Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 84, Section 83: The First Secret Telegram Transmission and Security Arrangements
It turned out to be her!

Fang Wen immediately understood the source of that sense of déjà vu.

It is the name Dongzhen, her identity as a former member of the Qing Dynasty imperial family, and her penchant for dressing as a man.

These elements combined unlocked the dust of memories from a past life.

However, this is a judgment from the perspective of someone from the future. Even so, it cannot prove that she is a Japanese spy, since her identity as a princess from a former Qing dynasty prince's family is real.

So why did she come to Taishan Airlines?
Is it simply a matter of wanting to take a flight to Jinan?

Or perhaps they have ulterior motives.

Fang Wen got up, picked up the thermos, poured himself a glass of warm water and drank it.

This helps to relieve anxiety.

Without driving a car or flying a plane, he was just an ordinary person, and dealing with a notorious Japanese spy was not something he should have been doing in the first place.

His battlefield is in the sky; the problems on the ground should be left to the professionals.

After making the decision, Fang Wen took out his captain's uniform from his office wardrobe, changed into it, and began his routine flight for the day.

He didn't return to base until 80 p.m.

After the passengers disembarked, Fang Wen said goodbye to the crew and went straight home.

After returning home, Fang Wen went straight into his bedroom and took out a small box from under his bed.

This is a hand-cranked telegraph machine that Fang Shouxin bought from the black market in Shanghai.

And the private codebook that Yue Jinping gave him.

According to Yue Jinping, it can be used for communication, and can be considered a secret communication game between two people.

This was the most convenient communication method during the Republic of China era, a communication skill that only a small number of people could use.

But I've been busy with both company flights and other commitments lately, so I haven't had a chance to use it. This time, I finally have the opportunity.

Fang Wen opened his private codebook.

This is a simplified Chinese-English codebook.

Each English character corresponds to a Morse code transcribed from the codebook.

Fangwen first needs to write the plain text content, then convert it into English words and sentences, and then send the letters of the words in the entire English sentence in order. During this process, each complete word needs to be separated by a special Morse code.

After receiving the telegram, Yue Jinping in Nanjing was able to decipher it using her private codebook and restore it to plaintext.

He wrote: "Japanese spies have appeared, suspected to be the leader. Come to the airport immediately."

Then it was converted into English, and then translated into Morse code according to the codebook.

After all this is done, it's time to start sending messages.

Fang Wen held down the telegraph machine with one hand and cranked the hand-cranked generator shaft at a steady speed with the other.

This is to generate electricity for the portable hand-cranked telegraph machine; it needs electricity to function properly.

Then he sat down, took out the telegraph key from the telegraph machine, and placed his right hand on it.

The transmitter button is about the same size as a barber's clipper, with two pieces on top and bottom, and a spring in the middle. There is a metal contact at the top and bottom of the front. By pressing the button, the contacts are closed or opened, thereby controlling the flow of current and transmitting radio waves.

Different key combinations correspond to different codes to encode and send information.

Fang Wen looked at the Morse code on the note and pressed it gently.

A beeping sound came out.

No, I made a mistake, let's start over.

After several attempts, Fang Wen was finally able to type out that short Morse code.

He turned on the telegraph machine, gently turned the transmission frequency regulator, and began sending a formal message after tuning to the agreed frequency.

Nanjing, a strategically important military location.

Yue Jinping was lost in thought in the telegraph room.

Since its formal establishment, the Revival Society has been divided into four parts: the Organization Department, the Propaganda Department, the Training Department, and the Special Service Department.

She was assigned to the propaganda department as a staff member, and later, because she knew how to send telegrams, she was assigned to the telegraph room.

This job is actually quite leisurely. Every day, you receive telegrams at a fixed time and frequency. If there are no telegrams, you have to sit next to the telegraph machine until the end of the workday.

Most of the time there were no telegrams to receive.

There weren't many external telegrams to send.

She was very bored and often spaced out in her free time.

They would stay there for one or two hours at a time.

I feel like I'm about to be ruined by sitting so much.

But every day at a fixed time, she would carefully tune the telegraph machine to a frequency that only she knew, and then listen with her headphones on.

Despite failing to achieve anything each time, Yue Jinping remained enthusiastic.

Even today, she still adjusts the receiving band and picks up her headphones.

The sound of electricity rushed past her ears, and she was immediately delighted. She picked up her pen and quickly took notes.

The other party sent the Morse code twice, and Yue Jinping recorded it twice as well. After confirming that there was no difference, she began decoding.

She didn't need a codebook; the codes were written by her, and she deciphered them in no time.

The message read: "Japanese spy spotted, suspected leader, come to the airport immediately."

She was a little disappointed.

On second thought, this is a good opportunity to go to Shanghai.

Immediately, she took the translated telegram, left the room, and knocked on the door of the section chief's office next door.

"Chief, my man in Shanghai sent a secret report that he has discovered a Japanese spy, possibly the leader."

"you sure?"

