There is definitely no problem with Colonel Parisi's ability, which can be seen from the ideas he gave Fang Lang. Although the Brazilian Expeditionary Force Navy is small in size and has little combat effectiveness.
However, those who can be assigned to be responsible for the management of the expeditionary force and navy will definitely not be ordinary people. Therefore, Fang Lang really felt a bit regretful about his retirement.
After thinking for a while he said:
"You are in your prime, it is not good to start enjoying your retirement life so early. You are from the Navy. How about we invest in a fishing company in Alegre together, buy it, buy hundreds of fishing boats, go out to sea to catch fish, and catch big fish. How about lobster.
By the way, how about continuing to be your own naval commander? "
This was really what Fang Lang had just thought of, and it was suitable for Parisi's job. After all, Brazil has a long coastline and is backed by the vast Atlantic Ocean. It would be unreasonable not to reach out to the ocean!
"Hey! This proposal is okay! I have no problem with management. However, so many fishing boats can supply a lot of seafood. We Brazilians don't have a high demand for seafood!"
This is really not Parisi's excuse. Brazil's coastline stretches for more than 7,000 kilometers, ranking 16th in the world, and its freshwater resources also account for 20% of the world's freshwater resources.
The fishery resources are very rich, with more than 2,500 species of fish resources. But Brazilians, who advocate freedom and are good at enjoying life, have special requirements for food. They like to eat a lot of meat. The term "no meat, no pleasure" is most appropriate to describe Brazilians.
Under the influence of long-term immigrant culture, Brazil has formed unique eating habits. In Brazilian food traditions, black bean rice, cassava bread, and Brazilian barbecue are the protagonists.
Except for some seafood in coastal areas, it is basically difficult to see seafood in inland areas. This is somewhat similar to the situation in China.
But Fang Lang had never thought about how much seafood he would sell in Brazil. The real big seafood consuming countries have always been European and American countries.
"What does this have to do with it! We can make it chilled or canned and sell it to the European and American markets! This is a good business to make US dollars. You don't have to worry about sales, I will take care of it. What do you think? Are you interested in giving it a try?"
Colonel Parisi was really tempted by Fang Lang's proposal. He was an old navy man and had been floating in the sea all his life. He would definitely not be comfortable with being suddenly asked to return home and be a farmer.
Just when the two were about to continue chatting, Parisi's adjutant came in and reported:
"Sir, Rear Admiral Crook of the Admiralty is arriving soon."
"Oh! Fang, let's go down together to welcome him!"
As he spoke, Colonel Parisi stood up directly.
Fang Lang also stood up immediately after him, straightened the folds of his military uniform, and strode to the door to greet him.
Not long after the two arrived at the door, they saw three black Buick cars driving outside.
A major officer got out of the passenger seat of the middle vehicle. After nodding to the two of them, he opened the rear door.
Colonel Parisi and Fang Lang quickly stood at attention and saluted.
I saw a gray-haired white major general in his fifties stepping out of the car. Although the major general is white, his skin color looks a bit modern and tanned. A pair of gold-rimmed glasses makes him look a bit elegant. , however, the straight back makes it easy for people to see this person’s military background.
Colonel Parisi was the first to speak:
"General Crook, good morning! It's been a hard journey!"
Major General Crook stretched out his right hand to shake Parisi's hand, nodded and said:
"Colonel Parisi, good morning! This must be Major Fang Lang!"
As he said that, he looked at Fang Lang who was standing aside.
Fang Lang also stood at attention and said loudly:
"Your Excellency General, I am Fang Lang, the captain of the Expeditionary Force Navy House. Welcome to your arrival!"
After General Crook heard Fang Lang's words, he laughed and said:
"Fang, you are so young! Come on, let's go in and talk."
As he spoke, he stretched out his hand and gave Fang Lang a firm shake. He pulled Fang Lang and started walking towards the office building.
Fang Lang quickly followed, and after General Crook let go, he followed him towards the office building one step behind.
Colonel Parisi led the way and quickly led everyone to a conference room that had been decorated. There were already more than twenty officers sitting in the conference room. Except for five officers who were at the school level, most of them were at the lieutenant level.
