Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 302 301 Military Equipment and Logistics Arrangements, Shanghai Airport Pickup and Escape, Tank Departure

In mid-August, Fang Wen returned to Jinan from Nanjing.

With an official designation and orders from the General Staff Headquarters, the Taishan Independent Regiment was able to head north. At the same time, logistical support and assistance from various parties were also essential for the army's operations.

Fang Wen formed an independent army that would not accept direct orders from the Nationalist government, nor would it receive any external military supplies or funds. The army was maintained by his own business group, and all aspects of the situation had to be arranged.

To this end, he made a special trip back to Wuhan, where he convened a wartime meeting at the company headquarters with his inner circle of members to explain the results of his trip to Nanjing and to plan future actions.

Subsequently, attendees arrived by plane from Yangon, Shwezi Airport, and various overseas locations.

Kuang Mingzhu, Deputy General Manager of Wuhan Headquarters; Liu Zhanggui, Chief Accountant; Fang Shouxin, Administrative Manager; Pan Jiafeng, Aviation Management Department; Sun Debiao, Air Logistics and Distribution Department; Shao Sishen, Training Center; and Howard, Aviation Maintenance Department.

Fang Shun, the head of Xiangxi Airport, and William, the airport security officer.

Yangon Industrial Park, Acting Plant Manager of Aircraft Manufacturing Plant, Bai Zeshan, and Supervisor of Oil Refinery and Weapons Plant, Huo Duanyang.

Li Tiezhu, Inspection Supervisor of the Overseas International Business Division.

Liu Jinrui, supervisor of Jinghong Penicillin Pharmaceutical Factory.

Mercenary group: Zhou Pomen, Qian Yinxing, Zhao Wanping, Liu Yubao.

Flying Club: Liu Yinfeng.

Apart from Wu Yingzong, who needed to maintain airport security to prevent sabotage by lurking Japanese spies, Lin Shuiwang and Zhao Jiu, who were far away in the United States, and Chen Suoxin and Liu Yingshou, who were at the secret intelligence station in Shanghai, everyone else had arrived.

This is the most people Fang Wen trusts have gathered together in the past year or so.

To preserve the memories of that time, Fang Wen chose to hold the gathering at his residence.

Nearly 20 people gathered at the general manager's mansion near Wuhan Airport for a banquet at two tables.

Having not seen each other for a long time, everyone chatted enthusiastically, exchanging toasts and sharing their experiences over the past year.

Fang Wen smiled as he chatted with his small circle of friends, while also observing the changes in everyone's behavior.

As time goes by, those who followed me have all improved their economic and social status. People change with time and experience, and I don't know if they will still be of one mind with me when I need them now.

In his observation, the group of elderly people who initially followed him, including the young Pan Jiafeng, were all mature and capable.

This is the change brought about by the heavy workload of the group. They have to deal with a lot of their own work every day. Is their former passion still there?

The young people who were separated from the special operations team were more energetic and motivated, and they were more eager for war.

After an hour of dining, Fang Wen led everyone to the backyard of their residence.

The backyard, with ivy growing along the wall, was very quiet. To accommodate 18 people for a meeting, many chairs were set up.

After everyone was seated, Fang Wen spoke up.

"Is everyone aware of the situation in North China?"

Everyone nodded; how could they not know about something so important?

Fang Wen continued:
"The Japanese army has completely broken off relations and launched an offensive in North China. Tianjin and Beiping have now fallen, and the entire North China region is in a critical situation. However, due to the traitors and puppet troops that the Japanese have trained in North China in the past few years, it is estimated that the entire North China region will fall soon, and then they will move south to attack other parts of the Central Plains."

After a pause, Fang Wen observed everyone's expressions.

He continued, "When the company was first established, I made it clear that we would fight the Japanese invaders to the end. This time, I obtained the designation of the Taishan Independent Regiment and the order to move north in Nanjing. In other words, our Taishan Volunteer Army will become an independent force and head north to fight the Japanese. This meeting is about this matter. Does anyone have any objections?"

No one objected; everyone was someone Fang Wen trusted and had always known his attitude.

This reassured Fang Wen somewhat.

He continued, "The Taishan Independent Regiment is an anti-Japanese armed force that was created solely with the support of Taishan Aviation. In the future, when we march north to fight, we will need everyone's cooperation in a series of matters such as logistics, military production, and treatment and transfer of the wounded, so that the Independent Regiment can put down all its burdens and fight with all its might."

Manager Liu took the lead in stating, "General Manager, rest assured, we guarantee these things will be done well."

