Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 560 Parachuting into Incheon, Japanese Spies Assassinate Fang Wen, Trapping Him Like a Turtle in a Jar

The plane flew into the airspace over western North Korea, with Incheon just below.

Fang Wen's mechanical senses pierced through the darkness and he saw the situation below.

On the other side of the port, all the ships were Japanese. The cargo boxes covered with tarpaulins contained rice plundered from the Korean Peninsula and ore mined from the mines in Northeast China. Some of these supplies were to be transported to Japan, while others were unloaded here to supply the military factories.

About 7 kilometers east of the port is the Fuping Arsenal.

Even late at night, workers are forced to work inside the sprawling factory buildings.

There are tens of thousands of laborers here, all of whom were captured from all over Korea and are producing various military supplies for the Japanese army.

Turning his gaze back, Fang Wen continued piloting the plane across Incheon, heading southeast.

A few minutes later, the plane arrived at Gwanaksan.

The mountainous area below, though not high, is sparsely populated due to its continuous range of peaks.

Fang Wen's understanding of this place was limited to a map, so he naturally couldn't rashly order the three paratroopers to jump.

He needed to choose a suitable location and fly at low altitude to help the three people land more smoothly.

After some searching, he found his target.

It is a mountain valley in the southern part of Guanyue Mountain, and there are no people living nearby.

The airflow here is also stable and will not affect the skydiving.

It is here.

Fang Wen said, "I will lower the altitude to 800 meters. When you hear my command to jump, jump out of the hatch immediately. You will then land in the valley south of Guanyue Mountain."

Upon hearing Fang Wen's order, the three immediately lined up by the cabin door.

Gong Xiuneng fastened the parachute buckles for the three people, carefully checked that everything was in order, walked to the cabin door, grabbed the door switch with his right hand, and waited.

The plane circled in the air, straightened its position, and then descended.

As the plane descended, it flew close to the main peak of Gwanaksan Mountain and arrived over the southern mountain valley.

At this moment, the altitude dropped to 800 meters, and Fang Wen ordered: "Open the hatch, jump."

Gong Xiuneng opened the hatch switch, and a strong wind rushed in. The three of them put on goggles and jumped out one by one.

Three dark figures fell from the sky, and moments later, their parachutes opened, pulling them back and turning their fall into a gentle descent.

After a descent from 800 meters high with no strong winds, they landed quickly on the ground and immediately communicated with each other using whistles.

After determining each other's positions, the three took out flashlights and flashed them at the switch in the air.

The landing crew below used flashlights to indicate that the landing was safe, so Fang Wen did not linger and immediately piloted the plane back to base.

As he flew over Incheon, he made a point of looking at the military factory area in Bucheon.

The area is very large. Without markings, even if the modified Taishan-1 bomber came with a large number of aerial bombs, it might not be able to hit its target.

This is similar to the bombing of poison gas research institutes in Northeast China in the past, where people and equipment were needed to locate them.

The three people who landed safely were expected to infiltrate the Bucheon military industrial area to find guidance.

Shaking off his thoughts, he piloted the plane back the way it came.

At 3 a.m., the plane flew back to Fuping and landed at the seaport.

After the plane came to a stop, Fang Wen disembarked.

Bai Yunfei, who was waiting at the airport, asked with concern, "Did the operation go smoothly?"

"The three of them have landed safely, and they will probably send you a message after they are settled in."

"As long as they land safely, I will send you a message as soon as they have completed the mapping and positioning."

"Okay, then I'll head back today."

"Leaving today, without even a day of rest?"

"It's alright. There are still many things in the south that I need to oversee. Time is tight, and we can't afford to delay."

"OK then."

Immediately afterwards, Fang Wen and Gong Xiuneng refueled the plane, took some steamed buns prepared by Bai Yunfei, and boarded the plane again for takeoff.

Before dawn, the plane did not take the Yunnan-Guizhou-Sichuan route, but flew directly to Xiangxi Airport.

After a brief stop at Xiangxi Airport, the plane took off again, passing through Guiyang and Kunming, before arriving at its base in northern Myanmar.

It was already noon.

Even Fang Wen felt tired and went straight to his residence at the base to sleep and replenish his energy.

Fang Wen woke up after four hours of sleep.

He glanced at his watch; it was already 4 p.m.

Feeling a bit hungry, I got up and prepared to eat at the cafeteria before going to work at the research institute.

