Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 375-373 The best restaurant in Wuhan during the Republic of China era, a banquet, the cross that has absorbed energy has another value.

Fang Wen returned to Taishan Airlines headquarters, but instead of going directly to Whitney, he went to his wife's place first.

When he arrived at the company's office building, he saw a bustling scene.

A large number of staff members were busy in their respective departments.

Although some of Taishan Airlines' routes were affected by the war, they still had many other things to do.

They needed to handle a variety of tasks, including the planning and preparation for the construction of logistics stations in the southwestern and northwestern provinces, the work at the Wuhan refugee resettlement site, the training of a large number of new employees, and the reception of civilians traveling by land to Fuyang.

It was already 6 p.m., and many people were still at the company working because they hadn't finished their tasks.

The busiest places were the business telegraph room and the deputy general manager's office.

The commercial telegraph office was an essential means for Taishan Airlines to maintain timely communication with various locations. All departments needed to use telegrams to communicate with staff at headquarters in other locations.

Kuang Mingzhu's position as deputy general manager is the final destination for all kinds of approval documents when Fang Wen is not around.

Therefore, while everyone else went to Nanjing to help, Kuang Mingzhu was unable to leave.

Fang Wen stood at the door watching his wife. The staff member who was about to go in to submit the documents for approval silently turned around and left, not wanting to disturb the couple's reunion.

In Fang Wen's eyes.

The wife sat at her desk, her pen moving lightly across the documents.

In the soft light, her profile appeared exceptionally serene, yet her eyes held a resolute strength.

Her long, black hair was gently piled up, with a few stray strands falling casually around her ears. A touch of weariness added a touch of languid beauty to her gentle demeanor.

Her attire was simple yet elegant; a light blue cheongsam hugged her graceful figure, and the delicate embroidery on the collar and cuffs exuded a subtle artistic flair.

A pearl necklace hung around her neck, and as she slightly lowered her head, the pearls swayed gently, reflecting a soft luster.

For some reason, Fang Wen found his wife to be increasingly attractive and charming.

After signing the last document, Kuang Mingzhu, without looking up, said, "Hasn't the financial budget review report for the YN Province logistics station from the general ledger office been sent over yet? Chuncao, go and urge them to finish it today."

No one responded. Kuang Mingzhu looked up and saw her husband standing at the door, and a sweet smile appeared on her face.

"You're back."

"Mm." Fang Wen went in and closed the door behind him. Even the few words exchanged between husband and wife were filled with deep affection.

As her husband approached, the strong woman from Taishan Airlines revealed a rare tenderness: "Have you finished dealing with things in Nanjing?"

“Yes, I’m the last to leave. I’ll be staying in Wuhan for a while this time, so I can spend some time with you.” Fang Wen held his wife’s hand and spoke softly, “I haven’t had time to take care of the family. Is everything alright at home?”

"Many relatives fled from Jiaxing, all carrying letters from the old man to seek refuge. They are all now living in the city, and many have been arranged to work at your two older brothers' novelty department store."

Fang Wen smiled as he listened to his wife, Kuang Mingzhu, chatting about everyday things.

Then he said, "Tonight, the two of us will go to see the Whitneys. Wear the evening gown I bought for you in Paris. Tonight, my husband and I will put on a show to secure the investment from the American conglomerate."

Kuang Mingzhu asked uncertainly, "Is it that easy? That's a lot of money."

"It's not as complicated as you think. They also have personal relationships. With such a large investment, it's more about the person than the contract. I think Whitney has his answer after observing him for a while. Besides, I have another condition that he can't refuse," Fang Wen replied confidently.

"Okay. You need to change into formal attire tonight too. Let's go home and change together."

After Kuang Mingzhu finished speaking, she happily opened the door, greeted Chuncao and Qiuju, and took her husband's hand as they went home.

Back home, Kuang Mingzhu transformed into a normal woman, taking out outfits and trying them on Fang Wen.

"This is a suit I had designed for you by a designer from Hongxiang Fashion Company when I was in Shanghai. There are two styles available. Try them on."

"These are also custom-made for you at a clothing store in Xinkangli, Huaqing Street, Hankou. You can try them on too."

There are many kinds of clothes, not only suits, but also long gowns, Zhongshan suits, etc.

All of these clothes were bought by Kuang Mingzhu for her husband in her spare time.

Today we finally had the chance, so I had my husband try them all on.

Fang Wen cooperated fully and gave the choice to his wife.

In the end, he chose a suit, since it had to match her evening gown.

Fang Wen had chosen his clothes; next up was his wife, Kuang Mingzhu's.

This takes a long time; women need to carefully prepare their attire for such occasions.

Fang Wen then asked Chuncao to go to the company's guesthouse to inform them about the invitation to the Whitneys for dinner that evening.

An hour later, Fang Wen and his wife drove out and arrived ahead of time at the 'Xuan Palace Hotel', the venue for the banquet.

