Chapter 45: 45, Telegram Exchanges, Business Deal Sealed, First Encounter With The King Of Assassins
Because the ceasefire agreement is still being negotiated, although the warfare has stopped, he still couldn’t return to Shanghai.
China Airlines is still in a state of suspension,
Fang Wen took advantage of this free time to do his own things.
Writing a letter to Instructor Liu of the Aviation Bureau.
Sending a telegram to Yue Jinping.
And waiting for a call back from the Northeast Army side.
At the same time, he also inspected that Potez 25 together with Howard.
The belly of the aircraft was opened, and Howard crawled inside to check.
“Too dark, Fang, give me the ‘Flashlight’.”
Flashlight is the English term for flashlight in this era, so called because that thing has poor performance and can only maintain brief light source illumination.
Fang Wen rummaged in the toolbox and took out a fist-sized gourd-shaped iron sheet implement.
This is an early flashlight, with a pressure button on it; pressing it down makes the bulb at the front light up, but not for long.
Howard took the flashlight, shone it into the belly of the aircraft, and every few seconds would release the pressure button and press it again.
Under the light source illumination, he checked inside the aircraft.
“French style military aircraft look a bit rough; I don’t understand why it can produce such strong power.”
“Fang, I only know the engine is leaking oil, but I can’t find where the problem is. Why don’t you come.”
Howard squatted down and handed the flashlight to Fang Wen.
Fang Wen stood up, crawled his upper body into the belly of the aircraft, and looked using the flashlight’s light.
The internal structure of the Potez 25 looked very complex, with dense engine piping.
To be honest, with the engine not running, Fang Wen couldn’t see much either.
He exited from the belly of the aircraft.
“Can the engine still be used?”
“It can be used, but it won’t run long after starting before stalling.”
“Refuel it and try starting it.”
After Fang Wen said that, he climbed up the boarding ladder to the pilot seat.
After a while, Howard shouted from below: “Okay. You try it.”
Fang Wen started the engine and simultaneously entered the mechanical perception state.
Immediately, he sensed the situation inside the aircraft.
The engine was vibrating violently, and then it really stalled.
In the perception, Fang Wen detected where the problem was.
The cause should be the modifications done during the last bombing.
At that time, the aircraft mechanic who didn’t understand this aircraft had modified the bomb rack, bomb release connecting rod, and machine gun launch device.
These modifications changed part of the mechanical operation structure inside the aircraft.
A connecting rod damaged the adjacent fuel line during movement.
The rupture of the fuel line caused a fuel delivery problem, resulting in the piston engine stalling shortly after starting.
In addition, due to equipment aging, the piston engine had other problems.
For example: minor malfunctions in the fuel pump that didn’t affect engine operation, clogged fuel filter needing cleaning, wear on spark plugs and ignition coil, poor sealing of valves and valve seats, wear on parts like pistons, cylinders, crankshaft, etc.
These problems combined caused the current situation of the Potez 25.
No wonder the pilot directly gave up taking the train back; this situation was too complex, and a general aircraft mechanic would sentence the aircraft to death.
After determining the aircraft’s problems, Fang Wen felt it could be repaired; after all, he had flown this aircraft to complete the bombing, and overall performance was fine.
The question was what price the other side would offer.
By afternoon, Fang Shouxin hurriedly returned from outside.
He came directly to the side of the Potez 25 parked openly at the airport and reported: “Young Master, I went to the telegraph office; there’s a reply from the north.”
Fang Wen quickly crawled out from the belly of the aircraft, took the telegram paper regardless of the engine oil on his hands.
It said on it.
【Name your price.】
Just these simple four words, yet they represented a chance to buy the Potez 25.
But for business, it had to be handled carefully, so as not to let the other side think there was big profit to be made.
He thought for a moment and wrote a few lines.
“This military aircraft is already scrapped; aircraft gross weight 3000 pounds, recycle at scrap iron price.”
Fang Shouxin looked at the words on the paper and couldn’t help asking: “Young Master, will this work?”
“I don’t know either; anyway, they can’t take it back, so let’s quote a low price first.” Fang Wen replied.
The telegram was sent like this.
The next day, the other side replied; Fang Shouxin brought back the telegram message from the telegraph office.
This telegram message said.
