Rise of the Argentine Empire

Saint Hesser strolled around for a while, met with some members of the Falcon Division here, and then took a boat back to Argentina. The matter in Brazil couldn't be rushed and required a series of preparations.

Moreover, the Brazilian market was not so easy to crack. There were also many competitive companies here, no worse than his own companies and factories.

Sailing south from Rio de Janeiro, along the coastline, Saint Hesser saw many fishermen.

The southeastern coast was indeed the heart of Brazil, with impressive industrialization and urbanization, bustling with activity.

Of course, the coastline was somewhat lacking, or rather, the entire eastern part of South America had a relatively ordinary coastline, lacking deep-water ports. On the contrary, there were several good ports on the western side.

The ship took only a little over a day to reach the mouth of the Rio de la Plata. The journey was smooth, the weather cleared after the rain, and it was just a bit hot. Everything else was fine.

Also, the air in the cabin wasn't very good.

Soon, they arrived in Argentina. Compared to Uruguay to the north, the steel plant on the south bank already had almost half of its planned blast furnaces completed.

Looking at it from afar, it was quite impressive and visually striking. For Argentina, this behemoth was of great significance and would accompany Argentina's industrial rise.

Around the entire steel plant, there were also a large number of construction sites, which accelerated the construction of the new port. The planned massive ore area had also begun to be leveled.

The new port area now had an estimated more than 10,000 workers just building the steel plant, with more than half being construction workers from Paraguay, Bolivia, and Peru. Everyone wore high-strength helmets produced by Maya Chemical's Maria Plastics Factory, ensuring some level of safety.

Saint Hesser was also very satisfied, at least the speed was decent and not dragging.

In fact, Argentinians today were not as lazy as they would become in later generations, especially those who had immigrated, who were often very hardworking and shrewd, able to seize many opportunities.

It was only later that the welfare benefits became too good, and the currency frequently depreciated, that everyone began to lie flat.

If the immigrant spirit and the hard-working gaucho spirit could be combined, it would change the overall mental outlook of Argentinians.

Saint Hesser had barely disembarked at Buchen Port when Delta Security personnel came to escort him, and Saint Hesser breathed a sigh of relief.

After saying goodbye to Professor Purkins, Saint Hesser took the steering wheel and drove back to the academy district.

Andre also quickly came to his house to report on his work. For him, the Falcon Bureau had been under some pressure in recent months, as he had been temporarily appointed.

The director had gone to the United States, and the boss had also gone to the United States, leaving behind three deputy directors. It took some time to adjust before finally returning to normal and achieving new development.

"Boss, our Falcon Bureau has developed many new members in recent months, mainly because the domestic unemployment rate has increased significantly. Many students lose their jobs immediately after graduation, and suitable ones are arranged to join Cohen Consulting."

Saint Hesser flipped through several reports and nodded in satisfaction.

"Has anything major happened in Argentina recently?"

"Yes, the struggle between the presidential palace and the military has become public, several generals have been removed, and even the Ministry of Defense has been completely reshuffled."

The Ministry of Defense had been completely reshuffled. He wondered if Commander Thompson was still there.

"Barton Thompson, is he still in the Ministry of Defense?"

Commander Thompson

"Boss, he has retired and been transferred to the National Defense Military Academy to be the dean."

What the heck? Peron was planning to attack the Cordoba faction? It shouldn't be.

Being removed from the Ministry of Defense and becoming the dean of an academy was indeed a very severe punishment for a general in Argentina.

"What news is there from the Radical Civic Union?"

The Radical Party was his future focus, and he had to pay attention to it.

"Not much news. The Radical Party is still the same. This year's congress elected a new batch of young leaders. These are the basic profiles of the newly appointed personnel."

The Radical Party mainly represented the interests of big and small capitalists and could not fully utilize the power of the workers, only attempting to carry out top-down reforms, which often easily led to the loss of power.

Saint Hesser looked at the list and found that Cross had actually become the head of the Radical Party in Maria City, and he carefully marked it.

"Was there an election in Maria City this January? Normally, it's in June, isn't it?"

Andre's expression couldn't help but become a little strange. This guy Cross had actually been elected mayor and ousted Covo.

