Chapter 432: The More People, the Less People
Chapter 432: The More People, the Less People
The population transportation project was in full swing, and Sage took the opportunity to initiate infrastructure development.
As for how...
In the center of Storm City, a new high-rise building was constructed and officially opened for business.
"Catastrophe Bank is now open!"
Renetia, temporarily acting as the poster girl, held up a sign and shouted to the passersby:
"The bank opened by your Lord and my Captain is now open for business! Deposit now, and not only will you enjoy an annual interest rate of 3%, but you'll also receive free oil, rice, and weapons!"
"Deposit 300,000 belli or more and receive free oil and rice. Deposit 1,000,000 belli or more and receive high-quality oil and rice every year! Deposit 5,000,000 belli and get a specially crafted commemorative weapon as a gift!"
Beside her, a group of well-dressed maids smiled and displayed the oil, rice, and gold-plated firearms.
The construction of the high-rise had started early, under the personal supervision of Hawkins. Everyone worked swiftly, and a six-story building was erected to serve as a temporary bank.
It was impossible to build too high at the moment because Sage needed to use it immediately, and a skyscraper was not feasible yet.
But six stories were more than enough.
Renetia didn't even need to promote it; if necessary, Sage would force people to save, but it hadn't come to that yet. At least for now, the promotion was quite effective.
There was no need for introductions; upon hearing that the Lord had established a business, everyone rushed over. And when they learned it was similar to an exchange office, they remembered that such a place had existed when this city was still called Gareth.
But it had nothing to do with them; it was a place for the noble lords and merchants to play with. Who would have thought that they would also get involved in this?
Some people who knew the inside story understood what an exchange office was—there was no interest, and a management fee was charged, with the money used for business ventures.
But the Lord's bank was different.
He actually gave out money!
Everyone knew how wealthy the Lord was!
With a little thought, they realized that Lord Sage was offering another benefit, and they immediately rushed home to retrieve their savings to deposit here.
After working for over a year, everyone had some savings—some had 200,000 to 300,000 belli, while others had over a million. After all, living expenses didn't cost much.
It was better to deposit the money in the bank than to keep it at home unused, where it would be as good as waste paper.
One million belli deposited in the bank would earn 30,000 belli in interest in a year. According to the tax rate, there were people within Orlara's borders earning a monthly salary of less than 50,000 belli, and the average was around 30,000 belli. These people paid the least in taxes but were also the laziest and worked in the simplest industries.
Depositing a million belli for a year was equivalent to a month's salary for such people. Why not deposit it? Besides, they were offering free oil and rice; it would be foolish not to take advantage of this!
The scene quickly became chaotic as people rushed home to get their money and lined up to enter the bank.
"Line up! Everyone, line up! You there, stop pushing!"
Renetia threw down her sign, pulled out a hammer, and shouted at the disorganized crowd: "Dare to rush in front of me? Are you monkeys?! Where's the discipline of being under Lord Sage? Don't embarrass yourselves! Line up, and anyone who cuts in line will get a hammer to the head!"
...
"See, it's that simple."
On the palace balcony, Sage put down his telescope and smiled at Lily, who was standing by his side. "Getting them to deposit money isn't that difficult. I'm going to connect with Doffy and Old Sandy to secure a large number of resources soon."
World Government and Revolutionary Army ships arrived one after another, bringing in a significant population. Although the Revolutionary Army had fewer people, they were stable, and as long as there were continuous transactions, there would be a constant influx of immigrants.
Despite the World Government initially sending many ships, their frequency has recently decreased.
It's estimated that they'll soon halt the trade, and the total number of people they can provide won't be significant. "Based on the current rate of decline, the World Government can only bring us around three hundred thousand people. Of the initial one hundred thousand, a third stayed in Orlara to fill the gap, and the rest were distributed to various satellite islands."
"The Revolution Army has very few people. If we calculate every half a month, they can only bring a thousand, sometimes only a few hundred," Lily said.
The vast ocean is typically sparsely populated, so if they want more people, they'll have to slowly accumulate them.
This has little to do with birth rates; it's mainly because the ocean is vast and dangerous.
"This can't be achieved overnight. The supply chain is never-ending, and the more people, the more demand. The more demand, the more industries, and the more industries, the more business expansion. Once you expand, you'll need more people. So, the more people, the less people," Sage said with a laugh.
Lily: "..."
What are you talking about?!
"Let's start with what I want."
Sage's approach is inherently expansionist, but he doesn't worry because the business he currently occupies is still minimal.
At most, he controls 20% of the world's weapons and shipbuilding, and the rest remains unknown.
He's confident he can accommodate many more people.
For now, slow development is sufficient.
Sage handed the telescope to Lily and turned towards the hall. In the inner hall on the third floor of the palace, a farmer with a moon-shaped head knelt on the ground, his head lowered, motionless.
Sage sat on the throne in the inner hall, stroking the armrest and glancing at him again, "Akahiro."
"Your Excellency, my name is Koutarou, not Akahiro," the moon-headed man raised his head, revealing a relatively young face.
This man was sent by the Revolution Army. Among those dressed in shirts and trousers, his distinct Wano Country attire caught Sage's attention.
Wano Country is isolated, and there aren't many who have lived abroad.
Sage wouldn't have noticed this man otherwise, as there are too many people, and who has the time to care? His schedule for banquets and fishing trips is already full.
However, this man chose the right opportunity, a twist of fate. When Sage happened to pass by the port, the ship carrying Koutarou docked, and he caught Sage's attention with a sliding kneel.
Well, he's not exactly a Wano Country native.
Moreover, he's a descendant of a Wano Country native who fled twenty years ago, with an experience similar to Faust's. Both were raised overseas but, due to their education, still retain some Wano Country customs.
Sage didn't believe he was a mere commoner with such customs, but it didn't matter.
There was only one reason for calling him.
"Can you forge weapons?" Sage asked. "I thought you'd be selling fish."
"Your Excellency, I also have some knowledge of selling fish. After all, with limited resources, I can only make a living by fishing. But I can forge weapons and craft fine armor!" Koutarou said solemnly. "I have great confidence in my skills. If Your Excellency wishes to employ me, I only ask for one condition. I will gladly serve as your vassal, generation after generation, never betraying you!"
"Tell me," Sage said.
Koutarou's expression turned serious, his eyes filled with hatred. "Revenge against Wano Country!" he said word for word.
(End of Chapter)
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