Republic of China: Ace Pilot

After a wonderful New Year's Eve, the base in northern Myanmar returned to its bustling activity, with the sounds of machines roaring, drills being conducted, and supplies being moved intertwined, breaking the tranquility of the mountains and forests.

For the people of Taishan who were in a foreign land and shouldered the mission of resisting the Japanese invasion, the reunion and rest during the Spring Festival was only a moment of comfort. Military production, security and training, and material preparation could not be delayed for a moment.

The workers at the base put aside their homesickness and worked with great enthusiasm. The production line was running at full speed, and every process was done with meticulous care, all in order to produce more equipment and supplies urgently needed on the front lines.

Gong Xiuneng packed his bags and bid farewell to Fang Wen.

This tough guy, who had always stayed by Fang Wen's side, could not hide the longing and urgency in his eyes at this moment. He bowed deeply to Fang Wen: "Commander, I will definitely go and come back as soon as possible!"

Fang Wen patted his shoulder, "Don't rush back. You have a month's leave. Spend more time with your master. He's so old and doesn't have much time left. You were raised by him since you were a child. You're more like family than relatives. Spend more time with him."

Afterwards, Fang Wen instructed him to be careful on the road and then put him on a semiconductor parts supply plane bound for Yan'an. The plane would stop at the logistics company's sea airport in Hanzhong for a transfer. At that time, Gong Xiu could disembark and enter the Qinling Mountains to go to his master's mountain Taoist temple.

After seeing Gong Xiuneng off, Fang Wen devoted himself entirely to the group's overall work, shuttling back and forth between the Yangon headquarters and the military industrial base in northern Myanmar day and night.

At the beginning of the Xin Si year, the first major thing he finalized was to fully integrate the former Myanmar Oil Company, officially rename it Taishan Oil, and carry out sweeping adjustments and upgrades to the entire oil industry chain.

He ordered the shutdown of the old and inefficient refining production line, mobilized core technical personnel and equipment, and went all out to produce special aviation gasoline with extremely strong anti-knock properties, which was exclusively supplied to the Taishan fighter jet and the military aircraft of the partners, thus completely solving the previous problems of aviation fuel shortage and insufficient quality.

At the same time, we explored the value of by-products in the refining and chemical industry, organized research and development teams to tackle key problems, and made full use of special fractions and waste generated during the oil refining process to mass-produce the core raw materials for asphyxiating smoke bombs. These munitions are no longer just aerial bombs, but also rifle grenades, which have been very effective in urban warfare, tunnel warfare, and special operations, and can cause the enemy to be asphyxiated and unconscious in a short time.

With the joint production of Taishan Petroleum and the military industry on track and production capacity steadily increasing, Fang Wengang breathed a sigh of relief, and then the invitation from the Governor-General of Yangon arrived.

He drove to the Governor's House, and as soon as he stepped into the reception room, he saw a man dressed in British military uniform with a capable demeanor.

The man introduced himself as the armaments officer of the British Far East Fleet, who had come with full authorization from the British mainland military.

After both parties were seated.

The arms officer first thanked the Taishan Group on behalf of the British government and the Far East Fleet for their assistance in dismantling the Japanese Special Higher Police spy network and stabilizing the situation in Rangoon.

He then put forward his core demands: to represent the British military in purchasing large quantities of Taishan Semiconductor walkie-talkies, and at the same time seek to purchase individual soldier aircraft and gunboat aircraft, hoping to reach a long-term supply agreement.

Faced with the British's urgent demands, Fang Wen remained calm: "Major General, to be honest, the core component production capacity of Taishan Semiconductor walkie-talkies is limited. The production line must prioritize supplying the Taishan Independent Regiment and the front lines of the domestic resistance against Japan, so we really cannot supply large quantities to foreign companies. The individual soldier aircraft is still in the final stage of actual combat testing, and the technology is not yet fully mature, so it is not currently for sale to foreign companies. Only the gunboat aircraft has a mature production line and sufficient capacity, and we can accept orders at any time and supply in large quantities."

Upon hearing this, the arms officer's expression changed, and he immediately pressed, "General Manager Fang, as far as we know, your side secretly sold 5000 semiconductor walkie-talkies to the Soviet Union a year ago. Why was it possible for the Soviet Union but not for Britain?"

Clearly, British intelligence had already uncovered the secret deal between Taishan and the Soviet Union, and this time they came prepared.

Fang Wen was slightly startled, but showed no sign of it on his face. He explained, "At that time, the war situation in Europe had not yet deteriorated significantly, and the Atlantic shipping routes were open. Taishan could purchase various scarce industrial raw materials and precision machine tools from Europe. The Soviet Union also provided minerals and military raw materials worth far more than the walkie-talkies, which is how we obtained that order. Now that the Anglo-German naval war has fully broken out, the Atlantic shipping routes have been completely blocked, European supplies cannot be transported out, and global prices have increased several times over. Goods of the same value can no longer be exchanged for the same number of walkie-talkies as before."

