Chapter 194: 193, Shunzi’s Wedding, Red Army Taishan Airlines Exclusive Line Underground Worker: Shu Zhitao
After the Xiangxi Airport was built and continuously improved, it now has three areas: Area A, Area B, and Area C.
Area A is for future cargo loading and unloading and is the warehouse area, serving as the officially designated air transport hub for Xiangxi Airport, open to the outside world.
It is used for air logistics transit and distribution in the Southwest Region of China.
Area B is the flight zone, containing the runway, control tower, fuel depot, hangars, repair area, and so on.
Area C is the company’s proprietary park, including the bomb factory, barracks for the public security brigade, and the newly established cigarette packaging factory.
Only Area A is open to the public among the three areas, and this wedding is also taking place in Area A.
It was very lively.
Shunzi, being the first in Fang Wen’s small circle to get into a relationship, had guests including Shopkeeper Liu, Sun Debiao, Pan Jiafeng, Shao Sishen, Howard, and Huo Duanyang.
Also arriving were people from the Shanghai Airport security team; they were all descendants of Fang Shouxin, Shunzi’s fellow disciples.
And everyone from Xiangxi Airport.
The entire Area A of the airport was filled with laughter and joy, as everyone set up tents for eating and cooking, built stoves, and prepared ingredients in large pots.
Once the preparations were mostly done, everyone ate a pre-wedding meal together. Fang Wen stood up and said:
“Shunzi is getting married, and we are all very happy for him. I hope, inspired by his good fortune, everyone else will also strive to resolve their personal marital issues soon.”
Everyone burst into laughter. The youngest, Pan Jiafeng, said he wanted to wait, while the eldest, Sun Debiao, looked on with envy.
Fang Wen continued, “According to the local customs here, we must send a wedding procession to bring back the bride. Those carrying the betrothal gifts will be Shunzi’s fellow disciples of the same generation, and some positions have not yet been assigned. I will announce them, and you can choose yourselves.”
He paused and then took out a paper, reading aloud: “The first is the Gift Escort Officer: responsible for coordinating the entire wedding procession and negotiating with the bride’s family.”
Shopkeeper Liu responded, “I will be the Gift Escort Officer.”
Within Fang Wen’s inner circle, Shopkeeper Liu and Fang Shouxin were both mature and steady. However, since Fang Shouxin’s own son was getting married, he could not take on this role, making Shopkeeper Liu the most suitable choice, and no one contested him.
Fang Wen continued, “I heard that in Miao villages here, there’s a custom of blocking the door with wine during weddings. This is difficult to deal with, so we need someone with a high alcohol tolerance to avoid getting drunk at the village entrance and embarrassing our Taishan Airlines.”
“I’ll do it.” “Me too.”
Sun Debiao and Shao Sishen bravely took on this challenging task.
Fang Wen put away the paper and said, “Everything is arranged. Let’s depart.”
Immediately, the group got up, leaving only Fang Shouxin, as the elder, to oversee the airport.
Shunzi and the Gift Escort Officer, Shopkeeper Liu, were at the front.
Pan Jiafeng and Huo Duanyang followed, carrying lanterns and bamboo baskets.
Behind them was a grand procession, including a wedding sedan chair and musicians.
The group left the airport to go to the village to fetch the bride.
They were merry and talked and laughed all the way.
After walking for a while, Shopkeeper Liu came to the back of the group and spoke with Fang Wen.
“General Manager, I have something I’d like to discuss with you.”
Fang Wen slowed his pace and said, “Go ahead.”
Shopkeeper Liu hesitated for a moment, then said, “I believe that our Taishan Airlines, while seemingly peaceful domestically, is actually fraught with hidden dangers.”
“Why do you say that?” Fang Wen asked.
“Bombings are one thing; at night, the Japanese can’t find evidence and can’t blame us. But regarding the Taishan Brand cigarettes, there are some issues I must address. If they are not concealed well, it will inevitably be discovered that we are doing business with the Red Army.”
