Sage never worries about the problem of wealthy people becoming too powerful, nor does he use what others perceive as 'oppression' to deal with the populace within his territory.
The main reason is precisely what he mentioned.
He is equivalent to the state.
Why do similar things like oppression and exploitation occur?
It's because those people lack sufficient power, whether nobility or kings, they cannot fully control their territory.
So with their limited power, all they can do is find ways to squeeze people to achieve immediate cash flow.
As for what happens to the people below them...
It's none of their concern, at most they might just make the people suffer a bit more!
No, that's already relatively good; in fact, many don't even bother with such pretenses.
Because of insufficient power, an improved standard of living for the people below means their own living standards drop.
When the people earn money, they lose money; the amount of money within that limited power is also limited.
Sage is different.
From the beginning, he was decisive in giving money.
When he first started out pillaging, he dared to give people half, not just because this was his nature, but also because he believed the money was never his to begin with.
It was all blown in by the wind.
The people below risk their lives pillaging, while he just fights a couple of battles; it's easy money, being generous can boost his subordinates' morale.
Even now, there are many subordinates gearing up to find targets for plundering.
When the standards differ, the rules set will also differ.
Sage's ultimate goal was never about plundering, right from the start.
He can give to his subordinates, so he can also give to the people under his rule, because he never feels like his assets have decreased.
In Sage's eyes, an improved standard of living for the people is also a form of prosperity, also a form of asset.
If the situation allowed, if the resources were ample, he would wish to directly raise salaries, so everyone could pay more taxes.
But current resources can only reach a limit, Sage doesn't have unlimited resources either.
No matter how you look at it, as long as everything within the territory belongs to him, there's no discrepancy, no situation of having less because someone else has more.
As for those merchants complaining about earning less...
No worries, as long as they aren't worried about losing their lives.
As the ruler, his power is limitless!
As long as there are people coming in, greater vitality can be sparked, now is a time of growth, there's no issue of unemployment, once the standards are set, it's no longer about Sage's willingness to pay.
Once standards are set, those merchants with businesses will spontaneously offer generous rewards.
Sage hasn't done anything, just freeloading off this surging prosperity.
He won't let the people within his territory fall into a saturation point, if nothing else works...they can still go out and pillage.
"It's up to you."
Sage waved his hand, speaking to Robin and Koala:
"When necessary, you can have your leader call me, I can always prepare resources here, as long as you bring what I need."
"Disaster...No, Norton Sage."
Koala paused, suddenly asking: "I am curious, what do you think of our Revolutionary Army?"
"What do I think? Just watch."
Sage chuckled: "I'm just a pirate, what more can I think of you, hmm...for the World Government, you only became a threat in recent years, right."
In this aspect his memory is somewhat vague, but he vaguely remembers the Revolutionary Army has existed for a long time, yet really becoming a threat seems to have only happened in the past few years.
He picked up a lobster, removing the head, and chewed it together with the shell, saying: "Overall, keep up the good work."
"Hey, what's with that senior tone of yours? You're a pirate!" Koala said in confusion.
Sage seemed to show no resistance, but this tone...feels similar to when Dorag encourages her.
Sage smiled without speaking.
Regarding the Revolutionary Army...
Although he is unclear about their development process, he knows about what they're up to in the world, given they're all in the same ocean.
These folks aim to defeat the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, right, not to overthrow the World Government, but to defeat the Heavenly Celestial Dragons.
For those citizens who can't live in allied countries, the Revolutionary Army has finally seized an opportunity to incite rebellion and achieve ultimate victory, but after victory...
They replace the king and have that king treat the people better, and stop paying the Heavenly Tribute for the Celestial Dragons.
Hmm, that's how it is.
Honestly, upon hearing about their actions, Sage's first reaction was to laugh, the second, was neutral encouragement.
To say they're competent...their actions are too abstract.
To say they're incompetent...they are the first to openly raise the flag of resistance against the Celestial Dragons.
Their starting point is certainly good, and it's understandable given the limitations of the era to achieve this much.
After all, this isn't an era of knowledge explosion and unlimited information access.
And Sage, wouldn't comment on this matter.
This person, even after all these years, some things etched in his bones have almost turned into instincts.
But those things, are harmful and not beneficial to him.
So sometimes, he chooses not to remind himself of what kind of lessons he has endured before, what kind of information and knowledge he has received.
After all, based on his actions now, he is almost running counter to that set of things.
"As long as we can come to an agreement."
Robin smiled: "I initially thought it'd be quite difficult, Sage, it seems you bear no ill will towards the Revolutionary Army."
"I'm a pirate, I have no ill will towards anything, just focused on benefits, even with the Navy, if the terms are right, I can cooperate."
Sage drank a glass of wine, laughing: "Who said we are chaotic fellows!"
The Navy views all pirates as enemies, but pirates don't see it that way, within this community, only actions related to interests matter, those blocking the way are the enemies.
Otherwise, why do those pirates who can easily defeat the Navy run away when encountering warships?
Because it's not worth it...
When the meal was mostly eaten, seeing everyone stopped, Sage then took a napkin to wipe his mouth, not waiting for anyone to take it away, continuing:
"Anyway, let's set it like this for now, someone will follow up on the details with you. Lily, bring them up."
Lily nodded, picked up the Radio Snail and dialed the number, saying: "Bring them over."
Soon, Las and a few Demon Race members entered the banquet hall, escorting a merchant-dressed man.
The man was dressed in a mink coat, adorned with shining jewels, but his face was covered with injuries, seemingly harmed on his way here.
Upon entering the banquet hall, he collapsed to his knees with a thud, his body seemingly weak and sickly pale, stammering:
"Sir, sir, I..."
Sage gazed forward, under his piercing stare, this man couldn't even complete his sentence.
"Andre..."
Sage put down the napkin, shaking his head: "You were the first merchant to pledge allegiance to me, I gave you many conveniences, allowed you to establish many industries... I had high hopes for you, is this how you repay me?"
Andre, was initially the first merchant to pledge allegiance and the first to become a collaborator.
"Sir! Spare me something, spare me! I just, I was unclear at the time, next time I definitely won't do it, sir, in light of all I've done for you, spare me!"
"Do things for me? How much have you done for me?"
Sage sneered: "You open factories, and you didn't make money? I let you undertake island industries, and you didn't profit? What do you mean by working for me? You think you're serving me? Don't joke, people of your status aren't qualified to talk loyalty with me, just follow the rules!"
"I gave you so many conveniences, including mixing in a lot within the island industries, and yet this is how you repay me? You hindered my tax collection you know! You obstructed my plans! Lily, tell him!"
"Yes."
Lily said: "Two months ago, although Wakanogres' tax revenue didn't fluctuate, the price of raw materials decreased, following this line of inquiry, we found you were withholding workers' wages, misreporting your income, and colluding with local leaders, spreading false orders from higher-ups."
"The embezzled money, you profited from, and even purchased new property in the West Sea, thinking no one would notice..."
Lily stood up, pressing down on the hilt of her sword, looking coldly down on this first merchant to pledge allegiance, "You've destroyed our Disaster Pirates' rule, traditionally, this is betrayal."
Merchants and pirates are no different, both prioritize interests.
Some things are bound to happen.
What Sage can do is to use absolute force to deal with these individuals.