Fang Lang said what he was thinking without hesitation. After all, he was not a true pro-American, he just wanted to take advantage of the Americans.
General Moraes was very satisfied with Fang Lang's answer, which showed that Fang Lang is a Brazilian citizen who truly has Brazilian nationalism. This is important.
"Tell me, how are you going to rely on yourself!"
It’s not a good idea to break the casserole and ask the truth! As a general, is it appropriate for you to seek the root of this matter? Even though he thought so in his heart, Fang Lang definitely couldn't say it like this.
After all, this person is now his direct superior. I can only answer:
"I am going to ask my family to invest in building a steel plant and shipyard. Sooner or later we will build a powerful navy ourselves!"
General Moraes was so shocked by Fang Lang's words that his eyes almost fell out. In 1940, Brazil danced back and forth between Germany and the United States for a steel plant. In the end, the United States loaned 10 million US dollars to build a ranch in Volta, Brazil. Brazil's first steel plant was built.
It also officially represented Brazil's abandonment of Germany and joining the American camp. Later, there was an incident of German submarines attacking Brazilian merchant ships.
How long has it been but your family has the ability to build a steel factory and a shipyard? Why didn't you take action earlier?
"Are you serious? Your family has so much power!"
Of course Fang Lang understands the principle of keeping wealth secret. He cannot let Moraes know that he has such financial strength.
"Of course my family does not have such strength. However, our family has the ability to raise these funds. Of course, this requires the support of the government."
Such a large investment cannot land in Brazil for no reason. The Brazilian government must come forward and pay some benefits.
Otherwise, I would just stupidly build a steel plant and shipyard in Brazil, without saying whether I would be taken advantage of by the local government or local powerful people and become a victim.
Just by creating local employment, you can enjoy a series of benefits such as land fee discounts and tax exemptions from the local government.
Moraes never expected that he would gain something like this today. He looked at Fang Lang seriously and said:
"Fang, I will personally report this matter to Mr. President. I understand your idea! Don't worry, if you can really make this project come to fruition in Brazil. Then, I assure you that I will fully support it on behalf of the military. you!"
Regarding General Moraes's statement, Fang Lang understood very well that it represented the military's full support for him. It definitely not only supported his factory construction, but also necessarily included his status in the military.
This statement was really important to Fang Lang. Because General Moraes's status in the Brazilian military is very special. Although he only has the rank of major general, he is also the field marshal of the Brazilian Army.
According to the Chinese saying, disciples and old friends are spread throughout the government and the public. With his support, Fang Lang would no longer have to worry about the safety of his family and factory, at least in the next few Brazilian coups.
"Thank you for your support, General. If you agree, I will explain my thoughts to my family tomorrow. I believe I will get a clear answer soon!"
General Moraes was very satisfied with Fang Lang's statement and couldn't help but slap his thigh and said:
"Okay! Okay! Okay! If this thing comes to pass, then I believe that no one will ever dare to express any objection to you holding such an important position at such a young age!"
General Moraes' words stunned Fang Lang, but it was normal to think about it, in a society like Brazil, a dictatorship with a slightly feudal hierarchy.
How could Fang Lang, a young minority with no family background, be able to rise quickly to his current status without any opponents?
No wonder Colonel Parisi said he was going to get the rank of colonel. But when I arrived at the headquarters today, I did not receive a promotion order. It turned out that there was still resistance!
From this point of view, building steel plants and shipyards in Brazil is no longer a purely economic issue! It has to be raised to a political issue.
Fang Lang, who had already made some calculations in his mind, remained calm and did not respond to General Morais' words.
General Moraes, who had finished sighing, spoke again:
"Alas! If this is the case, our plan to build a powerful navy will be postponed!"
Looking at the somewhat depressed General Morais, Fang Lang could only sigh. After all, his grand wish of riding a horse on Mount Fuji had not been realized!
Colonel Parisi, who had always been like a transparent person next to him, suddenly said:
"Fang, doesn't the plan to participate in the Pacific Theater also work?"
General Moraes was stunned by Colonel Parisi's words. While he was still thinking about what plan this was, Fang Lang had already spoken.