He didn't wake Gong Xiuneng. After all, they were already at the base in northern Myanmar, and there was no need for Gong Xiuneng to follow him around all the time. It was better to let Gong Xiuneng, who hadn't slept for 24 hours, get some rest.

Then, he walked out of the room alone.

The base was still bustling at four in the afternoon.

Two passing mechanics, carrying blueprints, hurriedly bowed and said, "General Manager, you're back."

"Okay, I'll go to the factory tomorrow."

After Fang Wen finished speaking, he continued walking, receiving greetings from passersby along the way.

He responded to each question and finally arrived at the research institute's cafeteria.

The research institute's cafeteria has not officially opened yet, but the staff are already preparing.

Steaming hot food was arranged on a tray, and a large bucket of soup was also brought out.

Looking at the dishes, Fang Wen suddenly felt a surge of appetite: "Get me a serving first."

He took out the large food box his wife had prepared.

"Alright, General Manager. What dishes would you like?" The head chef in the cafeteria eagerly picked up a spoon.

Fang Wen ordered a few dishes that looked pretty good, along with rice, and sat down at his table in the cafeteria to eat.

The staff in the cafeteria couldn't help but smile when they saw the general manager enjoying his meal.

Among these people was Ah Quan's wife. She gave a strange look, turned around and went into the kitchen, hiding a boning knife in her sleeve.

He then came out, picked up a mop and pretended to mop the floor, and approached Fang Wen.

The cafeteria staff hesitated, wanting to stop them, but afraid of disturbing the general manager's meal, so no one dared to speak.

And so, the woman gradually moved closer to Fang Wen.

Fang Wen ate his meal in large mouthfuls. From sending the North Korean international soldiers to Incheon last night until now, he had only eaten two steamed buns. He was really hungry.

When you're hungry, food tastes incredibly delicious.

But as I was eating, I suddenly felt a vibration coming from inside my pocket.

Fang Wen stopped abruptly.

This is a warning from the bronze tripod, indicating that it is in a dangerous situation.

Why would an alert appear in your own cafeteria?
Fang Wen didn't rush to think too much; he focused his mind and tensed his muscles.

There was no one in front of or to the left or right.

Could it be behind us?

As the vibrations from the bronze cauldron intensified, Fang Wen's hair stood on end. Behind him, the woman mopping the floor, who had been slowly approaching, suddenly dropped her mop when she was about 3 meters away, drew her boning knife, and charged at Fang Wen from behind.

At such a distance, it looked like he was about to stab Fang Wen in the back.

Unexpectedly, Fang Wen, who was sitting down, suddenly picked up the bench he was sitting on and swept it across the room.

The bench, carrying the wind, smashed the knife out of the attacker's hand and sent him flying several meters away.

This scene was so sudden that it left the cafeteria staff stunned.

A sharp-eyed person noticed the knife that the woman had smashed in her hand and immediately understood.

"She wanted to kill the general manager!"

Immediately, a group of cafeteria staff rushed over and tied up the woman who had already fainted.

Fang Wen then stepped back and kept his distance from these people.

He couldn't be sure if any of these people were accomplices of the assassin. Even though the warning from the bronze cauldron had disappeared, it was still best to be cautious.

Subsequently, the research institute's security personnel rushed into the canteen, protected Fang Wen, and notified the base's security manager.

The base's original security chief was William, but the current chief is Shen Weitao, the head of the internal investigation department.

Upon hearing that the general manager had almost been assassinated at the base, Shen Weitao rushed over in a panic.

When he led his men into the cafeteria, Fang Wen was standing inside the protective circle formed by security personnel.

"General Manager, are you alright?" Shen Weitao asked, wiping his sweat.

"It's alright. Check this person's identity."

"Yes."

The woman's identity was quickly ascertained, and Shen Weitao reported: "She is A-Quan's wife. A-Quan is a cleaner in the cafeteria. A few days ago, A-Quan contracted a strange illness and was unable to work, so his wife took over his duties."

Substitute work is something that is not allowed by regulations.

Fang Wen's expression turned cold: "Who gave her permission to do the work?"

Shen Weitao had someone bring the cafeteria manager over.

The supervisor looked flustered: "I was just being sympathetic. She said that Quan was sick and couldn't work, and she was worried that it would affect his future, so she asked me to take his place and clean the cafeteria. At first, I didn't agree, but later Quan and his wife came to me, and I agreed."

"Did you take their things?" Shen Weitao asked coldly.

The supervisor hesitated, wanting to speak but not daring to deny it.

It's obvious that it was accepted.

Fang Wen ignored his actions and instead walked towards the bound woman.

