Chapter 57: 57, Boeing Sales Representative, Ceasefire Agreement Signed
The final battle to suppress bandits in Fuyang ended.
More than 2000 deserters who formed bandits surrendered and were reorganized after their defeat.
Small-scale bandits scattered sporadically throughout the entire area suddenly discovered that this was no longer their paradise and fled the Fuyang area one after another.
The remaining cleanup matters were for Ning Hangsheng’s Department and the local government. Fang Wen proactively proposed leaving on the second day after the airdrop.
Fuyang Officials and Gentry and Ning Hangsheng saw him off at the airport. Before boarding, Fang Wen organized his words.
“The passenger aircraft purchased for the airport needs to be negotiated with the supplier in the United States. I really can’t stay long in Fuyang. Once the flight path opens, I will come back. We’ll meet again next time.”
The people seeing him off all agreed and waved goodbye.
Fang Wen was about to turn around when the crowd parted, and Huo Duanyang squeezed out.
At this time, he had changed into a Zhongshan suit, and his hair was cut into a flat top.
“Manager Fang, can you take me along?”
“Where are you going?” Fang Wen asked with a smile.
“To Jinling Arsenal in Nanjing, my classmate is there.” After a pause, Huo Duanyang explained proactively: “These past two days, I’ve been thinking about one thing—where did all those grand aspirations from school days go? Rather than staying in Fuyang as a teacher, it’s better to go out.”
One aerial bombing had ignited the passion in this once patriotic youth’s heart. Fang Wen naturally supported him.
He patted Huo Duanyang on the shoulder, “Sure, I support you, but have you told your family members?”
“I have. I support him.” The one responding was the one who had explained the Fuyang bandit situation at the banquet welcoming Fang Wen. The father and son resembled each other a bit, both still carrying some hot-bloodedness.
Since that was the case, there was no need to say more. Fang Wen pushed the boarding ladder to the rear pilot seat, letting Huo Duanyang board first, then he himself boarded the airplane.
Amid the send-off from Fuyang Officials and Gentry, the airplane took off.
The wind was strong in the sky. For an old-style biplane like Qingyun Hao with no cover in the cockpit, they had to shout to communicate, so the two did not chat idly in the air.
After more than three hours of flight range, the airplane landed at Nanjing Airport.
Shopkeeper Liu, Uncle Fang, and Shunzi were all waiting by the runway.
Fang Wen and Huo Duanyang got off the airplane. He said to Uncle Fang: “Uncle Fang, this is Huo Duanyang from Fuyang. Arrange a place for him to stay.”
Immediately, Huo Duanyang carried his suitcase and followed Uncle Fang out of the airport to the newly rented residence.
Right next to the Eight Great Families’ courtyard.
Seeing Huo Duanyang off into the distance, Fang Wen talked with Shopkeeper Liu again.
“Has the person from the United States arrived?”
“He has. He said his name is Saleman. He’s really bold, driving alone from Shanghai. I arranged him in the guesthouse inside the airport. Howard is with him.”
“Let’s go over there.”
Fang Wen and Shopkeeper Liu went to the guesthouse and directly knocked on the guest room door.
The door opened. Howard opened it, and behind him was a foreign man with somewhat balding hair.
The other party introduced himself in English.
It wasn’t Saleman; Shopkeeper Liu had misheard.
His meaning was Boeing Company authorized overseas sales representative, that is, airplane salesman. In English, it’s called Salesman, which sounds like Saleman.
Fang Wen shook hands with him and conversed with a smile.
The first topic between the two sides was mainly around the delivery and transport of tung oil.
A total of six hundred tons of tung oil, ten percent more than the agreement, as compensation for freight charge.
According to the agreement between the two sides, the tung oil would be shipped from the Nanjing warehouse via the Yangtze River to Shanghai Port, and the rest would be handled by the American side finding ships to transport to the United States.
All this tung oil was packed in original wooden barrels, so there was no worry about transshipment trouble.
The other party had no objections to this at all.
Next was negotiating the delivery method and after-sales service for the Boeing 80.
According to the other party, the airplane had already been loaded onto a ship from San Francisco and was being transported across the Pacific Ocean to Shanghai.
It was estimated to arrive in Shanghai in another 10 days.
Fang Wen felt this method was unreliable.
Currently, the nearby seas around Shanghai were still under Japanese Navy control. What if it was intercepted by the Japanese during sea transport from the Pacific Ocean?
Regarding this, the other party revealed a secret.
Fang Wen’s expression remained calm, but he was surprised inside.
These foreigners actually knew so many inside news.
He had Howard continue to accompany this Boeing sales representative, while he himself left the room with Shopkeeper Liu.
