Rise of the Argentine Empire

As Saint Hesser became utterly disappointed with the Peron government, various rebel factions, large and small, within the country began to stir restlessly.

However, those who took the lead were basically crushed by Peron.

Of course, anyone rebelling at this time was generally… well, a bit off in the head.

Although Peron was a sick tiger, he was still a tiger, not someone that little monkeys or rabbits could overthrow.

To become Argentina's chosen one was no simple matter, and Saint Hesser was only secretly accumulating power.

These past few days, Saint Hesser, in his new home, couldn't help but marvel at how affordable real estate was for him now; the prices in Bu City were less than half of those in New York.

In Bu City, a 200-square-meter house only cost $50,000 USD, and it was even decently furnished.

Saint Hesser directly bought a seven-story building, which turned out to be much cheaper than those estates, and he even installed an elevator.

Moreover, the location was quite good, with a concealed basement that could be used for hiding and evasion.

After stationing some people here, Saint Hesser moved some important items over. This wasn't Argentina's top wealthy district, but the security was quite good, not too far from the University of Bu, convenient to drive to, and close to the Delta headquarters, making it easy to get support in case of emergencies.

Saint Hesser stood with Andrew on the ninth-floor balcony, looking at the somewhat hazy sky outside as rain began to fall.

"Andrew, how is the development of the New Argentina Newspaper going recently?"

"Well, you've done a good job. We can start an internationalization strategy now. Go acquire some newspapers and news agencies in countries like Spain, Brazil, England, Chile, and Peru, and expand and gather intelligence according to the New Argentina Newspaper model."

"Okay, Boss. By the way, the Director has arrived in Rio."

"Alright, have him come see me when the time is right."

"Okay."

…

To prevent the rooms from being too empty, Saint Hesser transformed this place into an intelligence station dormitory.

The first and second floors each housed some security personnel.

The third to fifth floors were Saint Hesser's domain, with some libraries and the like arranged, and Saint Hesser's room was on the fifth floor.

The sixth and seventh floors served as offices and other functions.

Moreover, he had now arranged for cooks and cleaners, all of whom were trustworthy people.

Now, Saint Hesser rarely went out to buy groceries and cook himself.

He recalled some conversations he had with General Thompson a few days ago.

After Saint Hesser met the group of people Thompson had gathered, he was left alone to talk with Thompson.

"Cohen, do you think our Cordoba military can resist Peron's police force and army?"

Thompson asked half-jokingly, startling Saint Hesser.

"It's a bit difficult, after all, there are about 1000 kilometers between Cordoba City and Bu City, and we have to pass through many cities."

"For example, the two armies in Rosario are very powerful."

The warlord families in Rosario were also very powerful, currently about the same as Cordoba. Although it wasn't the provincial capital, it was close enough and very formidable.

Most importantly, Rosario had deep connections with the Army Headquarters and the Ministry of Defense. The two armies had about 8,000 people.

That was 3,000 more than Cordoba back then. Later, the Ministry of Defense incorporated the city guards, and now it had expanded to about 7,000 people, so its paper strength was inferior.

"What if they were in step with us?"

Little Thompson asked abruptly.

"Then we would still have to break through the capital garrison and the Labor Confederation. Now is not the best opportunity."

Saint Hesser wasn't trying to pour cold water, but rebellion had to abide by the basic rules. Peron was still very powerful now, at least before the Labor Confederation was dissolved. This worker force of over 10,000, close to 20,000, had tanks, artillery, and well-performing ordnance.

Who would win or lose was still uncertain.

"Haha, what you said makes a lot of sense. The garrison commander has been replaced by Peron's people, and Peron also controls the police force."

"Yes, this could easily turn into a civil war. Argentina doesn't need war right now; fighting is meaningless."

Saint Hesser spoke the truth. To him, fighting after World War II had no benefits and could be said to be benefiting others.

"The situation is still unclear. Peron's foundation is still quite solid. If we make a move, we will be quickly suppressed, and Peron still has a lot of prestige."

