Chapter 131: 130, Gan Army Security Team, Airport Factory All Set
“Doing bodyguard work?” The elder scoffed. “We Gan Army disciples all eat military pay and earn merits. Without those, it’s better to farm or do business at home.”
The elder’s words revealed the values of Gan Army disciples: they wanted to join the army and earn merits.
Fang Wen couldn’t provide that.
It couldn’t be said to have them join the Taishan Volunteer Army.
Fang Wen decided to go to the county government to ask.
After asking for clear directions, the group arrived at the county yamen.
There they received the same response.
Moreover, the county government people said they couldn’t manage Gan Army matters; if they wanted to discuss, they had to talk to Gan Army people.
Immediately, Fang Wen returned to the original spot and chatted with the elder smoking dried tobacco.
“Elder. I come from out of town and don’t understand the situation here. I hope you can inform me.”
This attitude satisfied the elder, but it wasn’t enough.
Fang Wen understood: “It’s inconvenient to talk here. Let’s find a place to eat and talk slowly.”
The elder nodded with a smile, knocked out the residue from his dried tobacco, and leisurely led the way ahead: “Follow me.”
He walked all the way to a riverside food stall and boldly ordered several local dishes.
“Blood curd duck, mushroom fried meat, green pepper cured meat, soybean braised chicken”
All hard dishes.
And local rice wine.
This bit of expense was nothing at all; Fang Wen smiled and poured wine for the elder.
The other party took a big gulp and said satisfiedly:
“Let me tell you. Don’t think our place is small—just a few thousand households in the city—but everyone here has background.”
“What background?” Fang Wen asked in surprise.
“From our Zhengan City, thousands have gone to serve in the army across the country. Every household, as long as a child goes out to enlist, will carve the army name on the door threshold.”
“Really?”
“You don’t believe me? Boss, don’t touch the dishes on my table. I’ll take him out to see and come back.”
The elder pulled Fang Wen’s hand, walked out of the tavern, and pointed them out one by one on the street.
“Look, this house is ‘Guizhou Governor’, meaning his family works at the governor’s yamen. Of course, it’s the Republic of China now, and the yamen is gone. And this one.”
Along the way, the elder took Fang Wen to see many, some from the Qing Dynasty, some from the Republic of China.
This showed that local families truly regarded enlisting as a glory.
Of course, there were comparisons in enlisting; those carved with “Commander Military Gate”, “Crown Prince Junior Guard”, “Imperial Envoy Minister”, “National Army Major General” were top-notch. Most were just enlisting in some place.
After seeing these, Fang Wen and the elder returned and continued eating and drinking.
“Elder, from what you mean, they won’t agree unless it’s a regular army?”
“Yes.” The elder nodded seriously.
“I don’t believe it. How about I try?”
“How to try?”
“Tomorrow, let’s meet at the old place. I’ll make a recruitment notice. If no one signs up, I’ll give you 10 silver dollars. If people sign up, what do you say?”
“If people sign up, I’ll kowtow to you.” The old man got drunk and glared with bulging eyes.
“That won’t do. If I recruit people, you help me with one thing: propagate according to that condition throughout the city, okay?”
“Fine.”
“Alright then, I bid farewell. See you at the old place tomorrow.”
After Fang Wen finished speaking, he got up to pay and left the tavern with Wu Ziyue and the others.
After leaving the tavern, they found an inn in the city to stay and settled dinner.
As for what to eat, Fang Wen thought the old man’s ordered dishes were good, so he ordered another set the same.
These dishes were really good.
Blood curd duck was made of glutinous rice and pig blood sausage, stir-fried with duck meat, chili peppers, and ginger; the duck meat was firm, spicy, and delicious.
Mushroom fried meat had its own flavor; mushrooms unique to fir trees, stir-fried with tea oil and then added with pork belly, the mushrooms rivaled the meat in taste.
Green pepper cured meat went without saying; Western Hunan produced a lot of cured meat.
Soybean braised chicken was local chicken meat stir-fried fragrant with soybeans, then braised with water; the chicken flavor mixed with soybean taste, unique.
These four dishes went especially well with rice, but the portions weren’t enough; Fang Wen ordered some stir-fried vegetables, plus local pickled bean curd stir-fried with minced meat, and spicy wood ear paste.
This meal was very filling.
After dinner, everyone sat together to discuss.
Wu Ziyue asked: “Fang Wen, are you sure you can win tomorrow’s bet?”
“Not sure. This is buying horse bone with a thousand gold. Even if it fails, city people will know we’re recruiting, which is a form of publicity.” Fang Wen replied.
