Chapter 209: Penicillin Success, Site Selection For Factory Construction, Encounter With Thai Hawk Ii
May 1934.
Fang Wen has been abroad for a month.
Although abroad, he still kept constant attention on domestic matters.
The matter of Japanese Army human experiments has been completely suppressed.
Without public media discussion, the spread of the incident was limited to the Jiangsu and Zhejiang region.
Taishan Airlines remained the same, developing steadily with small improvements every day.
Due to insufficient airplanes, domestic flight routes were still five, while the aviation distribution company grew larger.
Businessmen saw the appeal of aviation distribution; through it, they could quickly seize the market.
For this reason, after tobacco and medicinal materials, another high value-added product joined: alcohol.
These were all normal developments, not beyond Fang Wen’s expectations.
As for penicillin and radar.
Radar development was stuck on positioning—not without clues, but on positioning accuracy.
Tsinghua University Physics Department was working with the Mathematics Department to overcome this difficulty, trying to find a specific formula as a fixed solution for the radar positioning device.
That would simplify the entire positioning calculation process, greatly improve efficiency, and enable the possibility of real-time positioning.
On the penicillin side, in this year, they collected a large number of different mold strains.
Through experiments on these strains, they discovered many penicillium strains more efficient than the original strain.
Among them, the best strain source was a moldy orange.
This was also a similar ascomycete asexual strain, yet much better than the original strain, able to produce more penicillin substance.
If it could be cultured in large quantities, penicillin could be mass-produced.
When this news reached Yangon, Fang Wen was overjoyed; the first antibiotic medicine in the war would achieve mass production in China.
To keep this secret and discreetly culture the strain, the Wuhan Biological Laboratory must be transferred; the situation there had become complex with the National Government’s deliberate migration of industry, with a high risk of leaks.
But transfer to where?
Fang Wen was considering.
According to domestic feedback, for culturing the strain, temperature must be below 27 degrees, with an ideal indoor average of 25 degrees.
Although suitable temperature could be created by adjusting indoor conditions, suitable external climate was also important for fungus reproduction.
Which place was most suitable?
He had company personnel secretly investigate climate conditions in various places.
Different places had different climate conditions.
The central and southern regions were hot in summer and cold in winter, unsuitable.
Northern China was cold in winter and cool in summer, also no good.
Finally, it settled on Yunnan.
There, it was on the plateau and in the subtropics.
Warm and humid year-round, without distinct four seasons, only dry and rainy seasons.
But to build a biological laboratory and penicillin factory there, they had to get past the local warlord.
Chairman Long, who had Yunnan locked down tight—would he let it go if he knew the value of penicillin?
No, Fang Wen gave the answer.
Was Yunnan really completely in Long’s hands?
Fang Wen opened the map to check, his gaze turning to the southwest corner.
Sipuzhibian General Office.
That was a newly established Republic of China department, managing the area of the former Qing Dynasty Chili Pacification Commissioner’s Office.
That is, future Xishuangbanna.
Here, a Republic of China version of replacing native chieftains with stream officials was underway, with stream officials replacing the original tusi.
But in reality, local tusi still held power; both Republic of China government stream officials and tusi had influence locally.
Such a place was chaotic, yet perfect for establishing a penicillin factory.
What was needed was to smooth relations with the locals in advance.
For this, he summoned company special action team members to Yangon, preparing to have them handle it.
With Taishan Airlines developing continuously, the original veterans gradually moved to management positions; they had their own duties, so it was time to train new talent.
The special action team members were young, energetic, visionary, and just right.
Fang Wen also needed such people.
After his request was sent back domestically, a Taishan Airlines international flight D.332 airplane, en route to Kolkata, made a temporary landing at Yangon Airport.
11 action group members disembarked, looking around curiously.
They had never been abroad, curious about everything here: wooden houses, unique ethnic costumes.
Until they saw two cars drive in.
The first was driven by Fang Wen; to fend off the hot sun here, he wore a hat.
“Get in the car first, we’ll talk back.” He said.
“General Manager.” “Hello, General Manager.”
After a chorus of respectful responses, the 11 jumped into the cars and headed to Yangon’s Taishan Industrial Park.
