https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-618-Mutual-Threats-A-Future-Together/13150824/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-620-After-My-Death-Let-the-Floods-Come-/13150826/
Chapter 619: Good doesn't necessarily mean better, but it's definitely not bad!
Chapter 619: Good doesn't necessarily mean better, but it's definitely not bad!
Nuclear Deterrence, now that it's out there, it's something that must be possessed.
Sagel has no idea about the future development of the world, but according to the current situation, holding onto a doomsday weapon is absolutely the right move.
Sagel's words caused several of his clones to fall silent, and then Sakya, representing 'Justice', was the first to acknowledge his words.
"Relying solely on ideals cannot change the world. Without strength, you'll be at the mercy of others. If it's for peace, then strength is indispensable."
Sakya looked at Sagel, "However, we don't want to work for chaotic pirates. We were prepared to sacrifice ourselves. The rumors say you're different, but we still need to see for ourselves."
"It doesn't matter."
Sagel confidently said, "Rumors are just rumors. Seeing it with our own eyes will give us a better understanding. After you've seen it, you'll definitely stay."
He was absolutely confident in this regard.
The number of towns he had conquered was countless, and none of those bustling places could compare to the prosperity under his rule. Moreover, the people living there were guaranteed to have enough food to eat.
...
Ohara.
As the morning mist had yet to dissipate, the deepwater port of Ohara had already awakened like a giant beast.
As the junction of two landmasses and the only transportation hub on this route, the ocean current between the two continents was not a shallow sea but a very standard deep-water port.
As soon as dawn broke, the port became bustling with activity.
Neutral merchant ships unaffiliated with the Apocalypse Pirates and wandering pirate ships flying the black flag in the outer sea were all itching for a fight, but as soon as they entered Ohara's territorial waters, they immediately ceased fire.
A merchant standing on the side of the ship looked down at the small pirate ship rushing over and at the captain on the deck, who was gritting his teeth in anger. He struck a pose, showing off his prowess.
You dare to attack me in the inner sea?
At worst, he'd lose a shipload of goods. When it came to compensation, this pirate ship would be more than enough to cover the damages.
If all else failed, there were still some captives. Ohara prohibited slavery but not punishment. If they broke the rules of the Apocalypse Pirates and didn't have enough to compensate, they would be taken away for forced labor reform. Moreover, they would receive an advance on their compensation as 'victims.'
In one word, they would never let those who came to trade suffer a loss!
However, the risk was also significant. Once they were attacked outside the inner sea, even if it was just a little, they would have to accept their fate.
But now that they had entered, it meant that their goods could be sold here, and then they could buy a batch of valuable goods and leave, making a profit.
Although the first half of the New World was nominally under the Apocalypse Pirates, there were still many kingdoms, as well as affiliated nations that had not yet been conquered. These kingdoms were also preparing for war, and their demand for supplies was increasing massively.
On the other hand, it was beneficial for Sagel and the merchants within the kingdom's territory, and even some nobles.
Preparing for war requires weapons, right?
In the New World, if you want weapons, you either make them yourself or buy them from the Apocalypse Pirates. Making them yourself requires manpower, which means fewer people to farm. Buying them requires a lot of money.
Whether buying supplies or weapons, they had to get them from the Apocalypse Pirates, especially since the weapons sold by the Apocalypse Pirates were of excellent quality. More people were willing to buy weapons from them, and they could also purchase the local specialties, as well as sell the minerals, food, and salt mined in their country, allowing the nobles and merchants acting as their middlemen to profit.
As for the nations, what nations did the merchants have?
Some merchants had already set up businesses in Ohara, waiting for the king to set foot on shore and become citizens of Ohara.
The business environment in Ohara was so good that the merchants wished they could enshrine Sagel in a statue.
As for those foolish nobles, no one paid them any mind.
The entire Ohara port had been bustling with activity since dawn, with numerous ships docked at the port lowering their gangways and unloading cargo to the port market, while civilian merchants waited to assess the goods.
