Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Fang Wen piloted the Taishan first-generation fighter jet, flying towards the base in northern Myanmar.

Fang Wen could still feel the faint vibrations of the bronze cauldron from time to time in the inner pocket of his chest, which made him more convinced of his judgment that the enemy was likely to make their move during the press conference.

He needs superpowers to deal with this situation.

When Fang Wen returned to China last year to recruit soldiers, the large box of equipment that Gong Xiuneng carried was this type of equipment, which could activate mechanical perception ability without a mechanical vehicle.

Earlier models were used by Fang Wen and Pierre when they went treasure hunting in the Soviet Union, and also when they infiltrated Guangzhou.

Although it is relatively simple to use, Fang Wen only needs to wear a helmet or gloves connected to the device to activate his mechanical abilities.

However, the equipment that Gong Xiuneng was carrying was too large and had high load-bearing requirements, which was not the ideal equipment in Fang Wen's mind. Therefore, he asked the scientists of Taishan Research Institute to continue to conduct in-depth research and modification in order to make the equipment smaller.

This way, you can use it during the press conference to protect your safety.

More than an hour later, the high-speed first-generation aircraft arrived at the base in northern Myanmar and landed smoothly at the airport.

Zhao Junping, who had just received the notification, jogged over, panting, and said, "General Manager, I'm here."

Fang Wen nodded: "Come with me to the Taishan Research Institute."

Immediately afterwards, he led Zhao Junping and Gong Xiuneng away from the No. 2 Aircraft Manufacturing Plant and headed to the research institute more than 1000 meters away.

Security at the research institute remained very strict. Fang Wen and his two companions took out their identification documents and handed them to the security personnel at the main gate for verification.

After confirming their identities, security personnel allowed them to pass.

Afterwards, Fang Wen went directly to the main research building, to the laboratory on the third floor.

It was an unmarked laboratory, but the researchers inside were the six earliest scientists from the Taishan Research Institute.

Because these six scientists were involved in some of Taishan Semiconductor's technical secrets, Fang Wen signed long-term contracts with them at higher salaries, even though the contracts had expired.

They were also worried that the chaotic situation in Europe would escalate, so after their families were taken to the base in northern Myanmar, they stayed behind to continue their research.

However, their current research is mainly focused on Fang Wen's personal equipment.

Fang Wen entered the laboratory.

At this moment, six foreign experts were gathered around an experimental table, discussing something in hushed tones.

The lab bench is covered with various precision electronic components, metal parts and debugging instruments, and the blackboard on the wall is covered with complex formulas and design drawings.

It's clear that they lead a fulfilling research life.

Hearing the door open, all six turned around at the same time. Upon seeing Fang Wen, they immediately stopped their discussion and got up to come over.

"General Manager, what brings you here all of a sudden?" Worcester Kane spoke first. This PhD in electronics from the Technical University of Berlin wore thick round-framed glasses, and his eyes were full of enthusiasm for scientific research. He was also the core leader among the six people, responsible for the overall design and debugging of the equipment.

Fang Wen got straight to the point: "Let me see if your modified equipment meets my requirements for miniaturization and concealable portability?"

Upon hearing this, all six men smiled. Worcester Kane stepped aside to make way for the lab bench and gestured for them to proceed: "General Manager, you've come at the perfect time. We just finished the final debugging last week and were originally planning to polish the exterior before telling you. Rest assured, this time, we've completely solved the problems of excessive size and load-bearing capacity, and it perfectly meets your requirements."

Fang Wen stepped forward, his gaze falling on the equipment on the experimental table.

Unlike the previous bulky box, this new device is divided into two parts.

One part is a black metal cube about the size of a baby's fist, with very smooth edges and fine engravings on the surface. A small electron tube is embedded in the center, emitting a faint blue light under the influence of an electric current.
The other part is a black leather belt with two small metal contacts on the inside of the belt buckle that match the interface on the block; it just needs to be snapped on.

The overall weight looks very light, a huge improvement over the previous equipment.

“General Manager, please take a look.” William Short stepped forward. This vacuum tube technology expert pointed his finger at the vacuum tube on the cube. “We have abandoned the previous large power supply module and adopted a new type of lightweight energy storage material developed by Gerhard and Fritz. The power supply module is integrated inside this cube. Once charged, it can be used continuously for a long time.”

"A new type of lightweight energy storage material?" Fang Wen asked in surprise. The palm-sized battery reminded him of the lithium batteries in future mobile phones. Could this era produce a battery of this size?

Fritz White, the materials physics expert, picked up the cube and showed the texture on its surface: "It's that amazing liquid metal you gave us last time. We found that it can conduct electricity without resistance at room temperature. We thought it was a very rare room-temperature superconductor material, so we used it to make an energy storage device. We found that the energy storage effect was very good. It can achieve terrifying energy absorption and release functions with only a very small storage space."

