Chapter 222: 221, Battlefield First Aid Kit Aids The Long March, Family Matters, Company Seaplane Project Implementation
The Cloud Crane Seaplane landed in Jiaxing.
That is, the swampy wasteland that the Fang Family bought.
Plus, it was not far from Shanghai, perfect for future use as an airport for seaplane landings and takeoffs.
Fang Wen had been running around domestically and abroad for over a year, and hadn’t returned to his Jiaxing home. After getting off the plane, he planned to drop by home.
He, Kuang Mingzhu, and three action team members arrived at the Fang Residence.
The courtyard house immediately became lively.
Fang Wen and Kuang Mingzhu distributed the gifts they brought one by one.
There were jewelry, jade, and lacquerware from British Burma, and long-grain fragrant rice from French Vietnam.
Old Master Fang, the aunties, the second madam, his own mother, Eldest Young Master, Second Young Master, and Sixth Sister all received some.
Only when Sixth Sister received her gift did she keep a straight face, not smiling at all.
There was something bothering her.
Fang Wen smiled and said, “Old Six, are you still hating Fifth Brother for ruining your marriage?”
“Of course not.” Sixth Sister finally spoke to her brother Fang Wen: “That scoundrel has a bad reputation in our Jiaxing. Even if I see him again, I won’t pay him any attention. But people in Jiaxing gossip behind my back, it’s so annoying.”
Kuang Mingzhu had an idea: “This kind of thing will keep spreading as long as people are around. Even if you leave Jiaxing for Shanghai or Hangzhou, those rich madams do nothing all day but play mahjong and gossip. Sixth Sister, my third brother studied in France. He said the girls’ schools there are great. Why not go study in France?”
This suggestion moved the Fang Family. There was indeed too much gossip about Sixth Sister; it would be better for her to leave for a while.
Old Master Fang looked at Fang Wen: “Old Five, what do you think?”
Fang Wen thought about it. It was now 1934, six years before Germany launched its blitzkrieg and occupied it, so she could go study abroad.
He smiled and said, “The principals and teachers at French girls’ schools are nuns—what we’d call nuns here. They are very strict. Can Sixth Sister handle it?”
Kuang Mingzhu wanted to explain that French girls’ schools now weren’t that strict, but Fang Wen quietly tugged her sleeve to stop her.
Old Master Fang was delighted: “That’s exactly it—strict management builds character. Old Six, are you willing to go?”
Sixth Sister hesitated, then nodded: “Fifth Brother, I still want to go. Strict is fine; I can handle it.”
Alright then, Fang Wen agreed.
After staying home for a while, Fang Wen left with his wife and returned to Shanghai Airport.
Back in Shanghai, Fang Wen was busy again.
Li Tie Zhu was assigned to the Kabul Airport branch company, responsible for managing local airport business.
Sixth Sister’s matter was also arranged—a well-reputed private girls’ school. Fang Wen had no time to take her, but the other two brothers vied to do it. In the end, Eldest Young Master Fang got the honor.
Afterward, Fang Wen took the current Taishan Airlines Chairman Quan Yuncai on the Cloud Crane Seaplane for demonstration flights between Shanghai and Nanjing, as well as several places around Taihu Lake.
Through the flight demonstrations, Quan Yuncai was very impressed with the Cloud Crane Seaplane’s performance.
When he learned that the Cloud Crane was a seaplane developed by Fang Wen, he gained confidence in Taishan Airlines’ seaplane plan.
In these times, China had no aircraft manufacturing capability at all. If the Taishan Aircraft Manufacturing Plant succeeded, it would be very significant for China’s aviation field.
Cost, later maintenance services, equipment upgrades, and all aspects were better than buying foreign aircraft.
China Airlines was an example: they bought planes but couldn’t use their own pilots to fly them, and later maintenance required Americans.
Therefore, Quan Yuncai reported it upward and strongly endorsed it.
Time flew by, reaching early October 1934.
Fang Wen was in his office looking at the early-month intelligence summary sent by an intelligence dealer from Shanghai.
The Red Army had officially begun the Long March.
The Red Army’s largest base area spanning Jiangxi, Fujian, and Guangdong—known as the central base area—had set out on its journey.
Intelligence circles both domestic and abroad were very concerned about this.
According to analyses collected by the intelligence dealer, the mainstream view was that this was a strategic convergence, with the Red Army gathering forces from various base areas for a counterattack.
For this, Kuomintang troops dispatched large armies to pursue and encircle, preventing Red Army forces from various base areas from linking up.