The only building in Ohara that was slightly shorter than the royal palace housed offices of merchants from all over, as Sagel had allowed them to freely conduct business in all industries except for the core ones. The vitality that emerged was incredible.
Merchants from various islands registered companies here, dispatched staff, and even sent deputies to wait at the port for other merchants to come and trade.
Among them was even a fishman.
A fishman with a monocle and dressed like a gentleman opened a box, glanced at the lead bullets inside, and shook his head. "We don't accept these."
Then, he opened the box next to it filled with iron ore, "This one is fine. Seeing that you have a large quantity, I'll give you 12,000 berries per ton."
"Why aren't you buying these lead bullets? They're weapons!"
The trader, seemingly from a frigid island and dressed in a fur coat, protested, "Don't pirates need ammunition too? You can never have too much of this stuff! And the price of iron ore is too low. We're in a time of war! The World Government is fighting the Revolutionary Army; it should be at least 20,000 Berries per ton!"
"Are you new here?"
The fishman with cartilaginous bones sized up the trader and replied, "Who doesn't know that Lord Sagel is the biggest arms dealer? We don't lack raw materials. Everyone knows that after taking over Wano, iron ore has become dirt cheap."
The prices in the vast ocean vary, especially in the Grand Line, where they differ from place to place.
Take iron ore, for example. The most common iron ore, not refined iron, is priced between 8,000 and 12,000 Berries per ton in the Grand Line. Recently, due to the war, prices have risen, and it can be sold for over 20,000 Berries.
Refined iron can fetch over 30,000 Berries per ton in the Grand Line, but during wartime, it can go up to 80,000 Berries and more.
Kid previously stole Big Mom's ship, which had 200 tons of refined iron and 50 sets of cannons, valued at only 80 million Berries.
This is still due to the circumstances of the New World; in other places, it might be cheaper.
But regardless of the price, the prerequisite is to find a buyer.
Someone needs to purchase this stuff and forge it, right? Small quantities are manageable, as there are always artisans. But for large-scale acquisitions, aside from the World Government, only Ohara remains.
Although they don't know the details, there are rumors that the World Government is also placing orders with them, indicating a production shortage.
Currently, it's a pure seller's market; they can set the price as they please.
Even though Wano has been dismantled, its iron ore was previously exported in large quantities. Before its isolationist policies, the iron ore was even cheaper, as low as 800 Berries per ton.
You heard that right—800 Berries!
Refined iron, when converted to gold coins, is only 5,000 Berries! Although the price changed after Lord Sagel took over, it indirectly proves that Wano has abundant reserves, and they have never lacked raw materials.
Who would buy finished lead bullets made from raw materials?
They export finished products! As for the profit from raw materials, Lord Sagel's official purchase price is 15,000 Berries per ton. After buying from him, civilian traders merely resell them and pay taxes.
As for neutral traders...
"Lord Sagel's purchase price is 15,000 Berries. "Why don't you switch and join us in Ohara? Bring out your country's compass."
The fishman trader smiled at him and said, "It's the same with others; this price is set by our self-formed merchant guild. It's the same everywhere; you won't find a higher price."
To receive the same treatment as these people, one must surrender.
This fishman wasn't afraid to mention the official purchase price, but to sell at this price, one must be a native trader.
"12,000 Berries is fine!"
The trader clenched his teeth and said, "You really won't buy the lead bullets? I went through a lot of trouble to get these. I'll even sell them cheaply!"
Aside from here, there aren't many places to sell. Currently, the black market price is high, especially during the war. Lead bullets can fetch 2,000 Berries per round on the black market.
Compared to raw materials, the price of finished products is indeed very high. Normally, they are priced between 300 and 500 Berries per round.
Arms, even just ammunition, can never be cheap, not even for a few dozen Berries.
Now, in a time of war, prices have soared to levels comparable to the Summit War. But he couldn't sell them.
With such high prices, there's an inherent risk—the vast ocean itself is the biggest risk. If they get robbed, they'd be left with not a penny.
