Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 240, Page 239: Doubt and Trust: Feasibility Analysis of 200 Aircraft in Two Years

Fang Wen was very familiar with the name Yoshiko Kawashima.

Whether it's a past life or the present.

This person had also flown a plane piloted by Fang Wen from Shanghai to Jinan.

After that, he disappeared without a trace, presumably to the Kwantung Army in Northeast China.

But he never expected to get involved with Yue Jinping.

Fang Wen suddenly realized that using Yue Jinping to seduce him was very likely the work of Yoshiko Kawashima.

But what happened to Yue Jinping in Tianjin?

Fang Wen didn't ask, because this was definitely something Yue Jinping didn't want to bring up again.

Unexpectedly, Yue Jinping brought it up herself.

That night, she fainted from the pain after being shot, and when she woke up, she had been imprisoned by the Japanese intelligence agency.

There, she received treatment and, being the only woman, was given special care.

The reason they received preferential treatment was that the person who organized the operation was Yoshiko Kawashima.

But this preferential treatment didn't last long. Kawashima actually asked her to betray him and lured Fang Wen over.

Yue Jinping refused and was therefore tortured, which is why she has a scar on her right eye.

Hearing Yue Jinping's words, Fang Wen felt a sense of vigilance.

As the war drew ever closer, Fang Wen, having experienced danger, naturally developed a suspicious nature.

He genuinely wanted to trust Yue Jinping, but there were too many unknown factors that prevented him from opening his heart.

Some doubts that he felt he shouldn't have arose involuntarily.

Did Yue Jinping ultimately persevere to the end? Did she betray them? What is her current purpose?
It is precisely because of these questions.

Fang Wen did not tell Yue Jinping that he was the one who rescued her.

The two stood by the railing in front of the alarm bell tower, their clothes fluttering in the wind blowing from the river.

Yue Jinping said sadly, "Thank you for fighting the Japanese in the air to save me. It may be hard to see you again."

"Why?" Fang Wen asked in surprise.

Yue Jinping looked at the alarm bell tower behind her: "This used to be the Yellow Crane Tower, it has been since the Tang Dynasty, no matter how many fires it has suffered, it will always be. In the future, the alarm bell tower will be demolished, and a new Yellow Crane Tower will be built. The Yellow Crane Tower will always be there, but people cannot. Once there is corruption, they will not be trusted. I was dismissed from my post, and in order to seek revenge, I applied to go to the Shanghai station as an intelligence agent."

With a full-scale war just two years away, the Nationalist government's Shanghai intelligence branch was in the most danger, as it would be repeatedly purged by the Japanese.

Fang Wen couldn't help but worry: "Don't go to Shanghai."

“No, I must go. Only in this way can I wash away my shame, for myself and for my family,” Yue Jinping replied resolutely.

At that moment, Fang Wen suddenly understood.

Regardless of the era, people bear different destinies and missions, and Yue Jinping has her own path to walk.

Ignoring the astonished looks from passersby, Fang Wen embraced his confidante and whispered, "Go ahead, I support you. Remember to contact me if you need anything, anytime, anywhere."

Yue Jinping rested her chin on Fang Wen's shoulder, her left eye moist, and nodded vigorously.

She pushed Fang Wen away with all her might: "Alright, I've seen you, and my heart is at peace. It's time to go back."

After saying that, she turned around, strode down the stairs, and her figure gradually disappeared into the distance.

Watching the departing figure, Fang Wen waved goodbye, his former graceful figure now blending seamlessly with his current calligraphic posture.

I have so much to say, but I can't bring myself to say it.

With Yue Jinping gone, Fang Wen's worries also disappeared.

After giving instructions to his wife and the shopkeeper, Fang Shouxin, he piloted the Yunhe back to Yangon.

Back in Yangon, Fang Wen continued his management work at the aircraft manufacturing plant.

His goal was clear: to participate in the resistance against Japan and the salvation of the nation in a way that he was good at.

If China had possessed a large number of seaplanes 37 years ago, and had been able to carry out wartime military modifications, it would have been absolutely helpful in future wars.

To make this idea a reality, Fang Wen specifically calculated the economic costs.

A Shuiyun-1 aircraft has a retail price of 4 silver dollars and a cost of 3 silver dollars.

This equates to a selling price of $2 and a cost of $1.5.

The Boeing 247 originally cost $65000, but now that the dollar has depreciated by half, the price has risen to $8.

In comparison, the Suiyun-1 aircraft was far too cheap.

Not only are they cheaper in terms of cost, but they are also very competitive in terms of performance and specifications.

