Chapter 336: Major of the Air Force

Stop the car and get off.

Yang Lichu was seen.

To be fair, she was not exactly stunningly beautiful. But she had a very elegant temperament.

As the deputy head of the technical department, she did not wear military uniform. Instead, she liked to wear a trench coat. The trench coat looked like it was bought abroad.

In those days, people who could study abroad were not ordinary people.

She is valiant and graceful.

She hides her charm.

It seems that she will not be easily conquered.

Except for Zhang Yong, who has taken advantage of her a few times, everyone else stays away from her.

'Section Chief Yang!'

'You're late.'

'It's not even dark yet...'

'Inviting you to the dance was just a pretext. We really need to talk to you about something.'

'Er...'

Zhang Yong really wants to turn around and run.

Really. He knew that the empty-promise department was digging another pit for him to jump into.

These guys all treated him like free labour. Relying on the support of his wife, they did whatever they wanted.

They would ask him to do the smallest things. And they wouldn't pay him afterwards.

'You lied to me again,' he said angrily.

'You all know the truth,' Yang Lichu said expressionlessly.

But the corner of her eye betrayed her.

It was a look of smug satisfaction.

As long as she could make Zhang Yong suffer a little, she would be more than happy to. Let this scoundrel take advantage of her!

Zhang Yong: ...

Okay. It turns out that the whole world is acting out a scene from my life.

No wonder the director is acting so caring. So this is where they were waiting!

I'm weak-willed. There's no way I can refuse.

'What is it?'

'We have found Yang Junjian.'

'Who?'

Zhang Yong didn't react.

His memory wasn't that good. It sounded familiar. But he couldn't think of it.

'The pilot who stole the memo.'

'Oh...'

Zhang Yong remembered. It was that guy.

At the time, they were about to catch him. As it turned out, the guy managed to take off in the dark.

Well, someone just took off in a plane.

Later, although they caught his father, it was useless.

Fortunately, Yang Junjian did not take the memo. He just ran away alone.

Strange...

Why mention him now?

Since he didn't take the memo,

it's all fine!

What? You want to keep looking?

'Where is he?'

'Tianjin.'

'What?'

'He flew all the way to Tianjin before landing.'

'No...'

Zhang Yong couldn't believe it.

How many kilometres were there from Jinling to Tianjin?

Was that enough for a long-distance flight?

Oh, it was one-way.

It is estimated that Yang Junjian did not force a landing until there was no fuel left. As a result, it was only after landing that they discovered they had arrived in Tianjin.

'Under Japanese control?'

'Yes.'

'Oh...'

So that's it.

It turns out that there is a connection with the Japanese again.

No wonder they wanted to find me.

But we in the Special Services Department of the Restoration Society have an organisation in Tianjin! Chen Gongshu is the head of the Tianjin station! Why didn't they find him?

'Come with me to see Minister Min.' Yang Lichu didn't go into detail. She changed the subject.

'I'm not happy,' Zhang Yong said bluntly.

'If bullying me makes you happy, you can try.'

'Forget it. I can't mess with your father.'

'Actually, it's good for you.'

'What good?'

'You'll see in a moment.'

'Hmph!'

Zhang Yong sulked and shut up. He didn't want to talk.

I feel like a little girl, being sold here and there. This for a while, that for a while...

I don't have the ability to resist.

And there are constant temptations.

I hope the benefits that Yang Lichu mentioned are real. Otherwise, even if I have to start over in three years, I'm willing to take my chances...

Soon, they arrived at the office area. Entering the Kongzhi Building.

The full name is the Air Force Command Building. It is considered to be the highest command body of Chiang's Air Force.

It feels a little strange.

At this time, neither the United States nor Japan had independent air forces.

Both countries only had army air corps and navy air corps. However, Chiang Kai-shek had set up a proper independent air force.

It was heavily guarded.

There were two guards at the entrance. They were heavily armed.

The soldiers were armed with not the usual Mauser rifles, but the American Zhongzheng.

In other words, the American M1903 Springfield rifle. It used 7.62 x 63 mm bullets. Although the bullet diameter was the same as the Mosin-Nagant, they could not be used interchangeably.

'What is it...' Zhang Yong asked curiously.

'We recently purchased it,' Yang Lichu explained. 'You said before that it performed well.'

'When did I say that?'

'When we were discussing it.'

'I...'

Zhang Yong rolled his eyes.

Come on. When did I discuss it with you?

