Chapter 282: 281 Pilot’s Surgical Knife, Fang Wen Takes Over Shanghai Axe Gang
A unique surgical operation was being performed at Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital.
Surprisingly, the lead surgeon was not one of the hospital’s own doctors, and he was using a peculiar piece of equipment for examination.
This was all very novel to the medical staff at Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital.
Many doctors and nurses who had just finished their night shift handover came to the third-floor intensive care unit at their colleagues’ request to inquire about it.
Military police outside the intensive care unit stopped them from entering, so they could only learn the situation after the medical staff inside came out.
Inside the intensive care unit, Fang Wen had also changed into surgical attire and was communicating with the attending physician.
“I am only responsible for removing the shrapnel. Postoperative cleaning and suturing will be left to you. Additionally, that equipment needs to be installed and used in the operating room. Only when the equipment is activated can I more accurately determine the location of the shrapnel and avoid surgical errors.”
The attending physician had no objections to this; he actually wanted to see how Fang Wen would solve the current problem.
There was an even more important reason: the heart of a healer is like that of parents. Although they could not cure Gang Leader Wang, they still hoped he would one day recover and be discharged.
After the negotiation was complete, the metal detection security gate was carefully moved to the adjacent operating room by two bodyguards and a group of intensive care unit medical staff.
Just like before, it was placed on the operating table with wooden boards underneath for easy pushing back and forth.
Fang Wen then entered the operating room as well. He took a deep breath, recalling the surgical knowledge he had hastily reviewed at Peking University Medical School.
Back then, to save Wu Yingzong, Fang Wen had gritted his teeth and gone ahead. The spiritual power enhanced by the Faith Secret Treasure allowed him to achieve a state of complete mind-body unity and high concentration, enabling him to perform very precise work during the surgery, thus completing Wu Yingzong’s operation.
Now, the surgery for Gang Leader Wang was even more precise, more complex, and time-consuming. He needed to be mentally prepared.
After preparing himself mentally, Fang Wen put on gloves and picked up the surgical equipment.
At the same time, the equipment was activated and slowly pushed forward from Gang Leader Wang’s leg.
It was not until the lower back area that Fang Wen spoke: “Stop.”
He confirmed the first surgical position and had the assistant physician remove the bandages there.
Yellow liquid flowed out, clearly indicating infection.
After cleaning and disinfecting, Fang Wen carefully incised the affected area and accurately removed the remaining shrapnel hidden deep in the back muscle.
Clang. The shrapnel, covered in dark red filth, fell onto the metal tray, signaling the successful start of Fang Wen’s surgery.
Next came a prolonged surgical marathon.
The shrapnel deep within the muscle tissue was removed one piece at a time.
From morning until afternoon, a full five hours passed, and the surgery still had not ended.
There were already over 20 pieces of shrapnel on that tray, making Fang Wen suspect whether this was the result of a grenade explosion.
Now, most of the easily removable shrapnel had been extracted, but what remained was the most dangerous.
While the assistant physician handled the suturing of the wound, Fang Wen communicated with the attending physician.
“The remaining shrapnel is in the spine and shoulder blade. I suspect it has already damaged nerves. If we rashly remove it, could it cause disability?”
The attending physician looked at Fang Wen with an expression of admiration for the young man and discussed with him: “If the nerves are damaged, even without removing the shrapnel, it will cause physical problems. We must prepare for the worst case. Don’t hold back just because Gang Leader Wang is your friend. Think of it this way: if the remaining shrapnel is not removed, not only will he be disabled, but there will be even more complications later.”
Yes, things had come to this point; how could the surgery stop? It was just like fighting in Spain—could one abandon the mission midway and return to base?
Immediately, Fang Wen picked up the surgical knife again and, under mechanical perception and mind-body unity, incised the wound in the spine area.
The shrapnel there was actually lodged in the spine gap. From the looks of it, Gang Leader Wang would never stand again in the future.
But it was still better than dying in bed. Fang Wen carefully extracted the shrapnel, moving very slowly to avoid causing secondary injury to Gang Leader Wang.
Another two hours passed. All shrapnel in the spine and shoulder blade areas was completely cleared. Fang Wen had the bodyguards push the equipment for another check, confirming no shrapnel remained in Gang Leader Wang’s body before announcing.
“The surgery is complete. The postoperative cleaning is up to you.”
As he set down the surgical knife and removed his gloves, warm applause filled the operating room.
The attending physician eagerly asked: “You have the hands of a world-class surgeon. Can you stay? I can introduce you to the best hospital in the United Kingdom.”
“Thank you.” Fang Wen declined: “These hands can also be used to manufacture airplanes and weapons, and to pilot aircraft in aerial combat. Perhaps after peace comes, I will choose surgeon as a second career.”
