Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 490 Taishan Multifunctional Military Vehicle, Yunnan-Burma Transport Line Opens

End of March 38.

The independent regiment's new soldier training is still underway.

The base in northern Myanmar is fully operational, producing military supplies at a rapid pace.

With the Japanese army capturing Guangzhou, only Guangxi remained on the entire Chinese coast. However, because the sea area was controlled by the Japanese navy, it was difficult to obtain supplies from the outside world.

Even Hong Kong was restricted from maritime transport, turning it into an isolated island.

Unable to obtain supplies from the southeast coast, the Burma Road in the southwest became an important transportation route.

This highway starts from Kunming, Yunnan, and passes through: Pinglang, Chuxiong, Xiangyun, Xiaguan City (now Dali), Baoshan, Longling, Mangshi (Luxi), and Wanding Town.

Then, exiting the border from Wanting, passing through Muse and Hsinwei, you will arrive at Lashio, where you will connect with Myanmar's Central Railway. From there, you will travel by rail through cities such as Mandalay and finally reach Yangon Port.

Supplies could also be transported by water, just as Fang Wen did when he established the base in northern Myanmar.

Alternatively, a faster method could be used: direct air freight.

Air transport now has a new option: using Taishan's seaplanes for transport, which is more convenient and practical than organizing an air transport fleet.

After all, Taishan Airlines has been vigorously developing civilian seaplane routes in China, with a fleet of over a hundred seaplanes and more than a hundred pilots. As long as Taishan Airlines is willing to cooperate, the Southwest Goods Transportation Line can be realized ahead of schedule.

Therefore, the Nationalist government, which was suffering from the loss of its coastline and lack of supplies, sent special personnel to the base in northern Myanmar.

Northern Myanmar base.

Fang Wen is researching the motorization of the military.

In his mind, how could an independent regiment, which represented the advanced military technology of this era, be inferior to other armies in terms of army?

After all, the 200th Division, which was expanded from the National Army's armored corps this year, is also undergoing motorization.

This was the only motorized unit in the Chinese army during the War of Resistance against Japan.

It has one motorized infantry regiment under its command, equipped with more than 200 Soviet ZIS-5 and ZIS-6 trucks, giving it a certain motorized transport and combat capability.

Fang Wen's idea was that it definitely had to be better than theirs.

And it is more mobile.

The ZIS-5, a bulky troop carrier, was not Fang Wen's choice.

With his V-engine technology, he could easily produce better troop carriers on his own.

What kind of troop carrier?
Having memories of the future, the first thing that came to mind was the future famous Lynx multi-terrain vehicle.

That will be the standard equipment for domestic infantry in the future. It has a compact design, simple structure, but excellent performance and is suitable for various combat environments.

However, Fang Wen cannot achieve the technological advancements required for the future.

Therefore, he combined the Willys MB military off-road vehicle (the predecessor of Hummer) that would not appear for another two years, and prepared to design Taishan's own military vehicle model.

With his mechanical senses, he has a thorough understanding of the internal structure of all vehicles, making design a natural and easy task.

After several days of deliberation, he drew up the blueprints for the Taishan military vehicle.

It includes two models: a command version and a troop transport version.

The command vehicle has two seats, six wheels, and a rear cargo box, which houses radio communication equipment and serves as a mobile command vehicle.

This multi-functional, universally applicable vehicle has six seats and six wheels, serving as a troop transport vehicle and wartime relocation vehicle. It can also be used for reconnaissance and combat first aid. When equipped with a machine gun, it becomes a fire reconnaissance vehicle; when equipped with a radio, it becomes a reconnaissance and communications vehicle; and when equipped with a stretcher, it becomes an ambulance.

(Command type)

(Multi-functional universal version)

After sketching out the two models, Fang Wen considered what kind of powertrain to equip them with.

The improved Shiro aircraft engine has 1000 horsepower, but of course it's unusable; a car equipped with this thing could fly.

Therefore, the power source must be suitable for the car.

In fact, less than 100 horsepower is sufficient.

The maximum speed is 110 kilometers per hour, and the maximum range is 500 kilometers.

It also needs to be six-wheel drive to enhance its ability to cope with complex terrain.

The design is not particularly difficult; the main challenge is to create a low-power V-type engine and a six-wheel drive system.

Therefore, Fang Wen and engine engineers from Europe began designing and manufacturing a new type of car engine.

Fang Wen, who was capable of modifying aircraft engines, made a modification design for a car engine in just two days.

Next, the engineers need to build the first prototype according to the blueprints.

Fang Wen also joined in, participating in the interesting mechanical creation.

During the manufacturing process of the new engine, Secretary Zhao Junping came over.

"General Manager, a few outsiders have arrived at the base. They say they are from Chongqing and request to see you."

Fang Wen didn't even look up, carefully measuring the bearing.

After the measurement was completed, he stood up and asked.

"Someone from Chongqing? Which department are they from?"

“They said it was from the Executive Yuan, and that it was something very important,” Zhao Junping replied.

