In other words, he was trying to find a way to kill a few more Japanese invaders...
Shake his head.
Get rid of the messy thoughts in your mind.
Have a meal.
sleep.
Nothing happened all night.
Get up the next day and continue studying the special plane.
I was thoughtfully thinking about how long it would take to fly from Xi'an to Peiping?
Open the world map and measure the distance. It is about 900 kilometers. For the DC-3 transport aircraft, there is no problem at all.
You can even land at Nanyuan Airport and then return to Xi'an without refueling.
In other words, it is very easy to go to Peiping by yourself. It takes about four hours.
The general flying speed of the DC-3 transport aircraft is 160 miles per hour, which is about 250 kilometers per hour.
Ordinary flying is okay. But when encountering fighter jets, it will stop.
Therefore, it is impossible to use DC-3 to evacuate from Peiping. It will be intercepted by Japanese fighter jets.
If you drive a DC-3 into Peiping, you must summon another driver to drive away to avoid being damaged in the battle. This thing is worth tens of thousands of dollars!
"Report!"
Suddenly, a staff officer came in a hurry.
It was said that the short-term financing department had a call for Zhang Yong.
Get off the plane.
Come and take the call.
It was discovered that it was Yang Lichu.
"What's up?"
"I'm taking off now. Go to Xi'an. You wait for me at Xiguan Airport."
"What are you doing here?"
"Something's wrong."
"What's the matter? We can't talk about it on the phone?"
"It must be said face to face."
"Yeah?"
"Don't run around today. Wait for me at Xiguan Airport."
"good."
Zhang Yong agreed.
Go back and continue to think about the special plane.
Look at the time. It seems like I can go up to the sky and go for a walk twice?
good!
God!
Get ready to take off immediately.
All preparations were carried out quickly.
Ready!
Ready!
Can take off.
Putter.
slide.
accelerate.
take off!
After a few minutes, the DC-3 began to climb.
The flight direction is northwest.
That side is the most open and safe.
2000 meters…
3000 meters…
The plane climbed quickly.
Finally, it stabilized at an altitude of about 5,000 meters.
Very stable.
There is no difficulty at all.
The flying conditions in the Northwest are very good.
Suddenly my mind moved.
Turn and fly southwest. He planned to turn to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to have a look.
Research hump routes in advance?
A few years later, after the land transportation lines were cut off by the Japanese invaders, the national government would be forced to use a large number of DC-3 transport aircraft (renamed C-47 for military use) to fly over the hump route to bring supplies to the rear.
Because the altitude of the Himalayas is too high. Some routes even require flying over 7,000 meters. This is a very fatal burden for all transport aircraft. The probability of crashing is very high. A large number of Chinese and American people have been sacrificed.
Chinese pilots. Until 2024, there are still many missing aircraft and pilots that have not been found.
Getting closer...
Sure enough, a large number of white mountains appeared in the field of vision.
Those are all snow-capped mountains. They are the snow-capped mountains of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. However, they are not a real threat yet. DC-3 can conquer them.
Continue to the southwest and see more snow-capped mountains. The height of the snow-capped mountains begins to increase.
The map shows that the current altitude is 4,500 meters. But the height of the snow-capped mountains in front is more than 7,000 meters.
If you want to fly over, you have to either increase the altitude and fly over at an altitude of 8,000 meters, or pass through the gaps in the valleys between the peaks.
Given the technical conditions at the time, the only option was the latter. This would have been extremely dangerous.
Pull the joystick. Make a big swing. Turn.
He didn't dare go into the valley between the snow-capped mountains because it might destroy his machine and kill him.
The air turbulence in the valley is enough to cause the plane to lose control and then crash. Even the most advanced technology cannot control it.
what to do?
I can only pray for God's blessing.
Hope you don't encounter turbulence.
Fly back.
Landed at Xiguan Airport smoothly.
I found that Yang Lichu hadn’t arrived yet.
So rest.
"Report."
"What's up?"
"A transportation team has arrived. It was arranged by you, Commissioner."
"Convoy?"
Zhang Yong was a little surprised.
System delivery to the airport? Weapons and ammunition?
I looked at the map, but it didn't show up. Delivery is becoming more and more mysterious now.
The map does not show the person who made the tool, nor does it show what kind of goods were delivered. You have to see the goods list, capture them alive and see them in person to know.
So I came to receive the goods.
It was discovered that what was being transported was actually oil barrels.
no……
This is……
Take the list.
It's actually aviation gasoline.
Five hundred barrels in total.
Huh? It doesn’t seem like much?
He just needed several barrels of gasoline to fly around like that!
Five hundred barrels of gasoline are not enough to last one plane for three months. If there are several more planes, the fuel consumption will be extremely high.
Headache.
The national air force may not be able to afford this amount of fuel consumption.