The arms officer was speechless for a moment. He knew that what Fang Wen said was true. The blockade of European air routes and soaring prices were undeniable facts. However, the London military headquarters had issued a strict order to secure the walkie-talkie order and make up for the British army's communication shortcomings.

He attempted to continue negotiations, proposing conditions such as raising procurement prices, relinquishing local Burmese trade privileges, and opening British military ports for Taishan's use.

These conditions were good, but they weren't what Fang Wen wanted most.

Currently, Taishan Military Industry's guidance technology uses two research approaches: remote control guidance and inertial guidance, but both are stuck on the error rate.

If the problem of large errors cannot be solved, guided weapons of this era will have no practical use in combat; at most, they will be unique weapons controlled by his supernatural abilities.

That won't do; he intends to upgrade this military technology to the Cold War era.

There were three types of guidance technologies during the Cold War.

Infrared homing guidance: The American AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile uses the infrared radiation of the target for guidance.

Radar homing guidance: Semi-active passive radar guidance is achieved for missiles such as the "Yun Que" air-to-air missile.

Television guidance: The AGM-62 "White Star Eye" air-to-ground missile enables manually controlled attacks through television image transmission.

Of these three technologies, television guidance technology is the easiest to implement. Taishan already has a television guidance fire control system, but it lacks a ram air turbine technology to provide power for guidance and control.

Immediately afterwards, Fang Wen made this supplementary request.

The arms officer didn't understand and asked in return.

"If I remember correctly, didn't you already purchase the turbine technology?"

"This is different from the turbine technology in aircraft engines. It is used to generate electricity from air."

Fang Wen explained this new technology.

It generates power by channeling airflow into a wind turbine, which in turn drives an internal micro-generator to convert the air into electrical energy.

Despite its seemingly simple nature, this technology is currently still in the laboratory stage in most countries around the world, and is at most used as a backup power source for bombers.

Fang Wen wanted to acquire this technology, install it inside a rocket, and combine it with a television guidance system and radio technology to achieve remote control television guidance operation.

Because the arms officer was unsure whether the technology could be used in the transaction, he did not agree on the spot and had to suspend the negotiations, promising to immediately send Fang Wen's conditions back to the military headquarters in London and await domestic approval.

After concluding his meeting with the British military, Fang Wen drove back to headquarters, a sense of urgency lingering in his heart.

The British's eagerness to purchase military equipment, even at the cost of lowering their standards and offering generous terms, must indicate a new and dramatic shift in the European war situation.

He immediately instructed the telegraph office to send a telegram to the European branch, ordering the European branch to collect intelligence on the military movements and changes in the war situation of Britain and Germany from various sources, and to transmit it back as soon as possible.

Within a day, coded messages from the European branch came back one after another, and Zhao Junping placed a thick stack of intelligence documents on Fang Wen's desk.

"General Manager, these were all sent from the European branch."

"Okay, close the door when you leave."

Zhao Junping left the office and closed the door.

Fang Wen sat alone at the table and picked up the intelligence report to read.

The first intelligence report.

[It is reported that Germany has recently deployed more than ten divisions to Bulgaria to aid Italy, forcing the Greek army to shift from offensive to defensive posture, creating a very serious situation.]

According to intelligence analysis, the Greek army, in terms of numbers, equipment, and combat effectiveness, was no match for the German army.

Fang Wen pondered this.

The military strength of Europe has been clearly distinguished through war.

The Italian army had the lowest combat strength.

Next is Poland.

Then there's France. Finally, there's Britain, the only European power capable of rivaling Germany.

While Greece could defeat even the weakest Italian army, it certainly couldn't handle the German army.

So what is Britain doing now?
Fang Wen flipped through the intelligence report below.

Second copy:
[It is reported that Britain has transferred four divisions from North Africa to aid Greece in its fight against the German army.]

The British army did indeed mobilize, and they even transferred troops from North Africa.

If they divert troops to Greece, then North Africa will be in trouble.

Sure enough, it was the third intelligence report.

The German-formed Afrika Korps, with tens of thousands of troops and over a hundred tanks, was sent to support Italy. The German intervention quickly turned the tide of the war, forcing the British to retreat, and Tripolitania in Libya was recaptured.

The Afrika Korps, the army commanded by Rommel, with the Desert Fox in command, meant the British were likely to suffer setbacks everywhere in North Africa.

After reviewing the intelligence, Fang Wen gained an understanding of the situation in Europe.

The British, given their current circumstances, certainly have an urgent need for military equipment.

They were constrained by German tank forces in North Africa, and at sea, German submarines were constantly attacking cargo ships transporting goods back to the colony. If this continued, things would become increasingly difficult.

That's why they purchased a large number of semiconductor walkie-talkies, using their battlefield communication advantage to compensate for their strategic and tactical passivity.

