Republic of China: Ace Pilot

The night passed.

Since the Ninth War Zone Command had not yet replied, Fang Wen stayed in the guesthouse to wait.

At 7 a.m., I ate the breakfast brought by the orderly.

At 9 a.m., Staff Officer Li from the Ninth War Zone Command finally arrived.

"Mr. Fang, please come with me to the command post. The commander has something to say to you."

With a bit of nervousness, Fang Wen arrived at the command post.

Commander Xue and Deputy Commander Luo were both present.

Commander Xue was very serious. “Fang Wen, we discussed it last night. In principle, we can agree to your recruitment, but you must abide by two rules. First, the situation in various defense zones in Changsha is top secret. You must not tell anyone what you see there. Second, when you go to select soldiers, don’t talk much on the spot, and don’t tell the soldiers about your unit’s benefits.”

Fang Wen understood the meaning behind Commander Xue's two rules.

The first point regarding garrison status is indeed a military secret. The second point, however, is primarily concerned that Fang Wen's promotion of recruitment benefits to rank-and-file soldiers might negatively impact morale.

He nodded: "I will abide by these two rules. Can we go recruit soldiers now?"

Deputy Commander Luo said, "There's another thing I need to clarify. The 10th Army in Changsha is a direct descendant of the Central Army and a main force, so it's not within your recruitment scope. You can go to the 4th Army, 73rd Army, 99th Army, and 54th Army. As for the 27th Group Army and the 30th Group Army, they are too far away and are not included in this recruitment."

The National Army had many unit designations, and Fang Wen didn't know them all, so he directly inquired about the situation of these units.

Commander Xue said, "I'll have Staff Officer Li tell you about that on the way. Staff Officer Li will be in charge of your itinerary for the next few days."

"Thank you for your support, Generals." Fang Wen took his leave and left the command post with Staff Officer Li.

After leaving the command post, Staff Officer Li went to the logistics department and got a jeep. The three of them got in the car, and Staff Officer Li drove.

As the car drove out of the command post, Staff Officer Li introduced the situation of the first unit while driving.

"We are now heading to the Fourth Army, the Guangdong Army, formerly Zhang Fakui's troops. They fought in the Northern Expedition and the Central Plains War in their early years, and later participated in the Battle of Shanghai and the Battle of Wuhan. They are a battle-hardened army. They are currently stationed in the Changsha Garrison, responsible for the security, air defense and perimeter security of the CS city area, and also undertaking the task of providing mobile support for the Xiangbei defense line."

Fang Wen's heart skipped a beat; this unit must be something special.

He recalled that the Fourth Red Army was separated from this force and was also related to the Nanchang Uprising.

Although things have changed and people are no longer the same, the essence remains.

After driving for a while, the car stopped at the command post of the 59th Division of the Fourth Army on the banks of the Xiang River.

Staff Officer Li got out of the car and spoke with Division Commander Zhang of the 59th Division. After a while, Division Commander Zhang came over with a smile on his face: "Our division will definitely obey the orders of the Ministry of Military Affairs and Commander Xue. But our division can only give a maximum of 200 people. Mr. Fang, how do you plan to choose?"

"Can I go and take a look at your division's garrison positions?" Fang Wen asked.

“No problem. Our division is responsible for the fortifications along both banks of the Xiang River, as well as Yuelu Mountain and the high points in the city. The area is somewhat scattered, and if you want to visit everything, you probably can’t do it all in one day,” Commander Zhang replied.

Fang Wen thought that the main purpose of these urban garrison troops was air defense, and their combat-ready forces would be deployed at high points suitable for placing anti-aircraft firepower.

"Then let's go and take a look at the Yuelu Mountain defense zone."

“Sure. Lieutenant Liu, could you take Staff Officer Li and Mr. Fang to our defense zone over at Yuelu Mountain?”

After some negotiation, Fang Wen began the first day of soldier recruitment.

Lieutenant Liu was a young man in his early twenties with tanned skin. He carried a pistol at his waist and walked with a powerful stride.

He led Fang Wen and Staff Officer Li up the mountain path.

Fang Wen stopped when he reached an air defense position.

In the sandbag-built position, a soldier was squatting on the ground, carefully wiping a Ning-made Type 24 79 Maxim heavy machine gun with a rag.

This machine gun was manufactured by the Nanjing Jinling Arsenal, and Huo Duanyang even researched the primer formula for it.

It can be considered one of the best domestically produced heavy infantry weapons in the Republic of China era.

However, the technology was outdated, and a rudimentary water-cooling device was used. When firing a belt of ammunition (250 rounds), the barrel had to be cooled with additional water.

Fang Wen sized up the soldier, who was about thirty years old. His face was etched with several scars of varying depths, and he was missing two fingers on his left hand. Yet, he still deftly disassembled and reassembled machine gun parts, each movement as precise as a textbook.

