Chapter 167: 166 Mysterious Strange Mountain, America’s Dragon Vein, Los Angeles Chinatown
Mysterious energy signal suddenly appeared, very weak.
Fang Wen, who had already mastered the experience of detecting this mysterious energy signal, judged that it was because the distance was relatively far.
He calmly piloted the airplane closer to the target area.
Fortunately, it was not off the existing flight path.
Time passed bit by bit, the airplane flew another 3 hours, plus the previous 2 hours of range, already flying 1500 kilometers.
Combining the range and the sextant’s map markings, Fang Wen could basically judge that the target was in Missouri.
Another twenty minutes passed, and the airplane arrived at the emission area of the mysterious energy signal.
Fang Wen merged with the airplane through mechanical perception, observing below.
Below was an earthen mountain with distinct edge lines.
Not far away was a city, with two large rivers converging around it.
Fang Wen had a strange feeling that this mountain was not naturally formed, but artificially processed, or man-made by piling up earth.
That mysterious energy signal came from here, could the treasure be hidden inside the mountain?
Fang Wen pretended to be surprised, circled the airplane, and said: “The mountain below looks a bit strange. Lin Shuiwang, Zhao Jiu, take photos of it.”
Lin Shuiwang and Zhao Jiu, who had just quieted down for a while, immediately got excited about shooting again.
The two looked for angles to shoot from the windows, chattering away.
“Where? Let me see.”
“Here.”
“This mountain is so strange, just like a lid.”
“No, I think it looks like a grave mound.”
The speaker meant nothing, but the listener took it to heart, and Fang Wen immediately associated it.
If this mountain was like China’s sealed earthen tombs, could the treasure be in this huge ancient tomb?!
He turned around: “Indiana, come here.”
Once Indiana came over, Fang Wen pointed to the strange mountain below and asked: “Do you know what this is?”
Indiana looked blankly: “Where is this?”
“It should be Missouri, right next to your hometown Indiana.”
“Missouri’s strange mountain?” Indiana recalled.
“Look at the nearby terrain, with two rivers converging, easy to recognize.” Fang Wen added.
“I remember now.”
Indiana took out the map, marked it on it, then pointed to the mark on the map and said: “It should be here, more than ten kilometers north of St. Louis City, there’s such a mountain without a name. When I was young, I came here with friends; it’s a good place for camping.”
“You camped on it?” Fang Wen asked in surprise, then looked at the map.
Fang Wen found it stranger the more he looked.
On the map, this strange mountain was actually at the confluence of America’s two largest rivers.
Although he didn’t understand feng shui, Fang Wen still had a strange idea.
Like a place where the four directions converge, could it be America’s dragon vein?!
Thinking this way, Fang Wen became even more interested in it. He had Lin Shuiwang and Zhao Jiu take a few more photos, planning to explore it after finishing other matters.
Then, the airplane continued toward Los Angeles along the original flight path.
Ahead, it had already passed Pennsylvania——Ohio——Indiana——Illinois——Missouri.
Flight time over 5 hours.
Next was Kansas——Colorado——Arizona——California.
Flight time over 8 hours.
Total of 14 hours, finally completing this cross-country United States flight.
It was now 8 p.m.
Fang Wen turned on the radio device to contact the ground airport.
“Taishan aircraft from New York arriving in Los Angeles, calling ground control tower, requesting landing.”
Taishan was the temporary name Fang Wen gave this D.332, convenient as a callsign.
After calling three times, ground replied.
“You’re here so early, thank goodness I can get off work early. Please wait, I’ll contact you after turning on the runway lights.”
Then, the airplane continued circling over Los Angeles, waiting.
Ten minutes later, in the southwest direction of Los Angeles, near the seaside area, two rows of runway lights lit up.
The radio device transmitted.
“Taishan, you can land.”
Fang Wen controlled the airplane to fly southwest, adjusted the fuselage over the airport, and landed on the runway.
Airport staff guided the airplane into the hangar and talked with Indiana who had gotten off early.
After receiving some cash, the airport people gave the hangar door lock key to Indiana.
Then, Fang Wen and the other three drove the Chevrolet sedan out of the aircraft cargo hold, locked the hangar door, and left the airport.
