Rise of the Argentine Empire

After spending two days with Anna at Morton Manor, the two decided to part ways.

Late January in New York was still winter. The temperature at the manor wasn't too cold, so they weren't wearing heavy coats. Saint-Hesse wore a fashionable jacket, and Anna wore jeans with a long sweater, looking very sexy.

American-made clothes tend to be loose-fitting, unlike the tight-fitting British style. Perhaps this is the contrast between so-called British style and cowboy style.

Saint-Hesse was tall and muscular. Wearing a loose jacket made him feel more comfortable, so unless necessary, he rarely wore the suits Sain had custom-made for him, only wearing them occasionally.

Fortunately, he was in good physical condition, often exercised, and had a large house, which prevented him from freezing to death in the American winter. The homeless people who freeze to death in New York every day don't even make it into the New York Daily News.

The economic crisis that swept through Western Europe last year made the export business of Blue Cloud Shoes and Apparel and Blue Cloud Textiles less than ideal. The textile industry in Europe was hit hardest by the crisis.

By the warmth of the fireplace, Saint-Hesse added more fuel.

"Mr. Tom, are you really going to leave America?"

Anna sat in the chair, somewhat absentmindedly glancing at Saint-Hesse, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke.

"Yes, I plan to go to Spain. My family wants me to go back. I've been away from home for too long, and I should have returned to Madrid two months ago. The smog in New York in winter almost makes it impossible to breathe."

Saint-Hesse said half-truthfully. He reached out and put his arm around Anna's shoulder, pulling her close, and invited her to have dinner together.

"Yes, the air in New York is even worse than in Boston. I've been here for five years and haven't gotten used to it, but the air in London is even worse, killing many people."

At this moment, he was thinking not of Elena or Natalie, but of this slightly silly girl. Unfortunately, this short-lived relationship could only come to an end.

"Anglo-Saxons have never paid much attention to protecting the environment, and they don't care about the lives of the lower classes at all. America is actually a continuation of this."

"The arrogant British are indeed shameless. Our ancestors came to America because of the Great Famine. At least there's no shortage of potatoes here…"

The Irish Great Famine, such a distant era.

Saint-Hesse personally cooked a sumptuous dinner, and even made a portion of fish and chips.

"Mr. Tom, can't you continue to stay in New York?"

Anna took a bite of the roasted lamb chop and asked again like a lady.

"Probably not. I still need to keep working hard. As a member of the Cruise family, I must take on the responsibility."

The more lies he told, the more Saint-Hesse simply left the good memories to Anna.

The two finished dinner in an atmosphere of farewell. Anna stayed at the manor until the next morning, and Saint-Hesse drove her to work at Sequoia Investment Bank.

It suddenly started to snow lightly, and snowflakes fell. Saint-Hesse stopped the car and put a red scarf on Anna.

In Manhattan, New York, Saint-Hesse looked up and saw the 102-story Empire State Building in the distance. The heightened antenna made it look even more magnificent. The Empire State Building alone is worth more than 51 million US dollars, not including the 17 million US dollars from the land auction the year before last. This is America, a symbolic building of prosperous and wealthy America.

However, Saint-Hesse had never been to the Empire State Building. For him, he would rather read more books than spend time there.

Saint-Hesse looked at the new Sequoia headquarters building nearby, the 28-story Cedar Building, which occupied 7 floors of office space, and then slowly turned his gaze back.

After all, this is not Avenida de Mayo in Buenos Aires, nor is it the Latin Quarter. This is just a foreign land.

…

Saint-Hesse finally decided to sell Morton Manor, because the house prices in Queens, New York, rose, and he actually made a small profit of 20,000 US dollars as a result.

This couldn't help but remind him of those Americans in his previous life who spent tens of thousands of US dollars to buy a house in New China. As a result, they lived a carefree life for a few years, and the house price rose, perfectly offsetting the expenses.

The increase in house prices in New York was not too large. After taxes, he earned 18,000 US dollars, which is roughly equivalent to the savings of an average American for 10 years of work, maybe 15 or 20 years. Saint-Hesse had already begun to see the Americans' terrifying level of overspending.

