"We allow anyone to come here and set up industries. All business taxes are collected at 40%, and personal taxes follow existing rules. However, there is a condition: if you invest in industries here, ownership belongs to Sage. When he requires it, you must serve Sage. Besides that, we have no other requirements."
Lily said, "In return, we will provide protection. As long as Sage rules here, you will have a safe environment and won't be disturbed by anyone."
"Any kind of industry can be set up?" The merchant's eyes sparkled.
"No hazardous goods that can harm people," Lily said. "Other than that, anything is allowed, but you mustn't cut corners. There are some rules you should understand."
"Yes, I understand!" The merchant nodded vigorously.
Anything can be set up!
Only a 40% tax!
So low it's laughable!
On the high seas, in some kingdoms only nobles are eligible to set up factories, and even if they obtain the qualification by luck, the taxes are extremely heavy, barely earning any profit.
As for the Four Emperors... they're not even as good as those kingdoms.
These Pirate Emperors simply occupy territory to do as they please.
'Hundred Beasts' wants slaves, not merchants. They typically capture people for labor, or command local territories to do things regardless of the consequences, suppressing disobedience.
'Big Mom' only collects souls. Although the territories are merely required to provide sweets, failure to deliver on time results in destruction.
'Red Hair' doesn't care about anything, just sticks a flag and collects protection fees. He seems to have developed territories to resist other pirates rather than for himself, so territories remain unchanged like other countries and islands.
As for Whitebeard...
Whitebeard has fallen!
Unlike here, where setting up factories is allowed regardless of status, with only small taxes and loyalty... loyalty on the high seas is commonplace, isn't it?
Is this even piracy...
This is the savior!
"No wonder he's the master who defeated the Heavenly Celestial Dragon!"
The merchant raised his hands, excited: "I have no issues, and will absolutely follow Master Sage's words. I'll go wherever I'm told, do whatever I'm instructed! I want to become a citizen under the Scourge's command right now, how much money should I pay?"
Lily, overwhelmed by the merchant's fervor, instinctively took a step back. After a moment of daze, she said, "No payment needed, just abide by the rules."
"How can this be, let's do it this way: the goods on this ship, I'll provide them to you for free as a gift to Master Sage!"
The merchant waved his hand decisively, instructing his followers to unload goods from the ship's hold, ignoring their status as a Great Pirate, and walked into the city without another word.
Leaving Lily there, bewildered...
She tilted her head, her previously serious and stern face now appearing somewhat adorable.
Her mind couldn't quite grasp this; shouldn't it be reluctantly agreeing, or avoiding as if tigers and scorpions? Why so excited?
She couldn't understand. Even she couldn't quite understand.
Although she knew how taxes should be collected and rules enforced, business wasn't her forte.
"Lady Lily! Master Gin!"
A voice called from the harbor, and Lily turned to look, a smile appearing. "Sayou, Lina, and Robby."
Descended from a ship marked with the Donflamingo Clan's insignia were the two sisters capable of producing Rainbow Gems, previously taken to Dressrosa, and the miners from Columbus Island.
With Sage owning territory, he naturally phoned Doflamingo to have them sent over.
Sayou, the steadier one, introduced the people behind, with a look of dread on their faces. "We brought our townsfolk over."
Besides the two sisters, they packed up and brought everyone from the village, including their father who had disappeared for several years and suddenly reappeared after their return.
"I came to pick you up. Don't worry, you'll settle here, and Sage will soon assign appropriate work to you."
Lily said, "Let's go, find a place to settle you."
After settling the people in the city, Lily went to the Royal Palace to report to Sage.
In the palace dining room, Sage sat at the head of the long table, waiting for the female pirates to feed him, with the table filled with rare delicacies personally made by Marika.
Standing beside him was Bella, holding a bottle of expensive wine, waiting to refill his gemstone wine glass once empty.
In front of the dining room were Pasia dancing and musician Byron playing music.
"Master Sage, ah~"
The shapely female pirate twirled noodles with meat sauce on a fork, supporting it with her other hand, feeding Sage.
Sage took a bite, then grabbed a perfectly roasted two-and-a-half-year-old white-feathered chicken, chewing it with the bones, swallowing it down, and picking up the gemstone wine glass, guzzling down the wine before placing the glass aside for Bella to refill.
"Me too, me too!"
Renedria, eating and tapping the table.
"Kids don't drink wine, drink juice instead, it's sweet."
Sage rolled his eyes and asked, "How's Lily's sword going?"
"Can't find a swordsmith, no leads yet. I'm lacking certain skills, this is different from making machines or ships."