Fang Lang stayed in General Moraes' office for less than ten minutes. When he came out, he not only became the captain of a new destroyer. Maybe there was some estrangement between him and Colonel Parisi.
I have no foundation in the navy. It is obvious that General Morais belongs to the largest faction in the military. I am obviously being used by them. If I don't want to be used by them, I obviously can't follow them completely, otherwise it will be easy. will be ignored.
Therefore, Fang Lang couldn't help but look at Colonel Parisi beside him. No matter what happened to Colonel Parisi in the future, at least for now, he was still the top person in charge of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force Navy. Moreover, Colonel Parisi did not show any hostility towards him, and he was able to form a certain tacit understanding with him.
"Sir, what is going on? Will I become the captain of a new destroyer?"
Fang Lang's words made Colonel Parisi look at him blankly. Seeing that the expression on Fang Lang's face didn't look like he was pretending, he couldn't help but wonder: "Didn't you know the news in advance?"
"Lieutenant Colonel Graham talked to me last night, hoping that I could come forward to obtain a new destroyer from the US Navy. If successful, I would be the captain, but I did not agree! What is going on today!"
Fang Lang felt that there was nothing to hide about this matter, and believed that even if he didn't tell it, everyone would know about it soon, so he spoke very frankly.
Hearing Fang Lang's answer, Colonel Parisi couldn't help but fell into deep thought. After thinking for a while, he said: "The current situation is that General Moraes agrees that you will select the personnel to build this new destroyer. And you have actually You agree to be the captain of this destroyer. So the destroyer's affairs are now your own business."
Fang Lang was stunned by Colonel Parisi's words. Has this become his own business? Damn it, there is such a saucy operation, no wonder he can be the commander of the expeditionary force. This trick of deceiving people is really hard to guard against!
"So, now I can't do it even if I don't do it, right?"
Seeing Fang Lang's confused expression, Colonel Parisi finally smiled:
"You kid, don't be ignorant of your blessings. As a senior naval officer, I would like to remind you that what General Moraes said about using this destroyer to develop our new navy is definitely not a joke. Yes. The Brazilian Navy is already on the sidelines. The warships are all old equipment from the First World War. Can a navy that doesn’t even have radar be called a navy? Look at the main force of naval battles now are all aircraft carriers, and our Brazilian Navy doesn’t even have aircraft carriers. I haven’t even touched the edges. Tell me how to gain a foothold in the world in the future.”
He patted Fang Lang on the shoulder and pointed to the jeep drive outside:
“Talking as we walk!”
Fang Lang was complacent and waved his hand to De La Torre in the distance, indicating that he should follow Mr. Colonel's car.
Colonel Parisi said: "Tell your first mate to take my car, you drive, and we can talk alone."
He understood that Colonel Parisi wanted to talk to him alone without the presence of others. So his driver has to be excluded.
Fang Lang and Colonel Parisi walked to his car again, and asked de la Torre to take the colonel's car. He took the colonel with him and started driving to the naval base.
Colonel Parisi sat in the car, tightened his windbreaker, looked at the beautiful scenery of Italy and said:
"The winter in Italy is really cold! It's still warm in Brazil."
Fang Lang didn't know if he meant anything else, but what he said was indeed true. Brazil's latitude is relatively low, most of the country is in the tropics, and many people have never seen snow in their lives, so it is natural to feel that Italy is cold.
"Yeah! It's much warmer in Brazil."
"Fang, I believe you can see that I am not popular in the Brazilian Expeditionary Force now. Do you know why?" Colonel Parisi went straight to the point this time and did not hide behind the scenes. There was no charade like in the past. communicate.
It's a pity that Fang Lang didn't know how to answer this. After all, this was his immediate boss. Colonel Parisi did not really wait for Fang Lang to answer, but said to himself:
"I am a fellow countryman of President Vargas, and I can be considered a person of President Vargas. Because of some current domestic political issues, President Vargas is gradually losing the trust of the military. We are still in a state of war. People like me , it won’t be anything, it should just be slowly marginalized. So, you don’t have to be surprised.”