Don't try to frame me...

'You said the Garand M1 semi-automatic rifle was very good. But it hasn't been finalised yet. It's not available. You can buy the M1903 first. It uses the same bullets as the Garand. You can use it later.' Yang Lichu explained methodically, "Besides, the Springfield is cheaper than the Mauser. It's also cheaper than the Zhongzheng we made ourselves. If you don't buy it, you won't get it for free.'

'I..." Zhang Yong was at a loss for words.

He should have said something like that himself. Because Yang Lichu was not at all professional.

Oh no. Maybe I mentioned it unintentionally. And Yang Lichu remembered it. This woman. She has a good memory. And she is also very wise.

But the most amazing person is that lady. She was able to buy it so quickly.

Let's do some calculations. It takes more than a month for the goods to float across the ocean from the United States. This means that the rifles were ordered at least three months ago.

It is possible that I placed the order shortly after arriving in Jinling.

There is absolutely no problem with the goods.

At this moment in time, the United States is in a state of economic crisis. There is a serious overproduction of goods.

While pursuing isolationism, the arms production of the United States was seriously affected.

Internal consumption was seriously insufficient.

Foreign trade was also squeezed.

Sales of the M1903 Springfield rifle were seriously insufficient. Because the number of the army was greatly reduced. Now the entire US army has less than 300,000 people.

At the time when business was at its most difficult, there was an order from China, and of course the arms company was overjoyed.

'How many did you order?'

'10,000.'

'What about bullets?'

'Five million rounds.'

'Have they all arrived?'

'No. Only 1,500 have arrived so far. They're all in storage. They've been sitting there for two years. They're still usable. So we ordered them.'

'And the bullets?'

'They've all arrived. We got an extra 800,000 rounds for free. Bullets are cheap. They're half-sold and half-given away.'

'Oh...'

Zhang Yong nodded thoughtfully.

I see. They can sit there for two years, and of course they'll still be fine. They can sit there for years and years and still be fine.

When World War II broke out, the United States of America desperately expanded its military, and they would dig out all the old stuff from decades ago. They would use the bullets from World War I too.

And this was the time when bullets were cheapest.

Because at this time, the Americans had not yet realised that a world war might break out.

So, the arms production at this time was at its lowest ebb. The only goal of many arms companies was to survive.

However, when the Marco Polo Bridge Incident broke out, the international situation gradually changed.

The Americans began to realise that the outside world had become dangerous, and gradually began to arm the US-Philippine garrison, increasing the demand for arms. Bullets were not so cheap.

By the time Germany invaded Poland and Britain and the United States entered the war, bullets were restricted and could no longer be traded internationally.

By then, it would be difficult to buy them even if you wanted to.

And even if you could, the Americans would not help transport them. Unless a high-ranking official intervened.

Fortunately, there was still a chance to escape.

'The focus is still on the Garand. Order as many as possible.'

'Good!'

Yang Lichu nodded.

Then Zhang Yong found himself in a difficult situation.

It seemed that others had followed his advice. So, did that mean he had to help others with their work too?

Sigh...

The beautiful woman really knows how to play tricks!

Forget it, just do it. Anyway, there's no way I'll be able to relax this Mid-Autumn Festival.

'Director Min!'

'Captain Zhang!'

Director Min was soon met.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Director Min handed Zhang Yong a brocade box.

Inside the box was a document appointing and removing him from his post. And three sets of epaulettes. It seems to be a major rank?

Strange...

This is...

'Comrade Zhang Yong, the Air Supply Department has decided to appoint you as a staff officer in the Air Supply Department's Intelligence Division.'

'Huh?'

Zhang Yong was stunned.

Was this the benefit Yang Lichu had mentioned?

He was removed from his post by the Air Supply Department? And was also awarded the rank of major?

Sweat...

Does the department head know about this?

No. I must report this to the Director immediately. It is taboo to accept an appointment from another unit without telling the Director.

The Director is very xenophobic.

The Fuxing Society is a place where people only enter, never leave.

There is no such thing as dismissal. Only being sent to the cold bench.

'Wait. I need to discuss this with our Director.'

'Comrade Zhang Yong, don't be nervous. We have already discussed this with your Director. It was arranged by Madam.'

'Ah...'

Zhang Yong was ashamed.

Madam arranged it?

Then the department head must have agreed. He probably welcomed the opportunity.

So the question was, what did he have to do to earn the rank of Air Force Major?

It didn't feel good...