Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 517 The British Power Jet Company, Art Dealer Pierre, and the 'Napoleon's Treasure'

The seminar is still ongoing, and the participating researchers are actively discussing the proposal put forward by Fang Wen.

After obtaining Fang Wen's permission, the researcher, who had a heavy smoking habit, lit a cigarette, and the conference room filled with smoke.

The long wooden table was covered with hastily drawn blueprints, and next to it were some theoretical books.

The discussion eventually reached a stalemate, and further arguing would not yield any results.

Jiang Wenjin spoke up: "The turbojet solution proposed by the general manager is highly feasible—using gas to drive a turbine, which in turn drives a fan, is completely different from the 'propeller-pulling' principle of current piston engines. However, for us, this technology is also a process of creating something from scratch. I think too much discussion around theory is not very meaningful; it would be better to try and fail through scientific practice. But doing so would require a lot of manpower, resources, and time, and we might not get the results the general manager wants."

He pointed out a potential problem in engineering technology and scientific research: not every technology can succeed on the first try; most of them require countless verifications and numerous failures and trials before the correct result is obtained.

Is it worthwhile for Taishan Airlines to devote a large amount of human and material resources to jet engines and waste a lot of valuable time?
This is indeed a problem. In peacetime, we can afford to take these risks, but is it really worth it during wartime?
Fang Wen stated with great certainty, "Yes, I have ways to accelerate the research."

His confidence comes not only from his own special abilities, but also from his grasp of the current situation based on his memories of the future.

Therefore, at the Taishan Research Institute, he assembled all the researchers from the rocket research group 1 and 2 and the aero-engine research group into a jet engine project team, and asked them to develop a prototype based on their proposed solutions.

The first prototype should have a simplified structure so that the project team can use it as a template to extend to others.

Therefore, Fang Wen requested that a turbojet engine be manufactured first.

Similar research is currently being conducted on this type of engine in the UK and Germany.

In order to save time in the research process, Fang Wen made a special trip to Europe, intending to spend a lot of money to purchase relevant materials.

Café de Flore, Paris.

Fang Wen sat by the window waiting, while Gong Xiuneng stood guard in the single seat next to him.

Not long after, the information broker Fang Wen was waiting for arrived.

The intelligence broker was very enthusiastic towards Fang Wen, a regular customer he had dealt with many times.

"What kind of information do you need this time? I can give you a 20% discount."

“I would like information from Britain and Germany on research into turbine aircraft engines,” Fang Wen replied.

The intelligence broker's expression changed: "Sorry, I can't get this kind of intelligence. I only have non-core technical information."

Non-core technical information is just a descriptive term, such as a technical briefing.

"Sure, I need it now. Can you get it for me?"

"Okay, 3000 francs, cash only, give me half first."

Fang Wen nodded, glanced at Gong Xiuneng sitting alone next to him, and said, "Give him 1500 francs."

Gong Xiuneng took out banknotes from his satchel and handed them to the information broker.

After putting away the money, the information broker left, while Fang Wen leisurely waited with a cup of coffee.

Half an hour later, the information broker returned and placed a stack of documents in front of Fang Wen.

He did not ask for the remaining half of the money, but waited for Fang Wen to verify it.

Fang Wen picked up the documents, slowly opened them, and began to look through them.

The first document concerns British jet engines.

Three years ago (1935), patent holder Whittle received joint investment from British bankers and established a company called "Power Jet Limited" to test the turbojet engine invented by Whittle. Last April, his single-rotor turbojet engine successfully ran for the first time.

This year, the British military saw the military applications of this new technology and prepared to improve Whittle's invention for use in two-seat fighter jets. However, the prototype department found during the prototype process that using this engine in fighter jets was extremely dangerous and difficult to operate, so the plan was shelved.

The second document was from Germany.

Two years ago, Junkers also began secretly developing jet engines.

At the time, Herbert, the company's fuselage development director, felt that the engine department was too cautious and conservative, so he formed his own engine R&D team, leading 30 designers to carry out related work.

Junkers' jet engine underwent its first test in June of last year.

Although the tests have yielded some results, the engine is still unable to operate under its own power.

Later, Junkers encountered some difficulties during the research and development process, and the research team was disbanded, leaving only two jet engine engineers.

