In Fang Lang's impression, Osaka is actually the base camp of the Sumitomo Zaibatsu, and the Sumitomo Zaibatsu started out as a metal smelting company.
The biggest characteristics of the Sumitomo Zaibatsu during World War II were that, first, it was a heavy chemical industry center, and second, it had no commercial department.
All investments are concentrated in the metal industry, machinery industry, chemical industry, mining industry and other fields.
The total capital reached a maximum of 10 billion yen, which was approximately equivalent to 2 billion US dollars based on the US dollar exchange rate at the time.
However, with the large-scale bombing by the US military, these factories suffered devastating blows.
Just two days after Fang Lang landed in Osaka, Fang Lang heard that the Sumitomo Group had closed all its factories, leaving only the vehicle factory in Osaka and the pipe factory in Amagasaki.
And cut 100,000 employees to 5,000.
Could it be that Colonel Malik wanted him to empty out their vehicle factory? But as far as Fang Lang knew, Sumitomo did not have any big car brands in the future.
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 not even in existence yet! It is estimated that there is no technical reserve in this area.
I thought it would be better to ask Malik directly than racking my brains here, so I just said:
"Oh! I wonder what equipment is sealed? It won't have any effect on you if I drag it away!"
"What we sealed must be military factories! I wonder if you are interested, brother."
Malik's answer was beyond Fang Lang's expectations. It was not that Fang Lang had never thought about developing a military factory. After all, Brazil in later generations was already a world-famous arms sales power.
Although they are not high-tech weapons and equipment.
However, Fang Lang was a little hesitant about entering the military industry because he was a little worried that it would be nationalized.
But now that someone was selling something to him, Fang Lang wanted to hear what kind of factory equipment it was just to satisfy his curiosity.
"Are there any military factories still preserved in Osaka? I don't know what equipment they produce."
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 doesn’t make sense!
The equipment for making cannons is all huge. When they are moved back to Brazil, they will be taken over by the government. What can he do with them? Fang Lang is not really interested.
The most important thing is that the equipment of a factory like this will definitely not be taken away by you directly!
Obviously this is a business, and if it is a business, then money has to be considered. Such a large artillery factory cannot be built without hundreds of millions of dollars.
Even if it's second-hand, would you buy it if they asked you to pay several million?
It’s not that you can’t afford it, but when you ship it back, you only have equipment but no technology, or even no technicians to teach you how to produce it, so all you get when you bring it back is scrap metal.
The more Fang Lang thought about it, the more unnecessary it seemed to him, so he said jokingly:
"Didn't you flatten such a large artillery factory during the bombing?"
Malik smiled awkwardly and said:
"Of course there is nothing left of the artillery factory, but these dwarfs secretly built an underground arsenal nearby and moved some important machine tools and equipment into it. We only discovered it after we took over."
Fang Lang didn't expect that there was an underground arsenal in Osaka. Looking at Malik's expression, it was obviously not fake, but the production capacity might be limited.
But it is normal to think about it. During World War II, Japan had the ability to produce artillery with a maximum caliber of 410 mm. I just don't know how big the production capacity of this so-called underground arsenal is.
With the intention of finding out the truth, Fang Lang continued:
"You mean, you want to give me a factory that has the ability to produce artillery?"
Malik began to feel a little embarrassed, and after a moment of hesitation he said:
"Fang, originally! This factory can produce artillery with a maximum caliber of 240mm. After the bombing, the equipment in this underground factory can manufacture artillery shells without any problems.
However, according to our engineers, we can only produce artillery and mortars with a caliber of less than 150 mm at most. "
When Fang Lang saw Malik's expression, he thought that they no longer had the ability to produce artillery, but it turned out that they were still able to produce artillery with a caliber of less than 150 mm.
Now it was Fang Lang's turn to be conflicted. This equipment was certainly very attractive to Brazil, but Fang Lang himself was a little hesitant about whether he would really take over this batch of equipment.
It might be a hot potato, but looking at Malik's expectant expression, Fang Lang thought again and again and said:
"Brother, to be honest, these equipments of yours are a bit hot to the touch for me. Right now, our Brazilian military industry has not yet taken off. If no one takes over after I ship them back, I might end up with nothing."
Malik's expectations were dashed completely. He obviously didn't expect that he couldn't sell such a good thing.
It is so difficult to find such a client. If I don't find a buyer while I am still in charge, it will no longer be my business when the government takes over.
