https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-866-On-the-Practical-Feasibility-of-Rebellion/13539912/
Chapter 865: I'm Just Practicing My Handwriting
Chapter 865: I'm Just Practicing My Handwriting
"Shelz Town is a port city under Ged Kingdom. Its specialties include apples, oranges, bananas, and fish. The land is fertile for farming, enjoys a pleasant climate, and has abundant wildlife suitable for hunting."
"Locals sustain themselves through cultivating apples, oranges, and bananas; fishing; and general farming. Few venture overseas, relying instead on merchant ships arriving to exchange their produce for currency, which they then use to purchase goods brought by these ships. This creates a self-sustaining micro-economy where survival depends on weather conditions—storms can be devastating. Education relies entirely on private tutoring, and the medical system is abysmal, with only poorly qualified doctors available. Fortunately, locals possess strong physical constitutions."
"Tax rates in Shelz Town officially stand at 40%, but tax officials arbitrarily set inflated quotas based on personal whims. Families often face demands exceeding their actual income, with the supposed 40% tax calculated against these inflated figures."
"For example, my neighbor earns around 300,000 Beri annually by selling fish. At 40%, this would amount to 120,000 Beri in taxes. This year, however, the tax official claimed his income was 500,000 Beri, forcing him to pay 200,000 Beri. Despite protests, he had no choice but to comply."
"Ged Kingdom provides no protection. Shelz Town operates autonomously, leaving residents to flee when pirates attack. The fortunate lose only their stored supplies; the unlucky lose their lives."
"I despise this system.—Lucius Kro, Marine Calendar 1499"
At this time, Kuro was three years old.
...
In Dressrosa's Palace, within a meeting hall, only three figures gathered: David, Kas, and Wilbur.
Kas and Wilbur had immediately contacted David after accepting an escort mission. David invited them to Dressrosa to discuss Justice's cause.
Other kings remained elsewhere in the palace, but this meeting was reserved for their core circle.
"Comrades!" David exclaimed, gesturing wildly. "Lord has long investigated matters of justice and peace—here's the proof! Observe: Shelz Town's civilian ecosystem mirrors the world at large, yet it suffers under even greater tyranny! This contradicts Lord's vision of peace. We must act—change must come through the peaceful means Lord cherishes!"
Kas and Wilbur sat upright, their expressions grave.
...
At G-3 Fortress, Kuro finished reading his three-year-old report and shook his head with a wry smile.
"Huh? Shelz Town's taxes are this high?" Lida asked curiously.
"When have they ever been low? Tax rates are crushing everywhere! You’ve spent your life at sea—what do you know?"
Kuro set the paper aside and rummaged through his parchments, retrieving the next one:
Ged Kingdom Preliminary Investigation Report
"Despite Ojiu Uncle's insistence, I've traveled with him enough to understand Ged Kingdom. The kingdom comprises ten islands, with the massive Ged Island as its heart. Most citizens live there, their situation mirroring Shelz Town. This reflects the entire kingdom's civilian reality."
"This is a classic feudal capitalist realm. The King monopolizes the most fertile lands and resources, while lower nobility control territories and merchant fleets, collecting taxes and produce for trade. Nobles carefully educate their own families, hoarding knowledge to maintain upper-class rule."
"A rare few benevolent nobles might reduce taxes or provide minimal medical and educational support, but most see famine as civilians' problem, leaving them to perish. Small wonder piracy thrives."
"I detest this system.—Lucius Kro, Marine Calendar 1501"
Kuro was five years old at this time.
...
"This is exactly what Lord despises!" David roared. "But we've already reformed Dressrosa—our nobility has been cleansed. The remaining aristocrats must comply with our policies, or face cleansing!"
"I agree!" Kas declared passionately. "Justice exists to protect civilians! Our enemies aren't just pirates, but all wicked forces harming civilians. No injustice will escape Justice!"
"Same here!" Wilbur bellowed, his neck reddening.
...
"Why write this? The world's always been like this", Lida asked.
"I'm practicing handwriting! See how much more elegant my script is compared to age three?"
Kuro set aside his childish five-year-old notes and resumed searching. Behind him, Klah began sweating coldly despite himself.
East Blue Preliminary Investigation Report
"Since starting cultivation, I've traveled most of East Blue. Confirming this: East Blue mirrors Ged Kingdom and Shelz Town exactly, with one crucial addition—military force."
"This world combines bloodline, military might, feudalism, and capitalism for upper-class rule. Bloodline dominates, as seen when Revolutionaries overthrew Ged Kingdom and installed a new King. While Shelz Town's official tax rate remains 40%, arbitrary assessments ended, easing civilian burdens. Yet this King's reforms max out here."
"His strength lies in gathering conscientious warriors, but even he fails to improve civilian lives beyond reducing pressure. Many nobles secretly resist him—they distrust his non-noble origins."
"Bloodline supremacy reigns. Military force and feudal capitalism intertwine. Even mighty warriors like Navy hero Garp can defy rules but not change them."
"Navy has stationed in Shelz Town—probably due to Revolutionary Army influence. But I might not need to visit other Marine branches. My hometown suffices. I'll enlist when old enough."
"Revolutionary Army? Their limitations remain—they're the old system in new skin, powerless to change anything."
"I hold them in contempt.—Lucius Kro, 1506"
Kuro was ten years old at this time.
...
"Exactly—bloodline!" David declared. "My lineage grants legitimacy dating eight centuries! Combined with military strength, I rightfully became King. Yet domestic nobility still resists me. Marrying into the Dold Family integrated their power, resolving some tensions. But they remain obstacles—stumbling blocks preventing peace and Lord's vision!"
With a loud slap, David produced a meticulously handwritten parchment.
"Lord's peaceful vision is clear! Following this document guarantees success!"
This was his most precious treasure—copied by hand when organizing Lord's belongings. Everything else could be memorized, but this he cherished more than life itself!
(End of Chapter)
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