Chapter 199: 198, Taishan Flying Club’s First Gathering, The World’s Conspiracy?
The invitation in Kabul was easily completed.
The young King of Afghanistan very much hoped to make friends of similar status and identity.
Moreover, this time joining the Flying Club, it was not just him alone, but also ministers and local magnates.
The list he provided had five people.
Fang Wen tactfully inquired if there were contacts for nearby local kings, but unfortunately, this one had studied in France for a relatively long time and had not yet established local connections.
It didn’t matter if there were none; for the first Flying Club, they didn’t seek perfection, mainly to get it started, and then promote the Gold Plan to them.
The next day, he took a Taishan Airlines Eurasian flight return airplane back to Kolkata, then piloted the Shrike Hao to Yangon, and then flew back to Shanghai via Guangzhou.
After a night’s rest, Fang Wen got up early, finished washing up, and then found Sun Debiao and Fang Shouxin to talk.
“How are your preparations going?”
“We’ve gathered quite a few people, and as per your requirements, they follow the rules and obey commands,” Sun Debiao replied.
“But we don’t know what kind of Imperial Palace you’re talking about, how to decorate and design the inside, or how to arrange the personnel?” Fang Shouxin added.
Establishing a Flying Club in an empty palace required relatively complex and diverse preparations and personnel arrangements.
Not to mention Sun Debiao and Fang Shouxin having no clue, even Fang Wen was much the same.
Fang Wen took out the Royal Palace floor plan, recalling memories from his previous life in his mind; at least under the influence of internet information, he had some vague impressions.
He sketched out his plan based on the Royal Palace floor plan.
“There’s flat ground near the Royal Palace, a large area used by the garrison for training; with a little modification, it can serve as a temporary airport for takeoff and landing.”
“For those vacant palaces, regardless of what they were used for before, assign one region’s VIP to each palace, and give it a name: for example, Kabul Palace, Sarawak Palace, or the name of some prominent family or local king. That’s face.”
Sun Debiao and Fang Shouxin nodded; indeed, each palace was a matter of face.
Sun Debiao asked: “Then what about office buildings, dormitory buildings, reception centers, and other supporting facilities for our own people?”
“I’ve talked it over with them; there’s no time to build extra facilities now, so we’ll use the barracks for our own office and accommodations, and as the reception venue.”
“Where do those troops go? They can’t leave the garrison, right?” Fang Shouxin followed up.
“They’re not leaving; I’m giving them money to stay in nearby hotels for a month.”
As the conversation deepened, various layouts were sketched on the floor plan.
（Mandalay Palace Floor Plan）
The massive Imperial Palace had enough rooms, but service personnel needed advance training, otherwise they wouldn’t even find their way around once they arrived.
For this, Sun Debiao and Fang Shouxin began gathering those interested in going abroad to make quick money that very day.
As well as some of Taishan Airlines’ own trained flight attendants who had not yet been assigned.
People recruited from Shanghai numbered over 20.
Taishan Airlines’ own flight attendants numbered 20.
The two groups were distinctly separated; one side was very noisy, the other quiet and politely seated.
Fang Wen saw it in his eyes, his brows furrowing.
So chaotic—where did the rule-following and command-obeying come from? Taking them out like this would be hard to manage.
But Taishan Airlines was currently short-staffed and couldn’t spare more service personnel to help.
They could only make do with these for now.
Fang Wen looked at Sun Debiao and gave him a look.
Sun Debiao was a bit embarrassed; during recruitment, this group had been very obedient, so why were they so chaotic now? He said loudly: “Everyone quiet down. General Manager Fang has something to say.”
After everyone quieted down, Fang Wen spoke: “This recruitment is for the newly established Taishan Flying Club. I know you haven’t undergone training and can’t meet many professional requirements yet. But I believe everyone is here to make money, right?”
After he spoke, he looked at the 20 newly recruited people below the stage; in the quiet, a few responded softly: “Yes.”
“I can’t hear you; louder,” Fang Wen asked loudly.
More people responded: “Yes.”
“Still can’t hear you; even louder, tell me, do you want to make money?”
Under his guidance, the 20 people shouted in unison: “Yes.”
Fang Wen smiled slightly: “That’s right; I thought you didn’t like money.”
Laughter erupted below, also drawing the two sides closer.