Moreover, as the Japanese invaders fully invade China, it will be very difficult to obtain oil from the sea in the future. The National Air Force may be too clever to make a meal without rice.
Even if there are planes, they cannot maintain sufficient combat effectiveness without enough aviation gasoline.
Snipers are fed by bullets.
Pilots are made from burned fuel.
Why is the Air Force the most powerful in the United States? It’s because it has enough fuel!
It can be used almost unlimitedly.
Pilots can fly as they please. As long as you are not tired, you can fly every day.
But pilots from other countries are not so generous. Especially for little devils, fuel is very expensive.
Mariana Turkey Hunting…
A group of pilots with over 100 levels tortured a group of rookies who were in their early 10s.
You don't need any magic equipment anymore. Just blow it up.
Being rich means being strong.
Real name envy...
"Someone is coming!"
"arrive."
"Put all the gasoline in storage!"
"yes."
Arrange airport ground handling.
Shortly afterwards, I received a report from the airport communication tower that a plane was preparing to land.
There is no radar, but there is radio communication. It can transmit within 50 kilometers. If it exceeds 50 kilometers, it will be a bit troublesome.
This radio communication is actually the predecessor of the walkie-talkie. But it is much larger.
Individual infantry telephones have not made much progress yet.
Huh?
etc.
Suddenly I smelled a business opportunity.
Other technologies require a lot of capital.
However, miniaturized individual infantry walkie-talkies do not seem to require much research funds.
The key is that Zhang Yong can provide a little bit of technology.
In his previous life, he had a cousin who liked to tinker with communication technology and had some collections at home.
He once repeatedly dismantled a small Bayi radio station.
He couldn't understand other radio stations. However, this Little Bayi radio station could be copied with his eyes closed.
It is clear what specifications, materials and substitutes are available for each part of the spare parts.
If there is a suitable opportunity, I can really do it.
Take out a small notebook.
Record it so that you can bring it out later to deepen your impression.
Raise the telescope.
I saw black spots appearing in the southeastern sky.
The black spot got bigger and bigger. It was finally confirmed that it was also a DC-transport plane.
wrong.
It looks like a passenger plane.
It's a civil aviation passenger plane. It has seats.
Compared with dry transport aircraft, passenger aircraft are of course much more comfortable.
The passenger plane landed slowly.
A white dot with a mark appeared. It was Yang Lichu.
There are two other ones with signs. Check and find that they are Shen Ming and Cheng Yin.
Huh?
The two of them actually followed?
It seems that they have made progress! They have begun to participate in some affairs of the Air Force.
There are several other white spots. None of them have signs.
The driver is not Chen Shanben.
The plane stopped.
The hatch opens.
The ground crew pushed the gangway over.
The people inside slowly came down.
Sure enough, it was Yang Lichu, followed by Shen Ming and Cheng Yin.
The person behind was a little surprised. He was a blond American with a burly build.
It is true that people in beautiful countries are taller. Especially standing with women. It is too abrupt.
Confuse.
Why is there a Yankee following?
What status?
What to do?
"Commissioner!"
"Commissioner."
A simple courtesy.
Zhang Yong's attention was focused on the Americans.
At the same time, the American also started to pay attention to him. Apparently he had guessed his identity.
Yang Lichu waved to the two of them to approach.
Then introduce.
"This is Mr. Doolittle from Shell Oil Company."
"This is Zhang Yong, Commissioner Zhang, Inspector of the Military and Political Commission of the National Government. He has great influence on the Air Force."
The beauty director speaks very good English and French. She can introduce her fluently.
Zhang Yong's eyebrows slowly rose.
Doolittle?
Did you hear it correctly?
Is it that Doolittle?
Which?
It's the one from the Doolittle Raid.
Doubtful.
I can't think of a reason for Doolittle to be here.
Moreover, the other party was not wearing a military uniform. He was wearing a suit and a dark red tie. He looked like a salesman.
"We'll talk as we walk."
"good."
Zhang Yong and Doolittle walked side by side.
His intuition told him that the other party was probably that Doolittle.
It’s not surprising to have the same name.
However, most of those who deal with the National Air Force have a very deep relationship with the Air Force themselves. They cannot be pure strangers.
"Mr. Doolittle, did you ever serve in the army?"
"Yes. I served in the Army Air Corps. But I have been retired for a long time. I studied at MIT and later joined Shell."
"You're very good at flying, right?"
"I like adventure. I like trying new things."
"You have flown new aircraft many times and set many flight records, right?"
"Maybe."
Doolittle is very humble.
Zhang Yong nodded thoughtfully.
That's right, it's him.
Break multiple flight records. Set multiple flight records.
Because his flight record was so outstanding, he was recalled to the army after many years of retirement and organized the Doolittle Raid.
After that, he entered the fast track for promotion and soared in the Army Air Force. Finally, after the war, he became one of the several giants of the newly established American Air Force.