Though somewhat regrettable, the attending physician understood that Fang Wen’s choice was right, just like a literary master back home: medicine could not save the country, and in the end, one had to take a different position to contribute one’s light and heat.
The attending physician and medical staff, no longer insisting, watched Fang Wen leave the operating room.
Three days after Gang Leader Wang’s surgery, under large doses of penicillin and careful nursing, his condition began to improve.
The infection was receding, and the wounds were starting to heal.
More importantly, he woke up.
The hospital immediately notified Fang Wen, who was staying at a nearby hotel.
Fang Wen promptly left the hotel and rushed to the intensive care unit.
There, he saw Gang Leader Wang, who was very weak but had his eyes open.
The attending physician beside him whispered: “He can already speak, but it’s best not to talk too long. He needs rest.”
Fang Wen nodded and walked to the bedside.
Gang Leader Wang looked at Fang Wen and said weakly: “I didn’t expect you to be the one performing surgery on me. You actually have this skill.”
Fang Wen smiled in response: “It’s nothing, just careful and bold. That day, I removed 32 pieces of shrapnel from your back, plus the ones removed before, nearly a hundred, and you’re still alive—that’s sheer luck.”
“Good luck. It had just rained that day, the weather was a bit cold, so I put on an overcoat. But I didn’t expect someone outside to throw a hand grenade in. My first reaction was to dive down.”
Gang Leader Wang recounted what happened that day. The one who ambushed him was a Revival Society master. When throwing the fragmentation grenade, he deliberately set a short fuse, causing it to explode mid-air for a wider damage area.
Moreover, two grenades were thrown together. Gang Leader Wang had dived next to the stone table, and his back was hit by a large amount of shrapnel.
Later, the Axe Gang members in the house rushed out, repelled the Revival Society people, and took the severely injured Gang Leader Wang away.
Hearing Gang Leader Wang’s account, Fang Wen finally understood why there were so many pieces of shrapnel yet he survived—the overcoat had saved his life.
Sitting by the bed, he comforted: “Rest well. Once you’re better, don’t go back to the country. You’ve offended too many people; going back means death.”
This was the truth. Gang Leader Wang could be considered the boldest person of this era. He had attempted to assassinate Chiang and Wang, and the Kuomintang executives hated him to the bone. All factions agreed on eliminating him.
Gang Leader Wang sighed: “The doctor said I’ll never stand again. I can feel my legs won’t obey. This life is over.”
To cheer him up, Fang Wen took out a newspaper, pointed to the headline about stopping the civil war to resist Japan together, and read the news content to him.
“Shocking sudden change in Xi’an incident. Amid national attention, this special report is issued to address concerns from all sectors.
On the morning of December 12th, news spread that Generals Zhang and Yang had launched a mutiny, detaining key figures, with the situation quite tense. It is reported that this incident stemmed from patriotic indignation and urgent desire to save the country, accumulated from multiple factors, not a decision made overnight.
Since the September 18th Incident, the nation has suffered foreign aggression and ceaseless civil war, with people’s livelihoods in ruins. Between the Northeast Army and Red Army, frictions persisted due to various complex reasons. Generals Zhang and Yang bore the heavy burden of family and country, struggling inwardly, unable to avenge national hatred and family feud, ultimately leading to this action.
After the incident, the situation inside Xi’an city remained relatively stable, but reactions outside varied. Some called it a heroic self-sacrifice, others feared it would trigger greater chaos. Regardless of evaluation, this incident has become an unavoidable reality.
Fortunately, through active efforts from all sides, the matter has been properly resolved.
Recently, the National Government issued a nationwide telegram: Stop the civil war, unite sincerely, resist foreign aggression together, and strictly punish all behaviors favoring Japanese invaders.
Though this move was unconventional, its result benefits the country and the people.
May the nation learn from this incident, truly prioritize national righteousness, stop all internal strife, unite against the outside, and face the national crisis together.
This special report is respectfully requested to be widely disseminated to set the record straight, and we hope all sectors of society will work together to safeguard national unity and ethnic solidarity.”
After Fang Wen finished reading the report, Gang Leader Wang was greatly relieved: “I didn’t expect that kid from the Zhang family to pull it off. I underestimated him. Fine, now that the country is uniting, a villain like me is indeed not suited to disrupt the stability. I won’t go back.”
Seeing Gang Leader Wang agree, Fang Wen suggested: “Go to the United States. Zhao Jiu will arrange everything for you there. If your subordinates are willing to go, bring them along. Las Vegas needs manpower.”
