Rise of the Argentine Empire

The municipalities of Argentina independently exercise their powers within the scope of the law, free from interference by higher-level governments. However, the establishment of a new town-level city requires the support of the provincial government. Therefore, Lightning Mining is also preparing to apply for the establishment of an officially designated town.

August 2nd. Today is the day to go to the Barrosa family's San Pedro city.

Morning,

Saint-Jose was at the Lightning Cross shooting range, holding a Browning pistol, preparing to shoot with one hand, with Guerrero standing beside him.

Loading the magazine, chambering a round, taking off the safety, pulling back the slide, firing—all in one smooth motion, steady and accurate, emptying all seven bullets.

“The M1911A still has a bit too much recoil. It's not easy to hold with one hand. I'm already quite strong, but it jumps with each shot. It's better to hold it with both hands.”

“Boss, everyone especially liked this batch you sent over. Our requirements here are to use both hands, so the gun doesn't jump so much, except for those who want to show off. Also, those silencers aren't very practical.”

“Hopefully, our country will be able to develop its own pistols in the future. We're still far from that now. Silencers, indeed. In the future, there will be truly quiet guns and silencers. The Soviets' special agent weapons are not bad in this regard, and also the Luger company of Germany. Unfortunately, we can't buy them now.”

Saint-Jose thought of the Luger Mark 4, which would probably be developed in a few decades, with first-class silencing capabilities. Currently, the most famous Luger is the P08. The Germans used it a lot during World War I and World War II. It was a famous Nazi gentleman's pistol. The Japanese Nambu pistol was a copy of its design.

Switching to both hands, he continued to fire, with mostly good accuracy, showing his well-trained skills.

“Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang.”

“Boss, there are now more than 400 municipal-level administrative regions in Argentina. All sorts of miscellaneous towns can be called cities, although their status isn't quite the same.”

“That's true, Guerrero. Do you have any suitable candidates for the town mayor, as well as some basic structure? We'll also need to establish a council, which can be as small as six people for the smallest city.”

“In principle, you can just pick anyone, but they need to have at least some ability. Lightning Mining will also be responsible for the management of the new town, so we can just select some people from within.”

“After applying for a year of trial operation, it can officially become a town and establish a town government. In principle, as long as we don't violate the provincial constitutions, we can do anything we want within the town's jurisdiction, of course, also within the allowance of the Argentine national constitution.”

“The Argentine constitution? That's just a piece of scrap paper. More than ten provinces nationwide, and seven or eight administrative regions, each with its own constitution.”

“Boss, that's normal. Each province's constitution is slightly different, but it must meet the minimum requirements for a town-level city. Establish a hospital with a few doctors,

A school with at least an elementary school, and then set up sports facilities, and build some simple roads, that's about it. The initial estimate is about 3 million US dollars. The peso has depreciated again in the second half of this year. I really want to send those people in the presidential palace to mine in South Africa.”

“This cost is acceptable. Let's first build the framework. As for the subsequent development, we'll wait for the mining scale to expand. A batch of Lightning Cross security personnel can also be assigned to the police department to maintain town security.

Using the taxes paid by our own town to support the people. In principle, a newly established town can also receive financial support from the provincial government and the treasury, about 1 million pesos? That little bit of money is simply to send away beggars, but the three-year tax exemption for all town enterprises is still good, better than nothing.”

“To develop the town well in the long term, we need to continuously invest, and for now, there may only be two sources of tax revenue: Lightning Mining and Eagle Cigarette Factory. As for other agricultural tax revenues,

It won't be much. We need to support some cooperatives and help them develop highland agriculture and animal husbandry, such as tobacco planting, highland wheat, vegetables and fruits, and alpaca breeding.”

“This also involves some small nearby forces. Subdue them, and if they don't comply, eliminate them. We don't need too many messy things.”

“For now, we need to find someone who knows the business to do a good job of planning the construction of the new town, and then find a construction company to keep filling it with houses. Except for the future town hall and the Lightning Mining residence, the others will only be one-story buildings for now, leaving room for development.”

