Rise of the Argentine Empire

This large city, with a population of nearly two million, experienced rapid economic development driven by the influx of people.

The arrival of these people spurred economic growth and vitality in Blanca City through their need for housing rentals or purchases, as well as their daily consumption, entertainment, and leisure activities.

The large number of migrant workers gathering in Blanca City fueled the rapid development of the urban area, especially in the Altar District, which experienced the most vigorous growth. Its total economic output surpassed the combined output of the East and West Districts, and its population was approaching one million, necessitating its division.

The Altar District was large, well-planned, but sparsely populated by native locals, making it difficult for civil servants to manage, leading to a challenging situation.

Saint Hesser strictly controlled the size of the civil service, stipulating that a district government's size could not exceed three-quarters of the size of a mid-sized Argentine free city, to prevent the civil service from becoming too bloated and to foster an elite civil service team capable of selecting and cultivating more outstanding civil servants.

As summer approached, the Altar District's total population exceeded 900,000. Based on its population size, it could already be considered the fourth-largest city in Argentina, and people increasingly referred to it as Altar City. This did not align with Saint Hesser's plans for Blanca City, created a cultural divide, and was not the future Saint Hesser envisioned. An overly powerful Altar District could easily lead to a situation where a small horse pulls a large cart, hindering the city hall's management of its districts and repeating past mistakes.

The Altar District was Blanca City's heavy industry base, boasting hundreds of powerful factories in sectors such as chemicals, steel, automotive, shipbuilding, military, and component manufacturing, supported by over 2,000 supporting factories.

Saint Hesser instructed the Blanca City Hall to split the massive Altar District into three, creating two new districts to better develop Blanca City's economy and facilitate Blanca City's control over its subordinate districts.

The European powers had already recovered and were about to enter the golden age of the 1960s, strengthening their internal ties.

Charles de Gaulle returned to the political stage, becoming the first president of the French Fifth Republic, and proposed the famous idea of "Europe for Europeans."

Franco-American contradictions gradually intensified. De Gaulle not only refused to allow the United States to store nuclear warheads and install missile launchers on French territory but also planned to withdraw its navy from NATO's military organization. The French once again welcomed their national hero, and France was regaining its strength from the shame of World War II.

The Federal Republic of Germany once again became the economic engine of Europe. The Germans were indeed good at developing the economy. Without armaments and military, the Germans traveled light and became the fastest-growing country in Western Europe.

The British were determined to rely on a wealthy patron. Under the leadership of Harold Macmillan, Britain had lost most of its overseas colonies.

Italy was an unexpected surprise. With a good foundation and American aid, its economy developed vibrantly.

Only Spain was relatively backward. Franco was old, but Saint Hesser believed that the Falange he led was far superior to any Argentine political party.

The Benelux countries banded together for warmth, focusing on their economies.

Saint Hesser advocated that Argentina continue to strengthen its ties with Europe, believing that the Americans were wolves in sheep's clothing and could not be trusted.

Brazil continued to grow stronger, and its domestic unity allowed it to develop even better. Only Mexico and Argentina felt like fellow sufferers, as the Americans would not allow a strong and prosperous Mexico. Mexico's development potential far exceeded that of the cold land of Canada, even though Canadians were now ambitious, their population was a problem they could not solve.

Mexico is different. It not only has a long-standing feud with the United States, but its development is also very rapid. Even after losing a large portion of its territory, its population growth remains rapid. Moreover, its geographical location and climate conditions trouble the American think tanks. What's more, its successive leaders have all been very capable people.

Apart from La Pampa Province, the rest of Argentina is developing slowly and is not highly regarded by the Americans.

Money emboldens people. Argentina, with its severe economic recession, has a lower priority than Mexico and Brazil, giving San Jose some opportunities.

Besides Mexico and Brazil, the CIA's focus is on Central America. Cuba has been very active recently, even flirting with the Soviets.

San Jose was able to develop the economy peacefully.

… …

A true leader is not only professionally competent, but more importantly, he should have compassion and genuinely want to help the weak.

Conversely, these seemingly weak people will become a driving force for their own advancement, and naturally, they will have fewer enemies.