It must be said that the charm of capital generating money is really intoxicating. In fact, many capital families, after three generations, as long as they don't do stupid things like starting a business, can basically make many families continue to pass on well by being a landlord and rent collector in the new era.

On February 1, 1953, Saint-Hesse, who had been in the United States for almost 4 months, also embarked on the journey back to Argentina at the urging of Professor Pukins, except that this time he returned with a full load compared to coming to the United States.

Sain, Little Knicks, Guerrero, and Kyle all continued to stay in the United States to help him manage these companies and make money, as well as to probe for some intelligence.

With Guerrero, the director, in charge, these people couldn't make any waves.

The people from the Falcon Bureau were basically left behind by him, while most of the Delta security personnel were withdrawn from the United States.

Although the time spent in the United States this time was not long, it had a great impact on Saint-Hesse.

The ceiling of capitalism, America.

Whether it is presidential elections, or central power, intelligence construction, system construction, and foreign policy, all reflect the wisdom of a peak country.

Mexico is also worth studying. They can stabilize the country for more than ten or twenty years without forming a military government. They really found quite capable people.

…

1951-1952, the first post-war economic crisis occurred in Western European capitalist countries.

The acceleration of steel plant negotiations at the beginning was actually due to this reason. After all, people were about to starve to death, so they didn't care about any technological blockade. For the unemployed, nothing is more important than filling their stomachs.

Otherwise, it is estimated that he would have been cut a few more times, instead of being discounted. Otherwise, according to Saint-Hesse's original estimate, a complete set of steel consortiums would not be cheap.

On the contrary, the Americans did not fall into a crisis because of the implementation of the Marshall Plan, or rather, it was delayed.

When the United States broke out the first post-war economic crisis in 1948-1949, Western Europe and Japan were in the process of post-war recovery, and the crisis did not occur simultaneously. When Western European countries broke out the 1951-1952 economic crisis, the United States postponed the crisis to 1953-1954 due to the successive launches of the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

The Federal Republic of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom all fell into economic crises to varying degrees. The surface of prosperity in the United States was actually full of crises.

In the early post-war period, developed capitalist countries began a new cyclical cycle after several years of economic adjustment and recovery.

The textile, automobile, tractor, and fertilizer industries in the United Kingdom were hit harder, while other countries mainly suffered the most from the textile industry.

For Saint-Hesse, it was a major benefit, almost all of which were industries he needed. Should he buy at the bottom? Anyway, Saint-Hesse didn't refuse anyone. Moreover, these industries in the United Kingdom were not inferior to those in the United States and Germany, and even surpassed Japan, but Saint-Hesse's time was not convenient at that time. Tractor technology came from Japan, and the automobile industry had not yet entered.

Now, while Western European countries are in crisis, the industrial production of other countries such as Belgium, Finland, and Sweden has also declined to varying degrees, and a series of colonial and semi-colonial countries and regions have also been affected by the crisis and suffered blows.

These capitalist countries have seen a sharp drop in stock prices and a surge in the number of bankrupt companies. The total number of unemployed people in various countries is as high as more than 10 million.

This crisis marked the beginning of the first capitalist cycle after the war.

After many months, Argentina also began to become turbulent again. Some development plans in the United States could only be left to his subordinates to continue to implement.

After World War II, Japan, based on the "Peace Constitution" and with the support of the United States, developed its economy rapidly. Last year, Japan's economic speed was astonishingly fast, ranking first in the capitalist world.

The impact of this economic crisis was not very large. It can only be said that it was a small economic crisis, and it has even begun to end. With economic recovery, the proportion of France, West Germany, Japan, and other countries in world trade has approached the pre-war level. After the failure of the Korean War, the United States' foreign trade advantage began to weaken.

In particular, the European Coal and Steel Community, established by France and West Germany, has very well resisted this economic crisis, while the British have been severely hit, and the Japanese have not been greatly affected, and have even accelerated their development.

Saint-Hesse directly restored his identity on the way. This trip to the United States was truly eye-opening and a great harvest.

The sense of impact and shock of facing history, the United States is indeed the most powerful capitalist empire in the world, and they have played it out.

This trip to the United States was also full of gains. Not only did Sequoia Investment transform into a full-service investment bank, but it also cashed out about 20 million US dollars from it, which can be directly invested in Argentina or Western European countries to purchase industrial equipment needed by Argentina.

