Rise of the Argentine Empire

October 28th, Wednesday, clear skies.

Spring had arrived in Bahía Blanca, and winter was a distant memory. Saint-Hesse was also planning to make a grand showing, remotely arranging construction matters. These past few days, he had been peacefully staying at home with Elena.

After sending Elena off on the train to Buenos Aires, surrounded by security personnel, he didn't need to worry about her safety.

He waved goodbye in front of the train window. As the train started and disappeared from sight, Saint-Hesse turned to leave.

His expression turned somewhat lonely. Beside him was Buston Osler, the head of the Falcon Bureau in Bahía Blanca, along with five Delta security personnel. Recently, he had strengthened his security detail.

Buston had an excellent memory, like a precise human storage device, which was a great help to Saint-Hesse. He was extremely loyal to the Falcon Bureau and had been thoroughly tested. The only downside was his lack of leadership skills, making him unsuitable as the head. Fortunately, there weren't many things happening in Bahía Blanca at the moment. He had already begun to transfer in a more suitable head.

After exiting the train station, Saint-Hesse sat in the back seat of the car. The driver, Bragg Theo, was slowly driving through the city, and he looked at the scenery outside the window.

Present-day Bahía Blanca already resembled a tourist city of later generations, except for the high unemployment rate, which had recently caused many homeless people to appear on the streets.

Summers in Argentina, especially in the wealthy north, are quite hot. Places like the coastal areas of Buenos Aires have unremarkable scenery and are crowded with people.

Wealthy Argentine tycoons would come to Bahía Blanca, Mar del Plata, and even further south to places like Ushuaia to escape the summer heat or for leisure.

This year was much more desolate than in previous years. Saint-Hesse noticed that trains were one of the main modes of transportation, but there were hardly any passengers at the train station. It seemed that even wealthy people weren't very well-off this year.

"Boss, the city hall has invited you to participate in a discussion tomorrow about solving the employment problem. Also, the president of the National University of the South, Durant, has invited you to visit the school..."

Buston also took on some extra secretarial roles, such as handling some urgent matters for him. Intelligence work in Bahía Blanca was still ongoing, and there was also a shortage of manpower in Buenos Aires. Saint-Hesse personally handled most of the affairs while also looking for fresh blood to join.

"The National University of the South? Is there a university in Bahía Blanca?"

Saint-Hesse asked with some surprise.

"Yes, this university was only established two years ago. The enrollment scale is very small. Next year's enrollment plan is only 200 people. It seems they want to expand the scale, but they can't find funding or appropriations, so it's very difficult..."

"Okay, I didn't really notice it. I originally thought it was a middle school, that school in the 14th district? Did they not put up a sign?"

"That's right, they didn't put up a sign. It mainly recruits teacher-training students, and the scale is only a few hundred people. It was originally established in the old campus of the Saint Anxius Church Middle School."

"Okay, I understand. Bragg, go to the seaside now. I haven't properly looked at the scenery of Bahía Blanca in the spring. I want to see enough this time."

"Yes, sir."

Bragg turned at the intersection ahead and drove towards the port and docks.

On the way to the port, Saint-Hesse saw a large basketball court.

Saint-Hesse sat next to the basketball court.

The Argentine youths on the basketball court were sweating profusely. Saint-Hesse watched a basketball game with great interest.

"That's wonderful!"

Saint-Hesse said with some lingering interest. Basketball's status in Bahía Blanca was not low. This southern seaport town was a bit of an anomaly in Argentina. The people here liked both basketball and soccer. Many local clubs, in addition to soccer, also engaged in basketball.

After watching the game, he got back into the car and arrived at the Bahía Blanca docks. There were some cruise ships parked here, but they were all empty, showing desolation.

He looked into the distance and saw many islands. In the distance, he could see Trinidad Island and Bermejo Island, two large islands, each with several hundred square kilometers, but uninhabited.

Closer were Wood Island and Embudo Island, which were relatively smaller.

More than twenty kilometers east of Bahía Blanca was another small town called Punta Alta, or Alta for short. This was a naval base and the next stage of the Falcon Bureau's infiltration direction.

There were some small islands to the south across the bay. Strictly speaking, the port industrial zone was located between Bahía Blanca and Alta. It was a brand-new port industrial zone. Compared to the old port in the north, it was more suitable for deep-water port construction, and it didn't have to go through a narrow bay, making maritime transport more convenient.

At present, the urban area of Bahía Blanca was not large. The Fifth District, as a newly established district, was actually a suburb, or a backward new town. Due to the expansion of the urban area, the merged area had a relatively high status. Like the Fourth District, it was one of the two districts established last and had the weakest foundation.

