Chapter 139: 138, Airdrop Test Success, Family Matters, Bomb Factory Built And Operational
Fang Wen took the blueprint marking the airdrop point.
It centered on a rectangular airdrop point, marking the scatter points of different airdrop supplies.
Airdrop supplies were marked with circles, pewter wine pots with dots.
From the recorded situation.
One-quarter of the supplies landed in the airdrop point, half around the airdrop point, and one-quarter farther away, with a very few even drifting ten li outside.
This is also something that cannot be avoided with parachute airdrops; in windy conditions, they drift farther with the parachute.
But the overall result is still acceptable; most supplies are within a controllable range and can be collected in a short time.
He looked at the black dots representing the pewter wine pots; their landing was relatively more precise.
Fang Wen made a judgment: the oval-shaped wine pot is more adapted to aerodynamics, with less air resistance, and filled with soil, it is solid, making it more precise when falling.
This gave him more confidence in future strategic bombing.
Putting away the blueprint, Fang Wen asked the visitor.
“Is everything okay at home?”
The man hesitated a bit, but thinking that the Third Young Master was someone who could handle things independently for the Fang Family, he decided to speak up.
“Third Young Master, home is a complete mess.”
“Ah! What’s going on? Sit down and tell me. Qiu Ju, make tea for the guest.”
The man sat on the sofa, took a sip of tea, and began to recount:
“After Sixth Miss was brought home, she has been making a fuss every day, saying that you wronged Teacher Liu, and she won’t listen no matter what family members say. Second Young Master tried to persuade her, but she wouldn’t listen. Eldest Young Master and the Fourth Miss who returned home for a visit couldn’t persuade her either. In a fit of anger, Master locked her at home, not allowing her to go anywhere.”
Old Six was actually bewitched by Liu Shijie.
Fang Wen couldn’t help but ask: “Why not find her classmates to persuade her.”
“The problem is her classmates also think Teacher Liu is not a bad person. But everyone knows your conduct, so they haven’t said anything random.”
“I understand. Thank you for the reminder. Go back and tell my father that I’ll figure out a way to handle Sixth Sister’s matter.”
After seeing off the messenger from home, Fang Wen pondered.
Things outside were going smoothly, but this issue arose at home.
Sixth Sister’s matter was related to him, so he had to get to the bottom of it.
For example, how did Liu Shijie collude with the Japanese? Wasn’t he originally a patriotic youth? How could the contrast be so great?
But this kind of thing wasn’t his specialty; he thought of hiring someone to investigate.
Immediately, he sent Zhao Shanhu to deliver a message to Axe Gang Leader Wang, asking him to visit the airport. After all, Axe Gang Leader Wang, who was proficient in assassination, should know a lot about this.
Zhao Shanhu went in the afternoon, and not long after he returned, Axe Gang Leader Wang, disguised, came alone.
It had been a long time since seeing Axe Gang Leader Wang; Fang Wen was all smiles. “Long time no see. Come, let’s go to the tavern and talk.”
He and Axe Gang Leader Wang came to the familiar tavern and ordered a table of dishes and wine, starting to chat idly.
After two cups of wine, Fang Wen brought up the purpose of this visit.
“Axe Gang Leader Wang, do you know who in Shanghai is proficient in solving cases? Like famous detectives.”
“Famous detectives?” Axe Gang Leader Wang shook his head with a smile: “You’re talking about those novels read by rich young ladies and madams, right? Most cases in the world aren’t as complicated as in books. If they really were, no one could solve them.”
“Then how are cases usually solved?” Fang Wen continued to ask.
Axe Gang Leader Wang replied: “By investigating. Shanghai has many gangs with eyes everywhere; nothing escapes their notice. For major cases where the higher-ups demand quick resolution, they ask gangs for people and clues. If clues are obtained from the gang, they follow the vine to catch the culprit, and the case is solved.”
So that’s how cases are solved; Fang Wen was a bit disappointed.
But this matter really needed someone to handle it. He poured wine for Axe Gang Leader Wang and toasted a cup.
“Axe Gang Leader Wang, to be honest, I came to you today for a case-solving matter. It concerns my Sixth Sister.”
Fang Wen explained the situation in detail.
Axe Gang Leader Wang analyzed for him: “You’re not wrong in this matter, but your sister doesn’t believe it. The key is there’s no evidence of Liu Shijie colluding with the Japanese. I think hiring a detective won’t help. How about I go to Jiaxing to sort it out for you? Maybe I can get to the bottom of it.”
