Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 467 Television Sets and Guided Weapons, Faith Experiments

A mysterious religious ceremony is still taking place in the film studio.

In this place far from war, elites from all walks of life gathered.

After their material desires were satisfied, they turned to the spiritual realm.

As an outsider, Fang Wen observed everything unfold. As a visitor from a war-torn country, he had more faith in himself.

There is no war here, yet it is just as chaotic. In the eyes of the wealthiest people, money has lost its meaning, and they have chosen faith.

The two treasures that Fang Wen mortgaged, especially the amber cross, became the foundation for the birth of a new sect.

This was something Fang Wen hadn't expected.

What about the four golden Buddha statues? Could they be lost because of their mysterious healing abilities?
With concern, Fang Wen silently observed the entire ceremony.

Everyone emerged from the darkness, bathed in the light emanating from the center, and felt the sacredness within the amber ring.

Although the light is man-made, the sense of sacredness that the ring brings is real.

It was as if this was a baptism from God, making them devout and steadfast.

Then, with reverence, these people kissed the black-robed man's finger ring and left.

After they had all left, Fang Wen stepped out of the darkness.

The man in black robes who was presiding over the ceremony also removed his hood.

It turned out to be Oliver, the one who represented the three conglomerates to authenticate the treasure.

He gestured for the people around him to leave, and once he and Fang Wen were alone in the studio, he smiled and talked to Fang Wen.

"This is an experiment, an experiment about faith and humanity. We've been considering this ever since we obtained your collateral. Did God create faith, or did faith create God?"

At this point, Oliver paused, waiting for Fang Wen's reply.

Is there a God in this world?

Fang Wen didn't know.

He could only sense a strange energy of faith.

Logically speaking, God should be the place of faith, so one should be able to sense the existence of the divine.

Unfortunately, there are still none. Perhaps there are no gods in this world, but they are just products of faith and imagination.

But that's not necessarily true. Fang Wen thought back to the powerful storm he encountered when he first flew across the Atlantic, and the powerful, mysterious force emanating from its center.

That was a place Fang Wen still didn't have the courage to venture into; he had a premonition that it would be extremely dangerous.

Seeing that Fang Wen did not answer him, Oliver continued.

"Regardless of the outcome, our experiment will have an effect. If there is a God, He will come and take the lamb we have prepared for Him. If not, then we can create a God."

Fang Wen looked at Oliver in surprise.

This person and the people behind him were conducting a taboo experiment.

But this kind of thing is not uncommon in the United States, and Fang Wen learned a lot about it from the news in his future memories.

He had no interest in finding out who was behind Oliver's actions and immediately changed the subject to the purpose of his visit.

"I want to take the four-faced golden Buddha back with me, and return it after I've used it. In return, its usage will be restored ahead of schedule."

“No problem, you can take the four-faced golden Buddha with you. But I’d like to know, what did you discover in Greenland?” Oliver asked.

Fang Wen's face turned cold; it seemed the conglomerate had already investigated him.

But to be honest, he still hasn't figured out what the Viking rune ring he found during that Greenland flight is for.

Since they are so interested in all sorts of mysterious treasures, Fang Wen doesn't mind trying to pique their interest; it might come in handy later.

Therefore, he replied indifferently.

"I have plenty of good stuff, but I don't need to tell you."

“Understood. We await your new terms, hoping an even better treasure will appear.” Oliver smiled and turned, pulling a suitcase from the darkness. “The four-faced golden Buddha is inside; you can check if it’s real.”

Fang Wen took the suitcase, and without even opening it, he could feel the energy inside.

Even so, he opened the box, pretended to inspect it, and then shook hands with Oliver.

"I've taken the items. They will be sent to Paris in a month."

After saying that, he picked up his suitcase and turned to leave.

But Oliver stopped him, saying, "Mr. Fang, please wait a moment. I have something else I'd like to discuss with you."

Fang Wen stopped, a hint of impatience in his eyes. He needed to get back to treat his wife and had no interest in lingering here.

“It’s a collaboration; you just need to spend a little time getting to know it,” Oliver added.

Seeing that he said that, Fang Wen calmed down.

Oliver walked to the studio door and brought in a short, curly-haired man.

"This is Dirk Morris from RCA. You two chat."

After saying that, Oliver left on his own.

Morris took out a radio with many stars.

"We disassembled this radio and discovered an internal structure we'd never seen before. What kind of technology is this?"