“The basic construction of Maria Town has come to an end. We can't waste these high-quality construction workers. We'll bring them along to develop together. This is our first town of our own.”

“Understood, Boss. Another question is, should we establish a church? The church might have some opinions.”

“Let's forget about the church and build a library instead. We'll get a lot of books then, and we also need to set up a post office.”

After Saint-Jose and Guerrero finished discussing things, they prepared to take people to the Barrosa family gathering place to discuss it.

......

San Pedro is the second largest city in Jujuy Province. The economy isn't very good, or rather, the entire economy of northern Argentina is mainly based on agriculture and animal husbandry. According to last year's national gazette, the combined economy of the nine provinces in northern Argentina is less than 100 million US dollars, not even three percent of the national total.

In the afternoon, Saint-Jose and Guerrero led a small team to San Rosa City by car. The scenery along the way was quite good, from the mountains to the foothills, and then to San Pedro City. They took a brief stroll in the city.

It's similar to Oran, slightly better. The environment in the city is relatively better, with more humid and mild air.

However, looking at the clothing and hygiene conditions of most of the poor, most of them are not very good. Some places in the city are not paved, simply dirt roads. Except for the core area near the city hall, most of the houses are relatively dilapidated.

“Argentina's development hasn't really spread to these border areas. Relatively speaking, the houses of those rich people are extremely good, mostly manors, and the worse ones are also very nice villas,” Saint-Jose said with emotion.

“It's like this in many places, even in the suburbs of Cordoba, there are many poor people.”

“Without industrialization and enough jobs, getting rid of poverty and becoming rich, even if they leave here, is just going from one hell to another.

Only a few lucky ones can achieve wealth, haha, like Mrs. Peron, isn't that so? It's a pity that even she has lost her original intentions now, right?”

“I heard that Mrs. Peron was indeed born into poverty, but after becoming the First Lady, she became extremely extravagant. Although she founded some charitable foundations, everyone still likes her, but this is just comparing bad with worse.

It doesn't truly allow ordinary poor Argentinians to survive with their own strength.”

“Creating job opportunities is the most difficult thing. Simply giving money is meaningless. If I were to do it, I would rather take this money to start companies and factories than let it rot in charitable foundations, waiting for others to write letters to get money.”

The Eva Peron Foundation requires the poor to write letters to get aid, which still needs to be screened. However, the truly poor may not even be able to write, and can't even afford paper and stamps,

And can't write the request for help well, so they don't get help. The people who really get help are those who have some money.

“Look, these rich people, singing and dancing, it's really a prosperous age of peace and tranquility. No wonder the military government always has a market, because what they really need to speak for is not the powerful labor unions, but ordinary Argentinians, who don't have the opportunity to express their voices.”

Saint-Jose looked out the window, at some luxury stores, some places exclusively for the upper class to shop, with tall and handsome doormen, and in other places,

“Nowadays, the devaluation of the peso is getting faster and faster. Money is becoming less and less valuable. We must export these goods as soon as possible, and sell them domestically as soon as possible to convert the pesos into production materials,

And exchange them for foreign exchange, especially US dollars. I really don't know if the people in the presidential palace have studied economics.”

The two chatted for a long time in the car and then stopped talking, staying at the largest hotel in the city.

This place is quite backward. In comparison, the economies of Santa Fe Province, Cordoba Province, Buenos Aires Province, and the Federal Capital District in the central and eastern regions are not worth mentioning.

If Buenos Aires, Cordoba, and Rosario represent Argentina's modernization, the nine northern provinces are synonymous with Argentina's poverty and backwardness, and even chaos. The poor make up the majority, and even small landowners are barely surviving. A large amount of barren farmland is abandoned, filling the slums of the capital, Buenos Aires.

Most towns here give off a rough and backward feeling. There are very few newspapers or schools. Indigenous people make up a significant portion of the population.