Fang Wen was delighted: “Then thank you.”
“No need for thanks; we’re like brothers. I’ll head to Jiaxing right now. If things go smoothly, I’ll have definite news for you tomorrow.”
After speaking, Axe Gang Leader Wang got up and took his leave directly, heading to Jiaxing—a straightforward and bold character.
Shanghai to Jiaxing is very close, and Axe Gang Leader Wang knew all the routes; he set off at 3 p.m. and arrived around 7 p.m.
He had his own connections and went straight to the local gang.
Gangs exist everywhere in the Republic of China, and the more economically developed the area, the stronger the gang.
Shanghai’s Green Gang and Hongmen can even influence the National Government.
Jiaxing’s cannot reach that level, but they can control the local business and economic environment.
So they are doing well and have their own businesses openly.
This gang leader was an old acquaintance of Axe Gang Leader Wang and was very enthusiastic upon seeing an old friend visit.
They set up a table of wine at home and drank while reminiscing.
Axe Gang Leader Wang got straight to the point: “I have a good brother in Shanghai, General Manager Fang Wen of Taishan Airlines. He’s been troubled by family matters lately and doesn’t know how to handle them, so I came to see if I can help resolve it.”
The gang leader had many informants locally and naturally knew what Axe Gang Leader Wang was referring to.
“It’s about the Fang Family’s Old Six, right? The whole city knows about it. I have some connection to this matter too. Since Brother Wang has said so, I’ll definitely give you face. Rest here tonight, and tomorrow I’ll help you investigate.”
Once he said he’d help, his men mobilized fully, inquiring up and down in Jiaxing.
They really found some useful information.
In one day, Axe Gang Leader Wang really returned, bringing someone with him.
He brought the man to Fang Wen’s office and got straight to the point.
“Your Sixth Sister’s matter is settled. Liu Shijie is not Liu Shijie.”
Fang Wen, who was working, was surprised: “What do you mean Liu Shijie is not Liu Shijie?”
Axe Gang Leader Wang explained the findings in detail.
“This man’s real name is Liu Shim ing; he is Liu Shijie’s cousin. Liu Shijie died of tuberculosis two years ago, and Liu Shim ing took over his cousin’s identity to become a teacher. He doesn’t have much ink in his belly but knows how to play the part, saying whatever sounds good. At school, he posed as one of the progressives, deeply loved by teachers and students, and directly became logistics management.”
Fang Wen nodded: “Just impersonation isn’t enough to convince my Sixth Sister. Is there evidence of collusion with the Japanese?”
“Yes, he loves gambling and often goes to the casino. That casino is run by my friend. Let this casino manager explain the rest.” Axe Gang Leader Wang turned to the man beside him.
The casino manager spoke up: “President Fang, I patrol the casino every day and often saw Liu Shijie come to play. In our line of work, we welcome all comers and didn’t mind him at first. Later, a stranger appeared at his usual gambling table. At first, they had no interaction, but the stranger took the initiative to chat with Liu Shijie and lent him money. Lending money in the casino is our business, but he broke the rules, so we had someone drive him away. The next day, he brought a group of Japanese ronin to smash the place, and we both suffered losses.”
Hearing this, Fang Wen realized they had found the key evidence.
He asked: “Is that man still in Jiaxing?”
The casino manager nodded: “After that incident, he didn’t dare come back to the casino but stayed in Jiaxing, thinking we didn’t know. Today we sent someone to scout, and found Liu Shijie there too, staying with the Japanese.”
Fang Wen nodded and whispered to Axe Gang Leader Wang: “I have things to do now and can’t get involved. Can you ask your friend to help to the end, expose Liu Shijie’s identity, and let my Sixth Sister and her classmates know the truth of his collusion with the Japanese?”
Axe Gang Leader Wang nodded: “No problem. My brother is still holding a grudge over the casino being smashed. We can settle both matters and deal with those Japanese at once. But your Sixth Sister needs to see it personally to give up completely.”
“That’s good. I’ll write a letter home; please take it over, and proceed according to your plan.”
After speaking, Fang Wen wrote a letter with a pen and handed it to Axe Gang Leader Wang.
A day later, a major incident occurred in Jiaxing.
A shop inside the city was suddenly smashed, and a gang rushed out from the shop, fighting with the Jiaxing local gang.
Because it was arranged in advance, many local Jiaxing people saw this scene.
Including the Fang Family’s Old Six, who was allowed to go out with classmates for a stroll.
This time, the Jiaxing local gang was prepared and sought revenge, striking hard and heavy.
