Jiang Ye first returned home to drop off the share list, ate a meal, and then took a car to the flapping wing aircraft factory.
It was better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early. When Jiang Ye entered the factory, the first flapping wing aircraft had just rolled off the general assembly line and slid along the track into the open space. The scene was met with thunderous applause.
Many soldiers were gathered around watching. Upon seeing Jiang Ye, they quickly formed ranks, stood at attention, and saluted.
Jiang Ye returned the salute and approached the flapping wing aircraft for a close inspection.
The entire fuselage of the flapping wing aircraft was very similar to that of an attack helicopter. It was painted entirely black, with bulletproof windows on the cockpit. Weapon racks were mounted on both sides, capable of carrying charged cannons and aerial bombs.
In addition to the cockpit, the fuselage could accommodate about two or three people. If the side doors were open, they could also fire weapons outwards.
Four long, paddle-like wings were folded on top, somewhat resembling a helicopter's rotor blades folded together. However, these blades were thicker and longer than those of a helicopter.
Jiang Ye directly lifted the cockpit door and sat in the co-pilot's seat.
"Someone who can fly, take me for a spin, let's test fly it," Jiang Ye said, putting on his flight goggles.
The surrounding officers were greatly alarmed, many of them turning pale, and they rushed forward to dissuade him:
"No, Commander, it's just been produced, it hasn't been test-flown yet!"
"It's dangerous! Let us test fly it first!"
"Your safety is paramount! The army cannot be without you!"
"Sir, please get down! You cannot test fly it yourself!"
Jiang Ye looked indifferent. "What are you all so scared of? Does it make a difference if I test fly it or you do? Hurry up, find someone who can fly a flapping wing aircraft."
The cabin door was lifted, and a burly man in a black suit climbed into the pilot's seat, fastened his seatbelt, and put on his helmet.
"Flapping wing aircraft production consultant, Bansaka Ryosuke. I have over three years of flapping wing aircraft piloting experience and am currently employed by Termite Real Estate." Bansaka Ryosuke skillfully activated a series of switches and checked the instruments. "Takeoff preparations are complete. Are you seated securely?"
Jiang Ye smiled, liking the man's straightforward demeanor. "I'm ready, let's take off!"
"Understood." Bansaka Ryosuke pushed the control stick forward.
The folded blades on top of the flapping wing aircraft made a crisp sound as they unfolded to the sides.
Two on each side, each at least six meters long, they flapped up and down rapidly, like the wings of a bird or a dragonfly. Within two seconds, they accelerated to a blur.
A strong gust of air rushed outwards, kicking up a cloud of yellow sand. The officers retreated in fear, still shouting at Jiang Ye. But the cabin door had already closed, and their shouts became muffled.
Bansaka Ryosuke remained silent, tapping on the screen in front of him. The flapping wing aircraft immediately lifted off, ascending at an extremely fast rate. The factory below seemed to shrink as they descended, quickly becoming as small as a matchbox.
"Where do you intend to go?" Bansaka Ryosuke asked.
"Forward," Jiang Ye ordered. "At maximum speed."
Bansaka Ryosuke operated skillfully. The flapping wing aircraft tilted forward, and the speed indicator quickly climbed: 100 km/h, 130 km/h, 180 km/h...
After a few minutes, it reached its peak speed of 490 km/h.
The noise of the flapping wing aircraft was less than expected. Instead of the low rumble of a helicopter, it was a continuous hum. Jiang Ye closed his eyes, listening to the sound, feeling as if he were sitting inside the belly of a giant dragonfly.
Bansaka Ryosuke's expression was neutral. He remained silent throughout, his gaze focused on the instruments and the view outside. He had the quiet demeanor of a soldier.
They flew over vast plains and then over two small mountains, eventually reaching the sea.
The sea was covered with cotton-like grey clouds, and the waves were turbulent. Layers of white surf rolled like long snakes on the blue-black water, making the entire sea look like a nest of boiling white snakes.
"Continue forward?" Bansaka Ryosuke asked.
"As long as there's enough fuel to return, keep flying forward," Jiang Ye nodded.
The wind speed was noticeably increasing. There were small air vents by the door. Jiang Ye extended his hand towards one, and the fine, high-speed air cut against his hand, feeling like touching an ice pick.
A cold current was approaching, and a significant temperature drop was expected by tonight.
Half an hour later, the flapping wing aircraft passed through the strait and flew over a new continent.
The new continent was as barren as before, with vast expanses of yellow and rocky land. Jiang Ye grew bored after looking for a while and decided to strike up a conversation.
"What's the difference between a flapping wing aircraft and a helicopter?" Jiang Ye asked.
"From a combat perspective, the difference is actually very small. Both are used for low-altitude strikes and troop transport," Bansaka Ryosuke replied in a professional tone. "I've seen the combat manuals for helicopter squadrons and flapping wing aircraft squadrons; they are almost identical."
