Legendary Captain

Chapter 345 We don't need Xu Xian!

"The maintenance company here in Chenyan, in order to save time, didn't remove the engine itself when they were disassembling it; instead, they removed the engine and the pylon together from the wing." Qi Fengyang was still indignant when he talked about this over the phone.

"You mean they violated regulations?" Although Luo Qing wasn't in charge of maintenance, he roughly knew that engine disassembly only involved disconnecting the connection between the pylon and the engine, not the connection between the pylon and the wing. If the maintenance company directly removed the engine and pylon together from the wing, that would undoubtedly be a violation of regulations.

"That's right!" Qi Fengyang said angrily, "Our company happened to have one of our planes undergoing a D-check there, so I pretended to be there for a random inspection. They didn't notice anything. These past few days, I've been loitering around there every day, and finally I got video evidence. Do you know what they used to assemble the engines and mounting brackets? Forklifts! Forklifts, machines with questionable precision, are actually used to assemble engines—it's unheard of! Are the Civil Aviation Administration of China blind? How can they issue licenses to companies like this!"

"You mean they used forklifts?" Luo Qing was completely shocked. The assembly of each part of a passenger plane has strict requirements; there are even specific rules about how many turns some screws need to make. To use forklifts for such an extremely precise task as assembling an engine is truly mind-blowing.

Forklifts are machines whose minimum moving distance is about half a centimeter, meaning they can only operate with a precision of half a centimeter. Half a centimeter may seem like a small amount, but in the assembly of precision structures, a precision of half a centimeter is truly appalling.

Even a slight difference in the angle of the bolts connecting the pylon to the wing can affect the overall structural strength. This is why standard engine disassembly procedures do not allow the connection points between the pylon and the wing to be removed. Many repair companies simply lack the capability to reassemble it at a perfectly precise angle.

Any slight difference might not be noticeable at the time. However, as the aircraft continues to operate, the connection between the pylon and the wing will be constantly subjected to stress, eventually leading to the engine detaching.

"I was just wondering how that plane could have lost an engine in the last two years since it had its engine replaced. I suspected this company was behind it, and now it turns out they were!" Qi Fengyang said angrily. "It seems that any plane that has undergone a D-check with this company needs to be checked again, just in case something goes wrong again."

More than 70% of Star Travel's aircraft undergo D-checks at this maintenance company. All aircraft that have undergone maintenance here must be re-inspected, otherwise, who knows if there will be another terrifying incident of an engine flying off?

"I'm taking our company's flight back to Yunnan tonight. Could you contact the Northeast Railway Bureau for me and tell them we've found the cause of the accident? I'll hand the video over to them after we land," Qi Fengyang said.

"Okay!" Luo Qing immediately agreed: "Old Zeng just called to talk about this repair company. I didn't expect you to call right away. I'll tell Old Zeng about it right away."

"Old Zeng called. Isn't he a member of the investigation team? It seems Old Zeng also suspects this company." Qi Fengyang paused for a moment. "Logically speaking, as a member of the investigation team, Old Zeng shouldn't be revealing this information to us. Although I was lucky to arrive early this time, I still need to remember Old Zeng's kindness; I'll have to repay it in the future."

In practical terms, even if Zeng Yu hadn't made the call, the prescient Qi Fengyang would have found evidence anyway, so Zeng Yu's call wasn't very helpful. However, Zeng Yu risked punishment to inform Xingyou, which shows his goodwill and should be remembered; he'll repay that kindness when the opportunity arises.

"It's certain that he'll keep it in mind. As for telling the truth, Old Zeng only informed us because of Xu Xian. Would he have said anything if it were another airline?" Luo Qing saw things clearly.

Apart from Xu Xian, no one at Xingyou Aviation has the influence to ask Old Zeng for help.

Qi Fengyang naturally knew this: "I'll remember that for now. I'm hanging up now, see you tomorrow!"

After hanging up the phone, Luo Qing tossed her cell phone onto the table and picked up the landline receiver, which had never been disconnected: "Is Old Zeng still there? I have some good news."

