Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 45: Telegrams exchanged, business settled, first meeting with the King of Assassins
Because the armistice agreement was still under negotiation, even though the fighting had stopped, he still couldn't return to Shanghai.

China Airlines is still in a state of suspension.

Fang Wen took advantage of this free time to do his own thing.

Write a letter to Instructor Liu at the airline.

Send a telegram to Yue Jinping.

We are still waiting for a reply from the Northeast Army.

At the same time, he also worked with Howard to inspect the Potez 25.

The fuselage was opened, and Howard crawled inside to inspect it.

"It's too dark, Fang, give me 'Flashlight'."

Flashlight is the English word for flashlight in this era. It is called that because the flashlight's performance is not very good and can only provide light for a short time.

Fang Wen rummaged through the toolbox and took out a fist-sized, gourd-shaped piece of sheet metal.

This is an early flashlight. It has a snap button on it. Pressing it down will make the bulb at the front emit light, but it doesn't last long.

Howard took the flashlight and shone it on the belly of the machine, releasing the latch every few seconds and pressing it back down.

Under the illumination of the light source, he inspected the interior of the aircraft.

"French military aircraft look a bit rough around the edges, and I don't understand how they can generate such strong power."

"Fang, I only know that the engine is leaking oil, but I can't find the problem. Why don't you come and do it?"

Howard crouched down and handed the flashlight to Fang Wen.

Fang Wen stood up, crawled his upper body into the belly of the machine, and looked around by the light of his flashlight.

The Potez 25's internal structure looks very complex, with a large engine pipeline densely packed.

To be honest, Fang Wen couldn't tell anything even with the engine off.

He exited from under the fuselage.

Is the engine still usable?

"It can be used, but it will shut down shortly after starting."

"Give it some gas and try starting it."

After Fang Wen finished speaking, he climbed up the boarding stairs to the front driver's seat.

After a while, Howard called out from below, "Okay. Give it a try."

Fang Wen started the engine and simultaneously entered a state of mechanical perception.

Immediately, I sensed what was happening inside the plane.

The engine was vibrating violently, and then it actually stalled.

Through his perception, Fang Wen realized the problem.

The cause was likely the modifications made during the last bombing.

The mechanics, who were unfamiliar with the aircraft at the time, modified the bomb rack, bomb release linkage, and machine gun firing mechanism.

These modifications altered some of the aircraft's internal mechanical operating structures.

A connecting rod, during its movement, damaged a nearby fuel line.

A ruptured fuel line caused a fuel delivery problem, which caused the piston engine to stall shortly after starting.

In addition, piston engines have other problems due to the aging of the equipment.

For example: minor malfunctions of the fuel pump that do not affect engine operation, a clogged fuel filter that needs cleaning, worn spark plugs and ignition coils, poor sealing of valves and valve seats, and wear on components such as pistons, cylinders, and crankshafts.

These problems combined have led to the current situation of the Potez 25.

No wonder the pilot gave up on taking the train back; the situation was too complicated, and mechanics would usually consider the aircraft dead.

After identifying the problem with the aircraft, Fang Wen felt it could be repaired, since he had piloted the plane to complete bombing missions and its overall performance was fine.

The question is, what price will the other party offer?
In the afternoon, Fang Shouxin rushed back from outside.

He went directly to the Potez 25 parked in the open at the airport and reported, "Young master, I went to the telegraph office and received a reply from the north."

Fang Wen quickly crawled out from under the engine, ignoring the oil on his hands, and took the telegram.

It says.

Give me a price.

These simple four words represent the opportunity to buy a Potez 25.

But business has to be done carefully; you can't let the other party think there's a huge profit to be made.

He thought for a moment and wrote a few lines.

"This military aircraft is already scrapped. It weighs 3000 jin (1,500 catties) and will be recycled at scrap metal prices." Fang Shouxin looked at the words on the paper and couldn't help but ask, "Young Master, will this work?"

"I don't know either. Anyway, they can't take it back, so let's try to lower the price first," Fang Wen replied.

The telegram was sent.

The next day, the other party called back, and Fang Shouxin retrieved the telegram from the telegraph office.

The telegram stated this.

[3000 yen, no bargaining. Call me back if interested, otherwise don't bother.]

