Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 417 The Northern Myanmar Project Begins, Mass Recruiting, and the Huayuankou Dam Breach Incident
After seeing off the chieftain of northern Myanmar, Fang Wen flew directly back to Yangon.

After getting off the plane, Gong Xiuneng couldn't help but ask, "Commander, weren't we going to buy land in northern Myanmar? Why are we back?"

“Land in northern Myanmar is easy to buy, but to ensure there won’t be any problems later, I need to find the British in lower Myanmar, since they control this area now,” Fang Wen explained.

Afterwards, he and Gong Xiuneng returned to the business park and set off in a car.

The car drove to the vicinity of the Irrawaddy River estuary, where there was a military camp, the British naval base in Yangon.

This wasn't Fang Wen's first time here. He used his connections here to rent the Mandalay Royal Palace and to set up a business park on land in Yangon.

The car stopped at the main gate of the military camp. Fang Wen took out a pass and showed it to the guard, who easily let him through. The car stopped at the officers' building on the right side of the camp, and he got out and went to the base commander's office on the second floor.

Knock on the door.

A volatile voice came from the office.

"Damn it, didn't I tell you not to bother me?"

Fang Wen continued knocking on the door and said, "It's me, Fang Wen from Taishan."

Upon hearing this, the cursing inside immediately stopped, and the disheveled colonel opened the door and came out.

I closed the door behind me; there were clearly some things inside that I didn't want to see.

The colonel said gently, "Fang, I like your visits; I always learn something from them."

"It's not convenient to talk here, let's go somewhere else," Fang Wen said.

He and the colonel then went downstairs and strolled in the shady area of ​​the barracks, talking as they walked.

“I am planning to build a new industrial park in northern Myanmar and I need some official written permits.”

The colonel said with difficulty, "I can't do it now."

"Is it because there are no troops stationed in northern Myanmar?"

"No, last year the Indian Government Organization Act came into effect, and Myanmar was separated from India. The government sent a governor to govern Myanmar independently. As soon as the governor took office, he concentrated power in his hands, so I can't do it like I did for you last time with the Yangon Business Park."

Although Myanmar was not affected by the war, internal changes occurred, and Fang Wen continued his conversation with the major.

"Could you take me to the Governor's Mansion to see the Governor?" he asked.

The major looked troubled.

Fang Wen knew his character well; it wasn't that he couldn't do it, but rather that he needed to see if the price was right.

Fang Wen then gestured to Gong Xiuneng, who was standing next to the car.

Gong Xiuneng came over carrying a gift bag, which Fang Wen took and handed directly to the major.

"This is a gift I brought; I'll take it home and use it to make soup."

The major opened the gift bag, which contained dried fish. He picked up a dried fish and weighed it in his hand, but did not notice anything inside the fish.

But beneath the dried fish lay a beautiful layer of pounds, which brought a smile to his face.

"Okay, I'll take you there now."

Immediately, the major drove a military vehicle, Fang Wen sat in it, and Gong Xiuneng drove behind in his car.

The two cars drove into the city and stopped in front of a newly built villa in the southeast of Yangon.

This is a newly built building in the Burmese style, and it is clear that the newly appointed governor hopes to establish friendly relations with the locals through his residence.

However, the actual results were not good.

More than a hundred people were marching in protest outside the Governor's Palace.

The major explained, "They are representatives sent by oil workers from the Yenangyaung oil field. They want to improve their housing, extend their holidays, and demand that the oil field be owned by the Burmese."

Fang Wen didn't say anything. He knew that this was a sign of the awakening of Burmese nationalism, but it would be time before they truly broke free from British control, after the end of the war.

Seeing that Fang Wen did not respond, the colonel stopped talking about the parade, turned the steering wheel, and drove into the governor's mansion.

His car didn't need to be checked, but the one Gong Xiu was driving behind him wouldn't be allowed to pass. There was a parade going on, and the guards wouldn't let unfamiliar vehicles pass easily. So Fang Wen told Gong Xiu to park outside the Governor's Mansion and wait.

Inside the Governor's Mansion, a bustling scene unfolded, especially in the large conference room, where heated debates could be heard.

"Wait a minute, they're discussing how to deal with the protests and strikes."

The colonel took out a cigarette and handed one to Fang Wen. Although he didn't smoke much, Fang Wen accepted the cigarette. The two lit their cigarettes and stood in the aisle waiting.

Time passed slowly.

Fang Wenjing waited quietly for the governor to finish the meeting and come out.

His hearing was excellent; he could hear snippets of what was being said inside.

It seems they are discussing whether or not to use force to suppress the protests.

Some people agree, while others disagree.

The debate mainly focuses on scale; they feel that there are not many people involved now, and the use of force could lead to more popular support for newly emerging local national parties.