Fang Wen continued: “I like you straightforward people; making money isn’t a bad thing, there’s nothing you can’t say. Now I’ll explain the rules for going abroad. This time abroad is in a palace, which is quite large. First, you need to learn the layout, then you’ll be assigned to different palaces for service training. Your compensation is 200 silver dollars per month.”
Really? 200 silver dollars in compensation made everyone incredulous; that was very high pay in China at present.
And these people were just doing service work; previously, a month’s income was only 7 or 8 silver dollars.
To earn 200 silver dollars, it would take two years without eating or drinking.
No one believed they had the ability to take home 200 silver dollars; immediately, some stood up to leave.
“Hold on, I haven’t finished yet.”
Fang Wen stopped those who wanted to leave and continued: “These 200 silver dollars aren’t that easy to get. You must complete all assessments and make no mistakes in formal work to take them home. Each mistake deducts once, until only 15 silver dollars remain. In other words, you need to put in some effort to get this money.”
So that’s how it was; everyone understood—if you don’t do well, low pay; do well for high pay, better for even higher.
This compensation structure appealed to all 20 people, and they all got the idea of making big money during this month abroad.
But Fang Wen’s words weren’t over.
He continued: “These are Taishan Airlines’ rules: to each according to their ability, more work more pay. You 20 people, in the next month, can not only find ways to earn 200 silver dollars, but will also undergo Taishan Airlines’ personnel assessment; those who pass can stay with Taishan Airlines and become one of us.”
This added another layer of hope for the 20 people, their enthusiasm surging again.
Seeing this, Sun Debiao remarked: “General Manager Fang’s mouth is getting more and more formidable. General Manager Fang’s brain is also getting more flexible; you say they’re all people, how is he so capable?”
“Don’t even think about it; think for a lifetime and you’ll still be Sun Debiao. Let’s get to work; next it’s up to the two of us,” Fang Shouxin said with a smile, then went on stage with Sun Debiao.
After some motivation, the 20 newly recruited personnel, full of enthusiasm, along with the 20 Taishan Airlines flight attendants, took the d.332 to Yangon.
They took the temporary route Shanghai—Guangzhou—Yangon.
Fang Wen flew the first trip; from the second trip, it was handed to Pan Jiafeng.
Pan Jiafeng’s flying talent adapted quickly to the flight path.
Sun Debiao and Fang Shouxin, along with Shao Sishen who had connections in Myanmar, went together to begin Imperial Palace training, modifications, layouts, and recruiting a dozen local people as service supplements.
During this time, they also airlifted chefs, ingredients, musicians, bands, and other manpower and materials from Shanghai in batches.
Whether it could be done well was up to human effort; Fang Wen freed himself up and piloted the f.220 to Sarawak.
This time, his father-in-law came along again; besides transporting cinchona bark back to Guangzhou, he also wanted to help Fang Wen find some Flying Club members.
The airplane landed outside the Rajah of Kuching City Governor’s Residence in Sarawak, receiving another welcome from the Raja of Sarawak.
After Fang Wen got off the plane, the other asked expectantly: “Fang, have you considered the flight path matter?”
Fang Wen smiled back: “I have a better suggestion. You should expand your social circle; that way you’ll have more friends, rather than being limited to just a few.”
“What do you mean?” The Raja of Sarawak didn’t understand Fang Wen’s words.
“You are a king; a king needs a king’s social circle, like the Commonwealth conference. I’m forming a Flying Club; participants must pass identity verification—only those of prominent and noble status or extremely wealthy can join.”
Fang Wen’s words piqued the Raja of Sarawak’s interest.
“I want to know who the current members are?”
“Since it’s the first session, many people don’t know about the Flying Club yet, and participation is limited; this is the list of those I’ve invited so far.”
Fang Wen took out the list of personnel he, Kuang Mingzhu, and Shao Sishen had invited.
This was a door threshold; looking at the list, the Raja of Sarawak felt he must be one of them.
He very firmly requested to join.
Besides his joining, Nanyang had even more resources.
During the few days staying in Sarawak, Fang Wen borrowed the Raja of Sarawak’s seaplane and took his father-in-law to the Indonesian islands south of Kalimantan Island.
There were also many sultans and Chinese families there.
Of course, caution was a common trait among these people; they wouldn’t join immediately just because of an invitation.
Only a few were bold enough to take risks.
