Chapter 182: 181, Kabul New King, Return To Shanghai, Red Third Army And Xiangxi Airport
From Tehran to Kabul is 1600 kilometers, requiring 5 hours.
And the areas passed through are all plateau terrain, the Iranian Plateau and Afghan Plateau. Fang Wen was very cautious about this.
Before takeoff, he specifically communicated with the Air France pilots about whether high-altitude flight was possible.
Among the recruited pilots, two flew French central routes, frequently traveling back and forth over the French Central Plateau, with more ample experience, and they immediately took over Henry’s piloting.
The two airplanes took off from Tehran Airport, beginning the journey from the Iranian Plateau to the Afghan Plateau.
Fang Wen piloted the d332 in front to lead, occasionally mechanically observing the situation behind. After flying halfway, he found no problems and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The subsequent flight was much more relaxed.
Along the way, he exchanged experiences with the pilots on the airplane.
After the pilots finished exchanging, the talkative Lin Shuiwang came over to chat.
“General Manager, what do you mean by high-altitude flight? Is it dangerous?”
Fang Wen smiled and explained: “For pilots who have flown over high altitudes, it’s actually not dangerous. Mainly, the air density in high-altitude areas is low, so airplane takeoff and landing differ from low-altitude areas. A longer runway is needed for acceleration and gradual descent.”
“What air density?” Lin Shuiwang didn’t understand. At this time, popularization of basic scientific knowledge hadn’t started yet, so it was normal for him not to understand.
Fang Wen explained in another way: “It’s like sailing a ship for you. The larger the area of the hull in contact with the water, the greater the buoyancy, but the same ship has different buoyancy at sea and inland. That’s because the density of the water is different. Seawater has higher density, so the ship’s buoyancy is greater.”
With this explanation, Lin Shuiwang understood.
“Oh, that’s how it is. So this is physics.” He turned back to look at Bai Zeshan and said in a low voice, “Bai Zeshan is so smart; he should stay in France to continue studying. How did you let him return to China?”
“He has to come back. This counts as returning to China for a family visit. After the New Year, when the Asia-Europe flight opens, he’ll take the airplane back to Europe to continue his studies.” Fang Wen explained.
The two men’s topics jumped here and there, and time passed just like that.
After five hours of flight, the airplane arrived over Kabul.
Fang Wen communicated with the Boeing 247 behind, making parallel circles, while turning on the radio device to contact the ground.
This airport had only been landed at by Taishan Airlines so far. The ground radio personnel had received advance notice, and the landing process went very smoothly.
The two airplanes landed one after another, and a team of cavalry came over.
Fang Wen got off the airplane and talked with the cavalry team leader.
“I deeply regret what happened to your king.”
“Please don’t discuss this. We don’t want to mention the sad past again.” The other side refused to talk about it.
This matter might be very complicated. For Taishan Airlines, this place was just a transfer airport, so it was better not to meddle.
Fang Wen got straight to the point: “So what about the new agreement?”
“Some details need to be changed. Please come with me to the royal palace.”
Then, Fang Wen took a car alone to the royal palace on the mountain.
On the way, he learned some information about the new king.
This one had studied in France for many years, and his daily life was more westernized.
From this, it could be seen that his ascension would bring some changes here.
Just like Iran’s Pahlavi dynasty, the social atmosphere would become more open.
Fang Wen made these judgments and had some mental preparation for the upcoming meeting.
After more than half an hour, he arrived at the royal palace and was led by the royal palace manager to the second floor.
That was also where Fang Wen had met the old king.
Now, a young man sat behind the desk.
After the manager’s introduction, the young man stood up proactively, shook hands with Fang Wen, and conversed in English.
His demeanor lacked some majesty but made communication smoother.
After pleasantries, their conversation got straight to the point.
The young king expressed his ideas: “The terrain here is complex and transportation inconvenient. Air transport is currently the most convenient way to travel and an important channel for us to increase contact with the outside world. I want to invest further in this area. For example: better airport construction, air cargo channels.”
Fang Wen nodded: “These are also what Taishan Airlines hopes for. Next year at the beginning, we will open the Asia-Europe route. We’ll use d.332 airplanes manufactured by France’s Dewoitine Company, whose performance can fully meet transfer flights within 2000 kilometers.”
The particular mention of France sparked the new king’s interest, after all, he had stayed in France for a long time.
Upon hearing that future routes would be flown by French pilots, especially since this group was at the airport, he proactively offered to host a banquet for all passengers on this flight and allow them to stay overnight at the royal palace.
Fang Wen naturally agreed to this.
But the agreement matters needed to be finalized first.
Then, the royal palace civil officials came over and drafted the new agreement.
The main content changes were in two aspects.
1. The kingdom and Taishan Airlines jointly invest to establish the Afghan Airport Company.
The newly established Afghan Airport Company will invest in constructing various airport facilities and operate them.
This was to better win over Taishan Airlines and secure the only flight route in Afghan territory.
