Chapter 499: Little People

'I'll show you some information.'

Yang Lichu took out another file folder. It was sealed.

The seal was intact.

Doubt. What is this?

'For me?'

'Yes. For you. You can open it yourself. After you've read it, I'll take it back.'

'Okay!'

Zhang Yong tore open the seal.

Once the seal is broken, it can never be restored.

No matter how skilled the technique, it cannot be done.

In some spy dramas, when the file is opened, it can be restored. Without a trace. That's because there is no seal.

Once it is opened, it means that the secret has been lost.

He opened it.

Inside were a few blank sheets of paper.

He took them out and found that they were information about the German bf109 fighter.

There was not much data. It was all common knowledge. Some of the data was not very accurate either.

Of course, Zhang Yong could not remember the exact data.

But he was sure that the model was correct: bf109. The main German fighter aircraft of World War II.

In addition, its model was often written as me-109, which was actually the same aircraft. The latter was named after the designer, Messerschmitt.

'Want to buy it?'

'We haven't even started yet. How can we buy it?'

'Well...'

'But we got the chance to watch a flight show.'

'Good!'

Zhang Yong nodded.

It was good to be able to watch a flight demonstration.

Generally speaking, flight demonstrations serve several purposes. For example, to show off military might. Or to promote foreign military trade.

If it's the former, it has nothing to do with the Chinese. But the latter means there is a chance to buy.

If I can buy it...

Before the Japanese Navy's Type 0 fighters came out, the Bf 109 could beat all the Japanese Army Air Corps' planes into dust.

German planes and Japanese planes were not on the same level at all.

Until the end of the war, the Japanese army never had a single aircraft model that could compete on the world stage. The Japanese navy could only barely field the Zero. The Zero was destroyed, which meant that the Japanese navy was also completely finished.

If only there were a hundred bf109s...

If only there were a hundred...

However...

Soon, they were defeated again by the cruel reality.

The Japanese soon entered into a military alliance with Germany. Germany began to restrict the export of weapons and equipment.

Even the equipment for the German-equipped division that had been signed previously could not continue.

In other words, it was no longer feasible to continue to obtain arms and ammunition from the Germans.

Looking at the world today, the only countries that could still supply China with arms and ammunition were the Soviet Union and the United States.

The Soviet Union supplied arms and ammunition overland.

The United States supplied them by sea.

At the beginning of the War of Resistance, the Soviet Union did indeed provide a great deal of assistance with arms and ammunition.

For example, the famous 74th Army. After the German-style equipment was worn out, the replacements were all Soviet-style equipment. So, for a period of time, they should be called Soviet equipment engineers. Later, when Germany invaded the Soviet Union, the Soviet Union was too busy to help, and the assistance stopped.

That period was the most difficult time of the war.

Both the Kuomintang and the Communist Party were at their lowest ebb. The Japanese invaders were as arrogant as the sun.

It wasn't until the Americans came to the rescue that the 74th Army was able to switch to American-style equipment. American equipment thus became synonymous with high-tech. The 1st, 5th and 6th New Armies were masterpieces of American-style equipment.

However, American equipment relies heavily on firepower. If ammunition runs low, it can be very painful. And in reality, China cannot provide almost unlimited ammunition. So, some American equipment has become a burden.

'It may not be realistic to buy weapons and equipment from Germany,' Zhang Yong warns in advance.

'Why?' Yang Lichu frowns, 'We have a good relationship with the German advisory group.'

'I personally speculate that Germany may gradually move closer to Japan. A military alliance may be formed. At that time, the Japanese invaders will naturally ask Germany to stop the arms trade with us. The Germans will definitely do as they are told.'

'Your personal speculation?'

'Yes. I came up with it myself. You can't put all your eggs in one basket.'

'But apart from Germany, no one else is willing to help us.'

'The US could.'

'They...'

Yang Lichu paused.

The US actually has no official stance. It's all up to the arms dealers themselves.

In fact, the arms embargo and all that has never really been an issue with the US. The Americans don't abide by it either. They want to dump weapons and ammunition on China too. However, reality always seems to circumvent them, whether they intend to or not.

The main domestic firearms are mainly 7.92mm rifle ammunition. Or Mosin-Nagant. This is a natural advantage. Therefore, German equipment has an innate affinity. It is the most popular. Next is Russian equipment.

Why do you say Russian, not Soviet?

Because the Mosin-Nagant rifle, a product of the old Russian Empire, was massively imported into China. There are a lot of them in the north.

Then there is the French equipment of the Yunnan Army. But only the Yunnan Army used it.

Then there was British equipment. Mainly the British 77 and so on. Used by the British mining protection team. Some of it leaked out. But it wasn't very good. According to Gu Zidi, it was because the matching bullets were hard to find. Without bullets, it was useless.

In contrast, the stock of the Springfield M1903 rifle was very small. Very few people used it domestically. As standard equipment, there weren't even enough to equip a regiment. The Chinese didn't have much of an impression of it either.

It is indeed very difficult for American arms dealers to carve out a niche for themselves in a sea of red.

The Nationalist Air Force Ground Guard Unit is the only Chinese army unit equipped with Springfield M1903 rifles in full formation. It is the only one of its kind. But the quantity is too small. There are only 10,000 or so.

'Apart from the Hawker Model 3, there is actually a research model that you should pay attention to.'

'What model?'

