In April 1946, the weather in New York still showed no signs of warming up.
Fang Lang had been in the United States for three days. After arranging for Conrad Zuse, whom he met in Switzerland, to be sent to Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, Fang Lang rushed to the United States without stopping.
Even the matter of the treasure was handed over to his adjutant. After dealing with the mission of silencing the Germans, Zhuang Xintian, who serves as the guard platoon leader, will be personally responsible for escorting the goods back to the country.
The reason why Fang Lang rushed to the United States in such a hurry was because Jefferson, the general manager of Shata Company, sent a telegram to inform Fang Lang, after the unremitting efforts of the public relations department of Shata Company.
Finally, the US Secretary of the Navy was persuaded to agree to sell an aircraft carrier to Brazil, but the specific model and configuration still need to be discussed by Brazilian personnel.
So Fang Lang had to hurriedly end his trip to Switzerland and come to the United States, preparing to visit the Secretary of the Navy at the U.S. Navy Department first.
At this time, the U.S. Department of Defense had not yet been established. The United States only had the Department of the Navy and the Department of the Army. The Air Force, which had gone through the baptism of World War II and played a decisive role in victory in the war, was still under the command of the Army Air Force.
As a Brazilian sailor who had served under the American Pacific Fleet, he knew very well how much power the U.S. Navy Department had and how powerful it was.
As soon as he received the Navy Department's consent to sell the aircraft carrier, Fang Lang asked Jefferson who the current US Secretary of the Navy was, preparing to launch targeted persuasion work.
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The person who asked this question turned out to be an old acquaintance, and also General Nimitz, his superior during the Pacific War.
It's a pity that although I have served under General Nimitz, I have never had direct contact with him. But it doesn't matter, I have acquaintances in the US Navy!
Although General Clark always guards himself, he is now retired and the situation is definitely different from when he was in service.
Besides, I have never thought of asking General Clark to persuade General Nimitz on my behalf. It should be no problem for me to just make an introduction.
In fact, since Shata Company has successfully persuaded the Secretary of the Navy, General Nimitz, there is no problem for Fang Lang to visit General Nimitz directly.
However, according to Fang Lang's habitual thinking, he still wanted to go the route of introduction by acquaintances, which would make it easier to build a closer relationship between the two.
More importantly, this matter cannot be negotiated by Fang Lang alone on behalf of the Brazilian Navy Ministry, but the Brazilian Navy Ministry must also arrange more heavyweight figures to participate in the negotiations.
We can't let only Colonel Fang Lang be responsible for everything!
Of course, some negotiations are a verbal agreement reached between the bigwigs on both sides, and then the subordinates begin to negotiate the details.
Another way is for the people below to reach a consensus at the next level based on the wishes of both parties, and after obtaining the consent of their superiors, they can have the bigwigs of both parties come forward to sign.
A few days ago, Fang Lang, accompanied by Jefferson, general manager of Shata Company, familiarized himself with the models of aircraft carriers currently in service in the United States, the various shipborne equipment they are equipped with, and the models of carrier-based aircraft suitable for carrying.
After two days of familiarization, Fang Lang already had a clear goal in mind, which was the Essex-class aircraft carrier, which was the largest in number and also the most powerful in combat in the US military.
As for whether the Americans would agree to sell this new aircraft carrier to Brazil, Fang Lang had no idea. But since they were already here, there was no reason to back down, right?
A year later, Fang Lang came to General Clark's home in New York again.
After retiring, General Clark lived a very leisurely life and his biggest hobby was fishing.
When Fang Lang arrived at the door of General Clark's house, he happened to see General Clark, who was wearing casual work clothes and carrying a fishing rod and other tools.
General Clark was stunned when he saw Fang Lang, and took the initiative to speak:
"Fang, how come you have time to come and see a retired old man like me?"
"Uncle Clark, you said that John and I are good brothers. He is too busy with work to stay with you. As a friend, I am obligated to come and help him visit his family!"
Fang Lang said with a smile.
Unfortunately, old man General Clark had long seen through Fang Lang's nature and knew that this guy was a little fox, so he would not be so kind.
So I joked directly:
"You are so kind, why do I just not believe it?"
Fang Lang didn't mind and changed the subject:
"Uncle Clark, are you going fishing? That's great, I like fishing too. Come, come, let me help you carry your things, and we'll go fishing together.
Is there only one fishing rod? Can you help me find another one?
Let’s see who catches more fish and who catches bigger fish.”
As soon as Clark saw Fang Lang approaching him, he knew he couldn't escape today.
He shook his head helplessly, pointed at Fang Lang and said:
“You little fox, you must be up to no good. You even accompany me, an old man, to fish. Are you that kind?
Let me make it clear, I am retired now.
What I said about the military situation was of no use.”
Fang Lang smiled and didn't mind General Clark's behavior of blocking his mouth. He didn't know what the old man meant. He was his son's savior.
He doesn't know how to be grateful at all, and I have to force myself to get close to him to build a relationship with him.
