Rise of the Argentine Empire

Saint Hecesse seemed somewhat manic. Sometimes he felt alone, and other times he felt that his experiences over the past year had been too smooth.

Now, with no way to break the situation and the timing not right, he could only accumulate strength again, developing in a remote mountainous area. Clearly, there were various complex forces here, requiring him to unravel the problems one by one.

One by one, powerful enemies and ambitious individuals began to surface, making him somewhat irritable.

His experience at university also had a significant impact on him. From Maria Town, Cordoba, Rosario, Buenos Aires, to Oran, he was able to glimpse many superficial aspects of the Argentine economy.

From initially just wanting to earn some small money and then simply staring at the throne of power, the seeds of ambition had now taken root and were growing wildly.

He spoke these words to his confidant for the first time, and then could not calm down for a long time. This was completely different from the Commander's expression of loyalty.

After venting his feelings, there was a long silence.

Saint Hecesse asked Guerrero for another cigarette.

"You may not know this, but smoking was invented by the Native Americans in the Americas."

"In the beginning, the Spanish colonists had nothing to do and used alcohol to numb themselves. The mate tea provided by the Native Americans could relieve hangovers. Later, with the introduction of cigarettes and cigars by the British,

alcohol sales decreased significantly. Tobacco and alcohol are both good for relieving stress, and alcohol is the oldest anesthetic."

Saint Hecesse's expression relaxed again as he talked about some irrelevant things.

"No wonder you like smoking. Fortunately, you don't drink much. It was the British Virginia Tobacco Company that promoted this little thing to the whole world."

"It's mainly because the pressure has been too great in the past six months... Before, I only needed to take care of myself, but now I have to take care of the livelihood and safety of thousands of people..."

Faced with Saint Hecesse's sudden "popular science," Guerrero could only answer, quietly listening to Saint Hecesse speak.

In the past six months, from being the head of an intelligence team to developing a mining company in this remote mountainous area, it was an extreme challenge for him. He preferred to do intelligence work, to be a spy, and fortunately, he had Saint Hecesse's "guidance."

"People in the past didn't have this strange habit of smoking. To be honest, tobacco was indeed promoted to the whole world by the British. Now, the most famous brand in the country, British American Tobacco, is called Dunhill. British American Tobacco is the renamed Virginia Tobacco."

The British turned tobacco into a global industry, cultivating generations of smokers. Especially after World War II, European cigarettes became hard currency, earning a lot of money.

The United States and India are currently the world's largest bases for reaping the consequences, and correspondingly, the American and British tobacco companies are also the most powerful. In the last century, they even had their own armies.

"They are truly huge tobacco companies, like Imperial Tobacco. We don't even have a famous tobacco brand in our country."

"What's even more interesting is Coca-Cola. Coca is the meaning of coca, which is also an important ingredient in Coca-Cola. What is this thing for? You also know that it is the sacred herb of the Native Americans."

Coca-Cola did initially contain coca, but it was later gradually removed. Coca also changed from a sacred herb to a poisonous herb, until it was brought to prominence by a Colombian, the Colombian drug lord, and the Mexican drug lord, who gradually became world-famous.

"There is one thing you have done very well, which is to eradicate these harmful cocoa raw materials. This is something I absolutely will not allow to exist."

"Boss, our Thunder Cross not only prohibits smoking, but also prohibits drinking. In the beginning, we also felt that buying those cigarettes was too expensive."

"Cigarettes are too expensive. In the past few years after the war, a box of cigarettes in Western Europe was equivalent to a 1-kilogram gold bar. Even gold bars became less valuable at that time, which increased the Americans' gold reserves a lot. The US dollar has replaced the pound sterling as a world-class currency."

"Yes, the Americans have a good saying, which is that having a cigar after dinner at night can help you live longer. Tobacco can earn money, earn a lot for the American military, and can also reduce the lifespan of Americans, without having to pay too much welfare. It's really a cigarette, two benefits. Should we try to get some cigars?"