He spoke bluntly, saying that they would have to wait until next year at least. Making a move now was like Argentina fighting Britain in later generations. The one who takes the lead has no chance to get to the next table.

The time was not yet ripe.

"These are just my jokes."

Little Thompson changed his expression.

Now was just the time to prepare in advance.

Saint Hesser stretched. Rebellion required abiding by the basic rules and wasn't easy.

Cordoba had quite a few big shots.

The so-called gentleman's rebellion takes ten years to fail.

Although Cordoba was just a small warlord, with the separation of military and government, its influence was still there, radiating to several surrounding provinces.

"Peron hasn't been investing money in military projects for a long time. The military aircraft factory is almost failing."

"Yes, Argentine military aircraft just lack guaranteed safety, right?"

"The specific situation is unclear, but the Ministry of Defense's funding is insufficient in all aspects of military spending."

"We have also joined forces with the Navy. The Navy's artillery is good; the Casa Rosada is on the riverbank, and a few shots can reach it."

Although Buenos Aires was good, as a capital, many areas were not suitable, especially in military terms. The Casa Rosada was not far from the riverbank, and a few shots could reach the presidential palace. It was unknown whether this was due to too much self-confidence.

Saint Hesser regained his thoughts.

If Argentina truly developed, it would need to relocate its capital, preferably inland. Coastal areas were not very safe, at least being shelled by conventional forces was very uncommon.

Like the Soviets moving their capital from Saint Petersburg to Moscow, and the US moving its capital from New York to Washington, Paris was not located on the coast, and neither were London, Berlin, or Rome.

It was estimated that this was also the reason why Peron was overthrown; the presidential palace was shelled, and the president was no longer suitable to continue.

The Cordoba gang not only had military leaders from various places but also government personnel.

Rebellion required a lot of preparation and uniting a group of people.

…

Saint Hethcock didn't worry too much; if it really came to it, he would just sell arms!

The only thing he didn't know was whether it would turn into street fighting or something similar.

War means death, and Argentina couldn't withstand too much turmoil at the moment. Plus, the military government wasn't very capable. Saint Hethcock wasn't optimistic about these military leaders rebelling.

Time slowly entered June, and Saint Hethcock renewed the agreement with the Buenos Aires Province power plant company.

The La Plata Steel Plant and the La Plata Thermal Power Plant were being built simultaneously, forming an alliance of interests. There weren't many thermal power plants in Argentina. Saint Hethcock used Thunder Mining's Western Australian coal mining company, the power plant, and the La Plata Steel Plant to sign a tripartite agreement.

The coal mined in Western Australia would first supply power to the thermal power plant, still using German thermal power technology, the same as in the Ruhr region.

Buenos Aires Province Electric Power, La Plata Steel Plant, and Thunder Mining would invest in this large thermal power plant in proportion, with a profit ratio of 4:3:3. Saint Hethcock, through the two parties' investment of 60%, was essentially running the power plant himself.

Fortunately, the Peron government had subsidies for opening power plants, so it could barely manage.

Most other steel plants were scattered, which also promoted the development of Argentina's power generation industry, especially the hydropower industry.

However, investing in electrical infrastructure took a long time. Using private and state-owned funds was also opening a new path for development.

Argentina invested in more than 20 power plant projects last year, most of which were related to the four major power groups.

This year, the Americans wanted to enter the Argentine power industry but were met with a united resistance.

In fact, there was still a lot of private capital in Argentina. Saint Hethcock also wanted to revitalize some of this private capital. After all, the currency was devaluing too quickly, and there was a lack of electricity. Therefore, he had been intentionally promoting these power construction projects since the Maria Power Plant.

Investing in electrical facilities was a win-win-win situation, a goose that lays golden eggs, and with electricity, many industries could be developed.

For Saint Hethcock, there was no need to run an electrical company himself; it was a thankless task. It was enough to invest in some. The only relatively difficult thing was the localization of power generation equipment.

This matter could be handed over to Enke Electric. Acquire some American electrical companies, then secretly export them and establish Argentine subsidiaries.

