Chapter 198: 197, Taishan Flying Club, Shearing American Wool In Progress, Mandalay Palace
Fang Residence, diagonally opposite the main entrance of Shanghai Airport.
Chun Cao, Qiu Ju, and Wu Ma were guarding outside, not just standing around idly. The three women were holding sunflower seeds, with baskets at their feet for the shells. Three women make a show, chatting away.
Inside Fang Residence, the room door was tightly closed, but the discussion inside was intense.
Everyone was racking their brains over the gold matter.
Some were also worried.
Shopkeeper Liu asked, “Will the United States’ Gold Reserve Act pass? If it doesn’t, won’t the gold we’ve collected be stuck in our hands?”
Yeah, everyone paused. If it succeeds, great; if not, a month’s hard work is nothing, but the money’s all turned into gold, and we’d have to convert it back, with losses in between.
Fang Wen knew it would definitely pass; otherwise, Roosevelt’s New Deal couldn’t be implemented.
But he couldn’t say it that way, so he explained in another manner.
“You might not know this, but the Federal Reserve isn’t a national institution; it’s composed of a group of bankers. For the United States to print banknotes, it has to go through these bankers. Now Roosevelt needs a large amount of banknotes to stimulate the economy. The bankers can’t print them out of thin air, so they need to reserve a large amount of gold, using it as mortgage to exchange for paper banknotes to issue to the market. Now the president has negotiated with the Federal Reserve; power and money have reached an agreement. It will absolutely succeed.”
It was the first time everyone had heard about this kind of financial system in the United States, and they were very surprised.
The phrase “power and money have reached an agreement” dispelled their doubts, and with their trust in Fang Wen, they resumed the discussion.
In their view.
Collecting a large amount of gold from the public wasn’t easy.
In this war-torn era, gold was the best hard currency; anyone with some savings would hide some as backup.
To get gold from their hands, just offering high prices wasn’t enough; it also required massive propaganda, then sending many people to organize acquisitions.
This path wouldn’t work.
That left only the gold exchanges in Shanghai and Guangzhou, buying directly through bulk trading from the gold exchanges.
After calculating the accounts, Shopkeeper Liu spoke softly with Fang Wen.
“General Manager, our current cash is 1.12 million silver dollars, including 830,000 leftover from the airline company, and 290,000 from the March account period of the tobacco and medicinal materials distribution business. That can exchange for about 370 kilograms of gold, profiting around 100 kilograms of gold.”
1 million silver dollars earning over 300,000 silver dollars, with a month of preparation—not a small amount, but not huge either.
But what Fang Wen controlled was more than that.
He said softly, “The 1 ton of War of Resistance gold from the south can also earn 30%. Can our company use it as mortgage to exchange for more short-term funds to buy gold? It feels like we have too little money on hand.”
Shopkeeper Liu quickly stopped him: “Domestic assets are just five airports; the airplanes aren’t ours and can’t be mortgaged. Moreover, many people are jealous of Taishan Airlines now. Once we mortgage, it’s like a meat bun thrown to a dog—gone without return. They’ll use all sorts of means to deal with us.”
Fang Wen nodded. Raising a large amount of gold in one month wasn’t as simple as it seemed.
They couldn’t risk putting Taishan Airlines on the line; that would turn a no-risk matter into a risky one.
Were there other ways to raise gold?
Fang Wen looked at everyone.
But no one offered a plan.
Sun Debiao, however, was hesitating, looking like he wanted to speak but held back.
Fang Wen asked, “Sun Debiao, if you have something to say, say it.”
“Um, back when I was mixing in the jianghu, I heard a story. Those with little capital who wanted to succeed would set up a scheme, lure people in, and borrow a chicken to lay eggs.” Sun Debiao replied.
Shopkeeper Liu also remembered.
“In the jianghu, there are people who play thousand arts, from small gambling scams to big schemes to seize wealth and businesses. One trick is called ‘cuckoo steals the nest,’ roughly the same meaning as what Sun Debiao said. But this kind of scheme requires selecting targets and setting up carefully; unsuitable families would see through it at a glance.”
Sun Debiao and Shopkeeper Liu were old jianghu hands, well-experienced, and gave Fang Wen new hints.
Whether borrow a chicken to lay eggs or cuckoo steals the nest, both used others’ assets to achieve one’s own goals.
Could they use this method themselves?
Fang Wen fell into deep thought, and everyone fell silent, not daring to disturb him.
Domestically, due to constant war, the rich all knew to hide their gold and wealth. Gathering a large amount in less than a month wasn’t easy.
Abroad?
He suddenly thought of the Raja of Sarawak, the King of Afghanistan, and more.
Across South Asia and Southeast Asia, there were numerous local kings and tycoons.
They had amassed countless wealth through their families; they definitely wouldn’t lack gold.