Saint Hecesse said half-jokingly. Smoking is harmful to health, but that's not the case now. Cigarette advertisements appearing on TV are very normal. Saint Hecesse only remembers Marlboro.

"Boss, to be honest, let's make cigars later. Now, rolled cigarettes are also hard currency, the price is relatively low, the process is simple, and even promotion is easier. A cigarette takes at most two or three minutes, cigars are more liked by noble lords,

the production is troublesome and the price is expensive, and the most important thing is that a cigar takes half an hour, the repurchase rate is too low, and we don't have a reputation,

Many British people also have a demand for such cheap cigarettes, as do Americans. Transportation from other places is still a bit expensive."

"That's true. The British are best at doing such dirty things. They are all robbers."

"To be honest, cigarettes are indeed hard currency. There is another reason why cigarettes are so expensive now, which is that the British can't get too much tobacco. If we can get more, we can exchange it for some good things in Europe."

"Since our Thunder Cross has distributed this kind of material, everyone's training enthusiasm has been much higher."

"Gatuso, you are really a talent." Saint Hecesse did not skimp on his praise.

"Thank you for your praise, boss. Cigarettes are indeed valuable now, but few people have tried to grow them, not just because of the investment,"

"Now is indeed a good time to get into the tobacco business. You must know that in places like Japan and Western Europe, tobacco was still controlled during World War II, and it is still hard currency now, even harder than the US dollar."

In fact, this is also the case.

"We must have enough raw materials, but the machine problem is easy to solve."

"According to data statistics, tobacco sales in all European and American countries last year have exceeded 33 million boxes, and we Argentina has a very rich tobacco planting environment. A large amount of land can be developed, and President Peron's suppression of agricultural policies has also given us a good opportunity."

"Yes, there is too much lack of money. The tobacco industry must be vigorously developed. The market is very large. In the future, it can be expanded at least three times globally. Just our South America is at least a 10 million box market." Saint Hecesse gave a relatively optimistic estimate.

"The countries that grow tobacco now are mostly the United States and European countries. Their production costs will only be higher than ours, so we must strive for a planting volume of more than 10,000 acres. We need professional agricultural machinery and equipment, and seedling experts. There are less than three months left until spring."

"In northern Argentina, many wastelands have been abandoned, because the Peron government suppressed the purchase price of agricultural products and heavy taxes. Agricultural taxes have exceeded 30 percent,

resulting in little profit for small farmers to grow grain. On the contrary, the Pampas are good, because there are large estates, with enough capital to resist risks."

Argentina has not undergone a thorough land planting reform. There are many large farms, and they have a very strong ability to resist risks. On the contrary, many Argentine farmers with only dozens of acres of land are mostly bankrupt, filling the slums of Buenos Aires. This trend is becoming stronger and stronger.

"In addition, the severe drought in the past two years has also caused many farmlands to be abandoned. If we can take the opportunity to merge these farmlands, we can do many things."

"Try to find some more barren ones, preferably farmland close to the mountains, and try not to destroy grain production, so that we can recruit more unemployed farmers."

"Boss, I understand."

"In fact, most of the abandoned farmland here, their owners may never come back, of course I will try my best."

"Food is a major plan for national security, although we Argentina should not lack food at all."

"Near northern Argentina, I think we should grow rice, not corn and wheat. I prefer to eat rice."

"Boss, rice is not so easy to grow. Although the north is indeed very suitable and has the conditions, the initial investment is very large, and the current rice yield will not be much higher than wheat."

"That's right, what a pity," Saint Hecesse thought of the contemporary Shennong of New China, who hasn't started research yet.

"We Argentina has a very strong potential for food production. This is a weapon with great crisis."

Food security is very important. The United States once wielded the food stick and dealt with many countries,

Moreover, if Argentina wants to develop a larger population in the future, it must grow more food. Northern Argentina has a subtropical and tropical climate, with simultaneous rain and heat, and a lot of rainfall. The tributaries of the La Plata River also have a huge amount of water.

Compared to central provinces like Cordoba, the north is very suitable for large-scale rice cultivation as long as the water conservancy facilities are built up.

