"Actually, Your Excellency General, there is no need to push me to the position so eagerly. It doesn't actually matter who holds the post of Minister of the Navy. What really matters is who holds the real power of the Navy Department.
If the General serves as Deputy Secretary of Defense and has authority over the Department of the Navy, whoever the new Secretary of the Navy is will not affect our control of the Department of the Navy.
I care more about the rights of the Department of the Navy than the title of Secretary of the Navy, and I'm sure you know that Adams Teach is my man, if you are listed as Under Secretary of Defense.
If the Navy Department promotes Adams Teach to serve as Chief of Naval Staff, then as long as I am the Deputy Secretary of the Navy, I can completely ignore the new Secretary.
In other words, it actually does not matter at all who the new Minister of the Admiralty is. You can even make deals with some people through this position. "
In the end, Fang Lang declined the easily available post of Minister of the Navy. The reason was not simply because he felt that he was not old or qualified enough and was afraid of being targeted.
If you consider age alone, Brazil's current Air Force Minister Nairo Mora has also become the chief of a department with a low qualification.
The reason why Fang Lang made such a choice was more because he didn't want to make himself too conspicuous when the Chinese group had not yet fully established a foothold in Brazil.
His predecessor grew up in Brazil and knew very well that although Brazil did not have as serious racial discrimination as the United States, it was by no means a paradise.
Once a Chinese becomes a high-ranking official in the Brazilian army, he will definitely be used by people with malicious intentions to make excuses, and it may become a trend against the Chinese.
This is by no means an unfounded worry, but an inevitable consequence of the diligent genes of the Chinese. Everyone knows that most black people are lazy and are unwilling to continue working hard once they have something to eat.
In Brazil, everyone is pretty much the same, but since the number of Chinese has increased, the working atmosphere in Brazil has changed significantly, because the Chinese are just too curly.
When using local Brazilians, many jobs may require two or three people to complete, while Chinese can do it with just one person. This has led to many companies preferring to recruit Chinese.
The consequence of this is that many original Brazilian local jobs have been replaced by Chinese, which has caused dissatisfaction among a considerable part of the local people.
But now, because this situation has not yet formed a trend and scale, it has not yet become a common social phenomenon. But as a sober-minded person, Fang Lang could do nothing but not intensify this conflict.
Not walking to the front desk was the best he could think of.
General Crook couldn't help but fell into deep thought after listening to Fang Lang's words, although he didn't know why Fang Lang was unwilling to serve as Minister of the Navy. But his meaning has been made very clear.
He doesn’t want the position, but he must want the rights. This is definitely considered heartfelt. After understanding what Fang Lang meant, he said directly and honestly:
"Fang, to be honest, there are indeed many people who want to be the Navy Minister, and there is an interest group behind each candidate.
But their strength is obviously not as great as ours. If I use this position to exchange benefits with them, I will indeed gain more.
But you have to understand that all the people who are interested in this position are doing it for the rights of the Navy Minister, not just for a status.
If they knew that they would be sidelined if they took office, I don’t think anyone would be willing to jump into this big hole stupidly! "
Hearing this, Fang Lang smiled slightly, looked at General Crook's slightly troubled expression, and decided not to continue to beat around the bush, and said frankly:
"Your Majesty General, I know that all the people who are interested in this position are doing it for the rights of this position. So, what do they need this right to do for them?
It is nothing more than realizing one's ideals and enjoying the benefits of power, or even simply using the power at hand in exchange for monetary gains.
I may not be able to satisfy the other person with the first two items, but the third item is really too easy for me.
Therefore, I think we only need to choose a person and force who want to make money to serve as the Minister of the Navy.
But sometimes, we are responsible for holding power and he is responsible for making money. Wouldn't this be perfect? "
At this moment, General Crook was stunned. How could he not understand what Fang Lang meant? He couldn't help but blurt out:
"Are you going to feed him directly with money? Do you know that they are not a single person, but interest groups. With their greed, they cannot be fed by a small amount of money.
If they do things repeatedly, are you going to satisfy their appetite again and again? "
General Crook looked nervous and expressed his concerns directly. Instead of worrying, Fang Lang gave him a cup of tea with a smile on his face and said:
"Your Excellency, General, you are worrying too much. I never said that I would feed him from my own pocket."
