Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Night time.

After finishing his day's work, Fang Wen returned to his dormitory at the base to rest.

Tomorrow he plans to go to the Governor-General's Office in Yangon to invite the Governor-General to attend the official ceremony of the new army's founding.

After working on this for so long, Fang Wen felt quite good about the unit. It had the equipment and training, but it still needed to be tested in actual combat.

He filled a basin with hot water, washed his face, and then heard Gong Xiuneng's voice behind him.

"Commander, the telegraph office staff have arrived. They say there's a special coded telegram."

Nowadays, the only special secret telegrams are sent by the Shanghai intelligence station and Yoshida. No matter who sends them, it must be something important. Fang Wen put down the towel, turned around and went out.

The duty officer standing outside the telegraph room held a telegram sheet that he had just written down.

After taking the telegram, Fang Wen looked at the frequency markings and realized it was a coded telegram from Yoshida.

He translated Morse code in his mind.

[The central government has recently issued three directives, clearly indicating its intentions.]

The Cabinet has decided to adjust the "Central Policy," advocating expansion to the entire Southeast Asia region and denying the former colonial rights of the West.

[The General Headquarters and cabinet members jointly approved the plan for a military advance southward: the primary objective was to seize French Indochina, followed by Dutch East Indies and the islands in the Pacific, to completely cut off China's external aid routes and seize the resources of Southeast Asian colonies.]

[The General Staff Operations Committee has decided that the Naval Air Force will be immediately deployed to the airspace over southern French Indochina for reconnaissance, paving the way for the Army's deployment.]

After reading the entire coded telegram, Fang Wen frowned deeply.

The Japanese cabinet and military have reached a consensus to begin shifting their strategy towards their European and American colonies in Southeast Asia.

They also know how to time things, taking advantage of Germany's dominance in Europe to reap the rewards in Asia.

What would be the reaction if this intelligence were leaked to Britain, Germany, and Free France at this time?

The night passed, and Fang Wen piloted a seaplane from the base in northern Myanmar and landed at the Yangon Port seaplane airport.

After getting off the plane, Fang Wen took Gong Xiuneng and drove a car from the airport garage straight to the British Governor's House in Burma.

He was a frequent visitor and had the privilege of driving right in, then got out of his car and went straight to the governor's office.

When the governor's secretary saw Fang Wen arrive, he greeted him with a smile: "Please wait a moment, I will inform the governor that he is very concerned about your formation of the new army."

Fang Wen waited in the reception room for a moment, and then the Burmese governor, dressed in a tailcoat, walked in slowly.

"Fang, there's a dance party tonight for my friend's son's wedding. Would you like to attend?"

"Who is it? Do I know them?"

“You should know him, but you’ve never met him in Myanmar. He’s a director of the British Burma Oil Company. He’s the one who was responsible for signing the contract for your purchase of the Yenangyaung oil field.”

So this is the person. Fang Wen also plans to take over the entire Myanmar oil company, so naturally he needs to deal with him.

"Okay, I'll participate."

"Then come to my place tonight, and we'll go together. By the way, what brings you here?"

Fang Wen produced an invitation: "Sir, thanks to the British authorities for their care in preparing the new army, the inauguration ceremony will be held at the base in three days. I humbly request that you take the time to attend."

The governor took the invitation, glanced at it, and casually placed it on the table: "I will attend. I heard that your new army has been training recently, and I hope they can play a role in any future battles. But it's not certain that it will happen. After all, the Japanese have always been restrained towards the concessions in the war in China. Under such circumstances, I don't think the possibility of the Japanese launching an attack on South Asia is low. Having you establish a new army is just a precaution. You don't need to worry too much."

This statement reflects not only the governor's opinion but also the general consensus among the British people.

Fang Wen shook his head: "I'm sorry, things may not be developing as you think. I recently intercepted several scattered communications from the Japanese army. It seems that they have reached a consensus in their country to move troops towards Southeast Asia. Once French Indochina is occupied by the Japanese, Burma will be adjacent to it, and war could break out at any time."

Upon hearing Fang Wen's words, the governor suddenly stood up: "Is your information true and reliable?"

"It's highly credible. If you don't believe it, you can check with your British Far East intelligence agency."

"Excuse me, I'm going out for a bit." The governor hurriedly left his office, shouting outside the door, "Send a telegram to the mainland, I need to get some information from the intelligence department."

After a while, he returned with a serious expression: "I haven't received the relevant information you mentioned yet. Thank you for reminding me. I've accepted the invitation. Given the urgency of the situation you described, I won't be able to leave Yangon in the short term. I will send my deputy to the ceremony."

