Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 231, Part 230: Bait and Torture, Operation Tianjin, Air Combat Imminent
The men from the Fuxing Society who had fled back from the north recounted their experiences with great emotion.

The Fuxing Society's operations took place in Tianjin.

The four members of the action team traveled to Tianjin by train and made contact with their local contacts.

The North China Plain is not currently under Japanese control. Although there are many Japanese people in Tianjin, most of them live in the Japanese concession.

That's what the Fuxing Society thought, so they weren't too wary of the contact person who was ostensibly the head of the local police bureau.

However, the enemy then led the four groups into an ambush, and after a gunfight, the four action groups were scattered.

Despite being shot in the right arm, Yue Jinping escaped unharmed and led the man into a private residence.

Later, Yue Jinping gave him a photo and told him to come to Shanghai to seek help from Fang Wen.

After listening to the man's words, Fang Wen remained noncommittal. He left the room, lost in thought.

The other party's words seemed reasonable, but they were full of flaws.

Yue Jinping never tells anyone about her relationship with him.

Even in dire situations, she would always seek help from Fang Wen, either by text or by secret telegram.

The last time Yue Jinping sent someone to deliver a letter to Fang Wen, informing him to leave the country temporarily, was like this.

This was an agreement between the two of them.

Even if Yue Jinping was shot in the arm, it was not a reason not to write a letter.

Thinking of this, Fang Wen turned and went into the house: "Did Yue Jinping give you any letters or anything?"

The man paused for a moment, then reached into his pocket: "Yes, I almost forgot."

He handed me a letter.

Fang Wen took the letter and read it carefully.

Yet, my heart was filled with turbulent waves.

The letter was fake. None of the coded messages he and Yue Jinping had agreed upon for writing were present in the letter.

It seems there's something wrong with this person.

The person who sent him probably had it all planned out; this letter was just a last-minute preparation to deal with his inquiries.

Did Yue Jinping actually get into trouble?
Whose side are these people trying to lure me to Tianjin?
Fang Wen smiled and said, "You should focus on recovering first. I need to make some preparations before I can go north."

After leaving the room, Fang Wen's face turned pale. He whispered to his wife, "This man is suspicious. Don't come any closer. Have the security team keep an eye on him."

"So what should we do next?" Kuang Mingzhu asked.

“We need to find a way to get him to tell the truth,” Fang Wen replied.

After Fang Wen finished speaking, he quickly walked back to his office and dialed a phone.

The first call was to the special operations team, asking them to come to the office to assemble.

The second call was to Chief Wang.

After a secure connection, Chief Wang's cheerful voice came through the microphone.

"General Manager Fang, please speak frankly. You don't come here unless you have something to say."

"Chief Wang, I have a tricky situation. Someone is trying to frame me. I've taken control of the men they sent, but I don't have anyone here to interrogate or force confessions."

"Then you've come to the right person. I'll bring my men over."

"thank you."

"You're welcome. The people I brought should thank you."

Fang Wen put down the phone, somewhat puzzled.

Half an hour later, the six-member action team arrived. Except for Zhang Yunfei, who was guarding the blueprint room of the aircraft manufacturing plant in Yangon, all the members of the action team had arrived.

Looking at the fact that half of the action team members were gone, Fang Wen sighed inwardly. He would have to recruit more people again, but where would he find trustworthy and capable people next time?

He told the team members to wait at the company, continuing to wait for Boss Wang.

Another hour later, Chief Wang arrived with two men.

They are Zhao Wanping's parents.

Fang Wen was stunned: "I want someone who uses torture to extract confessions, not a doctor."

Chief Wang laughed and said, "Those two are the best interrogation experts in our Axe Gang."

The couple laughed and explained themselves.

"General Manager, please rest assured, we are both experts in medicine and poison control, we can save lives and cure patients."

"We rarely let outsiders see our craftsmanship. Perhaps the general manager could take a look?"

Fang Wen agreed.

Then, after nightfall, the man from the north was blindfolded by the security team and taken to a secret room of Taishan Airlines on Airport Road.

