Chapter 85: 84, A Shocking Plan Takes Shape, Arresting Japanese Spy At The Venue
Teacher and student from Tsinghua University took out a cylindrical implement about 1 meter long from the truck.
They turned the crank on one side, just like a hand-cranked telegraph machine, to generate electricity manually.
After electric energy was produced, the professor raised the cylinder and explained.
“This is the portable metal detector you mentioned. It weighs 35 jin. Adults can pick it up. The switch is at the grip. After pressing it, it can detect for five minutes. Once the time is up, the electric energy is consumed, and it needs to be recharged.”
“Check me.” Fang Wen said.
The other party aimed the cylinder at Fang Wen and scanned from top to bottom. At the waist, it emitted a buzzing sound.
Fang Wen took out the Browning pistol from the pocket at his waist.
It worked.
With these devices, it can prevent Japanese from bypassing the security gate detection and bringing weapons into the venue. It will surely give the Japanese a surprise then.
Immediately, Fang Wen took out a small leather suitcase from the airplane cockpit and handed it to the other party.
“This is the payment for goods. Happy cooperation.”
The professor took the suitcase but looked toward Shrike Hao.
“This airplane is very advanced, right?”
“Yes, currently it’s top-class.” Fang Wen replied. Suddenly, he had an idea: “Professor, do you think we can build this kind of airplane?”
The professor was stunned, then shook his head: “That’s basically impossible. It requires too many things. Our industrial foundation is too weak. Every part inside, even the screws, is standardized. With domestic conditions, it’s impossible. Unless…”
Fang Wen hadn’t held much hope originally, but he didn’t expect the professor to say “unless.”
He couldn’t help but ask eagerly: “Unless what?”
“Unless you have wealth rivaling a country. The United States is a nation of businessmen. With money, you can buy anything—even a complete airplane production line, including workers. As long as you have money, they can ship them over.” The professor replied with a smile, treating it as a joke.
But Fang Wen didn’t think so. Maybe he could do it?
He didn’t say much more, but put those hand-cranked metal detectors into the lower space under the auxiliary fuel tank, then bid farewell to the teacher and student from Tsinghua University and left.
The airplane flew into the sky. Fang Wen piloted it while thinking about the previous matters in his mind.
What the professor said wasn’t comprehensive. Although the United States values business, it’s not true that money can buy anything.
But without money, nothing can be done.
What way makes money the fastest?
Develop industry?
No, too slow.
Do trade?
That requires domestic affordability or specialty products that can be sold abroad for huge profits.
But nowadays, domestically it’s depressed, people’s livelihood is difficult, wealth gap is huge. Where does consumption come from?
Tung oil trade, and even later tungsten ore and pig bristles, are all primary products with low added value, mainly relying on volume for profit.
Once the business scales up, it involves more and more networks of relationships, making the business complicated.
Abroad also has problems everywhere. The United States raises tariffs for self-protection, German nationalism comes to power, economies of various countries are not prosperous, which also laid the fuse for World War II.
Even Japan domestically erupted with serious economic problems.
The subsequent World War II was nothing more than plunder to relieve domestic pressure.
Only the United States stayed out of it, using its powerful industrial strength to obtain a large number of orders and revive the economy.
Therefore, industry and trade in this era cannot solve China’s problems.
Fang Wen suddenly felt that his cognition was obscured by some invisible thing.
This is the war-torn era. Why must good people follow the rules while bad people can act recklessly?
If short of money, then go rob—rob the Japanese.
He recalled the wealth transfer action for the Eight Great Families flying to the Northeast back then.
Over there, the Japanese looted the wealth of the Northeast as wartime provisions.
They even wanted to establish Manchukuo as a rear base for invading China.
Why couldn’t he rob back that wealth from the unjust war?
There was also the wealth in the Young Marshal’s Mansion in Shenyang. Recently, newspapers reported extensively that the Japanese inventoried the Young Marshal’s family wealth, which could fill an entire train to be sent inside the passes to return to the Young Marshal, but he righteously refused.
Since the Young Marshal didn’t want it, it shouldn’t benefit the Japanese either. Better to set up a scheme himself and rob it back.
After this bold idea emerged, Fang Wen became excited.
He had advantages others didn’t: air transport. If the ground plan was proper, he had 90% confidence in successfully transferring the wealth in the end.
Thinking of this, Fang Wen couldn’t help speeding up, entering mechanical perception state, soaring through the sky.
Three hours later.
The airplane landed at Shanghai Airport. The excitement in Fang Wen’s heart had faded.
Now was not the time yet. First overcome the immediate difficulties.
Thus, the calm Fang Wen came down the boarding ladder and called over Shunzi and Sun Debiao, each leading five security team members.
He took out the things brought from Beiping from the interlayer of the auxiliary fuel tank and demonstrated how to use them in front of Shunzi and Sun Debiao.
