Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 646 New Loan Secured, Solomon's Treasury and the Nazi Ancestral Legacy Society

After more than ten hours of flight, Fang Wen piloted his own seaplane across the Atlantic Ocean and arrived over New York.

He made a call over the airport using a radio device.

"This is a commercial aircraft from Taishan Airlines. We have already reported in advance and requested to land."

The ground airport control console responded.

"Please maintain altitude and wait for us to notify you when it is appropriate to land."

This response is different from before. It seems that due to the situation in Europe, the United States has also made changes and imposed certain controls on the flight of aircraft in major cities.

Fang Wen piloted the plane, circling in the air, waiting.

Not long after, a sound came from the radio:

"Verification complete, landing cleared. Please land on runway 2."

"receive."

Fang Wen adjusted the aircraft's position and began landing.

The plane landed on the runway, the rollers under the floats pressed down, and then it taxied smoothly on the runway until it came to a stop.

Airport staff waved small flags to guide the planes to the parking area.

The plane came to a stop, the cabin door opened, and Fang Wen and Gong Xiuneng disembarked from this luxury amphibious aircraft manufactured by Taishan.

Lin Shuiwang greeted him at the airport.

"General Manager, I have contacted the three major conglomerates as you requested. They invited you to the top floor of the Empire State Building for an interesting event, and to discuss the third phase of the loan."

"When?" Fang Wen asked.

"They said that once you arrive, you can go anytime."

"Okay, let's go."

"Go now?" Lin Shuiwang glanced at the briefcases Fang Wen and Gong Xiuneng were carrying. "Or should we go back to the company and rest for a bit first?"

Fang Wen thought for a moment and decided that since he was going to meet the people from the conglomerate to discuss a huge loan, it would be better to change into formal attire.

But going to Taishan International Airport is troublesome; you can change clothes on the plane.

He then returned to the plane and changed into his suit in his lounge.

After changing his clothes, he took Gong Xiuneng and Lin Shuiwang out of the airport and drove Lin Shuiwang's Lincoln sedan towards the Empire State Building.

As the Lincoln drove along Fifth Avenue, Fang Wen glanced out the window while driving.

Although affected by the war in Europe, it remained peaceful on its own, separated by the Atlantic Ocean.

The tram clanged along the asphalt road, while pedestrians in tweed coats hurried along carrying briefcases.

The only thing related to the war was the movie poster on the street corner that advertised "Gone with the Wind".

Below the female lead Scarlett O'Hara are the silhouettes of the two male leads side by side—Rhett Butler and Ashley Wilkes in black top hats.

The poster's bottom is printed in small gilded letters: "An epic spanning war and love," while the right side vertically indicates: "Adult ticket price: 50 cents; Child ticket price: 30 cents."

This story of war and love may be the only way for Americans who are not currently threatened by war to experience the atmosphere of war.

Turning his attention back to the road, Fang Wen focused on driving.

A few minutes later, the outline of the Empire State Building appeared in the distance.

The Art Deco style metal facade gleams coolly in the sunlight.

Gong Xiuneng leaned close to the window, his eyes full of curiosity: "Commander, this building is much taller than our headquarters in Yangon, it must be dozens of stories high, right?"

“102nd floor,” Fang Wen replied.

"Wow, that's so tall!" Gong Xiuneng exclaimed in surprise.

In this era, the ability to construct a hundred-story building can be considered an engineering marvel.

The car stopped at the parking area in front of the Empire State Building, and the doorman, dressed in a navy blue uniform, quickly stepped forward and opened the car door.

The three of them got out of the car and walked into the lobby, which was much warmer than the outside.

The lobby floor is paved with black and white marble, and the walls are engraved with delicate geometric patterns, a typical Art Deco style.

On the left corner, there is an indoor coffee shop with several office workers in shirts standing at the counter, hurrying away with paper cups; on the right, there is a newsstand with various newspapers and magazines, and passersby will take out coins to buy a newspaper and then hurry to the elevator to queue up.

Lin Shuiwang said, "There are many commercial companies in this 100-story building, and they are busy every day."

Looking at these, Fang Wen had a sense of déjà vu in his future memories, recalling a future film and television IP, the Sin City depicted in the Batman comics, which contained similar descriptions.

From this perspective, Vice City in comics is actually just a redrawing of New York in this era by cartoonists.