'It seems to be the P-38, the Double-Body Demon.'

'What?'

Yang Lichu said she didn't understand.

Zhang Yong thought about it for a while and decided to give up on giving a detailed description. It was too advanced.

It was still 1935, and the two-body demon P-38 would appear three or four years later. There was no point in talking about it now. What if the flapping of a butterfly's wings caused a change in history? That wouldn't be fun. If history had changed, he wouldn't be able to be a charlatan.

He'd better stay grounded and work hard to make money!

His own piggy bank was already full, and it was time to contribute to the country.

'Lockheed.'

'What?'

'Pay attention to this company.'

'Okay.'

Yang Lichu didn't ask why.

Of course she knew Lockheed. It was also an aircraft manufacturer.

Compared to Curtiss, Lockheed didn't seem to be very famous. This aviation giant, which would become known to everyone in the future, was still unknown. Not the slightest bit of fame. Previously, Yang Lichu and them had not had any dealings.

But the appearance of the P-38 Lightning fighter plane led Lockheed to start developing military aircraft. The P-38 was a double-bodied devil that lived up to expectations and became the main fighter plane of the US Army Air Force in the early stages of the war. It shot down Isoroku Yamamoto in one fell swoop and became famous.

Can we introduce the P-38 fighter plane?

Zhang Yong didn't know.

He was only responsible for talking.

I'm just a nobody, how can I change the course of history? Don't be so ambitious.

What's your forte?

Catching Japanese spies!

Not aviation!

Everyone else is a professional, but what do you know?

'When are you leaving?'

'Right away!'

'In a hurry?'

'There's a lot to do.'

'I'll be there...'

'Not this way. It's Nanyuan Airport.'

'Er...'

Zhang Yong understood.

He wasn't worried about the Japanese blocking him. He was worried about the senior management of the 29th Army.

After all, the relationship between that Song military commander and Chiang Kai-shek could be described as very complicated. They cooperated with each other, but also suspected each other. The latter was even more serious. While he was worried about the Japanese invaders, he might be even more worried about Chiang Kai-shek.

Later generations have speculated about what would have happened if Zhang Xiaoliu had led the Northeast Army to rise up and resist.

Would Chiang Kai-shek have used them as a scapegoat and eliminated the entire Northeast Army?

No one can answer this. But no one can deny it either.

Lao Jiang is a petty man. It would not be surprising if he did something like this. It was like this in the past, it is like this now, and it will be like this in the future.

Otherwise, how could a king's bomb be blown to pieces?

Gao Yuanhang flew his plane to Nanyuan Airport to transport a batch of gold. Who knows what Song Junzhong's attitude will be?

If the Japanese invaders find out, will they try to sow discord? This is a certainty.

If the Japanese invaders themselves cannot stop it, they will definitely incite the 29th Army to intervene and detain the Nationalist Air Force on the ground.

This could happen at any time.

In fact, once General Song gives the order to detain it, it will never leave.

The situation is complicated and ever-changing, and every minute is more dangerous. No wonder Yang Lichu is so anxious.

Relatively speaking, rail transport should be fine.

After all, Yang Shanfu is escorting it with so many people. And the distance from Tianjin to Beiping Nanyuan Airport is also close.

'Then go!'

Zhang Yong didn't waste any time. This was business. There was no time to waste.

With all that gold, it was absolutely essential not to leave it in North China. Otherwise, it would all be the Japanese invaders's. A windfall for the Japanese invaders.

After the airlift to Nanjing, even if half of it was misappropriated, half of it was used to purchase aircraft. That was still dozens of aircraft. At the beginning of the war, that was quite a formidable force.

Otherwise, do you really think that the Order of the Blue Sky and White Sun was given out casually?

He, Zhang Yong, 'earned' that!

Yang Lichu looked around quietly. She noticed nothing. Suddenly, she stood on tiptoe. She gave him a light kiss on the cheek. Then she quickly ran away.

Zhang Yong: ?

Wow! Suddenly, a feeling of happiness welled up.

He thought she didn't want to. He didn't expect that she didn't actually resist him at all.

It makes sense. If she didn't like him, how could she let him get away with it so many times?

She would have slapped him in the face long ago.

Her father is the deputy head of the Ministry of Justice!

Really...

Haha...

I know you're up to no good, and you know I'm just pretending to be modest...

Suddenly, I'm full of motivation.

I suddenly remembered something. I said earlier that I wanted to bring back the pilot from Nanyuan Airport...

I haven't had the chance to go to Beiping yet. I can't handle this!

Since Yang Lichu is here, why don't we let Yang Lichu handle it?

Just as I was about to speak, suddenly, my mind flashed. The map showed the appearance of marker 4.

Who is marked as number 4?

Oh, it's that mysterious member of the Wuyuan Pistol Group. I don't know his name.

He's actually nearby?

Could it be that he's here for the Fuxing Society?

Sure enough, the other person came directly to 49 Shihu Street.

Zhang Yong came forward, 'Are you...'

'I'm looking for Chen Gongshu.'

'May I ask your name?'

'Cut the crap! Tell Chen Gongshu to come out! I need to speak to him urgently.'

'You are...'

'I'm his brother! His real brother! Chen Gongpeng!'

Zhang Yong: ...

Oh, so you're Chen Gongshu's brother!

Shit, we're family!

Welcome in a hurry.