The time was already somewhat ripe. Anyway, it was more reassuring to cooperate with his own left and right hands. Enke Electric's Buenos Aires branch could be established in a couple of months.

This wave of reverse operations was quite feasible.

He could even get involved in many industries, all for the sake of investing in Argentina. Anyway, foreign investment would be opened up sooner or later, so he might as well invest in himself.

Things like automobiles, electrical equipment, and appliances could all be established as joint ventures for large-scale investment.

When the time was right, they could become independent Argentine companies, equivalent to an incubator.

Only with this link could development be faster.

"Enke Electric is a genuine American company, controlled by the American Sequoia Consortium. What? You say that Sequoia has Argentines behind it? How could that be? You are slandering someone's innocence out of thin air."

Saint Hethcock's shell companies could slowly come in handy in the future, engaging in asset transfers, then creating Argentine joint venture subsidiaries, and finally transforming into Argentine assets.

"This can only prove that Argentines are too cunning and not suitable for doing business."

Saint Hethcock had already thought about how to shirk responsibility in the future. It was legal and reasonable, but it was just that Argentines were too cunning, and he couldn't afford to lose.

Sequoia Investment was also preparing to invest in Japanese and German companies and industries to share the development dividends. In the United States, it would also try to control the scale of development. There was no need to take action now; just wait a couple of months to prepare funds to buy the dip.

It wasn't easy to squeeze into these Japanese conglomerates. Slow and steady wins the race. To make money, he would slowly grind and slowly invest. The Japanese development speed was indeed fast enough.

……

The following is a discarded draft.

That's right, Argentine military aircraft just don't have guaranteed safety, right?

"The specific situation is unclear, but the Ministry of Defense's allocation is not enough for military spending in all aspects."

"We are also allied with the Navy. The Navy's cannons are good. The Casa Rosada is on the riverbank, and it can be hit with a few shots."

Buenos Aires is good, but as a capital, many locations are not very suitable, especially in terms of military affairs. The Casa Rosada is not far from the riverbank, and the presidential palace can be hit with a few shots. I don't know if it's because they're too confident.

Saint Hethcock regained his thoughts.

When Argentina truly develops, it will also need to move the capital, preferably further inland. Coastal areas are not very safe. At least being shelled by conventional forces is not a very uncommon thing.

Like the Soviets moving the capital from Saint Petersburg to Moscow, and Buenos Aires is currently too large, which is not conducive to the country's rational development.

The United States moved the capital from New York to Washington, and the locations of Paris, London, Berlin, and Rome are all like this.

It is estimated that this was also the reason why Peron was ousted. The presidential palace was shelled, so the president was no longer suitable to continue.

The Cordoba Gang not only has military leaders from various places but also government officials.

Rebellion requires a lot of preparation and uniting a group of people.

Saint Hethcock didn't worry too much; if it really came to it, he would just sell arms!

The only thing he didn't know was whether it would turn into street fighting or something similar.

War means death, and Argentina couldn't withstand too much turmoil at the moment. Plus, the military government wasn't very capable. Saint Hethcock wasn't optimistic about these military leaders rebelling.

Time slowly entered June, and Saint Hethcock renewed the agreement with the Buenos Aires Province power plant company.

The La Plata Steel Plant and the La Plata Thermal Power Plant were being built simultaneously, forming an alliance of interests. There weren't many thermal power plants in Argentina. Saint Hethcock used Thunder Mining's Western Australian coal mining company, the power plant, and the La Plata Steel Plant to sign a tripartite agreement.

The coal mined in Western Australia would first supply power to the thermal power plant, still using German thermal power technology, the same as in the Ruhr region.

Buenos Aires Province Electric Power, La Plata Steel Plant, and Thunder Mining would invest in this large thermal power plant in proportion, with a profit ratio of 4:3:3. Saint Hethcock, through the two parties' investment of 60%, was essentially running the power plant himself.

Fortunately, the Peron government had subsidies for opening power plants, so it could barely manage.

Most other steel plants were scattered, which also promoted the development of Argentina's power generation industry, especially the hydropower industry.

However, investing in electrical infrastructure took a long time. Using private funds