The Beacon of Laiyang Metal

Chapter 38 The Situation in Northeast China and Plane Substitution
  At the east entrance of Andong Industrial Park, six soldiers from the second platoon and the third squad, led by squad leader Zheng Quanhao, were performing daily routine inspections.

Several of them were wearing black and gray German military uniforms, German M1935 steel helmets, and black leather short boots. Except for the Thompson submachine gun slung on one side of the waist of the squad leader and deputy squad leader, the rest of the soldiers were equipped with newly replaced rifles. Rand M1 semi-automatic rifle.

This is also the second weapon and equipment imitated after the military factory officially put into production, in addition to the MG-34 machine gun, to replace the original Springfield bolt-action rifle and Maxim heavy machine gun.

On both sides of the six people on duty on the road, there is also a fire support squad. In two reinforced concrete bunkers, a Maxim machine gun team and an MG-34 machine gun team are respectively arranged to form a cross fire blockade. This firepower Generally speaking, if the enemy wants to attack without heavy weapons such as artillery, it is unthinkable without losing hundreds of lives.

At this time, several people from Zheng Quan were checking the documents of passing vehicles and pedestrians at the entrance of the gate.

According to the regulations of the park management committee, all vehicles and pedestrians entering and exiting must present a pass issued by the park before entering and exiting.

Suddenly, a car horn sounded, and a group of cars came quickly from the cement road in the distance. The leader was a Ford Model T car. Zheng Quanhao, as a veteran of the security regiment, naturally recognized it at a glance. The car in the lead was the car of his own regiment.

He quickly called his soldiers and drove the pedestrians and vehicles queuing up for inspection to both sides to make way for his own parents.

After Weiyuan's vehicle stopped, Zheng Quanyou ran forward, stood at attention with a snap, and saluted: "Report to the regiment, the second squad of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Company, the squad leader Zheng Quanyou is performing a routine inspection, please give instructions to the regiment."

Wei Yuan, who was in the back seat, also returned the military salute and said: "Thank you for your hard work, continue to perform the mission."

Seeing that Zheng Quanyou was still standing at attention beside the vehicle, Wei Yuan was stunned for a moment, and then he remembered that all vehicles and pedestrians needed to show their IDs when entering and exiting. This order was issued by himself.

Then he took out a purple-covered document from his coat pocket and said, "This is my special pass."

After Zheng Quanyou took the certificate with both hands and confirmed that the information was correct, he saluted again and said: "The certificate is confirmed to be correct. Thank you for your cooperation, sir."

He waved his hand to signal the soldiers behind him to lift their horses and let the convoy pass.

As the convoy slowly drove into the park from the soldiers on duty, the expressions of Gao Zhihang and Yan Baohang changed from curiosity to surprise to shock.

First, there were the sentries guarding the entrance. They had military boots, steel helmets, and water bottles. They had everything they needed. The rifles they carried were also a model they had never seen before. The bayonets hanging on them were polished. The deployment of firepower points in the bunkers on both sides appeared to be very organized.

And judging from the inspection process just now, the sentry did not let him go directly because his commander was in the car. At first glance, he was a well-equipped and well-trained unit.

Looking at these factories, they are different from the small factories seen in Fengtian. A single factory here basically covers an area of ​​more than a thousand acres.

Even the scale of some factories is comparable to that of well-known large factories seen in Western countries.

I saw tall factory buildings rising from the originally flat land. The large gilt characters on the ceramic tiles at the entrance of the factory gate clearly showed the production direction of each factory.

For example, the "Andong Zhenhua Flour Mill" that I just visited must have produced flour.

"The one in front with several large chimneys emitting billowing smoke must be the steel mill."

"It's just that the name of this Damenkou factory, "Andong Zhenhua Instant Noodles Factory," is what it produces. Is it also producing flour?"

They really couldn't imagine how Weiyuan could build such a large industrial cluster in just three months.

Along the way, in addition to the trucks we see every day pulling supplies, there are also many three-wheeled/four-wheeled vehicles we have never seen before, dragging a bucket full of goods, emitting black smoke, and the machine makes a loud bang. The harsh mechanical roar

"Is this a diesel engine?"

The vehicle continued driving for about ten minutes and stopped at the gate of a company called "Zhenhua No. 1 Aircraft Manufacturing Factory."

Unlike other factories that only display the name of the factory, the large gilt characters on the tiles at the entrance of the aircraft factory not only display the name of the factory, but also have a pattern of an airplane taking off with its head held high, and underneath it is written "Forging a long tasseled sword, guarding the sky thousands of miles away" "A few big words.

After getting out of the car and seeing the shocked looks on their faces, Wei Yuan smiled and said:
  "At present, these factories are only the first phase of the project. The entire industrial park has temporarily planned more than ten square kilometers of industrial land. I plan to use three years to slowly fill the entire industrial park with factories."

"Now the first batch of orders received by the factory are from the Security Corps and the "Magic City Zhenhua Trading Company". On the one hand, it helps the Security Corps warehouse to accumulate war preparation materials, and on the other hand, through the trading company in Magic City, it helps these factories to produce The products quickly open up the market, allowing the money earned by the factory to be used to improve people's livelihood and infrastructure in Anton.