[Shuiyun-1 seaplane][Boeing 247]

[Water landing and takeoff] [Requires a specific airport runway]

[10 passengers] [12 passengers]

[1-2 crew members: pilot, flight attendant] [3-4 crew members: pilot, first officer, flight attendant]

[Flight range: 1500 km] [Flight range: 1200 km]

[Speed: 290 km/h] [Speed: 300 km/h]

[Load Capacity: 2 tons]

It can be said that Taishan Aircraft Manufacturing Plant was able to make a splash in China with its affordable and high-quality Shuiyun-1 aircraft.

Fang Wen set himself a two-year plan.

They only care about the market, not the profit.

Expand the market size of Chinese aircraft without incurring losses.

But how can this be achieved?

Regarding expanding the Chinese aircraft market, Fang Wen prepared his first feasibility study since his rebirth.

He was alone in his bedroom, writing with a pen in hand.

During the Republic of China era, China was at a critical juncture in its modernization process, facing both internal and external troubles, making national defense construction particularly urgent. As an emerging strategic industry, the aviation industry was of great significance for enhancing national military strength and promoting economic development. However, limited by factors such as technology, funding, and resources, the development of China's aviation industry was slow.

However, this situation has changed somewhat. I have brought with me oil refineries, aircraft manufacturing plants, and abundant raw material reserves, which will form the foundation for expanding the Chinese aircraft market.

After writing this, Fang Wen smiled, tore it up, and burned it with a kerosene lighter.

Keep writing.

[Currently possessed fundamental advantages]

[1. I have a joint venture oil refinery in Yangon: it supplies 3 tons of crude oil from Myanmar and 8 tons from the Persian Gulf annually, with an annual production capacity of 5 tons of fuel. This fuel will be exclusively supplied to the Taishan Shuiyun series aircraft, solving a critical problem in aircraft fuel supply. In this day and age, domestic oil resources are scarce, and fuel imports are costly and unreliable. My oil refinery not only ensures domestic self-sufficiency in aviation fuel but also reduces aviation operating costs and enhances market competitiveness.]

[2. I own the Taishan Aircraft Manufacturing Plant in the Yangon Industrial Park: currently, its production capacity is 50 aircraft per year, with a target of 100 aircraft per year. This increase in capacity will greatly promote the development of the domestic aviation industry and reduce dependence on foreign aircraft. Simultaneously, as production scale expands, unit production costs will gradually decrease, further enhancing market competitiveness. Furthermore, the aircraft manufacturing plant can adjust its product structure according to market demand, developing aircraft suitable for different purposes to meet diverse needs.]

[3. Raw material reserves: sufficient to produce 500 aircraft. This advantage ensures the long-term stable development of the aircraft manufacturing plant and avoids production stoppages due to raw material shortages. At the same time, ample raw material reserves also provide strong support for technological innovation and product upgrades.]

The first two points represent the strengths that Fang Wen already possesses.

However, point 3 has not yet been implemented. If a full-scale war breaks out in two years, it will be too late to stockpile supplies then.

If you're going to make a purchase, you have to make it now.

The anti-Japanese gold fund that Fang Wen had obtained from the Northeast Young Marshal's treasury finally found a use.

He needed to exchange the gold for US dollars in the US at a high price of $35 per ounce, and then use the money to buy a large amount of goods to ship back to Asia.

After finalizing the massive procurement plan, Fang Wen began to take action.

He first went to Guangzhou to exchange gold notes with his father-in-law.

The 32000 gold bars were converted into gold certificates two years ago and are now stored in a gold shop in Guangzhou.

But now that gold prices have soared, it's a bit difficult for my father-in-law, Kuang Shanming, to withdraw the money all at once.

“Son-in-law, you are so shrewd. You deposited your gold in the gold shop when it was $20 an ounce, and you withdrew it when it was $35 an ounce. Now everyone is selling their gold, and I can’t give you that much gold all at once.”

“If you don’t have gold, you can use other substitutes, such as US dollars or US dollar debt,” Fang Wen replied.

Kuang Shanming touched his forehead: "Give me a hint, what are you going to do with all this money?"

“Building airplanes requires materials, and I need to stockpile as many materials as possible before Japan goes into full-scale war,” Fang Wen replied honestly.

"Japan has launched a full-scale war?!" Kuang Shanming couldn't believe it, but his son-in-law's judgment seemed to be correct.

He realized that his son-in-law was playing a grand game, one that could even influence the future of China.

This exceeded the limits of a typical businessman's courage, leaving Kuang Shanming suddenly realizing something.

My son-in-law is incredibly audacious!
"Alright, you've got guts, kid. I'll go crazy with you. I'll keep those gold notes for you, and I'll give you the money tomorrow."

“Father-in-law, what you’re doing isn’t good for the Kuang family. I can wait and let the various gold shops raise the money slowly.”

"It's alright. By accepting your gold notes, I've essentially become a creditor to various gold banks. Given my relationship with them, I can collect some interest each year and pay it back slowly. Anyway, the Kuang family doesn't have much business right now, so collecting interest is a good deal," Kuang Shanming explained with a smile.