This thing was very simple to use: hand-crank to generate electricity—lift to scan the person for detection—continue hand-cranking to generate electricity. Shunzi and Sun Debiao learned it quickly. Each took two and practiced with the security team members.
Time passed. Three days went by.
The ocean cargo ship entered the East China Sea area.
The cargo ship flying the Stars and Stripes flag was not blocked by the Imperial Japanese Navy fleet, which relieved Fang Wen flying high in the sky.
The cargo ship did not head to the port on the Yangtze side of Shanghai, which was concession-controlled area, very close to the Japanese army garrison. After the airplane was unloaded from the ship, it couldn’t be transported back to the airport.
Shiliupu in the Huangpu River wouldn’t work either. Last time already proved that the Japanese latent strength in Shanghai was not weak.
Therefore, this time they still chose Zhapu Port in Hangzhou Bay.
The cargo ship passed through the Zhoushan Islands, entered Hangzhou Bay, and under the guidance of a small boat, entered Zhapu Port and docked.
Then, two Boeing 247s were carefully moved onto the dock by port workers and towed to the airport by trucks.
For this journey’s smooth arrival, a group of workers was hired to continuously pave the road ahead to prevent the wheels from getting stuck in road potholes.
Along this road, it attracted onlookers from nearby residents. The dozens of kilometers were full of excitement.
One day later, the two Boeing 247s were finally transported back to the airport. The celebration was about to begin.
In the already arranged venue, Shunzi and Sun Debiao’s security teams guarded inside and outside. The entire venue had only one entrance and exit. Without passing them, entry was impossible.
Outside, Fang Wen met with Yue Jinping.
Yue Jinping asked with concern:
“Our people are already arranged. If someone escapes from the venue, they won’t pass our checkpoint. But what about inside? If the Japanese really come, they will probably be experts. I’m afraid you can’t handle them.”
Fang Wen smiled: “What if their traces are discovered in advance and they are taken out one by one?”
Yue Jinping was surprised: “You have such a method?”
Fang Wen neither confirmed nor denied, and didn’t explain further on this matter.
Immediately, the two separated. One hid in nearby residential buildings, the other entered the venue to preside.
At 9 a.m., guests from all walks of life in Shanghai, as well as tung oil merchants, arrived one after another.
Along the way, they called friends. At the entrance, they showed the specially made invitation cards from Taishan Airline Company.
There was the well-known security gate at the entrance. The guests cooperated very well to complete the security check and enter.
Everyone thought safety first was correct.
After entering the venue, Taishan Airlines gave everyone a surprise. The entire venue was in buffet form, with fruits and food placed on long tables covered with white cloths.
Next to them were trays. Everyone took a tray to pick food, eating whatever they wanted.
This was a rare dining form. The guests tried it one after another.
Some weren’t hungry and just stood or sat on the other side, chatting in groups of three or five.
Some guests didn’t eat, but basically all drank water.
The water in the venue wasn’t self-service, but served by waiters pushing small carts covered with white cloth wandering inside the venue.
The cart-pushing waiters came back every five minutes. Midway, sometimes the cart would emit a brief buzzing sound.
Whenever that happened, the waiter would pause for a moment to confirm.
Just like that.
Those who thought they bypassed the security check and somehow brought weapons into the venue were discovered by the second wave of metal detection.
There were 6 such people, distributed in different positions.
From their positions, they should each have division of labor. Some might create chaos, some shoot, completing this action together.
But now they were exposed. Next, they had nothing to do.
The waiters delivered tampered beverages. Three of the 6 drank without precaution. The moment their bodies went limp, someone immediately surrounded them, loaded them into the small cart, and took them away.
The other three were obviously more professional. Not only did they not drink the beverage, but during observing the surroundings, they noticed the abnormality of their companions missing.
Immediately, the three reacted.
They all walked toward the outside.
One was stopped by Shunzi and the security personnel. Before he could act, two strong security members pressed him to the ground, unable to move.
The other two saw the situation was bad and ran out. The moment they rushed out, a gunfight broke out with Sun Debiao’s security team members.
Sun Debiao’s side was prepared and directly shot one dead. Another ran to the exit but was hit by bullets from outside.
Could it be Yue Jinping’s people who acted?
Fang Wen was very surprised. Why not leave any alive?
Perhaps not. Then continuous gunfire sounded.
After a while, Yue Jinping came personally to find Fang Wen.
“They had an ambush nearby, which happened to bump into our people. After opening fire, some were left behind, the rest ran. Now it should be fine. You can hold the celebration banquet.”
Fang Wen nodded and turned back into the venue.
The brief chaos in the venue caused some unrest.
Shopkeeper Sun hurriedly went on stage: “Everyone, it’s not a big deal. The Japanese wanted to make trouble here but have been cleaned up. These small fries shouldn’t scare everyone, right?”