Then Weiyuan sighed: "After all, we have lagged behind the West for too long. Even if the national industrial output value is added together, it is not as large as the Ruhr Industrial Zone in Germany."

"Even in the United States, when I returned to the country, I heard that their steel production has exceeded 500 million tons, and is expected to exceed 1000 million tons within two years. This is the country's real hard power, which can make the people stand up. To straighten the spine, we still need a lot of effort!"

Gao Zhihang on the side comforted him: "Brother Wei, don't blame yourself too much. Aren't you and I returning home thousands of miles away just to change the current situation of our country's backwardness? If it doesn't work in one year, we will do it in two years. If it doesn't work in two years, we will do it in ten years. Ten years. If it doesn’t work, we’ll just give it 30 years. I believe that one day it will change the backwardness of our country and arouse the awakening of the Chinese people.”

Yan Baohang, who was later known as China's strategic intelligence expert, heard something unusual in Wei Yuan's words.

"The Chief of Guard just said that the security regiment's warehouse should prepare war preparation materials. Could it be that he had a premonition?"

You must know that the term "war preparation" is often used for fighting big battles. If you are just suppressing bandits, you don't need such a large amount of accumulated supplies.

Judging from the density of vehicles and the cargo they just drove out of the park, at least hundreds or even thousands of tons of goods must be produced a day. It is obvious that such a large material reserve is prepared.

Seeing Yan Baohang ask this question, Wei Yuan was not in a hurry to answer, but laughed twice and said:
  "What does Mr. Yan think of the Japanese garrison in Northeast China?"

As an intelligence expert, Yan Baohang understood the meaning of Wei Yuan's words almost instantly and couldn't help but frown: "Are you saying that the purpose of the security group's accumulation of large amounts of war preparation supplies is to defend against the Japanese?"

Seeing the eagerness of his question, Wei Yuan simply asked Han Dazhuang to take out a large-scale military map of China from the car, spread it out on the floor of the shop, and casually broke off a tree branch from the landscape trees on both sides of the road to serve as a pointer. An on-site office came directly from the factory gate.

The moment the map was spread out, Yan Baohang and Gao Zhihang were surprised again.

This is the first time they have seen such a large-scale and high-precision painted map of China. Even the one hanging in the war room of the Marshal's Mansion is far inferior. They really can't imagine that Wei Yuan still has it in his hands. What a good thing.

Wei Yuan first waved the "pointer" in his hand and pointed at Lushun and Dalian:
  "Since 1905, during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, Russia was defeated in the Battle of Shimonoseki. Japan obtained the concession rights in Lushun and Dalian, and also owned the railway ownership from Changchun to Lushun. With these rights, Japan established the South Manchuria Railway Co., Ltd. has begun to further penetrate into the northeastern region of our country."

“In 1927, Japanese Prime Minister Tanaka Yoshitsune convened the Eastern Conference and clarified the strategic goals:

"Separating Manchuria from our country made it easier for Japan to control the area. However, because of Marshal Zhang, the Japanese were unable to achieve their goal of separating the three eastern provinces from our country, so they created Huanggutun, which shocked China and foreign countries. incident, Marshal Zhang was killed in a bombing." "To this day, Japan has more than 20 Kwantung Army troops stationed in the Northeast, but don't forget that there are more than so-called expatriates in the Northeast. Among these expatriates A considerable part of them are what they call "resident soldiers"

I don’t think I need to say more about what “resident soldier” means in Japan.”

After speaking, Wei Yuan glanced at Yan Baohang, saw a thoughtful look on his face, and continued:

"Recently, the Japanese military's provocations under the pretext have become more and more frequent. This is their gradual test of armed invasion of Northeast China. I think within two years at most, Northeast China will face a full-scale armed invasion by Japan."

This is also a warning that Wei Yuan is going to use Yan Baohang to give Marshal Zhang in Fengtian.

If September 18th really comes, the Northeast Army will still implement the policy of non-resistance and prepare to withdraw into the pass without firing a single shot.

He didn't mind sending troops directly to Fengtian, blowing up and burning all the arsenals and camp warehouses originally reserved for the Japanese, without leaving a grain of food or a bullet for the Japanese, lest they become used by the Japanese in the future. Create tools to massacre Chinese people.

After listening to Wei Yuan's introduction, cold sweat broke out from Yan Baohang's back.

Although he had been collecting intelligence from the Japanese, when Wei Yuan connected the layout of Japan twenty-five years ago to today, and then analyzed the maps one by one, he found that what Wei Yuan said was not unfounded.

It is really possible that the Japanese will invade Northeast China with full force in the near future. It seems that they need to return to Fengtian as soon as possible to discuss the matter.

When entering the factory production workshop, a huge aircraft assembly production line came into view, and the unfinished aircraft frames glowed with a metallic luster under the light.

