General Crook, who understood Fang Lang's true purpose and intention, looked at Fang Lang deeply and said slowly:
"It's a bit of a waste of talent to let you continue to stay in the Navy Department. With your ability and level, you should go to the Ministry of National Defense to formulate strategies and tactics for Brazil."
Fang Lang, who had just looked confident, couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed after hearing what General Crook said. To say that he could have such a vision was not because he was really that good and could analyze these based on the current intelligence.
It is purely his memories from the future, combined with the intelligence gained from the Brazilian Intelligence Agency, which is now in his hands, that allow him to have a forward-looking vision and a higher perspective.
General Crook couldn't help but laugh when he saw Fang Lang seemed a little embarrassed. This was the kind of behavior a young man should have!
"Okay, I understand your intention to abuse your power for personal gain, but you are right. At least in the past two years, the Fletcher-class destroyers imitated by your shipyard are very good.
If we follow your plan, we may really have to start an arms race with Argentina. In this case, it is far from enough for the navy to be able to produce warships on its own.
I heard that the Army Department purchased a batch of new light weapons last year, which were also developed by your Light Weapons Research Institute. Army officers and soldiers generally have a very high opinion of this weapon.
But light weapons alone are not enough! If we want an arms race, our army cannot rely on rifles and artillery alone to conquer the world. The current advanced army tactics are all centered around tanks.
...
...
So you can't just focus on naval equipment, you know what I mean?"
This statement was a direct reminder to him that he had to find a way to start researching tanks. How could he not understand this? Fang Lang, who had wanted to become an arms giant from the beginning, also hesitated slightly after hearing his words.
It's not that he doesn't have the technical reserves for tank production, nor is it that he doesn't want to carry out research and development and production of tanks, but the key issue is that tanks are time-consuming and costly to develop. If there is no market for them, wouldn't it be a definite loss-making business?
However, he quickly realized that the Navy Minister in front of him was concerned about the army's equipment because he was preparing to take some action.
"General, to be honest, our Fangyuan Automobile Company already has a considerable reserve of tank manufacturing technology. At the same time, the Caterpillar company that we introduced to Brazil two years ago also has the manufacturing technology for tank chassis.
It is not impossible for us in Brazil to develop a new type of tank, but the problem now is that tank research and development requires a lot of manpower, material and financial resources.
More importantly, after the product is developed, is sales guaranteed? We can’t develop a qualified product, but the Army doesn’t like it, and all our investment will go down the drain! "
When General Crook heard that Fang Lang already had the technical reserves for tank manufacturing, he was immediately delighted. He was worried about how to open up the situation in the Army Department and win the hearts of the people after entering the Ministry of National Defense! Now, isn't this just like someone sending you a pillow when you want to sleep?
He had the tank resources in his hands, but he was still afraid that the army generals would not come running over to show their loyalty.
"Haha...Okay, General Fang, you really never disappoint me.
Since you already have the technical reserves for tank research, development and production, after I take office, I will communicate with the Ministry of Army, let them put forward their own needs, and then entrust your company to carry out the research and development.
Of course, our Ministry of National Defense will fully support you in terms of R&D expenses. We will never let you suffer any loss.”
After hearing this, Fang Lang was completely relieved. He was not afraid of your Army Department making demands, but he was afraid that you would not give money. As long as you are willing to pay, it is not difficult for me to set up an independent research institute!
I just don't believe that with my vision from the future, I can't develop a steel behemoth that will impress people. As long as the product we develop is good enough, I don't believe that I can't sell it and exchange it for some foreign currency.
"Yes, General. As long as the National Defense Force needs it, we will invest 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 but burst into laughter and said:
"Haha...Okay, I look forward to the birth of our own land battle king as soon as possible."
After saying that, he picked up the tea and drank it in one gulp.
