Reborn in Brazil As a Plutocrat

  Chapter 659 Visit by Secretary of the Navy

   Saying goodbye to several women in his family, Fang Lang walked quickly through the backyard and came to the middle hall. General Crook, who was dressed in casual clothes, was looking at a landscape painting on the wall of the middle hall with great interest. Hearing the sound of slightly hurried footsteps, he slowly turned his head.

  Fang Lang stretched out his hand quickly, and came to General Crook enthusiastically and said:

   "Your Excellency, the lower official was rude. I didn't know you were coming, and I couldn't greet you in time. Please forgive me!"

  General Crook saw Fang Lang who was also in home clothes, smiled and held Fang Lang's hand and said:

   "Haha...General Fang was joking, now is your vacation time, I take the liberty to visit and interrupt your vacation, you don't blame me for being rude."

  Seeing General Crook's attitude, Fang Lang knew that what happened today shouldn't be a bad thing, so he quickly laughed and said:

   "Haha... General Crook was joking. I am your soldier. If you need anything, just say hello and I will run over to see you. There is no need for you to make this trip yourself."

   After finishing speaking, he stretched out his hand and pointed to the two grand master chairs in the middle of the main room:

   "Your Excellency, please come here! Let's taste the Huaxia tea that 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 ordered Forbe to arrange for someone to make tea, and soon a middle-aged woman in plain clothes offered them each a cup of tea.

  The two chatted and laughed for a while, and General Crook even brought Fang Lang a special New Year gift, which surprised Fang Lang and expressed his thanks again and again!

  After thirty days of tea, General Crook seemed to feel that the time was almost up, so he said directly:

   "General Fang, I am here for a private visit this time. I have a few things I want to communicate with you in private. I wonder if you have any suitable places for conversation?"

   Hearing the words, Fang Lang immediately understood. It seems that General Crook's visit this time also came quietly, 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:

   "Your Majesty General, you are serious. If you have any orders, just give the order. How can I trouble you to go there yourself!"

  Hearing this, General Crook glared at Fang Lang angrily.

   "You kid did it on purpose! I don't believe you haven't heard any rumors."

   Fang Lang, who already had some guesses, became a little more convinced when he heard this.

   "General Crook's coming this time, won't he also let me be the deputy chief of staff of the Navy Department?"

   Seeing that Fang Lang had made the topic clear, General Crook no longer concealed it. He picked up the teacup Fang Lang handed over, took a sip, and then glared at Fang Lang angrily and said:

   "Okay, you don't need to try again and again here, I'm not with those idiots. If it's really my idea, do I still have to make this trip myself?"

  Fang Lang really had no doubts about General Crook's words. Although the two were superiors and subordinates, their personal relationship was extraordinary. It wasn't just that Fang Lang was single-handedly promoted by General Crook.

  Now General Crook’s family members work in the fishing company he and Parisi formed! In other words, this fishery company is a joint venture of several people, so everyone is actually a community of interests.

   Seeing that General Crook had no intention of putting himself on airs, Fang Lang was completely relieved, and said with a hey smile:

   "Hey... I knew that General Crook would not do such a thing. Then what is the purpose of your coming here today?"

  General Crook looked at Fang Lang with a hippie smile, the expression on his face gradually converged, and he said slowly with a serious face:

  “The call for you to move is very loud now, and I have been suppressing it for a long time. But now that the new presidential election is about to start, many people are already ready to move. If you continue to suppress it, it may be counterproductive.

  I think you might as well take this opportunity and try further. Judging by your control over the aircraft carrier battle group, these guys are destined to be nothing. "

   I have to say that, as Fang Lang's old superior, and the Minister of the Navy who cooperated with him in building this aircraft carrier fleet, his understanding of the situation of his fleet is by no means comparable to those who only know jealousy.

  At the same time, his suggestion for Fang Lang was really for Fang Lang's consideration. It is impossible for Fang Lang not to accept this favor. He also noticed where General Crook was going to him, and had his own thoughts.

   I just don't know how different this place is from Fang Lang's own thoughts. He was also not polite to General Crook, and asked curiously:

   "What is the new job you arranged for me?"