Shopkeeper Liu was the chief accountant for Taishan Airlines. All company activities generated cash flow, which ultimately could not escape his scrutiny.
However, he was ultimately a firm supporter within Fang Wen’s inner circle. Upon discovering a problem, he immediately reported it to Fang Wen.
Fang Wen also wanted to know what flaws there were in his actions and listened attentively.
Shopkeeper Liu continued, “Our company’s Taishan Brand cigarettes are produced without a clear origin. There is no customs registration for foreign cigarettes, no tobacco purchase receipts, no documentation for the processing stages, and no actual source. Now, with the sales volume of Taishan Brand cigarettes constantly rising, it is bound to attract the attention of competitors. A little investigation would reveal the problem.”
Fang Wen couldn’t help but fall into thought.
What Shopkeeper Liu said was indeed worth noting. Small quantities were manageable, but the larger the operation, the harder it was to conceal the issues.
Where did so much tobacco come from?
If it was smuggled out at low prices from the base area for sale, these would not be problems at all. But for legitimate commercial activities, this was a huge loophole.
He suddenly thought of a business term unique to the future: “export for domestic re-sale.”
Although it wasn’t the same thing, it sparked a new idea in him.
“If you’re worried about the origin issue, we’ll do an ‘export for domestic re-sale’.”
Shopkeeper Liu looked bewildered. “General Manager, what is ‘export for domestic re-sale’?”
Fang Wen explained, “Suppose, hypothetically, we now transport all the cigarettes to Yangon, establish a tobacco company there, sell some overseas, and then ship the rest back to China for domestic sales. The origin would then become British Burma.”
“If we do that, it becomes imported British cigarettes?” Shopkeeper Liu suddenly understood.
He couldn’t help but exclaim, “General Manager, how can you be so shrewd? Our Taishan Airlines in China has such a large business, yet all our airplanes are leased. Even if something happened, it wouldn’t cripple us. Coupled with solving the cigarette issue, making money domestically is easy, and the risks are low.”
Fang Wen inwardly thought, this wasn’t shrewdness, but rather actively applying business cases he had seen in the future.
Now that Shopkeeper Liu was aware of his trade with the Red Army, Fang Wen decided to be open with him.
“Old Liu, what are your thoughts on the Red Army?”
“To be honest, I support them. After all, I come from a poor background, and without the opportunity of a general manager, I would never be able to turn my life around. It would be best if the Red Army could break the rules of this world.”
Shopkeeper Liu’s candid answer relieved Fang Wen.
This was the crucial core of Taishan Airlines, and if he and Fang Wen walked the same path, the future would be smooth.
For this reason, Fang Wen was also willing to discuss his future plans with Shopkeeper Liu.
He would lay out his industry investments abroad one by one.
After hearing everything, Shopkeeper Liu was greatly surprised, “Such a huge venture, can it succeed?”
“‘Man proposes, but God disposes’,” Fang Wen explained. “Asia-Europe international routes are the core for the next few years. We will use this to establish an Asia-Europe air trade channel, not just for transporting people, but more for goods. Regarding the casino companies in the United States, I’ve made a start, and the cake is divided. Once it’s listed, things will be easier. Now you know, from now on, the US will send a financial report every month. You are capable and should help me keep an eye on things, right?”
Shopkeeper Liu readily agreed. He was gratified to receive further trust from Fang Wen; this path was one he would see through to the end.
The conversation passed quickly, and the welcoming party arrived at a mountain peak three li outside the Miao village.
Shopkeeper Liu hurried to the front of the procession to take on the role of Gift Escort Officer and began making arrangements.
As musical instruments sounded, Pan Jiafeng and Huo Duanyang took out large bundles of firecrackers from their bamboo baskets, spread them out on the ground, and prepared to light them.
Howard and William also came to join the fun, each holding a firecracker ready to set it off.
