Republic of China: Ace Pilot

The wreckage of the enemy planes scattered down, most of it falling into the Jialing River.

The air raid was nearing its end, and the Japanese aircraft turned around and returned to base.

The National Air Force's Il-16 did not pursue, but instead circled once in the air and returned towards Chengdu.

As the Japanese air raiders departed, the sounds of gunfire from the anti-aircraft positions also ceased.

Surviving soldiers are searching for their comrades buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings. The wounded are being carried out to the streets to lie down and wait for medics to come and provide emergency care. Painful groans are heard everywhere.

Captain Liu walked up to Fang Wen, raised his hand in a standard military salute, and said with admiration, "Mr. Fang, your skill is truly divine! If you hadn't taken over this cannon just now, our position probably wouldn't have been able to achieve such good anti-aircraft results."

Fang Wen stood up and jumped off the gun mount. He looked back at the M1931 anti-aircraft gun, where the muzzle was still covered with lingering gunpowder smoke, and the spent shell casings from 31 shells were piled up next to the gun.

"This cannon isn't something I can operate by myself. Shooting down the enemy plane is everyone's achievement. Captain Liu, we have other matters to attend to, so let's not linger here."

He deliberately downplayed his role, speaking in a calm tone as if shooting down four enemy planes was just a routine operation.

Sun Debiao and Gong Xiuneng were already standing behind him, and two soldiers carrying shells also came over. Although everyone was physically exhausted after this air defense operation, they were very excited.

Captain Liu nodded quickly: "Yes, let's go to Shangqing Temple."

The captain then left two soldiers at the anti-aircraft position to deal with combat inquiries.

He then led Fang Wen and his group to continue downwards.

Looking down from above, the sight of the bombed mountain town was shocking.

Everywhere there were collapsed houses, some still burning.

People emerged from the air-raid shelters; some wept and cursed, some searched for relatives and friends, and some helped extinguish the fire.

As they walked along the stone-paved path, Captain Liu, who was leading the way, couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Fang, are you going to see Boss Quan because of things in Yunnan and Burma?"

Fang Wen didn't hide anything and said calmly, "Yes, we want to build a team in Myanmar, but we lack a reliable military order. We need to find him to make connections."

Captain Liu suddenly realized: "So that's what it is! Boss Quan has strong connections, and many people can get things done by asking him for help." He paused, then lowered his voice, "Boss Quan is cautious and doesn't easily get involved in things he's not sure about. You should be prepared."

"Thank you for the reminder." Fang Wen smiled slightly, already having a plan in mind. This trip to Chongqing was a must-win situation. He would take multiple approaches, including pursuing the National Games and the Aviation Commission, and he wouldn't give up on other places either.

The group walked down the slope for about half an hour, and the outline of Xiangguo Temple Wharf gradually became clear.

Following the airstrike, the dock temporarily ceased operations, and several military and police personnel were maintaining order.

Captain Liu stopped and took out a pass from his pocket, handing it to Fang Wen: "Mr. Fang, the dock is just ahead. Not far past the dock is the Shangqing Temple area. There are special checkpoints there to check passes. With this, you can pass smoothly. I have to go back to report on the military situation, so I won't see you off."

Fang Wen took the documents and nodded, saying, "Thank you for your hard work, Captain Liu. Thank you for today's work."

"It's my duty!" Captain Liu saluted, then turned and hurried back to the air defense position.

After a while, the ferry that had been hiding arrived at the dock, and Fang Wen and his group boarded the boat and arrived on the other side of the Jialing River.

This time, Sun Debiao served as our guide.

He pointed to the distance and said, "That's Shangqing Temple. Three years ago, after the Nationalist government moved its capital to Chongqing, this place became a power center in the mountain city. The Kuomintang Military Commission's staff office, important Nationalist government agencies, and residences of high-ranking generals were all located here. I've been here a few times, always by plane from a logistics company."

Fang Wen nodded. In the past two years, the logistics company has set up branches and established logistics warehouses in various key transportation hubs in Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan. The company's business has now covered all aspects of basic people's livelihood.

The company's focus on logistics and its status as an American company prevented those in the Nationalist government from taking action against it.

It is not uncommon for logistics companies to transport goods for free, and seaplanes are frequently requisitioned for logistics purposes.

After showing their passes at the checkpoint, Fang Wen and his two companions entered.

The buildings in this area are mostly small brick houses and brick-and-wood courtyard houses, which contrast sharply with the bamboo-reinforced earthen houses in ordinary residential areas.

Some courtyards were planted with wintersweet, banyan trees and other plants, which gave them a touch of elegance even during wartime.

The people coming and going in the neighborhood were mostly military and government officials wearing Zhongshan suits and military uniforms.

Fang Wen and his two companions, however, seemed somewhat out of place.

Fang Wen, in particular, was stained with the blood of dead soldiers from sitting on the anti-aircraft gun mount and firing.

Therefore, after walking only 100 meters, they were stopped again by patrolling military police.

"Stop, what do you do?"