"Look at what you said. You are a retired admiral. What can I expect from you?
Aren't you here in the United States to do some business and come to see Mrs. Clark and Sister Sophia?
Although you don't like me, Mrs. Clark has been a great help to me.
I came here to thank Mrs. Clark for her help."
When Clark heard Fang Lang's words, he looked at Fang Lang with disbelief and said:
"Do you think I believe it?"
Before General Clark could finish his words, Mrs. Clark's gentle voice came from behind him:
"What are you talking about? Fang is John's savior.
When did our family become so ungrateful? "
In fact, General Clark is not really ungrateful. If that were the case, he would not have asked his old friend General Jackson to take care of Fang Lang.
Fang Lang also had no chance to stand out from the Brazilian Navy so quickly.
However, through his contact with Fang Lang on the Pacific battlefield, General Clark realized that this seemingly harmless guy in front of him was actually a little fox and he could fall into his trap if he was not careful.
Both of them know what kind of person the other is, so even though the communication may seem a little disharmonious, it is actually more of a reminder to the other party not to go too far.
This makes others feel like they are enemies.
Fang Lang had long discovered that Mrs. Clark was attracted by the conversation between the two outside the door, so he deliberately said that he came to thank Mrs. Clark.
From what Mrs. Clark said, Fang Lang discovered something very interesting. Perhaps General Clark, who was decisive and ruthless in the army, did not have a very high status at home.
When General Clark heard the voice behind him, he felt his ears tighten and turned around quickly and said:
"Madam, you don't know that this guy is a little fox. He came here suddenly today, and his purpose must be not simple."
Mrs. Clark did not listen to General Clark, but said to Fang Lang:
"Fang, don't pay attention to this stubborn old man. I'm glad you can come to see me again."
Fang Lang also quickly handed the gift he had prepared to Mrs. Clark and said:
"Madam, you look even more stunning than last year. I'm really glad to see you again!"
"Haha... is that true?! I think so too!
Come in! Let's ignore this unreasonable old man."
Mrs. Clark was extremely happy to hear Fang Lang's praise. She completely ignored General Clark, whose face was a little livid, and directly welcomed Fang Lang into the living room.
General Clark, who was standing outside the door, thought about it and was still worried that his wife would be fooled by this little fox. He gritted his teeth, put down the fishing tools in his hand, and turned back home.
Fang Lang had already sat on the sofa very naturally, enjoying the coffee served by Mrs. Clark.
When he saw General Clark coming in, he raised the coffee in his hand to greet him, which made General Clark so angry that he gritted his teeth.
Mrs. Clark was checking the gift Fang Lang brought her. When the gift box was opened, Mrs. Clark said with surprise:
"Oh my God! This is a Vacheron Constantin watch. Is this a diamond? Oh my God! This is so beautiful!
Thank you! Fang, I like your gift very much.
But wouldn’t that be too expensive?”
This time Fang Lang bought a lot of very classic watches in Switzerland, including of course many women's watches, which Fang Lang prepared to give as gifts.
Seeing that Mrs. Clark really wanted this watch, Fang Lang was also very happy. He smiled reservedly and said:
“Ma’am, you are so polite.
Compared to the help you have given me, my small gift is nothing but a token of my respect."
"Don't say that, I heard it from my brother.
Ever since you purchased that batch of equipment for producing pesticides and fertilizers from him last time, your orders have not stopped in the past few months.
Now the factory's orders have been scheduled until next year. This doesn't count as me helping you.
My brother also said that he would thank you in person next time!"
"Haha...you are so polite, this is all business, they just happen to have it, and we just happen to need it.
Isn’t this a perfect match?”
General Clark, who was standing by, saw the two men flattering each other, as if they were going to talk endlessly, and he himself seemed a little redundant standing aside, which made him very dissatisfied.
He cleared his throat and said:
"Hey, hey, I say, you two can do it!
You little bastard, just tell me the truth!
What are you doing here today? If you don’t tell me, I will really go fishing!"
Hearing General Clark's words, Mrs. Clark said with dissatisfaction:
"What are you talking about, old man! I am just thanking Fang for taking care of my brother's family business. How can it be a bother to you?
It's so weird here."
Fang Lang was not angry after hearing what General Clark said. Instead, he smiled and said:
“It’s okay, auntie, if uncle wants to go fishing, let’s go fishing first!
I haven’t been here for a long time. I wonder where Sofia is! I have a gift for him!”
General Clark didn't expect that Fang Lang was not afraid of his threat. Instead, he let him fish for his own fish without any care. For a moment, he was a little hesitant.
Did I misunderstand this little fox today?
That doesn't make sense! This guy would never come to the temple for no reason.
Mrs. Clark didn't care about that. She smiled and said:
"Sophia is still at work! She won't be back until after get off work, and I want to give her a call.
Can you ask her to come home for dinner tonight?"
Fang Lang certainly would not refuse Mrs. Clark's invitation, and accepted it without paying any attention to the ugly look on General Clark's face.
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