Rise of the Argentine Empire

During the day, Saint Hérse visited all the factories and construction sites in Maria City. The scale of the entire town had already increased by 5-6 times compared to the previous year. The population had increased, but there were also some aftereffects of rapid development and expansion.

He intended to have a good talk with Covo, but he didn't even see his shadow and was directly turned away, which left Saint Hérse speechless and not understanding Covo's actions.

His attempt to repair his relationship with Covo and give Covo another chance now seemed to have failed.

This guy Covo wouldn't really be trying to get his son elected as mayor, would he? That's really ridiculous.

At night, at Rosa's house, after comforting the two little ones to sleep.

Rosa leaned on Saint Hérse's shoulder, looking content.

"Cohen, how many days are you going to stay in Maria Town this time?"

"I'll be leaving in about 3 days. I only took 4 days off."

Saint Hérse looked at the calendar on the wall and turned to tell her. Besides the two days of the weekend, there were a total of 6 days.

The establishment of Maya Chemical was also because the fertilizer plant was almost finished. Simply producing fertilizer, explosives, and plastics could not form a good development momentum. A comprehensive chemical group is the future direction of development.

This is his base camp, and Covo has already started expanding the police department, preparing to kick the original militia out of Maria City's defense ranks. This cannot be tolerated.

Maria Town is developing too fast, so he has to come here to check on it and see the results of its development.

"That guy Covo is a little dishonest, alas."

Saint Hérse sighed helplessly. Maria Town is maintaining rapid expansion, and this guy Covo has been up to some tricks lately, trying to reap the benefits, and Constantine is not in a good position to come forward, so he can only ask him to come along.

"Mayor Covo, no, Mr. Mayor, is indeed a bit strange, and he has also expanded the city council, trying to get several large factories to pay more taxes."

"This person is getting a little carried away."

Saint Hérse had never been afraid of any enemy, whether powerful or evil. There was always a way to eliminate them.

What he hated most were internal traitors. In his opinion, Covo had already betrayed this principle.

Whether in love or in business, this was one of his bottom lines.

He could even forgive those enemies who wanted to put him to death, as long as they didn't infringe on his interests, but he could never forgive those traitors who betrayed him.

From his treatment of Rooney of the Byrd Brotherhood and the traitor Cruz, one could see some of his principles. The Byrd Brotherhood was just offending him, and he had even heard of ridiculous bounties, which he dismissed with a smile, only using legal means to destroy them, unless there was a life-threatening threat to him, he rarely personally executed enemies.

For the former traitor Cruz, he was already merciful enough. According to his principles, this kind of person should be shot directly, rather than sent to South Africa to mine, although there was almost no possibility of survival.

Because enemies are either working for their own masters or forced to do so, but traitors are definitely ambitious.

People who can betray even relatives and friends, people who can even harm their loved ones, their ruthlessness is definitely beyond your imagination.

Countless historical events have proven that these people who have betrayed are the greatest and most hateful enemies.

"The things he's been doing lately are indeed a bit too much. If it really doesn't work out, let him step down. He's been mayor for so many years, that's enough. As for General Thompson's opinion, it's just that, a fallen household, not knowing when to stop and still reaching out."

"Rosa, what do you think about letting Kross be the mayor?"

Saint Hérse hugged Rosa, who was in front of the dressing table, and whispered in her ear.

Kross was his first factory director, and his ability was considered okay. He had also been in Coen Province for more than ten years, and he had done a good job in the Maria Committee. Under his leadership, the beverage factory had done a decent job.

He had also considered finding someone outside to cooperate, but in the end, his own people were still better to use, and they were not necessarily reliable. He needed enough of a team. As for qualifications, he could arrange to join the Radical Party, directly run for a seat on the town council, and then campaign for votes.

"I'd rather not express my opinion on this."

Rosa thought seriously for a moment, feeling that she was not suitable to express her opinion on this matter. Although it concerned the development of Maria Town, she was only related to Saint Hérse.

"Well, I'll discuss this matter with Constantine."

He was still very reassured about Rosa. Rosa's performance was also good. The two of them took what they needed from each other.

But he wouldn't blindly trust her. He had also placed many trusted agents of the Falcon Bureau in the finance department. Every bill was reviewed many times. It could be said that the entire finance center had made great contributions to the development of so many industries and factories.

If there were only a few people who could be completely trusted, it would only be some core members of the Falcon Bureau, which was also a relatively difficult place.

The Falcon Bureau had developed so quickly, and it was not that there had never been traitors, but as long as they showed it, they were basically cleaned up by Guerrero. As for their fate, most of them were completely and thoroughly destroyed humanely.

"Okay, Cohen, it's too late. Let's go to sleep."

Rosa put out Saint Hérse's cigarette, made the bed, and pulled Saint Hérse to lie down beside the bed.