Sun Debiao said with a big smile, "We are a logistics company."

Upon hearing that it was a logistics company, the military and police became more lenient, since the logistics company's planes frequently came here to load and unload cargo.

"Why can't I see your plane?"

"Isn't the Japanese bombing us? They wouldn't dare come over. We're here to meet with Quan Yuncai, the big boss, to discuss some things."

"Let me see your passes."

After taking the pass and looking at it, the military police smiled and said, "I'll take you there."

The group arrived at No. 192 Shangqing Temple, where Sun Debiao knocked on the door.

The courtyard gate opened, and the person inside asked, "Who is it?"

"Fang Wen from Taishan Airlines has come to reminisce as invited," Fang Wen replied.

The door opened immediately, and an elderly man in a long robe greeted him with a smile: "Master is home, Mr. Fang, please come in."

After Fang Wen and his group went inside, the military police left.

Quan Yuncai's home was not large, just a two-story building. Fang Wen sat in the living room waiting, while Sun Debiao and Gong Xiuneng sat on the stone benches in the outer courtyard to rest.

After a while, the National Games athletes, wearing silk gowns, came out.

"Brother Fang Wen, I've missed you terribly since we parted yesterday, but I never expected you to actually come."

Fang Wen stood up and smiled, "I wouldn't come here without a reason. I've come to ask you for a favor."

"Please sit down." Quan Yuncai and Fang Wen sat down, and then the butler served them tea.

A maid brought in hot tea, placed it on the tea table next to their seats, and left.

The housekeeper also closed the wooden door, leaving only Fang Wen and Quan Yuncai in the living room.

Fang Wen explained the situation.

After listening to Fang Wen's words, Quan Yuncai replied, "Brother Fang, I can help you with this. As usual, you have to exchange shares of the water-based regional aviation in Yunnan and Guizhou. I will be the nominal major shareholder, so that I can explain to the boss."

Fang Wen pondered this matter.

Taishan Airlines is responsible for operating the seaplane passenger transport business between Yunnan and Guizhou and also holds shares, but not many; the majority of the shares are held by local military and political executives.

Compared to the previous domestic feeder shipping companies, these shares were significantly less valuable. He understood that this was Quan Yuncai's way of helping him; after all, he was a front man and couldn't help for nothing.

Thinking of this, Fang Wen clasped his hands in thanks and said, "Thank you, Brother Quan. I appreciate your kindness."

Quan Yuncai laughed and said, "I will always remember what you did in Nanjing. If I didn't help you with this, I would be unworthy of being a Nanjing native. By the way, I have prepared a family dinner. You must eat before you leave."

“Okay, my stomach is growling,” Fang Wen replied.

Immediately afterwards, he and Quan Yuncai got up, called Sun Debiao and Gong Xiuneng to go to the dining hall for a meal.

Amidst the clinking of glasses, Quan Yuncai asked, "Brother Fang, I know you quite well. You never fight a battle you're not confident of winning, and you always handle things meticulously. You must have a backup plan for this, right?"

Fang Wen was stunned, but he didn't expect that Quan Yuncai had guessed correctly.

The four major families and three major factions controlled the central power of the Nationalist government.

The three major factions are: CC, Political Science, and Whampoa.

The Aviation Commission and the National Games followed the path of Whampoa Military Academy and CC, and naturally, the Department of Political Science could not be left out.

The Department of Political Science has had a good working relationship with Taishan Airlines on the Yunnan-Burma Road transport over the past two years. If Fang Wen asks them for help, they should be willing to give him face.

He nodded: "Brother Quan, you're right. I still need to go to the Ministry of Economic Affairs."

"Ministry of Economic Affairs?" Quan Yuncai suddenly understood and gave a thumbs up: "Brother, you're amazing. Look, it's a long way to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, I'll get you a car."

"Thank you." Fang Wen raised his glass in a toast.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Nationalist Government was located in the Sichuan Salt Bank Building on Xinhua Road, YZ District, Chongqing. This area is currently Chongqing's financial district, and there are several other bank buildings nearby.

(The site of the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Nationalist Government at that time, now the location of the Chongqing Hotel)

The car stopped by the roadside, the driver waited inside, and Fang Wen and his two companions went into the building.

This nine-story building had just been bombed by the Japanese army, but the external damage was not serious; only some steel bars were exposed at the broken parts.

No wonder the Ministry of Economic Affairs chose this location; it's really sturdy.

As they entered the gate, the guard inside asked, "Who are you looking for?"

Before Fang Wen and the others could answer, a man in a suit with slicked-back hair strode over and said, "They are honored guests. I will take them upstairs."

The guards immediately shut up and moved aside.

Fang Wen shook hands with the man: "It's been a year since we parted ways in Yangon. How have you been?"

The man sighed, "We're bombed every day, so things can't be any better. Let's go upstairs."

Then, Fang Wen followed him into the elevator and went up to the 5th floor.

That's where the Agricultural Bureau's offices are located.

Fang Wen explained the situation to the man and the director of the Agricultural Bureau.

