General Crook, who wanted to understand Fang Lang's true purpose and plan, took a deep look at Fang Lang and said slowly:
"It would be a waste of talent for you to continue to stay in the Navy Department. With your ability and level, you should go to the Ministry of Defense to formulate strategies and tactics for Brazil."
Fang Lang, who had looked confident just now, couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed after hearing General Crook's words. To say that he can have such a vision is not because he is really that powerful and can analyze these based on the current intelligence.
It is purely his memories from later generations, combined with the intelligence obtained by the Brazilian Intelligence Agency now in his hands, that can give him forward vision and a higher perspective.
General Crook couldn't help but laugh when he saw Fang Lang seeming a little embarrassed. This kind of behavior is what a young man should do!
"Okay, I finally understand your kid's desire to serve his own interests, but you are right. At least in the past two years, the Fletcher-class destroyers copied by your shipyard have been very good.
If we follow your plan, we are likely to really start an arms race with Argentina. In this case, it is not enough for the navy to produce its own warships.
I heard that last year the Ministry of the Army purchased a batch of new light weapons, which were also developed by your small arms research institute. Army officers and soldiers generally spoke very highly of this weapon.
But light weapons alone are not enough! If we want an arms race, our army cannot conquer the world solely by relying on rifles and artillery. Today's advanced army tactics all revolve around tanks.
So you can't just focus on naval equipment, you know what I mean? "
These words have directly made it clear to him that he wants to find a way to carry out tank research, how could he not understand it! Fang Lang, who had wanted to become an arms giant from the beginning, also pondered slightly after hearing his words.
It’s not that he doesn’t have the technical reserves for tank production, or that he doesn’t want to start the research, development and production of tanks, but the key problem is that it is time-consuming and expensive to develop things like tanks. If there is no market, it will not be adequate. Trading at a loss?
However, he quickly thought that the Minister of the Navy in front of him must have started to care about the army's equipment because he was preparing to take action. His heart moved and he said:
"General, to be honest, our Fangyuan Automobile Company already has a considerable reserve of tank manufacturing technology. At the same time, Caterpillar, which was introduced to Brazil by us the year before last, also has tank chassis manufacturing technology.
It is not impossible for us in Brazil to develop a new type of tank, but the current problem is that tank research and development requires a lot of manpower, material and financial resources.
What's more important is whether sales are guaranteed after it is developed. We can’t just develop a qualified product and if the Army Department doesn’t like it, then let all our investment go to waste! "
General Crook was overjoyed when he heard that Fang Lang had technical reserves for tank manufacturing. He was worried about how to open up the situation in the Army Department and win people's hearts after entering the Ministry of Defense! Now, isn’t it just that if you want to fall asleep, someone will give you a pillow?
With the tank resources in his hands, he was still afraid that the army generals would come over to show their loyalty.
"Haha... Well, General Fang, you never disappoint.
Now that you already have the technical reserves for tank development and production on hand, when I take office, I will communicate with the Ministry of the Army and let them put forward their own needs, and then entrust your company to carry out research and development.
Of course, in terms of research and development expenses, our Ministry of Defense will definitely provide full support. I will never let you suffer. "
As soon as these words came out, Fang Lang was completely relieved. He was not afraid of the demands from the Ministry of War, but was afraid that you would not pay. As long as you are willing to pay, it would not be difficult for me to set up an independent research institute!
I don't believe that with my vision from later generations, I can't develop a steel behemoth that makes people shine. As long as the products we develop are good enough, I don’t believe we can’t sell them in exchange for some foreign exchange and use them back.
"Yes, Your Majesty General. As long as the National Defense Force needs it, we will definitely devote all our efforts to develop a land warfare king that reaches the world's advanced level."
After receiving Fang Lang's assurance, General Crook was quite satisfied. He couldn't help laughing and said:
"Haha...Okay, I look forward to the birth of our own King of Land Warfare as soon as possible."
After speaking, he picked up the tea and drank it in one gulp.
When Fang Lang saw this, he picked up the cup of justice with a smile on his face. While adding tea to General Crook, he said flatteringly:
"Your Majesty General, if you enter the Ministry of National Defense with an attitude of supporting the Army's self-developed tanks, you will definitely gain strong support from the generals in the Army Ministry. By then, your position in the Ministry of National Defense will be as stable as Mount Tai.