"Yeah, it's really a bit late."

Saint Hérse chuckled softly. He could have the final say on the affairs of Maria Town. This guy Covo didn't know what was good for him, so he could only be replaced, even if he had contributed to him in the past.

This kind of small town had already been completely infiltrated by him. And with Constantine, he could simply let him serve as the director of the police department.

Maria Town really needed further reform, but it needed to be led by him, Saint Hérse, not this old guy Covo.

He had a lot of evidence of Covo's malfeasance in Maria Town.

… …

The next day, at the headquarters of Pulari Food Company,

"Boss, you're looking for me?"

Kross knocked on the door and entered the office, still acting as if it was the first time they had met, with strong execution.

"Kross, are you interested in being the mayor of Maria Town, no, the city lord?"

Saint Hérse asked Kross to sit in front of him, stared into his eyes, and said a word.

"Boss, are you talking about this Maria Town?"

Kross seemed a little surprised. He had never thought about being the mayor.

"Yes, first be a councilor or directly run for mayor. I can help you with everything."

Saint Hérse said confidently.

"Boss, what do you want me to do?"

Kross thought for a moment. Being the mayor seemed good. There was nothing that the boss wanted to do that he couldn't do.

"First, resign from the factory. No, I'll fire you. Then I'll organize a campaign team for you. Do you have any financial problems? I'll give you 20 years of severance pay, and then prepare fully for next month's election."

Kross was young and strong, with rich factory management experience, lacking at least in governance. His opponent in this election should only be Covo. There were not many noteworthy figures in Maria Town itself. It was just a small, dilapidated town before.

"What about family matters? Are there any problems? Are there any criminal records? Write out all the advantages of your professional career, and I'll arrange it."

"Yes, Boss!"

Kross had absolute trust in Saint Hérse and agreed without hesitation. If it were a normal company, it would be an event to directly drive away the factory elders to consolidate power.

"Start by changing this title. In the future, call me Mr. Saint Hérse, or Cohen will do."

"Yes, Boss, no, yes, Mr. Saint Hérse!"

"Very good, very energetic. I hope to see you next time as Mayor Kross."

"Okay, Cohen."

Watching Kross quickly get into character, Saint Hérse asked him to go through the resignation procedures and asked the finance department to give him 20 years of salary as economic compensation.

This caused an uproar in the Pulari factory. The employees were discussing whether the boss was killing the donkey after it had done its work. People's hearts were a little turbulent, and he would definitely not let go of this opportunity.

Saint Hérsé had Cross give a resignation speech at the factory in Maria Town, which was essentially a campaign show.

Saint Hérsé also prepared the speech. The Prarli factory employed many local residents to take care of the people of San Martin County, which translated into votes. The campaigning started now.

Cross was a good speaker, as proven when he sold plastic bottle technology in the United States.

"Hello, everyone. I'm Cross, and you could say I'm employee number two at the Prarli factory. Some of you may be wondering if my sudden resignation today means the boss is planning to lay off senior employees. I can say definitively that's not the case."

"Mr. Saint Hérsé, our boss at Prarli, is the best boss I've ever had. He has great vision. Today, he said to me, 'Hey, Cross, do you want to sell sugar water your whole life? You're 45 years old.'"

"I thought about it, and it seemed like it. But I love selling sugar water! I think our Mirinda soda is the best sugar water in the world. We already have 17 flavors, plus all sorts of new ones. This year, we also have iced red tea, Andean milk tea flavor, and coffee flavor. Isn't this the best job in the world, creating happiness for our customers every day?"

"The boss told me, 'No, that's not it. Selling sugar water is great, but there's an even better job for you.' I thought about it. I've had over a dozen jobs in my life, and I'm most satisfied at the Prarli factory. Do you all think it's good to work at the Prarli factory?"

Cross suddenly asked loudly.

"It's great! We love it!"

"The boss, Mr. Saint Hérsé, told me no, that there's an even more important job in Maria Town for me. I thought about it, and it didn't seem like there was."

"The boss finally told me that Maria Town now has so many people, but Mayor Corvo is planning to leave Maria Town for Cordoba City. So, who is more suitable to serve the 150,000 people of Maria Town than me…?"

"So today, I resigned and plan to run for the next mayor of Maria Town, to serve in building a better Maria Town. I really like Maria Town. I moved my family here last year. My children all work here. My son applied to the militia this year. I hope the future of Maria Town is a better future."

Cross usually wears a suit and tie, but during the most passionate part of his speech, he threw his tie off the stage, symbolizing his farewell to the past.

"…I used to get up at 6:00 AM every day, 40 minutes earlier than all the other employees. I think Maria Town really needs a younger, more capable mayor. We need better benefits, better housing, and bigger parks and hospitals. I hope everyone will support me as before. I want to be the next mayor of Maria Town!"

