On the morning of February 24, 1916, Nanyuan Airport, Beijing.

Spring has not yet officially arrived, but the majestic wind blowing over has already brought a gentle spring breath. A makeshift viewing tent has been erected on the east side of the airport's main runway, and a large group of officials have walked around and chatted under the red canopy, most of them constantly looking at the sky to the south for the arrival of China's first civilian flight.

Feng Ru, president of the Civil Aviation Corporation of China, did not look at the sky, but stared at the direction of the entrance to the airport, constantly taking out his pocket watch to check the time. Finally, several small black cars drove into the airport gate and drove towards this direction.

Qin Yumin greeted him, the car at the head stopped steadily, and the first to get down was Gu Xiaolin, director of the president's office. Seeing Director Gu, Feng Ru's heart fell into his stomach, knowing that the president had come to see the "Qingzhou" in person.

Feng Ru greeted him. In addition to the presence of the President today, Senate Speaker Hong Yuecheng, Premier Fang Shengyuan, Vice Premier Song Jiaoren, Minister of Communications Duan Fang, Minister of Commerce Zhang Jian, Minister of Justice Wu Tingfang, Minister of Police Chen Chao, Foreign Minister Tang Shaoyi, "Jing Zhaoyin" Deng Qinghua, Shanghai Mayor Fan Deping, Minister of National Defense, General Wang Mingyuan, Minister of National Defense, General Shang Fengchun, Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force, Lieutenant General Cheng Erhu, Commander of the Capital Garrison, Vice Admiral Cheng Jianguo, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Navy and Commander of Naval Aviation, Brigadier General Long Hongyuan, deputy director of the Operations Department of the General Staff Department and deputy director of the Aviation Bureau, was all present.

At the end of 1915, the central center underwent a major personnel adjustment, and Ouyang Zhong, who had served as the chief of staff of the president for six years, was released by Long Qian and replaced Cheng Dequan, who retired due to illness. He served as the governor of Jiangsu Province. Long Qian elected his old guard, Major General Gu Xiaolin, director of the Joint Logistics Department of the Southern Military Region, as chief of the presidential staff. Feng Ru, who laid the foundation for the new China Aviation Industry, took off the uniform of a major general of the Air Force and set about establishing the president of the Civil Aviation Corporation of China according to Long Qian's instructions.

The establishment of the Civil Aviation Corporation was the brainchild of the President. In Feng Ru's view, it was completely the "three commanders entering Beijing" incident that caused a sensation in the whole army the year before last, and the three regional commanders actually took two-seater fighter planes into Beijing to meet the president, and everyone was afraid. Because at an aviation report performance shortly after the end of the Shandong Campaign, two planes were planted! Reminiscent of the recent incident of "three commanders taking flights," the Ministry of National Defense issued a special document strictly prohibiting officers at all levels from traveling on air fighter planes.

But the speed and convenience of the plane is felt by everyone, from Guangzhou to Beijing, you can reach it with two refuelings on the way, and see the sun on both sides. How fast is that? Perhaps it was that incident that sparked the idea of a civil aviation in the president?

Feng Ru knew that the president's mind was always full of whimsical ideas. Don't say anything else. Organizing civil aviation is a brilliant idea with very promising prospects. There is no need for the president to elaborate, and Feng Ru completely understands. That's why he didn't hesitate to take off his cherished military uniform and start from scratch to prepare for the establishment of a civil aviation corporation under the Ministry of Communications.

In fact, it cannot be said that it is self-made. First, in terms of personnel. The Aviation Command strongly supported. Presumably on the orders of the president. Commander Shang is extremely generous: Our air force system, from aviation schools to combat units, you can see anyone. I'll put it all. In this way, Feng Ru will not worry about no one. The second is money, the Ministry of Finance has allocated a special fund, which is enough for him to operate in the early stage. The third is the airport, the Ministry of Communications and the General Staff jointly issued a document to allow the Civil Aviation Corporation to use the military's airport. The fourth is the plane, which is the most critical. No aircraft that can take more than five people cannot undertake civil aviation, and you can't let distinguished passengers take two-seat fighters, right?

Now there is finally an aircraft that can be used as a civil aviation. This large aircraft, named "Qingzhou", is the largest aircraft currently equipped by the Air Force, with a length of 12.88 meters, a wingspan of 17.2 meters, a height of 3.99 meters, an empty weight of 2,458 kilograms, a maximum take-off weight of 3,630 kilograms, a maximum speed of 253 kilometers per hour, a range of 1,050 kilometers, two engines, and an output of 610.4 kilowatts. This aircraft was originally a trainer aircraft for the Air Force, which could fly six crew members, and the teaching efficiency was very high. After the dismantling of the armament, ten seats can be placed, which has the conditions for civilian commercial flights.

A group of civil and military officials surrounded Long Qian to the simple "viewing shed", waiting for the "light boat" flying from Shanghai.

