The container ship in the Global Shipbuilding dock was slowly towed out of the dock. This experimental container ship could only carry more than 200 standard container containers.
But it serves as a test for the entire container transportation system. Of course, this ship will also become the standard ship type for inland river container containers.
Watching the container ship slowly moving out of the dock, a German engineer said:
"Mr. Wan, according to my understanding of this type of container ship, the tonnage of one of our container ships may easily exceed 100,000 tons.
However, I am very worried about whether our power can keep up with such a large tonnage. You just said that you have prepared a chassis for truck hauling. Are you sure that with the power of our current trucks, we can haul such a huge container?"
Originally, Wan Chongxin had only a limited understanding of this aspect of knowledge. He was stunned when he heard what the engineer said. He quickly looked at the other engineers and said:
"Everyone, please express your opinions. Is this the problem Mr. Karl mentioned?"
After several engineers discussed in low voices for a few sentences, an American engineer said:
"Mr. Karl's concerns are justified. We may not be able to increase the tonnage of the ship to 100,000 tons so quickly now. It is not so urgent yet.
...
...
As for trucks, maybe we need a tractor instead of an ordinary truck. As far as I know, the US military's current M20, also known as the Diamond T980 tractor, can do this job.
It is equipped with a 13.4-liter "Hercules" 6-cylinder diesel engine with a maximum power of 185 horsepower, matched with a 4-speed mechanical gearbox with a three-speed transmission. The maximum speed is 37 kilometers per hour.
Maybe we can entrust them to customize a professional container tractor for us.”
After listening to the engineers, Wan Chongxin had a new understanding of the supporting system of container transportation, and began to consider whether he should report his work to his boss.
After all, according to the current progress, perhaps by the first half of 1946, container ships may officially enter the market. The boss must be present at such an important moment!
At the Natal Naval Base in Brazil, Fang Xinshan, who returned to Natal from the City Hall, found Fang Lang, who was working in the normal office to handle documents.
"Lang'er, the artillery production equipment we brought back from Japan will soon arrive at the Port of Santos in Sao Paulo. What do you think now?"
After hearing his father's reminder, Fang Lang remembered that he had not yet responded to General Dutra about the establishment of a military factory!
He scratched his head and said:
"Dad, how much liquidity does Fangyuan Group have now?"
"You may need to ask the group's finance department about this. If I remember correctly, the seven or eight million dollars of working capital can still be withdrawn. What, do you want to use it?"
After hearing his father's answer, Fang Lang scratched his head. This place in his home was really dangerous!
Neither of them even knew how much wealth their family had, which made Fang Lang feel even more urgent.
"Don't move this batch of equipment yet. I want to have a good chat with our future president about what kind of support the government can provide if our family establishes a military-industrial enterprise."
"You're setting up a military-industrial enterprise. We're already too busy. Aren't you expanding your business too much?"
"Alas! I can't help it. General Dutra took the initiative to ask me about this. I have no choice but to accept it! Please take some time out in the next two days to quickly set up the assistant team I told you about last time.
The personnel will be drawn from the current management and financial teams of each branch. We will first find a place to work in the base, and when we build the bank building, we will also build an office building and move there when the time comes.
I shall soon be able to finish my business in Natal, and then I shall have some free time.”
Just as Fang Lang saw his father off, a second lieutenant from the Brazilian Intelligence Agency walked in under the guidance of guards, holding a dozen thick documents.
When Fang Lang saw such a huge amount of information, his head started to hurt. How could he have the time to sit here and slowly study so many things!
He spoke directly to the lieutenant:
"Mr. Lieutenant, are you familiar with all this information?"
The second lieutenant was a white man in his thirties with a small scar on the left side of his forehead that looked like it was caused by a sharp weapon.
The first time Fang Lang saw him, his intuition told him that this was a tough guy.
"Report, sir, I am aware of all this information, some of which I collected."
"Oh! So you are the intelligence officer based in Natal?"
"Yes, sir, I know all about Natal."
"How many people do you have in Natal? Where is your office located?"
Hearing Fang Lang's question, the second lieutenant who had been keeping his head down raised his head and looked at Fang Lang.
Perhaps it is not convenient for the intelligence agencies to disclose this information.
However, Fang Lang still looked at the second lieutenant and waited for his answer.
Seeing Fang Lang's firm attitude, the second lieutenant could only speak:
"The Intelligence Bureau has only about 20 people in the Natal branch, and we work at the National Guard station."
Hearing the second lieutenant's answer, Fang Lang nodded and said:
"What's your name? Are you the person in charge of the Natal station?"
"Sir, my name is Sirio Regis, and I'm the chief of the Natal Intelligence Station."
