After bidding farewell to the women in his family, Fang Lang walked quickly through the backyard and came to the central hall. He saw General Crook, who was dressed in casual clothes, looking at a landscape painting on the wall of the central hall with great interest. He turned his head slowly when he heard the hurried footsteps.
Fang Lang quickly extended his hand, walked up to General Crook and said enthusiastically:
"General, I am sorry for being rude. I didn't know you were coming and was unable to greet you in time. Please forgive me!"
When General Crook saw Fang Lang, who was also wearing home clothes, he smiled and shook Fang Lang's hand and said:
"Haha... General Fang, you're joking. It's your vacation time now. I'm disturbing your vacation by coming here. I hope you don't blame me for being rude."
Seeing General Crook's attitude, Fang Lang knew that what happened today was not a bad thing, and he laughed:
"Haha... General Crook, you're joking. I'm a soldier under your command. If you need anything, just give me a call and I'll run over to see you. There's no need for you to make this trip in person."
After saying this, he pointed at the two armchairs in the middle of the hall and said:
"General, please come this way! Let's taste the fine Chinese tea I brought from Hong Kong this time."
...
...
General Crook laughed and sat down under Fang Lang's guidance.
After General Crook sat down, Fang Lang asked Uncle Fu to arrange for someone to make tea. Soon, a middle-aged woman in simple clothes served each of them a cup of tea.
The two chatted and laughed for a while, and General Crook even brought Fang Lang a New Year gift, which surprised Fang Lang and he expressed his gratitude repeatedly!
After the tea was over, General Crook seemed to think that the time was almost up, so he spoke directly:
"General Fang, I'm here for a private visit this time because I want to discuss a few things with you in private. Do you have any place suitable for the conversation?"
Hearing this, Fang Lang immediately understood. It seemed that General Crook's visit this time was also a quiet one, and the issues he wanted to discuss were also secret topics, and he didn't want too many people to hear them.
Fang Lang took General Crook directly into his study. After the two sat down at the tea table in the study, Fang Lang made tea for General Crook himself and said with a smile:
"General, you are too polite. If you have any instructions, just give them directly. Why would I bother you to come here in person?"
Hearing this, General Crook glared at Fang Lang unhappily.
"You did it on purpose, kid! I don't believe you didn't hear any rumors."
Fang Lang, who already had some guesses, became even more certain after hearing this.
"General Crook is coming here this time to appoint me as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy, right?"
Seeing that Fang Lang had brought up the topic, General Crook stopped hiding it. He picked up the teacup that Fang Lang handed over, took a sip, and then glared at Fang Lang unhappily and said:
"Well, you don't have to keep testing me here. I'm not in the same group with those idiots. If this is really what I want, would I have to make this trip in person?"
Fang Lang really had no doubt about what General Crook said. Although the two were superiors and subordinates, their personal relationship was extraordinary. Not only was Fang Lang promoted by General Crook.
Now General Crook's family works for the fishing company he and Parisi founded! Or rather, this fishing company is a joint venture of several people, so everyone actually has a community of interests.
Seeing that General Crook had no intention of putting on airs with him, Fang Lang was completely relieved and said with a grin:
"Hehe... I knew General Crook wouldn't do such a thing. Then I wonder why you came here today?"
General Crook looked at the grinning Fang Lang, and his expression gradually calmed down. He spoke slowly with a serious face:
"There are many calls for you to move, and I have suppressed them for a long time. But now that the new presidential election is about to begin, many people are already getting restless, and continuing to suppress them may backfire.
I think you might as well take this opportunity to try a further step. With your control over the aircraft carrier battle group, these guys are doomed to fail."
It must be said that as Fang Lang's old superior, the Minister of the Navy who worked with him to build this aircraft carrier fleet, his understanding of the situation of his fleet is by no means comparable to those guys who only know how to be jealous.
At the same time, his suggestion to Fang Lang was really for Fang Lang's sake. Fang Lang couldn't possibly not appreciate it. He also realized that General Crook had his own ideas about his whereabouts.
I just don't know how different this destination is from Fang Lang's own idea. He didn't bother to be polite with General Crook, and asked directly with curiosity:
"What is the new position you assigned to me?"