"Boss, it seems that Covo was sent to prison for job-related crimes, so there was an early election."

So that was it. It was a pity that Covo was still very good and had given him a lot of help.

"By the way, how is Doug? Was he elected as the Chief of the Police Department?"

Doug was the company commander of the Maria City militia company.

"These news summaries are not very comprehensive."

Saint Hesser looked at the information at hand.

"Doug also successfully became the Chief of the Maria City Police Department, and the militia was disbanded. Most of them became police officers, while others became our security personnel."

"Boss, these are also the data, take a look together."

"So, it went very smoothly."

Maria City was completely in his hands.

He didn't expect such an operation as an early election. It was Covo's own fault for being thrown into prison. One should be discreet and keep a low profile.

Saint Hesser then carefully flipped through the report and found that most of the information was there. He was a little embarrassed, but of course, he was also satisfied with Andre's attitude.

Not too many major things had happened domestically. The intelligence was not sent to the United States because it was inconvenient and unsafe.

"We failed in the Ministry of Defense's bidding?"

Saint Hesser discovered that Rhein Military's MG – 52 had lost to Maming Ge Factory's STG45 replica.

Only then did he realize that this was an undeserved disaster because Rhein Military had a blue-faction background in the military.

"Yes, it was also affected by Peron."

"I have already arranged for a batch of American machine tools to be sent over then."

From the current point of view, the power and appearance of the STG45 were good, but it didn't look as handsome as the 44.

"Okay, boss."

"Anything else?"

"Nothing for the time being. I won't disturb you from resting."

"Yes, I'm also tired. You go and arrange for these people from Delta to be sent back to Aragon, and then reward them. Tell him to arrange for everyone going to the United States to be given $3,000, as a year-end bonus."

"Okay, boss."

$3,000 was equivalent to 20 months' salary. The boss was really generous.

"By the way, take a look and draft a year-end bonus plan for last year, and give everyone in the Falcon Bureau a year's salary."

Money should be spent after it's earned, and this time he earned a lot.

Saint Hetherton also saw intelligence from Southeast Asia. In Indonesia, a civil war had broken out in January. The Aceh side established the Aceh Army, which led to many military orders. The French were already planning to withdraw from Vietnam.

The French were no longer interested in colonies that did not generate profits and even required investment, especially since the economic crisis had depleted their national treasury.

… …

The next morning.

After Saint Hetherton finished washing up.

He dialed the number for the Maria Committee.

After a while.

"Hello, this is Saint Hetherton Cohen."

"Is that the boss? What are your instructions?"

An operator said.

"Notify the factory负责人 in Maria Town that there will be an annual general meeting in Buenos Aires on February 25th this year."

"As you wish, boss."

The operator was also a little excited. The annual general meeting was also an awards ceremony, and the rewards in the previous two years were very generous.

After Saint Hetherton hung up the phone, he changed his clothes and drove to the University of Buenos Aires.

"I wonder if Elena will hate me."

To be honest, besides writing a few letters, the two of them had hardly been in contact for the past few months.

After parking the car, Saint Hetherton walked into the University of Buenos Aires. It was summer vacation again, and it seemed that Elena was about to graduate as well. Saint Hetherton was also planning to apply for graduation early.

Normally, graduation season is break-up season. He didn't know if their relationship would continue.

Before long, Saint Hetherton saw Elena.

She was wearing a white coat and seemed a little incredulous.

"Cohen?"

"It's me, Elena."

"It's really been a long time. I wish I had gone to the United States with you."

The two had originally planned to go together.

"Do you want to go out for a meal or see a movie together?"

"Okay, maybe we need to talk."

Elena's expression turned serious.

"Okay."

Had Elena finally decided to dump him? Maybe that was for the best. He had been too irresponsible.

"But I have to do an experiment. Come pick me up this afternoon."

"Okay."

Saint Hetherton was a little dazed.

He had originally planned to visit Commander Thompson's house, but ended up staying in the library all afternoon.

Looking at the hands of his watch, Saint Hetherton slowly walked towards the physics department, feeling a little irritable.

"Cohen, over here."

Elena naturally took Saint Hetherton's left hand and planned to go to a new restaurant called Green Lemon.

