Rise of the Argentine Empire

“I call these measures investment promotion, and I propose that the Legislative Council pass our city's first formal 《Investment Promotion Law》…”

Saint-Hesse confidently stated these regulations and rules, which were extremely common in later generations, causing some ripples among the attendees. Obviously, they had given some thought to Saint-Hesse's words, and at least they sounded pretty good.

Currently, many countries in the world do not have written investment promotion laws, and rely more on municipal authorities for independent operation, just like the former Maria Town. If the council holds legislative power, it must extend it through the passage of a series of bills.

If Saint-Hesse wants to become a powerful councilor, he must win over some people and cultivate power in Blanca Port. Most councilors appear as spokespersons for interest groups. The powerful councilors of the Blanca Port City Council all have at least one interest group or family behind them. The Republican Party itself barely represents the interests of the labor union.

In Saint-Hesse's situation, with his weak power, he must pass a series of bills to tear open this gap.

In Blanca Port, the power of the mayor and the municipal government is greater than the power of the council, which is also the result of the decentralization of power in Blanca Port City. This time, the City Hall also sent people to listen and record, but the main stage was handed over to these councilors and speakers.

According to the principle of separation of powers in the Argentine Constitution and the laws of Buenos Aires Province, the judicial organ of Blanca Port is the weakest, and the council and the municipal government are the two most powerful power organs, respectively holding legislative and administrative power.

The main purpose of this meeting was to pass some new bills and local regulations.

Saint-Hesse had people distribute some specific bills printed by the New A Newspaper.

“Yes, I have already discussed it with Councilor Saint-Hesse. The provincial government has no way to take care of us, and we must carry out self-rescue activities.”

Councilor Ensep Alexander also raised his hand to speak, expressing his support for Saint-Hesse. He represents the interests of some local emerging capital, which is also why Saint-Hesse can get along with him. He is a newly appointed councilor in his thirties.

“I think this bill is very good, but the possibility of its realization is very low. I think the most important thing is to restore production, especially the local beef and flour mills, which are relatively weak. If they are impacted by foreign countries, it will cause unemployment.”

“I think so too.”

Councilors from the Bariloche family stood up to express their opposition, and people from the Hector Gay family echoed.

It is normal for someone to object, and it is also a necessary procedure.

“I think we can try it. After all, it will take too long for us to recover with our own strength, at least two years, which is not enough to complete this arduous task. Moreover, we can introduce book bar industries, not necessarily flour mills or the like.”

A Republican councilor named Bailey Oslo also raised his hand to express his support. Even though the Republican Party is already the biggest troublemaker in Blanca Port, he also recognizes that this bill is pretty good, but the possibility of its realization is too low.

“We Republicans believe that this is worth a try. Blanca Port has been established for so long, and its development speed is not as good as some emerging towns in the country. This shows that times have changed.

We must communicate and exchange more with the outside world. I know there is a small town in the north that has developed in just a few years relying on foreign capital, and our Blanca Port has many advantages, and our unemployment rate is very terrible, at least half of the workers are unemployed.....”

Although Republicans like to organize strikes and are hated by most Blanca Port dignitaries, they also know that strikes can only be carried out when capitalists have profits. Now Blanca Port factories are very difficult, and they can't get any money even if they strike again.

Several Republican councilors had just had a discussion. Although they had won many votes, they were resented by others, and most people did not take them seriously.

“Councilor Saint-Hesse, you can continue to persuade us. I am very interested in your bill.”

Bailey continued, trying to find a sense of existence, but no one paid attention to him, which made him a little embarrassed.

“Okay, I think Blanca Port has great potential and can be built into the largest industrial city in the south. Moreover, various factories can be built here, such as chemical factories and clothing factories, not flour mills or meat processing plants… There are also some machinery factories, which do not conflict with local factories and can increase employment…”

Saint-Hesse nodded and continued, perfecting his statement. Republicans and some other councilors nodded frequently, expressing their agreement.

After Saint-Hesse spoke, he sat down, and other councilors began to discuss.