"What about the principles and structure?" Fang Wen asked.

This is a miracle caused by a rather complex scientific accident.

Fang Wen listened patiently.

Initially, the laboratory was studying liquid metals. While researching the "low-temperature physical properties of special liquid metals", they unexpectedly discovered that under dry ice refrigeration (-20℃) conditions, they would quickly transform into a semi-solid state, with a tough texture and a sudden drop in electrical resistance of 99.9%, and almost no heat was generated when current passed through them.

The laboratory named it "Taishan Cold Conductor".

Scientists have discovered that by making coils from this semi-solid liquid gold, they can achieve rapid absorption of electrical energy and storage of magnetic fields, thus opening up secret energy storage experiments.

They placed the cold conductor in a mold to make a coil, and then injected electrical energy into the coil. The coil can absorb a large amount of electrical energy instantly. Because the resistance of the semi-solid liquid gold is close to 0, the electrical energy will be firmly "locked" in the magnetic field of the coil in the form of "magnetic energy".

At this point, a material property that defies the common sense of physics appears.

The magnetic energy coil made of cold conductor did not decay, meaning that the energy stored in it was preserved in a magnetic state without interacting with other magnetic fields in nature and thus not being consumed.

This discovery made scientists realize just how amazing this material would be as an energy storage device.

Therefore, they continued their research on how to charge and discharge electricity.

During charging, a marine-grade high-power DC generator is used to quickly inject electrical energy into the semi-solid liquid gold coil. The coil can continuously absorb electrical energy, and the whole process takes one hour.
During discharge, the electrical energy stored in the coil's magnetic field is released by reversing the circuit.

The problem is coming.

A lot of electrical energy is injected, but the output is like squeezing toothpaste; the electrical power output from the conversion of magnetic energy is not large.

However, it can be used for a long time. Scientists have calculated that it can be used for about a week of continuous output time, based on the amount of electrical energy input.

Upon hearing this, Fang Wen's expression turned strange.

"You made me a belt with a high-energy battery?"

Gerhard Tel explained, “No, General Manager, you misunderstand. Making it into a belt is mainly to achieve the miniaturization and concealed portability you mentioned. Of course, it also has to do with the liquid metal you gave us. If we had 20 times more liquid metal, perhaps we could make something even more interesting.”

Twenty times the amount of liquid metal, equivalent to two-thirds of the amount of liquid metal Fang Wen possessed. Fang Wen could control this stuff to do other things, such as precisely adjusting the power of aircraft engines, but he was reluctant to use it for scientific research, in case it failed and was wasted.

He then stopped talking and continued listening to the scientists.

Fritz White, a materials physics expert, picked up the cube and showed the texture on its surface: "The outer shell of this cube is made of a special alloy. It is extremely hard and can withstand the impact of ordinary bullets. At the same time, it is extremely lightweight and will not feel heavy when worn."

Gerhard Tel added, "Because cold conductors are almost unaffected by external magnetic fields and do not exhibit unstable states, you don't need to worry about them affecting bodily functions. Their function is also very simple: to charge other electronic devices."

Is it just a charger?
Fang Wen felt it was a bit of a pity. He didn't need a charger, since the demand for electricity in this era wasn't high, mainly for lighting, motors in large equipment, and things like Taishan semiconductor radios.

The dangers I'm about to face can't be solved with a charger.

However, if it can activate superpowers, that would be pretty good, considering its portability is already achieved.

Fang Wen picked up the belt and battery, installed them, then replaced his own belt and buckled it.

With the scientists' explanation, he pressed the button on the belt buckle, and a wire popped out, along with a plug.

It really was a charger. He plugged it into the Star brand semiconductor radio that the scientist had handed him, and the radio, which had previously been out of power, started working normally.

At the moment of charging, Fang Wen's mechanical perception ability was also activated.

It actually works! This way, I can activate my superpowers anytime, anywhere.
Fang Wen had an idea.

Previously, he had only used his superpowers to pilot aircraft; he hadn't researched combining them with other magical artifacts. Now, he could try activating his superpowers in conjunction with magical artifacts while not in a vehicle. Immediately, Fang Wen took the charging belt and headed to his office on the third floor.

Upon entering the office, Fang Wen closed the door.

He pressed the charging button on his belt buckle to activate his superpower.

Then, he touched the necklace hanging around his neck and activated the X-ray vision ability of the gemstone.

My gaze pierced through the wall and I saw Gong Xiuneng standing guard at the entrance. To the left, through two layers of walls, I saw scientists arguing over their research.

The X-ray vision ability is very useful.

He touched the second mystery gem on the necklace: a mosaic gem.

A strange feeling arose, and guided by his thoughts, the insects underground near the main building of the research institute crawled out one after another.

By cutting off the energy supply, Fang Wen gave up controlling the insects.