These people weren’t fully connected with the wealthy classes in Europe and America; they might not know the situation in the United States.
If he set up a scheme as Sun Debiao suggested, borrowing their gold for a big deal, could it succeed?
Fang Wen voiced this idea.
For such a bold idea, everyone couldn’t believe it came from the general manager.
Too grand!
Could it be realized?
Kuang Mingzhu and Shao Sishen knew this best.
Shao Sishen analyzed: “In British India, there are many local kings; some might be inviteable. After the Konbaung Dynasty in Myanmar was destroyed by the British, the royal family moved to London. Siam stands alone, with the strongest strength. French Vietnam was previously the Nguyen Dynasty; the Nguyen royal family is whereabouts unknown.”
Kuang Mingzhu added: “Malaya and Indonesia, though under British and Dutch rule, both have sultans, that is, local kings everywhere. The Philippines is controlled by Americans, but local management is still by locals; the influence of former sultans remains. There are also Chinese people across Nanyang, and among the Chinese, there are no lack of tycoons. The problem is, these people each have their own circles and don’t mingle. Why should they gather together because of us?”
Their analysis not only didn’t make Fang Wen back down, but sparked more detailed ideas.
He spoke up:
“You say they lack connections with each other—that’s just missing a reason for gathering. I’ll provide that reason for them. Call it the South Asia Flying Club, a high-end entertainment club, open only to top tycoons and royal family members from various places, with Taishan Airlines private jets for pickup and delivery.”
Fang Wen proposed a very attractive plan.
People gather with like-minded ones; the rich like being with the rich, and those with royal status like being with royals.
Gather these people for a grand event, nominally a flying club, playing with the most advanced airplane flights, of course with plenty of other service projects.
They would surely be happy to have such a gathering venue.
Fang Wen’s suggestion immediately sparked discussion in his small group.
Where would the South Asia Flying Club venue be?
In Shanghai, with complete services and pleasures available for purchase with money, making organizing events much easier.
But Fang Wen felt the level wasn’t high enough.
A flying club needed grandeur, not inferior to royal grandeur.
Fang Wen remembered that on flights from Yangon to Xiangxi Airport, he would see a massive palace complex midway.
That was the royal palace of Myanmar’s Konbaung Dynasty, now used by the British Army as barracks.
Renting it would perfectly fit the high-end, grand image of the flying club.
He said this, and hearing about renting a royal palace for the flying club venue, everyone was convinced of the general manager’s bold ideas.
Then let’s do it.
Next, how to invite them?
That would be handled by Fang Wen, Kuang Mingzhu, and Shao Sishen.
Fang Wen would go to Kabul and Sarawak.
Shao Sishen and Kuang Mingzhu would use their family connections to invite Nanyang’s Chinese tycoon families and local kings.
The discussion gradually formed a clear outline, and work was assigned to the rest.
A 15-day preparation team was formed.
Financial budget management: Shopkeeper Liu.
Manpower and material preparation: Sun Debiao and Fang Shouxin. The two would first recruit a batch of service personnel in Shanghai, then local service personnel in Myanmar, striving to make the club both locally characteristic and internationally stylish.
Flying club member invitations: Fang Wen, Kuang Mingzhu, Shao Sishen.
The rest continue normal work, filling in as needed.
With everything arranged, they started immediately. Success depends on human effort.
January 1934
For Fang Wen and his small circle, the schedule was tight and fulfilling.
Everyone acted for a clear goal, doing their utmost to shear American wool before February arrived.
Taishan Airlines’ own traders were stationed at the gold firms in Shanghai and Guangzhou, steadily buying gold bars every day.
Sun Debiao and Fang Shouxin roamed nightclubs and high-end hotels in the urban area, poaching a batch of quality service personnel.
They also purchased a lot of equipment.
Kuang Mingzhu and Shao Sishen were also discussing with their families.
Fang Wen flew the Shrike Hao to Myanmar.
After the plane landed in Yangon, Fang Wen proactively visited the local British Navy garrison.
Due to prior cooperation, the two sides had been on good terms. The garrison colonel specially invited Fang Wen to his home.
The major brewed a cup of Ceylon bagged black tea and served it to Fang Wen: “Every time I see you, my savings increase. To me, you’re the wealth god from Eastern legends.”
“It’s mutual benefit. Without your help, my commercial activities in Yangon wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.” Fang Wen smiled, while pushing over a small box.
The other opened it, glanced, and tacitly accepted it. “What business today?”
“There’s a royal palace in Mandalay City, garrisoned by your army, right?”
“Yes, our army has always been stationed there. After all, it’s a symbol of the previous dynasty, but it has little practical use. The king’s family moved to London long ago.”
“I’d like to rent it. Is that possible?” Fang Wen asked.
“What do you plan to do?” The colonel was very curious.