Here should be all the officers of the entire Brazilian Expeditionary Force Navy.
Following the command to stand up, everyone stood up straight.
General Crook came to the main seat, looked at the people in the conference room, pressed his hand down, and motioned for everyone to sit down. Everyone sighed and sat down.
"Everyone, I have three things to announce to you today. First of all, we would like to congratulate Fang Lang, Lieutenant Colonel of our Brazilian Expeditionary Force, on being promoted to the rank of colonel by the Brazilian Navy. Let us all applaud and congratulate!"
Everyone immediately looked at Fang Lang with burning eyes, with shock, admiration, envy, and jealousy in their eyes.
Although Fang Lang had expected it, when this moment actually came, Fang Lang still felt excited. He quickly stood up and saluted everyone.
The major officer who followed General Crook came to stand next to Fang Lang with a gift box in his hand. Major General Crook also came over, picked up the colonel rank on the gift box, and pinned it on Fang Lang's collar himself.
"Colonel Fang, thank you for your outstanding performance in the European war and your achievements. It attracted the attention of the world and made all Brazilian soldiers proud of you. I hope you can continue your efforts and achieve greater success."
After saying that, he saluted Fang Lang.
Fang Lang also quickly returned the gift and said:
"Thank you and the country for your trust. I will definitely fulfill my mission and create greater glory."
After the ceremony, Crook smiled and shook hands with Fang Lang again, and gently patted Fang Lang's arm with his left hand. An expression that says, "Young man, I'm very optimistic about you." Make others envious.
After the conferment was completed, General Crook returned to his seat and once again took out a document and said:
"Then we will announce the second thing, everyone stand up!"
With a "swish" sound, all your officers in the conference room stood up and looked at General Crook with serious faces.
General Crook, after looking around for a week, read out loud:
"The order is to appoint Colonel Fang Lang as the commander-in-chief of the First Fleet of the Brazilian Navy from now on, responsible for the establishment and management of the overall work of the First Fleet.
Order of the Ministry of Defense and Navy of the Federal Republic of Brazil, June 1, 1945. "
After the reading, General Crook turned the letter of appointment over and made it public to everyone. Then his hands were handed over to Fang Lang, who was already fighting.
General Moraes had already disclosed this appointment to Fang Lang in advance, including Colonel Parisi.
However, the other officers at the scene didn't know that and couldn't help but turn their attention to Fang Lang. After all, no one knows the exact size and scale of the Brazilian Navy's First Fleet.
And Fang Lang himself doesn't know yet, so he definitely can't answer it for everyone. After receiving the letter of appointment, Fang Lang didn't say much. He just saluted and said loudly:
"As you command, General!"
Immediately afterwards, without waiting for Fang Lang to sit down, General Crook once again took out an order and read it loudly:
"Order, Commander-in-Chief of the First Fleet, Commander-in-Chief Lang, to lead all the battleships of the First Fleet to Saipan before July 1, to join the U.S. Fifth Aircraft Carrier Battle Group and participate in the Pacific War.
Order of the Ministry of the Navy of the Federal Republic of Brazil, June 1, 1945. "
After showing the order to everyone again, he handed his hands to Fang Lang, who was still standing there.
This order was completely beyond Fang Lang's expectations. Didn’t you say joining the British Pacific Fleet? Why has it now become a battle order to join the US Navy?
It seems that many twists and turns have happened in these two weeks! However, this has nothing to do with Fang Lang, as long as he is sure that he can participate in the Pacific War.
I couldn't help shouting loudly in my heart:
"You little devil, your Grandpa Fang is here. I want to ride on Mount Fuji."
I definitely couldn't show it on my face and suppressed my inner excitement. After a standard military salute, he said loudly in as calm a tone as possible:
"As you command, General!"
Fang Lang had no idea what General Crook said specifically next, because his mind was filled with the excitement of being able to ride on Mount Fuji.
When the meeting ended, everyone came up to shake hands with him and say goodbye. He was in a daze the whole time. After everyone left, he was ready to leave with them.
As soon as he reached the door, he was grabbed by Colonel Parisi, and he didn't react until he came to his senses.