Unlike our small pond in the Admiralty, where the water is shallow and there are many turtles and the temple demons are strong, you haven't left the position of Minister of the Navy yet! There are already people who are trying to undermine you. I think you should pay more attention to it. "
General Crook, who was originally smiling, couldn't help but twitching his eyelids when he heard Fang Lang's words. What do you mean? What does it mean to be a tortoise in shallow water? Are you the tortoise, or am I the tortoise?
But he also heard something different from Fang Lang's words. He glared at Fang Lang with some dissatisfaction and said:
"Do you know how to speak? What does it mean to be a bastard? What does it mean to be a demon? I think it's just you who wants to cause trouble!"
When Fang Lang heard this, he was naturally aggrieved.
"Your Majesty General, you have wronged me. I always obey your orders. If you tell me to go east, I will go east. If you ask me to catch chickens, I will never chase the dogs.
But it's different for some people. Before you leave, someone is already trying to take your position. Isn't this trying to undermine you?
I think you should take care of people like this! "
If General Crook still didn't understand what Fang Lang wanted to say, he wouldn't deserve to be where he is today. He was not angry at Fang Lang's words. Instead, he said to Fang Lang with a playful expression:
"What? You guys are not satisfied with people trying to pick your eggs, aren't you? You also said that someone is trying to undermine me. I think you just want to teach those who are concerned about your position as fleet commander a lesson!
Why, are you afraid that someone will pick your peach away? "
Of course Fang Lang couldn't admit that he wanted to use General Crook's hand to deal with the group of people who wanted to pick peaches. He quickly denied it and said:
"Look at what you said, I am thinking wholeheartedly about your commander! My position is not as important as that of the Navy Minister."
This time, the expression on General Crook's face became more playful. He looked at Fang Lang with a half-smile but said:
"Since my position is so important, why don't you see me willing to take over?"
Hearing this, Fang Lang's expression froze slightly, but he reacted quickly and said quickly:
"Aren't I underqualified? And by entrusting such an important position to your hands, wouldn't it be possible to obtain greater benefits?
By then your position in the Ministry of National Defense will be more stable, and we subordinates will be able to live more comfortably! "
Hearing Fang Lang's words as if he were playing tricks, General Crook was also full of smiles. After a long time, he waved his hands and said:
"Well, you want to know who will be the commander of your fleet after you arrive at the Admiralty!"
Seeing General Crook's expression, Fang Lang felt relieved. If the person who took over his post after he left was not one of his own, he would not be able to continue talking to him with a smile.
The reason why General Crook was asked at this time to arrange who would take over his position was not because he was unable to let his own people take over. I just want to see clearly which bastard is trying to pick my own peaches.
However, from the current situation, it seems that General Crook has long been aware of the situation and is not ready to give these guys a chance.
"Hehe... Your Excellency the General is joking. I am not that ignorant of importance. Whoever takes over my position must be nominated by Your Excellency the General and approved by the Ministry of National Defense!"
I am mainly worried that our aircraft carrier fleet has just formed its combat effectiveness. After I leave, if an officer who is completely unfamiliar with aircraft carrier command is transferred to serve as the chief officer, it may cause a serious decline in the fleet's actual combat capabilities, and may also cause The dissatisfaction of the fleet officers and soldiers.
At that time, it will bring unnecessary trouble to His Majesty the General. "
Fang Lang's words made General Crook roll his eyes, but he was not angry. Instead, he smiled and said:
"To tell you the truth! There are indeed a few people who are interested in your position. Even Marshal Morais asked me for my opinion.
Considering that you built the fleet by yourself, and as the first commander of the fleet, you are the person who knows the situation of the fleet best. My advice to Marshal Moraes is that your opinion is very critical in the selection of the new commander of the fleet. . "
Hearing this, Fang Lang couldn't help but frown slightly. What do you mean my opinion is very important! It’s impossible that I don’t even have the right to nominate!
As if he knew what Fang Lang was thinking, before Fang Lang could speak, General Crook continued:
"Because the aircraft carrier fleet is the main combat force of our navy, we are also very cautious in choosing its commander.