Fang Wen got up to take his leave.

After leaving the Governor's Mansion, he drove to the Taishan Aviation Hotel.

The hotel was no longer accepting new guests, and British plainclothes officers were watching the entrances and exits. The officers recognized Fang Wen and did not question him when he entered.

Fang Wen walked straight to the elevator on the left and went up to the fourth floor.

Then they went down to the third floor through the sealed-off stairwell on the fourth floor.

On the third-floor corridor, Germans strolled back and forth chatting. When they saw the door to the stairwell open, they couldn't help but look over.

Upon seeing that it was Fang Wen, Hans Krupp, the head of the inspection team, said in a cold tone: "Why would General Manager Fang come here? We are the people who are 'protected'."

Ignoring the other party's resentment, Fang Wen got straight to the point: "I've come to bring you some news concerning the movements of your allies." He deliberately emphasized the word "allies," "Japan has recently finalized its southward expansion plan, and the first place it will target is French Indochina."

Krupp was taken aback, then frowned: "Where did you get this information from?"

"Never mind my intelligence sources. I'm telling you this only out of goodwill," Fang Wen said with a smile, trying to sow discord. "France just surrendered to Germany last month. Logically, this includes French overseas territories, which should also have surrendered to Germany. This means you have the right to dispose of French colonies in South Asia. But your ally Japan is now encroaching on your potential interests in Southeast Asia. I don't think this is something an ally should do."

Fang Wen said this not only to Hans Krupp, but also to other Germans.

Therefore, the Germans communicated in hushed tones in German.

Fang Wen has excellent hearing and understands German, so he can hear the Germans' anger.

He looked at Hans Krupp: "If I were you, I would definitely send this intelligence back to Berlin. What do you think?"

Krupp remained silent and did not answer.

Fang Wen didn't need a reply from the other party and left directly from the stairwell. After he left, the stairwell door was sealed shut again.

After going downstairs, Fang Wen went straight to the French expatriate area on the second floor of the hotel. Several wealthy people who had fled from Paris to Yangon lived here and had close ties with French Vietnam.

When they saw Fang Wen, they greeted the Eastern pilot who had rescued them from the war very warmly.

"Mr. Fang, it's been a long time. Hello!"

Fang Wen smiled and agreed.

Then he walked up to an old man named Lemaître.

"I heard your son is an officer in the army in French China?"

"Yes, but I don't like the environment there. In a couple of days, I plan to take your Taishan Airlines regional flight to the Philippines, and then take a Pan Am flight to the United States."

"I'm afraid I won't be able to go. Due to special circumstances, Southeast Asian regional flights will be suspended, and the resumption time is uncertain."

Le Maire keenly sensed the danger in Fang Wen's words and asked nervously, "Why?"

Fang Wen wouldn't be as blunt with this as he was with the British and Germans, since these people didn't represent the Free French organization members in French Vietnam.

He said cryptically, "Tell your son to be careful."

After saying that, he took the elevator downstairs.

The French people on this floor were somewhat flustered, especially Le Maire. After a while, he rushed downstairs and sent a telegram to French Vietnam.

The message has been sent out.

All parties are trying to understand Japan's true intentions in their own ways.

Fang Wen also did what he was supposed to do. As for how things will develop afterward, only time will tell.

All that's left to do today is attend the wedding banquet tonight. Fang Wen must go in order to acquire all the shares in the Myanmar oil company.

When attending a wedding banquet, your attire should be appropriate.

Fang Wen returned to his residence and opened the wardrobe.

I put mothballs in the wardrobe to prevent insects and mold, and they have a very strong smell.

Fang Wen left the cabinet open for a while to let the smell dissipate before taking out a dress that his wife had prepared before.

He put on his formal attire, opened the door, only to see Gong Xiuneng outside still dressed in casual clothes.

"You can't go like that. We're going to a British wedding, so we need to wear suits. Didn't you buy one when we went to Europe last time?"

"Commander, those clothes are too stiff and uncomfortable to wear."

"You have to wear it even if it's uncomfortable. I have very important things to discuss there, so I can't let it interfere with my plans."

"Oh." Gong Xiu went downstairs to change his clothes.

At 5 p.m., the two set off and arrived at the Governor's Mansion on time.

They then followed the governor's car to a manor house in northern Yangon.

People of high status and influence from Yangon all came there.

When Fang Wenhe and the governor entered, they immediately became the most eye-catching figures at the banquet.

People came over to chat.

At this moment, the host of the banquet came over.

A newlywed couple, along with both sets of parents.

The governor took this opportunity to introduce Fang Wen.