"It would be completely perfect if Bahía Blanca had a river, a perfect Argentine bay area."

Saint-Hesse said to himself with some emotion. This could be regarded as a nearly perfect "bay area" in Argentina. The only regret was the lack of a river.

The Colorado River flows into Bahía Blanca Bay more than 200 kilometers to the south. It originates from the eastern slope of the Andes Mountains. He even suspected whether the Colorado River had changed its course. The Colorado River was also Argentina's 800 mm rainfall line, zero-degree isotherm, humid and semi-humid line, and subtropical temperate zone line.

Just like the Qinling Mountains and Huai River in New China, seen from space, the area from the west of Bahía Blanca all the way to the Curacó River, where the Salado River and the El River meet, actually had many lakes and low-lying areas that looked like abandoned river channels. At most, it was only 600 kilometers away, and it was obvious that the rainfall near Bahía Blanca was more than in the south, which could also gather some precipitation.

"Buston, do you think Bahía Blanca needs an artificial canal, such as diverting or splitting the Colorado River from the south? Anyway, there aren't even decent cities downstream of the Colorado River, and the rainfall in the south isn't good either."

Saint-Hesse looked at the narrow bay to the west. In fact, there was a lot of silt accumulation where the bay met the shore, otherwise the port potential here would be even greater, which was quite similar to the middle and lower reaches of a river.

He asked Buston next to him.

"Boss, I don't really understand these things, but what's the point?"

Buston asked with some confusion.

"Okay, it doesn't seem to make much sense."

Saint-Hesse pondered slightly. Digging a 600-kilometer artificial canal to divert the Colorado River, just to give Bahía Blanca a river, was simply too extravagant. It would be better to build a few more hydroelectric power stations upstream to generate electricity.

But Saint-Hesse seemed to be obsessed, feeling that Bahía Blanca really needed a river, as if it were the devil calling to him.

"Maybe it's really possible to have people survey it and try it out? If a large bay area with a population of 20 to 30 million people is formed near Bahía Blanca, then the amount of water needed would be incredible, and river water is much better than lake water, flushing out a deep-water port."

Saint-Hesse's mind became active. This was not impossible, and he even vaguely felt that it could be realized, as long as the river was diverted, and then some artificial channels were dug downstream to form a true bay area city.

In his plan, Argentina could have at least three large industrial zones and urban clusters. In the central region, the city of Córdoba and the city of María would form an inland industrial zone. In the east and north-central region, the La Plata River coastal industrial zone would be centered on Buenos Aires. The third would be the Bahía Blanca Bay industrial urban cluster in the southern Pampas, forming three locomotives. Why worry about Argentina's economy not rising?

It should be known that the diversion of rivers is actually not uncommon in nature. Straightening bends, natural diversion, floods seizing river channels, and artificial construction are also numerous.

And if Bahía Blanca really had a river, then it could indeed be expanded and developed upstream very well, and there are indeed many lakes along the way that could be connected.

After all, if the Colorado River is calculated from its tributary, the Salado River, it is 1,430 kilometers long, and the average annual runoff is 4.3 billion cubic meters. Although it is indeed a bit worse than the large rivers such as the La Plata and Paraná, it is also considered a medium-sized river.

There are actually many rivers in southern Argentina, mainly restricted by the narrow land area, so the flow is relatively small. If Bahía Blanca could really have a river, then it could definitely raise Bahía Blanca by several orders of magnitude.

After all, this is "nature's masterpiece."

"It would be great if there were dredgers."

Saint-Hesse's voice became smaller and smaller. They could be used for dredging and piling the silt onto the outer islands, or connecting those islands. Wouldn't the development of these islands be like Long Island in New York? These dozen islands together are one or two thousand square kilometers in size.

He leaned on the railing of the dock, blowing the cool breeze. Buston spread out a map next to him, and Saint-Hesse wrote and drew on it with a pencil, and then outlined the approximate river channel and the connection of the various islands. Only then did he contentedly have the people next to him put away the map.

"Boss, you've been looking south since just now. Those small islands don't seem to have anything to see."

There are many islands in Bahía Blanca Bay. The largest is Trinidad Island, which is most famous for its fishing industry. The second largest is Bermejo Island.

The west side of the bay is a small bay. The bottom of the small bay is relatively shallow and cannot dock large ships, but the wind shelter effect is very good. That side, like the coast of the Fifth District, is completely undeveloped industrially, and the beaches are also white.

"Haha, actually, sometimes it's nice to quietly look at the scenery. Buston, go find a boat. I want to go to that island over there to take a look."

Saint-Hesse pointed to the farthest sea island and said.

"As you wish."

Buston found a local old fisherman, and after ten minutes, he came over with a sailboat. Saint-Hesse and his party also jumped on the white sailboat, and after a while, they set off.