Amidst the music, the firecrackers crackled and exploded, followed by fireworks shooting into the sky from two locations, instantly igniting the festive atmosphere.
The welcoming procession descended the mountain in a grand manner, then climbed another mountain, arriving outside the Miao village.
Outside the Miao village, it was equally lively. Miao girls and aunties adorned with silver ornaments blocked the entrance to the village.
They sang ancient welcoming songs, raising their ox horns.
“What are they singing?” everyone was very curious.
Shunzi, who understood some Miao language, explained, “They are singing: If you want to enter the village, you must drink the ox horn wine; otherwise, there’s no way in.”
“It’s just drinking. Shao Sishen, let’s go,” Sun Debiao casually said, walking towards them with Shao Sishen.
They expected wine cups or bowls, but instead, each person received an ox horn to drink from. Once finished, they would pass.
Good heavens, these water buffalo horns were quite large!
Fortunately, Sun Debiao and Shao Sishen both had good alcohol tolerance. Sun Debiao held up the ox horn and drank it down, while Shao Sishen bent his head and opened his mouth, allowing a Miao girl to pour the drink directly into it. This was quite popular with the Miao women, and several ox horns were directed towards his open mouth.
After it was all done, the welcoming party entered the village.
They would stay here for a while; the bride had to cry, accompanied by her aunts and other female relatives.
Although crying, they had to sing while crying, which was called “crying marriage.” It was a special wedding ceremony where the daughter poured out her heart.
After the crying, the bride, Long Yumei, wearing a red headscarf as a veil, knelt with Shunzi to bid farewell to her parents and grandparents.
Then, after partaking in the wedding banquet at her maiden home, she could depart.
The original Miao custom for a bride’s departure was for the groom to carry her home. However, Shunzi adopted Northern customs, using a large wedding sedan chair to bring her back.
For this purpose, they specifically hired sedan chair bearers from Western Hunan, as only they could move swiftly on mountain paths.
As the Gift Escort Officer, Shopkeeper Liu was busy. With the bride in the sedan chair, all her dowry had to be packed, some in bamboo baskets and some carried by two people. Although not valuable, the propriety and formality had to be sufficient.
After all this was done, the music started again, accompanied by firecrackers and the women’s crying, as the welcoming party began their return journey.
However, this returning party included several individuals sent by the bride’s family.
Among them was Shu Zhitao.
Shu Zhitao followed the welcoming procession, but his mind was elsewhere.
He had been in contact with Fang Shouxin and Shunzi, but were these two truly the orchestrators of the entire trade?
It was unlikely; there was someone behind them, someone who did not wish to reveal themselves and let these father and son take the lead.
Could it be that general manager?
Or perhaps Shopkeeper Liu, who managed the finances?
Or maybe Sun Debiao from the Aviation Distribution Company?
Shu Zhitao observed the senior management of Taishan Airlines within the welcoming party.
Apart from Fang Shouxin, everyone else was present.
He felt a sense of unity from these people, similar to that of the Red Army. What was it that made them so united?
Unconsciously, Shu Zhitao’s gaze fell upon Fang Wen’s retreating back.
The welcoming procession traversed mountains and valleys, and by afternoon, they finally returned to Xiangxi Airport.
Everyone immediately forgot their fatigue and became even more boisterous.
Firecrackers produced by the bomb factory continued to explode, and fireworks shot into the night sky.
Abundant dishes were laid out on every table.
According to the customs of Cangzhou, a wedding ceremony had to be performed.
The location for the ceremony was in a newly erected ceremonial tent.
As elder witnesses to the wedding, besides Fang Shouxin, there were also several of his fellow disciples.
Shunzi led the Miao ethnic group bride, adorned with silver ornaments, to pay respects to her uncles, then bowed heavily to Fang Shouxin.
After bowing, the couple bowed to each other, marking the completion of the wedding, and the feast began.
That night was lively and very happy.
At the same time, Shu Zhitao quietly found Fang Shouxin.