It can also be used as a reserve fund. Most of Argentina's current investments can already meet construction needs. However, this portion of money can also be set aside as a buffer against risks. If you always operate at the limit, you'll eventually crash.

Redwood has also formed alliances with several medium-sized financial groups and families. Fidelity Capital in Boston has acquired specialized companies for regularization.

With the armed protection provided by Blackwater Security Consulting, the early layout for the U.S. economic crisis of 1953-54, as long as there are no major accidents, basically guarantees rapid development in the next few years.

Enke Electric has also achieved a smooth landing. In another month or two, Enke Electric's first-generation tape recorder, the affordable Enke radio, will be launched in the U.S. and European markets.

Saint Hethere even managed to snag a few nuclear industry technology experts, who will be sent to Canada in batches over the next few months, and then to Argentina through various channels.

Besides running Blue Origin, Little Knicks has also returned to his old business, acquiring a cargo ship transportation company and spending money to buy a large number of second-hand freighters to engage in Pacific and Atlantic trade.

Before a small country rises, it often needs to keep winning. One loss means there's no chance to recover, while for a large country, one win is enough.

Whether it's the United States or Mexico, they are both worth learning from for Argentina right now: a unified, centralized government, good national cohesion, emphasis on science and education, and the establishment of a political and economic system suitable for the national conditions. Learn, but never simply imitate the path of other countries, and at the same time, accelerate industrialization construction under the leadership of national power.

After World War II, countries began to rationally seek the path to becoming great powers. Japan prepared to achieve economic rise through a multinational corporation strategy; the United States will continue to develop due to its leadership in the information revolution and high-tech fields.

Argentina can completely follow the path of Japan's post-war rise by establishing more multinational corporations.

…

On a not-so-wide sea surface, a huge ship, which looks seven stories high from the ground and is at least 150 meters long, is docked in the port. Saint Hethere thinks it should be a freighter.

Saint Hethere looked at the ticket and boarded the cruise ship to Brazil. He carried a small suitcase and entered the cruise ship cabin, found his room according to the ticket.

More than a dozen Delta Security personnel followed behind, dressed in different styles.

New York Harbor is, after all, the largest and busiest port in the United States, with many ships.

This time, Saint Hethere still didn't bring anything. Important materials will be transported to La Plata City via a fleet to Brazil.

Saint Hethere and Purkins came to the deck, discussing interesting things during this period, and then watched the azure blue sea with the professor.

The cruise ship quickly sailed towards the South Atlantic, watching the distance from the American coast grow farther and farther, and the color of the sea also slowly changed.

Professor Purkins said:

"Cohen, are you planning to graduate early this time you return to Bude? Your level is already sufficient to apply for graduation, and even has the level of a master's degree."

Argentina's master's degrees are basically two-year programs. People like Castro in Cuba even graduated with a doctorate at the age of twenty-four or five.

Professor Purkins said directly that, for him, Saint Hethere had already reached the standard for a master's degree from Harvard Law School.

Saint Hethere was at sea in the North Atlantic in February, but he was wearing a jacket. He was very strong. Professor Purkins couldn't help but feel a little envious. He used to be like this, but unfortunately he is too old now.

The ship was already more than two hundred kilometers away from the coastline. At the speed of the cruise ship, it still took from morning to afternoon to see a black line on the horizon representing the southern coastline.

"Okay, Professor, I still have to thank you for your cultivation. I will work hard this time."

Purkins laughed and patted Saint Hethere on the shoulder: "I'll find you for a drink tonight. Life on the ship is always too boring."

He was more and more satisfied with Saint Hethere and planned to let him graduate early. This overseas inspection was also on a very high scale.

Fortunately, the northern hemisphere was calm at this time. The most feared thing about going out to sea is storms and waves.

Before night came, the two really drank some beer or something. Professor Purkins' alcohol capacity was average and he got drunk quickly. After sending him back to his cabin, Saint Hethere was also a little dizzy and fell asleep.

In fact, since going to Harvard University in Boston, although the two didn't communicate much, their relationship has indeed become much more harmonious. Professor Purkins' help was great, and Saint Hethere got to know many big shots because of this.

