Rise of the Argentine Empire

Saint-Hesse and Natalie arrived at the Orange Peel Restaurant together, without encountering any melodramatic situations.

The Orange Peel Restaurant still had a great ambiance, with couples everywhere displaying their affection.

Natalie, who had changed into a simple light green dress, didn't have particularly exquisite features, but when put together, she looked very pleasing.

Without the covering of a scarf, her auburn hair was simply tied up. The only flaw was her shoes, but it didn't detract much from her appearance. Her delicate neck also lacked some ornamentation. Natalie herself was also quite petite, giving her a delicate and charming appearance.

The receptionist at the restaurant couldn't help but be impressed by what a handsome couple they made.

Initially, Saint-Hesse was afraid of suddenly seeing Elena and causing some dramatic scene.

He always felt a bit like he was doing something wrong, even though Elena wasn't even his girlfriend at the moment.

He didn't even know what kind of relationship they had.

It turned out he was overthinking it. The restaurant was very busy on the weekend, and he didn't see Elena's figure.

Saint-Hesse found that he got along very naturally with Natalie.

Natalie thought that her boss was just a bit silly and naive, like a simple-minded son of a wealthy landowner.

Saint-Hesse was happy to be misunderstood that way. He brought out the same story he had told the commander, removing the beginning and end, making it sound very pitiful. He claimed to have a car and a house, that his parents were both deceased, and that he had inherited his wealth.

Natalie, as the eldest daughter in her family, felt some pity for Saint-Hesse, her pitiful and silly boss, and he had her completely fooled.

Saint-Hesse suddenly found himself enjoying this feeling of being cared for, but also felt a bit guilty.

While they were eating, it suddenly started pouring rain, which was unusual in Argentina in the autumn.

The two of them ate until eight o'clock, and Saint-Hesse was just preparing to take Natalie home.

But the rain was too heavy, and when they drove to an intersection, they found it was a bit congested.

"Natalie, it looks like you can't get back." Saint-Hesse said.

"Boss, what should we do?"

"I have a spare room at my house. Why don't you stay at my place tonight?"

"Okay, alright."

So Saint-Hesse turned the car around and headed towards the college district. The college district hadn't been flooded, and the conditions were still pretty good.

As soon as Saint-Hesse got home, he collapsed on the sofa, not wanting to get up. For some reason, his neck was a bit stiff. He tried to stretch it, but then fell back onto the sofa.

Natalie saw this and immediately came to his side, gently helping him sit up with her hands.

Saint-Hesse felt very comfortable. Rationally, he felt that this wasn't appropriate, but psychologically, he wanted to enjoy it for a moment longer, so he closed his eyes.

Natalie gently massaged Saint-Hesse's shoulders. Saint-Hesse really felt very tired today, mainly because he was in a bad mood.

Feeling comfortable, Saint-Hesse couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

During the gentle massage, some memories flashed through his mind. Saint-Hesse vaguely remembered his childhood, when his mother would gently massage him every time he came back from riding a horse.

After a while, Saint-Hesse felt particularly relaxed.

Natalie also gently sang a folk song, an unknown tune.

Her gentle and light voice was very relaxing, and it sounded especially beautiful amidst the patter of rain outside the window.

"Boss, your house is so big, and there are so many rooms," Natalie said with envy, her eyes a little dim. Natalie's family had 10 people living together, and because of frequent unemployment, they hadn't been able to save any money.

"It's okay, as long as you work hard at Thunder Cross, you can do it in the future."

"Natalie, thank you. I feel much better. You can stay in this room tonight. Settle in yourself, and I'll go take a shower first," Saint-Hesse said, standing up and pointing to the room next to his, sounding relaxed.

"Okay, boss, thank you so much."

After taking a shower, Saint-Hesse felt really sleepy, so he simply washed up, closed the door, locked it, and dried his hair, waiting to go to sleep. He had to go to class tomorrow!

A young, rich, handsome, and dashing tycoon boss. Natalie felt that she couldn't miss this opportunity, and it seemed like the boss was also very nice to her.

After changing her clothes, Natalie tried the doorknob several times, but it wouldn't open, so she had to give up, while Saint-Hesse was sound asleep in the room.

