berlin, Germany to Shanghai.

At the same time, it will also open intermediate feeder flights in the country.

However, in actual operation, progress was slow due to changes brought about by the rise of the Nazis.

Unexpectedly, Eurasia Airlines has undergone new changes in the past two months.

Manager Liu continued to explain the situation.

Perhaps spurred on by Taishan Airlines, Lufthansa deployed two Junkers 52s to launch the Asia-Europe route as well, but the route went through Greece-Egypt-Iraq-XJ and finally arrived in Shanghai.

Fang Wen immediately drew a route map on the map.

It turned out that the other party's route also covered a total distance of 1 kilometers.

(The airmail route designed by Eurasia Aviation has historically not been used for international routes.)
Looking at the route map, Fang Wen smiled. This route also bypassed the insurmountable Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, but it went along the north side, making it even more difficult to fly. If Eurasia Airlines succeeded, Fang Wen would admire them.

He said, "Let them fly. We, Taishan Airlines, are not afraid of competition. By the way, has the limelight died down now? Can I go back now?"

Upon hearing this, his close circle of friends gave him strange looks.

The outspoken Fang Shun said, "General Manager, can't you see that Taishan Airlines is being suppressed? Someone wants to seize the company. If you go back, they will definitely convict you."

"You convict me?" Fang Wen was stunned. He wouldn't have received this treatment just for sponsoring the exposure of Japanese atrocities. It seemed that Taishan Airlines, this lucrative opportunity, had attracted the attention of other forces within the Kuomintang.

He looked at Kuang Mingzhu: "Did Yue Jinping say anything to you?"

Kuang Mingzhu nodded: "Jin Ping came to the airport and told me that the Fuxing Society and the Ministry of Transportation couldn't save Taishan Airlines. Someone wants to talk to you."

"How do we negotiate? Are you going to send me back?" Fang Wen sneered.

“Of course we can’t go back.” Kuang Mingzhu shook her head. “They suggested meeting in Hong Kong to discuss the equity distribution of Taishan Airlines.”

Fang Wen remained silent, lost in thought.

Higher-ups within the Kuomintang are finally going to take action against Taishan Airlines.

Without a doubt, the only ones the Fuxing Society wouldn't dare to help are the four major families.

These people have huge appetites; they want to redistribute Taishan Airlines.

Fang Wen sneered inwardly. As a person from the future, he had long known that this would happen, so how could he not have a countermeasure?

To reassure everyone, he spoke with Manager Liu.

"Manager Liu, please tell everyone about the shareholding structure of Taishan Airlines."

Manager Liu stood up and said loudly, "Taishan Airlines has registered its businesses in different regions. Currently, it has three branches: one is the domestic Taishan Airlines branch, one is the Asia-Europe route branch, and one is the airport company jointly invested in by Kabul and the royal family. They want shares in the domestic branch, but our domestic branch has the least asset investment. Apart from the cash that can be withdrawn at any time, we only have five airports and an office building in Shanghai."

Fang Wen and Manager Liu's conversation amused everyone.

Fang Shouxin, who usually has a serious demeanor, also stood up and added with a smile: "The office building has been in use for more than two years. It was bought for 1,500 silver dollars, and it's only worth that much now. The airport, on the other hand, was bought on barren land, and with the investment and construction, it's worth about 200,000 silver dollars in total."

Sun Debiao added, "And let them take the unsold cigarette stock at the major airports back with them."

Everyone laughed.

Fang Wen raised his hand and, after the sound stopped, analyzed, "When I gave those people shares, I thought that if they could get shares, then when the company grew bigger, more powerful people would take notice of Taishan Airlines. From then on, I've been preparing for all of this. The five aircraft are leased, the pilots are pilots we personally trained and they can follow us, and the company's profits are distributed as dividends at the end of the year. They can take as many shares as they want, but how much money Taishan Airlines makes domestically is up to us."

Pan Jiafeng asked worriedly, "Master, what about Mount Tai No. 1?"

"The Taishan No. 1 was always under a lease agreement. The branch company would pay the rent to the general manager, and the plane was the general manager's private property," Manager Liu explained.

Now, everyone in Fang Wen's inner circle who didn't understand before finally understood.

The general manager was farsighted; he had already laid out plans when the company was founded, and those who wanted to take advantage of Taishan Airlines would not gain anything.

Huo Duanyang asked, "Is the general manager still going to Hong Kong?" Shao Sichen looked at Fang Wen and said, "I think the general manager will go. We are all people who love our country. Taishan Airlines' domestic branch is our means of realizing our patriotism. Giving it up is like starting all over again."

That's true. Although Fang Wen made a lot of preparations, he didn't intend to give up Taishan Airlines' domestic branch. He was just telling his friends in the circle that everything was under control.

Moreover, aircraft manufacturing plants need a large number of highly educated engineering talents, which can only be provided by a few universities in China. Taking advantage of this negotiation opportunity to get that person to help out would not be a bad idea.

Fang Wen smiled and nodded: "If you're going to Hong Kong, I can give him some benefits, but he has to pay me back. I happen to need someone's help this time, so let's see if he can help."

The small group meeting has ended.

Everyone dispersed and went back to their accommodations to rest.

Besides his wife, Kwong Ming-chu,

Fang Shouxin, Fang Shun and his son, Sun Debiao, and Manager Liu also stayed behind.

These four people were among Fang Wen's inner circle who knew about the connection between Taishan Airlines and the Red Army.

Staying behind is also about this matter.

Fang Wen looked at his wife, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "You know?"

“Yes, I manage the company for you, and I’m your woman, so I can spot problems if I pay a little attention,” Kuang Mingzhu replied. “Sir, don’t worry, I support you.”

