Just when Fang Lang was leading three Brazilian warships to rest in Japan and complete his layout in Japan. The Brazilian presidential election is in full swing in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
As the current president, Mr. Dutra originally thought that he would be the one with the best chance of winning. However, as time passes, opinion polls from various places show that his support rate seems to have begun to get lower and lower.
This made him realize that something was wrong. The largest financial group in Brazil is undoubtedly Fangyuan Group. Because he had Fang Lang's full support behind him when he first came to power, so he naturally believed that Fangyuan Group would continue to support him. .
But the actual situation taught him a good lesson. Fangyuan Group did not seem to have any intention of intervening in the presidential election. But now the most popular presidential candidate, Scalia from the state of Sao Paulo, has close ties with the Fangyuan Group.
Sao Paulo is the headquarters of Fangyuan Group. Many of Scalia's achievements in Sao Paulo have the shadow of Fangyuan Group behind them. Even if Fangyuan Group does not clearly express its external stance, he also knows the connection behind the two.
This made him very anxious and he had to take the initiative to contact Fang Lang. But what was surprising was that Fang Lang had already led three warships to visit the Far East on behalf of the Brazilian Navy.
Because this was a normal military visit at the invitation of the British Royal Navy's Far East Fleet and agreed to by Defense Minister Marshal Moraes, he was not aware of it at first. When he found out, the fleet was already resting at the U.S. Naval Base in Japan. It is no longer possible to recall the other party.
When he couldn't even meet in person, it was even more impossible to get the other party's support. Therefore, in the end, he had no choice but to give up asking Fang Lang for help. This kind of thing definitely could not be communicated through telegrams.
Moreover, he was not a fool. Fang Lang was traveling at this time without notifying him, which meant that Fang Lang did not want to get involved in the current presidential election.
In fact, as early as when he announced the severance of diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union, he had already felt the change in the political trend, but it did not attract his attention. By the time he realized it, it seemed that it was already too late.
While President Dutra was anxiously running around for his position as president, three Brazilian Navy warships led by Fang Lang had left Japan's Yokosuka Naval Base and officially headed for the port city.
The day after Fang Lang left Yokosuka Port, John Clark's mother and sister came to Japan in the name of visiting relatives. After some communication with John, his mother made the decision on the spot to use all her family savings to establish a family in Japan. Agricultural and sideline products production enterprises. And began to use John Clark's identity as a U.S. military officer and Joseph Clark's relationship to enclose a large amount of land in Japan and sign vegetable planting agreements with local farmers.
For a time, a lot of land that was going to be planted with food next year quietly began to change the types of crops. This directly caused Japan's food production to drop by 15% in 1950. In contrast, the production of various vegetables directly doubled. Several times, if this American company had not fulfilled its promise to purchase all vegetables, Japan's agriculture would have been severely impacted again.
But even if Japan's agriculture has not been significantly affected, due to the reduction in food production, Japan's food supply, which had just improved, immediately faced a new impact, and food prices skyrocketed for a while.
The Nice Company under Fang Lang took the opportunity to sell a batch of grain at a high price. This was an unexpected surprise for the companies under Fang Lang, and it also allowed them to see an opportunity to control the Japanese grain market.
Of course, these are all things for later. Fang Lang, who left Yokosuka, did not pass through the Bay Island Strait according to Fang Lang's original plan. Instead, he detoured directly to the Philippine Sea and went straight to the port city.
The distance of this route was slightly longer. After more than a week of sailing, the fleet of three Brazilian Navy warships led by Fang Lang slowly appeared at the British Naval Base in the Oriental Pearl Harbor City.
At this time, the British Royal Navy base was located in the prosperous Central District of later generations. Because the naval base also had a maintenance dock, a golden copper bell hung at the door of the dock. Every time it was time to go to and from get off work, the doorman would ring the bell to signal. Over time, nearby residents began to use the bell to plan their day's work and rest, and also called the area after the golden bell.
Now the most important British naval base in the port city, by the end of 1959, it became part of the land reclamation at the request of the British Hong Kong government. After the reclamation, the Harcourt Road overpass was built, which greatly improved the transportation from Central to Wan Chai.
Of course, these are all things for later. At this moment, the Admiralty Naval Base can be said to be crowded with warships. Although the new regime in the Far East had already recaptured the Flower City next to the port city as early as mid-October, and deployed its troops outside the concession. , but there is no intention to send troops directly into the port city.
