Chapter 117: 116, Treasure In History: True Cross, Joint Sino-german-american Treasure Hunting Team
1000 British Pound, purchased Alexander Fleming’s Penicillin preparation technology.
Alexander Fleming was very happy with this price, and he provided a not-too-complicated preparation method.
As well as a strain of Penicillium preserved in the laboratory.
And provided some suggestions.
His strain is probably not the best; to mass-produce Penicillin, one must select a Penicillium strain that produces high amounts of Penicillin and cultivate it on a suitable culture medium.
Additionally, the purification of Penicillin is also very important: use appropriate solvent to extract Penicillin from the culture, and remove impurities through steps like filtration and extraction to increase purity.
But these are things that Alexander Fleming himself hasn’t mastered, requiring a lot of experiments to figure out.
Through Alexander Fleming’s words, Fang Wen also understood the difficulty of mass-producing Penicillin on a large scale.
The current situation is this.
We have a definite direction: Penicillin will definitely be effective and shine brightly in the future.
But we lack detailed process content: Penicillin preparation requires many talents to conduct continuous experiments, invest a lot of funds in research and development, to obtain various precise and accurate data, thereby enabling large-scale preparation.
Does the domestic side currently have such a talent reserve?
Fang Wen didn’t know, so he specially sent a telegram back to inquire.
The telegram feedback from domestic indicated that Tsinghua University established a biology department in 1926, which has certain faculty strength and research equipment capable of conducting microbial culture research.
Just this isn’t enough; Fang Wen felt he needed to procure some useful medical instruments and equipment, as well as purchase a large number of medical books to bring back, to avoid trouble later if something is missing.
After these supplies are purchased, they will be transported to Paris, loaded into the cabin of f.220 there, and sent together to Kolkata Port.
Although Penicillin research hasn’t started yet, Fang Wen was already very confident about it.
With the Penicillin matter settled, only one last thing remains, and then he can return to China.
Explore the Armenian church on the small island in Lake Van, Turkey.
At this point, Fang Wen told Lin Shuiwang the situation.
“Come with me to Turkey.”
“What for?” Lin Shuiwang asked puzzled.
“Take you treasure hunting, let you make a sum of money too.”
“I get it, this is the big cake you told those Weimar Republic officers about. There really is treasure?!”
“There is treasure. But preparations are needed before going.”
Fang Wen told Lin Shuiwang his plan.
After hearing the plan, Lin Shuiwang analyzed it and suddenly realized that the entire action would be impossible to achieve without Fang Wen.
No other pilot could make a round trip of over a thousand kilometers, and at night without getting lost.
Only this way could the treasure transport problem be easily solved.
No wonder those officers’ attitudes changed so suddenly.
But now, three more things need to be done before the treasure hunting action can proceed.
1. Need a scholar who understands Lake Van Armenian Civilization, with more knowledge about there.
2. Need an aircraft capable of a 1200 km range from Istanbul to Lake Van, able to carry 10 people and some supplies. And it can’t be too large, otherwise it can’t land on the road next to Lake Van dock.
3. Need to arrange a night landing reception person in advance on the Lake Van side to set up torches on the ground runway for guidance.
These three things, one by one.
Fang Wen and Lin Shuiwang visited some history professors in the history department at University of London and obtained a lead.
A professor named Jerral has in-depth research on Armenian Civilization.
For this, Fang Wen and Lin Shuiwang specifically visited this professor.
For this one, no pleasantries; Fang Wen took out a stack of British Pound.
“Professor Jerral, this is 100 British Pound, enough to hire you to solve some history-related problems. About Armenian Civilization.”
This kind of off-the-books income isn’t much for a history professor, and Jerral gladly agreed.
Fang Wen took out a map and pointed to a spot on it, asking: “I want to know about that Armenian church on Lake Van island.”
After putting on glasses and looking at the map, the professor said confidently: “It was built by Senekerim-Hovhannes Artsruni.”
The professor used not English, but Armenian pronunciation, representing a person’s name.
Fang Wen indicated he didn’t understand, and then the professor translated it into an English-style name.
“He can be called John Hovhannes Artsruni; Artsruni is the surname of this royal family. The Artsruni family established the Vaspurakan Kingdom, and John Hovhannes Artsruni was the kingdom’s sixth king.”
Listening to the professor’s words, Fang Wen confirmed that this person was indeed very knowledgeable about Armenian history, and he asked the thing he most wanted to know.