"Squad Leader Zhang, cleaning your old buddy again?" Lieutenant Liu called out with a laugh.

The old soldier looked up, grinned, revealing two rows of yellowed teeth: "This gun followed me from Shanghai to Wuhan, and then to Changsha. It's closer to me than my wife. If I don't clean it up, how will I beat up the Japanese devils next time?"

Let's start with him.

Fang Wen gestured for Gong Xiuneng to open the backpack he was carrying and take out a glove with a wire attached.

The backpack contains a portable mechanical device with its own power supply and generator, enabling individual soldier communication and telegram transmission.

The gloves with wires are used to activate Fang Wen's special ability.

After Fang Wen put on the gloves, his mechanical perception ability quietly spread out, instantly capturing the veteran's physical condition.

He had a strong frame and powerfully defined muscles. He had an old wound on his left shoulder, a mark left by a bayonet, but it did not affect his movement. Even while talking to his adjutant, he maintained a near-combat readiness.

This is a veteran who has been through countless battles.

"How many battles have you fought?" Fang Wen suddenly asked.

Squad Leader Zhang paused for a moment, then replied, "Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuhan, Nanchang... I can't remember. I'm lucky to be alive."

"Is there anyone else at home?"

“My wife took the baby back to her hometown in Guangdong. She sent a telegram a while ago.” Squad Leader Zhang paused, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes. “Once we drive the Japanese devils away, I’ll go back to be with them.”

People in Guangdong, apart from the Guangzhou Plain, are mostly in mountainous environments and are better able to adapt to the subtropical climate of Myanmar.

Fang Wen nodded, stood up, and wrote it down in his notebook.

He continued walking along the trench, his gaze sweeping over each soldier.

Through his supernatural perception, Fang Wen was able to grasp the physical condition of these soldiers. He silently noted down the soldiers with good physical fitness and then communicated with them.

When Fang Wen reached the anti-aircraft artillery position at the foot of Yuelu Mountain, he stopped again.

On the position, a Soviet-made M1931 anti-aircraft gun was clearly visible, and several gunners were adjusting the parameters around the gun.

Fang Wen had operated this anti-aircraft gun in Chongqing and was watching it with great interest. After observing for a while, he gave up the idea of ​​recruiting these soldiers. Training a qualified special gunner was not easy, and if they were recruited, it would be difficult to fill the vacancy.

Moreover, the new Myanmar army is recruiting soldiers with good physical fitness who can be airdropped into the jungles of South Asia and conduct guerrilla warfare; these special artillerymen are not suitable.

Time passed little by little.

As the sun set, Fang Wencai followed his adjutant Liu back to the 59th Division command post.

Division Commander Zhang was already waiting at the door. Seeing Fang Wen return, he hurriedly went up to him and asked, "Mr. Fang, how was your day? Did you find anyone you liked?"

"There are some, but nothing's decided yet," Fang Wen replied with a smile.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Fang Wen and his party took their leave.

The three got into the car and drove to the command post. Staff Officer Li asked, "Why didn't you just tell Division Commander Zhang the list you selected?"

"I can't say now. After I've made my selections, I'll give the final list to Commander Xue and ask him to help me get the people," Fang Wen replied.

During his years in the Republic of China, he knew very well how to deal with the army. If he were to present the list of selected soldiers to Division Commander Zhang in front of him, Division Commander Zhang would definitely be able to tell that they were all good soldiers in his troops, and there would inevitably be a dispute.

But if the soldiers are transferred in Commander Xue's name, then it's simple. At worst, the Ninth War Zone Command can just give some compensation to the troops below to quell the dissatisfaction of the various units.

Staff Officer Li didn't understand what Fang Wen meant, but he didn't say anything more.

Time passes day by day.

Fang Wen is selecting soldiers in Changsha.

The first day was the Fourth Army. Fang Wen selected 186 men.

The second and third days were spent in the other two divisions of the Fourth Army.

The fourth and fifth days were for the 73rd Army, originally Tang Shengzhi's troops, which later became the Guangxi Army and was incorporated into the 4th Route Army of the Wuhan Headquarters. After the full-scale outbreak of the War of Resistance against Japan, they fought in the Battle of Shanghai and the Battle of Wuhan. Last year, they were incorporated into the Ninth War Zone to defend Changsha.

Although the army's name is not well-known, it has a considerable number of capable soldiers.

The sixth and seventh days were spent with the 99th Army, a newly formed army established two years prior in Zunyi, Guizhou. Although it was a new army, it was mainly composed of young and strong men, and there were some quite good candidates among them.

In seven days, a thousand candidates were selected.

Fang Wen handed these lists over to Commander Xue of the Ninth War Zone.