Seeing Fang Lang's curious expression, and a hint of expectation in his eyes, General Crook smiled slightly, knocked on the tea table in front of him, motioned Fang Lang to add more tea for him, and then said:
"I am going to recommend you to take over my position. What do you think?"
Fang Lang, who was pouring tea for General Crook with a flattering look on his face, was stunned when he heard the words. His hand holding the fairness cup stopped in mid-air, and he looked at General Crook in disbelief.
General Crook suggested that Fang Lang take over his position, which obviously shocked Fang Lang. It was not that he did not want to be the Minister of the Navy, but his age and qualifications were obviously not enough, although everyone said that qualifications and age were not important.
But in fact, anyone who takes this seriously is a real fool.
If he really serves as the Secretary of the Navy, he will definitely attract a lot of attention. His every move will be scrutinized under a magnifying glass. If he is not careful, he will be directly driven off the stage.
As for whether he has the ability to serve as the Secretary of the Navy, he must be very confident, but no matter how confident he is, his reason tells him that the time is not right yet.
He was not worried at all whether the new president would agree to the appointment. As long as the Ministry of Defense proposed it, the new president would definitely not dare to disrespect him.
Soon, he realized that General Crook was about to leave the Navy Department. Without thinking about his next position, he said in surprise:
"What do you mean? Do those guys want to drive you out too?"
General Crook seemed to have anticipated Fang Lang's reaction. He smiled and said with a playful look:
"What? Can't it be that I want to go further?"
Upon hearing this, Fang Lang's eyes lit up. With General Crook's influence in the Navy Department, Fang Lang really didn't believe that anyone could drive him out of office. Now, after hearing the other party's words, he immediately reacted.
He said with some surprise:
"General, have you found a better place to go?"
Seeing Fang Lang's surprised expression, Crook smiled and shook his head. After a moment's hesitation, he slowly spoke:
“From the current situation, it is a foregone conclusion that President Dutra will fail to win re-election.
Once the new president takes office, the position of Minister of Defense will definitely be replaced, and Marshal Moraes is already prepared to step down.
He talked to me and wanted me to work for the Ministry of Defense.”
As soon as these words were spoken, Fang Lang immediately understood what was going on. It seemed that Marshal Moraes was preparing to step down as Minister of Defense and wanted to complete the job adjustments at the Ministry of Defense before leaving office.
General Crook, a giant in the Navy Department, was singled out by him and was about to be sent to the Ministry of National Defense. As for whether this was a good thing or a bad thing for General Crook, it was hard to say.
Fang Lang tentatively said:
"Are you preparing to be the new Minister of Defense?"
Upon hearing this, General Crook rolled his eyes and said:
"What are you thinking! The Minister of Defense can only be decided by the new president, and Marshal Morais cannot influence the new president's thoughts.
Besides, if you don’t work as a civilian in the Ministry of National Defense for a few years, how can you possibly have the chance to become the Minister of National Defense?”
Fang Lang could tell from General Crook's words that it was not that he did not want to be the Minister of Defense, but it was really a question of qualifications like Fang Lang's. He was from the Navy, and if he had not spent a few years in the Ministry of Defense to get familiar with the work of other branches, it would be difficult for him to become the Minister of Defense directly.
If Fang Lang wanted, he could talk to Scalia and directly push him to this position, but the reality is that once President Scalia did so, it would likely cause dissatisfaction among the Army, which would be detrimental to the President's control over the military.
After General Crook has worked in the Ministry of Defense for a few years, although he cannot completely wash away the naval color in him, he will be less conspicuous.
"Then Marshal Morais is not planning to demote you in secret and transfer you out of the Navy Department to make way for others, right?"
Although he knew the possibility was slim, Fang Lang still spoke with a little doubt.
Hearing this, General Crook's face darkened, and he glared at Fang Lang in dissatisfaction and said:
"What are you thinking, kid? Marshal Morais is not that kind of person. He suggested that I join the Ministry of National Defense as deputy minister."
Hearing this, Fang Lang couldn't help but take a closer look at General Crook. He didn't expect that the other party was so hidden.
"Deputy Minister of Defense is a good position! I didn't expect the general to have such a good relationship with Marshal Morais, and to be able to get you to this position before he leaves office."