But this time, they weren’t entirely successful. The First Front Army of the Red Army that broke out chose night marches to avoid aerial reconnaissance, repeatedly breaking through encirclement circles and disappearing from the Central Army’s sight.
Fang Wen flipped through the intelligence, most of it about the Red Army.
He saw one about Red Army supply analysis.
This intelligence assessed: The Red Army had a complete logistics supply method, which allowed them to maintain combat power during prolonged mobile operations.
Fang Wen smiled. Without logistics supplies, those Red Army soldiers relied on homemade military rations.
The improved rice cakes should be even better, he thought wistfully.
Right, long marches meant various diseases were also a big problem.
Fang Wen frowned involuntarily. He had medicine: cinchona bark for diarrhea, Yunnan Baiyao for external injuries, and penicillin for wound infections.
These three medicines were essential for marching and combat.
Perhaps he should make them into first aid kits and send a batch to the Red Army.
What kind of first aid kit?
Without ideas for the moment, Fang Wen thought of the first-generation national industry emerging in Shanghai and figured he might get inspiration from there.
Immediately, Fang Wen picked up the phone and called the company Special Operations Department.
“Come over, we have work to do.”
On the other end of the phone was a small building behind the Taishan Airlines Training Center—no sign, but it was the Taishan Airlines Special Operations Department.
The seven action team members who returned from Yangon, plus Wu Yingzong and Zhao Wanping who rejoined, made nine people—the entire current Special Action Team.
As soon as they heard the general manager had a new mission, they excitedly headed out to the general manager’s office.
The nine stood neatly in a row in the general manager’s office, awaiting orders.
Fang Wen stood up and explained the situation.
“You all know I have some cooperative relationship with the Red Army. Now their central base area is in a breakout operation, and medical supplies must be urgently needed. I have an idea to help, but it needs you to prepare. Are you willing?”
The seven who had been airdrop guides replied directly: “Willing.”
Wu Yingzong said loudly: “Whatever the general manager wants me to do, I’ll do it—no questions asked, just get it done.”
The only female team member Zhao Wanping: “Me too, listen to the general manager.” But her words and actions were all aimed at Wu Yingzong—everyone knew her feelings.
Fang Wen saw it, nodded, and said: “Good, then change into plainclothes and come with me to the city.”
Immediately, the group took the airport shuttle bus to the urban area.
Of course, Fang Wen needed to disguise himself first.
Disguised as a long-faced, big-bearded out-of-town merchant, Fang Wen led his nine employees strolling along Nanjing Road’s department store street.
This street had many department stores like Wing On, Sun Sun, and Dah Sun—it was Shanghai’s liveliest shopping street.
（Republic of China Shanghai Nanjing Road）
The streets were hung with numerous propaganda banners for promotions, gifts, company celebrations, etc.—already playing those games in this era.
Walking the street, looking at the dazzling array of goods in shop windows, Fang Wen pondered what he wanted.
An image of a wounded soldier came to his mind.
He was shot and needed prompt treatment, but there were no medics nearby—he had to save himself.
At this time, if he had a military first aid kit, it could save his life.
“General manager, look over there.” Wu Yingzong interrupted Fang Wen’s thoughts.
Fang Wen looked—it was someone at the mall entrance displaying items, doing something like future promotional activities.
Lots of onlookers, very lively, so Fang Wen went over to check.
The event site had a banner reading ‘Kang Yuan Can Factory Toy Branch Product Exhibition and Sale’
It was selling toys.
Among them were tin cars, little trains, and big-headed dolls.
Besides metal toys, there was a type marked as celluloid material—toys like mahjong sets and little dolls.
（Celluloid Mahjong）
Looking at the celluloid toys, Fang Wen suddenly realized—this was plastic, right?
It might not have the variety of future plastics, but celluloid should have plastic’s lightweight, wear-resistant properties.
This stuff could be used to make first aid kits.
Fang Wen suddenly had an idea—why not have this toy factory make them.
He gave Wu Yingzong a look: “Talk to them, say we have business and want to see the factory director.”
Wu Yingzong went over, and in a few words, the people eagerly led Fang Wen’s group to the Kang Yuan Can Factory.
Upon arrival, Fang Wen met the Kang Yuan Can Factory director, who welcomed them warmly and asked about needs.
Fang Wen described:
“I see your tin and celluloid toys are very good. Have you thought about making other things?”
“What things?” the factory director asked.
“A storage box with a thin iron sheet outer shell and celluloid interior. Inside, three storage compartments for cans, and one round slot.”
Hearing Fang Wen’s description, the factory director didn’t think it difficult. “Can do it. How many do you need? Delivery time?”