The car drove out of the airport, and Fang Wen said: “Find a place to stay first. There are many Chinese people here, go to Chinatown.”
Early on, America seized this land in Los Angeles from Mexico, built railroads, hired Civil War veteran soldiers and Irish as construction workers, but they were hard to manage and the project was slow. Later, large numbers of Qing Dynasty Chinese laborers completed the railroad.
Those Guangdong laborers stayed in Los Angeles, took root, but didn’t forget domestic ties, once donating money and goods for the Republic of China’s anti-Qing cause; they were very patriotic.
Those people, Kuang Mingzhu’s family knew them well, and before coming, arranged for Fang Wen who to find.
The problem was, where was Chinatown?
After some inquiries, they finally found out the location.
On America’s Highway 5 heading south, a place called Santa Ana.
That is, future Los Angeles southern area Santa Ana.
Then, the car entered Highway 5, left the city center heading south all the way to Santa Ana.
There really were many Chinese people living there, all kinds of street-facing shop signs in Chinese characters.
Although it was 8 p.m., they were still open for business.
All kinds of businesses, commodities in great variety.
It looked much better than the war-torn domestic situation at the time.
Fang Wen slowed the car, took out the address slip Kuang Mingzhu gave him, looked at it, and said: “Baoyuan Apothecary, you all watch too, don’t miss it.”
A few minutes later, Lin Shuiwang shouted: “This is it, Baoyuan.”
Fang Wen glanced, parked at its door, had the three wait outside, and entered by himself.
It was indeed an apothecary.
An employee was processing medicinal materials.
The employee looked up at Fang Wen: “Mister, are you buying medicine or seeing a doctor?”
Fang Wen smiled and shook his head: “I’m here to see your shopkeeper for something else.”
“The shopkeeper is talking with Master, please wait a moment.”
One employee got up and entered the inner room.
After a while, a man in a long robe came out.
He cupped his fists in greeting: “What does this mister want with me?”
Fang Wen returned the courtesy, took out the letter: “Boss Yu, I am Fang Wen, son-in-law of Guangzhou City’s Kuang Family. This is a letter from my father-in-law Kuang Shanming to you.”
The other party took the letter, opened it, read it, and immediately smiled broadly.
“Kuang Shanming found a good son-in-law; he praised you to the skies in the letter. Your friends are outside, right? My small shop is cramped, better to go to the tavern next door to sit and talk.”
Fang Wen nodded: “That works.”
Then, the group went to the tavern next to Baoyuan Apothecary, ordered dishes, another pot of wine, and chatted while eating.
After a cup of wine, Boss Yu became talkative.
“Old Kuang and I grew up together when young. Later his family returned to China to develop, but we never broke contact. Four years ago I went back to my hometown, and Old Kuang took time to accompany me. His son-in-law coming here, I definitely have to help. Little Fang, what are you here to do?”
Fang Wen hesitated.
Gambling was not a good thing in Chinese eyes.
Even if the outcome was good, it wasn’t okay.
He didn’t plan to tell this friend of his father-in-law about the Las Vegas Casino Company.
So, he responded vaguely.
“Just taking advantage of being young to travel around and see. By the way, Uncle Yu, I’m interested in ancient American culture. Do you know where to find experts on this?”
“America has no ancient culture, you mean Native Americans, right? Few people study them these days, but not none. I know where to find.”
Boss Yu stood up, shouted, called over the employee from next door, and instructed him to find someone.
After a while, the employee brought someone over.
Boss Yu invited him to sit and introduced: “This is Boss Zhao who runs an antique shop. He knows some university archaeology professors, including ones who study Native Americans.”
Boss Zhao nodded: “Indeed. University of Southern California’s history department has someone who specializes in this. He often comes to my shop, so I know him.”
Fang Wen poured him wine and asked: “Boss Zhao, do you know feng shui?”
“I do. On this street, no one knows feng shui better than me.” Boss Zhao said proudly.
“Then I want to ask, what does feng shui say about the place where two waters converge?” Fang Wen asked.
“Place where two waters converge, good.” Boss Zhao spoke at length.
He really could talk.
