Legendary Captain

Chapter 233 On the Eve of Landing

"Chengdu, the skin on the right wing of the plane has been torn off. I suspect the aircraft's structure has been damaged. I can't wait ten minutes. If there's no response from Xianchi Airport within five minutes, I'll land in Chengdu."

The aircraft skin itself directly affects the integrity of the airframe structure. If any part of the skin is damaged, it will cause a series of chain reactions.

Many mechanical structures emphasize overall strength. That is, their structural strength is at its strongest when there is no obvious damage to the body. Once some parts are damaged, even if it is not serious, the overall integrity is broken, and its damage resistance or strength will drop sharply.

The aircraft skin is a crucial component for maintaining the integrity of the airframe. If the skin has a problem, the right wing below may also be affected. A small leak can sink a great ship; if it continues to fly for an extended period, an airframe collapse is foreseeable.

Therefore, Xu Xian could no longer wait, and he directly shortened the waiting time. If he couldn't persuade Xianchi Airport within five minutes, he would have no choice but to force a landing at Chengdu Airport.

Landing at Chengdu Airport without any signal guidance would undoubtedly be extremely dangerous, but when it came to that, Xu Xian had no choice.

"The right wing skin has been torn off?" Chen Yuan wiped the sweat from his forehead. He felt like he'd been pulled out of water; the pressure at this final moment was immense. He knew what the torn wing skin meant: the Star Travel 6333's structure was nearing a critical point and could collapse at any moment. Xu Xian's decision to halve the waiting time was perfectly reasonable.

"As expected, forcing our way through the thunderstorm zone has had a huge impact." Almost all of the plane's current problems stem from forcing its way through the thunderstorm zone. But it's no wonder that Xu Xian made this risky choice. One can only sigh and say that it's all about timing and fate.

Chen Yuan was extremely anxious at this moment. Who knew if the Star Travel 6333's body would disintegrate at any moment? The Star Travel 6333's body was like a porcelain piece covered with cracks, which could break into countless pieces at any time.

"No news yet from Xingyou?" Chen Yuan asked his assistant.

They had already thoroughly investigated Hamchi Airport, and the real power behind it was the Wen's Foundation—this wasn't difficult to find out. Therefore, they were leaking the information to Star Travel Airlines. After all, Star Travel Airlines was also a subsidiary of the Wen's Group, and it was easier to get things done within their own group.

It can only be said that Chen Yuan was too young and took a business empire for granted.

Just as Chen Yuan was in a state of panic, a staff member rushed over and reported, "Director, Xingyou Airlines called and asked us to guide Xingyou 6333 to Hamchi Airport."

Chen Yuan was instantly overjoyed: "Xianchi agreed? They called?"

The staff member frowned: "No! Star Travel Airlines asked us to guide the plane to Hamchi. Hamchi's attitude is still the same as before, they refuse to accept it."

"What do you mean? The two sides haven't coordinated?" Chen Yuan was shocked. "When did you confirm this with Hamchi Airport?"

"Right after Star Travel asked us to guide the plane to Hamchi Airport, to prevent any problems, I called Hamchi Airport again, but the response was inconsistent; they still refused to accept it." The staff member had never seen anything like this before: "Boss, what's going on? What should we do?"

Star Travel Airlines and Hamchi Airport are completely at odds, and even at this point, Chen Yuan is still forced to make a choice.

Chen Yuan was under immense pressure. The current situation did not allow him to make too many calculations or weigh the pros and cons. He needed to make a decision in the shortest possible time. Otherwise, if he wasted time and the Star Travel 6333 aircraft disintegrated, it would all be for nothing.

Shi Lanxi, who had been silent all along, suddenly interjected, "Director Chen, you'd better not regret this."

Chen Yuan was suddenly startled and looked at Shi Lanxi, whose eyes were lowered as if she had been detached from the matter: "Elder Shi, you're putting me on the spot!"