Upon hearing this, the Agricultural Bureau knew it couldn't make a decision, so the director didn't dare to delay and immediately picked up the phone on the table and dialed the special line of the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

On the phone, he spoke rapidly, reporting Fang Wen's identity and purpose, his tone full of caution.

Shortly after, the director hung up the phone, a smile spreading across his face: "Mr. Fang, Vice Minister Zhou from the ministry requests your presence on the eighth floor."

Fang Wen nodded and followed the man in the suit into the elevator.

The elevator slowly ascended to the eighth floor.

The corridor on the eighth floor was covered with a scarlet carpet, and gold-plated nameplates hung above the office doors on both sides. A faint smell of ink and cigars wafted in the air.

Vice Minister Zhou's office occupied the best location on the entire floor, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the surging waters of the Jialing River and the bomb-ravaged urban area on the opposite bank.

Vice Minister Zhou, who was about fifty years old, was wearing a smart Zhongshan suit and had his hair neatly combed. He was standing in front of a map looking at the route map of the Burma Road.

When Fang Wen came in, he turned around and looked at Fang Wen. The blood and dust on Fang Wen's body surprised him.

"General Manager Fang, are you injured? Should I arrange for a doctor to come and treat you?"

"I wasn't injured. I came from the Aviation Commission in the morning and was bombed by the Japanese. Luckily, I knew how to operate anti-aircraft guns, so I joined the battle."

"How could the Aviation Commission allow you to participate in the war? It's utterly ridiculous."

Vice Minister Zhou picked up the phone and dialed the Aviation Commission directly, loudly reprimanding them into the receiver. However, his expression then became subtle, and he stopped reprimanding them and listened to what was being said on the other end of the line.

After a while, he hung up the phone and looked at Fang Wen: "You shot down four enemy planes this morning with anti-aircraft guns?!"

"Just luck," Fang Wen replied with a smile.

“You are something else.” Deputy Minister Zhou sighed with emotion, then walked over and sat down to talk with Fang Wen.

"Taishan Airlines' capacity on the Burma Road has been a great help to us."

Fang Wen didn't stand on ceremony and went straight to the point: "Deputy Minister Zhou, the reason I've come here is to ask the Ministry of Economic Affairs to request a military order from the Ministry of Military Affairs, allowing me to recruit soldiers from anti-Japanese armies in various regions to form a force stationed in Burma."

As he spoke, he handed over a pre-prepared plan: "This force can not only guard the gateway to Burma, but also ensure the flank security of the Burma Road. Taishan Aviation can promise that we will be fully responsible for the future logistics and equipment of the force, without requiring the Nationalist government to bear any responsibility."

Vice Minister Zhou took the plan and flipped through a few pages. “The British are asking you to form a new army? That’s certainly a good thing.” He looked up at Fang Wen: “However, transferring troops across regions involves a wide range of issues, and the Ministry of Military Affairs isn’t so easy to deal with.”

“I know,” Fang Wen said calmly. “The Aviation Commission has already agreed to help me. Before coming here, I went to Quan Yuncai’s house. If the Ministry of Economic Affairs can issue an official letter in the name of ‘ensuring wartime foreign aid channels,’ with the cooperation of the three parties, this matter shouldn’t be too difficult.”

Upon hearing Fang Wen's words, Vice Minister Zhou pondered for a moment, then walked to the window and gazed at the smoke of battle outside.

Vice Minister Zhou turned around abruptly. "The Ministry of Economic Affairs can step in. The safety of the Burma Road is crucial to the overall situation of the War of Resistance. We'll help with this!"

He immediately summoned his secretary and dictated an official letter, requesting that the Ministry of Economic Affairs send a letter to the Military Commission and the Ministry of Military Affairs, earnestly requesting that Fang Wen's recruitment request be approved as soon as possible.

Fang Wen's anxiety subsided, and he immediately said, "Thank you, Vice Minister Zhou. When our troops are stationed in Burma, we will ensure that the Burma Road does not encounter any problems."

Vice Minister Zhou waved his hand: "It's all for the sake of resisting Japan. Mr. Fang is a man of action, and I trust you."

Over the next two days, things progressed faster than anyone could have imagined.

The Aviation Commission's report was submitted to the Military Commission. Quan Yuncai, through the Chen family's connections, made a suggestion in the First Office of the General Staff. With the support of an official letter from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Military Affairs, which was usually adept at shirking responsibility, became unusually efficient.

Two days later, Fang Wen had just gotten up when he received a call from Quan Yuncai.

"Brother Fang, it's done!" Quan Yuncai's voice was filled with laughter. "The military order from the Ministry of Military Affairs has been issued to the commanders of all war zones, allowing you to recruit soldiers in various places to form the 'Burma Anti-Japanese Defense Army.' But whether this can be accomplished or not cannot be determined by a single military order. Where do you plan to recruit soldiers?"

Fang Wen held the phone, a smile playing on his lips. Working on three fronts had indeed yielded twice the results with half the effort.

He replied, "I'll go to Changsha first, and leave today." (End of Chapter)