“The place where two waters converge is seen as a wealth position, helping residents with smooth undertakings and prosperous finances. This place absorbs natural energy, giving residents better health and vitality. The qi field is strong where two waters converge, with prosperous human energy, attracting noble help, everything smooth.”
Fang Wen interrupted: “I mean, where two large rivers converge.”
“That’s even better. Not to mention, many of our China’s great cities are at confluences of two or three waters. Places where two waters converge have rich water resources, so usually very suitable for agriculture development, suitable for human gathering. The ancients said: follow water and grass, that’s what it means.”
Listening to Boss Zhao, Fang Wen recalled his flight experiences.
In so many flights, he had seen too many such cities.
For example: Wuhan, Chongqing.
The more rivers converge, not only rich resources, but also convenient transportation.
That strange mountain built there, what did it really mean?
After some pleasantries, he made an appointment with Boss Zhao for tomorrow, to have him introduce and go to the university to talk with that professor.
After dinner, Fang Wen had Boss Yu arrange a place to stay, at a nearby inn run by Chinese people.
After a night’s rest, Fang Wen had the others wait at the inn while he went out alone.
He didn’t go straight to the antique shop Boss Zhao; there was one thing to do first: develop the film shots.
Developing film in this era was very troublesome.
Required professional chemical reagents, and a dark darkroom.
He wanted to learn to develop film, so he had to find a photo studio in the city to do it.
Driving toward Los Angeles urban area, he found a photo studio by Highway 5.
Fang Wen parked, took the camera, and walked into the photo studio.
In the photo studio, only one man in a vest was bored waiting for business; seeing someone enter, he immediately smiled and stood up.
Before he could speak, Fang Wen stated his purpose.
“I want to learn to develop photographs. Can you teach me?”
“Teach you?” The man hesitated. “That costs much more than just developing photos.”
“How much?”
“10 US dollars.”
“Deal.”
Fang Wen handed the camera to him.
The man took Fang Wen into the darkroom, cautioned: “You must be careful not to let light in, or the whole roll of photos will be ruined.”
Then, he began teaching Fang Wen how to develop film.
First, after removing the film from the camera, use clean water or pre-wet solution to pre-wet the film, to remove dust and impurities from the film surface.
Place the pre-wetted film into the developing tank, pour in appropriate amount of developer.
During development, periodically stir the film and developer in the tank to ensure even development.
After development, remove the film from the tank and quickly place it into stop bath.
The stop bath rapidly stops the development reaction, preventing over-development of the film.
After a certain time, remove the film from the stop bath and place it into fixer.
The fixer’s role is to convert unexposed silver salts on the film into soluble compounds, thus fixing the exposed image.
Fixer time also needs to be determined by film type; 120 film has its own time specs.
After fixing, thoroughly rinse the film with clean water to remove fixer and other chemical residues.
During rinsing, gently stir the film to ensure even cleaning.
Final step, hang the cleaned film or place it on a drying rack to air dry.
Must be natural air drying, cannot use heating equipment to blow dry the film, to prevent deformation or damage.
These steps look troublesome, but actual operation is not complex, mainly requires care, and following time, steps, dosage, etc.
Fang Wen noted it on paper and purchased some developing chemical reagents.
After waiting over two hours, the photographs dried, the man took them out, put them in a paper bag; Fang Wen took the paper bag, paid the 10 US dollar fee, and returned to Chinatown.
It was now 10:30 a.m.
He went to the antique shop to pick up Boss Zhao, then drove to the USC campus south of Los Angeles urban area.
The car entered the beautiful campus environment, heading straight to the history department.
There, Boss Zhao introduced Fang Wen to a history professor.
History department office.
Boss Zhao introduced: “Yoni Dane, researcher of ancient Native American culture, member of the American Historical Association.”
Fang Wen shook hands with him and stated his purpose directly.
“Hello, I’m Fang Wen, a pilot. On the way to Los Angeles, I passed an interesting place and took a few photos. Based on my knowledge of American history, it should have been built by Native Americans.”
“Really? Can I see the photos?” Yoni Dane immediately got interested.
“Sure. I just developed them this morning.”
Fang Wen took out the kraft paper envelope with the photographs, removed the photos inside, and placed them on the desk.
