In Fang Lang's impression, Osaka is actually the headquarters of the Sumitomo Zaibatsu, and the Sumitomo Zaibatsu started out as a metal smelter.
The biggest characteristic of the Sumitomo Zaibatsu during World War II was that it was, firstly, a chemical industry center, and secondly, it had no commercial sector.
Investments are all concentrated in the metal industry, machinery industry, chemical industry, mining and other fields.
The total capital reached a maximum of 10 billion yen, which was approximately equivalent to US$2 billion based on the US dollar exchange rate at the time.
However, with the large-scale bombing by the US military, these factories suffered a devastating blow.
Just two days after Fang Lang landed in Osaka, Fang Lang also heard that the Sumitomo Consortium had closed all factories, leaving only the vehicle factory in Osaka and the pipe factory in Amagasaki.
And cut its 100,000 employees to 5,000.
Could it be that Colonel Malik wanted to empty out their vehicle factory? But as far as Fang Lang knew, Sumitomo did not have any big car brands in the future.
However, there is a very famous manufacturer of heavy equipment such as tractors and construction machinery, Kubota. Could it be this factory?
But this factory is still missing! It is estimated that there is no technical reserve in this area.
I thought it would be better to ask Malik directly if I was trying to break my head here, so I said directly:
"Oh! I wonder what kind of equipment is being sealed? Being dragged away by me won't have any impact on you, right?"
"What we have sealed must be military factories! I wonder if my brother is interested."
Malik's answer was beyond Fang Lang's expectation. It was not that Fang Lang had never thought about developing arms factories. After all, Brazil in later generations was already a world-famous arms sales country.
Although they are not high-end weapons and equipment.
However, Fang Lang was somewhat hesitant about entering the military industry. Because he was a little worried that it would be nationalized.
But now that someone was selling to him, Fang Lang wanted to hear what kind of factory equipment it was just to satisfy his curiosity.
"Is there any munitions factory preserved in Osaka? I don't know what kind of equipment it is."
Malik smiled and didn't hide it.
"Fang, haven't you heard of Japan's first artillery factory, the Osaka Artillery Factory established in 1870?"
How could such a large artillery factory survive the bombing by the US military? This makes no sense!
The equipment for making cannons is all big stuff. When he moves back to Brazil, he will be directly taken over by the government. What a fool! Fang Lang really didn't have much interest.
The most important thing is that the equipment of such a factory will definitely not be taken away directly by yourself!
Obviously this is a business. Since it is a business, then money must be calculated. Such a large artillery factory cannot be built without hundreds or tens of millions.
Even if it's a second-hand one, can I get it if I have to pay a few million later?
It’s not that you can’t afford it, but if you bring it back with only equipment and no technology, or even technicians to teach you how to produce it step by step, it will be nothing but scrap metal when you bring it back.
The more Fang Lang thought about it, the less necessary he felt, so he said in a slightly joking tone:
"Didn't you flatten such a large artillery factory when you bombed it?"
Malik smiled and said:
"Of course there is no artillery factory left, but these little guys secretly built an underground arsenal nearby and moved some important machine tools and equipment into it. We only found out after we took over."
Fang Lang also didn't expect that there was an underground arsenal in Osaka. Judging from Malik's expression, it was obviously not fake, but the production capacity might be insufficient.
But think about it, Japan during World War II had the ability to produce artillery with a maximum caliber of 410 mm. I just don’t know how much production capacity this so-called underground arsenal has.
With the idea of finding out the truth, Fang Lang continued:
"You mean, you want to give me a factory with artillery production capabilities?"
Malik started to feel a little embarrassed and hesitated before saying:
"Fang, originally! This factory can produce artillery with a maximum caliber of 240 millimeters. After the bombing, there is no problem with the equipment in this underground factory manufacturing artillery shells.
However, according to the judgment of our engineers, we can only produce artillery and mortars with a caliber of less than 150 mm at most. "
Seeing Malik's expression, Fang Lang thought that he no longer had the artillery production capacity, but it turned out that he could still produce artillery with a caliber of less than 150 mm.
Now it was Fang Lang's turn to start to struggle. This equipment was of course very attractive to Brazil, but Fang Lang himself was a little hesitant if he really took over this batch of equipment.
Maybe it was a hot potato, but looking at Malik's expectant expression, Fang Lang thought again and again and said:
"Brother, to be honest, these equipments you have are a bit hot for me. Our military industry in Brazil has not yet started. If no one takes over after I transport it back, it may fall into my hands."
Malik's high expectations were immediately shattered. He obviously didn't expect that he couldn't sell the good stuff he had on hand.
It's hard to find such a customer. If you don't find a buyer when you can make the decision, it will be none of your business when the government takes over.