"That's cheap."
The fishman with cartilaginous bones thought for a moment and said, "How about this—just this box."
"Two thousand rounds!"
Lord Sag had his own streamlined assembly line factory. Our lead bullets only cost fifty Berries to produce. I'm giving you thirty, that's more than generous. I have to pay taxes too, do you think it's cheap? I think it's a bargain!"
Indeed, the production cost of lead bullets was relatively inexpensive. Arms dealers sold them for three to five hundred, but on the black market, they were even cheaper during normal times.
The Navy's G-5 Branch had done this before. The wholesale price from the arsenal was two hundred Berries per bullet.
However, with the Donquixote family's downfall, that business was no longer an option. Now, they could only turn to the fishmen.
With the most streamlined costs, Sag made a fortune in the arms trade.
"You despicable human!"
"Watch your mouth."
As the merchant's face turned red with anger, about to curse, the cartilage fishman clenched his five fingers, making a cracking sound. He spoke in a cold voice, "Crushing you, a mere human, is no different from squashing a bug. Racial discrimination is outdated, especially here in Ohara! You, an outsider from the outer seas, are you here to cause trouble in our Ohara?"
"I..."
The merchant swallowed his words, hesitating for a moment before saying, "I..."
"Don't reject us so quickly. We have another proposal."
The cartilage fishman waved his hand, and a chamber of commerce subordinate walked over, holding a pearl coral. "Business has many forms. This is a gift for you, a rare pearl coral from the South Sea."
"The purpose is simple. As you know, the first half of the New World will eventually belong to our lord. It's just a matter of time, maybe a few years, maybe a decade, or maybe just a few months. If you don't want to join us, we can still cooperate."
"Cooperation?" The merchant was taken aback. "What do you want to do?"
"What are the specialties of your country?" The cartilage fishman asked. "We don't need your pointers or coordinates, just an answer to this question."
"Lead and iron ore," the merchant replied.
"We can't set up a production line, but we can acquire the raw materials. As a merchant, don't you want to break free from the oppression of the nobility and engage in free trade? All you need to do is pay taxes."
"I don't care how you obtain the materials, whether it's through slave labor or forced labor. As long as you bring us the raw materials, we'll give you an additional 10% rebate. That's your money, and we can even provide you with a bank to store it. Even if you die, your family can use it."
"Think about it carefully. Earning a lot of money and becoming a free person here is much better than working yourself to death and being undercut by us or oppressed by your master, right?"
The cartilage fishman's words were tempting, leaving the merchant silent.
Perhaps it was a good idea.
Their conversation was overheard by a man in the port crowd, wearing a long coat and a helmet, listening intently.
It was Sakya.
They had returned to Ohara several days ago.
For the past few days, they had done nothing but wander around the city of Ohara, admiring its unique vitality, unlike any other city.
The port was vibrant, and the city even more so. Not only did various races live together harmoniously, but the city also incorporated architectural styles from multiple races, revealing a distinct charm as it expanded.
Although Wano Country had been destroyed, its architectural style remained, blending Wano's traditional eaves with modern streamlined shop designs.
Video recordings of screen idols were projected by Den Den Mushi onto the square's electronic screens, while an octopus fishman, with six arms, simultaneously grilled fifty octopus balls at his stall.
Even giants could be seen walking around, and the locals were unfazed, even greeting them.
What was on display here was equality among all races, except for those under Lord Sag. Everyone was free to choose their work, earning substantial salaries, and had time to live their own lives.
Peaceful and beautiful.
But there was also darkness, like now.
Ohara's vitality was built on the exploitation of others.
Lord Sag introduced the current rules of Ohara without reservation, making it clear to these geniuses that their success was due to the intense compression of raw materials, high-value exports, and the exploitation of those outside their territory.
It was a good system, but it had its drawbacks.
However, compared to other places, these drawbacks were almost non-existent!
Ohara's lower limit was almost everyone else's upper limit!
(End of Chapter)
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