Chapter 443: Republic of China: Starting from the First Class of Whampoa Chapter 453 Director Dai Arrives

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

"Calm down, I'm not asking for ownership of these fifty transport aircraft, but for their right of use."

"Those fifty commercial DC3 passenger planes of yours in Xia Guo—ownership remains your company's property, but once there's a need for paratrooper operations, these fifty planes must obey my requisition!"

These words left Douglas stunned: "So these fifty planes belong to the company, you just have the right to use them twenty-four hours a day?"

Lv Muzhi shrugged: "You can understand it that way."

"Besides, I do need planes; the root cause is still lack of money. If you don't agree, I'll have to sell the shares I hold and sell them to your competitors—they're offering a high price."

Douglas's eyes widened: "no! no! no!, I agree, isn't that enough?"

Lv Muzhi continued: "Also, once the military transport model of the DC3 comes out, give me fifty percent off. I'll come buy from you when I have money."

Douglas sighed, and fearing Lv Muzhi would sell his company's shares to competitors, he could only steady the situation and nod: "Fine, let the youngsters board the plane!"

Lv Muzhi called over a messenger: "Send word to the Special Airborne Regiment to immediately dispatch ten DC3 aircraft, load them full of paratroopers, and airdrop them onto Taiyuan Airport!"

Douglas suddenly thought of something and asked: "Those DC3 commercial passenger planes of my company—are they still in your troops' hands?!"

Lv Muzhi said: "Making a mountain out of a molehill, just twenty planes. If they're not with me, how can I give you and your customers a demonstration?"

"And another thirty DC planes are already out hauling cargo and passengers, making money for you!"

One hour later, at the airport of Taiyuan City.

Ten DC-3 passenger planes roared past, and beneath their bellies bloomed one pure white parachute flower after another.

Commissioner Sam and two US Army colonels watched the sky through binoculars, intently confirming that the incoming planes were indeed DC3 passenger planes.

Lv Muzhi assured from the side: "Don't worry, these planes will all land on the airport in the end."

Sam looked up and indeed found that after dropping the paratroopers, these planes began circling in the sky, waiting for landing orders.

In the sky.

A portion of the Special Airborne Regiment led by Lv Ziqing was rapidly descending with the help of parachutes.

Landing, regrouping, assaulting—the whole set of movements flowed like clouds and water.

Commissioner Sam put down his binoculars and exclaimed in amazement: "My God, even a civilian passenger plane can perfectly carry out a military mission!"

"If this were an airport occupied by the Japanese Army, it would probably already be under the control of this group of paratroopers by now!"

Douglas said: "Exactly! With just a little improvement, it could become a true military transport aircraft!"

After the exercise, Colonel Lv Ziqing gathered the more than two hundred paratroopers who participated in this drill on a patch of open ground to receive Lv Muzhi's inspection.

On the runway, the DC3 that had been circling in the air began to descend.

Two US Army colonels boarded the plane to inspect it.

Commissioner Sam came before Airborne Regiment Commander Lv Ziqing, asked about the specific parachuting experience, and then boarded a DC3 plane together with Lv Ziqing to inspect it.

"First, the side door of the fuselage should be widened; the current cabin door is a bit narrow, making it inconvenient for paratroopers carrying equipment to jump quickly."

"Second, the transport aircraft's penetration speed should be increased, and the engines replaced..."

Lv Ziqing, as someone who had personally experienced parachuting, spoke eloquently. Every suggestion he made was later implemented on the improved model—the famous C47 Transport Aircraft.

Douglas beside him listened with shining eyes, constantly recording in his notebook.

After a long while, Commissioner Sam and the two US Army colonels gathered together to discuss.

The three believed that this DC3 civilian transport aircraft indeed had great modification potential and could be used as a military transport aircraft.

Commissioner Sam pointed to the plane behind him and said: "The Youth Army used this DC3 passenger plane to carry out a successful paratrooper operation, greatly shocking our Chinese Army."

"Mr. Douglas, you really should give him an advertising fee. In principle, we agree to an order of five hundred transport aircraft."

"Please hurry up and produce a prototype to facilitate subsequent cooperation!"

Douglas grinned so widely he could hardly close his mouth: "Certainly, certainly. I'll immediately return to organize technical personnel to tackle the problem and manufacture transport aircraft meeting military standards!"

Lv Muzhi then decided to concentrate thirty DC3 transport aircraft, haul them all to his own military airport, and hand them over to the Airborne Troops for round-the-clock use.

"After hauling those thirty planes to the airport, you immediately begin preparing to expand the Special Airborne Regiment. I plan to organize the First Airborne Brigade, with you serving as its first brigade commander."

"Use the experience you've learned to train new recruits."

Lv Ziqing was very excited: "Yes! I will certainly not betray this heavy trust!"

Douglas was very displeased: "The aviation company I established in Xia Guo has only fifty DC3 passenger planes in total, and you want to haul away thirty all at once?"

Lv Muzhi said: "I only have the right to use these planes; I haven't appropriated them for myself. Believe it or not, I'll haul the other twenty to my airport too?"

Douglas said nothing more. As long as the US military was satisfied, his business would become even more prosperous.

Especially now that the situation in Europe is tense, Douglas had already smelled the scent of money.

Moreover, Lv Muzhi was not only one of his partners but also his potential customer.

Lv Muzhi would sooner or later switch to more professional military transport aircraft, and then he would still have to purchase from him. Letting him use these DC3 temporarily was no problem.

A staff officer came running over at this time and said softly:

"Lu Commander! Dai Li of the Military Statistics Bureau Bureau has arrived at our headquarters. Colonel Qiu is meeting with him."

Lu Commander nodded, understanding that this was probably an old man sending someone to deliver a message.

Probably the old man had some new order and wanted him to carry it out.

But whether to carry it out or not ultimately depended on whether Lv Muzhi was willing.

"Come on, it's probably the old man's messenger. Let's go back and see."

"Mr. Douglas, let Colonel Lv Ziqing keep you company well. Remember to run our company well—I'm still waiting for my dividends!"

Lv Ziqing stepped forward, gathered the Americans before him, and prepared to take them to dine together.

Lv Muzhi returned to the headquarters in Taiyuan City.

Sun Liren waited for Lv Muzhi at the door, immediately went up to him, and said while walking: "Colonel Qiu is having tea with Director Dai, lunch has already been prepared. Will you wait for him in the Cafeteria, or see Director Dai first?"

Lv Muzhi thought for a moment: "After all, I came carrying the old man's instructions, so I should see him first, lest people think I disrespect the old man."

When Lv Muzhi arrived outside the Reception Hall, he heard Qiu Qingquan speaking loudly inside.

"With your rank, do you still have the authority to investigate me?"

"I am a graduate of Whampoa Second Phase, I have gone through water and fire, Eastern Expedition and Northern Expedition, an iron bone and tough man forged in the war of resistance against Japan. How dare a Colonel like you question me?!"

Following the sound, Lv Muzhi saw Qiu Qingquan standing in front of Dai Li, pointing at Dai Li's head and cursing him.

Dai Li sat on a chair, his hands on his knees, head bowed, looking embarrassed.

Seeing Lv Muzhi arrive, Dai Li stood up, as if seeing a great savior: "Lu Commander, you're here!"

Lv Muzhi saw Qiu Qingquan was outraged, his face red and neck thick, and asked: "Yuan'an, what are you saying? How can you treat Director Dai like this?"