Inside the sealed room, the sack was removed, and the man with burlap stuffed in his mouth cried out in terror.

The lights come on.

Fang Wen and Chief Wang sat down outside the fence.

The couple, all smiles, opened the iron gate and went inside. They cheerfully prepared the medicine and chatted with the man.

"I'll prepare a mute medicine for you first. Don't be afraid, it won't damage your voice. It will only make you unable to shout temporarily so as not to disturb the neighbors."

"My husband has prepared a soothing medicine, while I have prepared a pain-relieving medicine, with nine kinds of pain: soreness, numbness, itching, swelling, heat, cold, tightness, tingling, and cracking. Which one do you want?"

The two spoke in the most peaceful way, yet it gave one goosebumps.

The man shook his head in fear, refusing to take the medicine.

However, he was still forced to take both a drug to make him mute and a painkiller.

His body was contorted, but he didn't know what kind of pain it was.

Seeing an execution for the first time, especially in such a peculiar way, Fang Wen felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Boss Wang spoke up, "General Manager, don't look over there. Let's talk about something else. The interrogation of this couple was effective, but it took a bit too long."

Fang Wen nodded and turned to talk to Chief Wang.

"I heard that the gang leader also participated in the Fujian Incident two years ago?"

"Yes. I'm the kind of person who likes to go against the grain, but unfortunately the 19th Route Army was in turmoil and couldn't accomplish anything."

Chief Wang paused here, lowering his voice.

"This year, I have something big to do. General Manager, just wait to hear my good news."

If his big plan succeeds, it will inevitably lead to trouble for a KMT bigwig or a high-ranking Japanese official. Fang Wen knows the rules; you can't ask questions before it's done.

"Then I'll offer tea instead of water to congratulate the leader on his success in advance."

Fang Wen smiled and poured a cup of tea for Chief Wang, and the two raised their glasses to drink together.

The conversation then turned to the person being interrogated.

Listen to Fang Wen explain the reason.

Wang, the gang leader, analyzed, "They're probably Japanese, but your confidante is also in grave danger."

These words made Fang Wen's face darken. Although he hadn't seen Yue Jinping for a long time, he still cared about her. If something really happened to her, he would do everything he could to save her.

The man, who had been given a temporary drug to make him mute, broke free of his ropes, but wriths on the ground like an earthworm.

It appears that the pain medication he took caused unbearable complex pain damage.

But the couple didn't press him for answers, which drove the man to the brink of collapse.

Half an hour later, the man took the antidote to the drug that made him mute.

He cried and said, "I confess, you can ask me anything, as long as you don't give me the drugs, I'll do anything."

The couple approached the fence: "General Manager, it's done. Please feel free to ask any questions."

Fang Wen got up and went over to ask, "Who sent you?"

The man was about to lie when he saw the poison doctor and his wife, and he couldn't help but swallow his lie.

"My name is Harry You. I used to be a hoodlum at the old Zhigu canal wharf, and later I joined a secret auxiliary force unit established in the concession. I came here on the orders of the Japanese. Please spare my life, sir. I'm just trying to make a living."

"You think you can become a Japanese lackey just to make a living?" Chief Wang kicked the man over and shouted angrily.

Fang Wen approached and continued to ask questions.

How is Yue Jinping now?

"Sir, I have never met Yue Jinping. I am just repeating what the Japanese said."

Fang Wen stepped back, and the poison doctor and his wife stepped forward to attack.

After a while, the couple stopped. "General Manager, he probably wasn't lying."

Fang Wen stepped forward again, looking at the limp man: "Then who is Yue Jinping and the others targeting?"

The man looked at the poison doctor and his wife with fear and struggled to reply, "I only heard someone say that, I think it was the president of the Guoquan Daily and the president of the Zhen Daily."

Fang Wen stood up and spoke to Chief Wang: "Chief, do you know the presidents of the Guoquan Daily and the Zhenbao Daily?"

"I know. The newspaper supported by the Japanese is located in the concession and publishes various articles praising Japan. I heard that the local gangs in Tianjin want to deal with the two, but they can't because the two have been hiding in the Japanese concession."