That was Yangon’s first industrial park; the name was still proposed by Fang Wen to the British people.
The industrial park had a bullet factory, aircraft repair and modification plant, and various shops—small but complete.
As for the refinery, it was at the port.
Fang Wen parked, took the group to the dormitory to arrange their temporary residence, then to the canteen.
At mealtime, Fang Wen said: “I called you here for two arrangements. 1, Four people go to Yunnan; I want to build a factory there, need personnel to handle some matters first. 2, The rest stay by my side.”
After speaking, he stood and left, saying: “Think it over, once you decide on the four, come find me at the aircraft repair and modification plant.”
This gave them time to discuss; the 11 exchanged glances, then started discussing.
“How to choose? Is going better, or staying?”
“Going is a test of ability; if successful, the General Manager might give heavy responsibility.”
“I think so too, but it’ll be full of difficulties; if unsuccessful, the General Manager will look down on us.”
“I think even if not going to Yunnan, staying by the General Manager won’t be bad, with plenty of future opportunities.”
After analyzing, they felt the ones going should naturally be the four most capable.
Through last cooperation, they had ranked themselves.
The most quick-witted, able to lead, was Wu Yingzong.
The best fighter was the only female team member, Zhao Wanping.
Both wanted to perform in front of Fang Wen, so naturally they would join.
The other two.
Were Liu Family Three Brothers’ eldest brother Liu Jin Rui and Li Tie Zhu.
These two: Liu Jin Rui as Liu family representative, must go strive; Li Tie Zhu volunteered, no one competed with him.
Once the four were decided, they left the canteen for the aircraft repair and modification plant.
There, Fang Wen was making components; a small iron rod in his hand was easily modified into a star anise screw.
After finishing, he tossed it aside casually, then walked to the nearby rest area.
“Come sit, let’s talk business.”
At his call, the four came and sat.
Fang Wen unfolded the map, pointing to Yunnan’s border area.
“Sipuzhibian General Office. That area is complex, just underwent replacing native chieftains with stream officials; four years ago, the Ministry of Internal Affairs approved the YN provincial government’s proposal to change to county governance, establishing Chili, Nanqiao County, Fo Hai, Zhen Yue, Liu Shun, Simao County, Jiangcheng seven counties. The area is vast with sparse population; tusi manage the countryside, stream officials manage the city. I want you to first smooth the local relations for me.”
Li Tie Zhu asked puzzled: “General Manager, what’s good about such a remote place?”
Fang Wen smiled faintly: “Since you four are going, you naturally need to know the secret; can I trust you?”
Instantly, the four were stunned.
Wu Yingzong was first to state: “General Manager, you avenged my whole family; from now on I’m your shadow, will never betray.”
Fang Wen patted Wu Yingzong’s shoulder, “The enemy has a head, debt a master; those who harmed your mom and dad, sister and brother were the Imperial Japanese Navy, we’ll deal with them later.”
He looked at the other three: “And you?”
Zhao Wanping replied: “My dad and mom say follow the General Manager for a good family later; I think so too, General Manager you can rest assured about me.”
Fang Wen noticed Zhao Wanping was looking at Wu Yingzong while speaking.
What a fateful connection!
At this time, the other two also stated.
Liu Jin Rui stood: “Our Liu family needs one not doing tomb raiding; I think it’s me. General Manager, trust me freely.”
Li Tie Zhu touched his bald back head: “I’m straightforward; my dad follows the Axe Gang, this life Axe Gang man; I follow General Manager, this life tied to General Manager.”
After the four stated, Fang Wen was willing to trust them, then said:
“This matter is extremely important; absolutely cannot spread beyond those in the know. Know what’s most important on the battlefield?”
Without waiting for answers, Fang Wen continued: “Life is most important; how many soldiers, wounded on battlefield, wound infection incurable, some amputate limbs luckily become disabled, preserve life. More die on sickbeds. I brought back from Europe a pharmaceutical method, to make a miraculous medicine, able to save countless wounded soldiers’ lives, no need amputate limbs, healthy discharge. This medicine is ready, but needs suitable pharmaceutical location; after searching, Sipuzhibian General Office is suitable. There, superiors can’t reach, tusi power split; if you smooth relations, pharmaceutical factory builds there—future benefits you should understand.”