The woman's right hand was bleeding, and she was unconscious.

She has an unrecognizable Eastern face and, according to the staff, speaks fluent Hebei dialect.

However, there are still some issues to investigate.

First, her skin was better than that of rural women who farmed in this era. In addition, she had calluses on the base of her thumbs, which were formed from frequent gripping of the handle. Farm women would not have this feature; only people who frequently handled guns would have it.

"Go check on A-Quan. See how he is now," Fang Wen ordered in a low voice.

Shen Weitao immediately sent someone to the residential area to find A-Quan.

After a while, the person returned.

This brings bad news.

"Report, Quan is dead, right there in his bed."

Fang Wen's face turned cold: "If A-Quan still had value, he wouldn't have died. He was alive to provide cover for them. Now that he's dead, Shen Weitao, why do you think that is?"

Shen Weitao followed Fang Wen's train of thought, cold sweat beading on his forehead: "Because... her mission has already begun." He paused, lowering his voice even further, "A-Quan's survival was a decoy for her infiltrating the base. Now that she's made her move, that decoy is useless. Keeping him alive might backfire if we manage to extract anything from him. Therefore, A-Quan must die the moment she takes action."

Fang Wen nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the unconscious woman on the ground: "But I think the target of this mission might not be me. She just happened to find me eating alone in the cafeteria without any bodyguards, and decided to assassinate me on a whim. Her real purpose is probably something else."

Shen Weitao was stunned: "If her target isn't you, then what is it?"

After thinking for a moment, he suddenly realized: "The Taishan Research Institute, they want to target the research institute."

"Yes, if I'm not mistaken, the research institute has probably already started preparing to take action."

After Fang Wen finished speaking, he was about to personally lead the team to the research institute.

Shen Weitao quickly stopped him: "General Manager, you can't go. Let me take some people with me. Your safety is more important to the entire group; it cannot be compromised."

Fang Wen has supernatural abilities and has the resources to go on the risk, but Shen Weitao's words also struck a chord with him. He is the pillar of support at Taishan Airlines and is indeed not suitable for such a risk.

He then instructed Shen Weitao to lead the group there, while he waited in the cafeteria.

Taishan Research Institute.

A full-scale search was launched.

Everyone must be checked, and every place must be inspected.

Apart from key areas like the general manager's office, the archives, and the monitoring room, all other areas were inspected by security personnel.

Under such intensive searching, a discovery was finally made: there was a dug hole under the wall behind the research institute, covered with turf, which would be impossible to find without careful inspection.

Clearly, the enemy planned to use this tunnel to infiltrate and steal the research institute's data.

Inside the research institute's canteen.

Shen Weitao returned and explained the situation.

"General Manager, we've found it. There's a hole in the back, but they haven't started operations yet. They'll probably start tonight."

Fang Wen looked at the unconscious woman: "Now one of them is in my hands, I don't know if they will make any further moves."

At this moment, Gong Xiuneng, who was late, arrived at the canteen.

He looked guilty: "General Manager, I'm so sorry. You were attacked the moment I wasn't by your side."

Fang Wen laughed and said, "I'm fine, aren't I? Here's a task for you: wake her up and find out where her accomplices are."

Gong Xiuneng's principle was not to lay a hand on women.

But this time, he broke his rule.

Under his influence, the woman woke up in pain and screamed in agony.

Then, in a fit of rage, he cursed in Japanese.

Gong Xiuneng increased the intensity with a cold, menacing manner, until the other party finally couldn't take it anymore.

"I said, 'I'm responsible for providing inside information; I won't participate in the operation. After they make their move tonight, they'll leave immediately. I'll use Ah Quan's death to create an opportunity to leave during the funeral.'"
So that's how it is. In that case, the Japanese spies will still come to the research institute tonight to make their move.

Looks like we can catch them like turtles in a jar tonight.

Shen Weitao then began making arrangements.

Late at night.

On the building opposite the Taishan Research Institute, Fang Wen observed through the equipment.

The research institute seemed the same as usual tonight, empty except for the guards on duty and patrolling.

However, a large number of security personnel were hidden inside.

Time passed little by little.

The grass under the wall behind the research building shifted, revealing a hole in the ground. Several men in black crawled through the hole.

They quietly approached the back of the research building, and made a point of observing the patrol team's position to ensure that the patrol team would not go around to the back of the research building during this time. Then they began to throw out their grappling hooks to hook onto the windowsills of the third and second floors, and then climbed up.

(End of this chapter)