Most importantly, the northern provinces have fewer people, and the families are relatively weak, making them very suitable for development and expansion, and for establishing a large rear area.

"Boss, aren't you thinking too far ahead? We haven't even grown tobacco well yet."

"Haha, right. Paraguay and Uruguay also have great potential for agricultural development, and so does Brazil."

Time is indeed tight. Tobacco is generally planted in spring and summer and harvested in autumn, one season a year. We must solve the problem as soon as possible.

"Understood, boss. After we solve the matter with the Motorcycle Gang, we need to immediately prepare to establish a tobacco planting company, starting with our own planting."

Indeed, it's true. A small warlord has been dragging on for so long, mainly because of their weak strength. Now is the time to launch an attack.

The southern part of the Lithium Triangle must have a position for the Thunder Group, and a part of Oran City must also be taken.

"Notify the people of the Thunder Cross to increase their training during this period. Food security must be done well. The things we are eating now are really not good."

Saint Hesser had two meals yesterday: mashed potatoes, beef stew with potatoes, fried potatoes, spaghetti, and some dried vegetable soup. Life is very simple.

"Gattuso, this is your fault. Go down the mountain and buy several large trucks of pigs. It's good to kill one every day. It's not good like this now. If you can't eat enough, how can you take down the Motorcycle Gang? By the way, it's best to find a few chefs who can cook and pay them higher wages."

"Chicken and duck are also very good, braised and stewed. The conditions on the mountain are hard enough. Eat well for dinner. If possible, buy another truck of rice. I'm not used to eating too much noodles."

"I didn't think it through. I'll send someone down the mountain to handle it immediately."

"It's time to get the plastic factory to make some plastic film. Vegetable greenhouses are the magic weapon for growing green vegetables in plateau areas."

"Everyone hasn't been eating green vegetables for a few days, and they're not eating very well. Guerrero, send a telegram to the Maria Committee to let them produce plastic film and send it to Oran City. We're going to build vegetable greenhouses on the mountain and grow off-season vegetables."

There have been no green vegetables to eat these past two days, and the supply of fresh vegetables for the soldiers, apart from fruit, is poor, especially now that winter is approaching and the weather conditions are even worse.

What could be more exciting than growing vegetables?

If not, then plant another row.

… …

As time entered August, the exercises of the Thunder Cross members on the plateau became more and more frequent, and many peripheral members were recruited from the villages.

High-altitude combat really tests endurance. The fully armed First Brigade of the Thunder Cross in the Lithium Triangle, with more than 400 official members, is doing the final training work.

This is a team that is really going to fight warlords and bandits, which feels a bit magical.

The Motorcycle Gang is a group of bandits and small warlords. They control more than 20 small villages, with an estimated population of more than 8,000 people.

Their headquarters is also very powerful. Because of sufficient funds, plus many desperate people joining, they have many powerful firearms, ammunition, and weapons.

"We must eliminate the Motorcycle Gang as soon as possible. This is not only because they produce more minerals, nor is it because they can earn so much money every month.

We also want to save those who have been bullied and let them regain their freedom," Saint Hesser said sadly, appearing somewhat shameless.

"This time, the accumulation of strength has been done very well. After we take down the Motorcycle Gang, we can sweep the southeastern part of the Lithium Triangle. At least one-tenth of the Lithium Triangle will be ours."

Saint Hesser is ready. The business of earning tens of millions of dollars a year in the Lithium Triangle is not only about minerals, but also about the tobacco business.

"As for the high-level personnel of the Motorcycle Gang, let's kill them all at that time. I think sending them to dig coal would make the coal mine even darker."

"Understood, boss."

"It's not just because of the raw materials in the Lithium Triangle, but also for other reasons. This is also one of the important passages for entering Bolivia, and it's convenient enough. The plateau on the Lithium Triangle is too desolate, and even the government army is unwilling to station there."

"People nowadays are not like they used to be. They are always too obsessed with the details of their interests. People like the boss are becoming fewer and fewer."

"To be honest, the conditions here are not the most difficult in the country. Southern Patagonia is truly difficult, and so are the Falkland Islands, which are occupied by the British. The conditions are slightly better."