"Boss, we at Taishan Airlines don't have prisons. Could you please do me a favor and deal with this guy?" "Sure thing, the fish in the Huangpu River are starving. General Manager, you want to go to Tianjin? I advise you to think twice, it's too dangerous there."

Fang Wen nodded: "I understand."

As the man was stuffed into a sack and carried out, Fang Wen pondered.

Tianjin not only had a Japanese concession and many Japanese people, but also Japanese troops.

This is a ridiculous situation. After the Tanggu Agreement, the National Army was not allowed to be stationed in North China, but the Japanese army gradually encroached on and stationed troops in many parts of North China.

It was the presence of Japanese troops that made the area so dangerous.

Not to mention, the Japanese even set a trap for Fang Wen this time.

Fang Wen understood that he couldn't risk going there.

But Yue Jinping also needs to be saved.

He needs to know the real situation over there.

Therefore, the six members of the action team were fully equipped and ready to take action.

Jiaxing Water Airport.

The Yunhe was moored on the waterfront. In a house on the shore, Fang Wen and six members of the action team, Chen Suoxin, Qian Yinxing, Zhou Pomen, Liu Yubao, and Liu Yinfeng, explained the situation.

"Our target this time is Tianjin. You need to find a person named Yue Jinping."

"This operation is not suitable for airborne deployment because it takes place in Tianjin, a city with a very dense population and Japanese troops stationed there. Instead, we will go there by the Yunhe."

"I will pilot the Yunhe to land on the Haihe River within the city. You will need to swim ashore. Is there a problem?"

"No problem," the six members of the Taishan Special Operations Team replied in unison.

"Alright, let's board."

Fang Wen led the way out, followed by the six members of the action team.

Moments later, the Yunhe aircraft took off and flew straight along the coastline, eventually reaching the sea area near Tianjin.

In the darkness, Fang Wen used his mechanical perception to look down.

The city below is very prosperous, with houses and courtyards everywhere, and many boats moored on the waterways.

It seems that the area within Tianjin city is densely populated, and too many people and too much noise make it unsuitable.

He turned the plane around and flew back, discovering a wasteland by the sea.

The area stretches for miles along saline-alkali land, and apart from families who gather shellfish on the beach, few people come here on ordinary days.

That's it.

Fang Wen announced, "Get ready to disembark."

He landed the plane on the sea.

The rear hatch then opened, and the six members of the action team put the supplies into the wooden boat. They then pushed the boat out of the hatch and onto the sea before the six of them jumped into the water.

"Everyone must be careful and stay in touch at all times." Fang Wen waved goodbye to the team members at the rear cabin door, then closed the door, and the plane took off.

They watched the plane leave. The six-person team then pushed the wooden boat, laden with supplies, ashore.

They soon reached the mudflats, the boat was pulled ashore, they changed clothes, and carrying their respective bundles, headed north.

After crossing the mudflats, the city walls of Tianjin can be seen in the distance.

It's 3 a.m., and there are still people rushing towards Tianjin.

Upon closer inspection, it became clear that they were farmers carrying baskets into the city to sell vegetables.

The six of them followed the group in perfect unison, heading towards Tianjin City.

When they arrived at the city gate, since it was not yet open, everyone sat by the edge of the city.

At this time, nearby residents actually came over with lanterns and bargained with the farmers to buy these cheap and affordable vegetables and fruits.

The six-member task force mingled in the crowd, waiting.

Around 6 o'clock, it was just beginning to get light.

The weary guards opened the city gates and let the farmers into the city. The six-man group blended into the crowded streets and were allowed to enter without being questioned.

After entering the city, the farmers set up stalls on the curbs of the nearby streets, carrying their goods on shoulder poles. They didn't call out to buy, but waited for city dwellers to come and make purchases.

The six of them squatted by the roadside, discussing their plan.

"What should we do this time?"

"The general manager said that there are six of us, and we are all evenly matched, so he can't choose a team leader. He told us to choose one ourselves."

"What do you mean 'equal'? The general manager is saying that the six of us are the remaining oddballs, but we're still usable."