Even so, Fang Wen felt he had gathered the members for the first Flying Club session; any more people, and he thought he couldn’t control them.
January 16, 1934.
Chiang Kai-shek occupied Fuzhou; the 19th Route Army was defeated and surrendered to Chiang; military generals either joined Chiang Kai-shek, went into hiding under assumed names, or fled abroad.
And on this day, in the Mandalay Palace in central British-controlled Myanmar, batches of guests arrived.
These guests all arrived via Taishan Airlines private jets.
There was the King of Afghanistan royal family group on the Asia-Europe route chartered flight; they took the d.332 from Kolkata to transfer to the Royal Palace.
There were also multiple temporary flights taking off from Sarawak Airport in Southeast Asia; through this airport, tycoons and magnates from various Nanyang areas flew to Yangon, then to Mandalay Palace.
After these people got off the airplanes, they received enthusiastic receptions from Taishan Airlines service personnel.
They were arranged in palaces of different areas, enjoying different royal services.
Very novel, a different feeling.
After an interesting night like this, the service personnel responsible for their respective palaces brought them to dine on dragon boats on the Imperial Palace moat.
With magnates arriving from everywhere, Fang Wen naturally needed to be there to greet them.
He met and chatted with the magnates one by one.
Among those who came, besides the King of Afghanistan and the Raja of Sarawak, there were three more from other places: one sultan from Indonesia, and two heads of prominent Chinese Nanyang families.
After everyone was seated, Fang Wen smiled and gave a speech.
“The Flying Club was hastily established, only taking half a month, so this year’s members are few; I believe more will join next year, so please understand.”
He said this in English, with an Indonesian translator also translating for that sultan.
The guests responded one after another, the atmosphere very harmonious.
It wasn’t yet the best time to talk about the Gold Action; after some pleasantries, Fang Wen didn’t disturb their meal.
After the meal, service personnel took them to tour the Royal Palace grounds, then to the palace where the club was located, explaining the Flying Club member benefits.
Becoming a Flying Club member would grant all welfare and treatment for leisure at the club.
For example: leisure and relaxation, learning flight piloting, receiving superior service on Taishan Airlines aircraft, and discounts and more.
These conditions were all good; the Royal Palace was excellent, service attentive, and it was also a good place to meet new friends; everyone was very satisfied.
During the evening salon time, these club members gathered in the palace bar, and someone voiced their inner doubt.
“General Manager Fang, why are you so urgently establishing a Flying Club? In my view, this doesn’t serve your interests.” The speaker was the head of the Nanyang Ye family, the current family head; the Ye family had risen through commercial retail and currently invested in various industries.
“Yes,” Fang Wen smiled in response: “It indeed doesn’t serve my interests, but time is too tight, so I can only do this. If everyone wants to hear my story, I can tell you the reason now.”
No one objected.
Fang Wen continued: “I recently went to Europe and got some very important news. Using that news, I can make substantial profits, but that’s not enough; I need more allies to make the profits even larger. For this, I want to establish a Gold Company.”
Gold Company!
Those four words piqued everyone’s interest; no one would disdain gold.
The fish seemed hooked; Fang Wen was full of confidence, believing no one could refuse such temptation.
He explained the situation.
After hearing Fang Wen’s detailed description, the scene became a bit chaotic.
Each small group was talking among themselves.
The Raja of Sarawak asked: “I’ve heard about the United States banning private gold ownership, but are you sure they’ll buy back everyone’s gold at a high price?”
The Ye family head mused: “Those Federal Reserve people are the shrewdest in the world; how could they let people take advantage.”
This remark drew agreement from all; at their level, they knew how formidable those Federal Reserve bankers were.
Fang Wen hadn’t thought in that direction, only feeling that since history happened that way, there must be a reason.
But the Ye family head’s reminder sparked more associations in him.
Yes, where were the Federal Reserve’s interests? Were they so charitably helping Roosevelt save the United States economy?
No strings attached, selfless?
Impossible; Fang Wen rejected that judgment—there must be a reason.
If viewed from a future person’s perspective.
Could they know war was coming and were hoarding gold in advance?
After all, in war-torn eras, store gold was an timeless adage, the same everywhere in the world.
Impossible! Fang Wen marveled inwardly, feeling like he had discovered that world affairs were being controlled by someone.
