Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 385 The New Director of the 383 Aircraft Manufacturing Plant, Flight over the Qinling Mountains, Master Gong Xiuneng's Enlightenment
Taishan Airlines' senior management held a Chinese New Year gathering and stayed overnight in Yangon to attend the local Spring Festival gala.

The party was Fang Wen's idea, to give these employees overseas a lively Spring Festival. It didn't have to be fancy, but rather about participation and happiness.

Therefore, the entire party was prepared by the employees themselves, and the programs were quite diverse.

After all, Yangon is home to university students from prestigious universities, high school students from various regions, firecracker workers from Liuyang, and a group of ordinary workers recruited later.

Their performances included both highbrow music like violin and accordion pieces and modern songs, as well as popular folk songs and traditional operas.

It can be said to be enjoyed by both the refined and the common people; everyone performed with great enthusiasm, and the audience had a great time.

Halfway through the party, Fang Wen and Bai Zeshan quietly left.

The two strolled on the test tarmac of the aircraft manufacturing plant.

Bai Zeshan introduced, "General Manager, the one who performed the violin solo is the one I have my eye on. His name is Lin Yifei, courtesy name Yunyang. He is from Jiangxi, and the Lin family is a prominent family in the area. His grandfather once served as the Daotai of Southern Jiangxi, but he got into Tsinghua University on his own merit. In addition, he is very studious in his work and has strong organizational skills. The manufacturing team he leads has ranked first in efficiency in the factory many times."

Fang Wen replied, "I remember him. He was among the first batch of university graduate engineers trained by the aircraft manufacturing plant, and he participated in several major projects at the plant. Let's call him out."

Bai Zeshan turned and ran into the temporary tent where the party was being held to call people.

Gong Xiuneng walked over from a distance and stood beside Fang Wen to protect him.

"Gong Xiuneng, it's almost Chinese New Year, aren't you going to wish your master a Happy New Year?"

Gong Xiuneng said helplessly, "It's too far. There are only two days left until the New Year. I don't have time to go."

Fang Wen knew how to care for his subordinates; he took care of every employee in the company, so how could he neglect his personal bodyguard? He continued, "How old is your master?"

“He’s 80 now.” Gong Xiuneng’s eyes revealed a sense of longing. “I have no parents and have been with my master since I was a child. I haven’t seen him for a while, and I miss him terribly.”

Fang Wen understood this feeling. The master and disciple depended on each other for survival, and the kindness of raising them was greater than that of family. This feeling was especially vulnerable during the Spring Festival reunion.

He said, "Once I'm done with things here, I'll take you back and bring him to Wuhan for a lively Spring Festival."

Gong Xiu nodded vigorously.

At this moment, Bai Zeshan walked over with a young man.

The young man took the initiative to introduce himself: "General Manager, my name is Lin Yifei, and I am the leader of the third engineering team of the Netherworld Project at the Aircraft Manufacturing Plant."

Fang Wen was straightforward.

"After the Lunar New Year, Director Bai will be transferred to another department, and I plan to have you take over his work."

Lin Yifei hesitated, "I'm not very good at management, and I'm afraid I won't do a good job."

"Director Bai didn't know anything about management before either. If you don't know, you can learn. He'll teach you," Fang Wen encouraged.

Bai Zeshan also took the initiative to express that he would do his best to teach, and Lin Yifei accepted the arrangement.

Overnight, Taishan Airlines executives boarded a plane and flew away from Yangon.

After flying back to Wuhan, everyone except those who needed to be on duty was given a day off to go home and prepare for the Chinese New Year.

Fang Wen asked Gong Xiuneng, "Tell me which mountain your Taoist temple is on, and we'll fly there right now."

“There are no rivers in the Qinling Mountains, so we can’t land there,” Gong Xiu said, sounding troubled.

Are there any flat areas on the mountain?

"Yes, there is. The ridge below the Taoist temple is a flat area several hundred feet high, but there will be some rocks. Is that alright?"

“Let’s fly there first, and if we can land, we will,” Fang Wen replied.

Because the landing was on a mountain, Fang Wen chose to pilot the Qingyun aircraft this time.

Although the Qingyun biplane has slightly inferior performance, it is perfectly suited for this flight.

Immediately, Fang Wen drove the retired Qingyun out of the hangar, sat in the front cockpit himself, and Gong Xiuneng sat in the rear cockpit.

Gong Xiuneng then asked, "Commander, there are only two seats. Where should my master sit?"

“There’s a hanging seat in front of you. When you come back, sit on the hanging seat, and your master will sit in your current position. Don’t worry, that’s how I used to sit with Fang Shouxin and Fang Shun,” Fang Wen replied.

After speaking, he activated the mechanical sensors to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the Qingyun.

Although this aircraft is no longer flying, it is regularly maintained and is in good working order with no major problems.

Then, the engine started, accelerating with a roar, and soared into the sky.

Without a protective shield, the Qingyun was extremely cold in the cold wind at high altitude.

Fang Wen called out loudly to the person behind him, "Gong Xiuneng, there are blankets in the compartments under the seats. Take them out and put them on to keep warm."