The sailboat slowly left the port and headed towards the Atlantic Ocean.

"There seems to be a big fish over there."

The fisherman said with a smile: "It's a whale, they're preparing to go north."

Saint-Hesse turned his head to look, but didn't see anything, only a calm sea surface.

"There are many islands in Bahía Blanca Bay, so there are many kinds of marine animals. You can see penguins, sea lions, seals, and the like."

The sailboat moved slowly forward, passing a few islands. Trinidad Island in the distance was getting closer and closer, maintaining a certain distance from the coast.

A large black bird suddenly popped its head out of the sea to the right of the sailboat, seemingly with a fish in its mouth. It looked like a penguin, but didn't quite feel like one.

Saint Hesser then heard a donkey-like braying sound, like "hew", entering his eardrums, startling him.

The old fisherman immediately explained that it was a Magellanic penguin, living year-round on the islands and reefs of Blanca Bay.

"Don't let its slow walk on land fool you; they are diving experts, able to dive hundreds of meters underwater to chase schools of fish."

"That's impressive. Are there many penguins here?"

"There are quite a few. It's their breeding season now. Actually, there are even more in the Falkland Islands to the south."

When the huge windmills on the mountains of Trinidad Island appeared in Saint Hesser's eyes, more sailboats were gathering there.

The old fisherman lowered all the sails he had raised. Saint Hesser saw a fishing ground with many private sailboats and small boats, mostly locals. They were enthusiastically fishing with rods. Some who recognized Saint Hesser came over to shake his hand, and Saint Hesser had to respond to each one.

Under the old fisherman's guidance, Saint Hesser passed through some small paths and climbed to the top of Trinidad Island. He silently gazed south, standing still.

"Boss, what are you looking at again?"

"Actually, I'm looking at the Falkland Islands, more than 2,000 kilometers away."

"Boss, although I don't have as much education as you, you can't fool me. How can people see that far?"

"Haha, actually, that's Argentine territory that hasn't been recovered."

"Oh? Where is that?"

"The Falkland Islands."

Saint Hesser said with emotion.

"Councilor, isn't that British land?"

The old fisherman interjected. He had just learned that this was the recently famous Councilor Saint Hesser, and felt that he could brag about it for the rest of his life, so he became even more enthusiastic.

Going straight south from the island for more than 2,000 kilometers, you can see the Falkland Islands, which are now occupied by the British.

"Haven't you heard that the Falkland Islands are our country's?"

The old fisherman continued with some doubt. The British flag is hung up there, and they often drive away Argentine fishermen, even injuring them.

"Yes, but they are occupied by the British. Actually, now is the best time to recover them, but our Argentina is about to start a civil war."

Saint Hesser explained.

The 1950s could have been the time when Argentina was closest to sovereignty over the Falkland Islands. After all, Argentines had been promoting their claim to the Falkland Islands since the 19th century, but Argentina did not take advantage of World War II and the collapse of the British colonial period in the 1950s to recover the Falkland Islands. It really lacked strategic vision.

Of course, this was also because Argentina was about to have internal strife and a military government, plus Anglo-Argentine relations were still pretty good. The current Argentine government really didn't have much skill.

India can become independent, South Africa can become independent, Egypt is independent, the colonial system is about to completely collapse, Malaysia is also preparing for independence, but Argentina can't even take down the small Falkland Islands.

Actually, this has little to do with the current Saint Hesser. Although the Falkland Islands seem good, they are just a barren land, close to Antarctica. The climate and geological conditions are not good, and resources are difficult to develop. They can't compare with the status of temperate or subtropical islands.

Moreover, South America has always been far from the world's major centers of power and is more of a product dumping ground and raw material production area. Only the United States in the New World is one of the world's centers of power. The most important power still lies in Eurasia.

Now Argentina can't even develop its own country. In theory, when the national strength is strong, the Falkland Islands will naturally be in hand. Now the most important thing is to develop the population, develop the economy, and increase strength.

The group walked down from the mountain. The old fisherman took out his fishing gear and said goodbye to Saint Hesser, planning to go to the fishing ground for some recreation. Saint Hesser followed Buston and sat on a flat stone on the island, chatting while looking at the blue sea and sky.

"Build high walls, store up grain, and defer claiming kingship." Saint Hesser lightly said a Chinese phrase, also a little dazed. It had been too long since he had spoken it, and it had become rusty. That place had long gone, he shook his head, not paying much attention.

"How is the situation in Europe now? Also, what about the Frenchman, De Gaulle?"

Saint Hesser doesn't pay much attention to Europe now. It's a period of stable development, and even the best technology can't be absorbed. Focus on construction. France has a strong man, De Gaulle, who has revived France. This strong man is an object of his study.

