Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 222, 221: Battlefield First Aid Kits Aid the Long March; Domestic Matters; Implementation of the Company's Seaplane Project.

The Yunhe aircraft landed in Jiaxing.

That is, the barren land by the water that the Fang family bought.

In addition, its proximity to Shanghai makes it ideal for use as an airport for seaplanes to land and take off in the future.

Fang Wen has been traveling frequently both domestically and internationally for the past year or so, and hasn't been back to his hometown of Jiaxing. He plans to go home for a visit after landing.

He, Kuang Mingzhu, and three other team members arrived at Fang's residence.

The courtyard suddenly became lively.

Fang Wen and Kuang Mingzhu distributed the gifts they had brought.

There are jewelry, jade, and lacquerware from British Burma, and long-grain fragrant rice from French Vietnam.

Master Fang, his first wife, his second wife, his biological mother, the eldest son, the second son, and the sixth sister all received a share.

Only when the sixth sister received the gifts did she keep a straight face and not smile much.

There's something on my mind.

Fang Wen laughed and said, "Sixth Brother, are you still angry that Fifth Brother ruined your marriage?"

"No, that's not true." Sixth Sister finally spoke to her brother Fang Wen: "That bastard has a bad reputation in Jiaxing. Even if he sees me again, he won't talk to me. But people talk about me behind my back in Jiaxing too. It's so annoying."

Kuang Mingzhu came up with an idea: "As long as people are around, this matter will keep being talked about. Even if you leave Jiaxing and go to Shanghai or Hangzhou, it will be the same. Those rich ladies have nothing better to do than play mahjong and gossip all day long. Sixth Sister, my third brother is studying in France. He said that the girls' schools there are very good. Why don't you go to France to study?"

These words swayed the Fang family. There were indeed too many rumors about Sixth Sister, so it would be better for her to leave for a while.

Master Fang looked at Fang Wen: "Fifth Brother, what do you have to say?"

Fang Wen thought for a moment. It was 1934, and there were still 6 years before the German blitzkrieg occupied the country. He could go and study.

He laughed and said, "The principals and teachers of French girls' schools are all nuns, or as we would say here, nuns. They are very strict. Can Sixth Sister manage to go?"

Kuang Mingzhu wanted to explain that French girls' schools weren't as strict these days, but Fang Wen quietly tugged at her collar to stop her.

Master Fang was very pleased: "That's how it should be. Strict discipline breeds good manners. Sixth Brother, are you willing to go?"

Sixth Sister hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Fifth Brother, I still want to go. It's okay if it's strict; I can handle it."

Okay, Fang Wen agreed.

After staying at home for a while, Fang Wen and his wife left and returned to Shanghai Airport.

Back in Shanghai, Fang Wen will be busy again.

Li Tiezhu was assigned to the Kabul Airport branch, where he was responsible for the management of local airport operations.

The arrangements for the sixth sister have also been made. She will be attending a reputable private girls' school. Fang Wen was too busy to take her, but his two other brothers were eager to do so, and in the end, Young Master Fang got the benefit.

Afterwards, Fang Wen, along with Quan Yuncai, the current chairman of Taishan Airlines, took the Yunhe seaplane and flew back and forth between Shanghai and Nanjing, as well as several places around Taihu Lake for demonstration purposes.

Through flight demonstrations, the National Games participants expressed strong approval of the Yunhe aircraft's performance.

When he learned that Yunhe was a seaplane developed by Fang Wen, he gained confidence in Taishan Aviation's seaplane program.

At that time, China had no aircraft manufacturing capabilities whatsoever. If the Taishan Aircraft Manufacturing Plant had succeeded, it would have been very significant for China's aviation industry.

In terms of cost, after-sales maintenance services, equipment upgrades, and many other aspects, it is better than purchasing foreign aircraft.

China Airlines is a case in point. They bought planes but couldn't use their own pilots to fly them, and they had to use Americans for maintenance and other tasks.

Therefore, the National Games reported this to higher authorities and strongly advocated for it.

Time flew by, and it was early October 1934.

Fang Wen was in his office looking at the intelligence summary sent by Shanghai intelligence brokers at the beginning of the month.

The Red Army officially began the Long March.

The Red Army, whose base area spanned three regions of Jiangxi, Fujian and Guangdong and was known as the Central Base Area, embarked on its journey.

The intelligence community, both domestically and internationally, is also paying close attention to this.

According to analyses gathered by intelligence brokers from various sources, a mainstream view holds that this is a strategic convergence, in which the Red Army will unite the forces from various base areas to launch a counter-offensive.

In response, the Kuomintang army dispatched a large number of troops to pursue and encircle the Red Army, preventing the Red Army from converging in various base areas.

This time, however, they did not succeed completely. In order to avoid aerial reconnaissance, the First Front Army that broke out chose to march at night, repeatedly breaking through the encirclement and disappearing from the sight of the Central Army.