Others echoed this sentiment.

Fang Wen then explained the arrangements.

The standard uniforms for the Taishan Independent Regiment were made by his wife, Kuang Mingzhu, according to the pre-designed pattern. 1000 sets were produced and sent to the Jinan warehouse.

The bullets used by the Taishan Independent Regiment are all standard 7.92mm bullets. In the past two years, bullet production technology has been improved, and they can now fully use their own 7.92mm bullets for rifles and machine guns.

The supply of bullets and fuel to the north was jointly handled by Huo Duanyang in Yangon and Fang Shouxin at headquarters, and was transported through Taishan Airlines' own transportation routes.

The medical aspect was to be handled by Manager Liu and Sun Debiao. They were tasked with establishing a surgical sanatorium in Wuhan within two months and sending a medical surgical team to Jinan.

At the penicillin factory, production must be increased, and supplies to Shanghai must be stopped, with all supplies being shipped to the Jinan airport warehouse.

After arranging these matters, Fang Wen spoke up:
"Everyone else must also do their best in their own jobs and be ready to accept any assigned missions in the War of Resistance. We must not slacken our efforts. Now, if you have anything to say, you can say it here."

When it was time to speak freely, someone immediately spoke up.

Although the others did not receive wartime work assignments, they were also willing to cooperate actively.

William, in particular.

As a German officer, he needed to prove his military capabilities.

Having trained 100 security guards at Xiangxi Airport for so long, he also wanted to lead this unit north to join the Taishan Independent Regiment.

Fang Wen asked Fang Shun about this.

"If this security team leaves, what will happen to security at Xiangxi Airport?"

Fang Shun replied, "The departure of the mercenary group and security team will not affect the security of the airport. I have recruited nearby villagers as new security guards, and the airport staff have also undergone military training by William in the past two years. They can also fight with guns, and there are no forces nearby that can cause trouble at the airport."

In the past two years, the Xiangxi Airport area has been well managed, and it's no longer like when we first went there, when we were worried about being harassed by bandits in the vicinity.

Especially during the time when William led the team, they often went out for training exercises, which disturbed the small groups of bandits in the vicinity, so they moved to more distant places long ago.

After hearing Fang Shun's explanation, Fang Wen felt reassured about the safety of Xiangxi Airport and immediately agreed to let William lead the team to join the Taishan Independent Regiment.

As for the regimental organization, it belongs to the ground combat battalion of the independent regiment, the Xiangxi Company.

The meeting then adjourned, and Fang Wen announced that the meeting would be officially implemented starting tomorrow, and that progress would be reported to Jinan in a timely manner via telegram.

And after everyone else left.

Pan Jiafeng stayed behind, looking at Fang Wen expectantly: "Teacher, I want to fly a fighter jet and fight alongside you."

Looking at Pan Jiafeng, Fang Wen hesitated.

This apprentice is someone he watched grow from an 18-year-old high school student to the outstanding pilot and aviation manager he trained.

But war is cruel. Don't be fooled by the fact that the Taishan Air Force has not suffered any casualties yet; that is only due to luck and skill.

In the complex air combat environment of the future, a large number of aircraft will intersect in the air, making it impossible to avoid enemy fire angles one-on-one as in the past, and the danger will increase exponentially.

At that time, apart from those who were somewhat confident in ensuring safety, all the pilots in the air force were risking their lives to fly their planes and fight.

How could he possibly let Pan Jiafeng come to such a dangerous place?

Therefore, Fang Wenxin changed his mind and said tactfully.

“You are an only child and unmarried. I can’t explain to your parents that I’m letting you join the air force.”

This is indeed a problem that Pan Jiafeng is facing; Fang Wen had heard him talk about it before.

Just like Kwong On-ming.

In this era, starting a family is a sign of a man's independence. Before starting a family, parents can prevent them from engaging in various risky behaviors.

Pan Jiafeng, however, had a solution, and he revealed a smug smile.

“Master, I have a fiancée, and my parents like her too. I've discussed what you're talking about with my parents, and they insist that I get married before I can learn to fly fighter jets. How about I go to Shanghai after the meeting and bring her to meet you?”

"Haven't you brought your parents over yet? Didn't we tell you a long time ago that you were to bring them to Wuhan?" Fang Wen scolded, adding that the situation could change at any moment, and Shanghai was no longer a safe place.

“Isn’t this just what I was planning to do to pick them up in Shanghai?” Pan Jiafeng replied.

