Rise of the Argentine Empire

Upon returning to Argentina, Saint-Hesse's first priority wasn't visiting figures like Commander Thompson or Professor Pukins, but rather heading to the La Plata Steel Plant to assess its construction and operational status.

With the steel plant completed, it could essentially meet the demand for most common steel products, including rebar for concrete structures, which greatly satisfied Saint-Hesse. Having steel made many things easier.

Just entering the factory, he saw black iron ore being transported by trucks, fed into production lines, and processed through crushers for grinding and preliminary treatment. Following Ian, he passed the coking plant.

Coal also required pretreatment. The third station was the iron-smelting blast furnace, constantly supplied with raw materials. Currently, it wasn't a large blast furnace in operation, but a medium-sized one. The 1580 cubic meter blast furnace was still under construction. The medium-sized furnace was producing molten iron for initial preparation.

"Boss, the output of our steel plant's first phase isn't substantial, but we can now mass-produce enough steel each month. Several smaller steel factories in the north are also ramping up production as scheduled. Still, the demand for steel exceeds the supply."

"The rolling mill is also operating at full capacity."

Saint-Hesse entered the blast furnace area and watched as batches of molten gold-colored iron were poured out.

"Boss, these iron ores from Brazil are rich ores, with minimal unwanted impurities. The molten iron produced can be used directly after simple processing. It can be transported to the converter to make steel, or directly cast iron, and then processed by the rolling mill..."

Ian excitedly described the progress in the steel plant's construction.

"The only relatively troublesome issue is that we lack good alloy material ratios. Most of what we produce is carbon steel, wrought iron, and cast iron, just enough to meet basic production and daily needs. We can't produce many specialized steels."

Ian said with some regret.

Saint-Hesse remained silent, watching several workers in gray uniforms using instruments to extract samples of molten iron to be sent to the laboratory for testing, ensuring stable production quality. The temperature in the molten iron workshop was high, nearly 40 degrees Celsius even from a distance, and the steelworkers were diligently working.

"Try to find a way to solve this. We also need a wider variety of steel. Come to me for funding."

Saint-Hesse couldn't claim to be knowledgeable about steel materials; he was practically clueless. He only knew about types like manganese steel and stainless steel, and had no idea about the ratios. This would have to rely on them. Now that they had affordable steel, they needed better steel products.

The La Plata Steel Plant's technical level barely reached the average global standard. Their most advanced technology was the converter technology, originating from Austria, but they completely lacked a foundation in various materials and steel ratios. Moreover, many processes were closely guarded secrets by European steel plants.

Argentina had no talent in this area. Recruiting from abroad was also impossible; European steel plants cherished their experts. Saint-Hesse didn't have a good solution at the moment. He thought to himself that he should first establish the framework of a materials research institute. He could look for talent at the University of Buenos Aires; perhaps they would have a solution. Materials science might exist as a discipline, but most talents required long-term cultivation, mainly by enterprises.

He recalled the four major 'pitfalls' of majors in his previous life: "biology, chemistry, environment, and materials." Not to mention biotechnology, Maya Chemicals lacked chemical engineers, and materials also lacked talent. In fact, they were all lacking. Now that they had rice, they urgently needed skilled cooks.

"Alas, this is unavoidable. Without enough people, there won't be enough talent."

Saint-Hesse wasn't surprised. Argentina's population base was still relatively low. After exceeding 20 million this year, it seemed a bit faster than in his original world, though he didn't know why. Saint-Hesse's idea was to promote population growth in several cities and villages as much as possible.

He encouraged women of childbearing age to give birth at home, providing some subsidies. This had already been approved in the remote border city of Oran's villages, attracting poor people from the slums to return. The next step was the villages of Maria City, and ideas like 'more children, more blessings' were also being spread through some public opinion channels for experimentation.

Argentina's current problem was blind urbanization and modernization, which failed to truly take care of the interests of the lower classes. Peron had prematurely led farmers who had lost their land into the slums. The countryside continued to bleed, losing the hearts of the people.