“If this King John had any legacy, what do you think it would be?”
“This? I speculate there are two possibilities. In 1000, when Byzantine Emperor Basil II went to inspect the ‘Tao’ principality, King John and his brother Gurgen both visited the emperor and expressed respect. In return, Basil II gave them a large sum of wealth. In 1021, when Vaspurakan fell under Byzantine rule, King John took the True Cross relic to Sebastia and established a new monastery there.”
Fang Wen’s heart stirred; he felt the treasure detected by his supernatural ability was very likely related to the True Cross.
But what exactly is it?
He asked aloud: “I want to know about the True Cross.”
“In legend, the True Cross is said to be the cross on which Jesus Christ was nailed, one of Jesus’s relics. In Christian tradition, the True Cross, as the symbol of Jesus bringing salvation to humanity, has profound significance. But in historical records, the True Cross changed hands multiple times, experiencing discovery, plunder, recovery, hiding, and dispersal of fragments. Now the True Cross has become a legend, and King John’s True Cross legend is the last definite record in history.”
“Okay, thank you. Very happy to learn so much interesting historical knowledge from you.”
Fang Wen stood up, shook hands with the professor, and ended this paid Q&A.
The harvest was rich; he could basically confirm that what attracted his supernatural ability was the True Cross.
Back then, that King John did not take the True Cross when he left.
Fang Wen even suspected that the other party built the large cross church on the island precisely to house the True Cross.
After this major discovery, Fang Wen was even more confident about the treasure hunting trip.
He discovered that things related to his supernatural ability must be ancient items with special significance.
For example, the previous Angkor Dynasty’s Four-faced Buddha golden statue, which carried the faith of countless people.
Now not yet obtained, but the basically confirmed True Cross also carries a great deal of faith.
Perhaps it’s that intangible faith that gives his supernatural ability the possibility to upgrade.
Next, he needs to prepare the airplane and arrange the night receptionist.
He and Lin Shuiwang flew back to Paris, checking the shipping preparation of f.220 while loading the procured medical experimental equipment into the cabin.
At the same time, inquiring about airplane leasing in Paris.
There was some trouble with airplanes; in all of Europe, the channels to lease an airplane are few: air force, airline company, aircraft manufacturer.
But among these channels, Fang Wen had only dealt with aircraft manufacturer, so he planned to first ask Farman Company; if they couldn’t solve it, then think of other ways.
After he proposed the idea of leasing an airplane, Farman Company’s executives were surprised.
“You already have an f.220, and I heard you flew over from Asia in a p26; these can’t satisfy your needs? A rich pilot, I’m even envious of you.”
“Different needs; I need a medium-small airplane for 1200 km flight, able to carry 10 people.”
“There is one: Ford 4-AT Trimotor, can carry 12 people, but the range is a bit short, 800 km; you’d need one refueling stop.”
Farman executive directly gave Fang Wen an answer.
Ford 4-AT Trimotor, this name was familiar to Fang Wen, that is, Ford Trimotor.
The Young Marshal’s aerial mount from the Northeast; he had seen it at Nanjing Airport.
If he could fly this kind of airplane, that would be good too.
As for the range problem, some modifications could solve it, like installing a temporary auxiliary fuel tank on the airplane, not hanging from the bottom, but inside the cabin, which could also solve the fuel problem for long-distance flight.
He asked: “Where can I lease a Ford 4-AT Trimotor?”
“Our company has one. Previously, to research Ford 4-AT Trimotor, we bought one with our own money; it’s been in the hangar for the past two years. If you’re willing to pay a suitable rent, we’re willing to lease it to you.”
Farman executive had no worries about leasing the airplane to Fang Wen; after all, the other party still had an f.220 ready for shipping. As long as the other party was willing to spend money to lease, no deposit was even needed.
This was a good choice for both sides, and Fang Wen gladly agreed.
He immediately went to Farman’s airplane factory, where he saw the Ford 4-AT Trimotor gathering dust in the hangar.
From Fang Wen’s current perspective, this airplane was already somewhat outdated, with the overall fuselage structure looking too rough.
A bit like a big-bellied flying goose, just like its nickname iron sheet goose.
Comparatively, Fang Wen’s current Shrike Hao, Boeing 247, f.220 all looked better than it.
After appreciating the appearance, Fang Wen took the key, waited for ground crew to fill it with fuel, then test drove it for a lap.