But the British Hong Kong government did not dare to relax. After all, there were nearly 200,000 tiger and wolf troops deployed beside it. More importantly, if the hometown really wanted to regain Hong Kong City, it would not even need to send a single soldier at all. , as long as the supply of drinking water and food to Hong Kong City is cut off, Hong Kong City will not be able to survive for even a month.
These words were not said by people from the new regime in my hometown, but by the then Governor of Hong Kong City, Grantham himself. Therefore, the atmosphere in Hong Kong City at this time was very tense.
In addition, the British were worried that their interests in China would be damaged and took the initiative to support Chang Kaishen. When the new regime moved south, they sent their own destroyer Amethyst to patrol the Yangtze River. After being warned repeatedly by the new regime, they still arrogantly ignored it. As a result, they were beaten to pieces by the army artillery of the new regime.
At this time, the destroyer USS Amethyst was waiting for repairs in Victoria Harbor in the port city. The encounter of the Amethyst also made the British understand the situation at that time and understand that they had almost no chance of winning in a head-on confrontation with the new regime, but they could not give up their last fig leaf in the Far East.
Therefore, about 10,000 marines were stationed on Hong Kong Island, ready to block the new regime's attack. At this moment, the warships stationed in the Admiralty Naval Port are ready for battle at any time.
The sudden visit of the Brazilian Navy at this time, in the eyes of the British, was to support the British, although the proud British Empire Navy did not think the Brazilian Navy had much combat effectiveness.
But Brazil can choose to send warships to visit the port city during this special period. The political significance of this matter is far greater than the military significance. No matter how the arrogant British look down on the Brazilian Navy, they must use their full enthusiasm to thank the Brazilian Navy for this kind of help in times of need.
Therefore, the standards for coming to greet the Brazilian naval fleet led by Fang Lang this time were quite high, including not only the top commanders of the British Navy and Marine Corps, but also senior officials of the British Hong Kong government headed by the Governor of Hong Kong, Grantham.
Many reporters from local newspapers in the port city heard the news and immediately surrounded the entire military port.
Fang Lang, who was standing on the side of the ship, glanced at the welcoming team and whispered to Qi Qingshan beside him:
"It seems that the British are determined to make a big fuss out of our visit! This is a typical example of being fierce and jealous. This is all that is left of the once mighty British Empire."
Upon hearing this, Qi Qingshan glanced at the crowd below and said:
"This is our Chinese territory, why can't we see a few Chinese?"
"The British are still in charge here. Just wait! It won't take long. As long as my hometown can defeat the arrogant Western powers on the peninsula, the Chinese in Hong Kong will naturally gain some confidence. This is a trade-off. process, wait for more than ten years, and you will find more and more Chinese appearing on such occasions.
When the land lease contract expires, the British will naturally return the land to their hometown obediently. "
Qi Qingshan also had some knowledge about this place before coming to Hong Kong City. Now after listening to Fang Lang's words, he was a little surprised and said:
"What the boss means is that my hometown will still take back this place by then? Can the British agree? There won't be a fight by then!"
Fang Lang smiled when he heard this:
"Do the British dare to disagree? The British cannot defend places like India and Malay, let alone a place like a port city with no strategic depth at all.
The reason why they can still survive now is that the new regime in their hometown needs such a window.
As for the last fight, do you think the British can win? "
That is to say, Fang Lang confidently felt that the British had no chance of winning. Chinese people like Qi Qingshan, who had lived in Brazil since childhood, did not understand the strength of his hometown, and he was still somewhat unsure.
"Boss, this was the empire on which the sun never set! Look at these warships, their strength still exists."
Hearing this, Fang Lang glanced at Qi Qingshan and understood that he felt that his hometown might not be able to defeat the British, but he didn't say much. After all, his hometown had been weak for many years. The Western powers could once knock on the country's door with just one warship. It is normal for people to have no confidence in their hometown.
But the new regime in my hometown will soon tell everyone with facts that this kind of history has completely passed. Patting Qi Qingshan's arm, Fang Lang looked towards the back of the port city with burning eyes and said firmly:
"Soon you will be able to see the strength of my hometown. I hope your jaw won't drop when the time comes!"