Our Navy Department is responsible for the nomination, and the Chief of General Staff of the Ministry of National Defense and the Secretary of Defense are responsible for review and determination. "
After hearing General Crook's words, Fang Lang finally breathed a sigh of relief and understood why General Crook always had a smile on his face. After working for a long time, the right to make the nomination still belonged to the Navy Department.
With General Crook's strength in the Navy Department and his upcoming position in the Department of Defense, no one in the Navy Department would dare to oppose his proposed candidate!
And if General Crook nominated him, it would be impossible for him to promote de la Torre without respecting his own opinions.
"Then who is your Excellency General going to nominate for this position?"
Regarding the issue that Fang Lang was most concerned about, General Crook said in a slightly mocking tone:
"You said that the fleet has just formed its initial combat effectiveness, and officers who are unfamiliar with the situation cannot be assigned to serve as fleet commanders. Then, as the Minister of the Navy, I am not allowed to ask for your opinion!"
Hearing this, Fang Lang couldn't help but touch his head and giggle.
Seeing this, General Crook couldn't help but look solemn and said:
"Okay, if you don't tell me, I also know who you want to recommend. Let's talk about the ugly things first. I have no objection to promoting de la Torre to be the fleet commander.
However, your fleet must also let go of several other positions and let them arrange some people to go in. Otherwise, the entire fleet will be your direct descendants, and other people will have objections.
Do you understand me? "
Hearing this, Fang Lang couldn't help but frown and said dissatisfied:
"This is that bastard, a blind chicken who spreads rumors. Since when has the fleet become my loyal heir? Let him stand up and tell him face to face. See if I don't slap his mouth to bits."
Fang Lang said this, but he was already on guard in his heart. He knew very well that General Crook would never make a mistake. The reason why he said such words was obviously that someone had put forward such a point of view.
This made his heart sink slightly, and he would definitely turn around and let the Intelligence Bureau investigate clearly to see who said this.
General Crook didn't pay much attention to Fang Lang's words. He knew very well that what others said was the truth. The only outsider who was arranged to join the fleet was Waldo, Colonel Gramma, who was forced in by the Ministry of War.
This colonel officer, who was originally prepared to manage the Marine Corps in the fleet, is now only responsible for the management of two tank landing crafts. He can be considered a marginal member of the fleet.
General Crook also expressed support for this at the beginning. After all, the Rio de Janeiro aircraft carrier battle group is the territory of their navy. It doesn't matter that your Army Department just stepped in.
But in the past few years, Fang Lang has indeed managed the fleet in a monolithic manner. It is not that no new people have joined the Navy Department, but those who have joined can often quickly integrate with the rest of the fleet.
Even those who are transferred out will seem a little out of place with other naval officers and soldiers. But this misfit is not what makes them bad. Rather, it was they who became somewhat intolerant of the depravity and corruption of others in the Admiralty.
He couldn't stand the widespread corruption in the Brazilian army. This was what General Crook really appreciated about Fang Lang.
Being able to bring out such a unique army from a mess like the Brazilian army, it was difficult for him not to support it.
As for the complaints that Fang Lang had turned the Rio de Janeiro fleet into a private fleet, Crook didn't pay much attention. Not to mention others, General Crook also replaced most of the people in the Admiralty with his own people. What's so strange about this.
It would be incomprehensible if some people use outsiders instead of their own people! Besides, are there not many such things in the Brazilian army?
In the army, it is common to use the troops under one's command as one's own personal employees. Why is it not possible in the navy?
What's more, this aircraft carrier battle group was built bit by bit by Fang Lang. It is absolutely normal for everyone to obey his orders.
In addition, the funds required to maintain the normal operation of the navy are absolutely astronomical and cannot be paid by private individuals. Therefore, it is difficult for warlords to appear in the navy.
More importantly, Fang Lang is a subordinate who obeys his orders and is very disciplined in doing things. Since everyone is on their own, it is perfectly normal to turn a blind eye to some of his violations.
"Okay, you don't have to complain in front of me. I understand the situation very well, and I won't listen to other people's slander.
However, I want to remind you that with this change of positions, if we make de la Torre the new commander of the fleet, we must accept their behavior of adding sand to the fleet.
Understand? "
(End of chapter)