3000 yuan?
Although it was much more expensive than scrap metal, it was still far below Fang Wen's bottom line, so it could be said that he got a great deal.

However, his 8000 silver dollars were stored in a safe deposit box at Citibank Shanghai, and he couldn't get them back in a short time.

Can only think of another way.

He dialed the number in Shanghai again.

"Manager Liu, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

Avenue Joffre in the French Concession of Shanghai.

Manager Liu was reporting on the situation on the second floor of the townhouse, and sitting opposite him were the heads of several wealthy merchants from Northeast China.

"Sir, these are the plans that Commissioner Fang mentioned. He also said he wants to borrow three thousand silver dollars in his personal capacity."

The heads of the families exchanged glances.

Let's discuss it.

"If he wants to borrow money, no problem. As an air combat hero, I'm not worried that he won't pay it back."

"Borrowing money is no problem, but investing is another story; there are risks involved."

"We've been in business for many years and we all know that doing business can't just be about stability. Risks are unavoidable; it's all about making the right trade-offs."

"Yes, coming to Shanghai from Beiping was a mistake. It's too late to back out now. Like lambs entering a tiger's den, we'll become prey for tigers and wolves sooner or later. Our wealth is being eyed by all sorts of people, and we'll have to hand it over sooner or later. But if we hand it over to those scoundrels, our families will be wiped out. We might as well take a gamble."

"We can gamble, but we need to send someone to his side to understand the situation before we can make a decision. This person has to be someone we can all trust."

The heads of the families looked at Manager Liu. He had worked diligently and conscientiously for decades and was a trustworthy person in the Zhao family. That was why the families approved of his appointment to the Northeast.

"Old Liu, you've worked with Fang Wen before, so you're acquaintances. He contacted us through you, so we'll have to trouble you this time," the Zhao family head said kindly.

Manager Liu leaned on his cane, his heart growing cold, but outwardly he nodded in response: "Sir, I have difficulty walking by myself, so let Sun Debiao accompany me."

Seeing that Manager Liu had agreed, the family heads were immediately relieved and showered him with praise.

He then summoned Sun Debiao.

When Sun Debiao heard about sending Manager Liu out of the city to Nanjing, he found it hard to believe, but he didn't say anything on the surface. He just secretly glanced at Manager Liu, and a different emotion was revealed in their eye contact.

Nanjing Airport.

Fang Wen instructed Fang Shouxin to reply: "I agree to your price of 3000 silver dollars. How shall we proceed? Can we have a written agreement as proof?"

After sending the telegram, Fang Shouxin waited at the telegraph office.

In the afternoon, the other party actually called back.

Arrive at Nanjing Airport tomorrow; all payment and goods settled; military seal, certificate, and receipt all complete.

Thus, the transaction agreement was reached, and all that was left was to wait for the other party to arrive.

Meanwhile, Fang Wen wanted to call Manager Liu to ask if he could borrow money. If not, he would have to borrow money from his colleagues at China Airlines, or even from Yue Jinping and others.

Unexpectedly, a black sedan pulled up outside the airport in the evening.

Several people got out of the car, including Manager Liu and Sun Debiao.

They asked the airport guards to inform Fang Wen, and then waited outside.

Upon hearing the guard's words, Fang Wen arrived at the main gate in surprise.

Looking at Manager Liu, who was leaning on his cane, he asked, "Manager Liu, why did you come by yourself?"

Shopkeeper Liu smiled and said, "It's been a long time. Of course, I came to see the heroes. By the way, this is Wang Yaqiao from the Axe Gang. It's all thanks to him that I was able to get out."

Fang Wen looked over and saw that the man had short hair, wore a long shirt, and small round glasses. He looked quite refined, but he was the leader of the Axe Gang, a gang in Shanghai.

Fang Wen clasped his hands in a respectful greeting: "I've heard so much about you."

The other party returned the greeting with clasped hands: "Mr. Fang, I have long admired you. It is my great honor to meet you today. I hope we can meet again in Shanghai someday. Farewell."

People from the martial arts world are straightforward and decisive; after meeting Fang Wen, they left immediately.

After watching the car leave, Fang Wen led Manager Liu and Sun Debiao into the airport.

(End of this chapter)