It's also the first stop for Bolivians crossing the border into Argentina. Ninety percent of them continue migrating towards the capital, Santa Fe Province, and Cordoba. This place is a transit point, not a destination.

Of course, backwardness also represents opportunity, and the resources here are relatively abundant. There are still powerful ruling families here, and the splinter groups, after being suppressed, have little say.

Unlike Cordoba, which has city guards and local armies, security here relies heavily on private security teams and mercenaries.

The tax revenue here can't even support some ragtag government local armies, so it's a delicate political balance, with occasional bandits.

It's very close to the provincial capital, San Salvador de Jujuy, and also close to Salta's capital city, Salta. The three cities have relatively close relationships.

Salta and Jujuy were once a single entity. Salta's status is higher than Jujuy's, with close ties to the presidential palace and a larger population.

Within Salta, Oran is relatively free and open. In most of Salta, powerful ruling families have a significant impact on the economy and politics, with distinct social classes, and the church exerts considerable influence in all aspects of social life.

…

At 7 PM, the banquet began on time. After Santiago and Guerrero presented their invitations, they arrived at the Barrosa estate.

The Barrosa estate was incredibly luxurious, even larger than Commander Thompson's estate, covering at least three or four hundred acres, with fountains, artificial lakes, and exquisite sculptures everywhere. The main building was a huge villa, with many servants. The maids wore Western European black and white maid outfits, and the male servants wore suits.

The number of people at the banquet was ridiculously high, at least a hundred. It was still a buffet format, with relatively average taste.

Santiago blended in, holding a glass of wine. Jujuy's wine quality was decent.

A fat man on stage was spouting useless nonsense, and Santiago was starting to feel drowsy.

"Guerrero, who is that on stage? The head of the Barrosa family?"

"No, just a minor character. Today is just a casual cocktail party, a chance to meet people. Tomorrow is the actual meeting, also to allow them to find connections. I heard that many girls are specially trained, some specifically to find wealthy patrons at gatherings."

"Only a dozen or so heavyweight figures came tonight. Thunder Mining counts as one. Many are just here for the free food and drinks. Look over there, more than a dozen priests from the church have come."

Santiago saw a priest embracing a girl, and everyone seemed used to it, leaving him speechless.

"This wine tastes pretty good, but the food is average. Guerrero, do you know these guys?" Santiago took a sip, and the taste was indeed acceptable.

"The wine from Jujuy is not bad. Boss, are you interested in buying a vineyard or something?"

"Most of them I've dealt with before. There are very few that are too small, or outside the Lithium Triangle and Oran. Quite a few familiar faces came tonight."

Guerrero clearly knew many people.

"Vineyards? Forget it. If I have that kind of money, I'd rather buy more land to grow tobacco, or even grains and vegetables."

Santiago shook his head, not very interested. If he really wanted to make wine, he'd rather just buy ready-made grapes. He wasn't very interested in vineyards, and he even held critical views of these remaining nobles.

"Drinking wine won't make the country stronger, but opening a few more factories will. I'd rather drink the soda produced by our own beverage factory."

"Boss, that's Donald Collins, the owner of Sicar Chemical Company."

Santiago saw a short, fat old gentleman, his hair combed meticulously, quite old, probably in his fifties, looking very energetic, but his eyes seemed to be fixed on the socialites and wealthy ladies on the scene.

"That is Edward Anderson, the general manager of Harach Mining. Harach Mining is one of the largest mining companies in our country, with many mines in the south."

Santiago followed Guerrero's gaze again and saw a burly man.

Some beautiful women also greeted Santiago, but most were dismissed by Guerrero. Santiago wasn't in the mood. Tonight was just to scout things out; tomorrow was the main event.

"They seem to have invited some people from the provincial government, but I don't recognize many. I know Bocasa, the director of the Municipal Hall's Urban Construction Department. I dealt with him a few days ago when applying."

"That's a representative from Bolivia's Sunset Glow. Last time, they asked us for support."

Santiago saw a man, not yet forty, dressed in indigenous attire, wearing a suit that looked a bit comical.