It was only a matter of time before a competitor came knocking on their door. Fang Wen replied frankly, "Semiconductor technology is a patent unique to Taishan Aviation."

"Have you considered registering a patent in the United States and licensing it to us?" Morris asked.

That's what it was for.

Semiconductor patents definitely need to be registered globally, but not now. What needs to be done now is to keep its theories and processes strictly confidential until after the war.

Fang Wen didn't want the Japanese to use semiconductor technology to expand their military.

Therefore, Fang Wen replied decisively: "This technology will not be licensed to any third party at present."

Dirk Morris persisted: "Aren't you worried that others will copy your technology?"

Fang Wen wasn't worried about this at all.

He used groundbreaking technology, incorporating semiconductor processes from the 1960s and polysilicon processes from the 1990s, and he never even published a single theoretical paper on it.

Those who want to imitate will take many detours without any foundation. Even if they succeed, it's just the beginning. There will be many technological updates that will make them despair.

Fang Wen calmly replied, "Everyone is welcome to imitate this. If anyone succeeds, I will wish him well."

Seeing this, Morris understood that it was impossible to acquire the new technology.

He changed the subject.

"Our company will launch a black and white television this year, which will be the world's first commercially available black and white television. With this, we will defeat the Berlin television factory. But now, your semiconductor technology has made us feel threatened. If you use this technology to produce televisions, you will quickly take over the market we have opened up, which is not what we want to see. Therefore, the company's board of directors sent me here to ask you whether Taishan Airlines will develop in the television industry?"

So that's why; televisions are indeed a huge market.

But now, with the whole world in chaos, Fang Wen really hadn't considered entering the television industry.

He was about to reply when a thought struck him.

He recalled some historical materials about the future of RCA.

For a long time after the war, Radio Corporation of America (RCA) was a leading company in the electronics industry.

It was established in 2019 under the leadership of the US government and jointly formed by General Electric (GE), AT&T and Westinghouse Electric.

He owns NBC, a national broadcasting company that provides radio services to the American public.

It was also a leader in the television industry and entered the computer industry in the 60s.

It can be considered a state-owned enterprise with American characteristics. This type of enterprise concentrates the most cutting-edge technical talent in the United States, which is why it led the development of electronic technology from the 40s to the 60s.

Meanwhile, on their side, after developing the man-portable rocket, they had been thinking about applying rocket technology to aircraft.

High-speed aircraft using rockets require a precise aiming and launching system, as well as a guidance device to ensure the rockets hit their targets accurately.

He envisioned two approaches, both related to television.

The first type is infrared television guidance, which is technically quite difficult, so we won't discuss it for now.

The second type is visible light television guidance, which has a relatively simple structure. It only requires a terminal television screen and a front-end television camera, and can be manually guided to launch during the day by capturing images.

Therefore, Fang Wen prefers to develop visible light television guidance systems.

(Airborne visible light television guidance)

Now that we've encountered an industry leader in television technology, we might be able to utilize RCA's television technology to achieve television guidance functionality.

Thinking of this, Fang Wen smiled.

“Maurice, I have a better suggestion. How about we cooperate to set up a television factory? I can use semiconductor technology to produce better televisions for you, and you can then brand and sell them.”

The conversation took an unexpected turn, leaving Maurice completely bewildered.

He knew there must be a reason: "Mr. Fang, what are your requirements?"

"My requirements are simple. First, I must control the television factory and the technology will not be leaked. Second, the television factory must be located in Asia, and I will decide the location. Third, your company must provide a group of technical experts, especially experts in television camera tube and picture tube technology; this is a must."

After listening to Fang Wen's words, Morris pondered for a moment and replied, "In that case, I can't report it to the higher-ups. If you add another clause guaranteeing that Taishan Airlines will not enter the television industry in any form within ten years, except for the joint venture television drama studio, I think the board of directors will definitely agree."

Ten years? That's too long. Fang Wen felt that with the significant improvement in military equipment, it wouldn't even take eight years to fight the Japanese.

He replied, "At most five years. I guarantee I won't enter the television industry within five years."

Immediately, Morris rushed out to make a long-distance call to report the incident.

Fang Wenze also came out of the photography studio and waited outside.

In contrast to the gloomy horror movie studio inside, the outside was sunny and bright.

Fang Wen found a director's chair and sat down.