"I'm not cold, give it to Master." Gong Xiuneng refused. He practiced martial arts regularly and had a strong immune system, so he could endure the cold.

Fang Wen's current physical condition is not afraid of such low temperatures, so he stopped talking and focused on driving.

The plane flew northwest from Wuhan, passing through Xiangyang and Shiyan, and entered Shaanxi Province.

Throughout China, a geographical line divides the country into north and south: the Huai River in the east, the Qinling Mountains in the middle, and the Kunlun Mountains in the west.

It can be said that Fang Wen has now flown to the central region of China.

"Where exactly is your Taoist temple located?" Fang Wen asked loudly.

Gong Xiuneng peered down, where the mountains below were shrouded in mist, a vast expanse of white.

He said with difficulty, "I can't see clearly, how can I explain this?"

"Tell me some place names nearby, including their distances," Fang Wen ordered loudly.

Gong Xiuneng thought for a moment and replied, "There are seventy-two valleys north of the Qinling Mountains. My family's Taoist temple is south of Taigong Valley, and Tongguan County is to the northwest."

That's when Fang Wen remembered it.

The so-called valley is a valley in a continuous mountain range, and it is easier to find because there is a specific county town as a reference.

He flew the plane north and soon arrived at Taigongyu, which Gong Xiuneng had mentioned.

To the west lies Mount Hua, and to the southwest, Mount Zhongnan; these famous mountains are all part of the Qinling Mountains.

Next, we will search for their secluded Taoist temple in the mountains south of Taigongyu.

(Aerial view of the misty Qinling Mountains)
The plane circled in the air, searching for the small Taoist temple through the thin veil of clouds.

This was a very difficult task to complete, but fortunately Fang Wen had mechanical perception.

After activating his superpower, Fang Wen could see the scene below more clearly through the clouds.

He quickly located the Taoist temple, and there was indeed a relatively flat area on the mountainside below the temple.

The length here is acceptable, but it must land in the center position, otherwise the landing gear can easily sink into the dent and cause the fuselage to tilt.

Therefore, Fang Wen went through the process in his mind and only began to land after confirming that he could do it.

"Ready, time to land," he reminded Gong Xiuneng behind him, then flew away into the distance.

The aircraft adjusted its position several kilometers below the landing point and then gradually descended. Surprisingly, the biplane's deceleration during landing was an advantage; with the help of the drag from the wings, the descent was very smooth.

The greatest danger comes the moment the landing gear touches the ground, when the fuselage suddenly dips down and slides forward amidst turbulence.

The plane didn't come to a stop until it had taxied 300 meters.

Fang Wen turned off the engine and said, "Alright, let's get off the plane and go to the Taoist temple to see if your master is home."

"Alright." Gong Xiuneng didn't even bother to retrieve the boarding ladder, jumped directly off the plane, and then ran up the mountain with all his might, leaving behind the words: "Commander, I'll go up first, you can come slowly."

At that moment, Gong Xiu could forget his duties as a bodyguard and only thought about his master.

Fang Wen smiled; this was true to his nature, and he liked that about Gong Xiuneng.

Immediately, Fang Wen took out a rope ladder and threw it out of the cockpit, then climbed off the plane with a gift in his hand.

He carried the gifts and walked slowly up the mountain, gradually disappearing into the mist.

Not long after, a voice came from the mist: "Commander, Master is at home. Master and I have come to pick you up."

Outside a Taoist temple on an unnamed mountain peak on the northern slope of the Qinling Mountains.

Fang Wen met Gong Xiuneng's master.

The old Taoist priest, though eighty years old, had a childlike face, as if time had only left gentle traces on him. His hair was as white as frost, which complemented his simple Taoist robe, exuding an otherworldly air.

His eyes were deep and peaceful, as if they could see through the mundane world and also see into the secrets deep within people's hearts. When he looked at Fang Wen, Fang Wen even felt that his secrets were being seen through by him.

It truly lives up to the saying: "White hair, youthful face, and an air of otherworldly grace."

Fang Wen performed the Taoist etiquette he had learned from Gong Xiuneng with great respect.

"Greetings, Daoist Master."

Gong Xiuneng smiled and said to the old Taoist priest, "Master, this is our Independent Regiment Commander. After I came down the mountain, I joined his troops and fought many tough battles against the Japanese devils. I'll tell you a lot of stories tonight."

The usually composed Gong Xiuneng becomes childlike in front of his master, and even seems a little clingy to the old Taoist priest.

The Taoist priest ignored his disciple and spoke with Fang Wen instead: "I only recently returned to the Taoist temple. When I was traveling around, I heard about the deeds of your Taishan Independent Regiment. It would be best for my disciple to follow you. Please invite the regimental commander to the Taoist temple for a visit."

Fang Wen nodded and followed the old Taoist priest toward the small Taoist temple on the mountaintop.

The Taoist temple, nestled among verdant pines and cypresses, is serene and mysterious.