"Alright then, we'll charter a plane and bring your parents, your fiancée's family, and others to Wuhan. I can also meet your fiancée while we're at it," Fang Wen said with a smile.

Immediately afterwards, the two went directly to the airport, boarded a Boeing 247 that had just been grounded for maintenance, and flew to Shanghai.

The master and apprentice hadn't flown together in a long time.

On the way to Shanghai, Fang Wen jokingly asked.

"You little rascal, you have a fiancée and you didn't say so earlier. I haven't even prepared a gift for you."

"It happened in the last two months. I went back to Shanghai to persuade my parents to leave. During that time, I had a high school reunion and met a girl from the same school. We got along very well and started dating."

"It's still a free-choice relationship. You're something else."

“Master, I can’t compare to you. I heard you went straight to Guangzhou and eloped with your wife, causing her family to search for you everywhere.”

Fang Wen never expected that his apprentice would find out about his embarrassing affair with Kuang Mingzhu.

He was a little embarrassed and asked hesitantly, "Who told you this? How many people know?"

“When I went to the Guangzhou seaplane airport for inspection last time, the people there said that your affair with your teacher’s wife had already spread throughout Guangzhou.”

So that's how it was. It really caused quite a stir back then. Fang Wen couldn't help but smile as he recalled the scene of eloping with the bewildered Kuang Mingzhu.

After a flight of more than two hours, the Boeing 247 landed at Shanghai Airport.

Shanghai is now shrouded in gloom.

The situation became increasingly tense. People hurriedly left Shanghai, and the airport was the best option for many.

The plane that Fang Wen piloted became the hope for many people waiting outside the airport.

They waved their banknotes and shouted, "Let me in, I have money!" "Sell me a ticket!" "Please, take us with you!"

Seeing this scene, Fang Wen couldn't be soft-hearted; he had to consider the people around him first.

Moreover, this precedent cannot be set, otherwise the airport's order will immediately collapse.

He and Pan Jiafeng went to the airport office to learn about the situation from the staff of the Taishan office stationed at the airport.

"What's going on here?"

"Japanese marines drove into the airport and opened fire, killing a China Airlines security guard. Security personnel returned fire, killing three marines."

Fang Wen had heard about the airport incident when he was in Nanjing.

It was this incident that led to the Japanese Marine Corps reinforcing its troops in Shanghai, causing the Nationalist government to face questions from consuls of many countries.

Shanghai was a hub of capital in the Republic of China, a place where the wealthiest people lived. Their discontent ultimately led the Nationalist government to abandon its final hesitation and declare war on Japan.

According to staff at the office, Japanese marines have launched an attack outside the concession. Both sides are taking action, but so far there has been no major conflict.

This situation led tens of thousands of people to seek refuge in the concessions.

Many others chose to flee the city altogether.

After listening to the staff at the office, Pan Jiafeng finally realized what he had missed.

It was because of his negligence that his parents and girlfriend were put in danger.

At this moment, his face was filled with regret and guilt.

Fang Wen knew there was still time, so he comforted him, "Don't rush. The fighting hasn't officially started in Shanghai yet. Let's go into the city now and bring them out."

With his master's words, Pan Jiafeng immediately regained his composure. In the eyes of the people of Taishan, Fang Wen was omnipotent.

Immediately afterwards, Fang Wen and Pan Jiafeng left through the side gate of the airport and arrived at a residential house on Airport Road.

An old man lived there alone.

The old man recognized Fang Wen immediately, so he silently opened the door and then sat back down on the chair by the door.

"Who is he?" Pan Jiafeng asked in a low voice.

Fang Wen said nothing and led Pan Jiafeng directly into the room.

At the very back, there was a garage.

Inside the garage is a car that Fang Wen modified years ago, which hasn't been used for over a year.

He checked it and confirmed that it was safe to open.

He then asked Pan Jiafeng to add gas to the car, while he disguised himself and stood aside.

After he finished, he drove his car out from behind the house.

A modified black Stipunk sedan drove into the city.

They headed straight for Pan Jiafeng's house.

Although there was some chaos along the way, no Japanese soldiers were found.

Upon arriving at their destination, Pan Jiafeng led Fang Wen upstairs.

This was Fang Wen's first visit to Pan Jiafeng's home. In the past, he had only met Pan's parents at the airport and at the company.

The door opened after a knock.

A middle-aged woman saw that it was Pan Jiafeng and exclaimed with delight, "Son, why are you back?"

Pan Jiafeng said urgently, "Mom, I've come to pick you and Dad up and leave. Hurry up and pack your things."