"De Gaulle resigned for the second time and went back to his hometown to take care of his daughter. France has withdrawn from Vietnam. The French are taking action in Algeria, but the news isn't very good."

"Is that so? That's quite a pity. Although De Gaulle is a good leader, he's not very suitable for managing the army. The French are going to completely lose Algeria if they don't change their approach."

Although France has always regarded Algeria as its own territory, it's not actually its own territory. Assimilation is not timely, and with the global colonial system being dismantled by the United States and the Soviet Union, the French don't have many opportunities left.

"The difference between France with and without Algeria is still very big. If it can retain Morocco and Tunisia, France will at least have a very promising future."

Saint Hesser also felt some emotion. If France had Algeria in later generations, its strength could have increased a lot. At the very least, it wouldn't be too much worse than Russia in later generations. Algeria still has a lot of potential. Together with the French, there are more than 60 million people. It is still hoped that the population will reach 100 million in a few decades.

Of course, the French prefer Algeria, and they really treat it as a local province for construction, and there are only a little more than 10 million people, and some of them are descendants of French immigrants.

The land is vast and sparsely populated, after all, it can still be suppressed. Now there are only 43 million people in France itself. If you add Morocco's 11 million and Tunisia's 4 million, then France will directly change the world, which is also unrealistic. Moreover, except for Algeria, the other two countries are not built as provinces, but mainly for colonial plunder.

"By the way, speaking of Africa, how is the situation in Egypt? Have the British left?"

Saint Hesser suddenly became interested in the situation in Africa. In his impression, Egypt became independent in the past two years, and it lacked various weapons just after its independence. It had to fight several Middle East wars with Israel. If he could sell some light weapons, it would be pretty good. He could engage in a little arms smuggling.

"In Egypt, Neguib and Colonel Nasser launched a coup, overthrowing King Farouk's monarchy. The real planner was Gamal Abdel Nasser. Egypt established a republic this June."

The Falcon Bureau's foreign branches, in places like the United States and Europe, rarely spy for intelligence. Most of them rely on newspaper official news. The team is not large, and they summarize it once a month, allowing Saint Hesser to basically understand some of the world's situation, mainly in terms of economy and personnel.

In fact, he doesn't pay much attention to these. He mainly looks at whether he can find opportunities to sell some products, and making friends with bigwigs and the like is out of the question. He is only a small Argentine councilor, and even Argentine senior officials have no more than this status internationally.

Of course, if he meets suitable people, he will make some investments, mainly in South America.

"Has Egypt started contacting the Soviets? Have the French and British launched a war? Has Israel attacked Egypt?"

"We are not very clear about this news. I'm sorry, the Falcon Bureau only obtains news from newspapers, and Africa is not our focus."

"Okay, that's true. Let's focus on building our own country. Sell what we can. The MP40 is a good weapon for African countries. Also, we can talk about exporting grain to Egypt. This year is probably another bumper year."

"Do the Soviets have a new leader? Stalin has been dead for some time, right?"

He hasn't paid attention to the Soviet Union for a long time. In fact, he can't pay attention to it. Most of the Soviet intelligence is disseminated by the Soviet government.

On March 5 this year, Stalin died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Moscow, giving the entire Western world a sigh of relief. He had just returned to Argentina from the United States at that time, busy dealing with domestic affairs, and the world situation was unclear, but Stalin had largely shaped the spirit of the Soviet Union.

"Yes, in September, a man named Khrushchev was elected as the top Soviet leader."

"Khrushchev is generally good."

Saint Hesser nodded, no longer asking. He didn't remember much about the Corn Emperor, only the Cuban Missile Crisis and the complete denial of Stalin, the latter of which largely caused spiritual confusion in the Soviet Union, likely leading to him being overthrown by later successors.

There were also Khrushchev buildings, which successfully improved the Soviet people's livelihood, and some things about promoting corn planting. Then he stepped down, and later there was the hundred-billion-dollar subsidy for the Soviet Union.

At least Su Xun Zong's ability was still very strong, only his later years were a little miserable.

"Don't worry too much about them, everything still depends on ourselves."

Saint Hesser set the tone. The Soviet Union is on the other side of the earth, too far away. Argentina's focus should be on South America, Western Europe, and Africa.

At four or five o'clock in the afternoon, Saint Hesser enjoyed a grilled fish and returned contentedly on the old fisherman's sailboat.

The next morning, at the City Hall,

Saint Hesser, dressed in a suit and leather shoes, came here to attend the employment conference organized by the city government.

"Hello, Mayor."

Saint Hesser went to the Mayor's office to say hello in advance.