"Starting tomorrow, you will move to my naval base to work. I will need your intelligence support at any time."
Lieutenant Lei Qi was stunned by Fang Lang's words, and he drove at Fang Lang in a daze.
"Why not? The Intelligence Agency can't work with my First Fleet?"
"Sir! Our intelligence department is required to keep secrets. Working at your naval base may be discovered by hostile forces."
"Will you not be discovered if you are in the National Guard? Well, now I am the military governor of Rio Grande do Norte, and I will communicate with your superiors.
I hope you can show me your ability. If I am not satisfied, I will directly ask your superiors to replace you."
Perhaps because he had never met such a strong leader, Lieutenant Reich didn't know how to answer this question for a moment.
Fang Lang was also annoyed by the mess in Natal.
Originally, Fang Lang was planning to arrange personnel to conduct a thorough investigation and then deal with the local forces.
After returning to the base, I found that my company is still in a mess. How can I have the time to worry about these little Karamis in the local area over such trivial matters!
He is no longer a small character now, but the military governor of Rio Grande do Norte.
There is no mercy in martial law. If they are unhappy with you, they will classify you as a hostile force and eliminate you. That's it.
Seeing that Lieutenant Lei Qi didn't say anything, Fang Lang didn't bother to pay attention to his thoughts and spoke directly:
"Tell me about the powerful forces in Natal!"
Fang Lang's question was really the main reason for his visit, so he answered without hesitation:
“Reporting to the commander, there are a total of three forces in this area. The largest of them is the Jacob family, whose patriarch is Theodore Jacob. This family controls all salt trade in Natal, and the specific operations are in the charge of his eldest son, Herbert Jacob.
Politically, the deputy commissioner of police, Bill Yakubu, is his second son, and the youngest son, Nino Yakubu, is the boss of his Roy gang.
In addition to running an open salt business, this family is also secretly the largest DP seller in Natal.
The second force is the current mayor, Mr. Dursley, who is the president of the Natal District Agricultural Association and has a huge influence on the farmers in Natal;
The third faction is Natal's speaker, Jedda Brooke, who is smaller than the other two. He is the president of the Rio Grande do Norte cattle industry association.
After hearing what Lieutenant Lei Qi said, Fang Lang smiled and shook his head:
"I thought, how powerful are these people? They just messed with a gangster, a farmer, and a herdsman! Is there no decent industry in the local area?"
“The local industrial strength is relatively weak. There were only some small sugar factories and a slaughterhouse owned by Mr. Brooke, the speaker of the parliament. There were no other decent factories.
Natal mainly exports agricultural products. However, after the US military entered Natal, they built a cement factory in Natal in order to build a base.
After the US troops withdrew, the cement factory was occupied by the Yakub family. However, because they had no technology, they were unable to produce. "
Now Fang Lang had broadened his horizons. Just such a bad guy made him think he was a powerful figure and almost sat at the card table and played cards with them.
After figuring out the situation, what else is there to play? Just flip the table!
Who says we have the strength? There is a saying that if you don’t use your rights, they will expire! What else can I say?
"Okay! I understand. No evil forces are allowed to exist within my jurisdiction. I'll give you one day. Tomorrow afternoon I want to see that Yakubu family disappear from Natal. Can you do it?"
Lieutenant Reitch was shocked and thought: Boss, I am just an intelligence officer who is here to deliver some information. You asked me to do something so big that it will be difficult to report to my superiors when I return!
Before he could say anything, Fang Lang's slightly contemptuous voice came to his ears again:
"Why are the people in the Intelligence Agency incapable of action?"
This is a really bad way of provoking someone. This is not a question of whether or not they have the ability to act, but rather, the Intelligence Bureau is an independent department. How can they do such a thing without receiving instructions from their superiors?
Lei Qi smiled bitterly in his heart, looking at the young colonel in front of him, not knowing whether he should tell the truth.
In my heart, I unconsciously classified Fang Lang as a reckless man. I don't know how big his background is. Surprisingly, he can become a naval captain at such a young age, but he does things without thinking.
After thinking about it, he decided to answer Fang Lang's question:
"Sir, our Intelligence Bureau is an independent department directly under the General Staff Headquarters and cannot directly follow your command."
Fang Lang smiled and said:
"What I mean is that you can handle this matter, but you are unwilling to follow my orders."
He glanced at Lieutenant Reitch and dialed Blackwell's number directly.
"Brother Blackwell, I am short of manpower. Can I use your intelligence officer named Reach?"
Blackwell on the other end of the phone was stunned. What was going on with Fang Lang today? Was he angry somewhere and wanted to vent? Without thinking too much, he said:
"It's nothing. Give him the phone and I'll talk to him."
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