"Are there more armies using flapping wing aircraft or helicopters now?" Jiang Ye asked. "What's the approximate ratio?"
"Attack helicopters have been largely phased out in the last two years, replaced by flapping wing aircraft," Bansaka Ryosuke said. "The ratio of active helicopters to flapping wing aircraft is about one to nine."
Jiang Ye was taken aback. "Didn't you say the difference was very small? Why have helicopters been phased out so drastically?"
"Please brace yourself, I'll demonstrate."
"Alright." Jiang Ye tightened his seatbelt.
Bansaka Ryosuke tapped the screen a few times, and a metallic clicking sound suddenly came from overhead. The wings on both sides retracted instantly!
The flapping wing aircraft's nose pointed downwards, suddenly losing forward and upward momentum, plummeting like a meteor!
Jiang Ye stared at the altimeter in horror. Within seconds, the altitude dropped from 510 meters to 30 meters. The entire flapping wing aircraft vibrated violently due to the strong downdraft, like a runaway roller coaster!
Just before crashing, there was another loud metallic clang overhead. The metal blades sprang open instantly and flapped at high speed. Before Jiang Ye could react, the flapping wing aircraft sharply ascended, returning to an altitude of five hundred meters within seconds.
"This maneuver is called a 'drop maneuver.' It can evade most conventional missiles. If a flapping wing aircraft and a helicopter were in aerial combat, this maneuver would give the flapping wing aircraft a decisive advantage. That's why helicopters have been eliminated from attack aircraft roles," Bansaka Ryosuke paused, then added, "Your psychological fortitude is excellent. Usually, when I demonstrate this maneuver, most people scream."
"That was quite exhilarating. Is there anything more exciting?" Jiang Ye reached up to wipe the sweat from his brow.
"Ejection seat?" Bansaka Ryosuke asked. "Would you like to try?"
"No, thank you." Jiang Ye quickly waved his hand. "Are there any weapons mounted?"
"Two aerial bombs are mounted, and the cannon has only 1000 rounds of ammunition," Bansaka Ryosuke glanced at the instrument panel.
"See that mountain peak ahead?" Jiang Ye pointed. "Dive towards it, I want to try the weapons."
Bansaka Ryosuke immediately maneuvered the flapping wing aircraft into a dive, the blades retracting instantly as the aircraft plummeted.
Jiang Ye gripped the firing trigger. As the distance closed, he decisively pressed it!
He held it down, and the cannons on both sides roared. The bullets clearly sliced through the mountainside, creating two fountain-like walls of earth. Several car-sized rocks were hit and shattered, their destructive power quite terrifying.
Bansaka Ryosuke tapped the screen, and the flapping wing aircraft sharply ascended. As it ascended, Jiang Ye pushed down the firing trigger, dropping the two aerial bombs.
With thunderous explosions, the surging airflow shook the flapping wing aircraft. Jiang Ye turned his head to look down; the mountainside was engulfed in a cloud of dust from the explosions, and hundreds of pieces of rock flew up like a volcanic eruption.
"These bombs are very powerful!" Jiang Ye was awestruck.
"Ordinary civilian houses would be like paper cigarette boxes under such bombs. If they were used against unprotected infantry, there would be no survivors," Bansaka Ryosuke remained expressionless. "A normal hundred-story skyscraper, if hit at the base by one of these, would likely collapse."
"Were you in the military?" Jiang Ye looked at him.
"I was in auxiliary forces, essentially long-term laborers helping the regular army transport supplies," Bansaka Ryosuke said. "For about a month, I was in the bomb bay of a bomber. Listening to the captain's orders, I pushed 500-kilogram aerial bombs out one by one, bombing civilians on the ground. The next morning, I would take a flapping wing aircraft to the bombing sites and collect the dismembered bodies of the victims with iron buckets and shovels. I could collect dozens of buckets in a morning."
"Why bomb civilians?"
"Rebellious areas, just suppressing them."
"You are currently employed by Termite Real Estate?" Jiang Ye asked.
"That's right. I'm currently in charge of inspecting the production at the flapping wing aircraft factory. I'll be leaving in a couple of days."
"How much is your current monthly salary?"
"Around 300,000."
"Stay. I'll offer you 600,000 a month," Jiang Ye said. "You'll be a flight instructor, responsible for training my pilots. I think your skills are good."
Bansaka Ryosuke remained silent, as if he hadn't heard. His expression was still neutral.
Jiang Ye thought he hadn't swayed him and didn't press further. He turned to look at the scenery outside the window. The mountainside that had been bombed in the distance was still smoking.
"It is my great honor and pleasure to serve you, Mr. Commander," Bansaka Ryosuke suddenly said.
Jiang Ye smiled and patted his shoulder. "Alright, let's head back."