The weather was hot, and even in the evening, there were few pedestrians in Plaza de Mayo outside the May Cathedral. Fortunately, the temperature finally dropped a bit in the evening.

When Saint Hetherton saw Plaza de Mayo, he remembered the funeral again.

Buenos Aires in February was scorching hot.

Today, Buenos Aires was even hotter than Rio. He didn't know what kind of weather it was. Normally, the weather here shouldn't be hotter than Rio.

The scorching air from the sky was heavily pressing down on the city, forming a fiery thick layer that made people feel very suffocated.

The water column sprayed from the fountain outside the church fell weakly, looking lazy and tired.

The pool water, floating with leaves, was a bit green and had become thick.

A stray dog crossed the stone-built pool edge and jumped into the pool, swimming back and forth in the water.

Under the shade of the trees in front of the church, a row of benches were placed against the wall.

Several couples sitting on the benches looked at the dog playing in the water with envious eyes.

"Argentina also needs air conditioning. The next product of Enco Electric will be air conditioners."

Saint Hetherton suddenly came up with this idea.

Green Lemon Restaurant seemed to be a newly opened French restaurant. Such restaurants were rarely seen in Argentina in the past.

As soon as he entered, a gust of cool air rushed towards him.

Saint Hetherton took a deep breath, feeling very comfortable.

He didn't expect this French restaurant to have air conditioning as well.

Buenos Aires mostly had Italian restaurants.

The environment here was very good.

"Cohen, I'm about to graduate."

Elena said.

"Elena, I'm also planning to graduate early."

Saint Hetherton thought for a while and still said it.

"Oh, right, Cohen, I want to tell you something."

What was coming was still coming. Saint Hetherton suddenly felt a little stuffy.

"Do you mind if I smoke a cigarette?"

Saint Hetherton asked.

"Okay."

"Cohen, my family is urging me to get married… I'm getting a little old…"

"I wish you happiness…"

Saint Hetherton interrupted Elena and planned to turn around and leave.

Was this the feeling of heartache? Saint Hetherton felt that he needed some alcohol to numb himself.

"Hey, Cohen, you jerk, didn't you say we'd go see a movie together? It's been half a year since we last met. Where are you going again? If you don't want to marry me, you don't want to marry me… I didn't force you… It's just that the pressure from my family is a bit too much?"

Saint Hetherton slowly lowered her hand from her face. Saint Hetherton saw tears in her eyes.

"Wait, you're not planning to marry someone else?"

"I only want to marry you. You're my only boyfriend. Who else would I marry?"

"Uh, I misunderstood…"

"I didn't prepare a ring… Maybe we can get engaged? I don't know the process…"

Saint Hetherton was a little incoherent. Marriage seemed like a good idea…

He thought about it carefully. Elena was indeed a very good marriage partner. The two of them got along quite well…

It was just a bit sudden. He thought he was going to lose her.

After all, he was just from a small family. Besides being a bit handsome and having a little money, he wasn't worth mentioning.

"If you're willing, we can get engaged first and meet my family."

Elena said coquettishly.

"Okay, let's not talk about this now. Let's go see a movie after we eat."

Thinking about it, he felt a little wronged by Elena. He really had to consider this matter.

After all, he planned to have six or seven children to make a small contribution to Argentina's population growth.

As for marriage, it would be good to be with Elena. Her family was very well-off and a very powerful family.

Even if Saint Hetherton didn't investigate, his subordinates had basically investigated the women he had been in contact with.

The two went to see a movie and then he sent her home. Saint Hetherton didn't dare to overstep the boundaries.

After the separation, Saint Hetherton was also a little excited. A wife, children, and a warm bed, was this considered a winner in life?

Saint Hetherton thought that he was going to be dumped today. It seemed that a man's sixth sense was not very reliable.

"Of course, there's still Elena's parents to get through. It's not certain if it will work out."

Saint Hetherton began to mutter to himself.

In fact, he hadn't really considered marriage too much. After all, he wasn't too old and hadn't achieved any great career.

After all, there was an old saying: "Meet a good person, get married first; meet a benefactor, start a career first; meet a rich woman, get married and start a career."