Seeing this, Fang Lang also picked up the fairness cup with a smile on his face, and while adding tea to General Crook, he said flatteringly:
"General, if you come to the Ministry of National Defense with the attitude of supporting the Army's self-developed tanks, you will definitely gain strong support from the generals of the Army Department. By then, your position in the Ministry of National Defense will be as stable as a rock.
Unlike our Navy Department, which is a small pond with shallow water and many turtles, you haven't even left the position of Navy Minister yet, and someone is already thinking about sabotaging you. I think you still need to pay great attention to this."
General Crook, who was originally smiling, couldn't help but twitch his eyelids when he heard Fang Lang's words. What does that mean? What does it mean that there are many turtles in shallow water? Are you a turtle or am I a turtle?
But he also heard some different meanings from Fang Lang's words, and glared at Fang Lang with some dissatisfaction and said:
"Can you speak? What do you mean by 'too many turtles' or 'strong evil winds'? I think you are the one who wants to cause trouble!"
Upon hearing this, Fang Lang naturally complained repeatedly.
"General, you are wronging me. I always follow your instructions. If you tell me to go east, I will go east. If you tell me to catch chickens, I will never chase dogs.
But some people are different. Before you leave, someone has already set their sights on your position. Isn't this just sabotaging you?
I think you should teach this kind of person a lesson!"
If General Crook still doesn't understand what Fang Lang wants to say, he doesn't deserve to be in his current position. He was not angry about Fang Lang's words, but said to Fang Lang with a playful look on his face:
"What? You are not happy about someone trying to take advantage of you, right? And you are talking about someone trying to sabotage me. I think you just want to teach a lesson to the person who is eyeing your position as the fleet commander!
Why, are you afraid that someone will pick your peaches and run away? "
Fang Lang certainly couldn't admit that he wanted to use General Crook's hand to deal with those people who wanted to take advantage of him. He immediately denied it:
"Look at what you're saying. I'm only thinking about my superiors. My position is not as important as that of the Minister of the Navy."
At this point, General Crook's expression became even more amusing. He looked at Fang Lang with a half-smile on his face and said:
"Since my position is so important, why don't you want to take it over?"
Hearing this, Fang Lang's expression froze slightly, but he reacted quickly and said:
"I'm not qualified enough! And if I hand over such an important position to you, won't it bring greater benefits?
By then, your position in the Ministry of National Defense will be more stable, and we, your subordinates, will be able to live more comfortably!"
Hearing Fang Lang's funny words, General Crook also smiled, and after a long while he waved his hand and said:
"Okay, you want to know who will take over the position of the fleet commander after you arrive at the Navy Department!"
Seeing General Crook's expression, Fang Lang felt relieved. If the person who took over his position after he left was not his own man, he would not be able to continue talking to him with a smile.
The reason why he asked General Crook who to arrange to take over his position at this time was not because he was incapable of letting his own people take over. He simply wanted to see clearly which bastard was trying to take advantage of him.
But judging from the current situation, General Crook seemed to have already made up his mind and was not prepared to give these guys any chance.
"Hehe... General, you are joking. I am not such a fool. Who will take over my position must be nominated by you and approved by the Ministry of National Defense!
My main worry is that our aircraft carrier fleet has just formed 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 capability and cause dissatisfaction among the fleet's officers and soldiers.
It will cause unnecessary trouble to the General."
Fang Lang's words caused General Crook to 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 for my opinion.
Considering that you formed the fleet yourself, and as the first commander of the fleet, you are the one who knows the fleet best, my advice to Marshal Morais is that your opinion is crucial in the selection of the new commander of the fleet. "
Hearing this, Fang Lang couldn't help but frown. What do you mean my opinion is crucial? I can't even have the right to nominate!
As if he knew what Fang Lang was thinking, General Crook continued speaking before Fang Lang could speak:
"Because the aircraft carrier fleet is the most important combat force of our navy, we are very cautious in choosing its commander.
The Navy Department is responsible for nominating the candidates, and the Chief of the Defense Department and the Minister of Defense are responsible for reviewing and confirming the nominations.”