Fang Lang was a little surprised by Parisi's frankness. He didn't expect that Colonel Parisi would suddenly say this to him. It sounded a little heartfelt, which made Fang Lang very uncomfortable.
"Now that General Morais has chosen to let you become the captain of the new destroyer of the expeditionary force navy, no matter what the reason is, I think you should seize this opportunity. The reason why you did not agree to become the captain of the destroyer yesterday is because I feel like I’m being used!”
Colonel Parisi's words surprised Fang Lang. He didn't expect Parisi to be able to see through his thoughts so easily. Since others were so open and honest, he had no ill feelings towards Colonel Parisi. Besides, there are many friends and many paths, but I don’t belong to that faction now.
Anyone with a discerning eye should be able to see my thoughts, so after thinking about it, I felt that there was nothing to hide, so I nodded and said: "I do feel like I am being used. After all, my relationship with Brigadier General Jackson is It is just a personal relationship, and now if I use this relationship to promote the Brazilian Navy’s plan, it may hurt my friendship with Commodore Jackson.”
Fang Lang's words made Colonel Parisi smile slightly. He took a serious look at Fang Lang's young face and said, "You are indeed very young and a little naive. How do you know that the Americans are not taking advantage of you?"
yes! Isn't my current situation the pro-American faction that the United States wants to support? I am also being used by Americans! Since both sides are using me, what else do I have to worry about? Wouldn't I be stupid if I didn't play both sides to expand my own interests at this time? Americans don’t even take advantage of them, so what are you thinking about?
This equipment does not belong to Brigadier General Jackson. It is American taxpayers who pay for it, and his company in the United States also pays taxes! Isn’t it natural for me to get back some interest?
Seeing Fang Lang's expression of realization, Parisi smiled even more happily.
"Your role now is very subtle. Everyone wants to find a balance through you. Therefore, you are very important to both parties now. This is the best time for you to gain benefits. So this destroyer is a Whether the seeds can develop and grow depends on your own abilities."
Fang Lang was obviously not a stupid person. Colonel Parisi's words almost pointed out the direction of development for Fang Lang.
"I understand, thank you for your guidance, sir! Fang Lang will never forget your kindness!"
Colonel Parisi smiled and shook his head and said: "I'm not telling you this for no reason. Since you are the future hope of the Brazilian Navy, and I am about to withdraw from the stage of history. I have some friends who are still serving in the Navy. I hope you can take more care of them in the future."
Fang Lang instantly understood what Colonel Parisi meant. He really needed to cultivate some power of his own now. Looking at the current situation, it was obvious that some people around Colonel Parisi could be absorbed. Just choose carefully. Ability is important, but whether you are loyal to yourself is more important.
"Of course, no problem. You can give me their list and I will include them in the crew list of the new destroyer for inspection."
The colonel smiled and stretched out his right hand, and Fang Lang also took out his right hand. The two of them held their hands tightly together, and they reached a preliminary agreement.
"Then what are you planning to do?" Fang Lang asked, looking at Colonel Parisi who looked calm beside him.
"I will persist for you until the end of the war and avoid complications. After the war is over, I will retire directly and return to my hometown to buy a large farm and enjoy the rest of my life."
Fang Lang didn't expect that Colonel Parisi would say that he would persist for him until the end of the war. Didn't this mean that he was waiting for him to take over his post? There are only less than two months left in the war. How can I become a naval captain in such a short time when I am so young? I dare not take this seriously.
But Colonel Parisi's words about going home to buy a farm moved Fang Lang's heart.
"Mr. Colonel's home is Rio Grande do Sul, right?"
"Yes, Porto Alegre, what, are you interested in visiting my hometown?"
Colonel Parisi was not surprised that Fang Lang knew where his hometown was. After all, he had just said that he and the President were from the same hometown, and the President's home was in Rio Grande do Sul.