Before General Crook could continue to express his doubts, Fang Lang stretched out his hand and pressed it, signaling General Crook not to get excited and wait until he finished speaking.
"Now our replica Fletcher-class destroyer can achieve mass production. As the first modern destroyer designed and built by us in Brazil, there is no doubt about the strength of this ship.
Although it cannot be compared with the current Keeling-class destroyers of the US military, it has surpassed the Fletcher class produced in the United States, and the cost is much lower than that of the United States.
My idea is, as the Minister of the Navy of Brazil, is it our obligation to recommend this destroyer that we independently developed and designed to more countries?
If he meets a country in need, he can definitely speak his mind and sell the other party a few ships at a relatively reasonable price! "
At this time, General Crook really felt a little speechless. As the Secretary of the Navy, I have not promoted a few warships to the outside world, so I am not qualified.
At the same time, he had to lament Fang Lang's cunning. His words had almost made it clear to General Crook that since the new Secretary of the Navy wanted to exchange power for money, I would give him a chance.
However, he has to earn this money himself, that is, selling Brazilian-made imitation Fletcher-class destroyers to foreign countries. If he wants to sell this thing to foreign countries, it is really inconvenient without the Secretary of the Navy.
Once the Secretary of the Navy becomes a salesman, he will not only be able to hold the real power of the Navy Department, but also bring more orders to his own shipyard. This will also prevent the Secretary of the Navy from easily offending him, the owner of the shipyard.
After thinking about this, General Crook couldn't help but dodge when he looked at Fang Lang, good guy! Or you can play.
However, it must be said that Fang Lang's proposal is very feasible and attractive. After all, exporting Brazilian arms to the outside world is also one of the important means to enhance Brazil's international influence.
No matter from the perspective of the Navy or the Ministry of Defense, it is impossible to refuse this proposal. Even the president will definitely raise his hands in approval after learning about this plan.
"Do you have the right person?"
This candidate shouldn't have asked Fang Lang for his opinion, but the plan he proposed now really made him very excited, and he couldn't help but blurt it out. After saying it, he regretted it a little.
After all, if the candidate proposed by Fang Lang is different from the person he wants to exchange interests with, he will be passive.
Fang Lang felt the same as Ming Jing, of course he couldn't say anything that would be difficult for General Crook to do! He smiled slightly and said:
"This is the Minister of the Navy. I, a subordinate, can't comment. Of course, the specific candidate must be considered by the General himself."
Upon hearing this, General Crook couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. He had to say that Fang Lang was really good at talking and doing things. Everything about him made him feel very comfortable.
If every subordinate could do this, he would be too worry-free.
As a commander, since I have already said something to ask for his opinion, if I take it back now, I will definitely appear to be not generous enough. Since Fang Lang is so good at talking, he certainly cannot appear stingy. Therefore, after smiling and rolling his eyes at the other party, he said angrily:
"Just say what you say. I just want to know your thoughts. In the end, it is not up to the two of us to decide who we will choose."
General Crook is also a veteran. With one sentence, he can not only show his respect for Fang Lang, but also tell the other party that even if you say it, it may not necessarily be what you say. Ultimately it depends on the opinion of the Ministry of Defense. In fact, he could push Fang Lang up, and of course he could push another person up.
Fang Lang knew this very well, but he had to show his gratitude appropriately. Of course, General Crook did deserve his gratitude.
Originally, he wanted to decline, but after thinking about it, he actually had a more suitable candidate. Although he didn't know that it was the same as the candidate in General Crook's mind, he could still put it forward to give him a reference.
Therefore, after he pondered for a moment, he stopped refusing and said directly:
"Since the General asked, I will venture to tell you. As far as I know, there is a general in our Navy Department who seems to have a very close relationship with General Leta of the General Logistics Department!
This General Letta has managed the General Logistics Department for so many years, so he should have considerable influence in the army!
Moreover, this general is mainly engaged in civilian work in the navy, has little experience in leading troops, and is not greedy for military power.