He raised his right hand, and lightning bolts shot out from the Odin rune ring on his finger, striking the wall opposite him.

There was a black patch on the wall.

This is my ability, and I can use it at any time.

If it were the Middle Ages, or even earlier times, those who possessed these abilities would be the gods and saints of legend.

Fang Wen felt he could handle the assassins in the shadows, so he left the research institute and took Gong Xiuneng and Zhao Junping to the airport.

Upon arriving at the airport, Fang Wen prepared to board the plane. He instructed Zhao Junping, "During this period, many strange and monstrous things may emerge. Go and deliver the intelligence from the archives to the research institute's archives for safekeeping."

Zhao Junping asked worriedly, "General Manager, is the base in northern Myanmar also unsafe?"

"I don't know either. Just in case, you should stay in the research institute and not come out."

"Ok."

Fang Wen patted Zhao Junping on the shoulder: "You've grown taller. In a while, I'll take you back to Hebei to see your grandfather."

"Really?" Zhao Junping asked excitedly. He was only a teenager when he left North China, and now he is a young man in his early twenties.

"Of course it's true. When have I ever lied to anyone?"

Fang Wen boarded the plane with a smile, and Gong Xiuneng also stepped onto the boarding stairs and went up to the rear cockpit.

With the roar of the engines, the plane taxied onto the runway and accelerated into the air.

Yangon.

The Myanmar Petroleum Corporation equity transaction conference is about to be held.

The transaction involved a huge sum of money, was personally overseen by the governor, and was reported in the newspapers in advance, so that the people of Hanoi knew about this important event.

People are waiting for the head of Taishan Airlines to speak and clarify their stance after acquiring Myanmar Oil.

For example, how will workers be treated? Will factories and oil fields be closed? And will the price of oil, which supplies people's livelihoods, rise?

Meanwhile, on Mount Tai, Fang Wen was secretly deploying manpower to deal with unknown dangers.

One hundred soldiers from the Independent Regiment's Special Operations Brigade returned by plane and are waiting on the third floor of the headquarters building.

Under the pretext of ensuring security, the security department cordoned off the meeting venue for the equity transaction conference.

Fang Shouxin's administration department conducted an investigation into newly recruited employees and employees of affiliated institutions over the past year.

Nothing has been discovered yet.

Whether it's the Japanese or the threats from Burma, the enemy has become increasingly covert after repeated defeats.

Fang Wen wasn't too worried about this.

What's coming will come sooner or later; he believes he can face it.

Two days later, the equity transaction conference was held.

Fang Wen drove a company-produced, unreleased car to the press conference venue located next to the Governor's Mansion.

Facing the reporters' flashing lights, Fang Wen activated his supernatural abilities while driving the car.

From the machine's perspective, the situation inside and outside the venue is clearly visible.

Fang Wen was searching for people who were trying to harm him.

There were too many people, and even with his superpowers, he couldn't see everything. As the car drove into the venue, Fang Wen put away his superpowers and got out.

The conference began half an hour later.

The Governor-General of British Burma presided over the meeting: "Today, our largest asset in Burma will change hands. As for how the new shareholder, Taishan Airlines, will use this asset, I don't know. I'm sure everyone is looking forward to it. So please invite Fang Wen, the person in charge of Taishan Airlines, to come up to the stage and tell everyone."

Amidst applause, Fang Wen took the stage.

The bronze tripod gave no warning at this moment.

Fang Wen pressed the button on his belt buckle to activate mechanical sensing.

He smiled as he faced the reporters and attendees below.

"Taishan Airlines' acquisition of Myanmar Oil is for industrial development purposes. We need to have our own industry in the petrochemical sector. After the acquisition, I promise the people of Myanmar that we will continue to supply gasoline, diesel, and other chemical products as before to ensure the local people's livelihood needs. I will carefully study the demands of oil workers and chemical plant workers and try my best to improve their income and welfare."

His words drew rounds of applause.

Then came the questions from reporters.

Fang Wen selected a reporter.

"Mr. Fang Wen, have you considered expanding the exploitation of the Ren'anqiang oil field? After all, under the current circumstances, the demand for crude oil will continue to increase."

Fang Wen is prepared to answer this question.

Suddenly, the small bronze cauldron on his chest trembled.

Fang Wen, who had been in a state of mechanical perception, had long since been multitasking, observing the situation inside the venue.

A reporter was walking out of the lounge when the warning was issued.

He quickened his pace, raised his Leica camera, and prepared to aim it at Fang Wen.

Fang Wen's expression turned cold, and he activated the secret treasure ring on his right hand.

An invisible bolt of lightning flashed through the air and struck the reporter.

Instantly, his body convulsed, and he lost control of his hands, dropping the camera to the ground.

With a soft thud, a bullet was fired from the camera lens and struck a load-bearing column in the venue.

Security personnel rushed out and surrounded Fang Wen. (End of Chapter)