Chapter 302: Military Equipment And Logistics Arrangements After 301, Picking Up And Escaping In Shanghai, Tanks On The Move
In mid-August, Fang Wen returned to Jinan from Nanjing.
With an official designation in hand, plus the transfer order from the Military Order Department, the Taishan Independent Regiment could head north, and the troops’ combat logistics supplies and coordination from all sides were indispensable.
Fang Wen formed the regiment independently and would not accept direct orders from the National Government, nor would he receive any external military supplies or resources; maintaining this force relied on his own commercial group, and all matters had to be properly arranged.
To this end, he made a special trip back to Wuhan, gathered members of his small circle at company headquarters, held a wartime meeting, explained the results of his Nanjing trip to everyone, and planned the organization of future actions.
Subsequently, the meeting participants flew in from Yangon, Xiangxi Airport, and overseas locations.
Wuhan headquarters deputy general manager Kuang Mingzhu, chief accountant Shopkeeper Liu, administrative director Fang Shouxin, Aviation Management Department Pan Jiafeng, air logistics and distribution department Sun Debiao, training center Shao Sishen, Aviation Maintenance Department Howard.
Xiangxi Airport director Fang Shun, airport safety officer William.
Yangon Industrial Park, aircraft manufacturing plant acting factory director Bai Zeshan, oil refinery and weapon factory director Huo Duanyang.
Overseas international business department inspection director Li Tie Zhu.
Jinghong penicillin pharmaceutical factory director Liu Jin Rui.
Mercenary Group: Zhou Pomen, Qian Yinxing, Zhao Wanping, Liu Yu Bao.
Flying Club: Liu Yin Feng.
Except for Wu Yingzong who needed to maintain airport protection to prevent sabotage by those lurking Japanese spies, as well as Lin Shuiwang and Zhao Jiu far away in the United States, and Chen Suoxin and Liu Ying Shou at the Shanghai Secret Intelligence Station, everyone else arrived.
This was the most complete gathering of people Fang Wen trusted in the past year or so.
Because of the memories from back then, Fang Wen set the meeting location inside his own residence.
Nearly 20 people gathered in the general manager’s large house near Wuhan Airport, with two tables of banquets set.
Everyone hadn’t seen each other for a long time and couldn’t help but talk eagerly, exchanging cups while sharing their experiences over the past year or so.
Fang Wen smiled and chatted with the people in his small circle, also observing everyone’s changes.
As time passed, the people following him had all improved in economic and social status; people change because of time and experiences, and he didn’t know if they would still be wholeheartedly with him when he needed them now.
In his observation, the first batch of elderly people who followed him initially, including the young Pan Jiafeng, were all very mature and seasoned.
This was the change brought by the group’s heavy affairs; they had to deal with a large amount of their own work every day—did their former passion still remain?
The young people who split off from the Special Action Team were even more energetic and driven; they were more eager and expectant about the war.
After an hour of dining time ended, Fang Wen led everyone away from the tables to the back courtyard of the residence.
The back courtyard, overgrown with ivy along the wall, was very quiet; to accommodate 18 people for the meeting, many chairs were set out.
Once everyone was seated, Fang Wen spoke up.
“Does everyone know the situation in North China?”
Everyone nodded; how could they not know about such a major event.
Fang Wen continued:
“The Japanese Army has completely torn off the facade and launched an offensive in the North China region. Now Tianjin and Beiping have fallen, the entire North China region is in crisis, but because of the traitors and puppet army that the Japanese cultivated in North China in the past few years, it is estimated that it won’t be long before the entire North China will fall, followed by a southward offensive into other areas of the Central Plains.”
Pausing, Fang Wen observed everyone’s expressions.
He continued: “When the company was first established, I made my stance clear: we will fight the Japanese invaders to the end. This time, I obtained the designation for the Taishan Independent Regiment in Nanjing, as well as the northward transfer order. In other words, our Taishan Volunteer Army will form independently and head north to resist Japan. This meeting is about this matter—does anyone object?”
No one objected; they were all people trusted by Fang Wen and had always known his attitude.
This put Fang Wen somewhat at ease.
He continued: “The Taishan Independent Regiment is an anti-Japanese armed force created solely supported by Taishan Airlines. In the future, for northward combat, logistics supplies, military production, wounded treatment and transfer, and a series of other matters will require everyone’s coordinated cooperation, so that the Independent Regiment can shed all burdens and fight with full strength.”
Shopkeeper Liu took the lead in stating: “General Manager, rest assured, these matters will be handled properly.”
