Chapter 84: 83, First Encrypted Telegram Transmission, Security Arrangements
So it was her!
Fang Wen immediately understood the source of that familiar feeling.
It was the name Dongzhen, along with her Qing Dynasty imperial family identity, and her hobby of dressing as a man.
These combined together finally unlocked the dust-covered memories of his past life.
However, this was a judgment from the perspective of a future person. Even so, there was no way to prove she was a Japanese spy, after all, her identity as a prince’s gege from the Qing Dynasty was real.
So why did she come to Taishan Airlines?
Was it purely just wanting to take a flight to Jinan?
Or did she have other intentions.
Fang Wen stood up, picked up the thermos, poured a cup of warm boiled water and drank it.
Using this to ease the anxiety in his heart.
Without driving a car or airplane, he was just an ordinary person. Dealing with a notorious Japanese spy was not something he should be doing.
His battlefield was in the sky; ground problems should be left to professionals.
After making the decision, Fang Wen took the captain’s uniform from the office closet, changed into it, and began today’s routine flight.
Until 3 p.m., he flew the Boeing 80 back to base.
After the passengers disembarked, Fang Wen said goodbye to the crew members and went straight home.
After returning home, Fang Wen went directly into his bedroom and took a small box from under the bed.
This was the hand-cranked telegraph machine that Fang Shouxin bought from the black market in Shanghai.
As well as the private codebook given to him by Yue Jinping.
According to Yue Jinping, it could be used for contact, like a secret communication game between the two.
This was the most convenient communication method in the Republic of China era, a communication skill that only a few people could use.
But recently, with the company busy with flights on both ends, there had been no chance to use it. This time, there was an opportunity.
Fang Wen opened the private codebook.
This was a simple Chinese-English translation codebook.
Each English character corresponded to the Morse code translation in the codebook.
Fang Wen needed to first write the plain text content, then convert it to English sentences, then send the letters of the words in the entire English sentence in order. Between each complete word, a special Morse code needed to be input for separation.
Then, Yue Jinping in Nanjing would receive the code, translate it through her own private codebook, and restore it to the plain text telegram.
He wrote the plain text: “Japanese spy appeared, suspected leader, come to airport quickly.”
Then converted it to English, and translated it into Morse code according to the codebook.
After doing these, it was time to start sending the telegram.
Fang Wen pressed one hand on the telegraph machine, and shook the hand-cranked generator shaft evenly with the other hand.
This was to generate power for the portable hand-cranked telegraph machine; with electricity, it could operate normally.
Then he sat down, took out the telegraph key from the telegraph machine, and placed his right hand on it.
The telegraph key was about the size of a barber’s electric clipper, with two pieces up and down, a spring in the middle, and metal contacts at the front ends. Operating the key made the contacts close or open, thereby controlling the on-off of the electric current to emit radio waves.
Different key combinations corresponded to different codes, to achieve information encoding and sending.
Fang Wen looked at the Morse code on the note and gently pressed.
The sound of dit dit dit dah dah.. came out.
Wrong, sent incorrectly, start over.
After several practices, Fang Wen finally managed to send that not-very-long Morse code.
He turned on the telegraph machine and gently turned the transmission frequency adjuster. After tuning to the agreed frequency, he began formal sending.
Nanjing, a certain military stronghold.
Yue Jinping was spacing out in the telegraph room.
After the Revival Society was formally established, it was divided into four parts: Organization Department, Propaganda Department, Training Department, and Special Operations Department.
She was assigned to the Propaganda Department as an officer, and later, because she knew how to send telegrams, was arranged to the telegraph room.
This job was actually very idle. Every day, during fixed time periods and fixed frequencies, receive telegrams. If none, still had to sit by the telegraph machine until off duty.
Most of the time, there were no telegrams to receive.
Nor many outbound telegrams to send.
She was very bored and often spaced out in her free time.
Spacing out for one or two hours at a time.
It felt like she was about to sit until her legs went numb.
But every day there was a fixed time period when she would attentively adjust the telegraph machine frequency to a band that only she knew, then pick up the headphones to listen.
Every time there was no gain, but Yue Jinping still enjoyed it tirelessly.
Until today, she still adjusted the receiving band and picked up the headphones.
Electric current noise passed by her ears, and she was instantly delighted, picked up a pen, and quickly recorded.
The other party sent the code twice, and Yue Jinping recorded it twice, confirmed no errors, then began decoding.
She didn’t need a codebook; those codes were written by her herself. Soon she completed the code translation.
Looking at the plain text: “Japanese spy appeared, suspected leader, come to airport quickly.”
She was a bit disappointed.
Thinking again, it was a good opportunity to go to Shanghai.
Immediately, she took the telegram translation, left the room, and knocked on the neighboring department head’s office door.