The entire meeting was like a huge vegetable market. It must be said that in addition to having someone behind them, eloquence is also very important for councilors. Most of these people are debate masters, but there is a lot of nonsense.

Finally, the new speaker, Heranto, knocked on the table, and the entire venue suddenly quieted down. Everyone in the venue turned their attention to Heranto. He stood up calmly.

Heranto is from the Martinez family, named Heranto Martinez, and is also the largest capital force in Blanca Port, which has suffered the most damage, so he is very interested in the new proposal.

“Okay, Mr. Speaker, I think what the councilors said makes sense, but I think the most important thing is not whether to introduce it or not, but that the city must develop.

I think only development can solve the problem. The reason why all the problems are exposed now is because development has stagnated or even regressed. If we don’t develop well, we can’t improve. We must develop our city through various means, and many problems can be solved very well.....”

Saint-Hesse spoke eloquently,

“There is also a question, where is the appropriate location for this industrial zone, and how to raise construction funds?”

One councilor asked.

“This question is indeed very critical. My idea is to raise funds ourselves through multiple channels.”

At any time, the issue of money is the top priority, and it is also a task that offends people. In the past, raising funds mainly relied on taxes and donations. The tax revenue of Blanca Port can be said to be a mess, similar to the original Saint Maria Town. It would be very remarkable to collect 10 to 20 million pesos a year.

The current situation in Blanca Port is also the current situation of all Argentine towns. The tax system is not complete at all, or it does not exist.

“Then who is responsible for leading this investment promotion issue, the municipal government or the city council?”

This councilor continued to ask.

After the final inquiries, Saint Hilaire convinced the majority of the councilors, and the "Investment Promotion Act" was passed by a show of hands. Five or six other bills were passed at the same time, most of which were corrective bills.

There weren't many constructive bills, and a lot of them were just nonsense. It had been decades since someone like Saint Hilaire had initiated a new bill.

Most councilors wouldn't offend people unless their own interests or the interests of their groups were affected. In addition, Saint Hilaire had won over some councilors, and this new bill didn't infringe on any other local interests, so it was normal for it to pass.

Furthermore, Saint Hilaire's remarks did sound somewhat reasonable.

The day after the meeting, the council held a banquet, inviting leading figures such as the mayor and deputy mayor of the city hall. It was Saint Hilaire's first time attending.

As usual, he brought Ilena. At the banquet, Saint Hilaire also met some people from the municipal system and engaged in friendly and in-depth exchanges.

This banquet was much larger and more prestigious than any he had attended before. Representatives of some local forces or family heads also attended.

Saint Hilaire, holding Ilena's hand and a glass of red wine, walked towards Mayor Otto and his wife, who were standing by the balcony. They shook hands briefly and exchanged pleasantries.

"Councilor Saint Hilaire, thank you for your contribution to the Port of Blanca at this legislative meeting."

Otto Leif, 47 years old, a member of the Justice Party, is currently the mayor of the Port of Blanca and is in his last term.

Otto also saw Saint Hilaire's potential from this new bill, as well as the benefits it would bring to the Port of Blanca.

Although Otto was unable to resolve the conflicts between the various forces in the Port of Blanca, he could be considered dutiful and had a good reputation.

"Mr. Mayor, this is what I should do as a councilor."

Saint Hilaire's expression was gentle and unassuming. Ilena and the mayor's wife chatted beside them, Ilena being skilled in such matters, which helped Saint Hilaire a lot.

"This Investment Promotion Act is well done. The city hall will send people to cooperate. I wonder if you are interested in taking the lead and becoming the person in charge."

"Mr. Mayor, wouldn't that be against the rules?"

Saint Hilaire really wanted to get this position, after all, he was paving the way for his company. Others wouldn't do a good job, lacking the resources. However, he didn't show any happy expression on his face, but instead frowned.

"There's no problem with that, and you don't just want to be elected as a councilor, do you? Even becoming the speaker wouldn't have much of a future. Besides, to be elected speaker, you must have more than ten years of experience. Why not consider developing in the city hall? Some necessary experience is essential."