Fang Wen flipped through the intelligence reports, most of which were about the Red Army.

He saw one that was an analysis of the Red Army's supplies.

This intelligence suggests that the Red Army had a sophisticated logistical support system, which enabled it to maintain its combat effectiveness during prolonged mobile operations.

Fang Wen smiled. Without logistical support, those Red Army soldiers relied on homemade military rations.

He couldn't help but imagine that the improved rice cakes would be even better.

By the way, long marches also bring a lot of trouble from various diseases.

Fang Wen frowned. He had his own medicine: quinine for diarrhea, Yunnan Baiyao for external injuries, and penicillin for wound infections.

These three medicines are essential for military operations.

Perhaps we should make them into first-aid kits and send a batch to the Red Army.

What kind of first aid kit should I use?
Fang Wen, who was at a loss for what to do, thought of the early national industries that were emerging in Shanghai, and thought that he might be able to find inspiration from them.

Fang Wen then picked up the phone and dialed the company's Special Operations Department.

"Come here, everyone, we have something to do."

On the other end of the phone was a small building behind the Taishan Aviation Training Center, without a sign, but it was the Taishan Aviation Special Operations Department.

The seven team members who returned from Yangon, along with Wu Yingzong and Zhao Wanping who rejoined the team, make up the current nine members of the special operations team.

Upon hearing that the general manager had a new task, they excitedly went out and headed to the general manager's office.

Nine people stood in a neat row in the general manager's office, awaiting orders.

Fang Wen stood up and explained the situation.

"As you all know, I have some cooperative relations with the Red Army. Now that their Central Base Area is in the process of breaking through the encirclement, they must be in dire need of medical supplies. I have an idea that can help, but I need you to prepare them. Are you willing?"

The seven people who had served as airdrop guides replied directly: "Yes."

Wu Yingzong said loudly, "I'll do whatever the general manager tells me to do. I won't think too much, I'll just do it."

The only female team member, Zhao Wanping, said, "Me too, I'll listen to the general manager." But her words and actions were all directed at Wu Yingzong, and everyone knew what she was thinking.

Fang Wen saw this and nodded, saying, "Alright, go change into civilian clothes and come with me to the city."

The group then took the airport shuttle bus to downtown Shanghai.

Of course, Fang Wen had to disguise himself to get through.

Fang Wen, disguised as a long-faced, bearded out-of-town merchant, toured the department store street on Nanjing Road with nine of his employees.

This street is lined with numerous department stores, including Wing On, Sun Sun, and Da Sun, making it arguably the busiest shopping street in Shanghai.

(Nanjing Road, Shanghai during the Republic of China era)

The streets were covered with numerous promotional banners advertising sales, giveaways, and company celebrations; this kind of thing had already started happening in this day and age.

Walking down the street, looking at the dazzling array of goods in the shop windows, Fang Wen pondered what he wanted. An image of a wounded soldier flashed through his mind.

He was shot and needed immediate treatment, but there were no medics nearby, so he had to treat himself.

If there were a military first aid kit at that moment, it might have saved his life.

"General Manager, look over there." Wu Yingzong interrupted Fang Wen's thoughts.

Fang Wen looked over and saw that someone was setting up items at the entrance of the mall, conducting what appeared to be a futuristic promotional activity.

There were many onlookers, and it was quite lively, so Fang Wen went over to take a look.

There was also a banner at the event that read "Kangyuan Can Making Factory Toy Branch Product Exhibition and Sale".
It sells toys.

Among them are tin cars, toy trains, and big-headed dolls.

Besides iron toys, there are also toys labeled as being made of celluloid, such as mahjong tiles and small dolls.

(Celluloid Mahjong)

Looking at the celluloid toys, Fang Wen suddenly realized, "Isn't this just plastic?"
While it may not have the diversity of future plastics, celluloid should possess the lightweight and wear-resistant properties of plastics.

This thing could be used as a first aid kit.

Fang Wen suddenly had an idea: why not let this toy factory do it?

He gave Wu Yingzong a wink: "Talk to them and say you have business to discuss and need to see the factory manager."

Wu Yingzong arrived, and within a few words, he took the initiative to lead Fang Wen and his group to Kangyuan Can Factory.

Upon arrival, Fang Wen met with the factory manager of Kangyuan Can Factory, who warmly welcomed him and inquired about his needs.

Fang Wen described it as follows:
"I think the toys you make with tinplate and celluloid are quite nice. Have you ever thought about making other things?"

"What is it?" the factory manager asked.

"A storage box, with a thin sheet metal exterior and celluloid lining. Inside, there should be three storage compartments and one circular compartment."

According to Fang Wen, the factory manager didn't think it would be difficult. "We can do it. How many do you need? And how long will it take to deliver?"