Natalie had no choice but to sleep on the sofa. Fortunately, the weather wasn't cold, and there were sheets.

Because she didn't have a key to the room, she was too embarrassed to wake up Saint-Hesse.

Nothing happened overnight.

Then he sent Natalie to the Thunder Cross office area and told Andrew to help her get the job, before hurrying off to school. Today was Monday, and it was Professor Pukins's class. Skipping class would get him criticized.

… …

With the Orange Peel Restaurant incident over, Saint-Hesse also had to start preparing for the final exams. The first winter vacation was also coming soon.

This semester, Saint-Hesse only knew Cicero and his senior brothers at school, Professor Pukins and some teachers from the law department. He didn't know too many people at BU, and he would occasionally go to the physics department, but he didn't know anyone there except Elena.

The BU student club held a dance party and invited Saint-Hesse.

Saint-Hesse didn't want to go at first, but then he thought it would be good to check it out, so he decided to go.

The grand dance party had over a hundred people, mostly popular figures from various departments.

Overall, these students spoke in low, muffled voices, trying to be elegant, but appearing very clumsy.

It felt like they had just put on clothes and combed their hair like adults.

Most people were dancing the tango.

Saint-Hesse was initially curious about the elaborately dressed senior students and classmates, but later he found it boring.

The dance party didn't offer any food, only some ordinary beer and simple peanuts. Saint-Hesse took a sip and thought it tasted terrible.

Bored, Saint-Hesse wandered around and suddenly spotted a familiar figure, wearing a gorgeous dress, looking very much like Elena. He looked closer and it really was her.

Saint-Hesse went around behind Elena and covered her eyes with both hands.

"Elena, long time no see, guess who I am," Saint-Hesse said, suppressing his voice.

"Cohen, you haven't come to see me in a long time," Elena said cheerfully.

"Lina, I'll chat with Cohen for a while, you go find your dance partner," Elena said.

"Okay, Elena."

Saint-Hesse and Elena danced a passionate Latin tango together, with wild movements.

Fortunately, Saint-Hesse didn't break his back, almost sending him to an early grave.

"Argentinians are very passionate about dancing and strikes, but they're not so good at working," Saint-Hesse said, holding Elena's hand, teasingly.

"That's indeed our old Argentine tradition." The two of them exchanged a knowing smile.

This kind of passionate tango dance party wasn't very suitable for Saint-Hesse. For his current personality, it was just a waste of energy.

Meeting Elena at this dance party was indeed an elegant evening.

After the two of them finished dancing the tango, the music in the venue changed to other songs, a gentle Viennese waltz.

The two of them changed their steps and danced gracefully on the stage.

"Elena, what have you been busy with lately?" Saint-Hesse took the initiative to speak again.

"For the past few months, I've mainly been attending classes and doing experiments. Our physics department has been helping a national agency committee with some physics experiments, purifying a substance. It's quite troublesome. We lack large computer equipment."

"Oh? What kind of substance is it?"

"You wouldn't understand even if I told you. It's something we got from the United States, and it's confidential."

"Okay." Saint-Hesse gave up asking about it. The confidentiality system was just a sieve. He would have the intelligence team take a look at it later. What was so powerful about it?

He then started talking about what he had been doing for the past few months, making Elena smile happily.

"Cohen, didn't you send a girl home today?" Elena looked at Saint-Hesse and asked, interrupting his boasting.

"Huh? Girl, what girl?" Saint-Hesse replied with a blank look.

"It's a girl wearing a light purple dress. A friend of mine saw her coming out of your house a few days ago." Saint-Hesse's heart suddenly turned cold, remembering Natalie.

"Oh, you mean Natasha, an employee of Thunder Cross. Wasn't there a heavy rain the day before yesterday? I just happened to be finishing up some business at a manor and treated her to a meal. I swear, absolutely nothing happened between us."

"Hehe, I believe you, Mr. Cohen. You are a true gentleman." Elena couldn't help but giggle. They had known each other for almost seven or eight months.

"I'm telling the truth, Elena. She's our informant, and now she's a formal clerk."

"Okay, I believe you." Elena kissed Saint-Hesse on the cheek.

"Elena, why don't you be my girlfriend?" Saint-Hesse said, gathering his courage.

"Not now, I don't think it's a good idea."

