Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 42, Leaving Jiaxing, Recruiting Two Trusted Men
"Fifth brother, we can see Japanese planes flying over here. Do you think they might attack?"

The second young master asked about the matter that everyone was most concerned about.

Fang Wen replied, "Probably not. I heard from the military that the consuls of Britain and France are mediating, and the war may end soon."

Upon hearing this explanation, everyone immediately relaxed.

Mr. Fang spoke up, "I heard you sank a warship in the Huangpu River in Shanghai by piloting a plane?"

"Yes, it was a coincidence."

"What coincidence? It's because my fifth brother is exceptionally gifted. I still have the newspaper my friend gave me." The second young master took out a folded newspaper and showed it to Fang Wen. Everyone in the family should have seen this newspaper, and no one had come over to look at it.

Sixth Sister dropped a bombshell: "Sister Yue just told me that Fifth Brother sank the Izumo. That warship was a mainstay of the Japanese Navy, and it was built using the indemnity funds from the Treaty of Shimonoseki paid by the Qing government."

Fang's father knew nothing about military affairs, but he was very clear about the Treaty of Shimonoseki.

"Great fried, Fifth Brother, have a drink with me."

Seeing his father raise the glass, Fang Wen stood up and drank it all in one gulp.

The atmosphere at the family dinner became even more lively.

After everyone finished eating, the table was removed, and benches were set up in the courtyard for a lively chat.

The eldest and second young masters' children were particularly interested in the story of flying planes to fight the Japanese. They squatted down next to Fang Wen and insisted that he describe the story of the aerial battles.

The innocence and liveliness of his young nephews, coupled with a few drinks, made Fang Wen a little more relaxed.

He simply recounted his aerial combat experiences in plain language, speaking vividly as a firsthand witness, captivating the Fang family.

Life in Jiaxing is pleasant and relaxing.

This place has a strong commercial atmosphere, with dozens of restaurants and eateries, making it a relatively affluent area.

These past few days, Fang Wen has been constantly entertaining clients, eating at one restaurant after another.

I'm going because the county government invited me.

I also had to go to the local newspaper interviews, since the editor-in-chief was my second brother's friend.

The boss also promised a banquet, which was set up with dozens of tables.

In addition, there are all sorts of other people, relatives and friends. In this small county town, you know everyone, so it's hard to refuse anyone.

Too many social engagements, I'm sick of eating, I'm tired of eating.

He has experienced all the different flavors of Anhui cuisine.

Fang Wen didn't like the feeling of always having familiar faces when he went out. His goal was a wider world, not this narrow society of personal connections.

It's time to leave.

After spending six days in Jiaxing, Fang Wen said goodbye to his family and prepared to leave.

Mr. Fang nodded: "Come with me, there are some things we need to talk about."

These words made the eldest and second eldest brothers a little nervous, but they didn't dare to stop them.

In the study in the main hall, Fang's father sat facing Fang Wen and said, "You have always had lofty ambitions since you were a child. I know you will not stay in Jiaxing. Be careful when you go out this time, and do not let your reputation drag you down. What heroes in this world fear most is fame."

Fang Wen nodded: "I understand."

Mr. Fang then asked, "Do you want this family?"

This means that as long as Fang Wen agrees, his father will favor Fang Wen in inheriting the family property.

To be honest, Fang Wen didn't think much of it and didn't want to be entangled in a lifetime of family ties because of it.

It would be better to let go completely and let the eldest and second eldest fight it out.

He replied, "No, you can rest assured, I don't need the Fang family's wealth."

Mr. Fang felt somewhat relieved, yet also somewhat disappointed.

"Then I have nothing to give you. Shunzi and his father can go with you."

Shunzi was the young man who recognized Fang Wen on the streets of Jiaxing. He took the surname Fang from his master's family and was called a "house-born son" in ancient times.

His father's surname was also Fang. His wife died a long time ago. He was the manager of Fang's Rice Shop.