Aunt Pan peeked outside and whispered, "Come in and talk."

After entering the room, Pan's mother quickly closed the door and called to the inner room, "Sir, come out quickly, our son is back. He said he's here to take us away."

Pan's father came out from the inner room. Compared to Pan's mother, he was much calmer and even knew to ask about Fang Wen's identity.

"Jiafeng, who is this?"

“It’s my colleague, Dad. Hurry up and pack your things. We have to leave today,” Pan Jiafeng said urgently.

Urged on by him, the two began packing, mainly focusing on things that were memorable and precious, leaving nothing else behind.

After they finished packing, they went downstairs together and drove out of Shanghai city.

The car returned to Shanghai Airport, where the parents were settled in the Taishan Airlines office. The two then returned to the city.

This time, the two split up. Pan Jiafeng went to find his girlfriend and family, while Fang Wen went to see if anyone was home at Mr. Liang's and Mr. Lin's houses.
Fang Wen went over there, went upstairs, and was about to knock on the door when he saw the iron lock on the door and realized that Mr. Liang and Mr. Lin had already left.

That's good, then we don't have to worry about their safety.

He then drove to Star Film Company.

The place is now deserted. Those who remained said they had all moved to a filming location outside the city, and if the situation continues to deteriorate, they might even leave Shanghai.

Therefore, everyone is making preparations during times of crisis.

Fang Wen thought for a moment, wondering if there was anyone else he could help.
In addition to the above, there is also my high school classmate, Min Bangren.

Fang Wen then drove to the Shanghai Commercial Savings Bank.

That small bank was still open for business.

Fang Wen got out of the car and went straight inside.

He glanced around the bank lobby and saw only one person conducting business, but there were five staff members.

Min Bangren held the highest position among them, sitting in the manager's office. It seemed he had been promoted in the past year or so.

But the price was too high; he was still working even under such a crisis.

Fang Wen walked straight over and pushed the door open to enter.

"Mr. Min Bangren? I have been entrusted by your classmate to come and take you and your family away from Shanghai to seek refuge."

"My classmate?" Min Bangren asked in surprise.

"I am the pilot sent by Fang Wen, the general manager of Taishan Airlines," Fang Wen explained.

"Oh, please sit down." Min Bangren quickly stood up and invited Fang Wen to sit down so they could talk.

“Go tell him about this and don’t worry about my safety. In Shanghai, no matter who is in power, they all need someone to manage the money. We won’t be in danger.”

It seems that Min Bangren has a way to avoid danger. Everyone has their own way of coping in chaotic times. Fang Wen didn't say anything and left directly.

He then drove to the place he had arranged to meet Pan Jiafeng, where he met Pan Jiafeng's girlfriend and family.

“Master, her name is Shen Shuyun. She was my high school classmate. She transferred from Beiping in 1932.”

Fang Wen was stunned; the person in front of him seemed somewhat familiar.

Not only this young woman, but also the woman with her hair in a bun behind her.

It seems like I've seen it before.

He was still thinking when the other party noticed first.

"My savior, Shuyun, is the one who saved my mother and me on the train," the woman with her hair in a bun exclaimed in surprise.

Yes, it turns out to be these two. Back when Fang Wen came to Shanghai from Beiping, he encountered a mother and daughter on the train who were almost scammed by human traffickers, and he rescued them.

Several years have passed, but unexpectedly, the other party turned out to be a classmate of Pan Jiafeng from the same school.

She's now even engaged to her own apprentice.

Fang Wen couldn't help but marvel at the coincidences in life, how they always seem to happen so unexpectedly.

He drove the family away from Shanghai, through the crowds outside the airport, and boarded a plane with Pan Jiafeng's parents to leave.

The situation worsened, and the flames of war spread from North China to Shanghai.

Troops from all sides are being deployed.

The designation of the New Fourth Army was also being decided, and the period of cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party and the full-scale War of Resistance against Japan was about to begin.

Meanwhile, the Taishan Independent Regiment was also rushing to send troops north.

The infantry at Xiangxi Airport took the Taishan No. 1 transport plane in multiple batches to fly north. Each plane could carry two hundred people, so it wasn't too troublesome.

The problem is the two tanks.

The gates of the newly opened heavy tractor factory in Changde opened, and two Taishan Pine tanks, one troop carrier, and one fuel truck drove out.

On either side of the imposing tank stood seven or eight mercenary soldiers.

This line of vehicles drove out of the city to the surprise of the people of Changde.

(End of this chapter)