The Xuan Palace Hotel, located on Jianghan Road, is the most luxurious hotel in Wuhan. According to locals, it caused a sensation when it opened in 28, and to this day, no other hotel in Wuhan can rival it.

Fang Wen and his wife parked their car and went into the restaurant.

The hotel lobby staff approached them eagerly: "Mr. Fang, Mrs. Fang, everything is arranged. Please follow me."

The two walked through the lobby to the elegant back area, a special venue for receiving high-ranking officials. It had a piano, a band, a bar, and dedicated waiters.

Fang Wen and his wife took their seats and waited.

Not long after, the Whitneys arrived.

The couple, also dressed in formal attire, came over under the guidance of the lobby staff.

After they were seated, Whitney said, "Fang, your trip to Nanjing was very memorable. My wife and I have gathered a lot of information about the war, which we plan to publish in the New York Times."

Fang Wen nodded: "Thank you. We need reports from international friends to show the world the true situation of this war."

At this moment, the lobby manager came over.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to recommend some of our restaurant's dishes for your selection."

This is a special menu item that can only be enjoyed here; regular customers outside are not entitled to this privilege.

Fang Wen nodded, and the lobbyman introduced the topic in a clear and easy-to-understand manner.

"Han-style delicacies - Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate. This is our restaurant's signature dish. The main ingredient is carp from the Yangtze River, which is plump, tender, and rich in fat, melting in your mouth. During cooking, the chef first cleans the fish and then skillfully makes several cuts on its body to resemble the shape of a carp leaping over the dragon gate. It is then marinated for a while in a special sauce to fully absorb the flavor. When the oil in the pan is hot, the fish is gently slid in and fried until the outer skin is golden and crispy, while the inside is tender and juicy. Finally, it is drizzled with a carefully prepared sweet and sour sauce, which allows the fish and sauce to blend perfectly, creating an irresistible aroma that makes your mouth water."

The abundance of language with distinctly Eastern characteristics posed a significant challenge to the translators brought by the Whitneys.

It was only after Fang Wen translated it orally himself that the Whitneys understood, which also greatly interested them.

Wuhan is a place where people eat fish, and this dish has a good meaning and tastes great, so it's definitely a must-order. Fang Wen tapped his right index finger up and down to make the decision, but he said that the way to eat it should be changed.

"Lord, how about this: we order one dish, and you bring yours. That way, we can smell its name, taste its flavor, and enjoy its aroma. After we finish, we can rinse our mouths and then enjoy the next dish without affecting the taste."

The person in the lobby exclaimed in surprise, "Sir, you are an expert! We will do as you say."

Then, the kitchen served the first dish, a delicacy from Wuhan: Fish Leaping Over the Dragon Gate.

The dish was presented beautifully and tasted excellent.

The Whitneys were very interested in this sweet and sour food.

Finished one dish.

Continue in the lobby.

"Jingchu Elegance: Jade Belt Around the Stove. The jade belt symbolizes wealth and nobility; the stove symbolizes reunion and warmth. This dish uses carefully selected pork belly as the main ingredient, with alternating layers of fat and lean meat. During cooking, the pork belly is first sliced ​​thinly and then marinated in a special sauce to fully absorb its aroma. The marinated slices are then layered and neatly arranged in a special casserole dish, resembling a jade belt, hence the name. The cooking process is crucial. The casserole dish must first be heated over high heat, then simmered over low heat, allowing the pork slices to gradually absorb the broth and become tender and flavorful. When the broth is thick and fragrant, it is ready to be served. At this point, the casserole is steaming, the pork slices are arranged like a jade belt, the broth is rich and the aroma is irresistible, greatly stimulating the appetite."

According to his description, this is a hot pot dish from the Republic of China era, which is quite unique. Whitney had been in China for a while and had gained some understanding of Chinese cuisine, so she gladly chose it.

Immediately afterwards, a Republic-era hot pot was served, made in a tin pot with burning charcoal underneath. The waiter lifted the lid, revealing steaming hot food inside.

(Republic of China era hot pot utensils: tin steamer)
After finishing the two dishes, everyone felt full.

Next, it should have been time to serve tea and snacks.

But Whitney was eager to know the names of the other dishes that the restaurant hadn't yet announced, and the interesting explanations they had.

Even Fang Wen was somewhat interested in this.

So we simply had the lobby staff announce it once.

Yunmengze Pan·Lianhe Fanghu: A vegetarian delicacy made with lotus root and lotus seeds as the main ingredients, combined with other ingredients.

The Yellow Crane Returns with Golden-Winged Jade Butterfly: Taking the Yellow Crane Tower as a starting point, the Golden-Winged Jade Butterfly vividly depicts the color and shape of the dish. The golden wings are dazzling and the jade butterflies are fluttering, making people admire the appearance before tasting the food, which already arouses their longing.