Fang Wen had no objection.
2. Add one item: air transport trade.
This was specially requested by the new king to add, with content to sell some Afghan specialty products outward.
Because this would occupy the airplane’s carrying capacity, Fang Wen specifically asked what specialty products they would be; low added-value ones weren’t worth air transport.
The new king had considered this too. His chosen air trade mainly involved: handmade wall hangings and jewelry craftsmanship.
Handmade wall hangings differ from carpets; they are mainly a special local cultural ornament, used to hang on walls for beauty.
It is a craftsmanship with strong local characteristics.
But jewelry craftsmanship has even higher value.
Here there are abundant gemstone resources, including lapis lazuli, tourmaline, ruby, sapphire, emerald, and other veins.
These gemstones will be processed by local artisans into various jewelry and ornaments, then transported by Taishan Airlines airplanes to Europe for sale.
The destination is Paris’s art trade center.
To let Fang Wen understand the value of air transport trade, the new king also took Fang Wen to appreciate the royal gold and jewelry and wall hangings.
After appreciating, the king took a box from the waiter’s hand and gave it to Fang Wen.
“This is a gift from me on behalf of the kingdom. I hope our cooperation is long-term and mutually beneficial.”
This kind of courtesy could not be refused, so Fang Wen accepted the gift box.
Afterward, he and the king took a car down the mountain together, appreciated the d.332 and Boeing 247 passenger aircraft at the airport, then took the group of passengers to the palace as guests.
This dinner was as rich as last time, with a slight difference of an added French style dish, which delighted the French pilots.
After one night, Fang Wen and his group set off again on the return journey, via Delhi, Kolkata, Guangzhou, finally arriving in Shanghai.
The 80-day Asia-Europe Shanghai trip ended.
After the airplane landed at Shanghai Airport, Gu Xingzuo and Dai Shimiao were eager to return home and immediately said goodbye to take the airport shuttle bus back to the city.
Bai Zeshan then switched to a China Airlines airplane to return to Nanjing.
The remaining Lin Shuiwang and 7 French pilots, plus flight attendant Cheng Dayou.
Fang Wen talked with Lin Shuiwang: “The company has no French translator. You first take charge of the 7 French pilots, handle their communication, work arrangements, adaptation, and teach them basic Chinese communication.”
Lin Shuiwang nodded in agreement.
Subsequently.
Flight attendant Cheng Dayou returned to the company to report back to post.
Lin Shuiwang took the 7 pilots to follow Fang Shouxin to the arranged pilot dormitory to settle in.
Fang Wen went home first to report that he was safe.
“I’m back.” Fang Wen shouted at the door, carrying two large bags.
In the courtyard, Qiu Ju called out: “Miss, the son-in-law is back.”
Kuang Mingzhu, dressed up and accompanied by Chun Cao, came out to greet him.
Seeing his wife, Fang Wen showed a brilliant smile, put down the two bags, opened his arms, picked up his wife, and spun around.
Kuang Mingzhu said shyly: “Mister, husband, what are you doing?”
“It’s been two months since I saw you; I missed you.” Fang Wen replied boldly.
This was originally a casual phrase between future couples, yet it sweetened Kuang Mingzhu’s heart.
But she still pleaded: “Let me down; Chun Cao and Qiu Ju are watching.”
Fang Wen put his wife down and was about to pick up the bags, but Chun Cao and Qiu Ju rushed to grab them.
The two maids used all their strength but still couldn’t lift them.
On this European trip, Fang Wen’s strength had unknowingly increased a lot.
He easily picked up the two large bags, placed them in the living room, then took out gifts.
“Chun Cao, Qiu Ju, Wu Ma, these chocolates and candy are for you.”
Chun Cao, Qiu Ju, and cook Wu Ma happily took the gifts and left, leaving private space for Fang Wen and Kuang Mingzhu.
Fang Wen then took out the items from the two large bags.
There were many cigar gift boxes, and candies and chocolates reserved for Kuang Mingzhu.
He hadn’t brought anything from the Indian side, after all, they were dead people’s things, not very auspicious.
But the things from Afghanistan’s new king were pretty good gifts.
Fang Wen took out that exquisite box and opened it.
It was a dragon-head gemstone bowl.
The dragon head made of gold on top, with gemstone-inlaid biplane wings coiled on the lapis lazuli bowl.
The outer wall of the bowl had wave patterns, and the base was a tray made of gold and gemstones.
Kuang Mingzhu carefully picked it up and couldn’t help praising: “It’s really beautiful.”
Her family did gold and jewelry business, so she naturally knew the value.
“Mister, this is very valuable, isn’t it?”
“It was given by someone abroad, a newly enthroned king. He bought this collectible in France while studying there. It’s said to be made by a famous foreign craftsman imitating Chinese culture’s dragon.”
“A king?” Kuang Mingzhu nodded: “If this were in the Qing Dynasty, it would be fit only for the emperor.”