The wooden plaque above the Taoist temple is inscribed with four ancient seal characters: “Xuanxu Jingyuan”. Time has left mottled marks on its surface, but it still retains its solemnity.

As you push open the door, a faint scent of pine greets you, bringing a sense of tranquility.

The stone slabs inside the temple were swept spotless, each one gleaming and reflecting the faint sunlight. Several ink wash landscape paintings hung on the walls, depicting Taoist landscapes and immortals, with fluid brushstrokes and profound artistic conception.

The most eye-catching feature is the statue enshrined in the center of the main hall. Unlike the common Taoist Three Pure Ones statues, this one depicts a benevolent-faced deity wearing a Taoist robe and holding a long sword, as if guarding the tranquility of this mountain forest. Incense burns continuously in the incense burner in front of the statue, with wisps of smoke rising gently, creating a picturesque scene against the backdrop of the surrounding mountain mist.

All of this gave Fang Wen a feeling he had never experienced before.

It's a kind of detachment from the world, a relaxed, elegant, and peaceful state.

"Please come this way."

The old Taoist priest led Fang Wen into a side room next to the statue, where they sat on low stools facing each other.

Gong Xiuneng then took the initiative to chop firewood, boil water, and make tea.

Seeing that the old Taoist priest remained silent, Fang Wen started to talk to him.

"Master, what does 'Xuanxu Jingyuan' mean?"

He didn't know that this was called discussing the Tao.

The old Taoist stroked his beard and responded with a smile.

"The profound and unfathomable mystery of the Dao is the essence of our Daoist exploration of the fundamental nature of all things. The path of the Dao is solely for the spiritual yearning to understand the subtle and profound mysteries of the universe. Emptiness refers to a state of emptiness and nothingness. Our Daoist school advocates 'governing by non-action' and 'dedicating the principles of heaven and earth with a mind of emptiness and stillness.' Stillness is the key to cultivation, emphasizing inner peace and tranquility, which is an essential element for reaching the state of the Dao. As for the abyss, it refers to the vastness and breadth of knowledge, and the endless depth of cultivation."

Fang Wen seemed to understand these words but not quite, and he took out the gift bag.

"This is a gift your apprentice brought for you. He was in a hurry to see you and forgot to take it, so I brought it for him."

Gong Xiuneng, who was outside the door, had sharp ears and said loudly, "Yes, Master, I brought you good wine, as well as your favorite fragrant meat, and the Four Treasures of the Study that you used to tell me about. I have collected all the Huzhou brushes, Huizhou ink, Xuan paper, and Duan inkstones."

Instantly, the old Taoist priest's otherworldly demeanor vanished, and he happily opened the gift bag, took out the items inside, and carefully examined them one by one.

He kept muttering, "This is my good apprentice. I didn't raise you in vain."

This scene made Fang Wen chuckle to himself.

He continued, "We came here this time to invite you to come down the mountain and spend the Spring Festival in Wuhan with Gong Xiuneng."

The old Taoist priest's hand trembled, and he put the item down, but did not answer.

Fang Wen felt that it was no longer his place to speak.

He knocked on the wooden wall behind him. "Gong Xiuneng, come in and tell your master what's on your mind."

Gong Xiuneng entered the room, while Fang Wenze got up and left.

Even though the person came out, you could still hear the conversation inside.

“Master, you raised me, and you are my only family in this world. Let’s go down the mountain together this Spring Festival.”

“Alas, after cultivating the Tao my whole life, I still can’t overcome the bond of love. I’m so old, and I don’t have much left. Since you came down the mountain, I’ve lost all interest in life. So be it, it’s time to follow your heart. Your master will go down the mountain with you and have a lively New Year.”

"Master."

Fang Wen stopped listening to what was being said inside, walked to the statue, lit three incense sticks, and offered incense to the unknown deity.

The master and his apprentice decided to go down the mountain for the New Year, and there was no need to stay here any longer. So they packed their things and the three of them went down the mountain to the mountainside.

Looking at the plane, the old Taoist priest exclaimed in surprise, "Going to Wuhan in this thing?"

Gong Xiuneng explained to his master, "Of course, otherwise how could we get to Wuhan on New Year's Eve? With this, a distance that would take you a month to walk can be covered in a single day."

An old Taoist priest who had never been on a plane before was dragged onto one by his apprentice.

He sat in the driver's seat in the back, while Gong Xiuneng sat on the overhead seat.

Once the two were seated, Fang Wen started the engine, slowly turned the direction, and then accelerated down the mountainside.

Accelerating 300 meters, the plane glided below the mountainside and then quickly pulled up into the sky.

The old Taoist priest sitting in the back watched as the fog outside gradually dissipated, and then the plane flew into the clouds, revealing the sun half-hidden in the clouds.

At that moment, he saw a greater aspect of nature, and in his amazement, he gained a new understanding of his own path.

He recited aloud: "I have never ridden a boat to the heavens, but when I reached the top of the clouds and saw all things renewed, my Daoist heart was suddenly enlightened, just like 'breaking through the fog to see the blue sky and gaining enlightenment to a new chapter'."

(End of this chapter)