Fang Wen thought for a moment. These medical kits were mainly for the Red Army. Multiple purchases would be easily discovered, so it would be better to buy more at once. He then placed a large order.

The other party immediately drew up a product structure diagram, and after Fang Wen approved it, they immediately signed an order agreement.

Of course, everything in it is a pseudonym; only the money is real.

After leaving Kangyuan Can Factory, Fang Wen left two people to follow up on the situation before returning to Shanghai Airport.

We have the military first aid kits; we also need to prepare the medications inside.

Fang Wen divided the 20 kilograms of penicillin injection powder into two-thirds, which were then carefully repackaged by the team members, each portion being an injection unit.

In addition, I purchased Wan Ying Bai Bao Dan from Kunming and obtained a batch of quinine powder from my father-in-law in Guangzhou.

A few days later, the finished products from Kangyuan Can Making Factory, which was working at full capacity, were shipped out.

These military first-aid kits, with their sheet metal exteriors and celluloid linings, contained three medicine bottles, a roll of bandages, and an instruction manual, and thus became the Republic of China-era military first-aid kits designed by Fang Wen.

Subsequently, all the first aid kits were moved onto Taishan No. 1 and transported to Xiangxi Airport.

Sending medical supplies to the Red Army is now more difficult than before.

The Red Army is currently engaged in mobile breakout operations. Not only can the Kuomintang planes not find them, but Fang Wen also cannot use his mechanical perception ability to see the troops that are hidden in the trees and mountains during the day.

The only chance to contact them was through the Red Army's secret radio station.

This matter still needs to be handled through Bai Yunfei's channel.

Immediately afterwards, Long Yumei, who was at Xiangxi Airport, went to the contact point alone at night.

When she arrived, the people at the liaison point were packing their belongings.

Long Yumei asked in surprise, "Where are you going?"

Bai Yunfei explained, "The Third Red Army is also setting off. The troops need telegraph operators, and they will return to their posts tonight."

As they spoke, the people at the liaison point finished preparing, saluted Bai Yunfei and Long Yumei, and the comrades bid farewell in silence.

After they left, Long Yumei remembered her own affairs.

She took out a small, flat metal box.

"This was sent by Taishan Airlines. They said it's a battlefield first aid kit that can be used to provide first aid to wounded soldiers."

"What? Let me see it." Bai Yunfei said eagerly. Having led troops for many years, he knew better than anyone the significance of such a thing.

Shu Zhitao unhooked the buckle and saw what was inside.

The box was small, and the space inside was also small.

There were three small medicine bottles in red, yellow, and blue, a roll of bandage, and a piece of paper.

He picked up the paper; it was folded, and each page had writing on it. He unfolded it to see what was written on it.

'Instructions for use of military first aid kit'

The red bottle contains the anti-infective drug penicillin, which needs to be dissolved in saline solution before intravenous injection. It can be used to treat symptoms of external wound infections.

[The yellow bottle contains a universal remedy, applied externally to wounds to treat bruises and sprains, promote blood circulation, and remove blood stasis. For severe cases, the supplementary ingredient can be taken orally.]

The blue bottle contains quinine, used for dysentery. The oral dosage is: **.

The above three medications must be used strictly according to the instructions; the dosage should not be increased or decreased arbitrarily.

[Another roll of bandage is provided, forming a battlefield first aid kit, which we hope will be of assistance.]

After reading the text, Bai Yunfei was very excited: "That's great. Our soldiers often suffer from dysentery due to drinking raw water while marching in the wilderness, and they also lack first aid for combat injuries. This small box can solve our big problem. I will report it to my superiors immediately."

The radio waves relayed this information upwards, and feedback was received several hours later.

Because the secrets of the march could not be revealed, the Red Army dispatched a special detachment to receive the airdropped supplies from another direction.

Long Yumei immediately returned to the airport with the intelligence.

The First Front Army of the Red Army set the airdrop location in southwestern Fujian, where the mountainous terrain was complex. Using torches to guide the way through the valleys would make it difficult to be detected, which was perfect for an airdrop.

Fang Wen led a special operations team of nine members to complete the airdrop.

Nearly 13000 battlefield first aid kits were airdropped to the First Front Army of the Red Army. Fang Wen felt a sense of accomplishment, knowing that this would at least save many soldiers from suffering from illness during the Long March.

He slept very well that night, as if he had accomplished something of great significance.

I slept until nine in the morning.

He wouldn't have gotten out of bed yet if his wife hadn't sent someone to wake him.

Chuncao, blushing, said from outside the door, "Young master, please get up. Chairman Quan Yuncai is here. He needs to see you."

"Okay. Tell him I'll be right there."

Fang Wen got up, quickly washed up, changed into formal attire, and went to the company.

Quan Yuncai was waiting for him in the office. After he entered, he took out an approval document from his briefcase and placed it on the table.

(End of this chapter)