So the company decided to start from scratch and design a jet engine that was as simple and easy to manufacture as possible, even at the cost of sacrificing some performance.

After reviewing the two documents, Fang Wen was lost in thought.

Junkers is currently under Nazi control and militarized management, making it virtually impossible for us to obtain technical information from them.

The British, on the other hand, seem to have a chance.

Could we purchase the patented technology from Whittle?

Fang Wen lacks the technological source. As long as he has the initial technology, he is confident that he can make a better turbine engine by relying on his superpower.

By acquiring patented technology, most of the research and development time can be saved.

Thinking of this, he looked at Gong Xiuneng and said, "Give him the rest of the money."

Gong Xiuneng then handed over another 1500 francs to the intelligence dealer.

After they finished taking inventory, Fang Wen asked, "Do you have the address of Power Jet Co., Ltd."

"This is provided free of charge." The information broker took out a notebook, wrote down the address, tore off a page, and handed it to Fang Wen.

After putting away the paper, Fang Wen got up and left with Gong Xiuneng, getting into the branch company's car and returning home.

After driving back to the Paris branch, Fang Wen got out of the car and immediately asked Lin Baoluo, "Are there any flights to London today?"

“The last flight has already taken off,” Lin Baolu replied.

"Is there any other way? I remember there was a mail plane that flew directly to London."

“That plane flies every three days and can only depart tomorrow. If the general manager wants to go to London today, I have an idea. There is a private jet converted from a DC-3 at the Paris airport. Its owner is Pierre Dupont, and it can land directly in London.”

Pierre Dupont, whom Fang Wen had heard of before, was a well-known art investor in Paris. He was of noble lineage, orphaned, and inherited his family's perfume and leather goods business. He was a famous single billionaire in Paris.

However, this person became unknown in the future, presumably because he died in the war.

Such incidents were not uncommon after France was occupied.

"Contact him and tell him I want to rent his plane."

“Okay.” Paul Lin went to his office, found the phone number related to Pierre, and dialed it. After several attempts, he finally got in touch with Pierre.

Upon hearing that it was Fang Wen, the other party showed great interest, expressed willingness to rent the plane, and took the initiative to come over for a detailed discussion.

Fang Wen agreed.

Several tens of minutes later, a very distinctive car drove into the company parking lot.

The car body, resembling a work of art, caught Fang Wen's eye.

The man who got out of the car took the initiative to introduce it: "This is made by the German Horch automobile company. It is handcrafted and is my favorite car."

Fang Wen nodded: "Very beautiful. Hello Pierre, I'm Fang Wen."

Pierre looked at Fang Wen with admiration and praised him, "I've heard so much about you. A legendary pilot from the East, the most successful businessman, and a commander in battle. You've fulfilled all my childhood dreams."

"My country is facing a crisis, and this is what every patriot would do. I think if France were invaded by an enemy, you would do the same, wouldn't you?"

Fang Wenyi hinted meaningfully.

"You mean German revenge? Impossible." Pierre laughed and denied it. At this time, although the French were wary of Germany, no one believed that Germany could invade or even occupy France.

Fang Wen didn't continue on that topic, but went straight to the point: "I'd like to rent your plane to London today, is that alright?"

“Of course, I actually wanted to fly this plane myself, but I got scared in the end, so it’s been sitting in the hangar. You’re the best pilot, could you teach me? In exchange, I can let you fly it to London for free,” Pierre asked.

“I’m not sure how much you can learn, but I can teach you,” Fang Wen agreed.

Pierre was a straightforward man; he immediately called back and had his butler come and drive the car away, then took Fang Wen to the airport.

In a private hangar at Paris Airport, a DC-3 private jet sits quietly.

Although it's not used much, the plane is still regularly maintained and looks very new.

Fang Wen, Pierre, Gong Xiuneng, and Pierre's assistant boarded the plane.

Although his own aircraft manufacturing plant used DC-3 blueprints to replicate the Hengshan No. 1 bomber, this was his first time riding in a DC-3 passenger plane.

Fang Wen was very interested in the internal structure of the aircraft and took a closer look.

Throughout the cabin, all the original seats have been removed, leaving only four facing sofa seats.