“Department Head, the person I planted in Shanghai sent a secret report, discovered a Japanese spy, possibly even the leader.”
“Are you sure?”
“Not certain, but if this succeeds, it will be greatly beneficial to our department. Department Head, I want to apply to go to Shanghai.”
“Mm, although our department is named Propaganda, we can’t just do praising deeds. Go to Shanghai and check; if the situation matches, report immediately.”
“Yes, Department Head.”
Yue Jinping looked serious, stood at attention and saluted, then left with orders.
After going out, she immediately revealed her true colors, happily returned to the telegraph room to pack up and leave.
She returned to her residence, packed a set of luggage, then carrying a small suitcase, wearing a Western dress, went directly to Nanjing Airport.
Took China Airlines plane there, flying straight to Shanghai.
Fang Wen didn’t expect Yue Jinping to come so quickly.
After sending the telegram, he put away the telegraph machine under the bed, then went out to make a turn at the company.
As a result, just after sitting down in the company office, the door was knocked.
It was the secretary.
“General Manager, Miss Yue is outside.”
“Let her in.” Fang Wen replied.
The door opened, and Yue Jinping, wearing a long dress and a sun hat, carrying a small suitcase, walked in.
After the secretary closed the door and left, Fang Wen stood up.
“Why did you come so early?”
“Aren’t you happy that I came early?” Yue Jinping put down the suitcase and leaned over.
As the general manager, Fang Wen had to maintain his authoritative image at the company and quickly stopped her.
“Mm, mind your image. Let’s go home and talk.”
Immediately, he took Yue Jinping off work early.
Passing the administrative office, he specially instructed Fang Shouxin inside: “Uncle Fang, don’t you and Shunzi have something tonight? Then eat outside; I’ll handle home myself.”
Fang Shouxin saw Yue Jinping and immediately understood: “Okay, Young Master. Shunzi and I will come back later, oh no, Shunzi and I have something tonight, won’t come back.”
Two hours later, slightly tired Fang Wen put on pajamas, got out of bed, and poured a cup of water to drink.
He also poured one for Yue Jinping.
After resting a bit, they talked about business.
“Yesterday, a Qing Dynasty gege came to Taishan Airlines, said her name is Aisin Gioro Dongzhen.”
“Never heard of a gege with that name.” Yue Jinping shook her head and asked: “What did she come for?”
“She wanted to take our new flight to Jinan.”
“Just that simple?”
Fang Wen sat on the bed edge, leaning on Yue Jinping’s legs: “She also said she wanted to see me, the great hero.”
Yue Jinping smiled: “Too bad you, the great hero, suspect her of being a Japanese spy. Then tell me the evidence.”
Fang Wen sat up seriously and listed the evidence.
“One, she has fairly serious bow legs. An imperial family child, even if fallen on hard times, wouldn’t have that leg shape. But Japanese women, who often kneel, many have that leg feature.”
“Two, the timing of her appearance is suspicious. In a few days, two airplanes will arrive, and there will be tung oil merchants and people from all walks attending the celebration. I’m worried Japanese will sabotage then.”
Yue Jinping sat up and added:
“Three, your air raid harassment on the Japanese fleet last month has already caused their dissatisfaction, likely sending spies to find that mysterious and unpredictable airplane.”
Fang Wen nodded: “Indeed, that’s possible too.”
“Not possible, but certain. You don’t know how much impact those high-altitude fleet harassments had on the Imperial Japanese Navy. They’ve added a lot of anti-aircraft weapons to the fleet and reduced sailing times in the East China Sea area.”
Yue Jinping said, very proudly hugging Fang Wen from behind: “You’re too awesome. My superhero.”
“So I transferred airplane training inland. Alright, let’s discuss the problem: how to avoid Japanese sabotaging the celebration after the airplanes arrive.”
“I’ll arrange this. These days, don’t go out, lest Japanese target you. Okay, I’m leaving; still lots to do.”
After speaking, Yue Jinping let go, dressed, got out of bed, freshened up a bit, waved goodbye and left.
After Yue Jinping left, Fang Wen’s smile faded.
The security gate couldn’t detect all dangers; external attacks were even harder to prevent.
If Japanese wanted to act against Taishan Airlines, relying solely on outside help wouldn’t do; he needed to prepare more himself.
He also changed into a jacket, took the Browning pistol from the bedside table and put it in his pocket, then left the residence.
The place he went was the small tavern.
Everyone in Fang Wen’s small circle was there: Shopkeeper Liu, Sun Debiao, Howard, Shao Sishen, Fang Shouxin, Fang Shun, and the newly joined Pan Jiafeng.
Because there were more people, the tavern boss replaced the window-side table with a large one and added several comfortable armchairs.
These people were eating happily, chatting while eating.