This kind of debate is characteristic of the British parliamentary system; it won't reach a conclusion without several rounds of discussion.

Twenty minutes later, the doors opened, and the people who had participated in the meeting came out. The colonel whispered, "That's the governor."

Fang Wen looked over and saw that the governor looked displeased and walked directly toward him without even saying hello.

The colonel quickly took Fang Wen there.

“Governor, I would like to introduce you to a local Yangon businessman, Fang Wen, who owns the airport and aircraft manufacturing plant over at the port.”

The governor stopped and looked at Fang Wen.

“I can see your planes taking off and landing from my balcony every day.”

“We have a long-term supply contract with Pan Am, and the aircraft manufacturer conducts test flights every day,” Fang Wen replied.

“Yangon needs a big businessman like you who can revitalize the city’s economy,” the governor commented, then added, “Come to my office.”

Immediately, Fang Wen and the colonel followed the governor into his governor's office.

Inside the office, the governor asked, "What brings you here?"

“I want to invest in an industrial park in northern Myanmar, but I need government permits.”

"No problem, as long as you pay your taxes on time, I will support you."

The conversation went smoothly, but that wasn't all of Fang Wen's requirements.

He continued, “There is no army or even a local police force in northern Myanmar, and the security situation is poor. My industrial park needs to protect its property and the safety of its employees.”

The governor looked at Fang Wen and said, "We won't send troops there; there's nothing there."

“I know, my idea is to establish our own police station and security team in the area where we buy land to ensure our own safety.”

"I see." The governor neither refused nor agreed.

Fang Wen looked at the colonel.

The colonel understood that once he received the money, he had to do the job.

He whispered in the governor's ear and placed a valuable gift on his desk.

The golden sheen in the gift bag eased the governor's expression, bringing a smile to his face.

“No problem, I’ll sign the order right away, allowing you full autonomy over your own land.”

"Full autonomy" is a specific term that means complete autonomy.

Once the governor signs this decree, it means that Fang Wen can do whatever he wants when purchasing land in northern Myanmar.

He smiled; he had come to the right place this time.

(The former Yangon Governor's Palace is now a hotel)
Fang Wen left with three official decrees bearing the governor's seal and copies kept for filing.

Legally, there is nothing that can stop Fang Wen from developing in northern Myanmar, and he can also maintain an army and police station on his own land.

This was exactly what Fang Wen wanted. He walked out of the Governor's Mansion, glanced at the protesters still outside, and walked straight across the street to meet Gong Xiuneng.

"Commander, is it done?"

"Yes, sending out real money is efficient," Fang Wen said with a smile.

The two got into the car and drove back to the Yangon Industrial Park.

In the industrial park, Fang Wen began to make arrangements for things in northern Myanmar.

He kept pressing the telegraph key to send instructions back home.

Fuping: [Order the 3rd Battalion of the Independent Regiment to send 200 men by seaplane to Wuhan, where they will meet up with the troops heading to northern Burma and depart together.]

Wuhan: [The land purchase in northern Myanmar has been finalized, but a large number of personnel are needed for preliminary construction management and land surveying, tentatively 200. Lu Zexuan will also be coming.]

Xiangxi Airport: [Bai Zeshan has been transferred to northern Myanmar as the general manager of the northern Myanmar industrial park.]

The radio waves reached back home, and actions were being taken everywhere in response to Fang Wen's orders.

Two hundred soldiers from the Independent Regiment of Fuping boarded a seaplane and flew to Wuhan under the cover of night.

At the Wuhan Taishan Airlines headquarters, manpower is also being mobilized.

Due to changes in the shareholding structure of the domestic branch, the branch has changed hands, and the dispatched employees are currently on leave. It's a good opportunity to send them to work in northern Myanmar.

In response, the company convened a special internal mobilization meeting for those employees.

Kuang Mingzhu, Fang Shouxin, and Manager Liu stepped forward together to explain to the employees.

"There are new job opportunities, but it will involve staying abroad for a long time. In addition, those who are willing to go will have to sign a confidentiality agreement and will not be able to contact their families. As compensation, their salary and bonuses will be increased, and their job rank and retirement pension base will also be increased accordingly."

Many of the employees were tempted by the opportunity, and even though they had to sign confidentiality agreements and be unable to contact their families for a period of time, they still eagerly signed up, making the dispatch work go very smoothly.

A week passed, and the 400-person team set off south by seaplane.

The Zheng family's residence is located in the east of Jinghong City.

It is currently being temporarily lent to Fang Wen as the command center for the northern Myanmar project.

Setting up the command center in Jinghong was a last resort.

There's nothing there for now, so we have to start from here.

