Pirates: Building High Walls Starting from the East Blue.

Chapter 86 Encirclement

The dock belonging to the 16th branch is indeed under construction.

After Vegapunk joined, it can be said that the original plans have been gradually realized.

There are still quite a few shipwrights in the East China Sea, not to mention experienced shipwrights. He plans to have someone hold a recruitment fair in Water City later.

Although Vegapunk could be enough even without a shipwright, he has his own job. How could he be allowed to keep researching shipbuilding?

Vegapunk had already complained to him about this, saying that he was only one person and couldn't possibly do so much work!

Of course, as long as the funding is sufficient, Mr. Vegapunk is quite willing to study these trivial things in his spare time.

He also had Vegapunk take a look at the airship...

After hearing about the idea of ​​the airship, Vegapunk became quite interested, especially after taking a look at the design blueprints of Enel's Ark Maxim, which sparked countless new ideas in his mind.

After that, they ruthlessly kicked this new boss out and told him not to bother him during this time unless he had something to do.

He has a lot of new ideas he wants to realize right now and doesn't want to accept any other new ideas for the time being.

In response, Shacher could only regretfully give up on further exploiting Vegapunk.

But I have to say, Vegapunk is really useful!

I can do everything!

Although it required more funding, not a single peley was wasted; all of it was used for research.

The only regret is that there's only one left.

Of course, I believe that it won't be long before the 16th branch will be able to build its own ship!

The main tasks of the 16th Naval Branch at present include...

It will take some time to fully accept the gains from this experience, especially the various territories acquired.

The other two are expanding the number of marines and making money.

Especially making money...

The Navy's 16th Branch currently earns its income mainly from three sources: processed orange products, cosmetics, and the occasional side hustles Moke makes.

As for processed orange products, the income remains very stable, just like before.

As for cosmetics... with the passage of time, they have become increasingly popular.

To this end, Vegapunk upgraded the factory equipment and increased production, which has now become one of the important industries.

As for Moke's side hustles... the young pirates in the East Blue have been almost completely wiped out, so it's becoming increasingly difficult to make money!

Xia Che sighed in dismay.

Perhaps in the future, if I want to do side business, I'll need to open up new markets and expand into the Grand Line or the other three seas.

only.

Thinking about the situation in the Grand Line and the other three seas...

To restore the glory of the North Blue pirates?

He was afraid that Moke's arrogance would lead to his immediate death!

After briefly inspecting the training camp, shipyard, and factory, and giving Kuina some swordplay guidance, Shache returned to his office, watching Robin at work.

He picked up the black tea that Robin had poured for him with her powers as soon as he came in, took a sip, and asked, "How's the situation on the Cornish Isles?"

"It's all arranged!" Robin raised her head slightly and looked at Shacher, saying, "The Konom Islands have already sent people to manage the new islands, and as you requested, they've tried to relocate as many of the personnel brought from the member states as possible to islands near those member states."

As he spoke, he raised his head again, a graceful smile on his face, "Now I guess those kings and nobles of the member states are going to start having a headache."

……

With the conclusion of the operation to restore the glory of East Blue pirates, the East Blue has returned to calm.

only.

Although this pirate operation did not last long, its impact on the member states was still quite significant.

Especially for royalty and nobility...

They can no longer recover the treasures looted by the pirates; it can be said that they have suffered a truly devastating loss!

Therefore, in order to make up for the losses, the nobles of the constituent countries had no choice but to... increase taxes!

This is the Kingdom of Michael, a member state of the East China Sea.

"Have those filthy paupers been driven out yet?" The current King of the Kingdom of Michael, King Patton, looked at the elderly man with a gray beard before him with disdain. "Hurry up and drive those paupers away, lest they dirty my beautiful kingdom."

"They've already been driven out! King Patton." The elderly man, with a bitter expression on his face, hesitated for a moment before saying, "They...were also citizens of the Kingdom of Michael."

"What right do those who can't even pay their taxes have to be my subjects?" King Patton snorted coldly upon hearing the old man's words, then looked at him with displeasure. "Bark, are you questioning my decision as king?"

"I dare not!" Faced with the king's question, the old man called Buck quickly lowered his head and said, "Please forgive my rudeness! It's just... because of the repeated tax increases, everyone is unable to pay their taxes."

Let alone commoners, even nobles couldn't withstand such tax increases.

only.

Nobles do not have to pay taxes.

He hesitated for a moment, then looked at the obese King Paton before him, and pleaded, "The Heavenly Gold has been collected, King Paton, can we stop now? Otherwise, more and more people will become homeless!"

"Shut up! The heavenly gold is enough, but my losses aren't enough yet!" Seeing the Right Minister still daring to question his actions, King Patton seemed unwilling to let him off the hook. With a sneer, he said, "I know you've always looked down on me! You think my foolish brother is the true king of the Kingdom of Michael, and that I'm completely unqualified to be king. But I don't care! Because you're just a lowly commoner who was dragged from the filthy mud by my foolish brother. To be honest, if my foolish brother hadn't voluntarily given me his position and made me agree to keep you, I would have deposed you long ago!"