"Can I get my principal back within three years?" Fang Wen was still worried.

“No problem, 32000 gold bars is nothing,” Kuang Shanming replied.

Fang Wen was touched, but he did not accept his father-in-law's suggestion. 32000 gold bars were no small amount. If Guangzhou fell three years later, the Kuang family would suffer heavy losses.

He would rather recover less money than take on this huge favor.

Immediately afterwards, Fang Wen and his father-in-law went to the Guangzhou Gold Exchange.

The gold certificates were sold for $34 per ounce.

The $1 discount per ounce immediately attracted many gold buyers.

Upon seeing that the gold notes were jointly issued by major gold banks, they immediately realized that there was profit to be made and flocked to the counter to trade.

32000 gold bars, each weighing 312.5 grams, totaling 10000000 grams, or 1 ton.

One ton is approximately 35274 ounces, which is $1199316. ​​After deducting the exchange's fees, it's roughly $118 million.

This $118 million, plus the $400 million Fang Wen brought back from the United States, became the capital for this large-scale purchase of raw materials.

To this end, Fang Wenrang had Lin Shuiwang in the United States negotiate purchase prices with various suppliers.

United States.

Taishan International New York Headquarters.

Although it's called the headquarters, there are actually only about 30 staff members. Apart from President Lin Shuiwang and the people in the management office and finance department, the rest are all from the shipping company.

After shedding a large amount of debt within a year, Taishan International's shipping business finally came back to life with the recovery of US trade.

Not only did the business volume of the two cargo ships increase significantly, but the company also purchased a new ocean-going cargo ship.

However, compared to the company's gaming business in Las Vegas, the shipping business is still too small.

This has led to situations where subsidiaries have more power than their parent companies.

This phenomenon was mentioned to Lin Shuiwang by the professional managers hired by Taishan International on several occasions, who asked him to take back the rights of the subsidiary.

Lin Shuiwang refused without hesitation.

He knew very well that he and Zhao Jiu were working for Fang Wen, and those foreigners simply didn't understand the rules.

In any case, he and Zhao Jiu will not fight.

But working in the United States for a long time made Lin Shuiwang miss home, especially his mother who wanted to return to China to spend her later years.

For this reason, he would use the company's high-powered telegraph from the business telegraph room to contact the home country every week.

On that day, while reviewing telegrams from China, he came across a secret letter from the general manager.

The secret letter was a code held by only a few people within Taishan Company, and only they could decipher its true contents. Lin Shuiwang quickly took the secret letter back to his office.

He carefully recalled Professor Fang Wen's phonetic code and translated the telegram.

After reading the telegram, he was surprised to find that he was to negotiate the purchase of supplies worth more than $500 million.

This is no small matter.

He then convened the company's management team to begin work.

Purchasing $500 million worth of supplies is an enormous deal given the current purchasing power of the dollar.

As a result, relevant suppliers, including Alcoa, Boeing Propellers, Pratt & Whitney, and some parts suppliers, came to New York for negotiations.

Meanwhile, colleagues who received the news flocked to New York, hoping to join the deal and replace their rival.

This was the first time Lin Shuiwang had encountered such a situation, so he immediately sent a telegram back to ask for instructions.

His intention was to wait for the general manager to arrive before making a decision.

The reply he received was: "It's up to you. We'll prioritize the original supplier and lower the price by delaying."

It seems the general manager won't be coming to the United States. Lin Shuiwang carefully studied the general manager's 12-word mantra.

Isn't it just dragging things out, using pressure from other competitors to force existing suppliers to lower prices?

He understood the meaning and carried it out. On the surface, it appeared that he was negotiating with other companies, but in reality, he was playing hard to get.

This performance created the illusion for Alcoa, Boeing Propeller, and Pratt & Whitney that they were about to lose large orders to others.

Of course, they were unwilling to give up this lucrative opportunity, and in the subsequent price negotiations, they took the initiative to lower the price, finally securing the large order from Taishan.

Time was running out, and Fang Wen couldn't afford to waste precious time going to the United States.

He could let Lin Shuiwang take full charge of the business negotiations, but sending $500 million in cash to the United States would be a troublesome matter.

It would be difficult to legalize such a large cash inflow if you didn't personally bring the money there.

Especially for a listed company, every penny must be accounted for.

Therefore, Fang Wen had to find another way: he established a branch of Taishan Airlines in the United States and then used Taishan Airlines' US branch to conduct transactions with Taishan International.

The funds for Taishan Airlines' US branch came from the European branch via bank telegraphic transfer.

This established a legal channel for the purchase and distribution of goods, allowing them to be smoothly shipped from the United States to Yangon.

Just as negotiations for the $500 million procurement deal were about to conclude, Lin Shuiwang received some news and sent a telegram to Fang Wen to report it.

(End of this chapter)