“Now it’s just a decoration; you can’t eat with it touching your mouth.” Fang Wen laughed.
He approached his wife, desire surging, and picked her up again.
This time, his wife said nothing and obediently complied.
Time passed, the sun set, and the sky gradually darkened.
Refreshed Fang Wen walked out of the bedroom and stretched comfortably.
Kuang Mingzhu came out from behind, arranging her clothes and putting on earrings, while saying: “Chun Cao, Qiu Ju, go call people and tell them to come for dinner.”
This was Fang Wen’s small circle gathering again, with a meeting after dinner.
Fang Wen added: “Go to the pilot dormitory and call Lin Shuiwang who came back with me.”
Ten minutes later, people arrived one after another.
Shopkeeper Liu, Sun Debiao, Pan Jiafeng, Fang Shouxin, Shao Sishen, Howard.
Even Fang Shun, Huo Duanyang, and William from Xiangxi Airport came by airplane piloted by Pan Jiafeng.
And the newcomer Lin Shuiwang.
Fang Wen introduced Lin Shuiwang to everyone. No one was unfamiliar with him; during the last European trip, everyone knew he had been assisting the general manager diligently. His joining the small circle was inevitable.
Everyone warmly welcomed Lin Shuiwang’s arrival and did mutual introductions.
In this harmonious atmosphere, everyone gathered at one table and finished dinner.
Then, bowls, chopsticks, plates, and dishes were cleared, Chun Cao, Qiu Ju, and Wu Ma guarded outside, and the meeting began.
Shopkeeper Liu first explained the financial situation: “In these three months, shipping has been normal. Revenue grows 10% each month. For cigarette distribution, because the general manager went to Europe, no one could pilot the f.220 for daily air cargo, so the air delivery capacity for those cigarettes was distributed to the original route airplanes. But it didn’t affect the Boeing 247’s normal transport. After all, three months ago, large inventories were delivered to distribution cities everywhere.”
Fang Shouxin explained the company administrative situation: “In three months, the company added 50 new employees, mainly basic service staff at airports everywhere, and cigarette distribution business.”
After he finished, it was Pan Jiafeng’s turn, temporarily handling Shao Sishen’s training duties.
“The flight training center here has 5 flight apprentices ready for graduation, and another 20 flight attendants who have completed training and are waiting for assignment.”
According to Taishan Airlines regulations, flight apprentices who meet standards for graduation and transfer need Fang Wen’s approval.
Flight attendants have the same requirement.
Domestic routes are saturated; this batch is assigned to international flights.
Fang Wen said: “The graduating flight apprentices will start contacting the 7 French pilots I brought back tomorrow. After integration, they will serve as follow-fly personnel; only after passing assessment can they become co-pilots. The 20 flight attendants add half a month of training class to learn flight attendant etiquette with Cheng Dayou.”
Next were Huo Duanyang, Fang Shun, and William reporting the Xiangxi Airport situation.
After taking over airport management, Huo Duanyang had matured a lot.
He calmly stated the Xiangxi Airport situation over these three months.
“In these three months, the airport mainly focused on internal construction and napalm production. All airport infrastructure is complete, and relevant staff have been supplemented. William’s Security Brigade has maintained airport security; nearby bandits don’t dare come to cause trouble. For the bomb factory, due to lack of raw materials, we only produced 4068, totaling 113 bomb racks.”
This was well done; Fang Wen was very satisfied. Xiangxi Airport was a secret base, so stability was key.
But Huo Duanyang wasn’t finished.
Xiangxi had become chaotic in these three months.
Fang Wen was extremely surprised at this; he chose Xiangxi thinking it was a no-man’s-land in history, but hadn’t expected trouble.
With Huo Duanyang’s detailed description, plus supplements from Shunzi and William, Fang Wen understood the causes and consequences.
Although Xiangxi was chaotic, it was still controlled by local warlords.
That Chen Quzhen, in recent years, had suffered heavy losses fighting the Red Army, leaving him with only 20,000 troops.
Originally, 20,000 troops were enough to dominate Xiangxi alone.
But this time, a major warlord next to Xiangxi became interested in this territory and wanted to take it over.
That was the 25th Army Army Commander Wang Jialie, who had just taken control of Guizhou’s power.
Wang Jialie planned to send troops to deal with the small warlord in eastern Qian after which to move on Chen Quzhen. Sensing something wrong, Chen Quzhen reported to the provincial government, but got no response.
Meanwhile, a unit of the Red Third Army killed back into Xiangxi.
Seeing his old rival return, himself eyed by another warlord, and the provincial government wanting to reap benefits, Kuomintang New 34th Division Division Commander Chen Quzhen proposed peace talks to the Red Army, on condition of ceding Sangzhi, Longshan Mountain, Yongshun, Dayong, and other counties.
Subsequently, Yongshun where Xiangxi Airport is located became Red Army-controlled territory.
Fang Wen was extremely surprised; he hadn’t expected to contact the Red Army in this way.