Behind that, there was a bar counter with lots of drinks and an ice bucket.

Pierre walked to the bar, picked up a bottle of wine, and was about to open it.

Fang Wen said seriously, "I don't drink alcohol while flying. If you want to learn, it's best not to drink either. Driving under the influence is extremely dangerous."

Pierre put down the bottle: "Okay."

He followed Fang Wen into the front cockpit and sat down in the co-pilot's seat.

Fang Wen demonstrated the procedure while explaining it to Pierre:
"Let me explain the basic steps. Before takeoff, after starting the engine, the following checks should be performed: turn off the fuel propulsion pump, turn on the radio control switch, check the temperature gauge, pressure gauge, gyroscope, altimeter, heading instrument, vacuum gauge, etc., turn on the pitot tube heater switch, and confirm that the carburetor switch is off. After confirming that everything is in order, proceed with taxiing preparation: release the brakes."

With Fang Wen explaining and demonstrating, the aircraft drove out of the hangar and taxied onto the runway.

At this point, he locked the brakes again and performed pre-flight checks, including testing the left and right engine magneto ignition systems and the propeller tachometer.

There are also some takeoff techniques involved, such as deciding whether and to what extent to deploy the flaps based on the length of the runway.

Fang Wen explained it simply, and Pierre's eyes gradually lit up.

"It sounds so simple to you, but why do I find it so difficult when I hear the same things from others?"

"Maybe it's just psychological."

After Fang Wen finished speaking, he started the plane, accelerated and taxied for a while, then pulled up and flew into the sky in one smooth motion.

Pierre was a frequent flyer, and he could sense a difference. Fang Wen's plane was incredibly smooth, and he couldn't even feel the pressure increase at takeoff.

"The plane is in your hands, completely under your control. No wonder you're so good at piloting fighter jets."

“Civilian and military aircraft are different. No matter how good the technology is, you will still face the risk of death in air combat, and I am no exception,” Fang Wen replied.

Pierre didn't continue the conversation on that topic, but instead changed to a lighter one: "Fang, what are you planning to do in London?"

Fang Wen was considering whether or not to tell Pierre the purpose of his trip to London.

In fact, he wasn't entirely confident about purchasing the turbojet engine patent in London, since it was a technology favored by the British military, and even if it wasn't practical, it wouldn't be leaked easily.

So I decided to just state my purpose directly.

"I'm planning to buy an engine technology from the UK, it might not be successful, but I still want to give it a try."

"I heard your company is also producing fighter jets; is it using military engine technology?"

"Yes, unlike modern aircraft engines, it's like a rocket, propelling the aircraft forward through powerful compressed airflow," Fang Wen explained simply.

“I think I’ve heard of it. Is it called Power Jet? Someone mentioned it at a financial salon in Paris. But I heard that the bankers who invested in this company weren’t optimistic about it.”

"Oh?" Fang Wen sensed an opportunity and quickly asked, "If its shareholders don't have a positive outlook, is it possible for them to sell their shares, and for me to buy them and become the major shareholder, thereby directly acquiring ownership of the technology?"

This is a loophole; once Fang Wen gains control of the shares, he will have the opportunity to see the technical information of that patent.

As for the future, the British government rejected the share transaction and prohibited the technology from leaving the country. At that time, Fang Wen could have completely given up the share transaction.

In response to Fang Wen's question, Pierre gave a knowing smile: "I understand what you want to do. It is indeed possible to succeed. The process will certainly be interesting. I can help you contact those shareholders, but you need to agree to one condition."

"What are the conditions?" Fang Wen asked.

"There's another reason I came to you: it's because of your identity as an explorer. If you agree to accompany me to a place to find a lost secret, I'll do my best to help you, regardless of whether we succeed or not."

So this was the real reason why Pierre took the initiative to contact Fang Wen.

He was an art investor and knew some of the stories circulating in small circles about Fang Wen.

That was Fang Wen's adventure experience and the treasures he discovered.

It can be said that, in the eyes of top collectors, Fang Wen is a legendary explorer whose adventures are something that top collectors dream of.

Fang Wen did not refuse: "I can consider it, but you have to tell me where to go and what to look for?"

Pierre asked eagerly, "Have you heard of Napoleon's treasure?"

(End of this chapter)