After bidding farewell to the women at home, Fang Lang quickly walked through the backyard and came to the nave. General Crook, dressed in casual clothes, was looking at a landscape painting on the wall of the nave with interest. Hearing the slightly hasty footsteps, he slowly turned his head.
Fang Lang quickly stretched out his hand, came to General Crook with great enthusiasm and said:
"Your Excellency General, I am rude to you. I didn't know you were coming and failed to greet you in time. Please forgive me!"
When General Crook saw Fang Lang, who was also wearing home clothes, he smiled and held Fang Lang's hand and said:
"Haha... General Fang is joking. It's your vacation time now. I took the liberty of visiting and disturbing your vacation. You'd better not blame me for being rude."
As soon as he saw General Crook's attitude, Fang Lang knew that what happened today was not a bad thing, and he quickly laughed and said:
"Haha... General Crook is joking. I am a soldier under your command. If you need me, just say hello and I will run over to see you. There is no need for you to make the trip yourself."
After finishing speaking, he stretched out his hand and pointed at the two imperial chairs in the middle of the hall and said:
"Your Majesty General, please come here! Let's try together the good Chinese tea I brought from the port city this time."
General Crook laughed and sat down under Fang Lang's guidance.
After General Crook sat down, Fang Lang asked Uncle Forbes to arrange for someone to make tea. Soon, a middle-aged woman in simple clothes offered a cup of tea to each of them.
The two chatted and laughed for a while, and General Crook even brought a New Year gift to Fang Lang. Fang Lang was pleasantly surprised and expressed his gratitude again and again!
After tea, General Crook seemed to feel that the time was almost up, so he said directly:
"General Fang, I am here for a private visit this time. I have a few things that I would like to discuss with you privately. I wonder if you have a suitable place to talk here?"
Hearing this, Fang Lang immediately understood. It seemed that General Crook's visit this time was also coming quietly. The issues he wanted to discuss were also secret topics and he did not want too many people to hear.
Fang Lang took General Crook directly into his study. After the two sat down at the tea table in the study, Fang Lang made tea for General Crook himself and said with a smile:
"Your Excellency General, you are serious. If you have any orders, just give them directly. How can I trouble you to go there in person!"
Hearing this, General Crook glared at Fang Lang angrily.
"You did it on purpose! I don't believe you didn't hear anything."
Fang Lang, who had already made some guesses, became more convinced when he heard this.
"When General Crook comes this time, he will also ask me to serve as the deputy chief of staff of the Navy, right?"
Seeing that Fang Lang had made the topic clear, General Crook stopped being secretive, picked up the teacup handed over by Fang Lang, took a sip gently, then glared at Fang Lang angrily and said:
"Well, you don't have to test it again and again. I'm not the same group as those idiots. If it's really what I think, do I still have to make this trip myself?"
Fang Lang really had no doubts about General Crook's words. Although the two were superiors and subordinates, their personal relationship was extraordinary. It was not just Fang Lang who was promoted by General Crook.
Now General Crook's family members are working in the fishing company he and Parisi established! In other words, this fishing company is a joint venture of several people, so everyone is actually a community of interests.
Seeing that General Crook had no intention of arguing with him, Fang Lang was completely relieved and said with a smile:
"Hehe... I knew General Crook wouldn't do such a thing. So what's the purpose of your coming here today?"
General Crook looked at Fang Lang with a playful smile. The expression on his face gradually faded, and he slowly said with a serious face:
"There are loud calls for you to move away, and I have been suppressing them for a long time. But now that the new presidential election is about to begin, many people have begun to make moves. If we continue to suppress them, it may be counterproductive.
I think you might as well take this opportunity and try it further. Judging from your control over the aircraft carrier battle group, these guys are destined to achieve nothing. "
It has to be said that as Fang Lang's old superior and the Minister of the Navy who cooperated with him in building this aircraft carrier fleet, his understanding of the situation of his fleet is definitely not comparable to those who only know jealousy.
At the same time, he was really considering Fang Lang's suggestions. It was impossible for Fang Lang not to accept this favor. He also sensed that General Crook had his thoughts on his whereabouts.
I just don't know how different this place is from Fang Lang's own ideas. He was not polite to General Crook and directly asked curiously:
"What is the new position you assigned me?"