"Don't talk nonsense. Haven't we done everything the general manager asked us to do perfectly well?"

"That's right, we're just a little worse than Wu Yingzong and the others. If you're saying we're incompetent, I'll be the first to disagree."

"Liu Yubao, I like what you said. So, you can be the team leader. What do you all say?"

"Okay." "Sure."

"Here you go. According to the rules, the team leader is in charge of the telegraph machine. You can contact the general manager from now on."

A temporary team leader has been chosen. This is the result of Fang Wen's subtle influence; any operation must have a leader, otherwise chaos will ensue.

After Liu Yubao became the team leader, he explained his plan.

He exchanged the telegraph machine bundle with the other team members and said aloud:
“The general manager said that the four Fuxing Society action groups were likely attacked by the Japanese. It’s only been three days, so it’s impossible for the locals not to know. We’ll split up to investigate and then come back here to regroup. I’m the team leader and the liaison, so I’ll stay here and wait for you.”

This plan is the same as the one used in the Harbin operation, and no one has any objections to it.

The five then split up, with Liu Yubao buying a load of Shawo radishes from a farmer and sitting on the street pretending to sell agricultural products.

Time passed slowly, and the number of Shawo radishes sold dwindled, but no one returned.

At noon, the police came to drive them away, and the farmers carried their unsold produce out of town.

It's impossible for Liu Yubao to leave the city.

He picked up his carrying pole, went into a nearby alley, and found a run-down hotel inside.

Facing the shop owner, Liu Yubao, who often followed his father to dig tunnels underground, showed a simple and honest farmer's smile: "Boss, I want to rent a room, the cheapest kind."

The innkeeper looked up and replied.

"There's still one spot left in the large dormitory-style room for 10 people. Do you want it?"

"How can we sleep in a large dormitory?" Liu Yubao replied, "Boss, I have festering sores on my body, and I don't know if they're contagious. If sleeping in a large dormitory harms others, I won't have a good time, and you'll be in trouble too."

The boss frowned. He originally wanted to get rid of Liu Yubao, but when he saw the copper coins in Liu's hand, he changed his mind.

"Do you live in the basement?"

"Where to stay, where to stay."

Then, Liu Yubao followed the boss down the stairs to a damp basement. The space was small, with only a small slanted window for ventilation, making it feel like a prison.

Liu Yubao had no objections and settled in with a simple, honest smile.

After the shop owner left, he immediately tested the telegraph machine until he found that the telegraph communication was working properly, and only then was he relieved.

The following day, the team members gradually ascertained the situation, and Liu Yubao compiled the information and sent it to Shanghai.

Outside Shanghai Airport, 8:30 p.m.

At the agreed-upon time for the telegram, Fang Wen listened intently in his bedroom with a receiver.

Radio waves are emitted from a specific frequency.

He wrote it down and translated it into plain language.

Three days ago, a gunfight broke out on Jinzhou Road in the French Concession of Tianjin. According to locals, many people were killed or wounded that night. Because they were heavily surrounded, the battle lasted all night, and eventually all the survivors were captured.

Later, the French Concession consul and the Nationalist government intervened, but to no avail.

The Japanese consul in the concession publicly announced that these prisoners would be transported by plane to Northeast China for interrogation, with the specific date yet to be determined.

After reading the telegram, Fang Wen was basically certain that Yue Jinping had fallen into the hands of the Japanese.

Once transported back to Northeast China, there was no chance of survival.

He immediately called back: "Continue the investigation; you must find the plane's departure time."

After sending the telegram, Fang Wen was deep in thought.

The Japanese set a trap to lure themselves in; perhaps airlifting Yue Jinping and her group was also a form of bait.

After all, the Japanese were aware of their own flying skills.

Did they think I would fly a plane to rescue them?

Fang Wen revealed a cold smile.

If that's what the Japanese are thinking, he wouldn't mind playing along and showing them just how powerful the modified Shrike is.

This was Fang Wen's first aerial combat in two years, and his fighting spirit was high.

Two years have passed, and both the aircraft and my own abilities have changed dramatically. I hope the other party won't be too surprised.

(End of this chapter)