Tables, chairs, and tea had been arranged at the airport, but Long Qian was standing, and it was difficult for others to sit down. Soon after Feng Ru reported the departure time and the scheduled landing time of the plane, the plane that was concerned by the top figures of the republic finally broke out of the clouds, the shiny fuselage was particularly dazzling, and the plane that landed quickly became bigger and bigger in everyone's eyes, and after circling twice over the airport, it rushed down towards the runway.

The plane roared past everyone's eyes, and the huge roar made the Minister Duan Fang beside Feng Ru unconsciously cover his ears. Soon, the plane turned back and came to a steady stop across from the viewing booth.

Long Qian took the lead, and applause rang out, "Congratulations!" Finally completed the maiden voyage of civil aviation! Premier Fang smiled and stretched out his hand to Feng Ru.

Five or six people got off the plane and came this way. They are not passengers who pay for the ride, but employees of the Civil Aviation Shanghai Company.

"Yes, yes, I need to go up and have a look." Long Qian beckoned to Feng Ru, Feng Ru followed with a smile, and Fang Shengyuan led the officers towards the plane.

At one time, there were not so many people on board, and the adults went up to visit in three batches, and they asked the pilots and crew members about the performance of the plane, and they showed great interest.

"Old Shang, how nice would it be if such a big plane was used for bombing? How many bombs do you have to carry? Cheng Erhu, who was the last to board the plane, looked carefully at the cabin and asked Shang Fengchun.

"How do you know the Air Force doesn't? Sue sù you, right? The first squadron of Overlord bombers has already been formed. Limited to the production of aircraft, otherwise it would not be a squadron. In fact, this aircraft was first designed as a bomber, but some indicators were not ideal, and it was changed to a training aircraft for aviation schools. Now there is another aircraft in Xi'an that is about to be finalized, which is about the same size as this one, and it is completely military. ”

"It's all the commander who is biased towards you. How much money has been allocated to you in the past few years? How many people have been poached from abroad? Fuck, the Army's opinion is big! ”

"The Air Force wins! Haven't read that book, have you? Ha ha. Or maybe the commander is wise. Shang Fengchun laughed proudly.

Truly. The center's investment in aviation is enormous. A large number of overseas aviation talents have been recruited to China, a large number of students have been sent to the United States to study, and more and more aviation research institutes, aviation schools and aircraft factories have been established in China. In Xi'an, Shanghai, Shenyang has formed three major aviation bases, and there are as many as 100 supporting manufacturers, and the state has invested huge amounts of research and construction funds, and has naturally achieved fruitful results. In a word, the Chinese can actually build their own planes! Since Feng Ru returned to China in 1909, it has only been seven years.

"Bragging! At any time, too, it will be the army that will win in the end. However, the formation of naval aviation. It's like digging a piece of meat out of your mouth. That's right. Cheng Erhu stroked the seat, "You say someone really sits on this thing to do business?" ”

After the Shandong Campaign, the Air Force Command was officially changed to the Air Force Command, and General Shang Fengchun became the first Air Force Commander-in-Chief. Summer 1915. According to the opinion of the General Staff and the Navy. The Command of Naval Aviation, which was subordinate to the Navy, was formed. Cheng Jianguo, chief of staff of the Air Force, was transferred to the post of deputy commander-in-chief of the Navy and commander of the Navy. It's kind of poached a big chunk from the Air Force. HNA is still very small, equipped with less than 100 aircraft, mainly reconnaissance and fighter aircraft. There was not a single specialized bomber.

"Why not? Rest assured. Just like Huayuan Industrial, this kind of aircraft is absolutely needed. It's for speed, you know? Doing business is all about speed. Cheng Erhu's mention of HNA was regarded as poking Shang Fengchun's wound, but Shang Fengchun was reluctant to mention the matter and turned the topic to commercial flights.

"Hey, hey. Huayuan's family members can naturally afford to sit down. But not for others. Didn't you listen to Feng Ru? From Shanghai to Beijing, the one-way ticket price is 40 yuan. Who can afford to sit in general? Besides, the formation of civil aviation will not affect your Air Force? There are only a few aircraft factories, and those built for civilian use cannot be used for military purposes. ”

"I have figured it out that the formation of civil aviation will not only not affect the Air Force, but will also promote the development of the Air Force. The development of aircraft is too fast, and as soon as a model is finalized, a better one can be designed, and more can be built, only capacity building can be strengthened. The commander has talked to me more than once about civil aviation, and in addition to designing special civil aviation aircraft, he is also preparing to build a special civil aviation airport at an appropriate time. As for the operational problems, it will definitely be a loss at the beginning, but civil aviation is definitely a direction. Civil aircraft, including pilots, can be recruited into the army if they are in a hurry. ”

"Grandma, both England and Germany are pulling us, what is the commander's idea? It would be nice if we decided to form an alliance with the Germans, let's first take back South Manchurian Hong Kong, and then take Korea in one go, and then Vladivostok, the battle has to be fought! It's a pity that Shi Jun's navy is not angry, otherwise even Taiwan would not be a problem. ”