Fang Wen thought—these medicine boxes were mainly for the Red Army. Multiple purchases could attract notice, so better buy a lot at once. He placed a large order.
The other side immediately drew a product structural diagram, got Fang Wen’s approval, and signed the purchase agreement.
Of course, everything in it was fake names—only the money was real.
Leaving the Kang Yuan Can Factory, Fang Wen left two people to follow up, then returned to Shanghai Airport.
The military first aid kits were set, now prepare the medicines inside.
Fang Wen divided two-thirds of his 20 kilograms of penicillin injection dry powder, having action team members carefully package it—one injection unit per portion.
Additionally, he procured Wan Ying Bai Bao Dan from Kunming and a batch of finished cinchona bark from his father-in-law in Guangzhou.
A few days later, the fully processed goods from Kang Yuan Can Factory were shipped.
These iron sheet shell, celluloid-lined military first aid boxes, loaded with three medicine bottles, one roll of bandages, and a manual, became Fang Wen’s designed Republic of China military first aid kits.
Then, all the first aid kits were loaded onto Taishan One and transported to Xiangxi Airport.
Delivering medical supplies to the Red Army was now much harder than before.
The Red Army was now in constant mobile breakout combat. Not only could Kuomintang planes not find them, Fang Wen couldn’t use his mechanical perception ability to see those troops hiding in trees and mountains during the day.
The only way to contact them was through the Red Army’s secret radio station.
This still had to go through Bai Yunfei’s channel.
Immediately, Long Yumei at Xiangxi Airport went alone at night to the liaison point.
When she arrived, the people inside were packing luggage.
Long Yumei asked in surprise: “Where are you going?”
Bai Yunfei explained: “Red Third Army is also setting out. The troops need telegraph operators; they’re rejoining tonight.”
As he spoke, the liaison point people finished packing, saluted Bai Yunfei and Long Yumei, and the comrades parted silently.
After they left, Long Yumei remembered her errand.
She took out a flat little iron sheet box.
“This is from Taishan Airlines for me to deliver. They say it’s a battlefield first aid kit for emergency treatment after soldiers are wounded.”
“What? Let me see.” Bai Yunfei said eagerly. Having led troops for years, he knew the significance best.
Unfastening the latch, Shu Zhitao saw what was inside.
The box was small, and the interior space limited.
Just three small red, yellow, blue medicine bottles, one roll of bandages, and a piece of paper.
He picked up the paper—it was folded, with writing on each page. He unfolded it to see what it said.
‘Military First Aid Kit Usage Instructions’
【The red bottle is anti-infective drug penicillin, which needs to be dissolved in **saline and then injected intravenously. It can be used to treat external wound infection symptoms.】
【The yellow bottle is Wan Ying Bai Bao Dan, to be applied externally to wounds; it treats contusions, promotes blood circulation and dissipates stasis. If severe, take the safety catch seeds inside.】
【The blue bottle is cinchona bark, for dysentery. Oral dosage: **.】
【The above three medicines must be used strictly as required; do not arbitrarily increase or decrease dosage.】
【Also included: one roll of bandages, forming battlefield first aid means. Hope it helps.】
After reading, Bai Yunfei was thrilled: “Great! Our soldiers often get dysentery from drinking raw water during wilderness marches, and lack first aid for combat wounds. This little box solves our big problems. I’ll report to superiors immediately.”
Radio waves conveyed this upward, and feedback came hours later.
Due to march secrecy, the Red Army sent a very small special detachment in another direction to receive airdrop supplies.
Long Yumei immediately took the intelligence back to the airport.
The Red First Front Army’s airdrop site was in southwest Fujian—complex mountainous terrain, using torches in the valley for guidance without easy detection, perfect for airdrops.
Fang Wen led the nine Special Action Team members to complete this airdrop.
Nearly 13,000 battlefield first aid kits were airdropped to the Red First Front Army. Fang Wen felt an inexplicable sense of accomplishment—at least this would spare many soldiers from disease torment during the Long March.
That night, he slept very soundly, as if having accomplished something momentous.
He slept until 9 a.m.
If his wife hadn’t sent someone to wake him, he might not have gotten up.
Chun Cao blushed outside the door: “Young master, get up. Chairman Quan Yuncai is here; he has something for you.”
“Oh. Tell him I’m coming right away.”
Fang Wen got up, washed briefly, changed into formal clothes, and went to the company.
Quan Yuncai waited in the office. When Fang Wen entered, he took an approval document from his briefcase and placed it on the desk.