After hearing what General Crook said, Fang Lang finally breathed a sigh of relief and understood why General Crook was always smiling. After all this time, the right to nominate still lay in the hands of the Navy Department.
Considering General Crook's strength in the Navy Department and his upcoming position in the Department of Defense, no one in the Navy Department should dare to jump out and oppose the candidate he proposes!
And if he was nominated by General Crook, there was no way he would not respect his opinion and promote De La Torre.
"Who will you nominate for this position, General?"
In response to the question that Fang Lang was most concerned about, General Crook said in a slightly teasing tone:
"You said that the fleet has just formed its initial combat capability and we cannot assign officers who are not familiar with the situation to serve as fleet commanders. As the Minister of the Navy, I must ask for your opinion!"
Hearing this, Fang Lang couldn't help but touch his head and grinned.
Seeing this, General Crook couldn't help but said solemnly:
"Well, even if you don't tell me, I know who you are going to recommend. Let's be frank. I have no objection to promoting De La Torre to the position of fleet commander.
However, your fleet must also free up a few other positions and allow them to fill them with people. Otherwise, the entire fleet will be filled with your loyal followers, and others will have objections.
Do you understand what I mean? "
Hearing this, Fang Lang couldn't help but frowned and said unhappily:
"That bastard is spreading rumors. When did the fleet become my loyal supporters? Let him stand up and speak to my face. I will beat his mouth to pieces."
Although Fang Lang said this, he was already on high alert in his heart. He knew very well that General Crook would never speak without a purpose. The reason he said such a thing was obviously because someone had put forward such a view.
This made his heart sink slightly, and he would definitely ask the Intelligence Bureau to investigate and find out who said this.
General Crook didn't pay much attention to Fang Lang's words. He knew very well in his heart that what others said was the fact. The only outsider who was arranged into the fleet was Colonel Waldo Granma, who was forced in by the Army Department.
This colonel officer who was originally going to manage the Marine Corps in the fleet is now only responsible for the management of two tank landing craft. He can be regarded as a complete marginal person in the fleet.
General Crook had expressed his support for this. After all, the Rio de Janeiro aircraft carrier battle group was their navy's territory. It was nothing for the Army Department to interfere.
But in the past few years, Fang Lang has indeed managed the fleet in an ironclad manner. It's not that there have been no newcomers joining their navy department, but those who have joined can often quickly integrate with other members of the fleet.
Even those who were transferred out would seem to be somewhat out of tune with other naval officers and soldiers. But this incompatibility did not mean that they had become bad. On the contrary, it was that they had become somewhat unable to accept the depravity and corruption of other people in the Navy Department.
General Crook couldn't stand the widespread corruption in the Brazilian military, which was what he really admired about Fang Lang.
It would be hard for him not to support the fact that he was able to lead such a unique army out of such a mess as the Brazilian army.
As for the complaints that Fang Lang had turned the Rio de Janeiro Fleet into a private fleet, Crook didn't take it too seriously. Apart from others, he, General Crook, had also replaced most of the people in the Navy Department with his own people. What was so strange about that?
It is incomprehensible that someone would use outsiders instead of their own people! Besides, aren't there many such things in the Brazilian army?
In the army, there are many cases where a general treats his own troops as his own personal employees, but why is it that this is not the case in his navy?
What's more, this aircraft carrier battle group was originally built bit by bit by Fang Lang. It was normal for everyone to obey his orders.
In addition, the funds required to maintain the normal operation of the navy are absolutely astronomical, which is definitely not something that a private individual can pay. Therefore, it is difficult for warlords to appear in the navy.
More importantly, Fang Lang was a subordinate who obeyed his orders and was very measured in his actions. Since everyone was his own, it was only natural for him to turn a blind eye to some of his violations.
"Well, you don't have to complain in front of me. I know the situation very well, and I won't listen to other people's slander.
However, I must remind you that with this job change, if we let De La Torre become the new commander of the fleet, we must accept their attempts to sabotage the fleet.
Do you understand? "
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