Cheng Erhu took out a cigarette, but was stopped by Shang Fengchun, "Smoking is strictly prohibited on the plane." Let's go down. Dude, the Commander will never ally with the German-Austrian Turquoians. This account is very easy to calculate, and you still mention this. Isn't there a consensus in the Army? ”

The European war is now in its third year. In the last year, Russia suffered a crushing defeat, and the German troops on the Eastern Front, under the command of Ludendorff, Hoffmann and other excellent generals, slaughtered the Russians in a bloody manner, and even Petersburg was threatened. Russia removed the commander-in-chief, Grand Duke Nicholas, and the Tsar himself concurrently served as commander-in-chief of Russia. According to the statistics of the Military Intelligence Bureau and the Foreign Military Department of the General Staff, the total number of Russian casualties and prisoners in 1915 exceeded 4 million! The Russians were almost unable to hold on, and the army came up with the idea of fighting the Russians with Germany and regaining the millions of territories lost in the north in one fell swoop. In particular, the Northern Military Region is the most urgent, believing that it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The strength of the Russians in the Far East has declined to the point of vulnerability, and according to the words of Admiral Daishou Ishi, as long as the air force fully cooperates, dispatches 7 divisions and 20 brigades, equipped with the necessary cavalry artillery, it can crush the Russian Far East troops and recover Vladivostok.

However, the highest level has always been relatively indifferent to the construction of the Northern Military District. Before New Year's Day, the General Staff organized a seminar on the European war, which was attended by the leading generals of the Wehrmacht. The conference was divided into two factions, one faction was dominated by the army, and they strongly advocated taking the opportunity to recover national sovereignty and complete the long-awaited reunification. Naturally, he advocated joining the Allies. The other faction, dominated by the navy, believed that the German-Austrian side was doomed to decline after the European war fell into a protracted period, that Italy had obviously fallen to the Entente side, and that the inequality of overseas resources determined that the future of the German-Austrian soil defense was bleak, and that China must not suffer big losses for small gains.

The workshop did not come to a final conclusion. Moreover, the government system has always opposed China's entry into the European war, believing that maintaining neutrality and concentrating on economic development is the best policy. Therefore, the military's European war seminar does not know the government system.

Cheng Erhu and Shang Fengchun returned to the "viewing platform" and saw that Long Qian was chatting with Feng Ru and the others with great interest.

Brigadier General Long Hongyuan trotted over from the side of the tower, "President......"

"Say." Long Qian said in a deep voice.

"The day before yesterday, the Germans suddenly attacked the French fortress Verdun...... "Just now the military intelligence army called the airport, saying that there was an emergency to report to the president. Long Hongyuan, who has the lowest position, can only answer this call.

"Confirmed?"

"Confirmed."

"Verdun is a barrier to the northwest of Paris and a strategic point of support. If Verdun is lost, Paris will not be able to protect ......" Cheng Jianguo mused, "I am afraid that the Germans will completely focus on the Western Front, but it is also right, even if they kill another 2 million 'Russian cattle', they will not be able to completely solve the war on the Eastern Front." ”

Long Qian looked at Cheng Jianguo, who had already hung up the epaulettes of the lieutenant general, with interest, and did not say anything.

"Not necessarily. Russia can't stand anymore. After the Battle of Dardanelles, foreign aid was cut off on the southern route, and the sea conditions on the northern route were extremely dangerous, even if Britain and France were to transfuse blood for Russia despite the losses on the western front, it would be very difficult for them. If I were Falkingham, I would continue to take the defensive on the Western Front, capture Petersburg in one fell swoop, and force Russia out of the war. Although Fan Deping has been the mayor of Shanghai for several years, he still does not forget his profession and has always paid close attention to the European war.

"What if you can't take Verdun?" Long Qian asked.

"Can't take Verdun? In that case, Germany will be in trouble. Wang Mingyuan answered, "Germany is also in difficulty, otherwise it will not spend a lot of money to pull us over." ”

Fang Shengyuan pricked up his ears, but did not express his disapproval. He and Long Qian have exchanged views on the issue of the European war countless times, and it is clear that Long Qian is just taking advantage of the opportunity, and does not want to completely fall to one side or the other.

"Fa Jinhan is afraid that he has miscalculated. And it is regrettable to take a strange attitude to hit Verdun. I heard one of his points of view, to find a point that the French could not give up, and let the French bleed to death. No, at the same time as the French were drained, the blood of the Germans was drained. This battle will not end immediately, so if you don't believe it, just watch. Long Qian said lightly, "Don't talk about this." Did President Feng invite us a few times? The success of the trial voyage of the 'Light Boat' is a great joy. ”

"I can't ask for it!" Feng Ru glanced at his boss Duan Fang, "It's windy, why don't we go back to the city?" ”

"Let's take a picture with the heroes of the crew. Leave a souvenir and wish the civil aviation company prosperity. Long Qian said with a smile. It seems that the "dictator" is in a very good mood.

It seemed that the president was really going to have dinner with everyone, so Feng Ru hurriedly sent his subordinates to call another close confidant of the president, Ms. Lu Bicheng, the deputy director of the general staff who stayed in the presidential palace. (To be continued......)