Cities couldn't provide enough jobs. Only the countryside could accommodate enough people and produce more people until the cities were fully developed.

Most nations that blindly accept the experiences of Western powers gradually move towards failure, which is happening throughout Latin America, and Argentina is no exception.

Speaking of Germany, one of the important reasons why the Germans were so powerful in the past was that Germany was the second most populous country in Europe, with a large number of industrial talents.

It's a pity that today's Germany has been dissected into two. Because of the Soviet Union's greed, or rather, great power chauvinism, East Germany was weakened too much.

After World War I and World War II, almost all of Germany's lost territories were in East Germany, including core areas like Silesia and East Prussia. The Soviets annexed eastern Poland and ceded eastern East German territory to the Poles. East Germany was left with only over 10 million people and 100,000 square kilometers of territory. The population was halved, and the territory was almost only one-third of West Germany's. Compared to West Germany, East Germany was too weak.

Perhaps this is also one of the reasons why the socialist camp is inferior to the American capitalist camp. Not staying true to the original intention, not abandoning its own advantages, just comparing national strength, the Americans' allies, or rather, younger brothers and markets, are still too big.

Saint-Hesse thought that the Soviets in his previous life were too arrogant, engaging in great power chauvinism and pushing away all of their most capable allies. East Germany was one, Czechoslovakia was another, Yugoslavia was one, and there was also New China, which now has the aura of a great power. Except for East Germany, basically every single one of them ended up in conflict. It was truly asking for trouble.

Especially since East Germany couldn't compete with West Germany, it was entirely because the Soviets were greedy and dismantled East Germany too harshly. If East Germany could retain 30 million people and 220,000 square kilometers of land, East Germany would be completely on par with West Germany. Even so, little East Germany was still one of the best-developed socialist countries.

If East Germany were strong enough, the Soviets would have had many more cards in their hand, and the core areas like Ukraine and Belarus wouldn't have become so alienated later on. The defense pressure could have been reduced a lot. As a result, now there are no Germans left in places like Silesia and East Prussia. It can only be said that it's a pity. The East Germans are unhappy, and the Poles are probably also suffering. In the end, it's still the legacy of the Tsarist era.

"The Germans have lost quite a lot twice. The Soviets still have only territory, territory, territory in their minds."

If East Germany in later generations had been strong enough, it might not have been annexed by West Germany. Moreover, Czechoslovakia was also very strong, but it ended up being crippled, which is a pity. As for Hungary and Poland, their own levels were a bit lacking, so there's not much to say.

"Don't worry, no matter how many difficulties there are, I will try my best to solve them. The Metal Research Institute will be established tomorrow."

Saint Hesser gave Ian a reassuring pill and drew a big pie. Only then did Ian slowly relax. The pollution problems of steel mills and power plants have been basically solved by Saint Hesser's repeated remarks and public opinion propaganda.

"Everyone should also pay attention to the production safety issues of steel mills. If you have suitable ideas, you can send them to the research institute. If the experience absorbed is suitable, I hope we can master most of the principles of steel smelting as soon as possible. Our next step is to build our own steel mills and not import too much from foreign countries."

After Saint Hesser left the steel mill, he successively inspected soda factories, beer factories, textile factories, sock factories, and clothing factories. The basic situation was still good. Because of some export competition pressure, the new products developed and produced were competitive and would not be as shoddy as other factories in Argentina.

Especially Blue Cloud Shoes, Clothing, and Textiles, most of which are female workers, which is very unfavorable for population growth. Saint Hesser considered several times whether to move these production factories to southern Brazil, anyway, textiles, clothing, and shoes are just for making money.

......

In the afternoon, Saint Hesser went to inspect Rein Military Industry.

Rein - Flatz Factory, Headquarters,

As a result, the director of Rein Military Industry came to complain, the same as Rein Artillery Factory and Tank Factory.

"Boss, our artillery and research and development are not good. Since the United States restricted it, we can't get suitable steel pipes. The self-developed ones can't meet the requirements at all. We need real seamless steel pipes."