“Taishan Flying Club, a high-end club inviting tycoons and local kings from across South Asia to join.”
Fang Wen stated the plan without concealment; it didn’t need hiding anyway.
The major was stunned. Such an idea shocked him, like opening a club in Europe inviting all European royalty and nobility.
But if successful, the benefits were huge—not to mention, such connections were precious wealth.
The major smiled: “I can help you, but I want to join the club.”
“In a private capacity?”
“Yes, private capacity.”
“Deal.” Fang Wen smiled and shook hands.
That day, he and the major drove to Mandalay City in central Myanmar.
The military vehicle drove north.
Myanmar’s terrain was dense with jungles, and the roads were carved through them, with birds flitting through the woods and mosquitoes swarming.
The temperature was also humid and hot.
Fortunately, both were accustomed to such climate, with little inconvenience.
At first the major drove, but later Fang Wen felt it too slow and directly requested to drive.
After switching to him, the speed immediately surged 50%, reaching the military vehicle’s limit.
At this stimulating speed, the military vehicle sped along, passing through Naypyidaw and arriving in Mandalay City.
Mandalay, once the power center of the Konbaung Dynasty, though fallen for decades, remained prosperous.
To the left of the city was a great river, a typical ancient city built along the water, once again letting Fang Wen feel the close relationship between rivers and human civilization.
Fang Wen slowed down to let the herd of water buffalo pass first.
While waiting, the major introduced: “This is the Irrawaddy River, Myanmar’s largest river. It’s said the source is upstream in your China.”
“Oh. Then where is the royal palace in the city?” Fang Wen asked.
“You’ll pass four small lakes, then see Mandalay Hill; the royal palace is at the foot of the hill.” The major replied.
By then, the herd had passed, and Fang Wen accelerated again. Soon, they arrived at the royal palace.
（Mandalay Palace, destroyed in World War II as it was a British Army base）
（Post-war rebuilt Mandalay Palace）
Fang Wen parked and surveyed the royal palace. The entire building complex was adorned with rich religious elements, having a unique South Asian beauty.
He followed the major inside and met the local garrison commander.
During the talks, Fang Wen didn’t participate; the major negotiated with him in the room.
After a while, the major came out and spoke with Fang Wen.
“He said the army’s duty is mainly to guard the royal palace, but it has little practical meaning now. He can decide to rent it to you. But with conditions: only three months open per year; the rest of the time under their management.”
Fang Wen nodded, understanding their intent: wanting money but fearing responsibility, so only providing three months annually, with the army handling the rest.
He replied: “Tell him I can accept this plan, but it can’t be re-rented to others. Also, we’ll do some renovations to the royal palace; outside the three months, the army must not damage those renovations.”
The major nodded, went back in, and soon came out.
This time, that British Army commander came along.
“It’s fine; he agrees.”
Fang Wen shook hands with him, sealing the agreement.
Afterward, he and the major left. Upon returning to Yangon, he handed a small box to the colonel, completing the first year’s under-the-table rental deal.
With the deal done, usage rights of the royal palace belonged to Taishan Airlines. Fang Wen immediately telegraphed Shanghai to prepare, specially arranging a D.332 for January round-trip transport of service personnel and equipment, starting renovations, service training, and rehearsals for other entertainment activities right away.
With arrangements here settled, Fang Wen flew the Shrike Hao and landed in Kolkata.
The remaining flight range was too grueling in the Shrike Hao; he switched to Taishan Airlines’ own international flight to Kabul.
After a day, Taishan Airlines’ international flight plane landed in Kabul.
The flight attendant announced: “Passengers, this Asia-Europe flight took two and a half days, with an overnight stop in Kabul. After disembarking, please follow me to register accommodation and arrange catering. Tomorrow: 8 a.m. wake-up, 8:30 a.m. breakfast, 9 a.m. departure. Don’t forget!”
With that, the flight attendant distributed printed reminder papers to passengers, lest they actually forget.
When handing to Fang Wen, the flight attendant said: “General Manager, do you need me to arrange your accommodation and meals tonight?”
“No need; someone will pick me up.” Fang Wen replied.
Then, he followed the passengers off the plane and waited alone to the side.
A car drove into the airport and took him to the palace on the mountain.
Inside the royal palace, the new king met Fang Wen privately. The two sat across a table in the study room for dinner, French style.
French-style pan-seared foie gras, steak, mushroom soup.
Their meal had little ceremony; the king ate and talked.
“A flying club sounds interesting. I’ve always thought Asia needs such an event. Taishan Airlines flying everywhere is indeed suited to organize it. Just one small issue with the event location.”
Fang Wen looked up: “What issue?”
“I think setting the flying club at Mandalay Palace is fine, but for everyday gatherings, what then? I can provide this palace as a meeting point for other times.”
So that’s it. Fang Wen breathed a sigh of relief, thinking there was some change.