"Okay," Saint-Hesse said, his voice a little dejected.

"Why don't you give me a bouquet of flowers, and maybe I'll agree."

"Really? I'll get it right away."

Saint-Hesse took a rose from a vase next to him and knelt on one knee.

"Elena, I would like to ask you to be my girlfriend."

"I agree."

… …

Another Saturday, at the Thunder Cross branch,

"Boss, we have already arranged the laboratory," Andrew reported next to him.

After a week of arrangements, the property rights had been transferred to Saint Herse and personnel had been arranged to move in and take over the defenses.

The former Margaret Manor officially changed hands and became Saint Herse's first manor.

"Okay, let's go take a look together." Andrew was responsible for driving and came to the former Margaret Manor.

The original Margaret Manor signboard had long been removed and replaced with the sign of the Rein Mechanical Research Institute. The entire manor had also been completely renovated. The weeds were trimmed cleanly and some walls were repainted and reinforced.

Originally, Saint Herse wanted to hang the sign of the Rein Arms Laboratory, but Cicero happened to be there at the time and told him that the name was not good, the scope of firearms was too small, petty, and most of the engineering department were also better at mechanical research, so it was better to call it a mechanical laboratory.

It's best to have something more grand, in the future, not only firearms but also mechanical research, engines, internal combustion engine machine tools, etc. will be developed.

This is where the engineering department excels.

Saint Herse thought it made sense and wanted to rack his brains to come up with a new name, a more domineering one, but the laboratory name wouldn't work either, so he finally gave up and directly registered the name Rein Mechanical Research Institute.

Now, a separate building in the manor has been designated as a firearms experiment research area, responsible for the trial production and testing of pistols, starting with imitation for the time being.

It is specifically used for researching firearms, and a batch of machine tools and finished parts were sent from Maria Town, along with several skilled workers.

Phillip still had to arrange matters at the factory and did not come along, which Saint Herse felt was a bit of a pity.

Twenty members of the Thunder Cross Viper Squad were also arranged to be responsible for security work. Twenty people didn't seem like many.

Saint Herse estimated that at least one or two hundred people should be arranged, preferably in the name of the military, otherwise it would be too troublesome to get gun licenses one by one.

Saint Herse saw the people working in the laboratory. In addition to the mechanical workers transferred from Maria Town, there were also several part-time professors, including Cicero and Professor Dahn.

"Mr. Saint Herse, I think I've found where the problem is in producing firearms."

The speaker was Professor Dahn Cody, a true expert in firearms research, a bit old, a semi-retired old professor, introduced by Cicero's teacher. It is said that Professor Dahn's son is not very promising, so he was persuaded to come out of retirement.

He is now a part-time director of the Rein Research Institute, full-time is still not possible.

"Professor Dahn, if there's anything you need me to cooperate with, I will definitely fully cooperate."

This Professor Dahn only took two days to get all the parts right and figure them out, and found the problem.

"I think we can mass-produce these firearms in a week." Professor Dahn said confidently, although Argentina doesn't have much experience in original firearms, they have done imitations, and with formal authorization.

"The specific situation has been detected, right? I'm looking forward to the live ammunition test next week." Saint Herse nodded with satisfaction.

"We can purchase M1911A bullets from the Buenos Aires Light Weapons Factory. Producing bullets is indeed a troublesome thing. I actually recommend producing pistols with lower costs and performance not weaker than the M1911A,"

"But in that case, we must establish a 9mm bullet production line. I personally believe that small-caliber bullets will be the future development direction." Unexpectedly, bullet production is also troublesome. Small-caliber bullet firearms are indeed the future direction. The old professor is indeed an experienced person.

"Firearms research and development is a true systematic project. True standard firearms cannot be compared to those imitated hand-made firearms. To put it bluntly, they are just iron rods. It's easy to have malfunctions and explosions, and there's a possibility of accidentally injuring your own people."

"This involves a long period of massive calculations and experiments before it can be successfully developed. If you start, it's best to start with imitation. Small-caliber bullets are the future direction." As expected of a true expert, he always hits the nail on the head. Saint Herse originally thought that villages could manually produce some firearms, etc. He didn't expect that the gap in between is probably a hundred times the industrial level of Tongliao.

