"What did you say? The Chinese tested a new aircraft at Hankou Airport early this morning?"
In a secret stronghold in the French Concession in Hankou, a man in a suit looked at his subordinates in surprise.
This person's name is Haraguchi Jiro, a captain who belongs to the intelligence department of the Japanese Army's Central China Expeditionary Force.
The Japanese intelligence network in Wuhan suffered a heavy blow after the mission to attack Li Hang failed. Not to mention the failure of the operation, some hidden strongholds were dug out by the military commander. It can be said that the entire intelligence network suffered a devastating blow.
There was no way, Wuhan was too important. It was the political, military, and economic center of China at this time, so the Japanese Central China Front Army sent people to reorganize the intelligence network.
Jiro Haraguchi was sent at that time.
However, the previous blow was too great, and it was not easy to reorganize the intelligence network. In addition, the intelligence department of the Nationalist Government was also searching for the enemy's hidden strongholds everywhere, so there were not many people available for Jiro Haraguchi.
However, he has always sent people to keep an eye on Hankou Airport, mainly because of Li Hang.
"Hi." The man wearing a Chinese gown in front of Haraguchi Jiro nodded respectfully, "It's the plane driven by Li Hang himself. It's different from other planes in the airport. My subordinates suspected that the Chinese might be developing a new aircraft, and they felt very It's important, so I need to see you urgently."
"You did a good job. Next, we will focus on asking about the situation of that plane to see if it poses a threat to the empire." Haraguchi Jiro immediately praised the other party.
"Hi. Haraguchi-kun, please rest assured."
"During this period, we must also pay attention to win over those Chinese people who have a good impression of the empire, especially those who have a certain status in the party, government, military and businessmen. With their help, our intelligence network in Wuhan can be restored as soon as possible, and it will not As for now I have to hide in the French concession and be a blind man."
"Please rest assured, Mr. Haraguchi, my subordinates have been working hard. Are there any new actions to be launched against Li Hang during this period?"
"Let's wait for a while. We can't waste the empire's weak strength in Wuhan for him again. We can't rule out that the Chinese intelligence agency is still protecting him. Wait a few months. By then, the Chinese people will put down their guard, and that's our opportunity. "Jiro Haraguchi was also very moved, but thinking of his mission, he could only endure it.
After all, he was in charge of intelligence, not just ordinary officers. He couldn't just get carried away and do whatever he wanted.
. . . . . .
"Are you unhappy that you are being held in confinement?"
Wuhan, the office of the Aviation Commission, in Lao Zhou's office, Lao Zhou looked at the young man in front of him with a mixture of love and hate.
"I don't dare to be humble!"
"Don't dare? That's right!"
"Sir, this is a humble position..."
"Okay, no need to explain too much, I don't mean to blame you." Lao Zhou interrupted Li Hang, "I heard Mao Yingchu say that you plan to continue to improve that aircraft and add weapons to it. Continue test?"
"Yes, sir. From this test flight, we can see that all-wooden aircraft have their advantages. Once they can be put into the battlefield, they will definitely bring about qualitative changes to our Air Force."
"What you are talking about is based on the situation that we can produce. The so-called wooden aircraft only use wood for the body structure, but we cannot produce the engines, propellers, shooting coordinators, aviation machine guns, tires and radios.
You may not know that the National Government’s funding for the outsourcing of fighter aircraft has not been led by the Aviation Committee. In other words, neither Deputy Commander-in-Chief Mao nor I have the full power to do so. What you want needs to be purchased from Europe and the United States. Now the country is short of funds, especially foreign exchange. "Lao Zhou poured cold water on Li Hang directly.
"Sir, we can find a solution from the Soviet Union. Didn't the Soviet Union provide us with loans? Although the Soviet Union's products are inferior, they are enough for us." Li Hang made a suggestion.
"It seems that you really have an idea." Lao Zhou smiled and said, "Let's do this. While you are free during this period, give me a development plan. Be more detailed. I will take a look at it first."
"Don't worry, sir, I'll try to get it out within a week." Li Hang was a little excited.
"There's no rush. I'll write it better and maybe I'll show it to Chongqing. By the way, I've already found a way to relocate the aircraft manufacturing equipment stranded in Nanchang, Wuhan and Guangzhou to other places in the southwest. You can Don't let my efforts go to waste." Lao Zhou added.
Hearing this, Li Hang was a little surprised. Did he change something unintentionally?
Although the aircraft manufacturing plants under the Aeronautical Commission's jurisdiction at this time were simply assembly plants, they had skilled workers and most of the equipment, but lacked some important equipment.
If it can be integrated, it can still be used. It should be no problem to make some parts that are not very core.
Don't even think about the engine. Unless a production line is brought in and some technical personnel are attached, maybe the foundation can be laid.
"Sir, don't worry. I will definitely live up to your wishes."
"Work hard, I'm waiting for you to continue to create miracles. You can get the Yunhui Medal by inventing new weapons. If you have a higher military rank, you might be able to get the higher-level Yunhui Medal." Old Zhou finally finished. A pie.
"Thank you, sir." Li Hang nodded and agreed, "Sir, I heard that Sir Wang Zhu graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a master's degree in aviation and is proficient in aircraft manufacturing. I wonder if I will have the opportunity to meet with Commander Wang to ask for advice on aircraft design. ?”
"He? He's not in China. He went to the Soviet Union with Deputy Director Huang to discuss aircraft procurement. He won't be back soon. If you didn't tell me, I would have forgotten about it. He is indeed a talent. If you want to build an aircraft, you can talk to him. Communicate more.
However, he is arrogant and his behavior is a bit poor. Whether you can communicate with him well depends on your own ability. "Lao Zhou explained.
Come to think of it, Wang Zhu was admitted to Yantai Naval School in the late Qing Dynasty, then to Armstrong Naval University in the UK, and then to Durham University to study mechanical engineering.
In the early years of the Republic of China, he was ordered to further his studies in the United States and studied aeronautical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Such a person is still just a colonel, which was awarded to him seven years ago.
He is a typical science man, living outside the center of power, and there must be some problems in his behavior.
Li Hang is not worried about getting along with this kind of man from science and engineering.
It is naturally difficult for a politician to get along with this kind of person, but he doesn’t know how to be a politician, so let’s talk about technology together.
After Bayusao was assassinated by the Japs, Wang Zhu could be regarded as the only remaining aircraft design talent during the Republic of China.
There may be others, but Li Hang has never heard of them.