"General Manager, this way." Lin Shuiwang led the two of them familiarly to the elevator hall, where four elevators with brass shells stood side by side, with the Otis Elevator Company logo engraved on the car doors.

There are three internal elevators with long queues, and another one is for tourists and visitors, where elevator operators need to register.

An elevator operator in a gray uniform was making notes in a register with a pen. When he saw them coming, he looked up and asked, "Gentlemen, which floor are you going to? Some floors are not open to the public."

“The top floor, the observation deck area,” Lin Shuiwang said.

"I'm sorry, the top floor has been closed off by management, and visitors cannot enter." The elevator operator put down his pen.

Lin Shuiwang handed over a gold-embossed business card, saying, "Mr. Davidson of the Morgan Group invited us to meet there."

The elevator operator took the business card, glanced at it, and without even registering the person's identity, said, "Please come in."

After Fang Wen and the other two entered the elevator, he pressed the "102" button, and the car slowly rose.

The elevator wasn't fast, and it would take some time to reach the 100th floor. Fang Wen looked around the elevator and noticed an RCA advertisement on the inner wall with the slogan "Radio Changes the World".

RCA is the American radio company. Taishan Military Industry has also cooperated with this company, exchanging semiconductor application technology for television guidance technology.

He couldn't help but ask, "On which floor is the RCA located?"

Because of the business card, the elevator operator was very cooperative and replied with a smile: "Floors 77-81 belong to RCA. They have a transmission tower installed on the roof of the building to broadcast radio and television signals."

This was a very ordinary matter for Fang Wen; it was just a TV relay station.

But Gong Xiuneng, listening to Lin Shuiwang's translation, was quite surprised. After all, China, suffering greatly from war, had very limited television and even radio broadcasts, let alone television. *Ding*

The elevator stopped on the 102nd floor, and the elevator operator said, "The three guests have arrived."

Immediately afterwards, Fang Wen and the other two left the elevator.

The three people were standing on an open-air platform enclosed by glass.

Ahead, there were many people dressed in white robes, seemingly engaged in some activity.

A man in white robes saw Fang Wen and his group, informed their leader, and then strode over.

From afar, she opened her arms wide: "Fang, I see you again."

Fang Wen knew him; the man was called Steve, the president of the Holy Light Gospel Church.

It is a new church created using the special power of the amber cross and the four-faced golden Buddha.

Fang Wen also purchased a lot of mechanical equipment that was very useful to Taishan Military Industry through him, thus laying the foundation for Taishan Military Industry.

Therefore, Fang Wen smiled and extended his hand.

Steve wanted to give Fang Wen a warm hug, but seeing this, he could only lower his arms and shake hands with Fang Wen.

“Fang, please come with me. I have a lot to say and some interesting ideas I’d like to discuss with you.” He glanced at Lin Shuiwang and Gong Xiuneng. “I think it would be best if the two of us spoke alone.”

Fang Wen nodded, "Then I'll trouble your people to entertain them."

Steve clapped his hands, and two girls in white robes walked over and led Lin Shuiwang and Gong Xiuneng away.

Now only Steve and Fang Wen are left.

Steve suddenly became a different person.

"Fang, apart from the people in the conglomerate, you know me best. Or rather, you are the one who understands mystery better, and I have only stolen your mystery."

Fang Wen's heart skipped a beat, but he pretended to be surprised: "You're wrong. I can't control the two secret treasures. All I can do is charge them in some special way."

Steve smiled: "Your explanation is meaningless to me. I need these two treasures, and you can keep them working, so you are the most important person to me. Therefore, I have asked the consortium to let me execute your third loan. This loan does not need to test the profitability of your project, as long as you can meet one of my requirements."

No wonder the negotiations were arranged here; their demands are probably not so simple.

Fang Wen's expression was serious: "What are your requirements?"

Steve's smile faded. "I know that besides being a successful businessman and a legendary pilot, you are also an explorer. Your amazing adventures have brought you hidden treasures. Now, I would like to invite you to participate in a treasure hunt to find something very important for our church."

Treasure hunting?

Fang Wen couldn't help but ponder.

At this stage, during the full-scale outbreak of World War II, Japan was about to invade Southeast Asia, and Germany was about to send troops to France. Taishan Military Industry was preparing for the mass production of guided weapons.

Would I waste my precious time by participating in the treasure hunt?