Zheng Hanlong, with an air of schadenfreude, teased Fang Wen, who was personally hanging up the command post sign.

"You're such a big boss, it's pitiful that you have to do all this yourself. How about I lend you some people?"

"Thank you, my men will be here soon," Fang Wen replied calmly.

"How many have come?"

"The first batch is 400 people, and there will be more later."

Just then, Gong Xiuneng ran in from outside: "Commander, the plane is here."

Fang Wen handed the hammer to the carpenter and strode towards the riverside water airport outside the city.

Zheng Hanlong followed.

Not only the two of them, but also many onlookers flocked out of the city.

Twenty-one seaplanes flew in from the sky.

With so many planes, it's difficult to land them all at once. Therefore, two temporary docks have been added on the Lancang River.

It took more than an hour for all the planes to land.

Subsequently, 15 aircraft took off and returned to their origin, while the other six remained as transport aircraft commonly used in the industrial park in northern Myanmar.

The team of 400 people followed Fang Wen back to the city and temporarily stayed at the East City Project Command Center.

Fang Wenze called a meeting with Bai Zeshan, Lu Zexuan, and William, who were leading the team.

"This time, in developing the industrial park in northern Myanmar, my requirement is to start as soon as possible. Don't be afraid of spending money. We should finish as quickly as possible. We need to race against the war and get the industrial park in northern Myanmar up and running as soon as possible."

The three were bewildered by Fang Wen's words.

How much faster can you build an industrial park in a place where there's nothing?

they do not know.

Bai Zeshan spoke up: "General Manager, with an area of ​​1 mu, even if the land is leveled, a large number of workers will be needed, and our numbers are definitely not enough."

Seeing this, Fang Wen encouraged them, "Don't worry, have you forgotten our refugee reception center on the south bank of the Yellow River? Those refugees need jobs, and I can provide them with jobs here. As soon as the factory is built, we'll start construction immediately, and other infrastructure can be built gradually."

"Refugees? I thought the general manager was going to hire local workers in northern Myanmar. That's good, at least those people will have food to eat. It's just that the cost is too high." Bai Zeshan suddenly realized.

“More money is not a problem. I’ve been thinking about this for a while. Those refugees need a job to support their families. After the industrial park is built, I will continue to employ them as workers in the industrial park. What you need to do now is to quickly start the preliminary work so that the people who come later can start construction immediately.”

Fang Wen's words gave the three of them some clues.

Subsequently, after a one-day stay in Jinghong, the 400 people arrived in northern Myanmar in batches by seaplane.

There, a simple transaction took place, where 10 acres of land were purchased for 1 rupees.

After the deal was agreed, Fang Wen paid a down payment of 3 rupees, and both parties immediately organized personnel to begin surveying the land.

After the land survey was completed, Bai Zeshan was appointed as the supervisor, Lu Zexuan as the deputy, and William as the head of the security force, forming the park's management team. They then began the construction of temporary camps and security patrols.

Meanwhile, a recruitment drive organized by Taishan Aviation was launched on the south bank of the Yellow River.

This recruitment drive was only open to refugees who had fled from the north bank of the Yellow River, causing these refugees, who had left their homes and were destitute, to gather around the recruitment site.

Zhengzhou.

Taishan Airlines recruitment point.

A dense crowd surrounded the entire job recruitment site.

People were shouting urgently.

"Recruit me, recruit me."

"All I need is a bite to eat."

"I'm young and can endure hardship, use me."

"Grandpa, please have mercy. My family fled from the north. Of the five children, only these two are left. Don't underestimate them because of their young age. They have endured hardship since they were young and can do anything."

Fang Wen felt a pang of sorrow in his heart as he listened to the people's cries.

They were dressed in rags and looked hungry; it was clear they had been malnourished for a long time and might not have eaten for several days.

There are many, many people like this; they struggle to survive, let alone work.

There are too many refugees; even if kind families give out porridge, it's not enough to go around.

Fang Shouxin and Manager Liu felt the same way.

When Fang Shouxin joined the Boxer Rebellion, he was also a starving peasant.

Manager Liu had been used to hunger since he was a child, having followed others to Northeast China.

Therefore, the two knew how terrifying hunger was.

"General Manager, let's not hire anyone yet. Let them eat something first."

"Yes. If this continues, people will probably starve to death."

Fang Wen nodded, and then Fang Shouxin and Manager Liu began to make arrangements.

Fang Wen, however, stood blankly by the Yellow River, looking at the refugees and recalling a terrifying memory.

It seems that after the Battle of Xuzhou, in order to stop the Japanese army from pursuing the defeated troops, the Kuomintang sent planes to bomb Huayuankou, which caused the Yellow River to burst its banks, displacing hundreds of thousands of people.

(End of this chapter)