Fang Lang stayed in General Morais' office for less than ten minutes. When he came out, he not only became the captain of a new destroyer, but also had some estrangement with Colonel Parisi.
I have no foundation in the navy. It is obvious that General Morais belongs to the largest faction in the military. I am obviously being used by them. If I don't want to be used by them, I obviously cannot follow them completely, otherwise I will easily be sidelined.
Therefore, Fang Lang could not help but look at Colonel Parisi beside him. No matter what would happen to Colonel Parisi in the future, at least he was still the highest person in charge of the Brazilian Expeditionary Navy. And Colonel Parisi did not show any hostility towards him, so he could definitely form a certain tacit understanding with him.
"Sir, what's going on? Am I the captain of a new destroyer?"
Colonel Parisi looked at Fang Lang in shock at what he said. Seeing the expression on Fang Lang's face, he didn't seem to be pretending. He couldn't help but ask in confusion: "Didn't you know the news in advance?"
"Last night, Lieutenant Colonel Graham talked to me and hoped that I could ask the US Navy for a new destroyer. If I succeeded, I would be the captain. But I didn't agree! What happened today?"
Fang Lang felt that there was nothing to hide about this matter. He believed that even if he didn't say it, everyone would know it soon, so he spoke very frankly.
Hearing Fang Lang's answer, Colonel Parisi couldn't help but fall into deep thought. After thinking for a while, he said, "The current situation is that General Morais agrees to let you select personnel to form this new destroyer. And you have actually agreed to serve as the captain of this destroyer. So the matter of the destroyer is now your own business."
Colonel Parisi's words stunned Fang Lang. Has this become his business? Damn, there is such a trick. No wonder he can be the commander of the expeditionary force. This trick is really hard to guard against!
...
...
"So, now I have no choice but to do it, right?"
Seeing Fang Lang's bewildered expression, Colonel Parisi finally smiled:
"Don't be so ungrateful. As a senior naval officer, let me remind you that General Morais was not kidding when he said we should use your destroyer to develop our new navy. The Brazilian Navy is already isolated in a remote corner, and all its warships are old equipment from World War I. Can a navy without even radar still be called a navy? Look at the main forces in naval battles now, all of which are aircraft carriers, and our Brazilian Navy doesn't even have an aircraft carrier. How can we gain a foothold in the world in the future?"
He patted Fang Lang on the shoulder and pointed to the jeep lane outside:
"Talk as we walk!"
Fang Lang had no objection and waved to De La Torre in the distance, indicating that he would follow the Colonel's car.
Colonel Parisi said, "Tell your first mate to take my car, you drive, and we can talk alone."
I understand that Colonel Parisi wants to talk to me alone and it is inconvenient for others to be present, so I have to exclude his driver.
Fang Lang and Colonel Parisi walked to their car again, let De La Torre get in the colonel's car, and took the colonel with him and started driving towards the naval base.
Colonel Parisi sat in the car, tightened his windbreaker, looked at the beautiful scenery of Italy and said:
"Winter in Italy is so cold! Brazil is warmer."
Fang Lang didn't know if he was referring to something else, but what he said was indeed true. Brazil's latitude is relatively low, and most of the country is in the tropics. Many people have never seen snow in their lives, so it is natural to feel that Italy is cold.
"Yeah! Brazil is much warmer."
"Fang, I believe you have noticed that I am not welcome in the Brazilian Expeditionary Force. Do you know why?" This time, Colonel Parisi came straight to the point without hiding anything. There was no cryptic communication like in the past.
Unfortunately, Fang Lang didn't know how to respond to this, after all, this was his immediate superior. Colonel Parisi didn't really wait for Fang Lang to answer, but said to himself:
"I am a fellow countryman of President Vargas. I am considered one of President Vargas' people. Because of some domestic political issues, President Vargas is gradually losing the trust of the military. We are still in a state of war. People like me will not be affected. We will probably just be marginalized slowly. So, don't be surprised."
