Chapter 34: A Collective Demise

Chapter 34: Collective Sacrifice

Several young people walked in from outside, and Shu Qin’s uncle gestured for her to join them.

Zhou Zhihan stepped into a corner, opened his system, and searched for the P-26 fighter.

The P-26 Peashooter, also known as the "toy gun," was the first monoplane fighter used by the United States Army Air Corps. It entered service in 1933.

Technical specifications:
Length: 7.19 meters
Height: 3.06 meters
Wingspan: 8.52 meters
Wing area: 13.89 square meters
Empty weight: 997 kg
Maximum takeoff weight: 1,340 kg
Maximum range: 579 km
Cruising speed: 320 km/h
Maximum speed: 377 km/h
Service ceiling: 8,350 meters
Powerplant: 500-horsepower R-1340 air-cooled engine
Armament: Two 0.30-inch machine guns, with hardpoints under the wings and fuselage for bombs.

In 1934, the Nationalist government purchased 10 of these aircraft, but due to funding issues and other delays, they were not shipped to China until July 1936.

Zhou Zhihan understood now: this batch of P-26 fighters was indeed scheduled for shipment to China this July. In reality, the Nationalist government had placed the order and paid a deposit back in 1934, but once the planes were manufactured, the lack of government funds led to a long delay in delivery. After the aircraft company issued an ultimatum, overseas Chinese voluntarily raised funds to assist the government in transporting these 10 planes back to the motherland.

Judging by Mr. Liu Yunyi’s words earlier, the Japanese must have secretly murdered some of the Chinese immigrants who contributed to the donation drive to prevent these aircraft from reaching China.

Overseas, it was no secret that Chinese expatriates were raising money to buy weapons and supplies. Zhou Zhihan instinctively felt that this matter was inextricably linked to the Japanese Tokko (Special Higher Police). He even vaguely sensed that Keiko Kagawa had played a role in instigating the situation, especially since his system mission was to retrieve the gold she had extorted from patriotic Chinese and return it to the Overseas Chinese Association.

While Zhou Zhihan was lost in thought, Shu Qin found him again.

"You nearly disappeared in the blink of an eye," Shu Qin said, excitedly pulling his arm. "Come on, I want to introduce you to two talented young men. They traveled all the way from Los Angeles and Seattle for today’s gathering. You should exchange ideas; who knows, you might even be colleagues in the future."

Zhou Zhihan followed Shu Qin to a room at the back of the courtyard, while Mr. Liu Yunyi continued his speech outside.

Two young men in the room stood up as Shu Qin and Zhou Zhihan entered.

Shu Qin introduced Zhou Zhihan: "Let me introduce you two. This is our fellow student, Zhou Zhihan, currently a first-year cadet at the West Point Military Academy!"

The two men, both in their late twenties, were dressed in Zhongshan suits and exuded an air of distinction. They clasped their hands in a traditional salute, looking at Zhou Zhihan with admiration. For a Chinese student to be studying at the prestigious West Point was no small feat; he would surely become a leader in the military upon returning home.

Shu Qin introduced the leaner man to Zhou Zhihan: "This is Mr. Huang Panyang, an overseas Chinese from Seattle. He serves as a flight instructor at a private flight school there. Over the years, he has traveled far and wide, calling on fellow Chinese to stand up and contribute to our motherland. Thanks to his efforts, many have joined the family of the Overseas Chinese Association."

Zhou Zhihan also returned the salute. Such patriots were worthy of respect. He didn't offer empty pleasantries about having long heard of their fame, as that would feel insincere; he was hearing the name Huang Panyang for the first time.

Shu Qin then introduced the taller man: "Zhihan, this is Mr. Huang Xinrui, an overseas Chinese from Los Angeles. He is also a flight instructor at the Seattle private flight school. In Los Angeles, he has been constantly urging his fellow countrymen to unite and contribute to the motherland and their hometowns."

Zhou Zhihan bowed. He truly didn't know what to say. His heart was filled with reverence for these patriotic figures. He had only ever seen such people in movies; to have them standing before him left him at a loss for words.

"Zhihan, these two will be returning to China with the 10 P-26s, where they will join our Chinese Air Force as flight instructors."

Zhou Zhihan felt a sudden pang of sadness.