"Unfortunately, since the opening of the Panama Canal, the Strait of Magellan has lost its former glory, which is indeed a big blow to us Argentines," Saint Hesser said with a sigh.

"We're talking too much nonsense. We need to do a good job in planning for the villagers who have been bullied and suppressed by the Motorcycle Gang, so that they can become prosperous, at least they can go to work or something, and they have to be paid."

"Yes, they must be paid. If we don't pay them, we are no different from the Motorcycle Gang."

"We want to build a small town here, specifically to serve Thunder Mining, instead of letting those bandits of the Motorcycle Gang plant cocoa powder without wages. They are evil colonists, they are bandit leaders."

"As for the Bolivians, although they have just emerged from the barbaric era, they also need us to save them, those tribal chiefs,"

"We can then fund some Bolivian guerrillas to help them take territory.

For our Thunder Mining's future entry into the Bolivian mining industry, defeating opponents such as Mobil and South African Mining will have unexpected effects."

"We want to build a large mine for Thunder Mining in the southern part of the Lithium Triangle,"

"Gattuso, do you have a specific battle plan?"

Saint Hesser was still a little nervous. After all, this was a real warlord, although he took the nickname of the Motorcycle Gang to fool people.

Saint Hesser once again drew a pie for Guerrero, of course, this could be done soon.

"Boss, we have already turned against many villagers, and even many middle and lower-level members of the Motorcycle Gang have been turned against by us."

"We still plan to use the boss's tactics, with internal members of the Motorcycle Gang as a source of information, to help us prepare in advance, so that we can eliminate them in one go without leaving any hidden dangers."

Guerrero said confidently that he had thoroughly understood the intelligence of the Motorcycle Gang, and even estimated that many high-level officials were unwilling to leave.

"Well, continue to optimize the specific implementation, and completely destroy them in more than half a month. These are all poisonous tumors and scum."

In half a month, the food conditions of the Viper Brigade members have improved by leaps and bounds. Except for the relative scarcity of fresh vegetables, most of the more palatable dishes have been developed, and even a large salt lake on the side of the mountain has been found to supplement fish and meat food.

Spiritual construction must also be done well. Saint Hesser plans to establish a new small party in the Thunder Cross first, to unify everyone's thinking. A well-trained army, a constant flow of soldiers.

… …

On August 15th, early in the morning, Saint Hesser hadn't woken up yet when he heard someone outside asking for justice, and vaguely heard noisy crying.

"Boss, it's not good, something happened," Guerrero hurried to knock on the door to report.

"Boss, a few of our people have been caught by the Motorcycle Gang. They were members on leave today, preparing to go fishing.

The Motorcycle Gang is asking for a ransom of one million US dollars, or the equivalent in cigarettes."

"It seems that they can no longer tolerate our expansion and have issued an ultimatum, saying that we should hand over the ransom to them as soon as possible."

"This is a very good excuse. It seems that people are not stupid. As for the ransom, it is impossible to get it done immediately."

1 million US dollars is not a small amount, and it is impossible to get it out at all. They just want to find an excuse.

"Boss, I think it is necessary to delay the time so that we can prepare well. If they plan to slowly eat us away, our opportunity will come."

Saint Hesser then saw the body of the Thunder Cross peripheral member who had been killed, with a shot in the middle of his forehead.

A fatal blow, judging from the wound, it is likely to be the caliber of the M1911A. Today is just the holiday time, and some people went to the pond over there to fish.

He remembered this member, he was the one who patrolled nearby to protect him, and he had even eaten with him.

"They were taken away last night. We thought they had gone to Oran City.

Now it's just a warning. If we don't obey this ransom, tomorrow we will probably have to collect their bodies."

"We are going to send them to see God," Saint Hesser said in a cold voice.

"The high-level members of the Motorcycle Gang must be destroyed."

"Tonight, let's wipe them all out. They are really too arrogant."

"Everyone, take good care of your spirits during the day, and tomorrow we will avenge our brothers."