Gang Leader Wang sighed despondently: “Thanks. I’ve wasted half my life with nothing to show, and now my body is ruined. I’ll go to the United States to spend my remaining years. But I have one more thing: the Axe Gang isn’t mine alone. How about you take over as gang leader? My people in Shanghai have roots; handing them to you for management will be helpful in the future.”
Fang Wen hesitated. He already had a lot on his plate; taking over the Axe Gang would mean even more worries.
Seeing this, Gang Leader Wang continued persuading: “My Axe Gang members aren’t just reckless assassins. They handle intelligence gathering, organization planning, action, and medical work. I don’t care if the Axe Gang name continues; just have them follow your orders. It’ll give them a reliable home. As for my confidants, I’ll take them all to the United States and won’t cause you trouble.”
This convinced Fang Wen. The former Special Action Team—Li Tie Zhu, Zhang Yunfei, Zhao Wanping—were all Axe Gang disciples. Fang Wen had even met Zhao Wanping’s parents, who were masters of medicine and poison.
If Gang Leader Wang fully let go, Fang Wen could take them in. Whether joining the Volunteer Mercenary Corps in Yangon or staying in Shanghai to support his secret intelligence station, they would be useful.
Thus, Fang Wen agreed to Gang Leader Wang’s request.
Next, the two discussed the handover.
Gang Leader Wang’s confidants would go to Shanghai with Fang Wen. Afterward, Gang Leader Wang would take a ship to the United States.
As for Taishan Airlines’ Asia-America route, it was too long, requiring precise stops at transfer airports. Fang Wen had not yet found a reliable pilot; he could not fly it himself, nor could Pan Jiafeng, and other areas needed manpower, so this ultra-long-haul flight remained on paper only, honored as Taishan Airlines’ inaugural flight but never actually launched.
January 1, 1937.
On the Western New Year’s Day, Hong Kong Island was very lively.
Fang Wen, however, left there, took a ship back to Kowloon Peninsula, then flew to Shanghai with Gang Leader Wang’s confidants.
Returning to Shanghai after several months, the scene inside the city remained the same, but the airport outside the city had become deserted.
With the relocation of Taishan Airlines Headquarters, the once bustling airport street was no longer prosperous. Passengers came and went through the airport without stopping there.
Fang Wen parked the airplane, disguised himself in the hangar into a square-faced burly man.
He and Gang Leader Wang’s confidants exited the airport, looking at the desolate streets and the empty former Taishan Airlines Headquarters, unable to help but sigh.
Then, they boarded a shuttle bus to the urban area.
After getting off, Gang Leader Wang’s confidant whispered: “The Axe Gang’s secret stronghold is in the French Concession. Mr. Fang, since you’ve taken it all over, it’s no longer a secret. Please follow me.”
He and Fang Wen took a rickshaw to the French Concession, then navigated the streets and alleys within to reach the Russian gathering area on Ring Dragon Road.
The French Concession had more Russians who fled from the Soviet Union than French people. These stateless refugees numbered over 20,000 in Shanghai, with more than 8,000 in the French Concession. Many shops and musical theater actors in the concession were Russians.
Thus, there were Russian gathering areas and churches.
No one would have thought the Axe Gang’s secret stronghold was hidden in the Russians’ living area, which explained why the Revival Society and Japanese in Shanghai could never find traces of the Axe Gang before.
Led by Gang Leader Wang’s confidant, Fang Wen entered a bread shop where Russian women wearing headscarves were queuing to buy large loaves of bread. Fang Wen and his companion walked past the queue straight into the bakery’s baking room.
The Russians in the baking room glanced over but said nothing, continuing their work. Gang Leader Wang’s confidant went straight through the baking room and out the back door.
Outside was a dark alley that could not be accessed from the street; this was the Russians’ own living area, completely foreign in style.
Walking a distance in the dark alley, Gang Leader Wang’s confidant knocked on a door.
The door opened, and a Russian burly man warily checked outside. Upon recognizing Gang Leader Wang’s confidant, he immediately asked in Chinese: “How is the gang leader?”
“Let’s go inside first.”
Then, Fang Wen was brought into this Axe Gang secret stronghold.
The building looked small from the outside entrance but was very spacious inside. The entire building was filled with Axe Gang members handling various functions, each in their roles. There were even children helping out—it was truly a little society.
Upon learning Gang Leader Wang’s confidant had arrived, everyone stopped what they were doing, spread the word, and soon a large group gathered in the lobby on the first floor.
Once everyone was assembled, Gang Leader Wang’s confidant said: “The gang leader was severely injured, but thanks to Mr. Fang’s help, his life was spared. However, he can no longer stand. He has decided to step down as gang leader and retire to the countryside. The gang leader position will be handed to Mr. Fang. Does anyone have objections?”