In the beautiful country at that time, the name Doolittle could be said to be synonymous with hero.
Unexpectedly, now he looks like a salesman.
Oh, what did he just say? He works for Shell Oil Company now?
"Mr. Doolittle, do you believe in prophecies?"
"I believe in science."
"Mr. Doolittle, I predict that in five years' time, you will definitely let the whole world know your name."
"Zhang, I graduated from MIT. I only believe in science."
"Please give me your hand."
"good."
Doolittle stretched out his hand dubiously.
Zhang Yong held his hand, pretended to study it, and then let go.
His face was expressionless and he started to act weird.
"Mr. Doolittle, your current job will make you ineffective..."
"Why?"
"Believe me, Mr. Doolittle, your career will always be in the military. You will become a four-star general."
"ah……"
Doolittle thought it was too absurd.
Four-star general?
The other party is really talking nonsense!
Even if it is a compliment, it is too much.
It made him feel a little bit uncomfortable.
It seems to be being satirized.
It should be noted that when he retired, he was only a lieutenant. He was not even promoted to captain.
How many ranks are there between a captain and a four-star general?
Level 7? Level 8?
Anyone with a normal mind would not be able to talk like this.
What's more, he is already forty years old this year and has missed his golden age as a pilot. What awaits him will be a slow-paced business life.
"Mr. Doolittle, you will be recalled to the army."
"impossible."
"Mark what I said. We'll see."
"good."
Doolittle disagreed.
Although, he has deep feelings for the Army Air Corps.
but……
It really is a thing of the past.
Now that he is very satisfied with his current leisurely life, how can he return to the army?
How could the army re-recruit a 40-year-old veteran like him?
If there was no war, he would not want to go back.
The salary in the Army Air Force was very low, less than US$200 per month. In the beautiful country at that time, it was a relatively low level.
The Shell Oil Company provided him with a generous salary, several times that of the military. It even equipped him with a special plane, allowing him to fly freely and navigate freely around the world.
Anyway, Shell Oil Company has its own aviation fuel and can make it at will. It doesn’t cost any money.
Zhang Yong smiled and said nothing.
Some things cannot be said in too much detail. Just wait for time to verify.
"Mr. Doolittle, you are here this time..."
"Commercial trade."
"oh?"
Zhang Yong looked at Yang Lichu.
It turns out that there is still business and trade! But, what does it have to do with me, Zhang Yong?
Big businesses like the arms trade are monopolized by the Song family and the Kong family. Although he is a favorite, he is not qualified to intervene for the time being.
In fact, he didn't want to interfere.
"He is here to discuss the aviation fuel business with us. He hopes that we will use octane-100 gasoline."
"Is it the newly developed gasoline? It's very good!"
"but……"
Yang Lichu started to speak but stopped.
Zhang Yong then understood.
It is estimated that there is some competition between the compradors of the Song family and the Kong family.
No wonder you have to say it in person. You really can’t say it on the phone. Otherwise, if outsiders hear it, who knows what kind of rumors will be spread.
"Then you come to me..."
"Someone wants to ask your opinion."
"If someone asked me, I would definitely choose octane-100 gasoline."
"real?"
"certainly!"
Zhang Yong answered without thinking.
This Doolittle will become a super boss who controls 42,000 combat aircraft.
You must quickly curry favor.
If you build a good relationship now, you won't be able to do much good in the future.
The United States Air Force, which had not yet been established at this time, had several talented people.
Doolittle, Arnold, LeMay...
It will be important in the future.
"Do you know anything about aviation gasoline?"
"I don't understand at all."
"Then why are you?"
"I'm optimistic about Doolittle. Building a good relationship with him will definitely be beneficial in the future."
"So, you are treating people and not doing things right."
"Yes. Treat people and not things. Just like President Roosevelt."
"Understood."
Yang Lichu fell silent.
Roosevelt's re-election was indeed a surprise.
The Kong family and the Song family all guessed wrong. Their previous investment was completely in vain. The losses were quite heavy.
Fortunately, Zhang Yong secretly arranged a private funding of 100,000 US dollars, in his wife's personal name.
Then Madam received a handwritten letter from the White House.
But the content is unknown.
Of course Zhang Yong didn't dare to read other people's autographed letters! Others didn't dare to read either.
"There's something..."
"Speak directly if you have anything to say."
"In a personal letter, President Roosevelt invited his wife to visit the White House."
"oh?"
Zhang Yong understood a little bit.
No wonder he has nothing to do with aviation fuel. He actually sent Yang Lichu to ask him.
It's because my wife thinks that Zhang Yong may have some magical abilities.
There were some things that I couldn't decide on, so I asked him to make a hexagram.
"By the way, what happened to the aircraft order?" Zhang Yong changed the topic.
"Alas, we can't buy the plane we want." Yang Lichu frowned, helpless, "The delivery time has been pushed back again and again."