"You said Qi Fengyang found crucial evidence in Chenyan Kingdom, then..."

"Chairman, then Xingyou is going to be brought back from the dead." Luo Qing reported to Wen Jingshu with great excitement: "President Qi will return to Yunnan tonight and will take a plane to the Northeast Bureau tomorrow morning to personally hand over the video evidence to the investigation team."

If there weren't suitable international flights from Chenyan Kingdom to Binjiang, Qi Fengyang would have flown directly to Binjiang.

"Great!" After all this time, Wen Jingshu, who had been racking her brains, finally heard some good news. As long as the accident was not Xingyou's fault, the crew's performance in handling the emergency was enough to give Xingyou Airlines a shot in the arm.

"Here's what you'd like to do: first, let the Northeast Bureau know. Otherwise, if Qi Fengyang goes there hastily, the Northeast Bureau won't understand the situation for a while," Wen Jingshu instructed.

"I know! I've already relayed the details to Ning Sheng, and he'll coordinate with the authorities first," Luo Qing said with a smile. Ever since the engine detached, the entire company has been on tenterhooks, fearing they would be held responsible. Now that things are finally settling down, Luo Qing, the person in charge of the flight system, can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"That's good!" Wen Jingshu finally showed a genuine smile, something she hadn't done in a long time. "You've all worked hard these past few days. After this is over, let's book a venue at the company and relax a bit."

"Don't worry, Chairman, I'll arrange that. By the way, the crew has finished their conversation with the safety supervision department. Now that things are clear, should we arrange a welcome reception for them?"

The crew involved in the engine detachment incident is primarily under investigation by the regulatory authorities. However, upon their return, they will, according to procedure, have a meeting with some leaders from the safety supervision department. This isn't considered an investigation, because the regulatory authorities have already determined the nature of the crew's actions, and the company neither needs nor can conduct a reinvestigation.

"A welcome party?" Wen Jingshu hesitated. According to Luo Qing's words, the matter was indeed clear, but she wondered if she should wait until she received the official results from the bureau before making a decision.

"The bureau's investigation results haven't come out yet, what's the rush?" Just as Wen Jingshu was pondering, a clear voice drifted in from outside the door, and Lian Shanxue stepped in: "It's best to postpone the welcome party and other celebrations, lest someone with ulterior motives seize on this."

Wen Jingshu nodded: "Then let's wait a little longer."

With that, Wen Jingshu waved her hand: "Luo Qing, you can go ahead and get busy."

Luo Qing glanced at Lian Shanxue standing beside him. He knew the chairman wanted to speak with her privately. Lian Shanxue had saved the day from collapse, so it was perfectly normal for the chairman to want to talk to her privately. However, Luo Qing couldn't shake the feeling that the atmosphere between the chairman and Wen Jingshu was a little strange! He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but it felt tense, and he even wondered if he was imagining things.

However, regardless of the circumstances, this was none of his business, so he obediently left the office.

After Luo Qing left, Wen Jingshu pulled up a chair and sat down, chuckling softly, "It seems you're in good spirits. When you encounter something like that, some people with poor mental fortitude need to go for psychological treatment."

This wasn't Wen Jingshu joking about Lian Shanxue; it was a real situation. Many pilots need a period of psychological counseling to recover after experiencing a serious emergency. However, Lian Shanxue currently appears no different from an ordinary person, as if the engine detachment hasn't had a significant psychological impact on her.

"It's nothing, and it's not the first time," Lian Shanxue said casually, her tone light and cheerful, as if the engine detaching was no big deal.

Wen Jingshu paused for a moment, then quickly realized, "That's right, you've seen it all!"

The previous hazardous materials leaks were far more dangerous and severe than this engine detachment incident. Having experienced such emergencies, Lian Shanxue's mental fortitude was already incredibly strong. How could she possibly be psychologically devastated by a simple engine detachment incident?

Although Lian Shanxue was only the co-pilot, her experience surpassed that of many veteran instructors who had flown their entire lives. This is why, when the engine detached, Captain Tang Jian appeared somewhat flustered compared to Lian Shanxue's composure.