Laughter erupted below, and the atmosphere eased.
Those here were all seasoned travelers with status and dignity. At their age, they had experienced the Qing Dynasty’s abdication, Republic of China revolution, warlord era. These years were full of wars every day. Fear of war? Yes, but for this small scene, most guests were used to it.
Just like the January 28th Incident last time, many here kept dancing and singing.
The atmosphere recovered quickly. When Fang Wen returned, everyone started eating the buffet again and chatting idly.
Fang Wen went on stage.
“Everyone, the tung oil for airplanes cooperation celebration conference and handover ceremony officially begins.”
Hearing Fang Wen’s words, everyone stopped and gathered over.
Fang Wen continued: “Two Boeing 247s obtained through tung oil trade. Now, please welcome Boeing Trading Company President Neil on stage. Also, the tung oil suppliers who participated in this tung oil for airplanes transaction, please come on stage. Under witnesses from all parties, complete the handover ceremony and issue the aircraft owner property certificates.”
The flushed Neil strode on stage, followed by tung oil merchants one by one.
Under Fang Wen’s introduction, Neil shook hands with the tung oil merchants one by one.
Then, Taishan Airlines staff came up holding clipboards.
There were five documents in the clipboards.
《Aircraft ownership transfer agreement》《Aircraft owner co-ownership lease agreement》 each in two copies.
《Airplane co-ownership agreement》 belongs to the tung oil merchants’ joint agreement, only one copy.
Neil first signed a total of 42 aircraft ownership transfer agreements, completing his part.
Fang Wen, representing Taishan Airline Company, signed 42 《Aircraft owner co-ownership lease agreements》.
Finally, the staff held the clipboards and placed the contracts in front of the tung oil merchants.
They had actually seen these contracts long ago, but at this moment, many still carefully reviewed them, signing only after confirming no issues.
After the contracts were signed, Neil took away his 42 ownership transfer agreements. Taishan Airlines also took away 42 《Aircraft owner co-ownership lease agreements》.
The remaining three agreements were carefully collected by the tung oil merchants as proof of this transaction.
Thus far, it wasn’t over.
Fang Wen took out a notebook and displayed it: “Next are the property certificates. I have one here, which is my fourth sister’s husband’s. He also participated in this tung oil for airplanes transaction, but because of the long distance, he couldn’t make it, so he let me lead. Other airplane owners also have one as proof of airplane ownership.”
The notebook in his hand was made with a leather case by a leather craftsman using small cowhide, with several words embossed on the case using gold stamping.
《Aircraft property certificate》
Opened, it had owner name, acquisition date, co-ownership, ownership percentage, etc.
It looked authentic, more upscale than official government certificates.
Then, under the joint attention of the guests, these high-value small notebooks were distributed to their respective directors.
The handover ceremony was thus completed. The rest was the celebration.
Guests surrounded the tung oil merchants, viewing the aircraft property certificates, some showing envious expressions.
It was indeed worth envying. This was unprecedented, unique.
The airplanes were real and belonged to these people. This was dignity, and they could get substantial rent every month. This was interest.
Plus Taishan Airlines as guarantor, many people recognized this deal.
It could be foreseen that the next tung oil for airplanes would have more participants.
At this time, the celebration reached its climax. The popular singer invited from Shanghai’s Shili Yangchang took the stage.
She wore a qipao, twisted her slim waist, and sang the currently most popular song.
“Night jasmine, I sing for you”
The dancers behind accompanied the dance in the singing and music, pushing the celebration atmosphere to a climax.
In the cleared central area below the stage, guests couldn’t help dancing social dances.
One song ended, another began.
Fang Wen took some food from the buffet table and watched them.
Yue Jinping walked in, also took a plate of food, and stood beside.
“They dance well. Want to dance?” Yue Jinping invited.
“No interest.” Fang Wen replied.
Compared to the future, this life was just so-so.
Having experienced the information explosion era, Fang Wen suddenly felt disappointed with this era’s debauchery.
So the debauchery in Shili Yangchang was just this: singing, dancing, hugging women, showing off family background. Too vulgar.
He had even yearned for Shili Yangchang before.
That extremely thrilling and stimulating plan reappeared in his mind.
If giving that plan a name, what should it be?
It was a heaven-shocking fortune, so call it ‘Fortune Legion’.
This name satisfied Fang Wen. He couldn’t help smiling.
Yue Jinping beside saw it and asked in surprise: “What are you laughing at?”
“I…” Fang Wen originally wanted to tell the plan but changed his mind temporarily. The extremely cunning spy leaders behind Yue Jinping were not to be trifled with.
He smiled and replied: “I see those people dancing, their butts twisting back and forth, quite funny.”
“Really?” Yue Jinping looked over and also covered her mouth with a light laugh.