The speech lasted 50 minutes and ended in a roaring ovation. Saint Hérsé turned the resignation speech into a campaign speech.

He had already lost confidence in Corvo. As for Corvo's son becoming the next mayor? Impossible. Also, the layoffs in the militia and the haphazard reforms all violated Saint Hérsé's interests, so he wouldn't be polite.

Yesterday morning, he was even turned away. Corvo didn't even want to see him. Such a person was better off gone. Even sending him in would be considered merciful, but tearing off all pretense was too much and broke the rules a bit. He hoped it wouldn't come to that. If it really did, the Radical Party wouldn't agree.

This speech by Cross wasn't perfect, and even a bit rushed, but the result was actually not bad. Saint Hérsé pulled a few elites from the Falcon Agency and also found Keynes Thomas, the head of the Radical Party in Cordoba City.

"Mr. Keynes, the specific situation is like this. I need the support of the Radical Party. In return, Cross will be a member of the Radical Party."

"Okay, we can provide some help. The faster Maria develops, the better." The Radical Party also needed fresh blood. Cohen was General Thompson's man and in the Radical Party's propaganda department. It would be great to take another large economic town.

"As for Corvo, anyone can tell he's no good. He wants to run for mayor of Cordoba City? What a joke. As for him and General Thompson being classmates, that's hilarious. He's not worthy."

A small town, a newly promoted mayor, was no match for a major general, and Corvo was non-partisan with average ability.

"Okay, Mr. Keynes."

This campaign could also provide Saint Hérsé with some campaign experience. These people participating in the campaign would be Saint Hérsé's campaign team in the future.

Regardless of whether Saint Hérsé would be a councilor, mayor, or something else in the future, it was always good to make more contacts.

"Cohen, come to my house for dinner after work tonight? This is my address."

"With pleasure. Then I'll be intruding."

"Okay, it's really a bit busy."

Keynes nodded. Saint Hérsé was not only someone Commander Thompson favored, but also a somewhat famous rising star in the Radical Party. He was also the founder of several factories and even the import and export association. From any perspective, he was qualified for cooperation and support. It was just a small effort.

Saint Hérsé left Keynes's office and went to Chinatown to visit Uncle Chen, only to find that Uncle Chen had passed away a few days ago due to a cerebral hemorrhage from high blood pressure.

Saint Hérsé was a little surprised. Uncle Chen was only in his fifties, not even sixty yet. This was outrageous.

"Cohen, don't be sad. My dad lived long enough. Three generations under one roof, he lived a long life. And he was very happy before he died. It's just that life is always full of surprises."

"Brother Chen, my condolences."

Saint Hérsé couldn't help but recall some of the moments when he met Uncle Chen two years ago. He was initially excited to see a fellow villager from his previous life, and later, things unexpectedly unfolded in Chinatown. The clothing and footwear industry was an industry he entered into opportunistically, and the overall profit was actually not bad.

"Then I'll leave now."

Saint Hérsé left a red envelope before backing away.

"People have misfortune and fortune. You never know which comes first, accidents or tomorrow. Uncle Chen was such a healthy and strong person, but high blood pressure and a cerebral hemorrhage took him away."

Uncle Chen worked too hard because his eldest and second sons had come to Argentina, so he worked even harder than before.

He worked hard planting vegetables under the hot sun, and then took a cold shower at night, which ruptured a blood vessel in his brain. He was only discovered the next morning, but it was already too late.

"Alas, farewells are always sad," Saint Hérsé said as he returned to the Zijinghua Apartment and relaxed.

Even though he didn't have much contact with Uncle Chen, he was still a friend. It's just a pity he left so quickly.

At 6 PM, Saint Hérsé arrived at Keynes's house and had a pleasant conversation. The Radical Party also settled the matter.

"Cohen, do you have a girlfriend? I have a pretty good younger cousin. Would you like me to introduce you?"

"Mr. Keynes, I have a girlfriend, so there's no need for introductions."

"Okay, Cohen, in politics, a good wife is very important."

"Understood, Mr. Keynes."

Saint Hérsé didn't return to the Zijinghua Apartment until eight or nine o'clock in the evening.

…

In Maria Town, Corvo was both surprised and angry about Cross running for mayor.

"Saint Hérsé, you bastard, you can never stop me."

Corvo was indeed planning to reform the power structure of Maria Town and tried to disrupt the layout of several factories, so he was very dismissive of Saint Hérsé's actions. He planned to run for mayor of Cordoba City. He would just leave the small town of Maria for his son to try out.

Little Corvo prevented him from receiving Saint Hérsé yesterday, and now there was no room for maneuver. Little Corvo never understood the example of the young Saint Hérsé.

"Saint Hérsé, do you think you can stop me by creating a newcomer?"

Corvo sneered. He just opened a few factories.