On the other hand, if there are hidden treasures in the treasure trove, he also needs new hidden treasures to replenish his energy. If he can obtain a large amount of energy, he feels that his superpower should be able to be upgraded.

Therefore, we need to figure out the details of the treasure hunt proposed by the other party. If it can be done and there is a possibility of high returns, it is not impossible.

Thinking of this, Fang Wen asked, "You go first."

Do you know Solomon?

Therefore, Fang Wen actually knew about Western civilization and religious legends regarding the treasure hunt at Lake Van.

He replied, "I know a little. Solomon was a king in ancient mythology."

Upon hearing Fang Wen's answer, Steve's eyes lit up slightly, and he beckoned Fang Wen to follow him to the west side of the observation deck.

The glass curtain wall there faces the Hudson River, and sunlight shines through the glass, casting long, thin patches of light on the ground.

He pulled a yellowed parchment scroll from the inner pocket of his white robe. When unfolded, the edges were worn, and a crooked map was drawn on it in dark red ink.

“It’s not just mythology.” Steve’s voice was low as he pointed his finger at the cross mark in the center of the map. “In the book ‘The Glory of the King,’ written specifically for him, it is recorded that Menelik, the son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, not only took the Ark of the Covenant but also hid a ‘Son of Light’—a vessel said to be cast from the bronze pillars of Solomon’s Temple, capable of absorbing moonlight and transforming it into ‘holy energy.’ I believe it is something like the amber cross and the golden Buddha in your hand, both ‘treasures that carry mystical secrets.’”

Fang Wen remained calm, simply staring at the map: "Where is this?"

Seeing Fang Wen's interest, Steve quickly explained, "I've been searching for the Ark of the Covenant. As far as I know, the Amhara tribe near Lake Tana still holds a 'Light-Seeking Ceremony.' Their priests say that the 'Child of Light' is hidden in an underwater stone temple, and only the 'one who can awaken the secret treasure' can open it. Fang, you can make the cross and the golden Buddha work, which means you are the 'Awakener'—that's why I'm looking for you. And the treasure map I have is the location of the Child of Light's treasure left by their priests."

"Approximately where is it located?"

“Near the ancient city of Aksum in Ethiopia, according to the ‘Glory of the King,’ after the Queen of Sheba married King Solomon, her son Menelik I smuggled the Ark of the Covenant, a Jewish holy relic, to this place and established the Aksumite dynasty,” Steve replied.

There is a definite location. If there really is a secret treasure there, Fang Wen can use his supernatural abilities to detect it from high altitude.

That's feasible.

In response, Fang Wen stated his conditions.

"If I agree to help you find the treasure, the timeframe cannot exceed one month. And regardless of whether we succeed or not, you must give me a discount on the loan."

Steve, as if he had been prepared, took out a document from another pocket, stamped with the seals of three consortia: "Third loan of $3000 million, fifty percent more than the original amount. I think this is what you want most."

This was indeed the condition Fang Wen wanted most. He took the document, glanced at it, and after confirming it was true, discussed the treasure hunt: "What's the situation in Ethiopia now? I remember Italy attacked them before."

“In 1936, Italy occupied Addis Ababa, but the area around Lake Tana was still Amhara territory. They hated the Italians and didn’t trust Europeans.” Steve drew a circle on the map with his finger. “But we’ve already made arrangements with the local chieftains to go there as an archaeological team to help them find traces of lost civilizations.”

At this point, he leaned closer to Fang Wen and lowered his voice even further, "I received news that the German 'Ancestral Heritage Society' is also looking for this thing; they want to use it to study the 'powerful Aryan bloodline'."

Fang Wen had learned about the Ancestral Heritage Society from intelligence reports.

It was not some civilian organization; it was founded in 1935 by SS chief Heinrich Himmler. The organization recruited more than 4000 members, including archaeologists, biologists, and astrologers, and claimed to "reclaim the sacred heritage of the Aryan ancestors."

This mysterious organization, combining scientific madness with a desire to create Nazi super-soldiers and 'war medicine', is conducting research.

It seems that this treasure hunt will be much more difficult than before.

Fang Wen agreed anyway.

Now that he has secured 3000 million yuan in new funding, his first priority is to spend the money as quickly as possible and convert it into various materials and equipment needed by Taishan Military Industry.

Therefore, he directly signed the supplementary agreement, and then, with the promissory notes he received, began a large-scale procurement in the United States.

(End of this chapter)