A glint of shrewdness flashed in Shi Lanxi's cloudy eyes: "If you were just a vulgar person who only knew how to protect yourself, I would naturally remain silent, but Director Chen doesn't seem to be."

"I wish I were just an ordinary person!" Chen Yuan suddenly smiled and patted the air traffic controller in front of him on the back: "Guide Star Travel 6333 to Xianchi Airport."

The air traffic controller immediately advised, "Sir, if you fly to Hamchi Airport and they don't accept you, it could cause a major problem, and you'll be punished."

Hamchi Airport has not explicitly stated its willingness to accept Star Cruises 6333. However, based on Star Cruises' attitude, it can be inferred that Star Cruises seems to be able to handle Hamchi Airport.

But all of this is speculation. If the commander went to Xianchi Airport and the airport wouldn't accept the plane, does that mean Star Travel 6333 would have to fly back to Chengdu Airport?

Not to mention the high concentration of toxic gases that had been present in the cabin for a long time, the newly emerging structural problems of the aircraft do not allow Star Travel 6333 to waste too much time.

Right now, Star Travel 6333's biggest need is time, and it absolutely cannot afford to waste any more time. If, due to Chen Yuan's decision, Star Travel 6333 flies to Xianchi Airport but is ultimately not received, who will be responsible for the problems caused by the resulting delay?

Chen Yuan, who decided to guide Xingyou 6333, is definitely not going to run away!

From the controllers' perspective, Star Airlines and Hamchi Airport are like family. They can't even handle their own affairs properly, so why should outsiders like them take the blame?

Now, all Chen Yuan should do is let Star Travel Airlines and Hamchi Airport deal with this amongst themselves; they shouldn't get involved.

"Guide Star Travel 6333 to Hamchi Airport!" Chen Yuan repeated. "Hamchi Airport is their only real possibility of survival right now. No matter what, as long as there's even the slightest chance, we have to go there."

Apart from landing at Hamchi Airport, all other landing options, including a forced landing at Chengdu Airport, only have a theoretical survival rate.

The so-called theoretical possibility is nothing more than an excuse to comfort oneself and others.

It was precisely because Chen Yuan deeply understood this that he risked agreeing to let Star Travel 6333 fly to Xianchi Airport. That was Star Travel 6333's place of survival. Even though this guiding decision might bring him some very serious and unnecessary trouble.

"director."

Chen Yuan's eyes widened: "What if I say it a third time?"

Upon receiving Chen Yuan's almost explosive glare, the controller shuddered and dared not say another word. He immediately contacted Xu Xian: "Star Travel 6333, we are now guiding you to Xianchi Airport. Turn right and proceed to heading 030."

Xu Xian's muscles were tense at this moment, and he was paying close attention to the plane's status. At this moment, he finally heard some good news.

"Hamchi Airport is willing to take over?" Xu Xian asked instinctively.

The controller was stumped by Xu Xian's question and really didn't know how to answer it.

Just as the controllers were at a loss, Chen Yuan took the microphone: "That's right, just follow our instructions. Your aircraft database shouldn't have data on Hamchi Airport."

Hamchi Airport is a completely private airport that only accepts private business jets for takeoff and landing, so there is almost no data on Hamchi Airport in the databases of major airlines.

However, the Chengdu air traffic control had detailed information about Xianchi Airport that could be provided to the crew of Xingyou 6333, including navigation information for microwave instrument landing on runway 04.

The crew of Star Travel 6333 are probably nearing their limit. Chen Yuan was unwilling to tell Xu Xian about their current chaotic and awkward situation, otherwise he was really afraid that Xu Xian's mentality would collapse.

To be honest, it's a miracle that Xu Xian has been able to hold on this long. He's probably just relying on sheer willpower. If that willpower collapses, the consequences will be disastrous.

Moreover, although he didn't understand what communication problems had occurred between Star Travel and Hamchi Airport, Chen Yuan didn't believe that Star Travel would joke about the fate of more than a hundred people and his company.