The others echoed in agreement.
Immediately, Fang Wen announced the arrangements.
The standard military uniforms for the Taishan Independent Regiment would be handled by his wife Kuang Mingzhu; according to the already designed style, produce 1000 sets and send them to the Jinan warehouse.
The bullets used by the Taishan Independent Regiment were all standard 7.92mm bullets; over the past two years, bullet production technology had been improved, and they could now fully use their own produced 7.92mm bullets for rifle and machine gun equipment.
Bullet and fuel supplies to the north would be handled jointly by Huo Duanyang in Yangon and Fang Shouxin at headquarters, transported via Taishan Airlines’ own transport routes.
For medical aspects, Shopkeeper Liu and Sun Debiao were responsible; they needed to establish a surgical sanatorium hospital in Wuhan within two months and station a medical surgery team in Jinan.
For the penicillin factory, output must increase; stop supplies to Shanghai and transport all to the Jinan Airport warehouse.
After arranging these matters, Fang Wen spoke:
“Others must also strive to do their own jobs well, be ready at any time to accept assigned war of resistance tasks, and not slack off. If you have anything to say now, you can speak here.”
When it was time for free discussion, someone immediately spoke up.
Although others had not received wartime work tasks, they were willing to cooperate actively.
Especially William.
As a German officer, he needed to prove his military capabilities.
Having trained 100 Gan Army security team members at Xiangxi Airport for so long, he also wanted to lead this force north together to join the Taishan Independent Regiment.
Regarding this, Fang Wen asked Fang Shun.
“If this security team leaves, what about security at Xiangxi Airport?”
Fang Shun replied: “The Mercenary Group and security team leaving will not affect airport safety. I have recruited nearby villagers as new security, and moreover, the airport employees have undergone William’s militarized training over the past two years; they can also take up guns to fight, and there are no forces nearby that can come to the airport to cause trouble.”
Over these two years, Xiangxi Airport had been operated very well and was no longer like when they first arrived, worrying about harassment from nearby bandits.
Especially during the period when William led the team, they often went out for field training; the small groups of nearby bandits couldn’t stand the harassment and had long moved farther away.
Hearing Fang Shun say this, Fang Wen felt assured about Xiangxi Airport’s safety and immediately agreed to let William lead the team to join the Taishan Independent Regiment.
As for the unit’s organization, it would belong to the Independent Regiment’s ground combat battalion, Xiangxi Company.
The meeting thus concluded; Fang Wen announced adjournment, with formal implementation starting tomorrow, and timely reports of progress to Jinan via telegram.
After the others left.
Pan Jiafeng stayed behind, looking at Fang Wen expectantly: “Teacher, I want to fly a fighter jet and fight alongside you.”
Looking at Pan Jiafeng, Fang Wen hesitated.
This disciple had grown from an 18-year-old high school student to now under his guidance, becoming an excellent pilot and aviation manager.
But war was cruel; although the Taishan Aviation Team had no casualties yet, that was merely the result of luck and skill.
In the future complex air combat environment, with large numbers of aircraft intersecting in the air, it would no longer be possible to avoid the opponent’s firing angles one-on-one as before; the danger would multiply.
At that time, except for himself who had some confidence in ensuring safety, all the pilots in the aviation team would be risking their lives to fly and fight.
How could he feel at ease letting Pan Jiafeng come to such a dangerous place?
Therefore, Fang Wen changed his mind and said tactfully:
“You are an only son and not married yet; if I let you join the aviation team, I can’t account to your mom and dad.”
This was indeed a problem Pan Jiafeng faced; Fang Wen had heard him mention it before.
Just like Kuang Anming.
In this era, starting a family was the mark of a man’s independence; before marriage, parents could stop them from various risky behaviors.
Regarding this, Pan Jiafeng had a solution; he revealed a proud smile.
“Master, I have a fiancée now, and my mom and dad like her too. I’ve discussed what you said with my parents; they require me to get married first before learning to fly fighter jets. How about after the meeting, I go to Shanghai and bring her to show you?”
“Haven’t you brought your mom and dad here yet? Didn’t I tell you long ago to bring them to Wuhan?” Fang Wen scolded; the situation could change at any time now, and Shanghai was no longer safe.
“Isn’t this me preparing to go to Shanghai to pick them up?” Pan Jiafeng replied.
“Alright then, we’ll fly a private jet over, bring your parents and your fiancée’s family all to Wuhan together. And let me take a look at your fiancée.” Fang Wen laughed.