Fang Shouxin glanced at Fang Wen in the distance, then stood up and said in a low voice, “Come with me. Let’s go somewhere quiet to talk.”
As soon as he and Shu Zhitao left, Fang Wen followed.
Both parties entered a room, divided into front and back compartments. Fang Shouxin and Shu Zhitao were in the front, and Fang Wen was in the back.
In the room, Fang Shouxin poured Shu Zhitao a cup of tea and asked.
“Thank you for attending my son’s wedding. You must have other matters to discuss this time?”
Shu Zhitao nodded, “Mr. Fang, the Taishan Brand Cigarettes have greatly helped the economic income of our base area. Currently, business within the base area has finally begun to operate with the impetus of these funds.”
Fang Shouxin feigned surprise, “Are you facing difficulties?”
“Yes, all our base areas are subject to economic blockades.”
Shu Zhitao spoke of the situation in the base areas, explaining that during several encirclement and suppression campaigns, there were not only military attacks but also ‘trade wars’ involving economic blockades.
These economic blockades directly caused the collapse of the fragile economic environment in the base areas.
Many local agricultural products and handicrafts could not be exported, and various daily necessities from outside were difficult to bring in. Many were smuggled to bypass the blockade, but that required more funds for purchase, making it hard to sustain without sources of income.
Therefore, money is also very important during wartime.
Speaking of this, Shu Zhitao asked, “Our Red Third Army has obtained a stable source of income through cigarette trade. Cigarettes are also products that are easy to produce and transport, making them very suitable for development in other base areas. I’d like to ask if we can establish more cigarette sales contacts?”
Fang Shouxin could not make a decision on such matters.
However, Fang Wen, in the room behind him, could make the decision.
This secret room was prepared for such situations.
Fang Shouxin’s heel lifted and then lowered, triggering the telegraph machine under his foot.
This wired Morse Code was transmitted to the room behind.
【 General Manager, how should I reply to him? 】
Fang Wen thought for a moment.
With Taishan Airlines’ layout, the Red Third Army’s quantity for cigarette trade would definitely not be enough. Other base areas combined could also be accommodated.
But since it has already been decided to export for domestic re-sale, there needs to be a receiving point.
Taishan Airlines cannot handle picking up goods from each base area, nor does it have the strength.
The goods must be transported over, preferably to Xiangxi Airport, which is very hidden and not feared of being discovered by others. Then they will be encapsulated on-site and transported to Yangon, and then re-exported back to China.
He sent this via Morse Code to Fang Shouxin.
Fang Shouxin felt a faint electric current pulse vibration from his foot and smiled, “We can indeed accept them, but I don’t have the ability to collect them from your base areas. They would need to be sent to Xiangxi Airport.”
“Sent here?” Shu Zhitao pondered.
Fang Shouxin took out a map and analyzed, “Look, our current location is on the You River. Through the You River, then the Yuanjiang, and finally the Yangtze River, these places can all be handled by water transport. If you are transporting tobacco and cigarettes, you are not afraid of being checked along the way. The main difficulty is getting the goods out of the base area.”
Shu Zhitao nodded, “I will report back the situation. Also, please rest assured that our superiors are very concerned about your support, and confidentiality will continue to be maintained, absolutely no connection with you will be leaked.”
He stood up, gave a solemn military salute, and then left.
Shu Zhitao returned overnight and, after reporting the situation, several base areas engaged in a telegram discussion regarding this matter.
Through radio wave communication, they felt this was a good attempt, but it must be kept secret, and one person must be specifically designated to coordinate and be responsible for the operation of this matter.
This person would undertake receiving the cigarettes and tobacco transported out from various base areas, then transport them by water to Wang Village on the You River, and from Wang Village, via Yongshun, to Xiangxi Airport.
The best candidate for this role would be Shu Zhitao.
Under the order of his superior, Shu Zhitao took off his military uniform and became an underground worker.