Fang Wen's wife's attitude warmed his heart.

The report on cigarettes and the Red Army begins.

Shunzi was present throughout the entire process, and he came to explain the situation.

Shunzi, who was originally all smiles, now looked serious.

"The first tobacco harvest began in June this year. Shu Zhitao, using the alias Bai Yunfei, continuously transported the tobacco to Yongshun County via the Yangtze River. Meanwhile, the area near our airport has been controlled by the Third Red Army. They have established a tobacco processing plant to make cigarettes on the spot and then send them to the airport. We are currently packing the cigarettes into boxes and shipping them to various places for distribution."

Sun Debiao continued, "Now, Taishan brand cigarettes come in seven varieties: domestic Taishan cigarettes, export cigarettes with local customs from India, Afghanistan, Persia, and Turkey, and two movie-themed cigarettes in English and French."

During the two months Fang Wen was away in the United States, Taishan cigarettes underwent a significant change.

Fang Wen looked at the seven cigarette brands that Sun Debiao had taken out. The original Taishan brand remained unchanged, while four other brands featured architectural styles from India, Afghanistan, Persia, and Turkey, with the brand names also described in the local languages.

These are product packaging designs created by painters who depicted local customs before Fang Wen went abroad.

What's the deal with the two movie-themed cigarettes?

Fang Wen picked up the cigarette box and examined it. It depicted a man swinging on a vine.

The English name of the cigarette pack is: Tarzan.

Isn't this the English term for Tarzan?

Fang Wen looked at Sun Debiao in surprise: "You've connected this Mount Tai with our Mount Tai?"

Sun Debiao nodded: "Two years ago, the British made a movie called Tarzan, which was only broadcast in China this year. At that time, the artists you hired told me that foreigners don't understand the Chinese character for Mount Tai, but if we use the character Tarzan, foreigners will understand. I thought that made sense, so we made two versions, one in English and one in French, and it turned out that quite a few people in Europe liked it."

Fang Wen patted Sun Debiao on the shoulder: "A happy accident, not bad." He then turned to Shunzi and asked, "By the way, did the Red Army say anything during the transaction?"

Shunzi replied, "Bai Yunfei said the situation is getting more and more serious, and they need a lot of grain reserves. General Manager, do you think those Red Army base areas are experiencing famine?"

Fang Wen remained silent, lost in thought.

With repeated attacks, the land is difficult to maintain, and poor harvests are inevitable.

But are these really the only reasons?
Could it be related to the upcoming Long March?

During the Long March, supplies were scarce, and they had to constantly fight the enemy. The hunger caused by the lack of food was probably their biggest problem.

Fang Wen recalled the story of eating leather belts and grass roots.

I couldn't help but sigh, even though I'm not strong enough, I have to help with this.

He said, "Shunzi, contact Bai Yunfei and tell him that we will take care of the food problem. Have him set up airdrop locations, one for each base. I will airdrop the food there tonight. Uncle Fang, Manager Liu, and Sun Debiao, the three of you will have to work hard recently, going to various places to buy food."

Kuang Mingzhu interjected, "Don't bother going back to China to buy it; there's plenty of rice and grain here."

Fang Wen's heart skipped a beat. Yes, how could he have forgotten the name "Granary of South Asia"?

He didn't say anything, letting his wife continue.

"The regions controlled by the French, Laos and Vietnam, all have large rice production. Thailand, which is an independent country, is also a major rice producer. If you want to buy rice, you either have to go through Thailand or through the French colonies."

Listening to his wife's analysis, Fang Wen recalled the pursuit by Hawk-2 fighter jets on the Thai border. Although he didn't know why, he felt it was best not to take the risk in Thailand.

“If Thailand won’t work, how do we buy rice from French colonies?” he asked.

Kuang Mingzhu replied: "My family has a lot of dealings with the French, so I'll have my third brother, Kuang Anming, take Uncle Fang, Manager Liu, and Sun Debiao to collect the grain. He's in Guangzhou now, and I'll have him come over on the company plane."

Kuang Anming's French is quite good, so he's a good candidate. Fang Wen agreed and arranged for the seven members of the action team who were resting in Yangon to accompany him.

Kuang Mingzhu said worriedly, "You'll be unfamiliar with Hong Kong, you'll need a helper."

No matter how warm-hearted Fang Wenxin was, it was still his wife who cared about him: "Don't worry, they're after money, they won't do anything to me."

After a night's rest, Pan Jiafeng flew some of the people back to Shanghai.

He drove away in a Boeing 247, while a Shrike was locked in a hangar at the airport.

Fang Wen is preparing to sail the Shrike to Hong Kong, and he needs to apply to the Hong Kong airport in advance.

Fang Wen, who had not yet had any contact with Hong Kong, followed the British route and applied for a special landing permit through the British military headquarters in Calcutta.

With this, going to Hong Kong will be no problem at all; Fang Wen can even obtain a Hong Kong Island travel permit at the airport.

He then boarded the Shrike to prepare for departure.

Where is his wife? Fang Wen looked around. Could it be that she was too tired to get up this morning after a night of intimacy?

Just as he was preparing to take off, his wife, Kuang Mingzhu, rushed out of the room.

She waved, signaling Fang Wen to turn off the engine.

Panting, Kuang Mingzhu said, "When I contacted my third brother by telegram, I also told my father that you were going to Hong Kong alone. He was worried that something might happen to you, so he told me to tell you that when you get to Hong Kong, go to Kowloon Walled City and find a man named Master Ma. Tell him you are Kuang Shanming's son-in-law, and he will help you."

Fang Wenxin smiled and replied, "Alright, I will definitely visit Master Ma when I get to Hong Kong."

(End of this chapter)