Seeing Fang Lang's curious face and a hint of expectation in his eyes, General Crook smiled slightly, knocked on the tea table in front of him, and signaled Fang Lang to add some tea to him before saying:
"I'm going to recommend you to take over my position, what do you think?"
Fang Lang, who was serving tea to General Crook with a flattering look on his face, was stunned when he heard this. The hand holding the justice cup stopped in mid-air and looked at General Crook in disbelief.
General Crook proposed that Fang Lang take his place, which obviously shocked Fang Lang. It's not that he doesn't want to be the Secretary of the Navy, it's that his age and qualifications are obviously not enough, although it is said everywhere that qualifications and age are not important.
But in fact, whoever takes this seriously is a fool.
If he really becomes the Minister of the Navy, he will definitely attract a lot of attention. From now on, his every move will be observed under a magnifying glass. If he is not careful, he will be directly kicked off the stage.
As for whether he can serve as Minister of the Navy, he must still be very confident, but even if he is more confident, his reason tells him that it is not yet the time.
As for whether the new president will agree to this appointment, he is not worried at all. As long as the Ministry of National Defense proposes it, the new president will never dare not buy his face.
Soon, he realized that General Crook was leaving the Admiralty. Without thinking about his next post, he said in surprise:
"What do you mean? Do those guys still want to drive you away?"
General Crook seemed to have expected Fang Lang's reaction. He smiled and said with a playful expression:
"What? Can't it be me who wants to go further?"
Upon hearing this, Fang Lang couldn't help but his eyes lit up. With General Crook's influence in the Navy Department, Fang Lang really didn't believe that anyone could oust him. Now that he heard the other party's words, he reacted immediately.
He said with some surprise:
"Your Majesty General, does he have a better place to go?"
Seeing Fang Lang's surprised expression, Crook smiled and shook his head, pondered for a moment before slowly speaking:
“Judging from the current situation, President Dutra’s failure to be re-elected is a foregone conclusion.
Once the new president takes office, the position of Defense Minister will definitely be replaced, and Marshal Moraes is already ready to step down.
He talked to me and hoped that I could work in the Ministry of Defense. "
As soon as these words came out, Fang Lang immediately understood what was going on. It seemed that Marshal Moraes was preparing to step down as Minister of Defense and wanted to complete the adjustment of the Ministry of National Defense's duties before resigning.
And General Crook, a giant of the Navy Department, was singled out by him and sent to the Ministry of Defense. As for what happened behind this, whether it was a good thing or a bad thing for General Crook was hard to say.
Fang Lang tentatively said:
"Is this preparing you to be the new Minister of Defense?"
Hearing this, General Crook rolled his eyes and said:
"What are you thinking! It must be the new president who can decide the defense minister, and Marshal Moraes cannot influence the new president's thoughts.
Besides, if you don't work as a civilian in the Ministry of Defense for a few years, how can you have the opportunity to serve as the Secretary of Defense. "
Fang Lang heard from General Crook's words that it wasn't that he didn't want to be the Minister of Defense, but that he had the same qualification problem as Fang Lang. He was born in the Navy, and it would be difficult for him to directly become the Minister of Defense if he had not been familiar with the work of other branches of the Ministry of Defense for several years.
If Fang Lang is willing, he can talk to Scalia and directly push him to this position, but the reality is that once President Scalia does this, it is likely to cause dissatisfaction in the Army. This is not conducive to Mr. President's control of the military.
After General Crook has been working hard in the Ministry of Defense for a few years, although he cannot completely wash away his naval colors, he can still become less conspicuous.
"Then Marshal Moraes doesn't want to move you overtly or covertly, and transfer you away from the Admiralty to make way for others?"
Although he knew it was unlikely, Fang Lang still spoke with some doubts.
Hearing this, General Crook couldn't help but darken his face, glared at Fang Lang with dissatisfaction and said:
"What are you thinking? Marshal Moraes is not such a person. He suggested that I enter the Ministry of National Defense and serve as deputy minister."
Hearing this, Fang Lang couldn't help but look at General Crook carefully, but he didn't expect that the other party was hiding something.
"The deputy minister of defense is a good position! I can't believe that the general has such a good relationship with Marshal Morais and would put you in this position before he resigned."