But it's a pity that General Leta will probably leave his current position this time! "
At the end of his speech, Fang Lang sighed with regret. Regarding this, General Crook felt the same as Ming Jing, this was just the ladder handed to him by Fang Lang.
He knew exactly who Fang Lang was talking about. Because, I don’t know if the news has spread recently, or if someone wants to take advantage of the change of president to move the position. There are indeed a few people who are very active.
It was under this circumstance that a group of people proposed that Fang Lang be promoted to the position of deputy chief of staff of the Navy. As for the purpose of this proposal, everyone was smart and could see it at a glance.
At the same time, General Crook also knew that the candidate recommended by Fang Lang was also one of the only candidates who had no ill intentions towards him.
After thinking about this, General Crook couldn't help but take a deep look at Fang Lang. He had to say that the candidate recommended by Fang Lang was really suitable.
First of all, this person is not very strong and will not affect Fang Lang's control of the Navy Department.
Secondly, as a member of General Letta's family, he has a certain understanding of the external arms market and can complete the task of selling warships mentioned by Fang Lang.
Once again, the purpose of this guy being pushed out was indeed to make better use of his position as Minister of the Navy to make money.
More importantly, although their force is inconspicuous in the Ministry of National Defense, its influence is not small. After all, if you want to make a fortune in the Ministry of Defense, how can you have a chance to make a fortune if you don't open up enough joints.
But the leader of this force is not General Letta, the Minister of General Logistics under the Ministry of National Defense. But there is another person. This person has retired, but still has a lot of influence on the Ministry of Defense.
If I use my position as Minister of the Navy to exchange interests with the other party, I might try to take control of the General Logistics Department. It is the control of the General Logistics Department, not the position of the General Logistics Director.
This idea that just popped up was learned from Fang Lang.
If it really succeeds, as the incoming Deputy Minister of Defense, I cannot say that my strength in the Ministry of Defense is unparalleled, but I can definitely influence decision-making.
"I know who you are talking about. I will think about it seriously when I go back.
However, I want to confirm with you one last time. Have you really decided not to be the Minister of the Navy? "
Seeing the stern look in General Crook's eyes, Fang Lang couldn't help showing a hearty smile again. While adding tea to General Crook, he said calmly:
"The relationship between me and His Majesty the General is here. Naturally, I say whatever I want without any intention of telling lies.
Besides, even if I serve as Deputy Secretary of the Navy and control the power of the Navy, I will still be a subordinate of His Excellency the General. As long as the general has orders, I will definitely be there. "
After confirming that Fang Lang's expression was indeed not fake, General Crook was completely relieved. He picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip before saying with a relaxed expression:
“To be honest, there’s a reason why I support you taking control of the Admiralty.
You are the only naval admiral in our Brazilian Navy who has had actual combat experience in these years. Moreover, his outstanding military exploits are a resume that no one can ignore.
Although the world war has just ended, the world is not peaceful. Everything outside is a mess. The same is true around Brazil. Argentina has been taking frequent actions on the border recently.
After you take control of the Navy Department, you must also tilt your attention to the south. When appropriate, let the Rio de Janeiro aircraft carrier battle group go to the southern waters to show off our muscles. Do you understand me? "
Fang Lang didn't expect General Crook to say such an important thing so casually, and looked at him in surprise. At the same time, he finally understood in his heart why he said he was sure to push himself into the position of Minister of the Navy.
It turns out that the root cause lies in his own military exploits. Whether it was the anti-submarine warfare against the Germans in World War II or the annihilation of the Eddie brothers' anti-government armed forces, he has truly established a capable image in the Brazilian Ministry of Defense.
This image gives him enough strength when competing for some important positions.
"All this is thanks to the cultivation of Your Majesty the General. Without your support, how would I have had the opportunity to go from being a transport ship captain to a destroyer captain, let alone achieve real meritorious service on the battlefield.
I have heard about Argentina's recent actions, but their naval strength is really not good compared to ours. If we transfer the Rio de Janeiro aircraft carrier battle group, I'm afraid we will stimulate them.
My idea is to send our Fletcher-class destroyers appropriately into the South Atlantic to create a little pressure on the Argentine Navy. "
(End of chapter)