Fang Lang was somewhat surprised by Parisi's frankness. He had not expected that Colonel Parisi would suddenly say these things to him. It sounded somewhat heartfelt, which made Fang Lang very uncomfortable.
"Now that General Morais has chosen you to be the captain of the expeditionary navy's new destroyer, no matter what the reason is, I think you should seize this opportunity. The reason why you didn't agree to become the captain of the destroyer yesterday was probably because you felt you were being used!"
Colonel Parisi's words surprised Fang Lang. He didn't expect that Parisi could see through his mind so easily. Since others were so frank, he didn't have any bad feelings towards Colonel Parisi. Besides, more friends mean more paths. He didn't belong to that faction now.
Anyone with a discerning eye should be able to see what's on my mind, so after thinking about it, I felt that there was nothing to hide, so I nodded and said, "I do feel like I'm being used. After all, my relationship with Commodore Jackson is just a personal one. If I use this relationship to promote the Brazilian Navy's plan, it might hurt my friendship with Commodore Jackson."
Fang Lang's words made Colonel Parisi smile slightly. He looked at Fang Lang's young face seriously and said, "You are indeed very young and a little naive. How do you know that the Americans are not taking advantage of you?"
Yes! Isn't my current situation that I am the pro-American faction that the United States wants to support? I am also being used by the Americans! Since both sides are using me, what is there for me to be entangled about? At this time, if I don't try to please both sides and expand my own interests, I would be stupid. I don't even take advantage of the Americans, what am I thinking!
These equipments don't belong to Brigadier General Jackson. They are paid by American taxpayers, and my own American company also pays taxes! Isn't it natural for me to get some interest?
Seeing Fang Lang's expression of sudden enlightenment, Parisi smiled even more happily.
"Your role now is very subtle. Everyone wants to find a balance through you. Therefore, you are very important to both sides. This is the best time for you to gain benefits. So this destroyer is a seed. Whether it can grow and develop depends on your own ability."
Fang Lang was obviously not a stupid person. Colonel Parisi's words almost pointed out the direction of development for Fang Lang.
"I understand. Thank you for your teaching, sir! Fang Lang will never forget your kindness!"
Colonel Parisi smiled and shook his head, saying, "I'm not telling you this for nothing. Since you are the future hope of the Brazilian Navy, and I am about to retire from the historical stage. I have some friends who are still serving in the Navy, and I hope you can take care of them in the future."
Fang Lang understood what Colonel Parisi meant in a second. He really needed to cultivate some of his own power. Looking at the current situation, some of the people around Colonel Parisi could obviously be recruited. But he had to choose them carefully. Ability was important, but loyalty to him was more important.
"Of course, no problem. You can give me their names and I will include them in the crew list of the new destroyer for inspection."
The Colonel smiled and stretched out his right hand. Fang Lang also pulled out his right hand. The two held their hands tightly together, and a preliminary agreement was reached.
"Then what are your plans?" Fang Lang said, looking at Colonel Parisi who had a calm expression on his face.
"I will stick with you until the end of the war to avoid unnecessary complications. After the war, I will retire directly, return to my hometown, buy a large farm, and enjoy the rest of my life."
Fang Lang didn't expect that Colonel Parisi would say that he would stick with him until the end of the war. Doesn't this mean that he was waiting for him to take over his position? There were only less than two months left in the war. How could he become a naval captain in such a short time when he was so young? He didn't dare to take this seriously.
But when Colonel Parisi said he wanted to go home and buy a farm, Fang Lang had something in his mind.
"Mr. Colonel's home is Rio Grande do Sul, right?"
"Yes, Porto Alegre. Why, are you interested in visiting my hometown?"
Colonel Parisi was not surprised that Fang Lang knew where his hometown was. After all, he had just said that he and the President were from the same hometown, and the President's home was in Rio Grande do Sul.
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