“The ceasefire agreement has been signed. Foreigners in the concession already knew in advance. It won’t be long before it’s announced nationwide.”
“Really? That’s great. I’ll go tell the patriarch right now.” Shopkeeper Liu hurried downstairs to report the good news.
But Fang Wen was not so happy. Although the ceasefire agreement was signed, its contents might not be what the countrymen liked.
After arranging the Boeing sales representative, Fang Wen left the airport.
He slowly walked back to the residence outside the airport.
Now with more people around, it was no longer convenient to stay in the airport dormitory. Renting outside was only natural.
In the courtyard, Huo Duanyang was chatting with Shunzi.
“It’s great that you’re going to Jinling Arsenal. The bombs my young master used to bomb the Japanese warship were produced there.”
“Really? Too bad I wasn’t there at the time. But no matter, I’ll make better bombs in the future.”
“Alright then, I’ll assist you, and we’ll make them together.” Shunzi shouted innocently.
“Sure, we’ll make them together.” Huo Duanyang responded with a smile. Because of Shunzi’s straightforward personality, he lost the initial stranger’s restraint.
Fang Wen also wanted to join their conversation and was about to walk over when he heard Shopkeeper Liu’s voice from far outside the courtyard.
“Mr. Fang, the patriarch invites you over to celebrate the signing of the ceasefire agreement.”
“Perfect, no need to cook dinner ourselves tonight. Shunzi, go call your dad. Huo Duanyang, you come with us too.”
Immediately, the group walked to the Eight Great Families’ courtyard house dozens of meters away.
For the airport matter, the heads of these families had quietly left Shanghai and rented contiguous residences here.
Now, it was a scene of joy and liveliness, just short of lanterns and decorations.
People from the Eight Great Families bustled about, bringing plates of hot dishes to the table.
Fang Wen was pulled to sit at the main seat.
“It’s finally over.”
“Once the little Japanese withdraw their troops, we can go all out.”
“Mr. Fang, oh no, General Manager Fang, let’s have a drink.”
The news of the ceasefire agreement signing made them overjoyed. Amidst toasting, someone brought out a radio.
Tuned to the commercial channel.
The hissing electric current sound accompanied the host’s broadcast.
“Meriton Radio Station broadcasting major news to the people of Shanghai.”
“It is reported that the National Government has signed a ceasefire agreement with the Imperial Japanese Navy.”
“The agreement has five articles.”
“Article one: From this day forward, both armies shall, to the best of their ability, cease all and any hostile actions in the area surrounding Shanghai. Regarding any questions arising concerning the ceasefire situation, they shall be investigated by representatives of the friendly nations present.”
“Who are the friendly nations?” Shunzi asked, not understanding.
“Britain and France and the United States.” Huo Duanyang replied.
Their voices were soft, but it drew glares from everyone, and they quickly shut up.
The hissing broadcast voice from the radio continued.
“Article two: Chinese armies shall restore the status quo ante in the areas covered by this agreement and, pending the decision of the terms, remain stationed along the line from Kunshan to Suzhou.”
“Our army can’t enter Shanghai anymore?” Someone questioned angrily.
“Shut up, it’s not over yet. Keep listening.” One patriarch scolded.
“Article three: Japanese Army shall withdraw to the International Concession and the Hongkou side of the extra-territorial zones beyond the barricades, as before the incident of January 28, Year 21 of the Republic of China. However, considering the need to accommodate the Japanese Army personnel, some troops may temporarily station in adjacent areas to the aforementioned zones.”
At this moment, the originally joyful and lively atmosphere was of course gone.
As for the later broadcast, no one was interested in listening anymore.
Even though those present were all businessmen, they still had a patriotic heart, yet these agreement contents hurt them.
“Disperse. I thought it would be great joy, but it’s a heart-wrenching blow. I have no appetite for this meal.”
One patriarch stood up, shaking his head, and went directly inside.
The other patriarchs also stood up and left the courtyard to go back.
The remaining ones, those who understood, sighed helplessly just the same.
Those who didn’t understand asked in low voices, whispering among themselves.
Shunzi, listening to Huo Duanyang’s explanation, blurted out.
“Why? We didn’t lose. Why can’t our own army enter the city, and still let the Japanese occupy a piece of land?”
No one answered him.
Shunzi looked at Fang Wen, “Young Master.”
Fang Wen looked up at the starry sky above, with a crescent moon.
At least this sky could be freely soared.
No, he felt that thinking this way was too cowardly.
Why not strike decisively and behead the enemy leader?
To kill the enemy requires a sharp weapon!
Thinking of this, he quickly walked out of the courtyard and straight to the airport to find the Boeing sales representative.