Having thoroughly grasped the situation, Fang Wen had already made up his mind. He was just waiting for London's reply to acquire the ramjet turbine technology and make guided weapons truly valuable in combat.

But before he could get a reply from the British, the Taishan Airlines headquarters building was greeted by an uninvited guest.

This person was a Swiss businessman who arrived in Yangon on Taishan Asia-Europe Flight. After disembarking, he took the airport shuttle bus directly to the headquarters building, went straight to the reception desk on the first floor, identified himself, and stated that he wanted to see Taishan's senior management in order to purchase wireless communication equipment.

The receptionist responded politely:

"This is the headquarters of Taishan Aviation. We are not responsible for the sale of military wireless equipment, and Taishan Semiconductor walkie-talkies are never sold to the public. If you need Zhongxing Semiconductor radios that our company distributes, please contact our European branch directly."

Logically, an ordinary businessman would have left after being rejected, but this Swiss businessman was unusually stubborn and showed no intention of leaving, insisting on meeting with Taishan's top officials.

Seeing that the receptionist could not make the call, the businessman simply sat on the sofa in the lobby and waited.

Helpless, the reception staff could only secretly notify the security department to keep a close eye on the person's movements.

About an hour later, after finishing his business in northern Myanmar, Fang Wen flew back to Yangon and drove from the airport to the headquarters building.

He entered the headquarters lobby through the side door near the parking lot, intending to walk through the lobby to the elevators.

The security personnel in the lobby immediately stepped forward, protecting him closely, and reported in a low voice: "General Manager, there is a businessman in the lobby who claims to be from Switzerland. He says he wants to buy our walkie-talkies. The receptionist told him that the walkie-talkies are not for sale, but he won't leave. He insists on seeing senior management and has been waiting in the lobby for a long time. He seems a bit strange."

Upon hearing this, Fang Wen glanced indifferently at the man sitting on the sofa in the hall.

As a permanently neutral country, Switzerland was a key hub for intelligence exchanges and secret transactions between countries during World War II.

At this critical juncture, a Swiss businessman suddenly insisted on meeting with them, still wanting to buy walkie-talkies, but his identity was questionable.

His eyes narrowed slightly, and he already knew what was going on. This person was most likely using the identity of a Swiss businessman as a cover, and there must be people from Germany or other forces behind him.

"I understand. Take him to the reception room on the third floor. Don't make a fuss. I want to see him in person."

"Yes."

Security personnel escorted Fang Wen into the elevator, and then an English-speaking receptionist went over to inform the Swiss businessman.

"Sir, our general manager agrees to see you, but you must undergo a security check."

The man stood up and allowed the security personnel to check his entire body. After confirming that he posed no danger, the security personnel nodded.

The receptionist smiled and said, "Please follow me."

The businessman straightened his suit jacket and followed the receptionist to the elevator.

He was taken to the third-floor public conference room and left alone inside.

After a while, Fang Wen came in.

Fang Wen took the initiative to introduce himself: "Hello, I am the manager of Taishan Airlines. I heard you are interested in purchasing our walkie-talkies?"

The businessman stood up and shook hands with Fang Wen: "My name is Hans. I'm here to make purchases on behalf of a special guest."

"Special guests? Hopefully not Japanese. Our company absolutely does business with the Japanese," Fang Wen said deliberately.

"For security reasons, I cannot disclose the employer's identity, please understand. But I can assure you, it is definitely not Japan."

“I think I know who your employer is. He’s not someone I’d be willing to deal with. But I can hear your terms.”

After Fang Wen finished speaking, he sat down with a smile and looked at the other person.

Hans also sat down, his knuckles interlaced.

“I was told before I came that this deal would be difficult to complete. But I was still willing to give it a try for the high commission. My employer believes that your semiconductor wireless voice communication equipment is groundbreaking and he wants to buy the technology at a very high price.”

"How tall?" Fang Wen asked with a smile.

“A large amount of hard currency, or weapons, ammunition, or the technology you need,” Hans replied.

Should we do this business with the Germans?
Fang Wen pondered in his heart.

In the current situation, Germany may seem to be the strongest, but it knows that the other side cannot be the ultimate winner.

He had already provided the Soviet Union with 5000 walkie-talkies. If he were to sell the same equipment to Germany, his investment in the Soviet Union would be wasted because he was trying to please both sides.

In the future, Taishan Group will also be tainted by this transaction.

With that thought in mind, Fang Wen cleared his mind and stood up.

"I'm sorry, I'm only here to ask you to tell your employer that we cannot cooperate with him because of his axial alliance with Japan."

After saying that, he strode away, leaving Hans bewildered.

This Swiss arms dealer couldn't understand Fang Wen's words. In this day and age, wasn't the Nazis the strongest? Why would anyone dare to refuse? (End of Chapter)