He remembered that starting August 13, 1937, 1,300 Chinese pilots faced a powerful enemy air force with unmatched bravery. With a spirit of collective sacrifice to defend their homes, they inflicted heavy casualties on the Japanese Air Force. In that soul-stirring Battle of Shanghai, the Chinese Air Force was virtually wiped out.

Facing a Japanese air force ten times their size, those hot-blooded Chinese men flew their fighters into the sky, one after another. Many never returned, scattering their youthful lives and vibrant blood across the sky, planting the seeds of an unyielding spirit in the soil of their homeland. They inspired the Chinese people to resist the Japanese invasion and showed the world the unbending national integrity of the Chinese people!

He wondered if those two men before him would be among the 1,300 who made the ultimate sacrifice.

"Zhihan, what's wrong?" Seeing the sudden change in his expression, Shu Qin asked with concern.

Zhou Zhihan quickly replied, "Oh! It's nothing, I'm fine. I was just moved to see so many patriots gathered here, and for a moment, I didn't know how to express my feelings."

"Ah!" Zhou Zhihan looked at the two with respect. "Sirs, what kind of aircraft do you use for flight training in Seattle?"

Huang Xinrui and Huang Panyang could see the respect in his eyes, and they felt a connection with him as well.

Huang Xinrui said, "At the private school in Seattle, our trainers are first the Stearman PT-17, followed by the BT-13 and BT-15, and now we occasionally fly the P-26 trainer."

Huang Xinrui continued, "Oh, by the way, Zhihan, did you know that the Stearman PT-17 has a very cute nickname?"

Curious, Zhou Zhihan shook his head and smiled, "I don't!"

Huang Xinrui laughed, "The Stearman PT-17 has a cute name: it's called the 'West Pointer'."

"Ah!" Zhou Zhihan's jaw dropped, and he laughed in surprise. "I really didn't know that! 'West Pointer,' ha-ha-ha!"

Huang Panyang also laughed, "Zhihan, tell us what you've learned at West Point! It's the premier military academy in the world. You’ll definitely accomplish great things when you return to China!"

Zhou Zhihan scratched his head, "Sirs..."

"Zhihan!" Shu Qin interrupted, "Don't be so formal with 'sirs.' These two brothers are only a few years older than you. You might even end up in the same unit when you go back."

Huang Panyang smiled and said, "That's right, 'sir' sounds too distant. Just call us 'Big Brother'."

Zhou Zhihan smiled, "To be honest, brothers, I was actually studying at the Randolph Field Air Corps School. There was just a little complication, which is why I've been at the West Point Infantry School for the past three months."

"What?" Huang Xinrui slapped his thigh. "So you're air force too! And that flight school is top-tier. Pilots from Randolph are the cream of the crop, absolute ace pilots! Zhihan, you can't leave today; we have to sit down and have a long talk!"

Shu Qin frowned, "Zhihan, you've been hiding this from me for so long!"

Zhou Zhihan thought to himself that he had only become familiar with her after eating at her house yesterday; before that, they were mere acquaintances.

Just then, Mr. Liu Yunyi invited Huang Xinrui and Huang Panyang to speak to the guests, leaving only Zhou Zhihan and Shu Qin in the room.

Zhou Zhihan asked, "Shu Qin, is there anything to drink?"

Shu Qin smiled, "Look at me, I was so busy chatting that I forgot to get you a drink. Wait just a moment!"

As she left the room, Zhou Zhihan opened his system.

Huang Panyang: In the Jurong air battle of mid-August 1937, the Nanjing air battle of late September 1937, and the Hankou air battle of mid-June 1938, he shot down three Japanese planes individually and assisted in shooting down three more with his wingman.

Huang Xinrui: Once a squadron leader in the Chinese Air Force, reaching the rank of Major, he set a record by shooting down three enemy planes in a single engagement. Known as the "Tiger General," he was awarded two Three-Star Medals. Originally a flight instructor, he took to the skies to face Japanese aces as the Nationalist pilots suffered repeated setbacks. He was wounded twice in aerial combat and shot down several enemy ace pilots. On March 14, 1941, he was killed in action near the Shuangliu Airport in Chengdu due to a mechanical failure in his plane. He was posthumously promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

Zhou Zhihan froze, his cigarette falling to the floor.