"I didn't come here to discuss any psychological issues with you." Lian Shanxue's expression turned serious. "I saw Xu Xian over there."

Wen Jingshu's body trembled slightly, but she quickly regained her composure: "I know, weren't you still talking on the radio?"

"He really went to fly a fighter jet?" Lian Shanxue's tone was unusually cold. "And... Xu Xian really didn't know you were pregnant!?"

"Xu Xian doesn't know I'm pregnant. Didn't you guess it when we met last time? Why are you so surprised?" Wen Jingshu took a sip of tea, feeling a slight bitterness on her tongue.

Because of her pregnancy, she has basically stopped drinking strong tea. However, she didn't expect that even such weak tea would make her feel uncomfortable. The changes in her body during pregnancy are truly unimaginable.

"What about the fighter jet? Why did he go fly a fighter jet? Just because his commercial operation license was suspended? He can't fly civilian airliners, so he went to fly military airliners?" Lian Shanxue pressed on, "But Xu Xian doesn't seem like the kind of person who sees flying as his life, does he? I heard from people at the bureau that the black box of the plane Xu Xian crashed last time has been transferred to Luohang Industrial. And Xu Xian's location is the Luohang Industrial flight base. Did Xu Xian reach some kind of deal with Luohang Industrial? Did Luohang's fleet recognize Xu Xian's flying talent and offer to help him repair the damaged black box in exchange for him joining their fleet? Is that right or wrong?"

Lian Shanxue spoke at length, her words clear, logical, and well-organized, leaving Wen Jingshu quite astonished. She knew the inside story, while Lian Shanxue was unaware of many things, yet she had managed to deduce the general situation from scattered pieces of information—truly impressive.

Wen Jingshu smiled and said, "See, you already know, don't you?"

"Then why is that?" Lian Shanxue narrowed her eyes, a slight glint of cold light flashing in them.

"Why? Why?" Wen Jingshu put down her teacup and stared directly at Lian Shanxue.

Lian Shanxue coldly replied, "What if there's a war? Have you thought about that?"

Wen Jingshu's hand holding the teacup trembled slightly: "No, the Luohang fleet isn't a normal military force; it wouldn't be their turn to fight!"

"If a fight really breaks out, can you guarantee it?" Lian Shanxue bit her lip. "Are you sure you can guarantee it?"

"Impossible, absolutely impossible. The surrounding area is so peaceful, how could there be a war?" Wen Jingshu shook her head, unwilling to delve into the possibility that Lian Shanxue had mentioned.

"What if! Even a one in ten thousand chance is still danger! Wen Jingshu, is this what you've done since you got together with him? No matter what means you use, you have to bring him back!" Lian Shanxue said resolutely, "Xu Xian cannot be in any danger, not even the slightest bit!"

Wen Jingshu looked up: "You seem to still care about him!"

"Whether I care about him or not seems to have nothing to do with whether he's in danger or not, right?" Lian Shanxue raised her fair chin slightly. "Xu Xian is willing to serve in the Luohang fleet to prove his innocence. But do those so-called controversies really matter? Since he chose you, he should live his life well. Why care about other people's opinions?"

"I don't care," Wen Jingshu sighed, "but Xu Xian does."

"Then just tell him about your pregnancy. I think he'll make a decision. Besides, it will also put my mind at ease," Lian Shanxue said softly.

"Give up?" Wen Jingshu's lips curled into a slight smile. "So you two met in Binjiang? And poured your hearts out to each other? Does Xu Xian still have feelings for you?"

Lian Shanxue's expression stiffened: "Don't worry, I know where the line is!"

"Good to know!" Wen Jingshu sneered. "But it's a pity, I had the advantage of knowing Xu Xian before you. As the saying goes, 'A step ahead is a step ahead in everything.' If we had met Xu Xian at about the same time, it's hard to say who would have won or lost now!"

Lian Shanxue frowned. At this point, she actually didn't want to continue the topic. Otherwise, it would make her feel like a resentful woman who was clinging to a man.

