Rise of the Argentine Empire

After a few days of consideration, Horst finally notified Saint-Hesse, expressing his willingness to cooperate with him and take him to visit a factory.

Saint-Hesse, accompanied by 5 mechanical factory personnel, 2 intelligence personnel, and 10 security personnel, followed Horst to a relatively remote factory in the city center. This factory had 5 floors and looked quite old.

Horst used a key to open a large iron gate. He didn't turn on the lights, probably because the wiring was old and the electricity had been cut off long ago. A distinct smell wafted over, a mixture of machine oil and a metallic tang.

Saint-Hesse could also see some cobwebs on the ceiling and dust from bicycle parts on the floor.

Clearly, this factory had been abandoned for some time. Walking inside the somewhat empty and deserted factory building, one could only hear breathing and footsteps.

The first floor was scattered with some bicycle parts and piles of wheels.

There was a lot of dust and oil on top. Saint-Hesse followed behind him. There was nothing too important here.

"A great country is gone. From Otto the Great's Holy Roman Empire to Prussia's Hohenzollern dynasty, and then to the Third Reich, our great Germany is now divided in two. The French, on the other hand, have risen again."

Horst continued to walk forward. After a corner, there were many more mechanical equipment, placed relatively neatly. Some were covered with oilcloth, but most were scattered parts on the ground, and they looked quite old.

"Now the Germans who stayed in Argentina have also dispersed, moving on to new lives. They no longer expect the former Fourth Reich. The war ended only 6 years ago. Since the teacher passed away, many of us have started to change our names and leave."

"This is where explosives were produced." Horst pointed to a set of equipment. Saint-Hesse found it somewhat familiar, similar to the explosives factory in Maria Town. And the explosives factory was the starting point for the development of the Rhein Armaments Factory.

Horst said these words with emotion, and there was a hint of moisture in the corners of his eyes.

Saint-Hesse didn't feel any sympathy. This was inherently courting death, ultimately benefiting the Americans.

He even felt like laughing a little.

After all, my great Argentina's future is much more miserable than yours. At least East and West Germany still have a chance to reunite in the future. Argentina can't even handle the Falkland Islands, so he chose to remain silent.

"Our bicycle factory and plastic factory had more than 800 workers at its peak. We could produce a lot of weapons and ammunition. These equipment were all transported from the homeland. This machine tool is used for processing parts."

Horst touched the scattered machine tool parts. His white gloves quickly became dirty. He recalled the once bustling production, but unfortunately, it lasted for only a year before they heard the news of Germany's defeat. Many people directly collapsed and chose to end their lives.

"These were all treasures once. It was really not easy to cross the ocean. The other factories also gradually stopped production, but there was nothing I could do."

Saint-Hesse also saw German nameplates on some of the equipment. Sure enough, they were all marked with "Made in Germany". The machines looked like products from the 30s and 40s, with some colored lights and buttons, giving them a very retro feel. It's just unknown if they can still be turned on.

The machines looked a bit old, but they could probably be started. This floor mostly consisted of small lathes, rubber tracks, huge wheels, and oil stains, all filled with the aura of mechanical processing.

"Most of the people in our factory didn't have such strong beliefs, or you could say they were abandoned.

The truly fanatical ones went with him, and there was another group with slightly weaker beliefs who went deep into the jungle to establish a Nazi base. To be honest, these things are not very useful anymore. After all, we have no foundation. The strength of the regular army is very powerful."

Horst娓娓道来this piece of history and secrets. Saint-Hesse was also somewhat surprised and astonished. It must be said that he was still very charismatic, having once led the rise of Nazi Germany. No comment.

Obviously, Horst intentionally revealed some Nazi secrets. After speaking, he forcefully pulled open a large oilcloth. Saint-Hesse took a look and immediately became a little uneasy, his breathing also becoming heavier.

"This is a 7mm bullet casing production line, mainly used with the MP-40 submachine gun. It hasn't been turned on for 5 years now. If you want to start it up, there's no problem at all. At its peak, it could produce 30,000 bullets a day, but unfortunately, it's not very useful."

This was truly like a pillow arriving when one was sleepy. The Rhein Armaments Factory, it was too difficult. It must be taken down. Although this thing is a bit old, it can make bullets. This is not easy.

"Really? A bullet production line producing 30,000 rounds a day, 900,000 rounds a month? What are you trying to do? Plan to overthrow Argentina and establish the Fourth Reich?"

"And with so many factories, wouldn't Perón's people find out?"

Saint-Hesse was also a little strange. Actually, this place wasn't particularly remote.

"No, back then, our bicycle factory was divided into 7, and there was even a secret final assembly factory, each producing parts separately. Moreover, these are no longer very useful and are just left here to rust."

Good fellow, this was division of labor and cooperation, and the efficiency was relatively high.

"Can this place produce the 7 caliber? I don't like it."

