"Don't they know who the source is? You surely don't think everything will be fine without evidence, do you?"
Upon hearing this, Lily shook her head. She was not that naive.
It's not just pirates who don't care about evidence; any existence that operates as an organization in this world doesn't care about evidence.
Organizations in the black market, the World Government's organizations, or the organizations of various kingdoms.
As long as they've decided it's you, that's enough.
More important than evidence is the power to enforce punishment.
"Selling weapons is one thing, but if it goes on too long, it might backfire. My goal is to do bigger business, not to be at odds with the whole world; at least for now, there's no such plan."
Sage chuckled: "In the end, it's all business, what kind of business can't be done? They want territory, I want population and resources, it perfectly serves both purposes. Once the deeds are done, those folks might even speak well of me. Why? Because I can bring profits!"
When the territory cannot be directly brought under one's control, to do long-term business, of course, one must give those people benefits, otherwise, the business won't last.
But to let Sage himself send out benefits, he doesn't want to do it.
However, this kind of mutually beneficial way does have some merit.
"Send the Fur Race and Fishman Race over."
Sage thought for a moment, setting the tone, "One is a combat nation by nature, naturally suited for fighting; the other can dive underwater freely. Just right for deployment around the world when there's nothing going on in the current New World."
"Clearing the islands naturally requires rewards; let Link and the newcomer calculate the pricing of this part. The money earned, except for that of the Fur Race and Fishman Race themselves, all should be used to buy resources. Don't touch the industries of those countries, let them handle them themselves, but control the supply chain to ensure resources flow to us."
"No matter how big the territory, without people, it's all empty talk. Unfortunately, many don't realize this point. Those folks, all they want is privileges; for the things we can't handle for now, let them continue with their ways. Anyway, they've always done things like that." Sage's lips curled.
Lily didn't say anything, just nodded calmly.
She understood.
For a kingdom to prosper, there must be a period like this.
Either exploit internally or externally.
But exploitation is exploitation, oppression is oppression.
Even if Sage didn't personally create the prosperity of O'hara but acted like an ordinary pirate, his character would never let others starve, working a lifetime without reaping any reward.
But those people would.
Lily's silence was due to the eventual good outcome.
West Sea and North Sea have already proven that as long as information and channels are open, those oppressed people, upon hearing O'hara's news, as long as there is a corresponding channel, everyone would be willing to come to O'hara to have a look.
This is also a way to indirectly absorb population.
This particular approach worked well in Alabasta; they have some industries in Alabasta, as their own-controlled industries, the prices they offer are enough for the locals in Alabasta to eat and save up, even so, once O'hara's information spreads, people still flock there.
As for those oppressed by so-called 'important citizens', they would come even faster.
Before they arrive, being very useful 'important labor force' for the local nobles, and free labor, they transform their plight to gain extremely cheap resources that benefit O'hara, enhancing O'hara's prosperity.
And this prosperity, after their arrival, becomes something they can also enjoy.
These are the inevitable costs, undeniable costs.
Sage saw Lily's ambiguous expression and waved his hand: "Prepare well, it's getting late."
"Understood."
Lily opened her mouth, hesitated to speak, and then backed down.
After watching Lily leave and the captain's room door close, he smiled: "Reflect, Lily... One day, you yourself can come to realize. Gradually, you'll discover the essence of the world; once you understand, then your dream will be realized, and as for whether that world exists or not, it depends on whether the will you've come to understand can be passed on."
To make the world no longer suffer exploitation...
Sage has a way!
But he can't do it!
He's not a pure businessman who can sell the gallows to enemies for profit.
He's a landlord who only ensures his absolute rule.
Thankfully, he only guarantees himself, without considering future generations.
No nation lasts forever; even if one tries to control everything, eliminate instability, even prohibits technological growth, letting the sea remain a contradiction between primitive and future, such a World Government ultimately can't bear it and shows decline.
Sage always knew there's no eternal prosperity, so he's always demanded of himself, satisfied by his desires.
Besides ruling everything, living lavishly, and enjoying prosperity, his desires aren't limited to just these.
To personally pull out the identity of 'ultimate producer' and extract the 'proletariat' within is also his desire.
"World..."
Sage gazed at his hand for a while, then turned towards the still steaming cup of white water, picked it up, and drank it all, laughing: "First tremble under my rule. After I die, whatever it is becomes fun for me. If that can be born, it won't be a wasted trip for me."
Whether it can be done, that's the matter for future generations, but Sage doesn't mind creating the conditions for it.
His expectations for Lily have always been high.
Whether it's her strength or her mindset.
But the premise is she has to come to understand herself; if that's the case, then when he's done ruling O'hara, this place can become the breeding ground for such a thing, no matter the perspective, it can be considered the liberation of the world.
"The false Sun God only laughs heartily."
Sage laughed for a while, saying: "The real Sun God, that shines light in darkness, illuminating the whole world. Let that kid cause trouble, the bigger the mess, the more fun it is to watch."
Straw Hat started from Elbaf, and the direction seemed to be the Red Earth Continent again. Though it's unclear what he intends to do, this spectacle shouldn't be small.
And the Revolutionary Army, under his 'aid', its offensive is now very fierce.
A bustling world...
Exactly meets Sage's expectations.
"All will be mine!"
Sage clenched his outstretched hand tightly, emitting twisted vibrating white light, grinning: "Everything and everything will ultimately be under my control! When my business spreads across the world, whether Belly is waste paper or not, is for me to decide. Whether the World Government can truly unite the world or is just a small thing settled on the Red Earth Continent... is also for me to decide!"
In the plan, not a single island was spared from destruction by Sage, whether they were islands with decent technology levels, islands with excellent military forces, or islands rich in resources, they were all erased from the sea under his vibrations.
Continuous news broadcasts also pacified those restless allies who began plotting against the disasters, especially when rumors circulated in secret that they could gain a blank territory through paying money and resource delivery; those pirates, who had seized people at the behest of the disasters, were glamorously overlooked by the allies.
It's just a loss of some people, which doesn't matter at all to them; the important thing is to take advantage of the opportunity now to expand territory.
As long as the disaster strikes, if there are no people, they can gain new territory, and as for whether the World Government will inquire...
That's a matter for later.
What's eaten is real.
At the same time, a new message spread worldwide through the newsprints.
Straw Hat has returned to East Sea, and set sail again!