Fang Wen pondered in his heart.

Now the Nationalist government has retreated repeatedly and has lost its supply lines along the southeast coast.

Moreover, the most economically and industrially developed regions were all occupied by the Japanese.

They now only have the Yunnan-Burma Road in the southwest as their supply line.

And the reason they sought me out was probably for this very reason.

Fang Wen had even considered that he wanted to leverage the capacity of Taishan Airlines.

In response, Fang Wen instructed Zhao Junping to take a group to the administrative office building to hear what they had to say.

After washing up, Fang Wen changed into clean clothes and went to the base's administrative office building.

Head directly to the conference room on the second floor.

There were five people waiting there.

After Fang Wen went in, he got straight to the point.

"looking for me?"

A middle-aged man in a Zhongshan suit stood up and said with a smile, "I am Fu Mingxu from the Executive Yuan. These gentlemen are also colleagues from the Executive Yuan. We have been ordered by the Premier of the Executive Yuan to come and discuss aviation cooperation matters."

Gong Xiu, who was protecting Fang Wen from behind, sneered: "You have the nerve to talk about cooperation? Haven't you ripped us off once enough?"

He rarely acts so impulsively; he simply couldn't stand it.

Fang Wen raised his hand, and Gong Xiuneng immediately shut up.

However, one of the five people on the other side was indignant.

The man's face darkened, and he abruptly stood up, shouting, "That's a misconception! With the nation in peril, how can we tolerate personal grudges? The southeastern coast is now entirely in enemy hands, and millions of our compatriots are suffering terribly. The Yunnan-Burma transport route is the lifeline of China! If we jeopardize the nation's survival because of personal grievances, wouldn't you all become traitors to the nation?"

He deliberately straightened the Kuomintang badge on his chest, his voice suddenly rising: "General Manager Fang, your company's seaplane fleet can transport up to 100 tons per day. If half of that capacity could be allocated to support the National Government, it could provide the front lines with thousands of boxes of medicine and tens of thousands of pieces of weaponry every month—this is a national salvation plan! Chiang Kai-shek often said, 'In the War of Resistance, there is no front or rear.' Are Taishan Airlines going to sit idly by and watch our soldiers sacrifice themselves in vain due to lack of ammunition and medicine?" Another person seized the opportunity to hand over a gold-embossed official document, his tone both soft and firm: "The Executive Yuan has specially approved a 'Patriotic Transportation' license. Anyone involved in transporting supplies will not only be exempt from all taxes but will also receive preferential treatment for international publicity. If General Manager Fang prioritizes the overall situation, the Party and the State will certainly not mistreat a meritorious official..."

Team leader Fu Mingxu suddenly choked up, his eyes reddening, and said, "Yesterday, Chongqing was bombed, and the orphanage collapsed... If those American first-aid kits had arrived half a month earlier, how could this have happened..." He deliberately took off his glasses, pretending to wipe his eyes, "Mr. Fang, you also have a family! Don't you have any compassion at all?"

Fang Wen could have remained indifferent to these people's performances, where they sang and responded in unison.

But team leader Fu Mingxu mentioned Fang Wen's family, which reminded him of his own unborn child.

He wasn't moved; instead, he felt even more disgusted, disgusted that this person would try to use his emotions as a bargaining chip.

“I, Fang Wen, have a clear conscience about what I have done over the years, and I have no need for you to criticize me. You say I have no compassion? Then come with me for a walk.”

After saying that, Fang Wen turned and went out. The five people, not understanding why, followed him out.

The group walked along the road at the base in northern Myanmar. It was rush hour, and groups of workers poured out of the factory area.

When they saw Fang Wen, they all took the initiative to greet him.

Fang Wen smiled in response, and after the group left, he said, "I rescued all these people. Without me, they would still be in enemy-occupied territory. You say I have no compassion? Then what is this? And you, you suffered defeat after defeat, leaving behind a mess. The Yellow River breached its banks, flooding the homes of millions, and the fire in Changsha left the entire city homeless. Where has your compassion gone?"

Fu Mingxu was speechless, and the others were also speechless.

Fang Wen wasn't finished speaking.

"I once trusted you. When Nanjing needed planes, you provided them, paying only a token rental fee. Those 30 planes flew for over a month, carrying the wealth of high-ranking officials and nobles. I personally witnessed a wealthy woman with her entire family of servants and dozens of suitcases occupying a plane. I didn't say anything, because the world is inherently unfair and cannot be changed because of me. But what happened later? While I was fighting on the front lines, with everyone working hard, you tried to seize my assets and made things difficult for me at every turn. Where was your compassion for me?"

Seeing another group of workers coming home from get off work, Fu Mingxu quickly said, "General Manager Fang, it's not convenient to talk here. I understand how you feel. Why don't we go back and talk?"

He was afraid the workers would hear this and become enraged, so he beat the five of them severely.