In reality, the main ingredients are tender fish and carefully selected chicken wings, complemented by seasonal vegetables and a secret sauce. The fish is delicate and silky, while the chicken wings are golden and crispy, the two complementing each other perfectly. During cooking, the chicken wings are first marinated to infuse flavor, then coated with a thin layer of golden batter and deep-fried until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, resembling golden wings spreading their wings, gleaming brightly. The fish is sliced, lightly coated with a thin batter, and quickly stir-fried in a pan to maintain its tender and smooth texture, like jade butterflies fluttering in the air.

After ordering five dishes, I said goodbye and left the lobby. The waiter then served me tea and snacks.

Next, the formal dinner began.

While sipping his tea, Fang Wen asked, "Whitney, have you made any progress on your investigation over this period of time?"

In response, Whitney said seriously, “I have. I’ve learned about you from many aspects. In 1932, you were a pilot for China Airlines, during which time you participated in a secret operation, which led you to meet merchants from Northeast China. Subsequently, relying on their financial resources, you established Taishan Airlines. What I find amazing is your later business plan—trading tung oil for airplanes. It’s so interesting. And you even used a leasing method; the owners of the airplanes were the tung oil merchants, and Taishan Airlines was just the lessee. In this way, your company achieved rapid expansion with minimal resources. I think this business operation is textbook material.”

Fang Wen smiled and replied, "This was just an emergency measure. At the time, we wanted to grow quickly, so this was the only way. We could do this when the company was small, but we can't do it now that it's big."

Whitney nodded: "Yes. But you still made a different choice from others. Becoming the number one in China's aviation industry did not stop you. Instead, you chose to fly the Asia-Europe route, becoming the first person to complete a long-haul Asia-Europe land flight, and also used this to develop Asia-Europe international flights. Later, your actions in Europe and your various business operations in the United States made you the most capable businessman I have ever met of your age."

Fang Wen interrupted the other party's praise: "Whitney, these things are of no practical significance to our cooperation. I understand what you need."

Whitney froze, waiting for Fang Wen to continue.

"It's about trust. The huge financial investment, and the impact of national war, all involve considerable uncertainty, which a contract can't guarantee. But I can give you that kind of trust. Have you heard of the Blood Cross received by Trinity Church in New York?"

Unexpectedly, Fang Wen suddenly steered the conversation in a strange direction.

But Whitney was also a devout Christian, and he was equally interested: "I know that our family went to Trinity Church together to see that cross, which is said to be the cross of the Son of Christ during his Passion, and it has the blood of the Son on it."

Fang Wen smiled and said, "The Blood Cross at Trinity Church was sent by me. It was found on a small island in Lake Van in Turkey."

"What? You discovered the Blood Cross? Can you tell me what happened?" Whitney asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

"of course can."

Fang Wen recounted that amazing treasure hunt.

The Whitneys listened with rapt attention.

Finally, Fang Wen took out an amber cross from his pocket and showed it to the couple.

"This was also discovered there. I studied it for a long time and it seems to be more important than the Holy Blood Cross."

The couple looked at the amber cross and had a strange feeling.

It was a strange sense of intimacy, like feeling the Lord's care when you are praying devoutly in a church.

They didn't know why they felt this way, but the Whitneys' eyes were glued to it.

It seems that this amber cross, which has already absorbed all of Fang Wen's faith energy, still possesses a mysterious charm for certain groups of people.

This is precisely why it became Fang Wen's trump card in this negotiation.

"Can I touch it?" Whitney couldn't help but ask.

"Take it." Fang Wen generously handed over the amber cross.

At that moment, Whitney raised her hand, but then pulled it back.

It seems that touching it with one's own hands is a kind of desecration to him.

In the end, he accepted the amber cross.

The moment he held it in his hands, he revealed an indescribable piety, and actually got up and knelt down, holding the cross in his hands and praying.

His wife did the same thing.

This scene greatly surprised Kuang Mingzhu, who whispered to her husband, "What's wrong with them?"

“It must have touched their devout faith.” After a pause, Fang Wen continued to explain to his wife in a low voice, “It’s like someone who has believed in Buddhism all their life suddenly feeling the presence of Buddha in a temple.”

Kuang Mingzhu suddenly realized the value of the amber cross her husband had presented. "So you're using this to gain trust and secure investment?"

Fang Wen nodded: "There is no such thing as trust without reason. If I want to get a large investment, I have to accept some demanding requirements. And this thing might be able to change things."

His attempt was correct.

A rare treasure that has absorbed all its energy may be of immense value to others.

After praying, Whitney reluctantly returned the amber cross.

“Although I have never seen this thing in any documents, it must be a very important treasure. Fang, please sell it to me.”

"Don't rush, let's talk slowly," Fang Wen said with a smile. It seemed the fish had taken the bait, and now it was time to negotiate terms.

(End of this chapter)