Rise of the Argentine Empire

At one o'clock in the afternoon, Saint Hesser, after a half-hour nap,

Lazily got out of bed, washed his face to refresh himself, changed into formal attire, tidied up his hairstyle, and then slowly set off.

The meeting was scheduled to start at half past two, a high-level conference for the entire Pralle factory area, including the summer operation summary and awards ceremony.

Leaving from home, it took a full half hour to reach the Pralle factory area.

The number of cars and motorcycles in Coke City had increased significantly, and I don't know where they were imported from. The city hall had even installed some traffic lights... Development was considered relatively good.

The Pralle factory area had completely transformed, and the surrounding area no longer showed signs of decline and dilapidation, having developed quite well.

Outside the factory area, a row of new low-rise buildings had been constructed, housing small restaurants, small shops, newsstands, and barber shops. Most of the shop owners were from Chinatown, as the locals were not very interested in doing business. Instead, working in the factory could provide a livelihood.

There were also simple recreational facilities, such as basketball courts and ping-pong tables. The small restaurants supplemented the factory's cafeteria, which offered nutritious but generally bland food. Some with a little money would occasionally come outside for a treat.

Most of the original farms had been bought by Saint Hesser, whose pockets were now bulging, with Krostow Thomas and Rosa responsible for negotiating the acquisitions. This area belonged to more than twenty bankrupt farmers, and the property rights were too scattered, including those of Marić Niens, who had initially leased the land to him, making it quite troublesome.

The area acquired near the factory exceeded 100 acres, including the locations of Cannery One, Soda Factory Two, and those more distant abandoned farms. The surrounding areas were still under negotiation for acquisition.

This was a large suburban area in the north of Coke City, a bit far from the city center, but considered part of the Coke City metropolitan area, and close to the central train station.

Currently, the urban area of Coke City was not very large, with the central area only covering more than 80 square kilometers, which was part of the more than 300 square kilometers of Coke City's jurisdiction. This was a suburban area outside the city, closer than the satellite towns.

This was also the first stop for the "Byrd Brotherhood's" expansion at the time.

They were very arrogant until they encountered the ruthless and protective Saint Hesser, and then they became destitute.

Yesterday, while chatting, I overheard people saying that "Mad Dog" Rooney of the "Byrd Brotherhood," while in prison, got into a fight and was beaten to death by several prison bosses. His death was quite tragic.

The ending was quite lamentable. Saint Hesser mourned for him for three seconds, considering that he died as he lived.

Since the last gang incident, the security had been quite good. Saint Hesser had arranged for more than 60 security guards for the Pralle factory, responsible for security management and belonging to the periphery of the Thunder Cross.

Speaking of which, there wasn't much money at first, so he didn't buy the factory area at that time.

After the rapid growth in the summer, the Pralle Soda Factory could recoup nearly 80 million pesos in cash each month, and after paying for raw materials and various costs, there was still a considerable surplus.

Most of this cash was converted into hard currency such as gold by Saint Hesser, as well as other valuable assets, or used for production raw materials, and the acquisition of Sean's Glass Factory.

Thinking back to when he first arrived at the Pralle factory area, he was truly a fearless newborn calf, and the barefoot were not afraid of those wearing shoes. He directly leased the factory area.

At that time, the large iron gate was still the old-fashioned iron fence, covered in rust. It was fortunate that the boss was willing to promote it, as starting a business was essentially a near-death experience.

The current Pralle factory was no longer as dilapidated as it once was. Some of the surrounding farms that could no longer be used were being prepared for demolition and reconstruction, to build a new factory building.

New production lines replaced the former manual production lines, and those second-hand production lines were resold to other places, which also recouped some funds.

Saint Hesser admitted that there was indeed an element of gambling at that time, but he bet right.

The Pralle Cannery's fruit canning was still in production, but the sales scale had been severely reduced to less than one-tenth of its original size. It truly came quickly and went quickly.

Currently, they were producing larger-capacity fruit cans, preparing to explore the international market. Argentina was gradually emerging from the drought, and the Bilong government was also trying to reform agriculture, but after reviewing those new policies, they were too chicken-rib-like, and too focused on quick success.

Fruit cans had a large market in Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union, Canada, and other places, and internationalization still required effort.

The Pralle Soda Factory mainly produced glass-bottled soda. Krostow had been in talks with Sean's Glass Factory to invest in and acquire it, or they were preparing to build their own glass bottle factory anyway, as the technology involved was not complex.