In Fang Wen's view, these two were capable people in the Fang family and should be highly valued by Fang's father.

Fang Wen was surprised: "Why?" "The eldest and second eldest brothers can't tolerate them. You said you want to start an airline, but you lack trustworthy people. You can rest assured about the two of them."

“That’s because you trust me. It’s different with me.” Fang Wen refused, because he didn’t want to easily give away his trust due to his transmigrated identity.

"Same as above. Let me tell you a secret."

Mr. Fang rummaged through the study and took out a wooden box.

He opened the wooden box and handed a yellowed piece of paper to Fang Wen.

He said, "This is his background information. I'm handing it over to you. As for how to do it, it's up to you."

Fang Wen took it and examined it.

"I, Huang Zhanwu, am from Hebei. In my youth, I joined the Boxer Rebellion, destroyed railways, and killed foreigners. Later, I fled to Jiaxing, where I was taken in by a Mongolian businessman named Fang and renamed myself Fang Shouxin. I hereby write this pledge to serve the Fang family for the rest of my life and will not go back on my word."

Is this a contract of servitude?!

Fang Wen glanced at his father and put the document away.

"Since they can't stay in the Fang family anymore, I can take them with me, but there's no need to keep them."

"Suit yourself. I'm old and incapable. It's better for them to stay with you than to be bullied here."

Fang's father sadly took out a thread-bound book to read, no longer speaking to Fang Wen; this was a silent farewell.

Fang Wen turned and left, going to his mother's room.

After coming out, he said goodbye to Yue Jinping and the others, and then went to find Manager Fang and Shunzi.

Fangji Rice Shop was as busy as ever. The covered boats on the canal arrived carrying rice and grain. Farmers wearing felt hats negotiated with the rice shop owner, hoping to earn more money.

But this shopkeeper is no longer Fang Shouxin.

Just like any other worker, the father and son sometimes had to help carry sacks of rice in and out.

He worked for the Fang family for over twenty years, and in the end, he ended up like this, which made many people feel sorry for him.

But Fang Shouxin had no complaints.

Until the Third Young Master's car stopped on the side of the road.

"Shunzi, call your dad to come over too," Fang Wen called from inside the car.

"Okay." Shunzi pulled her father over.

"Hello, Third Young Master," Fang Shouxin said calmly.

"Shunzi, wait over there for a moment. Your dad and I have something to discuss."

After Shunzi left, Fang Wen handed the paper to Fang Shouxin.

Looking at the yellowed paper, Fang Shouxin's usually calm expression finally changed.

"Is Master sending me to follow you?"

“His exact words were, ‘You two can’t stay at the rice shop anymore, and he has no choice but to let me take you away. I don’t need this. You can tear it up and pretend it never happened. From now on, you two can follow me. If you don’t want to work here anymore, I won’t stop you.’”

Fang Shouxin remained silent, carefully put away the paper, and called to his son, who was squatting under a tree, "Shunzi, go pack your things, we're going with the Third Young Master."

Shunzi immediately smiled with delight. This was the life he wanted, and he quickly ran back to the rice shop.

The father and son each carried a large bundle on their backs, which was about half a person's height.

You can see what it is.

Patched bedding, pots and pans hanging on it, and some clothes.

It seemed that life wasn't going well, and Fang Wen couldn't help but despise his biological father. For a loyal shopkeeper, this was a bit too stingy.

He asked directly, "My father didn't pay you wages, did he? Why are you using this?"

Shunzi explained, "No, Third Young Master, my father has saved all the money, saying he wants me to find a wife and then buy a piece of land to grow crops."

"We lost everything, so we'll replace it all with new stuff when we get there." At Fang Wen's insistence, the two reluctantly gave a large pile of things to the rice shop's clerk before getting into the car.

The car started and drove towards Nanjing.

When passing through Hangzhou, Yue Jinping had to stop and inquire about the current situation.

(End of this chapter)