Commander Xue looked at the notebook filled with writing, which included the soldiers' names, units, and ranks.

Most of them were rank-and-file soldiers, and a small number were squad leaders.

"That's all?" he asked.

“Yes, that’s all,” Fang Wen replied.

"Alright, you go back and rest first. Tomorrow I'll gather everyone on the list. Whether they're willing to join your new army is up to you. Once they agree, I'll take care of the rest."

"Thank you, Commander Xue." Fang Wen took his leave and returned to the guesthouse.

The night passed quickly, and the next morning, Staff Officer Li came over and took Fang Wen to Chengnan Park near the command post.

This park was destroyed in the Changsha fire two years ago, and two years have passed without any repairs. The trees inside are withered and the pavilions are in ruins.

Nearly 1000 soldiers stood loosely in the park, chatting with each other, but none of them knew why they had come here.
Staff Officer Li picked up the megaphone and shouted, "Everyone, take your positions and proceed immediately!"

The soldiers stood loosely in different small square formations, some with many people and some with only a few.

Staff Officer Li handed the microphone to Fang Wen, but Fang Wen shook his head to indicate that he didn't need it.

He stood at the front of the line and called out:

"Let me introduce myself. My name is Fang Wen. Some of you may know me, and some may not. I am a pilot and the commander of the Taishan Independent Regiment. I also founded Taishan Airlines, which opened up water routes across the country before the war. I am here to gather you here to establish a new army."

The soldiers were somewhat agitated.

Fang Wen raised his voice, "The Japanese devils have occupied all of China's coastal areas and even sent warships to patrol the sea, all to cut off our access to resources from abroad. The Burma Road is our only lifeline for foreign aid. The Japanese dream of cutting it off. If this road is cut off, our guns will become useless, and the wounded soldiers on the front lines will lack medical treatment and will only be waiting to die. I want to form a team to go to Burma to guard this road and prevent the Japanese devils' conspiracy from succeeding."

The soldiers understood what Fang Wen meant, but they were still hesitant.

After all, they all belong to their respective military units, and it's hard for them to give up their original environments.

Fang Wen naturally understood this, and he didn't just use emotions to move the soldiers.

He then resorted to the most direct and effective method employed by the National Army.

Gong Xiuneng and three orderly soldiers came over carrying a large basket.

The baskets were filled with gleaming silver coins, which caught the soldiers' eye.

Although the legal tender is the official currency, silver dollars are still the preferred choice among the general public due to its annual depreciation.

One soldier mustered up his courage and asked, "Sir, if we serve under you, will these silver dollars be ours? How many will each of us get?"

His problem was a problem shared by all the other soldiers.

Fang Wen didn't answer directly, but pointed at the soldier: "Answer me a few questions first. How much military pay do you get each month?"

The soldier replied, "Sir, I am a private first class. My monthly pay is 60 yuan, but I actually receive 45 yuan. Our unit receives 350 yuan a month for food allowances, but we don't actually receive that; it's all purchased by the central government. I don't know how much of that goes to us, but we've hardly ever eaten meat a month. There's also a 50 yuan allowance for straw sandals, which is paid directly to us. Then there's a gun cleaning allowance, a fire allowance, a mosquito net allowance, etc., which is about 100 yuan. Sometimes we receive it, sometimes we don't."

Fang Wen calculated for him: "That means your monthly benefits are around 600 yuan. Your take-home pay is 45 yuan, right?"

The soldier nodded.

Fang Wen looked at the other soldiers and asked loudly, "Are you in the same situation?"

A chorus of voices erupted: "About the same." "Less than him." "I didn't get my pay last month."

Fang Wen raised his hand to stop the noise.

After a while, the noise subsided.

Fang Wen continued, "From my observations over the past two days, a head of cabbage costs 30 yuan in Changsha. Your monthly military pay is only enough to buy one and a half heads of cabbage. I greatly admire your perseverance in defending our country under such harsh conditions. However, my principle is that I will never mistreat my own people. Soldiers in my unit receive the best benefits in all aspects. The standards for the new army will follow those of the Taishan Independent Regiment. Gong Xiuneng, you tell everyone what the standards of the Taishan Independent Regiment are."

Standing guard beside the silver dollar basket, Gong Xiuneng announced loudly, "Soldiers of the Taishan Independent Regiment receive a monthly salary of 30 silver dollars. After three years of service, they can choose to retire and are entitled to a retirement pension and allowance. The retirement pension begins at age 50, while the retirement allowance is a one-time payment equivalent to 12 months' salary. In addition to their salary, each soldier is issued three sets of uniforms and various military equipment. Regarding food, we do not provide a stipend, but all soldiers and officers are treated equally and receive a sufficient amount of food. I want to emphasize that meat is served every day." (End of Chapter)