Seamless steel pipes are known as the "blood vessels" of industry and are important raw materials for national industrial construction and national defense construction.

The Flatz factory at that time had researched and developed cannon barrels, but unfortunately, it was based on imports from other countries.

"Argentina is too miserable. Even producing seamless steel pipes requires imports. The steel produced by La Plata Steel Mill is not good, and now the Germans don't export it anymore, the original ones."

It turned out that the United States and Federal Germany embargoed artillery shell steel and cannon barrel steel. Now the production and research and development of artillery factories and tank factories have been stopped.

......

After Saint Hesser settled the factory affairs, he went to the New A newspaper office again and met the long-lost Natalie. He stayed in the room from 5 pm to 12 pm the next day and didn't leave the room, and seemed to be planning to have a baby.

Only the next day did he go to Barron Bank and meet Rosa. The development of Barron Bank continued to accelerate. It had already entered major and medium-sized cities across the country to open outlets and was very popular.

Rosa hadn't changed at all, and her temperament was very good, but she complained that Saint Hesser hadn't come to see her for too long. Saint Hesser had no choice but to compensate her, after all, she was his chief financial officer.

The two little guys also came to the capital to study and sweetly called him uncle. Saint Hesser took one in each hand and took them around the streets.

......

After finishing all the work, it was just Sunday. Saint Hesser went to visit Professor Pukins. Professor Pukins took a higher position in the Ministry of Education. The two chatted casually.

"Cohen, how is it going in Blanca Port?"

Professor Pukins was wearing glasses, lying on a rocking chair, reading a book. Seeing Saint Hesser come to visit, he quickly asked, obviously concerned.

"Professor, actually it's been pretty good recently. I became a councilor in Blanca Port and also arranged for the development of the Lingang Industrial Zone. The Radical Party branch is also developing well."

Saint Hesser was not too modest and answered directly.

"Well, that's not bad. After doing it for about a year, you can become a provincial councilor, or run for mayor, I think it's all possible."

Professor Pukins said, this is also what many Argentines have gone through. I have to say it's not too bad, but unfortunately, Bilon doesn't have much time, and his preparation is not sufficient enough.

"The main thing for now is urban development, I don't dare to think too much about other things."

Saint Hesser didn't talk too much with Professor Pukins about this, occasionally chatting about the Ministry of Education.

"By the way, Professor, do you know anything about Southern University."

"I know this school, it's been in preparation for several years, but it hasn't been done well yet. Maybe it's because it's poor, the Ministry of Education has no money, and the Ministry of Finance has no money, so it can only depend on itself."

Professor Pukins also didn't understand these things too deeply.

"Professor, what do you think of the conflict between the Pope and the Presidential Palace this time?"

"I can only say that Bilon still has old ideas and always looks down on other things, too arrogant."

Professor Pukins used his own perspective to see the things behind Bilon.

It's a pity that times have changed.

Saint Hesser said after coming out of Professor Pukins' house.

"I don't have much time left, I really should consider how to seek greater benefits."

Then he went to Commander Thompson's house.

"Cohen, it seems you are doing well. I heard that the naval members in Blanca Port are giving me small reports."

Thompson carefully looked at Saint Hesser and found that his physical fitness was still as good as before, and there was not much change.

"You praise me too much, I just did some necessary things."

Saint Hesser waved his hand and did not take credit.

"General, has there been much movement in the Ministry of Defense recently?"

"There are still quite a few, for example, some local troops have been reduced? Bilon also plans to remove several generals from the military, which can be said to be very abnormal."

Only removing the heads of the army without changing the grassroots military power thinking, it is estimated that they all want to overthrow Bilon.

"It's not a secret. Now our country's military strength and strength are not bad, but the rift with Bilon is getting bigger and bigger."

The young officers who originally supported Bilon have also begun to oppose him. The retirement plan will definitely offend a large number of people.

Saint Hesser nodded in agreement. The young generals in their fifties are in their prime, and they are retiring. If they don't go to jail, everyone is in danger.

Moreover, if the army is not reformed or reorganized, it will not work to just remove the heads.