Therefore, Malik was unwilling to give up Fang Lang, his only client. After all, except for the occupation forces, no one else could move freely in Japan at this time.
Apart from the American soldiers, the only remaining soldiers in Osaka are the Brazilian Expeditionary Force. It seems that there is no way to dispose of this equipment except selling it to Brazil.
"Fang, we are brothers, let me tell you the truth! I didn't report the discovery of this factory. If I can't find a buyer to dispose of it before the end of September, I will have no choice but to report it.
At that time, the processing rights of the device will have nothing to do with me. Therefore, my quotation for this factory equipment is very low, one hundred thousand US dollars, and all the equipment and technical data are packaged. "
This price really hit Fang Lang's bottom line. One hundred thousand dollars, even if it was sold for scrap metal, it would cost more than this!
There is also a complete set of technical information. As long as the technical personnel of this factory are organized, wouldn't it be possible to start production directly?
The most important thing is that the person in front of him is the current local emperor of Osaka. If he allows him to earn this money, then the relationship between the two will directly break through to the point where they share the dirt together.
This is one of the four irons of life! Even if you don’t need it after transporting it back, you still have to take it!
As long as he has this relationship, all his actions in Osaka will become smooth.
What's more, what I gained in Osaka this time will be astronomical, and I definitely can't let the other party know.
However, since I want to take away the biggest cake, there is no reason why I should not give the host a chance to eat the soup!
Thinking of this, Fang Lang said directly:
"If that's the case, then I have to help. Brother, don't worry, you are responsible for packing all the technical information and workers! I will find the buyer.
If no one takes over, I will let our own factory eat it. We must not let your brother's previous efforts go to waste and his work be in vain. "
Fang Lang just acted like he was getting an advantage. He obviously got a huge advantage, but he still looked like he was just doing it to help his brother, so he took it hard.
However, Malik doesn't know Fang Lang's family background! He thought that Fang Lang was a big soldier like himself, even though he said that if everyone took over, his own factory would eat it.
However, in a backward country like Brazil, how big can the so-called own factory be?
With such a statement, Fang Lang was simply a "timely rain" and a "saimengchang" in the eyes of Colonel Malik. Of course, he must have never heard of these two nicknames.
Without saying a word, Malik stood up and gave Fang Lang a big hug.
He was excited and said with a trembling voice:
"Fang, good brother, thank you so much! I will go back now and organize these Japanese dwarfs to pack all the equipment and technical materials. Workers, don't worry, I will lock them up. Come and pick them up when you want them." .”
After saying that, he had to go straight out.
It seemed that he had completely forgotten the purpose of his special trip.
Fang Lang quickly took the initiative to stop Colonel Malik and said:
"Hey...man, didn't you come over and ask me why I drove away the Japanese?"
As a result, Colonel Malik said indifferently:
"When will it be the turn of these little Japanese dwarfs to make irresponsible remarks about our occupying forces? If they get all gibberish, they will be arrested as rebels."
Obviously, this was after the transaction they had just made, and their friendship was no longer the same.
Fang Lang couldn't let Malik leave directly, because Malik didn't ask Fang Lang, but it didn't mean that he had no doubts, if he didn't give him a clear reason.
Sooner or later he will have questions and want to know the answers. This is human curiosity and there is no way to avoid it.
Therefore, Fang Lang must give him a reason to tell the truth.
"Colonel Malik, it would be embarrassing to tell this matter. Therefore, I did not report it.
However, since you came here to ask, then as an Allied force, I have an obligation to explain the reason to you. plz follow me! "
Since, calling Malik the military rank of Colonel again, it means it is official business.
Colonel Malik also knew very well, so he also stopped and followed Fang Lang across the playground to the room in the corner of the playground.
The guard opened the door, and Colonel Malik saw a coffin placed in the center of the room, with a photo on the coffin.
Fang Lang pointed at the coffin and said:
"Three days ago, one of my platoon leaders was attacked and killed during a patrol. However, the murderer was not caught. Therefore, the reaction of my brothers was a bit violent."
"What! Such a thing happened. Do we need to intervene in the investigation?"
Seeing the situation in front of him, Malik's doubts were all gone. However, I also found a reason to convince myself.
Since Fang Lang didn't report it, he obviously wanted to handle it himself. However, as the top commander, Malik must also ask whether the US military is needed to intervene in the investigation.
"Colonel Malik, this is a problem between our Brazilian Expeditionary Force and the Japanese dwarves. I hope it can be solved by ourselves."
Hearing Fang Lang's words, Colonel Malik didn't say much. He just patted Fang Lang's shoulder with his hand, nodded, and turned around and left.