   Seeing Fang Lang's curious face, and a hint of expectation in his eyes, General Crook smiled slightly, knocked on the tea table in front of him, and signaled Fang Lang to add some tea to him before saying:

   "I'm going to recommend you to take my place, what do you think?"

  Fang Lang, who was refilling General Crook with a flattering face, was taken aback when he heard the words, and stopped in mid-air with his hand holding the justice cup, looking at General Crook in disbelief.

  General Crook proposed to let Fang Lang take his place, which obviously surprised Fang Lang. It's not that he doesn't want to be the Minister of the Navy, it's that his age and qualifications are obviously not enough, although no matter where it is said that qualifications and age are not important.

   But in fact, whoever really takes this seriously is a real fool.

  If he really serves as the Minister of the Navy, he will definitely attract the attention of many people. In the future, his every move will be observed under a magnifying glass.

  As for whether his own ability can serve as the Minister of the Navy, he must still be very confident, but no matter how confident he is, his reason tells him that it is not yet time.

   And whether the new president will agree to this appointment, he is not worried at all. As long as the Ministry of Defense proposes, the new president will never dare not buy his face.

   Soon, he realized that General Crook was about to leave the Admiralty. He didn't care about thinking about his next post, and said in surprise:

   "What do you mean? Do those guys still want to drive you out?"

   Regarding Fang Lang's reaction, General Crook seemed to have expected it, and smiled and said playfully:

   "What? Can't it be me who wants to go further?"

  Hearing this, Fang Lang's eyes lit up. With General Crook's influence in the Admiralty, Fang Lang really didn't believe that someone could drive him out. Hearing the other party's words now, he immediately reacted.

   opened the mouth with some surprises:

   "Your Excellency, do you have a better place to go?"

   Seeing Fang Lang's surprised expression, Crook shook his head with a smile, and after a moment of pondering, he slowly opened his mouth and said:

   "Looking at the current situation, the failure of President Dutra's re-election is a foregone conclusion.

  Once the new president takes office, the post of Minister of Defense will definitely be replaced, and Marshal Morais is also ready to step down.

  He talked to me and hoped that I could work in the Ministry of Defense. "

  As soon as this remark came out, Fang Lang immediately understood what was going on. It seemed that Marshal Morais was about to resign as Minister of Defense, and wanted to complete the adjustment of the position of the Ministry of Defense before resigning.

   And General Crook, a giant in the Navy Department, was singled out by him to be sent to the Ministry of Defense. As for this, it is hard to say whether it is a good thing or a bad thing for General Crook.

  Fang Lang tentatively said:

   "Is this going to make you the new Secretary of Defense?"

  Hearing this, General Crook rolled his eyes and said:

   "What are you thinking! The Minister of Defense must be decided by the new president, and Marshal Morais can't influence the new president's thoughts.

   Besides, if you don’t work in the Ministry of Defense for several years, how can you have the opportunity to serve as the Minister of Defense. "

  Fang Lang heard from General Crook's words that it's not that he doesn't want to be the Minister of Defense, but it's just the same qualifications as Fang Lang. He is from the navy, and he has not been familiar with the work of other arms in the Ministry of Defense for a few years. It must be difficult to directly become the Minister of Defense.

  If Fang Lang is willing, he can talk to Scalia and push him directly to this position, but the reality is that once President Scalia does this, it is likely to cause dissatisfaction in the army. This is not conducive to Mr. President's control over the military.

   After General Crook has worked in the Ministry of Defense for a few years, although the navy color on his body cannot be completely washed away, it will not be so conspicuous.

   "Then Marshal Morais didn't want to take you up and down, transfer you from the Admiralty, and make way for others?"

  Although he knew that the possibility was unlikely, Fang Lang still spoke with a little doubt.

  Hearing this, General Crook's face turned dark, and he gave Fang Lang a dissatisfied look and said:

   "What are you thinking, kid? Marshal Morais is not such a person. He suggested that I enter the Ministry of Defense and serve as the deputy minister."

  Hearing this, Fang Lang couldn't help but carefully looked at General Crook a few times, but he didn't expect that the other party was hiding something.