So that’s it; Wu Yingzong first understood, such divine medicine must have great use; he would surely handle it well for the General Manager.
After his statement, Zhao Wanping followed, then Liu Jin Rui and Li Tie Zhu.
Fang Wen nodded satisfied: “Good then; I’ll prepare supplies for you, mainly some gold and jewelry, and a telegraph machine. This trip, no need fight; mainly identify local demands, get them support our factory build, willing maintain our interests. Things are prepared; stay here a week first, learn some Dai language communication, then I’ll fly you there.”
A week’s language learning passed quickly; the four learned daily communication words, not fluent but able to communicate.
They geared up, boarded Fang Wen’s car, drove to the seaside.
At the harbor dock, a seaplane was moored.
It was the one Fang Wen designed and assembled himself.
Seeing the airplane bobbing on the sea surface, Li Tie Zhu said surprised: “There’s even airplanes that float on water.”
Fang Wen boarded first, called from the cockpit: “Come up; no parachuting this time, we’ll land directly on the Lancang River, someone there to receive you.”
The four stepped on wooden boards into the airplane and sat; Fang Wen immediately started takeoff.
Seaplane takeoff and land-based aircraft takeoff both need acceleration, but not entirely the same.
Unlike land, must understand water power characteristics, including hydrostatics and hydrodynamics.
Hydrostatic characteristics mainly involve buoyancy, static stability, unsinkability, and turning; hydrodynamic characteristics involve changes in motion parameters like water dynamic resistance, longitudinal tilt angle, lift during takeoff and landing.
Fang Wen didn’t understand these at first, nearly caused trouble, but his mechanical perception quickly compensated this deficiency.
Now, he flew seaplanes more easily than land-based aircraft.
When speed reached takeoff state, he said: “Sit tight.”
The airplane drew a long waterline on the water surface, then lifted into the air, flying northeast.
（Yangon———Xishuangbanna temporary flight path, seaplane）
Yangon—Xishuangbanna Jinghong, 750 km range.
For a seaplane with two 625 horsepower Wasp engines, twin propellers, 290 km/h speed, max range 1500 km, too easy.
Flying it was very pleasant, no tension.
Fang Wen couldn’t help thinking: except flight speed not fast, this airplane met this era’s various civil aviation requirements.
Yes, a flash of insight in his mind.
Didn’t Southeast Asia just need such seaplanes?
Taishan Airlines didn’t need buy expensive Europe and America airplanes to establish Southeast Asia routes; just manufacture such seaplanes to meet local demand.
He could make one, could make two three, no problem at all.
After sending off the 4, should go to Southeast Asia.
Waving away thoughts, Fang Wen looked below.
At 3000 meters altitude looking down, everything so clear.
Why army below.
And well-equipped regular army, with tanks, with cannons.
Fang Wen immediately took out map to check.
After calculating, found he was now in Thailand territory.
This was a short straight-line flight segment must pass, only takes ten-odd minutes to cross.
Yet didn’t expect army below, unknown if problems.
Speak of the devil.
An airplane took off from below, chasing Fang Wen’s seaplane.
Fang Wen knew this airplane; Howard once recommended it, but discarded by Fang Wen as a biplane.
American Hawk-2 fighter jet.
Its speed 325 km per hour, faster than Fang Wen’s seaplane, soon caught up.
The pilot looked at Fang Wen, waved signal.
By aviation hand signals, meant require immediate landing.
Generally, airspace violation just expulsion, rarely require landing; after all, landing means capturing opponent’s airplane, causes international dispute.
But this time, opponent required landing; Fang Wen didn’t want surrender.
He said loudly: “Safety belts fastened, grab side handholds; I’m shaking off this fighter jet.”
After saying, he sharply nosed down into dive.
Hawk-2 fighter jet not weak, followed in dive.
Seaplane large size, slow speed, monoplane wing; dive couldn’t shake Hawk-2 pursuit, even close distance between planes.
But this wasn’t Fang Wen’s real plan.
Air combat has feints and real, combining them is tactics’ essence.