Fang Wen hadn't thought of doing that, and then led the five people back to the conference room on the second floor of the office building.

after come back.

Fu Mingxu quickly said, "General Manager Fang, as long as you agree, those 30 planes can be returned at any time."

Fang Wen had lost interest in the 30 planes that were detained in Chongqing. Without replacement and repair parts, few of these planes would be able to fly. Even if they were brought back, they would need to undergo a full overhaul.

However, he had to participate in the Yunnan-Burma transport route, as this vital transportation artery was extremely important.

He was straightforward.

“I can agree to participate in the transport of supplies, but not for you, but for the civilians who need supplies and the troops who are fighting for the country. But I have conditions.”

"Go ahead and ask," Fu Mingxu said with a smile.

Fang Wen was thinking about what conditions he should propose.

Transporting goods can easily involve smuggling and concealment, and can even become a tool for certain high-ranking Kuomintang officials to gain personal benefits.

Therefore, control of flight must be maintained by oneself.

Therefore, he spoke up:
"My requirements are simple: all transportation involving Taishan Airlines must be led by us, including the loading, registration, review, unloading, and receiving of goods. All of these must be done by our people."

This requirement seems simple, but it is a fundamental solution. If the entire transportation of goods is supervised by Taishan Aviation, the opportunity to profit from it will be eliminated.

The five people from Chongqing had strange expressions and were whispering among themselves.

After a while, Fu Mingxu said with difficulty, "General Manager Fang, I'm afraid I can't agree to this request. I need to report to Chongqing and wait for news from there."

“No problem, let’s wait. Zhao Junping, see the guests out.” Fang Wen replied indifferently.

The five people were sent out of the base without even having a meal.

In response, Gong Xiuneng asked, "Commander, if they don't agree, are we really not going to help transport supplies?"

Fang Wen laughed and said, "If the other party does not agree, Taishan Airlines will still operate this transport route. I have figured out the whole Nationalist government. It's just a makeshift organization. Everyone in it has their own agenda. If one company disagrees, there will be others vying to cooperate with us."

Gong Xiuneng couldn't believe it, but didn't know what to say.

Five members of the Executive Yuan returned to Chongqing.

There has been no further news regarding Taishan Airlines' involvement in the transportation route operations.

But Fang Wen's guess was not wrong.

Several more groups of people arrived afterward, all extending olive branches to him.

Fang Wen did not immediately agree to this; he needed to weigh the options and decide whether to help the other side.

Then, five days later, another one came.

Fang Wen also received him.

Upon arriving at the meeting room, the person immediately identified himself.

"Hello, General Manager Fang. I'm from the newly established Agricultural Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. I've come to see you today regarding air transport."

The Agricultural Development Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs is a department that was only established this year.

As the wartime agricultural economic management center, it was responsible for coordinating grain production, storage, transportation, and rural finance.

Which faction does this department represent?

Fang Wen smiled and spoke with him.

After some discussion, he understood the power behind them: the political science faction.

The power dynamics within the Nationalist government were extremely complex.

It included agents of various warlords such as the Guangxi Clique, Shanxi Clique, Guangdong Clique, Yunnan Clique, Fengtian Clique, and Northwest Army.

There are also three major factions that control the central government: the CC Clique, the Political Science Clique, and the Whampoa Military Academy.

Party affairs were controlled by the CC Clique, finances by the Soong and Kung factions, military affairs by the Whampoa Clique, and administration by the Political Science Clique.

The origins of the Department of Political Science can even be traced back to the beginning of the Republic of China.

At that time, in order to counter Yuan Shikai, Mr. Sun asked all Kuomintang members to focus on military revolution. Among them, a group of moderates established the "European Affairs Research Association" with the aim of learning from European and American experiences and promoting revolution through moderate means.

The core members of the European Affairs Research Association formed the "Political Science Society," also known as the old Political Science Department, and they served the Duan Qirui cabinet.

Later, the Beiyang government collapsed, and members of the Political Science Clique switched allegiance, moving from the Beiyang government to the Nanjing government, which was then renamed the New Political Science Clique.

This group of people were technocrats, very capable in national administration, and were quickly given important positions, thus gaining a foothold in the new government.

Even now, many functions within the Nationalist government in Chongqing are still controlled by the Political Science Clique.

Fang Wen's heart skipped a beat.

Most of the people in the Department of Political Science were intellectuals who had received modern education, came from good families, and had their own principles.

This is why their relationship is loose, and they are constantly suppressed by the other two factions.

Will they agree to their demands?

Thinking of this, Fang Wen asked:
"You should already know my conditions, do you agree?"

“Agreed, and we would also like you to talk to the logistics company and ask them to cooperate with our work,” the man replied.

The Agricultural Development Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Southwest Logistics Company established by Fang Wen are in the same business area, both attempting to expand the material supply capacity in the southwest.

If Taishan Airlines' transportation business were to cooperate with it, it would seem to be better for ordinary people.

Fang Wenxin then discussed the details of the collaboration with him.

(End of this chapter)