He was flirting with a beautiful woman, and his hand didn't know where it had reached.

"Should we go say hello, Boss?"

"Let's skip it. You can go chat."

Santiago waved his hand, indicating little interest. This person didn't look reliable, his eyes darting around, probably a double agent and a lecher.

Santiago, holding a wine glass, stood rather bored in the corner. Most of these people were minor characters, except for a few with significant influence, whom he occasionally greeted. Otherwise, he just watched coldly.

Getting acquainted wasn't necessary. This wasn't Cordoba. Guerrero was handling things well, and his own identity was mainly as a student. Clearly, they didn't pay much attention to Santiago, so he wouldn't bother trying to ingratiate himself. He wasn't that bored.

"Hello, young man. Is this your first time here today?" At this moment, a charming lady in her thirties walked towards him, her hair styled in a bun, wearing gorgeous clothes.

"Hello, Santiago Cohen, head of Thunder Mining."

"I am Julia, Julia Isay."

Santiago recalled some information. This Mrs. Julia was a heavyweight guest. Her husband seemed to be the current high-ranking official of Jujuy, Drute Isay, an old guy in his sixties.

"Hello, Madam, you are truly radiant. I wonder if the old high-ranking official is still in good health."

Santiago kissed Julia's hand and praised her, also inquiring about her family.

"My husband is doing quite well. Would you be interested in dancing a dance with me?"

"Very happy to."

The two half-embraced and danced at the ball, also saying some witty words.

Afterward, Julia even invited Santiago to visit her nearby estate tonight, but Santiago had to say that his wife was not feeling well at the hotel, and politely declined. Guerrero had strictly marked her in red; he didn't want to die in someone else's bed.

"I didn't expect you to be married at such a young age." Julia regretfully looked for the next target.

Before the banquet ended, Santiago briefly chatted with a few people, understanding that this kind of gathering was very common in this area. The Barrosa family was just providing a "platform" for those who were willing to get to know each other.

Around ten o'clock in the evening, men and women were hanging together. Santiago and Guerrero hurriedly left, making him sigh again that these people were truly talented.

"Boss, this is the life of the so-called 'upper class,' very chaotic."

"These people are really good at these messy things. Like that Mrs. Julia, she even brought two men. She's really playing it up. High-ranking official Isay must be wearing a green hat."

"I knew I shouldn't have come tonight. I thought there was something important. You could have come alone."

Santiago really didn't like this kind of occasion. It was just a cocktail party for the so-called upper class to find connections.

"That's my mistake. I thought there would be a meeting tonight, but it turned out to be just a cocktail party. Boss, do you need me to arrange something for you?"

"If you have that kind of energy, you might as well have people gather more information."

"Yes, Boss."

"If tomorrow is still this kind of broken banquet, tell the Barrosa family not to do it anymore. Thunder Mining won't be serving them. Go and notify the Barrosa family."

"They think this kind of sugar-coated bullet can corrupt us? Just kidding. I'll stay for two more days at most. If there's still no meeting the day after tomorrow, I can only express my regret."

"Understood, Boss. You rest early tonight, and I'll go issue the notification."

Another flurry of activity. Thunder Mining is unhappy, a saying circulating in the Barrosa family. If they continue this kind of nonsense activity, then they're sorry, but all discussions should no longer involve Thunder Mining. Thunder Mining's patience is limited.

…

Barrosa Family Estate,

Patriarch Barrosa Zadczyk, looking at the message from Thunder Mining, smashed several phones.

"If a meeting is not convened as soon as possible, Thunder Mining will take the next step according to its own wishes - Thunder Mining."

"Interesting, now everyone can step on our family. Really interesting. Has God really stopped blessing our Barrosa family? This is an humiliation we haven't suffered in two hundred years."

Zadczyk slumped back in his chair, not knowing what to do for a moment, suddenly remembering his identity, and immediately made a few calls.

"Hello, I am Zadczyk of the Barrosa family. Connect me to the director of the Urban Construction Department of the Municipal Hall."