"It's not certain, but if this succeeds, it will be very beneficial to our department. Director, I'd like to apply to go to Shanghai."

"Well, although our department is called propaganda, we can't just do things that sing praises. Go to Shanghai and see for yourself. If the situation is as described, report back immediately."

"Yes, Director."

Yue Jinping stood at attention, saluted, and left with a serious expression.

Once outside, his true colors were immediately revealed; he cheerfully returned to the telegraph room to pack his things and leave.

She returned to her residence, packed a set of clothes, and then, carrying a small suitcase and dressed in a dress, went directly to Nanjing Airport.

Take a China Airlines flight there and fly directly to Shanghai.

Fang Wen didn't expect Yue Jinping to arrive so quickly.

After sending the telegram, he put the telegraph machine away under the bed and then went out to the company for a quick look around.

As a result, he had only been sitting in the company office for a short time when there was a knock on the door.

She is a secretary.

"General Manager, Miss Yue is outside."

"Let her in," Fang Wen replied.

The door opened, and Yue Jinping, wearing a long dress and a sun hat, walked in carrying a small suitcase.

After the secretary closed the door and left, Fang Wen stood up.

"Why did you come here so early?"

"Aren't you happy that I arrived early?" Yue Jinping put down her suitcase and leaned closer.

As the general manager, Fang Wen had to maintain his authority and image within the company, so he quickly stopped it.

"Okay, mind your image. Let's go home and talk."

Immediately afterwards, he and Yue Jinping left work early.

When passing by the administration office, he specifically told Fang Shouxin inside, "Uncle Fang, don't you and Shunzi have something to do tonight? Then eat out. I'll take care of things at home myself."

When Fang Shouxin saw Yue Jinping, he immediately understood: "Yes, young master, Shunzi and I will be back later. Oh no, Shunzi and I have something to do tonight, so we won't be coming back."

Two hours later, feeling slightly tired, Fang Wen put on his pajamas, got out of bed, and poured himself a glass of water.

He also poured a glass for Yue Jinping.

After resting for a while, we got down to business. "Yesterday, a princess from the Qing Dynasty arrived at Taishan Airlines. She said her name was Aisin-Gioro Dongzhen."

“I’ve never heard of a princess with that name,” Yue Jinping shook her head, then asked, “What’s she doing here?”

"She wants to take our new flight to Jinan."

"Is it that simple?"

Fang Wen sat down on the edge of the bed and leaned against Yue Jinping's feet: "You said you wanted to see this great hero."

Yue Jinping smiled and said, "It's a pity that such a great hero like you suspects her of being a Japanese spy. Well then, give me your evidence."

Fang Wen sat up and solemnly listed the evidence.

"First, she has severe bowlegs. Even if a member of the royal family falls on hard times, she would not have this kind of leg shape. On the other hand, many women in Japan often kneel and sit, so they often have this leg shape."

"Secondly, the timing of her appearance is problematic. Two planes will arrive in port in a few days, and tung oil merchants and people from all walks of life will participate in the celebration. I am worried that the Japanese will sabotage it at that time."

Yue Jinping sat up and added:

"Third, your harassment of the Japanese fleet last month has already aroused their dissatisfaction, and they may very well send spies to search for that elusive aircraft."

Fang Wen nodded: "That is indeed a possibility."

"It's not just possible, it's certain. You don't know how much impact those high-altitude harassment attacks on the fleet had on the Japanese Navy. They have already increased the number of anti-aircraft weapons in their fleet and reduced the number of times they sail in the East China Sea."

As Yue Jinping spoke, she hugged Fang Wen from behind with great pride: "You're amazing. My superhero."

"So I moved the aircraft training inland. Okay, let's discuss the issue of how to prevent the Japanese from disrupting the celebrations after the planes arrive at port."

"I'll arrange that. Don't go out these next few days, lest you attract the attention of the Japanese. Alright, I'm leaving now, I have a lot of things to do."

After saying that, Yue Jinping let go of his hand, got dressed, got out of bed, tidied herself up a bit, waved goodbye, and left.

After Yue Jinping left, Fang Wen's smile faded.

Security gates cannot detect all dangers, and attacks from the outside are even more difficult to prevent.

If the Japanese want to take action against Taishan Airlines, they can't rely on outside help alone; they also need to make their own preparations.

He changed his coat, took the Browning pistol from the bedside table, put it in his pocket, and left the residence.

The place we went to was a small tavern.

The people who belonged to Fang Wen's inner circle were all there: Manager Liu, Sun Debiao, Howard, Shao Sishen, Fang Shouxin, Fang Shun, and Pan Jiafeng, who had just joined.

Because of the increased number of customers, the tavern owner replaced the table by the window with a larger one and added a few more comfortable long-backed chairs.

These people are enjoying their meal and chatting.

"I can't go back tonight, Lao Liu. Is it alright if I stay at your place for the night?" Fang Shouxin asked.

“Sure. I’m alone anyway, so I have enough rooms.” Manager Liu readily agreed.