“True. There are no newspapers here, and we’re unfamiliar; using unusual methods works fast.” Wu Ziyue nodded; his brother-in-law had many tricks.
The next day, early morning.
Two employees went out and bought large white paper and writing tools.
Wu Ziyue personally wrote the recruitment notice on the white paper.
After the ink dried, several people went out and arrived at the meeting place with the old man.
There, the old man was waiting early, looking like he was watching a show.
Fang Wen smiled and cupped his fists.
“Good morning.”
“I thought about those 10 silver dollars coming to me last night and couldn’t sleep. I came early this morning to wait for you.” The old man chuckled.
“Good, then let’s start.”
Immediately, Fang Wen followed the elder to the notice wall, brushed glue on the white paper, and posted it on the notice wall.
The white paper in black ink read:
【Taishan Airline Company Recruitment Notice
Taishan Airline Company is the pride of China, renowned far and wide, with flight paths covering the land. Now, due to booming company business and shortage of manpower, we are specially recruiting airport guard personnel to ensure the safety of our aviation.
The recruited guard personnel must meet the following conditions:
One, upright character, loyal and reliable, daring and hardworking, calm in crises, handling matters composedly.
Two, obey management, follow command, dutiful, taking maintenance of company interests as their duty.
Once hired, the company will provide the following benefits:
One, monthly salary of 20 silver dollars, never delayed, paid on time each month, and can be directly sent home to ease family worries.
Two, food and lodging uniformly arranged by the company for employee convenience.
Three, uniforms, military equipment, etc., all provided by the company; employees need not prepare their own.
Four, the company will arrange military training to enhance employee skills and improve ability to handle emergencies.
Taishan Airline Company values people first and employee welfare. We hope aspiring individuals will sign up enthusiastically to develop together and create glory!
Sign-up address: 『Sihai Inn』 Contact: 『Sun Debiao』
We invite aspiring individuals to pay attention and look forward to your joining!】
The old man was speechless.
He felt this bet was surely lost.
His own bet was only 10 silver dollars.
They offered 20 silver dollars per month for recruitment.
Plus other generous conditions, making even the old man want to join.
Such thoughts weren’t just the elder’s; soon many people gathered by the notice wall.
The literate read aloud; the illiterate listened to explanations.
They discussed animatedly.
“What does this Taishan Airlines do? Renowned far and wide, covering the land. Too boastful.”
“I don’t care what they do; I just care if the 20 silver dollars is real.”
“Yeah, 20 silver dollars a month; work a year and I can buy land and marry a wife when I return.”
“Hey, is your vision that shallow? With such good conditions, why return to farm or find a wife?”
“Includes food and lodging, everything covered. Looks fake. Probably trick us onto ships to sell as coolies in Nanyang. Heard many in the south are tricked that way.”
The discussions were full of skepticism.
This gave the elder a chance to win again; he smiled.
But the chance was slim.
A man wearing glasses came to the notice wall, read it, and asked:
“I know Taishan Airlines, but whether you are Taishan Airlines people is questionable.”
“Who are you?” Fang Wen asked.
“I’m the principal of Zhengan County Central Primary School, surnamed Zhang.”
The glasses man’s reply drew cheers from onlookers:
“The principal is educated and knowledgeable. If he says it’s real, I’ll immediately call my boy over.”
“Me too.”
This Zhang principal had great prestige. Fang Wen smiled: “I’m surnamed Wen, just came from Yongshun County. Our Taishan Airlines plans to build an airport at Wanping in Yongshun, connecting Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan, Guizhou provinces, opening the civil aviation market in southwest China. But considering banditry rampant in Western Hunan Region, we came to Zhengan City to recruit a batch of bodyguard personnel.”
Fang Wen spoke logically, making Principal Zhang somewhat believe.
“If it’s really building an airport, it’s a great thing. Western Hunan needs a convenient route to connect with the outside. Do you have other proof?”
Fang Wen looked at Sun Debiao: “Take out the receipt for the donation to Yongshun.”
Sun Debiao took out the receipt, stamped with the county government seal.
Seeing the receipt, Principal Zhang was moved.
“Seems real.”
The old man panicked: “Principal Zhang, you can’t judge rashly.”
Just as the old man finished, Fang Wen smiled: “Right, yesterday when visiting your county government, I forgot to mention something. Our Taishan Airlines, considering local poverty, plans to donate 2000 silver dollars to help the poor elderly and children, but there must be a ceremony, hiring local gentry to supervise the use of this donation, ensuring it’s used properly. I think Principal Zhang is a good candidate. Will you take this supervisory duty?”
In the same way, Fang Wen used it again, just slightly changing the words.