Wen Jingshu noticed the displeasure on Lian Shanxue's face and didn't continue speaking.

"Oh, right! There's one more thing." Lian Shanxue suddenly remembered: "Tianyan Magazine sent me an interview request."

"Sky Eye Magazine? What kind of interview?" Wen Jingshu asked, slightly surprised.

Lian Shanxue paused for a moment, then said, "The cover story interview for the tenth-anniversary issue!"

Hanjing, editorial office of Tianyan Magazine.

"Ye girl, are you really determined to have Lian Shanxue on the cover of the next ten-year issue? This is a ten-year issue! It's a big deal, don't you want to reconsider?" Shi Lanxi earnestly advised.

Ye Jing waved her hand: "Elder Shi, this matter is settled, there's no need to discuss it further. I've already sent an interview request to Lian Shanxue!"

"This..." This was the first time Shi Lanxi had seen Ye Jing so resolute. In the past, no matter what the matter was, Ye Jing would always take her opinion into consideration. But this time, he directly and rudely refused, which surprised Shi Lanxi.

"Ye girl, it's true that engine detachment is rare, though it hasn't happened in decades. But the professionalism shown by the crew in handling this emergency is undeniable, though it's not quite worthy of being on the cover of a 10th-anniversary issue," Shi Lanxi said.

In Shi Lanxi's opinion, the crew handled the engine detachment incident very well, but while the technical skill involved was extremely high, it wasn't quite top-notch.

The so-called top-tier skills are exemplified by Xu Xian's emergency landing on the Kunyang River, his ultra-low-altitude leveling maneuver, and Xu Qing's single-wheel touchdown. These maneuvers represent the pinnacle of flight operations, bordering on the art.

However, this engine detachment was largely due to a rare and exceptional emergency. Moreover, Lian Shanxue's greatest strength in handling the situation lay in his decisiveness. As for technical skill, at least in Shi Lanxi's view, it wasn't as breathtaking as Xu Xian's or Xu Qing's ethereal feats.

If Ye Jing were to choose Lian Shanxue as this year's cover star, Shi Lanxi would have no objection whatsoever; she would wholeheartedly support it. However, to say that she would be the cover star for the tenth-anniversary issue is a bit of a stretch. It's important to understand that the tenth-anniversary issue is only one level below the independent supplement in terms of importance; it's a tremendous honor in the civil aviation industry and cannot be taken lightly.

Shi Lanxi even suspected that Ye Jing might be giving Lian Shanxue a higher opinion of her because of her status as a woman, thus influencing her judgment. However, he couldn't voice his concerns. To do so would be to question Ye Jing's professionalism. Although he was highly experienced and respected by Ye Jing, this didn't justify his seniority. Especially since Ye Jing, not Shi Lanxi, was now in charge of Tianyan Magazine. He needed to show the appropriate respect.

"Mr. Shi, do you know what the most difficult mountain in the world to move is?" Ye Jing suddenly asked.

Shi Lanxi: "What is it?"

"Prejudice!" Ye Jinghan said coldly, "Back then, the emergence of Xingfei Airlines' first female captain was a momentous event in the history of civil aviation in China. She was worthy of being on the cover of the year, but you only gave her the treatment of a quarterly cover. It was because female pilots in the domestic civil aviation industry accounted for less than one percent of the pilots and were not representative! But now, female pilots, who have long been criticized as mere 'pretty faces,' have finally produced a dazzling figure. Moreover, Lian Shanxue also performed well in the previous dangerous goods leak incident. Whether it's out of recognition of her abilities or to encourage female pilots to strive for excellence, I don't think giving her the cover of the tenth-anniversary issue is excessive."

Ye Jing's slightly agitated words left Shi Lanxi speechless. Ye Jing rarely spoke to him like this, but this time she directly contradicted him!

"I understand, Ye girl. You're the leader of Tianyan Magazine. Since that's what you think, then let's do it this way!" Shi Lanxi finally compromised. However, after a brief pause, Shi Lanxi sighed softly, "I just didn't expect Xu Xian to be used as a stepping stone for someone else!"