【3000 silver dollars, no haggling, reply if yes, don’t disturb if no.】
3000 silver dollars?
Although much more expensive than scrap iron price, it was far below Fang Wen’s bottom line; it could be said to be picking up a great bargain.
But his 8000 silver dollars were deposited in the safe deposit box at Citibank in Shanghai, and couldn’t be retrieved in a short time.
He could only think of another way.
He dialed the telephone to Shanghai again.
“Shopkeeper Liu, there’s something I want to discuss with you.”
French Concession Rue Lafayette in Shanghai.
Shopkeeper Liu was reporting the situation on the second floor of the row house mansion; sitting across from him was the Family Head of several wealthy merchants from the Northeast.
“Master, the plan Commissioner Fang mentioned is this; he also said to lend 3000 silver dollars in personal name.”
The several Family Heads looked at each other.
They discussed.
“He wants to borrow money, no problem; as an air combat hero, we’re not afraid he won’t repay this amount.”
“Borrowing money is no problem, but investment is another story; there’s risk.”
“We’ve been in business for years and all know that doing business can’t just seek stability; risk is unavoidable, it just depends on the trade-offs.”
“Yes, coming from Beiping to Shanghai was a wrong move; it’s too late to regret now. The sheep has entered the tiger’s den and will eventually become food for tigers and wolves. Our assets are eyed by all sides, and will eventually have to be handed over. But handing them to those punks means our families are done. Better to take a gamble.”
“We can gamble, but we need to send someone to his side to understand the situation before deciding; this person has to be someone we all trust.”
The several Family Heads looked at Shopkeeper Liu; this diligent and uncomplaining man of decades was someone the Zhao family trusted, and precisely so, when sent to the Northeast initially, all families approved.
“Old Liu, you’ve cooperated with Fang Wen before, so you’re acquaintances; he contacted us through you this time too, so we’ll have to trouble you to make the trip.” The Zhao family Family Head said amiably.
Shopkeeper Liu leaned on his cane, his heart turning cold, but on the surface he nodded in response: “Master, I’m not convenient on my legs alone; let Sun Debiao accompany me.”
Seeing Shopkeeper Liu agree, the several Family Heads immediately felt relieved and praised him profusely.
Then they called Sun Debiao.
Hearing that Shopkeeper Liu was to go out of the city to Nanjing Airport, Sun Debiao was incredulous at heart, but on the surface couldn’t say anything, only secretly looking at Shopkeeper Liu; in their eye contact, a different emotion flowed.
Nanjing Airport.
Fang Wen had Fang Shouxin send a telegram back: “Agree to your 3000 silver dollars price; how to transact? Do you have a deed as proof.”
After sending the telegram, Fang Shouxin waited at the telegraph office.
In the afternoon, the other side actually replied.
【Arrive at Nanjing Airport tomorrow, money and goods clear, military seal proof receipt complete.】
Thus, the transaction agreement was reached, just waiting for the other side to come.
Meanwhile, Fang Wen still wanted to call and ask Shopkeeper Liu if he could borrow the money; if not, he’d have to borrow from colleagues at China Airlines, or even Yue Jinping, to raise funds.
Unexpectedly, in the evening, a black sedan drove up outside the airport.
Several people got out of the sedan, including Shopkeeper Liu and Sun Debiao.
They asked the airport defending troops to notify Fang Wen and waited outside.
Hearing the guard’s words, Fang Wen surprisedly came to the main gate.
Looking at Shopkeeper Liu leaning on his cane, he asked: “Shopkeeper Liu, why did you come yourself?”
Shopkeeper Liu smiled slightly: “Long time no see; of course to see the heroic figure. By the way, this is Axe Gang’s Wang Yaqiao; thanks to him we could come out.”
Fang Wen looked over; that man had short hair and long gown, wearing small round glasses, looking quite refined, yet he was the Eldest Brother of Shanghai’s gang Axe Gang.
Fang Wen cupped his fists in salute: “I’ve heard so much.”
The other also cupped fists in return: “Mr. Fang, I’ve admired you for a long time; glad to meet you today. Hope to gather again in Shanghai someday; farewell for now.”
Jianghu man, straightforward, no beating around the bush; after seeing Fang Wen, he left directly.
Watching the car leave, Fang Wen brought Shopkeeper Liu and Sun Debiao into the airport.