The Pralle Soda Factory produced the most soda currently. The two factories in the Pralle factory area had more than 1,000 workers, and including the security team and management, there were more than 1,100 people.

… …

Saint Hesser sat in the brand-new conference room and convened a new management meeting.

Sitting there were Rosa, Krostow, Li Qingyun, Thomas, as well as various supervisors, union representatives, worker representatives, and the security captain of the Thunder Cross periphery, totaling more than 40 people, a wealth of talent, and the atmosphere was very quiet.

When everyone had arrived, Saint Hesser stood up, looked around, and began to speak,

"First of all, I once again congratulate the Pralle factory area for achieving encouraging results in the summer sales campaign. The summer performance statistics have been compiled this month, and the sales of the Pralle factory for three months have completely exceeded the target set last year…"

"With the efforts of all Pralle factory staff, we have achieved an amazing victory. I announce that the following personnel will be commended and awarded bonuses…"

"Those whose names are called below, please come to the stage. Factory Director Krostow, bonus of 50,000 pesos…", Saint Hesser took a stack of money, then shook hands with Krostow, gave him the money, and the atmosphere on the scene immediately livened up.

"Financial Manager Rosa, bonus of 30,000 pesos…"

"Deputy Factory Director Thomas, bonus of 30,000 pesos…"

"Head of Cannery Qingyun · Li, bonus of 30,000 pesos…"

"Supervisor of Production Line 1…"

"Warehouse Supervisor…"

… …

"This month, every worker in the Pralle factory can receive a bonus of 2,000 pesos."

Saint Hesser added to the representatives.

Distributing large sums of money can improve the cohesion and combat effectiveness of the entire factory. Krostow withdrew more than two million pesos in cash from the bank in the morning, filling several large boxes.

Saint Hesser adopted the distribution method of performance announcements used by sales companies in later generations, announcing the results and calling out names, which livened up the atmosphere.

Although Argentina now has some welfare policies, they are limited to the metropolitan area of the capital. The factories in Coke City do not have them, and the desire to earn money is quite simple.

The entire factory was also filled with a warm atmosphere. Everyone liked the boss who was generous and willing to give money.

"The next few months are the off-season for the domestic soda market. Our Pralle factory will launch meat product cans and sausage production lines, and I hope we can continue to work hard."

Canned meat had always been an industry product that Saint Hesser dreamed of, but unfortunately, the loans at that time were all invested in the construction of the Maria Town plastic factory and plastic bottle factory, and he did not set up his own meat product cannery.

Luncheon meat, sausages, and ham sausages are Argentina's natural strengths. Argentina's beef, lamb, pork, and chicken all have huge yields, mainly exported as raw meat.

At present, there are not many canneries in the country, mainly distributed in Bahia Blanca and Buenos Aires. The scale of the factories is also not large.

Canned meat has a huge export market globally. The entire Western Europe, the Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, Australia, Northern Europe, and Latin America, even if we take a small piece of the market, it will far exceed the fruit canned market.

Now is not the era of highly competitive and developed international trade in later generations. In particular, canned meat can also be used as military food reserves. The United Kingdom is fully expanding its army to deal with the Soviet Union. Canned meat can be stored for a long time. Various military food cans during the Cold War also have a huge market.

"Of course, everyone doesn't need to worry too much about the off-season. Our new business department is already preparing to develop the Brazilian market, the Peruvian market, Greater Colombia, and the Paraguayan market."

The Uruguayan market has achieved considerable success under the development of Little Nicks. The sparsely populated and wealthy Uruguayans are quite fond of this Argentine-produced Mirinda soda.

Uruguay has a full 176,000 square kilometers of land, with a population of only over one million. The market is not too big. More than 900,000 bottles were sold throughout the summer, and the market potential has not yet reached its limit.

Other South American countries are subtropical and tropical regions in the Northern Hemisphere. Unlike Argentina, which is entering autumn, some are hot all year round.

Some countries have just entered the rainy season, and some are about to enter the summer stage, with huge incremental potential. Once in Buenos Aires, Saint Hesser will comprehensively expand the Buenos Aires sales team and move towards the international market, earning foreign exchange. If that doesn't work, earning minerals is also fine.

The three southern states of Brazil also have super coal mines belonging to South America. The coal reserves are enough to build a steel complex with a capacity of 10 million tons.

When the time comes, the Reais earned can be invested in local coal mines. It's not bad to be a coal boss, and Brazil's infrastructure and transportation conditions far exceed those of Bolivia.

"Next, I will arrange new personnel appointments…"

"I hope everyone will continue to work hard and strive to make greater contributions to the factory…"

And also earn more profit for themselves, Saint Hesser added with wicked humor in his heart.