Fang Lang's words were actually a bit presumptuous, but he was really curious, so he couldn't help but blurt out.
Unexpectedly, General Crook did not get angry after hearing his words. Instead, he smiled and said:
"Speaking of which, this is all thanks to you, kid! You won't forget your contribution in wiping out the rebels of Brother Eddie! This rebel army made the army miserable, but you easily defeated them.
You don't think this matter is over just like that! As Minister of Defense, Marshal Morais must balance the relations between all parties.
Compared to the army's dismal performance, our navy's performance can be regarded as brilliant. In this situation, no one can ignore the combat effectiveness of our navy.
Otherwise, do you think that someone like me who comes from the navy has a chance to become the Deputy Minister of Defense?
It is precisely because of your military achievements that I dare to propose that you be appointed as the Minister of the Navy. Otherwise, the saliva within the Navy would drown me. "
After hearing this, Fang Lang suddenly realized that how could the navy, which had been squeezed out by the army, have a chance to take the position of Deputy Minister of National Defense!
You have to know that in a democratic country like Brazil, the Minister of Defense is appointed by the President himself. This person may be a general with high prestige in the military, or he may be a scholar who has engaged in military theory research.
This position does not directly manage the troops under its jurisdiction, but rather formulates the country's defense strategy and conveys the president's instructions to the military.
If the defense minister is a general with high prestige in the military, then he can be considered a powerful figure.
But if you are a scholar engaged in military theory research, I'm sorry, people in the military will simply ignore you. The real power is often in the hands of the Deputy Minister of Defense and the Chief of the General Staff, who are both military personnel.
It goes without saying that the Navy would definitely recognize General Crook's leadership as the Deputy Secretary of Defense. If he could take over several important positions in the Army Department while in office, he could extend his tentacles into the Army.
This is definitely a rare opportunity for General Crook.
No wonder the other party was willing to give up his position as Minister of the Navy. Thinking of this, Fang Lang had to think about his situation again.
General Crook's meaning was very clear, he supported me to be the Secretary of the Navy. Otherwise, he would not have come to my house to communicate in a private capacity.
"So, you have decided to leave the Admiralty?"
Fang Lang looked at General Crook seriously and confirmed with him again.
Looking at Fang Lang's serious expression, General Crook knew that Fang Lang was now seriously considering his proposal.
He also nodded seriously and said:
"I have no reason to turn down an offer like that, right?"
Hearing this, Fang Lang took a deep breath, then lowered his head, picked up the tea on the table, took a sip, and began to think seriously.
Seeing this, General Crook did not rush him. He knew that this was an important decision and he had to carefully consider the pros and cons.
After a long while, Fang Lang spoke again:
"Then I wonder what specific work General Crook will be responsible for in the Ministry of Defense?"
This question made General Crook stunned. He didn't expect that Fang Lang was not thinking about whether he should take over the position of Minister of the Navy, but what he was responsible for in the Ministry of National Defense. He thought that the other party was worried about his future, and he couldn't help but feel touched.
A smile appeared on his face involuntarily. He picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea before he said confidently:
"Don't worry! My position as Deputy Minister of Defense is definitely a position of real power. Not only can I participate in the formulation of Brazil's national defense strategy, but I can also directly intervene in the management of the navy, army and air force."
Hearing this, Fang Lang's heart moved, and he spoke again:
"You recommended me to be the Minister of the Navy. There should be a lot of resistance!"
Fang Lang's words made General Crook vaguely guess something, but he did not pause, but spoke directly:
"You are right. You are too young and have no experience working in government agencies. It is indeed difficult for you to become the Minister of the Navy.
But since I nominated you for the position, I am confident that I can push you to the top."
Now General Crook was really speaking his heart out to Fang Lang. It had to be said that General Crook had nothing to say about Fang Lang. Not only did he promote him out of turn, but in just two years, he became the commander-in-chief of Brazil's only aircraft carrier battle group.
Now they have to go to great lengths to get him the position of Navy Minister. Although the business that Fang Lang and he have done together has made their family a lot of profit, Fang Lang believes that the other party values him so much and it is definitely not for this reason.
He believed in his abilities, but it was obviously not enough to support him so unremittingly just because of his military ability.
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