7.92 mm was basically exhausted later and replaced by the Italian standard.

The 7.62 mm standard bullet is the common NATO caliber, which is more conducive to the subsequent introduction of various guns for imitation. After Germany's defeat, 7.92 mm has lost its market. This is the fate of the defeated.

"As long as the production molds are modified, replaced, and corrected, it can be done. Of course, it requires a lot of investment."

Horst only thought that these were some special little quirks of Saint-Hesse. Changing from a large caliber to a small caliber is still easier. For him, it's not a big problem.

If Saint-Hesse wanted to change to 9mm, it would probably require overturning and redesigning, which would be much more difficult.

"You guys take a good look at these equipment and make an assessment. I'll continue the tour."

Saint-Hesse turned his head and instructed several mechanical factory employees, asking them to do a value assessment. This was also the purpose of their coming to this factory today.

Horst took a wooden hand grenade sample from the wall, scaring the people around him.

"Boss, this is the M24 stick grenade production line. It won't explode now.

The M24 is an offensive grenade. The metal warhead is only a thin steel plate. There are not many effective fragments when it explodes. It mainly relies on the shock wave of the explosive explosion to kill. Because the charge is large, with a full 200g, the explosive power is still very large."

Good fellow, this bicycle factory can even produce grenades. It's definitely an arsenal, no doubt. Although this is just a stick grenade, the production process is relatively simple.

Saint-Hesse followed him to the workshop on the second floor. There was also a freight elevator up and down, but there was no electricity, so they could only take the stairs, which was very advanced.

"These machine tools can process metal products. It's just that the production of iron and copper is too low in Argentina, coupled with various problems, so they can't be produced."

"These are for producing gun barrels. Except for some heavy artillery, light and medium artillery barrels can produce a lot."

Horst once again pulled open a layer of oilcloth, revealing seamless steel pipes. Saint-Hesse was once again shocked. It turned out that this bicycle factory had so many good things. If they were merged and digested well, this would definitely be a top-notch South American armaments factory, although these equipment have a certain generation gap compared to other countries.

"You wouldn't happen to be able to produce Stg-44s, would you?"

This rifle is the forerunner of assault rifles. Although it wasn't the earliest assault rifle developed, it's much better than the PPSh-41 submachine gun.

The AK-47 was inspired by this guy and developed. Because there was no large-scale mass production, there are very few finished products now. It is estimated that there are many in Yugoslavia, and Argentina has also obtained some.

"We brought a lot of finished products from there and handed them over to the Presidential Palace, but there is no production line for this. If there was, Perón's people would have taken it long ago. I heard that their armaments factory is reverse-engineering it, but I don't know if it's true."

Horst said disdainfully. Obviously, the strength of many factories in Argentina has long been declining, not to mention that he had seen the peak of Krupp.

"Koch, can you gather these production line workers again? I can offer the highest wages in Argentina. I can assess the purchase funds for these equipment, most of which aren't very advanced."

This was the truth. He wanted to buy more advanced production line equipment, but talent cultivation would be difficult. Most of the workers at Rhein Armaments Factory were just dabblers. It took them more than half a year to make a pistol, and it barely succeeded only after Saint Hesser found a professor.

But until now, they haven't received any orders from the Ministry of Defense, making it a severely loss-making business. Moreover, he had invested so much money, which made him deeply realize the weakness of his own power, even with the foresight of someone from later generations.

Saint Hesser then followed to several factories in the suburbs, mostly operating under the guise of plastic factories and bicycle factories. There weren't many workers, and most had already run away to find their own way.

After inspecting several factory buildings, Saint Hesser assessed that these old machine tools could form an entire assembly line for manufacturing certain weapons, including machine guns, cannons, bullets, grenades, bombs, aircraft parts, and so on.

Saint Hesser was shocked for a day before he seriously composed himself and negotiated with Horst's team.

… …

Rhein Institute, conference room,

"All seven of your factories plus the assembly plant will be merged into one. I can offer the highest acquisition price, and you can all work until retirement with regularized production."

"I can satisfy any of your reasonable requests, including but not limited to housing, domestic towns, and various protections. We have a professional security company, and we have the final say in some towns. You can directly obtain Argentine citizenship, and we can even help rescue people from German prisons."

Many of these people have acquaintances in German prisons. Death is the end, but most of those who are alive probably won't have a good second half of their lives.

As long as Saint Hesser can extend the intelligence agency's reach to Western Europe, he will have the ability to rescue people to Argentina. Moreover, Argentina is large enough, with enough countryside where they can spend the rest of their lives in peace.

"I basically agree. These factories have basically stopped production and will just become a pile of scrap metal if they continue to be abandoned,"

Horst had been listening carefully and weighing the pros and cons. These factories were indeed outdated, but they were not at all outdated in Argentina. Unfortunately, no one except Saint Hesser wanted these thankless equipment.