“Can’t go back tonight. Old Liu, can I stay at your place for a night?” Fang Shouxin asked.
“Sure. I’m alone anyway, room is enough.” Shopkeeper Liu agreed immediately.
Shunzi didn’t want to stay with his dad, whispered with Pan Jiafeng, confirmed, then: “Dad, I’ll go to Pan Jiafeng’s. He just moved, place is spacious too.”
“No need to stay out, people left.” Fang Wen moved a chair and joined the gathering.
The others smiled, not saying anything.
“Don’t overthink. She left because she has things to do, and it’s important to us too.”
At this point, Fang Wen looked around the tavern; only their table was there.
Then he lowered his voice: “Three days from now, airplanes arrive, our celebration needs extra caution. I suspect Japanese are about to act.”
Everyone was instantly startled. Though daily work was normal, everyone worried in their hearts that Japanese would cause trouble.
Since the general manager said so, it was probably true.
The people in this small circle immediately became serious.
Fang Wen continued: “Japanese just signed a ceasefire agreement with us, won’t send army, but their spies and Japanese-aligned thugs are what we need to guard against.”
“How to defend?” Sun Debiao asked.
Fang Wen looked at each one and made arrangements.
“Enemy in dark, us in light, hard to defend. Can only do good security measures.”
“Shopkeeper Liu, organize all guests’ information, check their backgrounds, don’t invite problematic ones.”
“I’ll organize the information tomorrow.” Shopkeeper Liu replied.
“Sun Debiao, you and Shunzi each take five security team members, go to warehouse and get a pistol each. No spears, lest scare guests. You two, one guard outside, one inside. Watch your areas well. If something happens, don’t panic, don’t leave your guarded area, prevent entry and exit.”
Shunzi excitedly stood up, “Young Master, will guard well for sure.”
Sun Debiao said nothing, nodded seriously.
Remaining Howard, Shao Sishen, Fang Shouxin, Pan Jiafeng not assigned yet.
Shao Sishen volunteered: “My right hand can’t, but left can still shoot. Give me a gun; if little Japanese come, I can fight too.”
Fang Wen nodded: “For safety, you all need weapons to self-defend at the banquet. Uncle Fang, this is on you. Get each a pistol, and practice shooting these three days.”
“Okay, Young Master.” Fang Shouxin responded.
Matters weren’t just that; security wasn’t so simple.
Fang Wen continued:
“I need to go to Beiping. A batch of custom equipment there is ready; I’ll pick it up and it can be used for this security.”
After all instructions, everyone lost interest in drinking and feasting, each returned to residence.
Because airplanes were about to arrive, Taishan Airlines suspended flights, preparing for celebration and handover.
Actually, Taishan Airlines began preparing security.
While others busily prepared their tasks, Fang Wen early flew the Shrike Hao north.
Shrike Hao with auxiliary fuel tank had endurance of 1200 kilometers, fully able to fly straight to Beiping.
Speed was 70% faster than Qingyun Hao, reaching 370 km/h.
About 3 hours to reach Qinghe Airport airspace.
Fang Wen turned on the radio switch.
“Qinghe Airport, Shrike Hao requests landing.”
Senior student’s voice came from radio:
“Fang Wen, you changed airplanes again, making me so envious. Landing approved, waiting for you below.”
This irregular radio exchange showed the senior student’s envy.
“Received.”
Fang Wen continued circling, adjusted position, landed easily.
The small monoplane landed on the runway, attracting onlookers from airport staff.
Especially the senior student; once plane stopped, he ran over.
Looked left, right, asked this and that, couldn’t put it down.
“This is the monoplane. Looks like the future sky belongs to monoplanes.” Senior student sighed.
“Probably. Speed and flexibility both stronger than biplanes; in air combat, biplanes completely disadvantaged.” Fang Wen replied.
This made senior student a bit depressed. Their batch learned biplanes, and later work had no time for flying. Monoplane era basically had nothing to do with them.
With some loss, he invited Fang Wen to the dormitory for hotpot.
Checked his watch; now 10 a.m., Tsinghua University side should arrive in an hour.
Fang Wen followed senior student to dormitory.
Two ate small hotpot, chatted about fun things from Nanyuan Aviation student days.
Mainly Fang Wen listening, senior student talking.
He didn’t drink alcohol, just accompanied; when senior student’s cup was empty, poured more.
Just like that, an hour passed; staff came: “People from Tsinghua University arrived.”
Fang Wen then bid farewell to the tipsy senior student.
From dormitory back to airport runway, a small truck parked by runway; a professor he met last time with two students waiting for Fang Wen.
When Fang Wen arrived, they took out things from small truck, showed and introduced to Fang Wen.
“This is the hand-cranked generator metal detector made to your requirements.”