Many workers wearing uniform blue work clothes (denim clothes) are busy on the production line nervously. The tools in their hands make jingling sounds from time to time. It seems that they are doing the skinning process for the aircraft.

On one side of the production line are the two "P-39 fighter jets" and "Stuka" prototypes that have taken the lead in completion of production.

After Gao Zhihang saw the plane, his eyes instantly lit up.

He surrounded the two planes, carefully observing the overall structure of the plane, stroking its streamlined fuselage, looking at the focused expressions and gentle movements, as if stroking a newborn baby.

After hearing the parameters of the aircraft introduced by the person in charge of the factory, he excitedly said to the people around him:

"Perfect, this is really perfect! I have never seen such an advanced aircraft. It was produced in our country by our own people. Even in France, I have never seen such an advanced aircraft."

Seeing his excited expression, he just wanted to get on the plane and fly it immediately to experience the actual performance of these two aircraft for himself.

Seeing Gao Zhihang's performance, Wei Yuan grinned, and then said:

"Since I promised you to get these two aircraft as much as you want, I will definitely do it. Now that I have seen the aircraft production line in person, Brother Gao should be relieved. Not only these two aircraft, but also a larger bomber/transport aircraft in a while Production will also be carried out, but the airport is still under construction, so we need to wait patiently for a few more days to get on board for test flights."

"How about it? Brother Gao, please stay. The role you can play here is far greater than being a flight instructor in Fengtian. As long as you and I join forces, we will definitely create a powerful air force for China."

In front of Yan Baohang, Wei Yuan made no secret of his determination to use his hoe to dig into Marshal Zhang's corner.

As for the price, he had already thought about it. At worst, he would just verbally promise to give Fengtian a few of these new aircraft as a bargaining chip to lure Gao Zhihang to Anton.

Anyway, it wasn't too long before the Japanese invaded on September 18th, so I would delay it for as long as I could until the September 18th incident broke out, and this exchange would naturally come to nothing.

Wei Yuan was not worried about the value of those planes. He was mainly worried about sending the planes to Fengtian. At that time, the Northeast Army would withdraw to the pass without firing a single shot. These planes would fall into the hands of the Japanese. I feel sick.

On the other hand, Gao Zhihang was caught in a dilemma at this time. On the one hand, he really wanted to stay here. Serving the country through aviation was his dream of learning to fly. At the moment, there was no more suitable place in the country than Anton.

On the other hand, the air force establishment in Fengtian is still in its infancy. Not only are the aircraft models old, they are mainly British "Daweime" type, German-made "Junkers 300" and French "Blanguet 14" World War I aircraft. Lord"

"There is also a serious shortage of instructors. Out of his own sense of responsibility, he really can't let go of the students he has already taught half of and go to Anton to form a new air force.

Wei Yuan saw the reason for Gao Zhihang's confusion and said nothing more. Instead, he went directly to Yan Baohang, who was standing beside the plane with a solemn look on his face.

At this time, Yan Baohang was also excited about having such an advanced aircraft production plant in Northeast China.

But seeing Wei Yuan's analysis of Japan on the map made him extremely wary of Japan's recent actions.

At this moment, my mind is full of thinking about how to deal with the large-scale attack that Japan may launch next.

He didn't take the ownership of a major flight instructor seriously at all. He didn't understand Gao Zhihang's strategic value, but Wei Yuan did.

Even Baldy Jiang from Jinling sighed sadly when he heard the news of Gao Zhihang's death: "We would rather lose 100 aircraft than lose one Gao Zhihang."

Wei Yuan pulled Yan Baohang, who was worried, to the side of the production workshop. He gestured and muttered for a long time. At first, Yan Baohang shook his head, and finally he had to point his finger at Wei Yuan and nodded in confusion.

After the two of them finished discussing in the corner, Wei Yuan walked back to Gao Zhihang and said, "Mr. Yan and I have already discussed it. He will communicate with the young marshal about your transfer. From today on, you will be our independent security brigade." People."

Seeing Gao Zhihang looking at him in confusion, Yan Baohang also said with a wry smile:

"The price Chief Wei offered to replace you is really not cheap. As long as you are willing to stay and serve in Anton, he is willing to give you ten new aircraft in exchange. In addition, there are students in the flight class you are responsible for teaching who are willing to come to Anton." , each of them received two new aircraft in exchange. Chief Wei really has the courage to buy horse bones with a lot of money."

"Of course, this depends on your personal thoughts. As long as you are willing to stay, I will help you with the young marshal. If you are not willing, I am afraid that no matter how high the price offered by Chief Wei is, it will be useless."

Yan Baohang also gave an explanation, but as a senior staff member of the young marshal, since he had already agreed, Gao Zhihang, a young major, could not decide.

The reason why he said this was to reassure Gao Zhihang, so that he would not feel that a dignified senior Northeastern Army staff member had sold off his subordinate officers for a few planes. It would not sound good if it was spread, so he still had to say what he said on the scene.

Gao Zhihang had a look of helplessness on his face. Looking at Wei Yuan who had succeeded in his plan, he reluctantly agreed.

(End of this chapter)