If Star Travel 6333 crashes, Star Travel Airlines will most likely go bankrupt. He didn't think anyone at Star Travel Airlines would want to push their own path to bankruptcy.

"Star Wanderer, don't you dare mess with me!"

The top-floor conference room at the Wens Group headquarters.

Upon returning, Wen Jingshu immediately set her sights on Wen Ningyuan, a director of the group and her second uncle, as soon as she entered the conference room.

Just as Yang Ning had predicted, the group's board members, who rarely had the opportunity to gather together, certainly didn't waste this rare chance. Even though Wen Jingshu had already asked Yang Ning to convey that the meeting regarding the Kunyang Airport investment project was canceled, not a single board member left.

Perhaps they really didn't expect Wen Jingshu to return. When Wen Jingshu reappeared in the conference room, many directors showed a hint of surprise on their faces.

"Chairman, you've handled things well? Shall we continue discussing the Kunyang Airport investment deal?" a director asked.

Wen Jingshu left the meeting room in a hurry, and they didn't quite understand what had happened. However, urgent matters are handled quickly, and Wen Jingshu has probably already taken care of it. Now she's back to continue discussing the Kunyang Airport investment project!

The entire board of directors is now focused on the Kunyang Airport investment project. After all, the company's profits directly impact their dividends. And nobody is lacking in interest when it comes to making money.

Therefore, the board members were all very enthusiastic.

Wen Jingshu shook her head: "The Kunyang Airport case has been postponed; there are more important matters to attend to now. Second Uncle, you're managing Xianchi Airport, right?"

Wen Ningyuan, who had been sitting calmly at the table, suddenly twitched his eyelids: "Jing Shu, why are you suddenly asking about this?"

"I'd like to ask my second uncle for a favor."

"What do you mean by 'please'? We're all family, why be so polite?" Wen Ningyuan seemed to be very warm and friendly.

Wen Jingshu slowly sat down and continued, "That's excellent. We have a subsidiary called Xingyou Airlines. One of their planes just encountered some problems and needed to land at Xianchi Airport. However, the people at Xianchi Airport aren't very cooperative and refused to accept it. I had no choice but to ask you, Second Uncle."

Upon hearing about the emergency landing at Hamchi Airport, not only Wen Ningyuan but also some of the directors showed unusual expressions. Wen Jingshu had witnessed all of this.

"Jing Shu, it's not that your second uncle doesn't want to help you. Xianchi Airport only accepts business jets, you know that, we can't break the rules." Wen Ningyuan said, pretending to be in a difficult position.

Wen Jingshu naturally knew that Xianchi Airport only accepted private business jets for take-off and landing, but this could not be a reason for Wen Ningyuan to refuse.

"What rules are there? Second Uncle, just say something, that's the proper rule."

Wen Ningyuan was clearly flattered by Wen Jingshu's praise and laughed heartily: "To be honest, Jingshu! The airport staff assessed that they couldn't accept Xingyou's plane, and that was after professional consideration. We're good at doing business, but we shouldn't worry about professional matters. Just listen to their opinions."

Wen Ningyuan laughed heartily, while Wen Jingshu remained expressionless, her eyes slowly narrowing: "If my niece wants your permission to let Xingyou's plane land at Xianchi Airport, is that alright?"

"Jing Shu! You have no idea what's going on with that Star Travel plane! It's full of chemical materials, and if they leak out, it'll be extremely dangerous. Besides, it seems like that Star Travel plane has many other problems, so we can't accept it."

Wen Jingshu said in a deep voice, "So Second Uncle knew all along!"

Many directors in the room, unaware of the situation, showed a hint of interest. One director next to Wen Ningyuan even chimed in, "That's right, Chairman! Land at Xianchi Airport is incredibly valuable; if anything goes wrong, the losses will be enormous. Isn't there Rongcheng Airport next to Xianchi Airport? Let them land there!"