The group of outsiders, in pain, couldn’t help but utter strange words.
No one could understand the language, but some businessmen had heard it before.
“It’s Japanese; they are Japanese.”
“Why are Japanese disguising as Chinese people hiding here?”
“They must have ulterior motives.”
The January 28th Incident was still fresh in memory, and this wasn’t the Japanese Concession; everyone was outraged and joined in the beating, including Fang Family’s Sixth Sister.
After a thorough beating, seven or eight Japanese ronin were all knocked to the ground, wailing.
Then, two more people were dragged out from the shop.
One was a Japanese disguised as the shop owner.
The other kept his head down, afraid to be seen.
But how could he escape the eyes of students he saw every day.
“Teacher Liu?”
“You really are with the Japanese.”
Facing the students’ anger, Liu Shijie hung his head even lower.
Sixth Sister was full of disappointment and anger: “Liu Shijie, you liar. I believed you so much, almost fell out with the family to defend you.”
She fiercely slapped Liu Shijie and left with a heavy heart.
The accompanying Fang family members breathed a sigh of relief.
Long pain is worse than short pain; at least this time Sixth Sister was completely disillusioned and wouldn’t defend that scum Liu Shijie anymore.
The Fang Family’s family matter was thus resolved, and Fang Wen had no worries at home, starting to prepare for the airdrop.
He sent a telegram to Xiangxi Airport, asking them to prepare the airdrop point.
Upon receiving the reply, he began the airdrop.
The airdrop went very smoothly; the plain terrain between two mountains was very suitable for airdrops, and most supplies landed near the designated area.
With these airdrop supplies, the living conditions of the airport construction personnel improved, their enthusiasm soared, and the project progress accelerated.
On April 7, 1933, Fang Shouxin sent a telegram.
After filling and compacting, the airport’s main runway was completed.
With the main runway, Fang Wen could fly the f.220 to transport more supplies.
To complete the airport and factory construction as soon as possible, Fang Wen flew the f.220 without regard for cost, transporting cement and steel procured from Shanghai to Xiangxi Airport.
With cement, construction workers could mix gravel and river sand with cement to make sturdy concrete hollow bricks.
Using hollow bricks for building is very convenient.
The steel was prepared for the hangar and factory buildings.
With these high-quality building materials, the workers were full of energy and built three factory buildings in ten days.
The factory buildings were in different locations: one tinware factory, one chemical preparation, one filling— they must not be mixed; safety first.
With the factory buildings, the No. 100 workers could finally start work.
In the independent tinware factory building, over 20 tin craftsman workers started first.
They originally planned to work according to traditional crafts, each doing their own thing.
But factory director Shunzi remembered the general manager’s words and required all tin craftsmen to divide labor and cooperate, with fixed tin craftsmen for each process.
This requirement initially met with some resistance.
But the boss offered really high salaries, so they followed Shunzi’s requirements.
The first batch of tinware was not well made because they didn’t yet know how to cooperate; each process was done independently, and problems arose when assembling the finished product.
Facing the tin craftsmen workers’ sarcasm, Shunzi felt wronged.
But he didn’t stop and persisted.
If once didn’t work, try twice, three times.
This persistent, unafraid-of-failure attitude moved the tin craftsmen workers.
They began to reflect on their shortcomings and discuss craftsmanship with each other.
These experienced tin craftsmen, once they adjusted their attitude, immediately saw results.
They discovered deficiencies in the assembly line work and corrected them.
Subsequently, they produced tinware that met the requirements.
This major success stabilized the tinware factory and let Shunzi experience how a factory director should manage.
Shunzi grew and matured through setbacks. Tinware began mass production.
Meanwhile, in the upstream napalm preparation, Huo Duanyang faced another kind of test.
Fang Wen’s words echoed in Huo Duanyang’s mind: napalm bombs must be strictly confidential, or the danger to China would outweigh their contribution.
For secrecy, he handled the most critical catalyst preparation for the napalm bombs, while the chemistry team handled other links.
This way, without the catalyst leaking, no one could produce the same napalm bombs.
Of course, producing napalm bombs required a large amount of basic supplies.
For example: large amounts of gasoline, palm oil, detonating agent raw materials for high-altitude bomb triggering, and various chemical items.
These all needed to be procured by Fang Wen, transported via f.220 to Xiangxi Airport, and stored in the factory area’s dedicated warehouse.
With large amounts of supplies arriving, napalm preparation and tinware bomb carrier production were done; only the final filling process remained.
This was also the most dangerous process.