Fang Lang's words were actually a bit arrogant, but he was really curious, so he couldn't help but blurt it out.
Unexpectedly, General Crook was not angry after hearing his words, but smiled and said:
"Speaking of which, it's all thanks to you, kid! You won't forget your contribution in annihilating the Eddie brothers' rebels! This rebel army tormented the army to disgrace, but you ended up easily solving it.
You don’t think this matter will just go away like this! As Minister of Defense, Marshal Moraes must balance the relations between all parties.
Compared with the disgrace of the Army, the performance of our Navy can be regarded as brilliant. Under such circumstances, no one can ignore the combat effectiveness of our navy.
Otherwise, do you think I, a man with a naval background, have a chance to become Deputy Minister of Defense?
It is precisely because of your military exploits that I dare to propose that you be appointed Minister of the Navy. Otherwise, the saliva within the Navy could drown me. "
Hearing this, Fang Lang suddenly realized, how could the navy, which had been squeezed out by the army, have a chance to win the position of deputy minister of defense?
You must know that in a country with a democratic system like Brazil, the Minister of Defense is personally appointed by the president. This person may be a highly prestigious general in the military, or he may be a scholar who has engaged in military theoretical research.
This position does not directly manage the military under his command, but formulates the country's defense strategy and conveys the president's instructions to the military.
If he is a general with high prestige in the military, then the defense minister can still be regarded as a powerful figure.
And if you are a scholar engaged in military theory research, then sorry, people in the military will not pay attention to you at all. The real power is often in the hands of the deputy minister of defense and the chief of general staff who are soldiers.
With General Crook serving as Deputy Secretary of Defense, it goes without saying that the Navy Department will definitely recognize his leadership. If he can win several important positions in the War Department while he is in office, his tentacles can reach into the Army.
This is definitely a rare opportunity for General Crook.
No wonder the other party was willing to give up his position as Minister of the Navy. Thinking of this, Fang Lang had to think about his situation again.
General Crook's intention was very clear. He supported his appointment as Secretary of the Navy. Otherwise, he would not come to his home to communicate in a private capacity.
"So, you have decided to leave the Admiralty?"
Fang Lang looked at General Crook seriously and confirmed to him again.
Looking at Fang Lang's serious expression, General Crook knew that Fang Lang was now seriously considering his proposal.
He also nodded seriously and said:
"I have no reason to refuse such an offer, do I?"
Hearing this, Fang Lang took a deep breath, then lowered his head, picked up the tea on the tea table, took a sip, and thought seriously.
Seeing this, General Crook did not rush it. He knew that this was an important decision and it was necessary to carefully consider the pros and cons.
After a long while, Fang Lang spoke again:
"Then I wonder what kind of work General Crook will be responsible for in the Ministry of National Defense?"
General Crook was stunned by this question. He did not expect that Fang Lang was not thinking about whether he should take over the post of Minister of the Navy, but what he was responsible for in the Ministry of National Defense? I thought the other person was worried about his future, so I couldn't help but feel a little moved.
A smile appeared on his face involuntarily. He picked up the tea cup and took a sip of tea before saying confidently:
"Don't worry! My position as deputy minister of defense is definitely a position of real power. Not only can I participate in the formulation of Brazil's national defense strategy, but I can also directly intervene in the management of the navy, land and air forces."
Hearing this, Fang Lang's heart moved and he spoke again:
"If you recommend me to be the Secretary of the Navy, there should be a lot of resistance!"
Fang Lang's words gave General Crook some vague guesses, but he did not pause, but said directly:
"You are right. You are too young and have no experience in agency work. It is indeed difficult for you to become the Minister of the Navy.
But since I have nominated you for the position, I am naturally confident that I will push you forward. "
Now General Crook could be considered as confiding in Fang Lang. It has to be said that General Crook really had nothing to say to Fang Lang. Not only did he promote him exceptionally, he became the only one in Brazil in just two years. The commander-in-chief of an aircraft carrier battle group.
Now they have to work hard to send him to the position of Minister of the Navy. Although the business that Fang Lang and he did in partnership has made their family a lot of profit, Fang Lang believes that the other party values him so highly, and it is definitely not for this reason. .
He believed in his ability, but sparing no effort to support him just because of his military ability was obviously not enough.
(End of chapter)