Otto continued to persuade him, as no one in the city hall was willing to take the lead. They preferred mature plans, while pioneering work was thankless.

"The city hall team doesn't reject the leadership of some powerful councilors. For example, Herlanto once oversaw some visiting projects, which was very helpful for him to become the speaker."

Otto's words were seven parts true and three parts false. If you didn't know him well, you could easily be led astray.

"Besides, no one is more familiar with this project than you."

"Maybe, I can give it a try? But after all, this is too difficult and requires more support."

Saint Hilaire said, pretending to be embarrassed. He needed to fight for more benefits.

"Of course, I will send a team to you. It doesn't matter if you don't achieve results, anyway, it's just a try."

In the Port of Blanca, the council and the city hall have a close relationship and haven't had too many conflicts. This is because although the Justice Party can be said to control the city hall, no one wants to see the executive power become too dominant. On the surface, they go back and forth, but there are many secret alliances.

Large banquets like this are important channels for their communication.

Saint Hilaire was the most dazzling person at this banquet.

Many people came to make friends and become familiar with him, making him a hot councilor in the council.

Some people were waiting to see him make a fool of himself.

Some people also noticed the mayor's behavior. Otto had a way of winning people over. Saint Hilaire also acted appropriately grateful, making many people laugh secretly.

Otto wasn't a good person. Saint Hilaire certainly knew that. As for why he did this, it was for his own purpose.

Who would win, it was not yet certain.

Who was using whom, who knows?

......

After this legislative meeting and this banquet, the city hall, seeing Saint Hilaire's potential, didn't mind adding icing to the cake. Saint Hilaire directly became Mayor Otto's honored guest, becoming a "Councilor Lord" who could freely enter and exit the city hall. There were probably only 10 such councilors in the Port of Blanca.

While Saint Hilaire was promoting investment promotion legislation, he officially became the first person in charge of the Port of Blanca investment promotion team, connecting with the fifth district of the municipal government and establishing the Port of Blanca Trade Processing Zone.

The Trade Processing Zone covers an area of 15 square kilometers and will be built into a new industrial zone in the Port of Blanca. Saint Hilaire set up the headquarters of the investment promotion team here, and Otto did send many people over, mostly young civil servants.

He led these members to visit the streets, appease the citizens of the Lingang Industrial Zone, and promised employment and other things. Soon, Saint Hilaire's industrial zone established a construction engineering department, using commercial loans provided by Barron Bank to carry out preliminary construction.

On November 8, Barron Bank and the Lingang Industrial Zone signed a loan agreement for the construction of industrial zone infrastructure. On the day of the signing, Mayor Otto personally supported Saint Hilaire.

Saint Hilaire put on a show and held some press conferences, followed by a series of signing ceremonies.

On November 12, the first investment promotion signing was successful. Maya Chemical and the Port of Blanca Lingang Industrial Zone signed an agreement to invest 2 million US dollars to build a large chemical plant, shocking the entire Port of Blanca. Major newspapers also carried out large-scale publicity.

"This guy seems to have some connections."

Otto looked at Saint Hilaire, who was busy. As a ribbon-cutting tool person, he chatted with Sean, the general manager of Maya Chemical, but didn't get much useful information.

Saint Hilaire's background in China was still relatively mysterious. A small mayor of the Port of Blanca certainly couldn't find out, so many people just regarded Saint Hilaire's signing as good luck.

Saint Hilaire continued to sign a contract with Blue Cloud Shoes and Clothing without stopping.

On November 15, the investment promotion team officially signed a contract with Blue Cloud Shoes and Clothing.

On November 18, signed a contract with Leidon Heavy Industry.

On November 20, signed a contract with Southern Energy.

Southern Energy is a private power generation company established by Saint Hilaire at the La Plata Thermal Power Plant. Now it plans to build a second thermal power plant.

The future investment scale of the Port of Blanca power plant will be larger, and the technology will be more advanced.

The entire Port of Blanca was completely boiling.