In the hazardous materials leak incident, Xu Xian was actually the main hero. However, in terms of actual public awareness and media attention, Lian Shanxue seems to be more popular. It was during this hazardous materials leak incident that Lian Shanxue began to emerge.

With this engine detachment incident, Lian Shanxue's reputation has exploded. Regardless of Xingyou Airlines' fate, Lian Shanxue has undoubtedly transcended the limitations of an airline.

Lian Shanxue, who once rose to fame by relying on Xu Xian, is now a household name. Xu Xian, on the other hand, is still caught in a vortex of doubt and controversy, unable to extricate himself, which is quite ironic.

Hearing Shi Lanxi say this, Ye Jing's expression became slightly awkward: "I heard that there are starting to be objections online regarding the selection of personnel for the maiden flight of Qingyuan Group's D903 aircraft."

Shi Lanxi chuckled softly, "Yes, quite a few people now want Lian Shanxiue to replace Xu Xian!"

"Are you sure you want Lian Shanxue to replace Xu Xian on the maiden flight of D903?" Xu Qing asked incredulously as he stared at Li Xianyi across from him.

"To be precise, it's not just me who thinks this way, but also the online public opinion, the board members, and the buyers!" Li Xianyi spread his hands, looking extremely helpless.

Xu Qing gritted his teeth: "They really are opportunists!"

The D903 aircraft model had already been deployed by various airlines, so only the maiden flight could be used for it. The original captain for the maiden flight was Han Qi, and the co-pilot was Xu Xian.

Previously, Xu Qing and Xu Xian had agreed that after the captain was appointed, Xu Xian would cooperate with Han Qi to complete the maiden flight of D903, marking the end of his civil aviation career.

However, ever since Xu Xian overran the runway, not only has the maiden flight not been scheduled, but even the matter of transferring the captain has vanished. Naturally, the maiden flight had to be postponed.

Of course, airlines still need to do some preparatory work after introducing the D903. While the airlines may have complaints about the delayed maiden flight, it's not entirely unsolvable. Because, besides Xu Xian, there seems to be no suitable replacement. Everyone is waiting for Xu Xian to prove his innocence before the maiden flight can proceed.

But things are different now. The emergence of Lianshanxue provides everyone with a viable alternative. Moreover, the maiden flight of a new aircraft model is more about attracting attention. After all, flying isn't about performing acrobatics; what's the point of such high technical skills? Attracting more attention is the key. And in terms of appeal, Lianshanxue seems to have the upper hand. Currently, the time it takes for Xu Xian to prove his innocence is still unknown, and those airlines that have introduced the D903 don't want to wait indefinitely. The emergence of Lianshanxue is practically tailor-made for them.

Furthermore, online, public calls for replacing Xu Xian are growing louder. Compared to Xu Xian, Lian Shanxue is more popular, showing a strong trend towards restoring the Xu Qing era.

"They have their own considerations. Making money is nothing to be ashamed of. We can't just become their source of income!" Li Xianyi said helplessly. "What do you suggest we do now? Quite a few directors on the board support replacing Xu Xian so that the maiden flight won't be delayed. Also, the last time you forced Xingyou Airlines to make concessions, many directors were already unhappy. If you continue to be so willful, it will become more troublesome."

Previously, in order to help Xingyou Airlines overcome its difficulties, Mei Tingting spearheaded the transfer of the peripheral product business to Xingyou Airlines' factory, and also bundled ticket sales with Xingyou Airlines, which undoubtedly caused Qingyuan Group considerable losses.

However, due to Mei Tingting's power within Qingyuan Group, some directors, even those with grievances, had to swallow their anger. Yet, even with Mei Tingting's considerable influence within the group, she couldn't repeatedly disregard the interests of the directors and shareholders. If Xu Qing and Mei Tingting insisted on Xu Xianfei's inaugural flight, the internal conflicts within the group could escalate, which was not a good sign.

Xu Qing rubbed his temples, feeling a bit of a headache: "Here's what we'll do. I'll go see Xu Xian in person after a while and ask for his opinion. He needs to know about this."

(End of this chapter)