"Chairman Liu, do you think I'm discussing this with you?" Wen Jingshu said abruptly, her tone almost icy. The directors, who had originally been just bystanders, sensed something was amiss.

The director surnamed Liu was so frightened by Wen Jingshu's words that he dared not speak anymore, and even dropped his playful expression. He could sense that Wen Jingshu seemed to be genuinely angry.

Ignoring this minor character, Wen Jingshu faced Wen Ningyuan directly: "Second Uncle, there is someone very important to me on the plane. Due to certain circumstances, we cannot land at Rongcheng Airport. Please inform the airport and ask them to accept Xingyou 6333."

At this point, Wen Ningyuan decided not to beat around the bush with Wen Jingshu: "Jingshu, Xianchi Airport involves the group's interests and the normal operation of the foundation. If any problems arise, even if you are the chairman, you will be held responsible."

The Wen family is indeed the major shareholder of the Wens Group, but due to rapid expansion, their shareholding has been diluted considerably. Although they still hold considerable influence, they no longer have the absolute power they once did and need to consider the opinions of other directors and senior executives more carefully.

Most noticeably, there are currently at least ten private jets belonging to senior executives of the group parked on the tarmac at Hamchi Airport. Keep in mind that Hamchi Airport is not large, and the tarmac is not far from the runway. If the Star Wanderer 6333 had veered even slightly off the runway, it could very well have overrun the nearby tarmac.

The damage from that crash was quite staggering.

Moreover, Hamchi Airport was one of Wen Ningyuan's tools for accumulating wealth, and the methods he used were somewhat unethical. He didn't want Hamchi Airport to become a focus of attention in any way.

Some of the directors who had been watching the spectacle just moments before froze upon hearing this. They had been so engrossed in gossiping that they had completely forgotten they had their private jets parked at Hamchi Airport.

One of the directors, concerned about the condition of his aircraft, asked Wen Jingshu timidly in a low voice, "Chairman, why don't we just let them land in Rongcheng? My company really can't withstand this kind of disruption."

"If the plane causes any damage upon landing, I will compensate everyone, so don't worry," Wen Jingshu assured her.

"That would also harm the overall interests of the group, Jing Shu."

Snapped!

Wen Jingshu slammed her hand on the table, having lost her last bit of patience: "Second Uncle, I don't want to discuss this with you anymore. Do you want me to send people from the audit department and the legal department to audit your accounts?"

Even if Wen Jingshu didn't know what shady dealings Wen Ningyuan had at Xianchi Airport, her intuition told her she could probably guess. But Wen Ningyuan was, after all, her elder, and she didn't want to sever ties unless absolutely necessary. However, Wen Ningyuan was indeed being ungrateful, so she could only give him a warning.

Wen Ningyuan's face showed a hint of panic: "Jing Shu, what do you mean? The group belongs to the Wen family, what problem could I possibly have?"

Wen Jingshu held up one finger: "To be precise, it used to belong to my dad, but now it's mine! Second Uncle, you know me, if I say it, I can definitely do it!"

In an instant, Wen Ningyuan's pupils contracted!

Under pressure from Wen Jingshu, Wen Ningyuan finally couldn't hold on any longer and called Xianchi Airport, asking them to open the airport to Xingyou 6333 as soon as possible.

"Thankfully, Xingyou didn't mess things up, or I would have torn down their base building." Chen Yuan finally breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that Xianchi Airport had finally given a clear answer that it was willing to accept Xingyou 6333.

Shortly after, Chen Yuan contacted Xu Xian: "Have you received the microwave signal?"

Hamchi Airport is very close to Chengdu Airport. Since Hamchi Airport has agreed to take over, everything will proceed smoothly. With the cooperation of Hamchi Airport, the aircraft was quickly guided to the fifth stop of runway 04. Just as it was about time, Chen Yuan asked if the microwave signal had been received.

"Damn it, the signal is still unstable!" Xu Xian said angrily!

(End of this chapter)