Saint Hesser is increasingly enjoying the feeling of being a capitalist. Of course, he belongs to the kind who is less stingy. As long as he earns enough, he doesn't mind sharing more with them.

As long as someone tries to violate his bottom line, such as a union organization that organizes strikes for no reason, he will not hesitate to clean them out and fire them, and even use special means at all costs.

A raise in salary can be discussed, reasonable requests can be improved, but disrupting production is intolerable. These troublemakers will be sent away directly.

Saint Hesser is a natural industrialist. Only industrialization can save this country. High salaries and high welfare are just appearances. The essence is that the country is strong enough to eat high-end industries.

The current high-end industries, in addition to steel, are coal, petrochemicals, automobiles, military industries, and communication, these basic industries.

Think about the Morgan family and the Rockefeller family in the United States now. They are truly richer than a country, occupying the vast majority of American production. The underground forces of the Mafia are also reaching their peak. The current world is too exciting. Saint Hesser is somewhat intoxicated by this feeling.

"Factory Director Kloss, Manager Rosa, you have done a great job in the past year. I have already helped you rent a house in Maria Town and arranged it. Maria Town really needs your participation more."

The importance of the Prari factory has been surpassed by Maria Town. The development there is faster. The development here must also be accelerated to establish a comprehensive food company, in preparation for building a company that can produce more food and beverages.

Suppressing his mood, the capitalist's corruption of people's hearts is too serious, Saint Hesser shook his head again and said to Kloss and Rosa.

As the earliest factory director appointed by Saint Hesser, Kloss is very good at factory management. Maria Town needs someone who can hold the fort. Kloss, as an old-timer, is a very suitable candidate, and he doesn't have that many tricks up his sleeve.

Rosa's performance is also quite outstanding. The monthly financial statements, summaries, and capital flows are all very rigorous. Independent and controllable finances are a strict bottom line that Saint Hesser must have, just like personnel management.

"Thank you for the boss's trust. I am very happy about the salary increase. The Prari factory is already on the right track. I believe Thomas and Qingyun Li can do a good job."

Thinking back to when he first met Kloss, he was still a man of few words. Now, he is becoming more and more open in front of Saint Hesser, but he still manages the workers below as strictly as ever. This is also conducive to the development of the factory, with a bit of a "tough factory director" style.

"Boss, I will continue to work hard."

Rosa is the only female manager among the high-level executives under Saint Hesser. She doesn't talk much either, dresses generously, and wears a pair of glasses. She is worthy of being a heroine among women. Saint Hesser has great respect for single mothers.

Nick Thomas is the newly promoted deputy factory director of the soda factory. He has also been the production supervisor for more than half a year. His personality is a bit like Factory Director Kloss. He is rigorous in his work, prefers to study new technologies, and is good at production management. He can completely take over the position of Factory Director Kloss.

Thomas will also be the head of the newly established meat canning production line. Li Qingyun is the head of the fruit cannery. He will take over Thomas's position as deputy factory director, and the two will jointly be responsible for the production and management of the entire Prari factory area.

Kloss and Rosa, who go to work in Maria Town, will get a lot of salary increases. Of course, the conditions in Maria Town are far inferior to Cordoba, including education, shopping environment, and other aspects, but it is also beginning to flourish, and the middle school has also reopened.

There is every reason to believe that, with his investment, the future of Maria Town will be more prosperous, and he will build more and more powerful factories.

… …

The entire meeting lasted for more than an hour, including achievements, development plans, setting the tone, and a quick decision. If it weren't for showing off, Saint Hesser felt that it could be done in half an hour. He said a lot of nonsense, his mouth was a little dry. At the conference table, Saint Hesser gulped down 2 bottles of soda produced in his own factory.

The raw materials for the soda produced now are still relatively healthy. It is just mixing the fruit juice and filling it with carbon dioxide, and sealing the bottle cap. The cost of the soda in later generations will only be lower.

After arranging the affairs of the entire factory, Saint Hesser planned to go home.

It just so happened that the soda at the residence was gone. Saint Hesser asked the new factory director Thomas to sign and write a delivery order, and went to the warehouse manager at the warehouse to get two boxes of soda and headed home.

Under the management of Kloss, the Prari factory has indeed developed very well, and various rules and regulations are also very organized. For example, there are strict regulations for entry and exit, and financial capital flow.

He went to buy some green vegetables and lean meat by the way. He wanted to eat something light tonight and cook some soup.