Qi Qingshan couldn't understand where Fang Lang's confidence came from, but looking at Fang Lang who had already walked down the gangway with his head held high, a hint of expectation emerged deep in his heart. As a Chinese, who doesn’t want their motherland to be strong?
Without any time to think, he took a few steps and quickly followed Fang Lang's footsteps. He quickly walked off the pier. A group of Brazilian Navy officers followed behind them and walked quickly towards the pier.
With the arrival of the fleet, majestic military music had already sounded on the pier. The British navy, which was lined up in neat formation, was looking at the Brazilian rear admiral in front of them with curiosity, who was obviously different from the Brazilian image they had in mind.
Local officials who had lived in the port city for a long time could tell at a glance that this person was probably Chinese, which quickly caused whispers in the welcoming team.
Fang Lang didn't care at all about this. He just smiled and shook hands politely with the British officers stationed in Hong Kong who came forward to welcome him. Among them was Fang Lang's good friend Lenhardt. At this time, Lenhardt had already He is a lieutenant colonel in the Royal Navy.
Among the entire welcoming team, he was the happiest person. After all, in this special period, Fang Lang, as a good brother, was able to bring a warship to help him. This was more than just friendship.
"Haha...Long time no see, my good brother, thank you very much for coming all the way to help at this time."
Looking at Reinhardt who was full of excitement, Fang Lang smiled and gave him a big hug. This made a lot of British officers look sideways. Everyone was very familiar with the son of the Chief of Staff of the Royal Navy. This guy was a very proud man. He didn't expect that he would be so enthusiastic towards a Brazilian rear admiral today.
Some British officers who knew the inside story were not surprised. In fact, several naval officers who were very familiar with Reinhardt had heard Reinhardt mention his Brazilian friend many times.
"Between brothers, there is no need to talk about this. Just show me the prosperity of the port city when you have time."
As he spoke, he patted the other person on the back and walked to the next person. He can't tell the other party that he actually came here to hide in peace. As long as you don't hit other people's guns, there will be no war in Hong Kong City.
This kind of welcome ceremony has a fixed process. Everyone greets each other and says a few words of welcome to the music of the military band, and it ends.
Compared to communicating with the British troops stationed in Hong Kong, Fang Lang was more interested in the heads of the British Hong Kong government on the other side. After all, I have already established a presence on Hong Kong Island and opened many companies covertly and covertly. The future development potential of Hong Kong Island is worth looking forward to.
"Mr. Governor, nice to meet you!"
"Your Excellency General, on behalf of the British Hong Kong Government, I welcome your arrival. I will host a banquet for you at the Government House tonight! I hope you can enjoy it."
"Haha... This is my honor, Mr. Governor, I will definitely attend on time.
In fact, my family also has a lot of business in Hong Kong Island. I hope to take this opportunity to communicate with you more when I come here this time. "
Of course, Hong Kong Governor Granthhorn had some understanding of Fang Lang's situation. He was not surprised at all by Fang Lang's idea. He nodded to Fang Lang with a smile on his face and said:
"Thank you very much for your trust in the Hong Kong City Government. I am also very much looking forward to communicating with business wizards like you. After tonight's banquet, let's make an appointment alone. Do you think it's okay?"
Of course Fang Lang readily agreed to this. Even if Mr. Governor didn't mention it, Fang Lang himself was prepared to take the initiative to talk to him.
"Of course. I expect to stay in Hong Kong City for about a month. Just let me know in advance when it's convenient for you."
The two shook hands and had a simple conversation, and a meeting that both parties needed was directly concluded. Next, Grantham introduced a group of British Hong Kong government officials to Fang Lang.
Among them, the one who caught Fang Lang's attention the most was naturally the Police Commissioner Mai Jingtao who was often mentioned in later movies. At this time, the port city was in a period of chaos, although Fangyuan Group used various means to transfer most of the people who had fled their hometown to Brazil.
But some of the refugees who were unwilling to go to Brazil still stayed and chose to come to Hong Kong to make a living. Most of these people were from eastern Cantonese who spoke the same dialect.
There were also some defeated Kuomintang troops who hid in the port city. This chaotic situation made the security and people's livelihood problems in the port city very prominent.
Various underworld organizations are rampant, and Hongmen Dashengtang in Hong Kong City, which is also a Hongmen church, is developing rapidly. According to Fang Xinshui, Hongmen Dashengtang in Hong Kong City has developed into a church with tens of thousands of people.
(End of chapter)