But this was indeed the most effective method.
No one would use 2000 silver dollars as a scam setup; it wouldn’t pay off.
Principal Zhang was stunned and asked incredulously: “Really?”
“Absolutely real. How about we go to the county government to discuss in detail?”
“Good. 2000 silver dollars can do much good. I’m willing to supervise, but one person may not suffice. Please delay the donation date so I can find a few kind-hearted people to do it together.”
“Even better. Then let’s go to the county government.”
Fang Wen and Principal Zhang left chatting and laughing; the elder stared blankly, thinking his 10 silver dollars were completely lost.
At this time, Wu Ziyue came over, took out a small stack of silver dollars, and said lowly: “Here are 10 silver dollars. If you propagate the notice content, they’re all yours.”
The elder was instantly delighted.
Propaganda in Zhengan City was in place.
The whole city knew Taishan Airline Company donated 2000 silver dollars for welfare.
At the same time, the Taishan Airlines recruitment notice was known throughout the city.
Such welfare attracted many city families bringing their sons to sign up.
Sign-ups were handled by Sun Debiao; after a period of selection, 100 Gan Army disciples were chosen.
These 100 would become formal employees of Wanping Airport, issued weapons after training to guard airport safety.
For this, Fang Wen handed the last 1000 silver dollars to Sun Debiao.
“I must go back to handle other company matters. You lead the team to Wanping first. Soon Fang Shouxin and Shunzi will come to take over your work. Can you do it?”
Leading 100 Gan Army disciples alone was a challenge for Sun Debiao.
He agreed without hesitation: “General Manager, rest assured. I’ll handle this perfectly. Go with peace of mind.”
After bidding farewell to Sun Debiao, Fang Wen and Wu Ziyue prepared to return to Mayang.
On the return road, guards were requested from the Gan Army for protection.
Along the way, perhaps due to the Gan Army’s reputation or good luck, no bandits blocked the road again.
Arrived at Mayang, boarded the small steamship, and returned the same route.
This time, without stops, they went straight to Changde.
From Changde to Wuhan, a small steamship couldn’t go.
Fang Wen left the boat with his brother-in-law Wu Ziyue and took a long-distance passenger ship.
Two days later, Fang Wen returned to Wuhan and flew Qingyun Hao back to Shanghai.
This journey took 9 days, March 21.
Back in Shanghai, without rest, Fang Wen called Fang Shouxin, Shunzi, and Huo Duanyang.
He asked about the situation.
“Uncle Fang, how are the 60 loading workers now?”
“All good. They’ve been asking when to start work; idling every day makes them anxious.” Fang Shouxin laughed.
Fang Wen nodded and continued asking.
“Shunzi, how about your side?”
“I brought all the people back, plus their eating utensils. They live next to the loading workers’ dormitory and keep asking me when to start.” Shunzi replied confidently; now he was the tinware factory director, no longer an idle youth scolded by his father daily.
The two had no major issues; Fang Wen cared more about Huo Duanyang’s chemistry team.
“Duanyang, how about your side?”
“Assembled 10. I calculated the process; it should complete 4000 kilograms of chemical blending monthly.”
Huo Duanyang’s reply relieved Fang Wen.
Now all preparations were ready; he laid out the entire plan.
Map unfolded, Fang Wen pointed there.
“The new airport is here. I’ve surveyed it; perfect spot. Due to local security issues, specially hired 100 security guards. Now you can take people there first to help complete airport construction.”
At this point, Fang Wen paused deliberately and looked at Fang Shouxin.
“Uncle Fang, you’ve participated in our Taishan Airlines airport construction management. This time, you’re fully in charge. Your task is to complete airport construction ASAP. With an airport for landing, I can fly Taishan One to transport supplies.”
Fang Shouxin nodded seriously: “Young Master, rest assured. As you said, 100 security guards, plus my 100 people, hire more locals. With my experience, construction will progress quickly.”
Fang Wen continued instructing: “Locals have fierce customs; manage your people well, don’t break rules. Also, acquiring local land and initial supply purchases—you take 20,000 silver dollars.”
“20,000 silver dollars?” Fang Shouxin was surprised.
Not too much, but wondering if too little.
But thinking, previous airports were in big cities with high costs.
Prices in Western Hunan naturally couldn’t compare to Wuhan or Jinan.
The discussion lasted until late night before they left Fang Wen’s home.
The next day, they boarded the f.220 airplane to Wuhan.
After sending them off, Fang Wen slept comfortably all day at home until Kuang Mingzhu woke him the next day.
“Mister, your old classmate is here. His name is Min Bangren.”