"I proposed this idea to General Chambers. However, it was rejected! After all, the US military has now gained an absolute advantage in the Pacific battlefield. Moreover, the fleet in the Atlantic is enough to support the Pacific battlefield."
"Wait a minute, what exactly is this Pacific battlefield plan you two are talking about? Why don't I know?"
General Morais was obviously stunned by the two men's remarks, and his curiosity was also aroused.
Fang Lang and Colonel Parisi exchanged glances, and Fang Lang signaled to Colonel Parisi that after all, this was his idea.
However, Colonel Parisi obviously didn't want to be in the limelight. After all, he was the one who had already decided to leave, and it didn't make any sense whether he deserved the credit or not. It is better to let Fang Lang increase some political capital. So, after shaking his head, he signaled to Fang Lang.
Seeing the two people pushing and shoving, General Morais immediately became impatient and said to Fang Lang:
"Fang, tell me what the plan is!"
Since Colonel Parisi was unwilling to say anything and General Moraes ordered his general again, Fang Lang could only say:
"This was Colonel Parisi's idea. He hoped to gain support from the U.S. Navy in building a naval fleet by actively applying to join the Pacific Theater. However, he was rejected by Lieutenant General Chambers on the grounds that the Pacific Theater was not under his management."
Fang Lang's words caused General Morais to fall into silence. After a while, he said:
"As far as I know, the British Navy established the Pacific Fleet in November last year. It wanted to participate in the Pacific operations, but was rejected by the US Navy. But now the British Pacific Fleet is also active in the Pacific battlefield! Why can't we join?"
Fang Lang and Colonel Parisi looked at Lieutenant General Moraes blankly, thinking:
The British and Americans are brothers, and the British Pacific Fleet has the support of many British Dominions. Although it is not as powerful as the U.S. Pacific Fleet, it is not something that our two broken ships from Brazil can reach!
There was no need for Fang Lang and the two of them to speak their minds. General Moraes had already asked and answered himself:
"The British Pacific Fleet is powerful enough. Alas! In the final analysis, we in Brazil are not strong enough. No one wants to join in and sacrifice our lives for others."
No one dares to answer such words! The two could only look at General Moraes with a slight embarrassment.
"Fang, why do you think the British must join the Pacific Theater?"
Fang Lang was caught off guard by General Moraes' sudden mention, but he was still a college student after all, and analyzing this simple problem was not a child's play.
After thinking for a moment, Fang Lang said:
"I think there should be at least two reasons: one is to restore the dominance of the Southeast Asian colonies occupied by the Japanese; the other is to hope to gain more say in post-war Asian issues."
General Morais's eyes lit up at Fang Lang's answer. He didn't expect that Fang Lang could see so clearly, and he couldn't help but appreciate Fang Lang even more.
Colonel Parisi on the side was a little dumbfounded. Isn't this knowledge that only diplomats should master? Why do you all know that I am the fool.
Brazilian schools don’t teach politics, let alone a five-thousand-year-old civilization like China. Although, it is painful when learning. However, knowledge is so delicious!
General Morais didn't know if he was really inspired by Fang Lang's words, but he actually started to say:
"The right to speak, the right to speak, is a good word to use."
Then he stood up directly and started walking back and forth in the office. After a while he said:
"Fang, you said that Brazil participated in the world war. As a victorious country, do we also have some say?"
Is not this nonsensical! If there is no benefit, will President Vargas choose to join the Allies and send troops to join the European battlefield? Could it be that it was really just for a few sunk merchant ships? Don't be stupid.
Fang Lang had to answer General Moraes' question:
"General, yes, we are also a member of the Allies, and of course we have the right to speak."
After hearing Fang Lang's affirmative answer, General Morais said leisurely:
"Then can't we ask for a powerful naval fleet to be provided to us?"
This is not easy to say, and it is not something that the military can decide on its own! Generally, the heads of government and the foreign affairs department come forward to discuss such matters, and it is the army's turn to make the decision.
Moreover, the powerful navy obtained in this way cannot be considered truly powerful. It must have continuous production capabilities to be considered powerful.
"Perhaps, we should let the government come forward and talk to the Americans. Although our navy's contribution in the European War is only your four-ship sinking record, the contribution of our army and air force is not small. It is not too much to ask for an aircraft carrier fleet. !”