Therefore, Malik was unwilling to give up Fang Lang, his only client. After all, at this time, except for the occupation forces, no one else could move freely in Japan.
Apart from the American soldiers, the only people left in Osaka were the Brazilian Expeditionary Force. It seemed that there was no way to sell this equipment to anyone else except Brazil.
"Fang, we are brothers, I'm telling 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 to report it.
At that time, the handling rights of the equipment will have nothing to do with me. Therefore, my offer for this factory equipment is very low, $100,000, including all the equipment and technical data."
This price really broke through Fang Lang's bottom line. One hundred thousand dollars, even if it was sold as scrap metal, it would not be worth more than this price!
And there is a complete set of technical data. As long as we organize the technical personnel of this factory, can't we start production directly?
The most important thing is that the person in front of him is the local emperor of Osaka. If he lets him make this money, then the relationship between the two will directly break through to the level of sharing the spoils together.
This is one of the four great treasures of life! Even if you can't use it after transporting it back, you have to get it!
As long as I have this relationship, all my actions in Osaka will be smooth.
What's more, what I gain in Osaka this time will be an astronomical figure, and I definitely cannot let the other party know.
However, since I want to take the biggest cake, there is no reason for me to not even give the host a chance to have a bite of the cake!
Thinking of this, Fang Lang said directly:
"If that's the case, then I must help you. Don't worry, brother. You are responsible for packing all the technical data and workers! I will find the buyer.
If no one takes over, I will let our own factory take over. I will not let your efforts go to waste.”
Fang Lang is just acting like a good boy after getting an advantage. It is obvious that he has made a huge profit, but he acts like he just took it to help his brothers.
However, Malik didn't know Fang Lang's family background! He thought Fang Lang was just a soldier like himself, even though he said that everyone who took over would eat up his own factory.
However, Brazil is a backward country, so how big can its so-called factories be?
With just this statement, Fang Lang was simply "timely rain" and "Mengchang" in Colonel Malik's eyes. Of course, he had never heard of these two nicknames.
Malik didn't say anything, he just stood up and gave Fang Lang a big hug.
I was so excited that my voice trembled as I said:
"Fang, good brother, thank you so much! I will go back now and organize these Japanese dwarfs to pack up all the equipment and technical data. You don't have to worry about the workers, I will lock them up, and you can come and take them away whenever you need them."
After saying that, he walked straight out.
It seemed as if he had completely forgotten the purpose of his trip here.
Fang Lang immediately called Colonel Malik and said:
"Hey... man, didn't you come here to ask me why I drove the Japanese away?"
As a result, Colonel Malik said nonchalantly:
"When will it be the turn of these Japanese dwarfs to comment on our occupation army's affairs? If they continue to complain, they will be arrested as rebels."
Obviously, after the transaction between the two men just now, their friendship is no longer the same as before.
Fang Lang couldn't just let Malik leave, because just because Malik didn't ask Fang Lang didn't mean he didn't have any questions unless he gave him a reasonable reason.
Sooner or later he will have questions and want to know the answers. This is human curiosity and it is unavoidable.
Therefore, Fang Lang must give him a reasonable reason.
"Colonel Malik, it's embarrassing to tell others about this matter. So, I didn't report it.
However, since you came to ask, as our allies, I have an obligation to explain the reason to you. Please follow me!"
Since Malik was called back to his military rank of Colonel, it means it was an official matter.
Colonel Malik also knew this very well, so he also stopped and followed Fang Lang across the playground to the room in the corner of the playground.
When the guard opened the door, Colonel Malik saw a coffin in the middle of the room with a photo on it.
Fang Lang pointed at the coffin and said:
"Three days ago, one of my platoon leaders was attacked and killed during patrol. However, the murderer was not caught. Therefore, the reaction of my brothers was a bit intense."
"What! Something like this actually happened. Do we need to intervene and investigate?"
When Malik saw the situation, not only did his doubts disappear, but he also found a reason to convince himself.
Since Fang Lang did not report it, it was obvious that he wanted to handle it himself. However, as the highest commander, Malik would definitely ask whether the US military needed to intervene in the investigation.
"Colonel Malik, this is a problem between our Brazilian Expeditionary Force and the Japanese dwarfs. I hope we can solve it ourselves."
After hearing Fang Lang's words, Colonel Malik didn't say much. He just patted Fang Lang on the shoulder, nodded, and turned away.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