I have to say that sailing on the sea is indeed very boring. Saint Hethere can only calm down to study and summarize. Fortunately, there were a few books in his suitcase, so he wouldn't be so bored.

In fact, he only spent a little more than half of his time studying in the United States. Other series of things often disrupted his studies.

Many things and plans still need his approval.

This time, Saint Hethere took a keen interest in disembarking in Rio de Janeiro to see the samba style. Unlike the relatively heavy mood last time, this time his mood has undergone new changes, or his immunity to emotional influence has improved.

Argentina lacks a suitable economic and political system, and the national spirit is not as progressive as Brazil's. It always feels like something is missing.

Brazil is Argentina's opponent at the door. Latin American countries should take a good look.

Rio is quite prosperous as the capital of Brazil, and Saint Hethere changed into beach shorts, short sleeves, and sunglasses. It's really hot in Rio now. Saint Hethere calculated that the temperature at noon actually reached 35 degrees. People working outdoors either get heatstroke or endure it.

So it is said that it is difficult for economically developed countries to emerge in tropical regions, and this may be one of the reasons. The relocation of the capital of Brazil may also be due to this reason.

Otherwise, how could there be a saying that air conditioning saved Singapore.

The Brazilians without air conditioning are probably really hot, and even the sales of soda have soared.

Saint Hethere didn't sit idle either. He took the opportunity to walk around some small shops in Rio, holding locally produced Coca-Cola and Guaraná drinks from Brazil, and drank them all. Most of these drinks are bottled in glass. In fact, using plastic bottles now is still relatively costly for beverage companies, and the technology is not very mature, so most still use glass bottles more.

For Saint Hethere, this is a city with more potential than Bude City. After all, behind it is a market four times larger than Argentina's, and it is the largest single market in South America.

In 1942, Coca-Cola entered Brazil. Here, its biggest enemy is not Pepsi Cola, but a local brand.

The overlord of Brazilian local soda, Antarctica brand Guaraná drink, took the lead in attacking Coca-Cola's American imperialist background.

Coca-Cola is good at understanding new markets and has always been able to adapt.

This time, the advertising slogan it played was, "Coca-Cola, strengthen the Brazilian people and help Brazil's industrialization."

This sentence is actually nonsense. How can drinking carbonated drinks strengthen the Brazilian people? It's better to drink milk.

And isn't this the slogan of a New China Milk Company later? Maybe there's a connection.

"A pound of milk a day, strengthen…"

Coca-Cola's advertising slogan has already deeply understood the main theme of Brazil in the mid-20th century: the fanatical worship and persistent pursuit of industrialization, as well as the surging nationalistic enthusiasm.

Mirinda soda produced by Plari Foods is also very slowly eroding the Brazilian market, but the results are not good. The market share is less than 5%. Coca-Cola's market share is about 30%, Pepsi Cola is 10%, Antarctica brand is an astonishing 45%, and there are some other local drinks.

Saint Hethere is not very happy with Mirinda's market share. Although the Brazilian soda market is currently less than 40 million U.S. dollars, equivalent to less than 0.5 U.S. dollars per Brazilian per year, it is an attractive market for Mirinda. A mere 2 million U.S. dollars in sales a year simply cannot satisfy Saint Hethere's appetite.

And there are also beer, milk, and coffee markets. The consumption potential of Brazilians is not small. The market at the doorstep cannot be given to the Americans, and Plari Foods needs stronger competitiveness, and even sell to Central America and Mexico in the future.

Since he is preparing to take the road of multinational company development, then it is also time to turn Plari Foods into a complete body. Plari Foods, which has had its marketing department castrated, has no combat effectiveness in international competition.

It only has a bunch of newly developed beverage products. International sales are all reliant on Plari International, an independent company, and cannot get very good market feedback. This is somewhat fatal for a market-oriented company.

In the future, he wants to launch iced black tea, functional drinks, and even herbal tea and flavored drinks in Brazil. These beverages, which have been tested by later generations, will set off a storm in the Brazilian beverage market.

Fight Coca-Cola with bayonets, fight local companies like Antarctica brand, and carve out a world of our own.

This is the so-called,

"Take life and death lightly, just do it if you don't agree."