San Jose is slowly becoming this kind of person, but as the team grows, people's hearts become unpredictable, so all sorts of problems will arise.

He is gentle and refined, handsome in this city, with an extraordinary temperament. His voice contains a special magic, and every speech resonates with people. He is a natural and outstanding leader, with the lifelong goal of promoting Argentina's rise.

San Jose gave many Argentinians the opportunity to change their fate. Most grassroots Argentinians cannot escape Argentina like the middle class and the wealthy, trapped in a quagmire from which they cannot escape.

He has devoted himself to developing the economy of La Pampa Province, achieving a tenfold increase in economic growth in just a few years. Through attracting large amounts of investment and cultivating industries, he has created a relatively complete industrial system.

Of course, San Jose cannot possibly confront a behemoth like the United States on his own. He needs the help of others, and now is not the time to make enemies indiscriminately. Steadily increasing strength is the right path.

No one likes to make enemies everywhere, and San Jose is no exception. Everyone wants to make more friends so that they can "share difficulties together."

And this Southern Development Agreement is more important than imagined. Many people only see the development of the south and cooperation. San Jose has brought in the largest province in Argentina, which is very dissatisfied with La Pampa Province, to improve the less pleasant relationship.

Buenos Aires Province is still several times stronger than La Pampa Province, and there are also many of San Jose's industries here. The geographical location is far superior to La Pampa Province, and he has always had various industrial layouts in this province, especially in the provincial capital, La Plata, where he is involved in chemical, metallurgical, and mechanical processing in addition to steel and shipbuilding.

La Pampa Province's location is indeed acceptable, but it still cannot compare with Buenos Aires, the rising star of Argentina, regardless of climate or environment.

The surrounding small cities that were originally suppressed by the Buenos Aires provincial government were also lobbied by San Jose's team to join the Greater Blanca City urban circle. These cities were originally close to Blanca City, and now it is a win-win situation.

… …

The new presidential election is coming to an end. Besides the individual votes, La Pampa Province can influence the new presidential election through senators and congressmen.

The members of the two houses of parliament and the provincial government are not on good terms, but now that they are facing a change of term, the relationship has eased a lot.

Most people have realized that the Radical Civic Union is unstoppable and the Justicialist Party has no chance.

La Pampa Province has sided with the Radical Civic Union, and San Jose has also publicly announced his support for the Radical Civic Union, but rejected the plan to serve as Minister of Social Security in the new presidential palace.

This is a new department created by Perón, and its power is no longer great.

In San Jose's view, unless he serves as Prime Minister, it is better to honestly finish his term as a senior official in La Pampa, at least that is real power.

The term of the new presidential palace is not good, and now is not the right time to go to Buenos Aires.

Buenos Aires is now a huge quagmire.

The military is not very willing to hand over power, but they are also afraid of all kinds of unnecessary struggles.

And developing the economy is the military's weakness. Not everyone can be a Kaka of Takagi, which is a gift of luck from the nation.

San Jose doesn't think highly of the new President Frondizi, but he still sent a congratulatory telegram as soon as possible. He is still a qualified member of the Radical Civic Union.

He used his busy government affairs as an excuse and only sent a team of senior officials to the president's inaugural speech.

In San Jose's view, Frondizi's level of economic development is very average. It is not possible to develop the Argentine economy by writing a few books on petroleum.

Even if Frondizi is his senior in the law department, Frondizi does not have the experience of a provincial administrative chief, which is a huge regret.

San Jose's old father-in-law finally retired from the Ministry of Agriculture and entered early retirement.

Vice President Jose also moved out of the Pink House, ending his less than three years as Vice President. The military no longer has a place for him.

General Thompson is still doing his job as Deputy Minister of Defense, very stable.

The Liberator Building sits firmly on the Diaoyutai, and the military can take over the power of the presidential palace at any time.

The La Pampa Provincial Defense Army was nominally incorporated into the new National Defense Force system, and San Jose continued to serve as the top leader.

The pro-American Frondizi invited the heads of several major American oil companies to secretly discuss in detail at the Pink House.

This directly aroused the dissatisfaction of the military.