Immediately, the two headed straight to the airport and flew to Shanghai in a Boeing 247 that had just been inspected and grounded.
It had been a long time since the master and disciple flew together.
On the way to Shanghai, Fang Wen jokingly asked:
“You brat, why didn’t you say earlier you had a fiancée? I didn’t even prepare a gift.”
“It was just these past two months; I went back and persuaded my parents to leave Shanghai. During that time, at a high school classmates’ reunion, I met a girl from the same school; we hit it off, and then we started dating.”
“A free love marriage, huh. Impressive.”
“Master, you’re incomparable. I heard you went straight to Guangzhou and eloped with Mistress, causing her family to search everywhere for you two.”
Fang Wen didn’t expect that the embarrassing story of him and Kuang Mingzhu from back then had been known by his disciple.
He felt a bit awkward and hesitantly asked: “Who told you this? How many people know?”
“Last time I went to the Guangzhou seaplane airport for inspection, people there mentioned it; your and Mistress’s story had long spread in Guangzhou.”
So that’s how it was; it had indeed caused a big stir back then. Fang Wen recalled the scene of eloping with the bewildered Kuang Mingzhu and couldn’t help but smile.
After more than two hours of flight, the Boeing 247 landed at Shanghai Airport.
Shanghai now was shrouded in dark clouds.
The situation was becoming increasingly tense.
People were hurriedly leaving Shanghai, and the airport was the best choice for many.
The plane Fang Wen had flown in became the hope for many waiting outside the airport.
They held up legal tender high, waving and shouting: “Let me in, I have money.” “Sell me a ticket.” “Please, take us away.”
Seeing this scene, Fang Wen couldn’t afford to be soft-hearted; he had to prioritize his own people first.
Moreover, he couldn’t set this precedent, or the airport’s order would immediately collapse.
He and Pan Jiafeng went to the airport office to learn about the situation from the Taishan office staff stationed at the airport.
“What’s going on here?”
“Japanese Marine Corps people drove into the airport and opened fire, killing a China Airlines security team member. The security team fought back, killing three Japanese Marine Corps soldiers.”
Fang Wen had heard about the airport incident while in Nanjing.
It was precisely this event that led to the Imperial Japanese Navy Marine Corps reinforcing Shanghai again, causing the National Government to receive questions from multiple consuls.
Shanghai was the concentration place of Republic of China capital, where the richest people stayed; their dissatisfaction ultimately led the National Government to drop its final hesitation and declare formal war on Japan.
And now, according to the office staff, Imperial Japanese Navy Marine Corps soldiers had launched an offensive outside the concession, with both sides taking actions, but no larger conflict had arisen yet.
But this situation had driven thousands of people to flock into the concession for refuge.
Many more chose to flee the city directly.
After hearing the office staff finish, Pan Jiafeng finally realized what he had missed.
Because of his negligence, his parents and girlfriend were in danger.
At this moment, his face was full of regret and guilt.
Fang Wen knew there was still time and comforted: “Don’t worry, Shanghai hasn’t formally started fighting yet; we’ll head into the city now and pick up the people.”
With his master’s words, Pan Jiafeng immediately recovered his mood; in the eyes of Taishan people, Fang Wen was omnipotent.
Immediately, Fang Wen and Pan Jiafeng left through the airport side door and arrived at a residential building on Airport Road.
An elderly person lived there.
The moment the elderly person saw Fang Wen, he silently opened the door and then sat back in the chair at the entrance.
“Who is he?” Pan Jiafeng asked quietly.
Fang Wen said nothing and directly led Pan Jiafeng inside.
At the very back, there was actually a garage.
Inside the garage was a car that Fang Wen had modified back then, unused for over a year.
He checked it and confirmed it could be driven.
Then he had Pan Jiafeng add fuel to the car while he disguised himself nearby.
After preparing, he drove the car out from behind the house.
The modified black Studebaker sedan headed toward the city.
Straight to the location of Pan Jiafeng’s home.
Along the way, though somewhat chaotic, no Japanese soldiers were spotted.
Upon arriving, Pan Jiafeng led Fang Wen upstairs.
This was Fang Wen’s first time at Pan Jiafeng’s home; previous meetings with his parents were at the airport or company.
With the knock, the door opened.
A middle-aged woman saw it was Pan Jiafeng and said joyfully: “Son, how did you come back?”
Pan Jiafeng said urgently: “Mom, I’m here to pick you and Dad up to leave; pack your luggage quickly.”