Shunzi didn't want to live with his father, so he whispered to Pan Jiafeng and confirmed, "Dad, I'm going to Pan Jiafeng's place. He just moved, and it's very spacious."

"No need to move out, everyone's gone." Fang Wen moved a chair and joined the dinner party.

The group smiled but didn't say anything.

"Don't overthink it. She left because she has something to do, and it's important to us too."

At this point, Fang Wen looked around the tavern; they were the only table there.

He then lowered his voice: "The plane will arrive in three days. We need to be extra careful with our celebrations. I suspect the Japanese are about to make a move."

Everyone was immediately alarmed. Although their work was normal on weekdays, they were all worried that the Japanese might cause trouble.

Since the general manager has said so, then it's pretty much confirmed.

The people in this small circle immediately became serious.

Fang Wen continued, "The Japanese just signed a ceasefire agreement with us and won't send troops to fight, but their spies and thugs who are affiliated with the Japanese are what we need to guard against."

"How do we defend against it?" Sun Debiao asked.

Fang Wen looked at each person and made arrangements.

"The enemy is in the dark, while we are in the light, making it difficult to defend against. We can only take good security measures."

"Manager Liu, please compile all the guests' information, check their backgrounds, and don't invite any problematic guests."

"I'll have the information organized by tomorrow," Manager Liu replied.

"Sun Debiao, you and Shunzi each take five security guards and go to the warehouse. Each of you should take a short gun. Don't bring any long guns, so as not to frighten the guests. One of you will guard the outside, and the other will guard the inside. Keep an eye on your respective areas. If anything happens, don't panic, and don't leave your assigned area. Don't let anyone in or out."

Shunzi stood up excitedly, "Young Master, I will definitely guard it well."

Sun Debiao remained silent, but nodded solemnly.

Howard, Shao Sishen, Fang Shouxin, and Pan Jiafeng are still unassigned.

Shao Sichen volunteered: "My right hand is useless, but I can still shoot with my left hand. Give me a gun, and I can fight if the Japanese come."

Fang Wen nodded: "For safety reasons, you do need to be equipped with weapons so that you can protect yourselves during the banquet. Uncle Fang, I'll leave this to you. Get each of them a pistol and have them practice firing it over the next three days."

“Yes, young master,” Fang Shouxin replied.

But that's not all; security is not that simple either.

Fang Wen continued:
"I need to go to Beiping. A batch of equipment ordered there has been completed, and I can pick it up and put it to use in this security operation."

After everything was explained, everyone lost interest in drinking and having fun, and returned to their respective residences.

Taishan Airlines suspended flights to prepare for celebrations and handover as the plane was about to arrive at the port.

In fact, Taishan Airlines had already begun preparing security measures.

While the others were busy preparing for their own events, Fang Wen had already set sail north in the 'Shrike'.

With the addition of auxiliary fuel tanks, the Shrike has a range of 1200 kilometers, which is enough to fly directly to Beiping.

Its speed is 7% faster than the Qingyun, reaching 370 kilometers per hour.

It took about 3 hours to reach the airspace above Qinghe Airport.

Fang Wen turned on the radio switch.

"Qinghe Airport, Shrike requests landing."

The senior's voice came through the radio:
"Fang Wen, you've changed planes again. I'm so envious. Landing approved, I'll be waiting for you down here."

A series of unconventional radio exchanges revealed the senior's envy.

"receive."

Fang Wen continued to circle, adjusted his position, and landed easily.

The small monoplane landed on the runway, attracting the attention of airport staff.

Especially the senior students, who ran over as soon as the plane landed.

He looked at it from left to right, asked all sorts of questions, and seemed to really love it.

"This is a low-wing monoplane. It seems that the skies will belong to monoplanes in the future," the senior student remarked.

"Probably. It's faster and more agile than a biplane, making it completely inferior in air combat," Fang Wen replied.

These words made the senior a little depressed. His class had graduated with a degree in biplanes, and later, due to work, they didn't have time to get involved in flying. The era of monoplanes was basically out of their reach.

Feeling a little disappointed, he invited Fang Wen to have hot pot in his dormitory.

I checked my watch; it was 10 a.m. The students from Tsinghua University in Beiping shouldn't be here for another hour.

Fang Wen then followed his senior to the dormitory.

The two ate hot pot and chatted about interesting things that happened when they were studying aviation at Nanyuan University.

Fang Wen was the one listening, and the senior student spoke later.

He didn't drink either, he just kept him company, and when he saw that his senior's glass was empty, he poured him a new one.

Just like that, an hour passed, and a staff member came over: "People from Tsinghua University have arrived."

Fang Wen then bid farewell to his drunken senior.

On the way back from the dormitory to the airport runway, a small truck was parked by the runway. A professor I had seen before was waiting for Fang Wen with two students.

When Fang Wen arrived, they took out the items from the small truck and showed them to him.

"This is a hand-cranked, generator-powered metal detector made according to your requirements."

(End of this chapter)