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Chapter 424: I Am the Nation!
Chapter 424: I Am the Nation!
After their hasty farewell in Fragrant Bay, they hadn't seen each place since, and Sage wouldn't specifically pay attention to these people, nor could he afford to.
Some memories aren't something you can recall just by trying.
If Robin hadn't come on behalf of the Revolution Army, he wouldn't have remembered where these people had gone.
"Our captain has already set an appointment. Sage, it's not good to speak ill of others," Robin smiled.
"I'm not interested in that."
Sage chuckled, "I'm one of the Four Emperors. That Straw Hat is not worthy of my evaluation. Let's talk when he reaches my level."
He knocked on the table, and Bellana, who had been standing by, skillfully presented a gem-studded wine glass and opened a bottle of red wine.
"Musini, the cheapest is 500,000 belli per bottle. This wine is from 1482, and its market price is 3 million belli. Care to try it?"
Red wine isn't necessarily better with age. This stuff can spoil over time.
The so-called vintage mainly refers to the wine's quality in a particular year, which gained it fame. So, whenever a wine of similar quality to that vintage is produced, it is labeled with that year.
Otherwise, where would there be so much wine from the same year for people to drink?
Without caring whether the others wanted it or not, Bellana poured a glass for everyone except Renetia.
The latter glared at him and obediently drank some juice instead.
"Three million belli..."
Carla stared at the poured wine, shrinking her neck. "A bottle of wine could buy three tons of rice."
"Tsk, what a bitter life!"
Sage snorted dismissively, "In my territory, rice isn't that expensive. I'll give it to you for 500 belli per pound."
Sage wasn't clear about the prices, but they couldn't be linked to his homeland's prices because the local produce was different.
In this vast sea, the least valuable items were fish, fruits, potatoes, and the like. Grains and flour, on the other hand, were more expensive.
Sage had once farmed in the East Blue, where rice was around 12 million belli per ton, and in the Grand Line, it was even pricier, reaching up to 16 million belli.
Flour was about three times cheaper than rice, and in this vast sea, rice was considered a luxury.
Even in Sage's territory, the staple foods were mainly bread, fruits, and fish.
Back when Sage had a bounty of 70 million belli, it could only buy a few dozen tons of rice.
The prices were as mysterious as the sea itself.
But things were different now. His stomach, accustomed to his homeland's cuisine, couldn't appreciate bread. He needed rice with every meal, including his subjects, who sometimes bought rice to change their palate.
Even a batch of exceptionally good rice, known as 'Tribute Rice,' was cultivated by the Little People Tribe, specifically for Sage.
This was why many merchants came to his territory. Just by trading rice, they could generate a 20% to 60% profit with each trip.
Of course, this benefit wasn't available to foreign merchants due to the high taxes. Although not all goods were taxed, food was on the list, and foreigners had to pay a 70% value tax, making it unprofitable for them.
To enjoy the 40% income tax, it was simple; they just had to join his territory and contribute to production and employment.
There were bound to be some tricks and loopholes, but no one could manage such details. As long as his territory developed steadily, that was enough.
This 70% tax was just a facade to create a sense of difference.
He wasn't worried about merchants finding other ways; his scale was too large to care about such minor losses. But if they were discovered, things wouldn't be pleasant for them.
Hearing Sage's words, Carla couldn't help but ask, "500 belli per pound is still expensive. Isn't there cheaper food?"
"Califa, go and check if lunch is ready."
Sage gestured to Califa, waiting for her to leave before he smiled and said, "No rush. I like to talk while eating."
Before long, Marika led a group of chefs pushing a cart, followed by maids and chefs carrying plates, setting up a lavish table that left Carla dizzy with its variety.
Carla had experienced grand feasts before, and Ivankov was an excellent chef, but she had never seen such a wide range of rare and precious ingredients.
Were pirates this extravagant?
Weren't they just a bunch of people content with wine and meat?
The most extravagant of them all, Big Mom, indulged only in her love for desserts.
"First, try this," Sage said with a smile, scooping a spoonful of food. "The finest Imperial Sturgeon caviar, a special delicacy offered by my subjects. Each of you will have a portion."
"My three greatest joys in life are plundering, revelry, and business. Since you've come to me, I'll do my cousin a favor. Tell me your demands; what do you seek?"
"Supplies, armaments, warships, clothing, and medicine," they replied.
Robin spoke calmly, "We need everything for our people and to wage war."
"I have it all!" Sage burst into laughter. "I have everything here!"
Even medicines were in abundance. Hogback, a genius surgeon, had unique insights into pharmaceuticals, and although not a scientist, medicine production was an essential skill for doctors on the high seas.
By turning this skill into an industry and combining it with the island's natural resources, they had a steady supply of medicines.
"The most crucial thing we need is weapons," Robin stated. "We lack a large number of them, but we also have limited Belli. Could you offer us a better price, Sage?"
Weapons were the most expensive and resource-intensive items.
A rusty sword cost 50,000 Belli, and a gun was even pricier.
The Navy's dominance as the world's greatest power stemmed from their unlimited supply of weapons.
Teach, the notorious pirate, was still struggling with this issue. He had Sage as a supplier, but the challenge was...
"Oh, I don't want money," Sage interrupted with a smile. "Belli is just paper. I want resources in exchange. Give me equivalent resources, and you shall have what you desire."
What is economics?
A game of paper money?
No, it's a game of resources.
Whether it's domestic needs or grand infrastructure, all prosperity is built upon vast resources, supplemented by that simple paper, which completes the cycle of prosperity for all.
This was the reason behind Teach's struggles.
At Sage's current stage, money held no value for him personally. Instead, he sought to establish the Golden Bank, a guarantee of resources for the world.
So, he didn't want Belli; he desired gold, but it was scarce. Essentially, all the resources Teach had plundered during this time were given to Sage.
The once-fearsome pirate now toiled like a laborer.
"Lily," Sage called out, taking a piece of meat with a bone and biting into it.
Lily nodded, setting down her delicate spoon with pumpkin soup. After a moment's thought, she replied, "We need stones, wood, coal, iron ore, and people. We require all of these."
Sage's lips curved into a satisfied smile.
Grand infrastructure demanded extensive resources, and everyone on Sage's territory was already occupied. There was no surplus labor to meet these suddenly increased demands. These resources, which he had initially planned to acquire from Doffy and Old Sandy, were now readily available through a new channel.
And most importantly, people.
Lily's quick understanding of his needs impressed Sage.
The promised population from the World Government was still uncertain, and Sage couldn't rely solely on them.
Now, he had an additional option.
"Your Revolutionary Army aims to liberate nations. Those who are starving can't be helped by you. Send them to me, and I'll ensure they have food on their tables."
Sage turned to Robin and Carla, "Even those resources can be delayed. Give me people, and I'll provide everything you desire!"
Before Robin could react, Carla's eyes lit up. She stood up, her voice filled with excitement, "If we send people to you, will they live like those under your rule?"
Sage was momentarily taken aback by her sudden enthusiasm but nodded, "Of course. Everyone who comes to me and is willing to work will receive the same treatment."
He was known as the Coin Flinger! With money and resources in place, everyone could create economic value, leading to a cycle of prosperity.
Why not embrace such a mutually beneficial arrangement?
Sage chuckled, baring his white teeth. "After all... I am the State!"
(End of Chapter)
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