Pan’s mom poked her head outside, then said quietly: “Come in to talk.”
After entering, Pan’s mom quickly closed the door and called to the inner room: “Mister, come out quickly; son is back, he says he’s here to take us away.”
Pan’s father came out from the inner room; compared to Pan’s mother, he was much calmer and even asked about Fang Wen’s identity.
“Jiafeng, who is this?”
“He’s my colleague, Dad; pack your things quickly. We have to leave today.” Pan Jiafeng said urgently.
Under his urging, the two finally began packing, mainly memorable and valuable items; they wouldn’t take the rest.
Once they had packed, they went downstairs together immediately and drove out of the urban area.
The car returned to Shanghai Airport, settling the parents at the Taishan Airlines office inside the airport; the two then returned to the city.
This time, they split up; Pan Jiafeng went to get his girlfriend and her family, while Fang Wen went to check if Mr. Liang and Mr. Lin had family at home.
Fang Wen went there, upstairs, prepared to knock, but saw the iron lock on the door and understood that Mr. Liang and Mr. Lin had already left.
This was good; no need to worry about their safety.
He drove to the Star Film Company.
It was already deserted there; the remaining people said they had moved to the filming site outside the city, and if the situation worsened further, they might leave Shanghai.
So, in times of crisis, everyone was making preparations.
Fang Wen thought again whether there were others he could help.
Besides the above, there was high school classmate Min Bangren.
Immediately, Fang Wen drove to the Shanghai Commercial Savings Bank.
That small bank was still open for business.
Fang Wen got out and walked straight in.
He scanned the bank lobby; there was only one person handling business, but five staff members.
Min Bangren was the highest-ranking among them, sitting in the manager’s office; it seemed he had been promoted over the past year or so.
But the cost was too high; in such a crisis, he was still working.
Fang Wen walked straight over and pushed the door in.
“Mr. Min Bangren? I’m entrusted by your classmate to come pick you and your family up to leave Shanghai for refuge.”
“My classmate?” Min Bangren said in surprise.
“Taishan Airlines General Manager Fang Wen; I’m the pilot he sent.” Fang Wen explained.
“Oh, please sit.” Min Bangren quickly stood up to invite Fang Wen to sit and talk.
“About this, go tell him not to worry about my safety. In Shanghai, no matter who is in power, they need people to manage money; we won’t be in danger.”
It seemed Min Bangren had ways to avoid danger; everyone in the war-torn era had their own coping methods. Fang Wen said nothing and left directly.
Afterward, he drove to the agreed meeting place with Pan Jiafeng and met Pan Jiafeng’s girlfriend and her family there.
“Master, she’s Shen Shuyun, my high school classmate; she transferred from Beiping in Year 21 of the Republic of China.”
Fang Wen was stunned; the person in front of him seemed somewhat familiar.
Not just this young woman, but also the bun-haired woman behind her.
It seemed he had seen them somewhere before.
While he was thinking, the other side noticed first.
“Benefactor, Shuyun, he’s the one who saved us mother and daughter on the train.” The bun-haired woman said joyfully.
Yes, it was these two; back then, on the train from Beiping to Shanghai, Fang Wen had encountered the mother and daughter almost being tricked by human traffickers and had saved them casually.
Years had passed, yet he hadn’t expected her to be from the same high school class as Pan Jiafeng.
And now she had become his disciple’s fiancée.
Fang Wen couldn’t help but sigh at the coincidences of life’s encounters, which always appeared so inadvertently.
He drove this family out of Shanghai, through the crowded crowd outside the airport, and together with Pan Jiafeng’s parents, boarded the plane to leave.
The situation was deteriorating further; from North China to Shanghai, the flames of war were spreading.
Various troops were being deployed.
The New Fourth Army designation was also being finalized; with Kuomintang-Communist Cooperation, the period of comprehensive resistance against Japan was about to arrive.
At the same time, the Taishan Independent Regiment was also rushing to transport northward.
The infantry from Xiangxi Airport rode Taishan No. 1 transport aircraft, flying north in multiple batches; each could carry two hundred people, so it wasn’t troublesome.
The trouble was the two tanks.
The gates of the newly opened heavy tractor factory in Changde opened; two Mount Tai Pine Tanks, one troop transport vehicle, and one fuel vehicle drove out.
On both sides of the majestic tanks stood seven or eight Mercenary Group soldiers.
This convoy drove out of the city amid the surprise of Changde people.