Most of these ordnance factories are being eliminated, and Argentina will follow the Indian military route in the future, which is a hodgepodge of weapons from all countries. There are already signs of this.

Weapon production is a completely loss-making business without orders. Even a cannery can have higher profits than it, and the investment is also very large. Only ambitious people like Saint Hesser, who are "not very smart," dare to invest in this industry.

"Horst, this is my plan: to establish a military industrial company. You can be the deputy manager, in charge of these factories, and then find useful equipment for research and development and production.

As for the salary, let's set it at $1,500 a month for now.

Rhein Military Company can now settle in US dollars.

What do you think? As for the old staff, you can arrange for them to come in. I will approve one for each, as long as they are capable, at $200 a month."

A salary of $200 in Argentina is very high, equivalent to 14,000 pesos a month. Although the currency has depreciated, it is still equivalent to the original 10,000 pesos.

The Argentine peso is depreciating too quickly, so the US dollar is a hard currency.

"This condition is indeed very high. I can agree. So, boss, what are your next plans?"

Horst quickly got into his role.

"Can our company combine these factories separately, for example, make the bullet production line into a factory, becoming a bullet factory, as well as a machine gun factory, a grenade processing factory, and so on."

"No problem. Now that we are a legal and legitimate company, this can be done completely."

"And these equipment will be valued at $300,000, to be paid in 3 months."

Saint Hesser once again offered a high price. Most of these equipment are no longer very valuable, but this fund must be given.

"That's acceptable. I will set up a foundation with these funds to provide assistance to some old German buddies."

Horst considered for a while and nodded seriously. These factories actually belonged to Nazi Germany, but now Nazi Germany has been liquidated, so buying them directly is quite reasonable. After all, many people are barely surviving, and this is a reasonable way to avoid risk.

"As long as you can get these equipment running and have enough talent, I will give you enough support."

"Yes, boss, we will work hard."

Horst's whole body trembled with excitement.

The bicycle factory had long been failing. Although the Germans were good at opening factories in all aspects, producing these bicycles was just a cover. The output was not high, and there was no capital investment. Their specialty was producing various weapons.

As for returning to Germany, that would be like an old man hanging himself—courting death.

Because they were just marginal figures and didn't make money, after being abandoned by Biron, no one was willing to help them anymore, because they couldn't even protect themselves. The various bizarre operations of the Argentine Presidential Palace in the past two years have brought many factories to the brink of crisis, especially in the second half of this year, when inflation is severe and outrageous.

"Many of the former factory employees are not doing very well. Many have even moved to the slums. They were carefully selected talents with high technical skills," Horst added.

"Happy cooperation," Saint Hesser shook Horst's hand tightly.

"The sooner the better. I don't want them to be wasted anymore. This is a huge loss to our company,"

Saint Hesser said with regret, looking at the scenery outside the window with his hands behind his back.

These Germans are the best workers, the best catfish. At the very least, the strength of this military factory will increase rapidly.

… …

Thus, on October 10th,

Rhein-Fritz Military Industrial Company was officially established. Rhein Armaments Factory and Rhein Institute were merged into it. Augustine temporarily served as the acting general manager and could be promoted if he performed well. Horst served as the deputy general manager, and the professor served as the chief engineer, along with several deputy chief engineers. A group of people were also promoted.

Preparations were also made to split and merge these 8 factories into a medium-sized company with 8 factories and 1 research institute.

The general manager was the factory director of Rhein Armaments Factory.

The development goals were quickly released. In the future, it would become a professional weapon production, research and development, and sales integrated military company.

It merged 7 military factories under the guise of bicycle factories and 1 assembly plant in one go. It can basically be said that it directly became the third largest military factory in Argentina, except that the various machine tool equipment was a bit broken and the craftsmanship was a bit backward.

Although the mergers were all relatively small-scale factories, in terms of scale, it was not small at all.

Horst was also very helpful. He was a ruthless person. With the high salary as an incentive, and directly obtaining the passport arranged by Saint Hesser, and dispatching several security guards, he immediately regained his confidence and began his great cause.

In just a few days, he pulled two hundred old employees from the bicycle factory to join the new company. The salary alone was not small, but in terms of their technical level, it was not a loss at all. They were better than many current armaments factory workers, and they were quite capable.

If you ask him how he persuaded them, he only needed to say one sentence: I will pay you $200 a month, just do your job well.

God, that's $200! Now they can't even find a job that pays $50. Is this a scam? But Horst quickly dispelled their doubts.

Moreover, the number of employees also increased quickly, because the new boss was very generous and paid more, four times more than before.

Of course, those who could be paid $200 were basically considered senior technicians. Saint Hesser couldn't afford some jobs that could be done with simple training.

The salary was not that high. Cohen Brothers Company was responsible for recruitment.

Soon, part of the bicycle factory's production line was restarted.