Power-wise, 3 450 horsepower radial piston engines.
Due to insufficient engine power, it could only reach 150 km/h cruising speed.
Ceiling: 5000 meters
Range: 800 km.
This kind of airplane could be phased out along with biplanes in another two years.
No wonder Ford Company later focused on the automotive industry.
Fang Wen couldn’t help thinking that even if Farman Company sold this thing to him at a low price, he wouldn’t be interested.
Unknowingly, the flight assets he owned could already be considered top-tier domestically.
Even the once fabulously wealthy Young Marshal’s aerial mount, he looked down on.
After the test flight, the airplane landed, Fang Wen got off and asked Farman executive: “I might need to make some modifications to this airplane to suit long-distance flight.”
“What modifications?” Farman executive asked.
“Auxiliary fuel tank design, installed in the cabin or bottom, can increase long-distance flight mileage; in emergencies, it can be jettisoned in the air to reduce weight and improve airplane flexibility.”
Farman executive’s eyes lit up: “This design is brilliant.”
“Yes, especially in long-distance air combat, military aircraft can respond flexibly and increase range.” Fang Wen hinted. Farman and his cooperative relationship was good; some useful pointers would help Farman Company’s development and build friendship.
To prove the benefits of this design, Fang Wen also shared his personal experiences as lessons with the other party.
His conclusion was: “Auxiliary fuel tank is the most beneficial supplement for compact-structured fighter jets, enabling them to perform long-range combat missions that were previously impossible.”
For this, Farman’s executives specifically invited Fang Wen for a detailed discussion.
This suggestion gave Farman, which had been developing large airplanes, the idea to re-enter the fighter jet field.
To express thanks to Fang Wen, they waived this rental fee and experimentally modified the Ford Trimotor, giving it a 1.5 times auxiliary fuel tank.
With the auxiliary fuel tank, combined with mechanical perception ability, Fang Wen judged that this Ford Trimotor’s current performance could complete the voyage to Lake Van at a normal speed of 150 km/h.
Treasure secret known, airplane obtained.
Fang Wen sent telegrams to two different directions.
One to Berlin; the small notebook from those officers’ farewell had the agreed telegram contact frequency with him.
The other to Indiana in the Pahlavi dynasty; when leaving, Indiana said the original contact frequency remained unchanged and could still be used.
Both telegrams were sent in plain text; this might be the safest time in continental Europe before World War II, with no professional radio wave listening organizations, no worry of telegrams being intercepted.
The telegram to Berlin was simple: 【Treasure hunting action about to begin, airplane will depart from Paris, arrive at night, please inform landing location.】
Not long after sending the telegram, the reply came, informing the landing location.
The location was on the highway outside the woodland where weapons were tested back then.
After communicating with that side, no departure time was set yet; Fang Wen switched frequency and sent to Indiana at another agreed time slot.
【Got a business, I think you’ll like it.】
This time it took a long wait for a reply.
【Fang, what are you talking about? My telegraph operator keeps asking what business I did with you and why not include him.】
【He might have misunderstood; this is my first cooperation suggestion to you, with very rich returns. I don’t mind your telegraph operator joining too.】
Radio waves drifted in the air as Fang Wen and Indiana discussed an interesting business.
【Tell me first, I can’t guarantee I’ll agree.】
【I know of a treasure, possibly involving very precious items; already have some partners, still need some friends skilled in ground reception to join.】
【I need to know more details, otherwise can’t agree.】
Fang Wen thought for a moment.
【A thousand years ago, treasure left by a king; I can confirm it hasn’t been discovered.】
Tehran.
Indiana took a deep breath.
He looked at his telegraph operator.
Both their heartbeats accelerated.
A thousand years ago, king’s treasure.
Just like described in fairy tales.
But this wasn’t a fairy tale; the other party saying it so solemnly meant it was likely real.
“Boss, I want to get rich.” The telegraph operator bluntly stated his desire.
Indiana nodded: “If it doesn’t involve work, we can actually do some personal business.”
Then, the telegraph operator sent the reply as instructed by Indiana.
【If it doesn’t involve my work matters, this cooperation can be considered. The question is, where are you going?】
After the reply, Indiana straightforwardly took leave together with the telegraph operator.
He knew that place; there was also an Office of Strategic Services contact there.
But this time, Indiana felt it was more reliable to go personally.