“Fang, this is Arthur Thorne – a director of the British Burma Oil Company, and he is currently in charge of the oil company’s affairs.”

The middle-aged man standing in the center was dressed in a custom-made suit, his hair was neatly combed, a cigar was between his fingers, and his smile was gentle but carried the shrewdness unique to businessmen.

He extended his hand and shook hands with Fang Wen. "Mr. Fang, I've heard a lot about you. I've heard that your new army uses a completely different combat method. I'm very curious to see what it's like."

Fang Wen smiled and replied, "It is a bit special, but I think it meets the needs of the war's development."

"I'm sorry, I don't know much about military affairs."

"You must be interested in oil. I think today is a good opportunity for us to discuss some interesting things."

Thorne looked at the governor, and from the governor's expression he saw that the governor agreed. He then walked aside with Fang Wen to talk.

“Mr. Fang, I know you want all the shares of Myanmar Oil Company, but that cannot pass the Senate.”

"Can't you sell shares without the Senate's permission?"

"That's right. Although we are a private company, we are still subject to legal and political constraints."

Fang Wen frowned at this and continued to ask, "Are there any other possibilities?"

Thorne thought for a moment and replied, "Yes, if there is a possibility that the oil industry here will be lost in a state of war, we have two options: blow up the factory or sell it."

In other words, the Myanmar company will only relinquish all its shares if it feels it has lost control of the situation.

But Thorne's candid statement suggests that he doesn't believe such a thing could happen.

After understanding the other party's bottom line, Fang Wen stopped dwelling on it and instead participated in the banquet to celebrate the newlyweds.

Three days later, the governor's deputy attended the ceremony marking the founding of the new army.

The following day, five military vehicles departed from a base in northern Myanmar, entered the country via the Burma Road, and were then escorted by a National Army unit to the Ninth War Zone.

in the subsequent time.

On the surface, everything seemed calm and nothing was happening, but underneath, undercurrents were surging.

Fang Wen was also waiting for the storm to come.

Therefore, he intensified his intelligence gathering efforts.

Every day, various intelligence reports are sent from Shanghai, Chongqing, Hong Kong, and Geneva, Europe.

Through this intelligence, he gradually came to understand the chain reaction of the Japanese army's strategic intentions shift.

In order to deploy more troops to the Southeast Asian battlefield, the Japanese army slowed down the offensive of the Nationalist government south of the Yellow River while implementing a "cage policy" in the occupied areas north of the Yellow River.

The so-called "cage policy" refers to the Japanese army's multiple blockades, divisions, and destruction of anti-Japanese base areas behind enemy lines, using railways as pillars, highways as chains, and bunkers as locks.

In response, the Eighth Route Army launched a counterattack.

1940 8 Month 15 Day.

A radio wave was transmitted from within the country.

It was sent by the new liaison officer, Qiu Shanhe.

Fang Wen looked at the contents of the coded telegram.

A large-scale military operation will soon be launched in the area north of the Yellow River, involving air support and coordinated operations.

[Given the special circumstances and your exceptional talent in air combat command, I hereby request to return to the country to participate in this operation.]

Fang Wen pondered this in his heart.

The large-scale military operations north of the Yellow River were definitely aimed at the Japanese army's "cage policy".

That operation should be called the Hundred Regiments Offensive.

Unlike in history, this battle will see the Eighth Route Army deploying air units.

Moreover, this was the first operation to involve large-scale air force operations in coordination with ground forces.

Today, the Yan'an Air Force consists of 8 Il-16 fighters and 8 Taishan high-speed fighters.

Meanwhile, the Eighth Route Army's air regiment still had 20 gunboats.

With the addition of radio equipment for timely air-to-ground communication, we can certainly achieve better results.

He also very much wants to be involved in this personally.

He immediately replied with his consent and then went to the Taishan Aircraft Manufacturing Plant.

It's time to pilot the Taishan-1 strategic bomber for large-scale corps war support.

Of course, there also needs to be enough ammunition to be delivered.

To this end, Fang Wen also dispatched five seaplanes from the transport fleet to accompany him.

The Taishan-5 ship has a carrying capacity of 8.5 tons, and five seaplanes have a carrying capacity of 6 tons each, for a total of nearly 15 tons of military supplies and aerial bombs.

On August 16, the Taishan No. 8, fully loaded with supplies, took off first, followed by five seaplanes that flew north behind the massive Taishan No. 5.

The Taishan-1 will not make any transfers along the way, flying directly 1900 kilometers to Yan'an Airport.

The other five seaplanes will stop at the seaport for refueling before proceeding to Yanchuan Seaport to unload their cargo. (End of Chapter)