   "Deputy Minister of Defense is a good position! I can't see that Your Excellency the General has such a good relationship with Marshal Morais. Before he resigns, he will put you in this position."

   Fang Lang's words were actually a bit presumptuous, but he was really curious, so he couldn't help blurting out.

   Unexpectedly, after hearing his words, General Crook was not angry, but smiled and said:

   "Speaking of which, it's all thanks to you kid! You won't forget your contribution to destroying Brother Eddie's rebel army! This rebel army tossed the army into disgrace, but you easily solved it.

   You don't think this matter just passed away! As the Minister of Defense, Marshal Morais must balance the relationship between all parties.

  Compared to the gray face of the army, the performance of our navy can be regarded as brilliant. In this case, no one can ignore the combat effectiveness of our navy.

   Otherwise, do you think that I, a man from the navy, have a chance to become the deputy secretary of defense?

   It is precisely because of your military exploits that I dare to propose you as the Minister of the Navy. Otherwise, the saliva inside the navy could drown me. "

   Hearing the words, Fang Lang suddenly realized, and said how could the navy, which had been squeezed out by the army, have the chance to win the post of deputy minister of defense!

   You should know that in a democratic country like Brazil, the Minister of Defense is personally appointed by the President. 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 army under him, but formulates the national defense strategy of the country and conveys the president's instructions to the army.

  If it is a general with high prestige in the army, then the Minister of Defense can still be regarded as a powerful figure.

   And if you are a scholar engaged in military theoretical research, then I am sorry, people in the army will ignore you at all, and the real power is often in the hands of the deputy minister of defense and the chief of the general staff.

   As the Deputy Secretary of Defense in the capacity of General Crook, it goes without saying that the Ministry of the Navy will definitely recognize his leadership. If he can win several important positions in the Ministry of the Army when he is in office, his tentacles can be extended into the army.

   This is definitely a rare opportunity for General Crook.

   It's no wonder that the other party is 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 is very clear. He supports himself as the Secretary of the Navy. Otherwise, he would not have made a special trip to communicate with him at his home in a private capacity.

   "So, you have decided to leave the Admiralty?"

  Fang Lang looked at General Crook seriously, and confirmed to the other party again.

  Looking at Fang Lang's serious expression, General Crook knew that Fang Lang was seriously considering his proposal now.

  He also nodded with a serious expression and said:

   "I have no reason to reject such an offer, do I?"

   Hearing this, Fang Lang took a deep breath before he lowered his head and took a sip of the tea on the tea table, thinking seriously.

   Seeing this, General Crook did not urge him, he knew that this was an important decision, and it was necessary to carefully consider the pros and cons.

   After a long while, Fang Lang spoke again:

   "Then I don't know what kind of work General Crook will be responsible for in the Ministry of Defense?"

   General Crook was taken aback by asking this question. He didn't expect that Fang Lang was not thinking about whether he should take over the post of Secretary of the Navy, but what he was responsible for in the Ministry of Defense? I thought the other party was worried about my future, and I couldn't help feeling a little moved.

  With a smile on his face involuntarily, he picked up the teacup and took a sip of clear tea before saying confidently:

   "Don't worry! My position as Deputy Minister of National Defense is definitely a position with 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 armed forces."

  Hearing the words, Fang Lang's heart moved, and he said again:

   "You recommended me to be the Minister of the Navy, the resistance should not be small!"

  Fang Lang's words made General Crook have some guesses, but he didn't pause, but said directly:

   "You are right, you are too young and have no experience in agency work, so there is indeed a lot of resistance for you to become the Secretary of the Navy.

  But since I have nominated you for the position, I am sure to push you up. "

Now General Crook can be regarded as confiding in Fang Lang. I have to say that General Crook really has nothing to say to Fang Lang. Not only did he promote him exceptionally, he became the only one in Brazil in just two years. One is the commander-in-chief of an aircraft carrier battle group.

Now it is even more difficult to send him to the post of Minister of the Navy. Although Fang Lang and his partnership business have made their family a lot of profits, Fang Lang believes that the other party values ​​him so much, and it is definitely not because of this reason .

   He believed in his ability, but it was obviously not enough to spare no effort to support him just because of his military ability.

  (end of this chapter)