Gong Xiuneng couldn't help but ask, "Commander, didn't you finish your business? They won't let you take your things back?"

Even Zhao Jiu thought so: "General Manager, how about I ask the gangsters to come up with a solution?"

Fang Wen smiled and shook his head, patting the suitcase on his right: "I've got the stuff. There's just one more thing to do. I can only wait for this good thing to come to me."

Since the matter was not yet confirmed, he did not elaborate further, and although the two felt confused, they did not ask any further questions.

Time passed little by little.

The film set and studios are now open for work.

Actors dressed in various costumes walked outside the studio, some reciting their lines as they went.

The era of Westerns hasn't arrived yet; nowadays, musicals are the main genre, and actors not only need to act, but also sing and dance.

Since they were waiting anyway, Fang Wen and his two companions strolled around the set and watched the filming process.

An hour later, Maurice jogged back.

He said, panting, "The board of directors held an emergency meeting and approved your proposal. These are the conditions we offered."

Fang Wen took the printer paper from Morris.

The above are the joint venture terms proposed by RCA.

They can provide technicians and equipment, but require Fang Wen to publish a cooperation announcement in an American newspaper under the name of Taishan Airlines, and to promise not to enter the television industry for five years.

In addition, the joint venture shares are split 50/50, with shared capital and equal profits.

These are not issues. What Fang Wen wants is the other party's television camera tube and picture tube technology, while the other party wants the market and profits. Neither will affect the other.

Fang Wen immediately agreed.

He instructed Zhao Jiu to handle the details of the upcoming negotiations and to arrange for the publication of the notice in the newspaper, and to notify the head office by telegram once everything was ready.

Fang Wenze and Gong Xiuneng were able to return directly to the Los Angeles seaplane base. As for absorbing the accumulated faith from the amber cross, he temporarily gave up on it, figuring there would be plenty of opportunities in the future, so he decided to let it store up more energy.

Pan Am Los Angeles seaplane base.

After learning that Fang Wen was allowed to return to the airport, the airport manager informed Fang Wen.

"I can arrange your flight. It will depart at 8 a.m. tomorrow. You will have to stay at the airport and cannot go out."

“No problem. Are there any places to rest at the airport?” Fang Wen asked.

"Yes, I'll arrange it for you."

The supervisor led Fang Wen and Gong Xiuneng to the lounge.

It's a bit messy there; it's a common rest area. If you want to sleep there, you'll need to take out a new mattress and duvet cover from the closet.

If you don't change the bed, the previous guest's scent will remain.

That's a body odor unique to Westerners, which is hard for Easterners to accept.

Even after changing the mattress and duvet cover, Fang Wen could still smell that body odor with his sense of smell.

To ensure he was well-rested for tomorrow's flight, Fang Wen learned the Heart-Clearing Mantra from Gong Xiuneng and gradually fell asleep after repeatedly reciting it.

"Fang Wen, get up. I made you breakfast."

"Dad, get up! Dad is such a lazybones, the sun's already high in the sky and you still won't get up."

Fang Wen opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was his wife's face.

My wife had her hair up and looked a little plumper, but she was still so beautiful.

There was also a little girl next to her, with pigtails, who was very cute.

Fang Wen couldn't help but reach out to touch it, but it disappeared.

When Fang Wen woke up, it turned out to be a dream, but it felt so real.

Is my child a girl?

It doesn't matter, both boys and girls like it.

He couldn't help but yearn for that kind of life.

For his wife, and for an early end to this war of aggression.

He got up, washed up, changed into clean clothes, and then woke up Gong Xiuneng from next door to set off.

The plane flew over the Pacific Ocean for two and a half days before finally landing in Manila.

Upon landing, Fang Wen and Gong Xiuneng, who was carrying a suitcase, boarded a seaplane at the adjacent berth and headed to Yangon.

After a five-day round trip, he finally brought back the four golden Buddha statues.

While receiving an IV drip, the wife faced the four golden Buddhas, and under the influence of invisible energy, all her discomfort vanished.

She opened her eyes and the first thing she said was, "I'm so hungry, I want to eat something."

Fang Wen hurriedly asked Wu Ma to cook, and the house was in a flurry of activity.

Then, Fang Wen brought over a bowl of millet porridge and personally fed it to Kuang Mingzhu.

This time, Kuang Mingzhu ate the entire bowl of millet porridge, but showed no reaction.

Fang Wen finally felt relieved.

(End of this chapter)