"The M1911A of the Bucheng Light Weapons Factory, let me tell you, the imitations they produce have almost the same problems as our factory. It was the Americans who gave them guidance and provided formal authorization,"

"That's how they imitated this pistol. Even so, the cost of the imitated pistol is almost close to the American wholesale price, which is very uneconomical. I originally heard some American guidance before I could quickly know what problems exist in the pistols produced by our factory, which are almost exactly the same."

"Also, bullet production is not easy. If you start from scratch, it will take too much time. I suggest looking for bullet production lines from Italy, France, or Switzerland, even if they are second-hand. Southern Europe's Italy can try, I should have some connections."

"It is difficult to start everything from scratch. To establish your own standard weapon and equipment production line, it is best to get some standard machine tools, and there is a 50% chance of successful mass production. If there is an existing production line, the chance rises to 90%."

"Okay, Professor Dahn, I'm really troubling you here."

"Professor, if you have any other difficulties, remember to notify the Thunder Cross security personnel in advance. If there are suitable talents, you can also recommend them to us. Our research institute is really short of people."

"Okay, Mr. Saint Herse."

"Call me Cohen in the future, no need to call me Mr., you old man should take care of your health."

"Okay, Mr. Saint Herse."

"…"

"You go ahead with your work."

"Okay."

Hearing that the pistol project was no longer a problem, Saint Herse finally breathed a sigh of relief. The old professor is old, indeed experienced, and highly skilled, but his hearing is a bit bad. Most of the people in the laboratory are part-time, so he needs to dig up more talent.

The next step is to get an order from the Ministry of Defense and build a production line to reduce production costs. It seems that he has to formally establish a firearms factory to produce these pistols. After all, using a mold factory for production is not a long-term solution.

As for weapons research and development, there is indeed a lack of talent now, so let's start by purchasing European assault rifle production lines. He must speed up the progress. At the latest, he must go to Europe next year. He also needs to contact Italy.

Although Italy was quite stretched during World War I and World War II, it is still much better than Argentina now, at least in terms of industry and military industry, it far exceeds Argentina. More importantly, they have not joined NATO, and the difficulty of purchasing weapon production lines will be much lower.

He has to start working hard to make money and save money. The money to buy these military factory equipment still requires a lot, and there are many well-known companies in Europe, so he can also invest in them to earn some extra money.

Self-research and development would overestimate Argentina's current scientific research strength. Let's start slowly, starting with the introduction of production lines. The production of pistols is even more difficult than the production of mortars. As long as there are seamless steel pipes and machine tool equipment, mortars can basically be produced. The few mortars he bought from the United States are also ready to be imitated, but the raw materials are still a big problem.

It seems that there is a company in Italy called Otto that produces very powerful artillery. He can talk to them then. If that doesn't work, he can try to develop the 107 rocket launcher. He knows the various parameters of this big explosive 107 rogue by heart. He quickly pulled out a piece of white paper,

First, he wrote down these items, and crookedly drew the appearance of the 107 rocket launcher. This is one of the few weapons whose parameters he can remember, mainly because the 107 is too famous. He specifically "researched" it for a while when he was in school, so he has a deep memory.

The Type 63 107mm rocket launcher, together with the Ak47 and RPG rocket launcher, are the "three major artifacts" of the third world.

Most of the other weapons and equipment in his memory can only remember the appearance. If he can introduce a production line from Italy, he can follow up with research and development.

Otto Company is the real manufacturer of "Italian artillery", although Lao Li actually used French artillery.

The Rosario Domingo Weapons Factory has already trial-produced and assembled a batch of domestically produced M1911A. Saint Herse is also prepared not to be accepted by the Ministry of Defense. Fortunately, if the performance is good, he can produce tens of thousands for his own use, and he can always use them in the future.

The new Italian pistol that he got costs much less, and it seems to be a good choice. He also let Professor Dahn and the workers in the mold factory start drawing, stamping, cutting and grinding step by step.

Steel + plastic, the cost is much lower than American goods, and it uses 9mm bullets. The cost of brass alone is much lower. The small caliber does not affect the power of the bullets.

It is necessary to prepare for both possibilities, imitating cheap and durable Italian goods, and expensive and well-performing heavy American pistols.