"I apologize for my rudeness just now." Hearing that King Patton still insisted on his opinion, Buck could only sigh and lower his head.

That's right, he wasn't a pure nobleman, but rather a Right Minister who was promoted by King Luce.

For this, he was also very grateful to King Luce, who was a true king who cared deeply for his people.

Unfortunately... in the end, he was driven down by all the nobles.

He originally intended to leave with King Luce, even to repay King Luce's kindness with his life.

However, King Luce eventually persuaded him to stay and watch over the Kingdom of Michael.

If even he leaves, then no one will truly care about the common people of this country anymore, and this country will truly be beyond saving.

To repay King Ruth and keep his promise to him, he secretly protected the people of the Kingdom of Michael. In the end, he endured the humiliation and stayed.

only.

As King Luce said at the time, the country was beyond saving.

Even if he stayed, it wouldn't change anything. King Patton and the nobles would just treat him as a joke, and no one would listen to his advice.

"Please forgive me, King Paton!"

"I forgive you! Buck, after all, you were a trusted minister whom my dear brother begged me to stay! Hahaha, how amusing!" King Patton's ugly face revealed a satisfied expression as he watched Buck relent. "Of course, I will show you who the true king of the Michael Kingdom is. I will make the Michael Kingdom gain the Celestial Dragons' recognition and become a country as beautiful as the Goa Kingdom!"

As he spoke, he looked coldly at Buck, who was bowing his head in pain.

"Keep raising taxes on me; my treasure trove isn't full yet!"

"?! King Patton!" Upon hearing that King Patton wanted to raise taxes again, Buck's face once more showed despair. He hurriedly pleaded again, "Your treasury is almost full! Even if you don't raise taxes, it can be done in a little while. Everyone is already out of money!"

"No money? Get out of here! The Kingdom of Michael doesn't need them. Of course, if they're willing to become slaves, I'd be happy to let their families stay here a little longer. After all, I am the benevolent King Michael! And remember, all you need to do is collect taxes for me obediently!"

"?!"

Looking at the demon-like figure before him uttering the word "mercy," Buck felt his heart swell with rage.

He really couldn't take it anymore!

He was ultimately unable to reciprocate King Luce's approval!

I apologize, King Luce!

Just as he was about to stand up and fiercely berate this foolish king...

A royal guard suddenly rushed in, shouting, "King Paton! King Paton!"

"You rude fellow!" King Patton, who was enjoying himself immensely, glared at him, "You're my guard, calm down."

Seeing that the guard had finally calmed down, he asked, "Speak, what happened? Was it those damned pirates, or those greedy marines?"

"No, no!" Upon hearing King Patton's words, the guard took a deep breath and hurriedly said nervously, "Those damned scavengers, they, they..."

"What happened? What happened to those dirty scavengers? Did they agree to become slaves?"

"No, they've left! They've left the Kingdom of Michael!"

"?!"

Upon hearing the guard's words, King Patton looked at him with a puzzled expression, and even Buck, who had been angry, looked at him with a puzzled expression.

Leaving the Kingdom of Michael?

Where else can those ordinary people go?

"You idiot, hurry up and tell me!"

"A group of people came to the Kingdom of Michael to recruit workers, and all the scavengers went with them," the guard quickly added, noticing King Patton's displeasure. "Even many commoners from within the kingdom went!"

"Recruiting workers? Damn it, they actually come to my kingdom to recruit workers?" King Patton stood up in displeasure. "And those stupid commoners, don't they know they are commoners of the Kingdom of Michael? How dare they follow me? Have the kingdom's guards drive those guys away."

"They won't leave! And it's King Luce who's here!"

"?!"

King Luce has returned?

Before Buck, who was standing to the side looking anxious, could ask anything...

"Rouss? Wasn't that guy captured by pirates and enslaved? Even if it is him, so what? Get him out of here! No! Seize him!" Hearing that familiar name, King Patton's face twisted into a sinister grin. "I'll give my foolish brother a good welcome!"

"No, we can't catch them!"

"Can't catch him? Damn it, you're not planning to bring back my stupid brother to be king, are you?!"

"No, I am loyal to you, King Patton, but..." The guard said with a bitter expression, "Ruth... that guy is now working for one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. As long as the Seven Warlords don't plunder the member states, the member states can't do anything to him, not even the Navy can do anything to him."

As he spoke, he sighed again, looking at the stunned King Patton with mixed feelings.

"King Patton, many commoners in the capital have already left with that guy. They heard that there were jobs there with wages and that they wouldn't have to go hungry anymore, so they all ran out."

"Damn it, is Luce planning to destroy Michael's kingdom?" Hearing the guard's words, King Patton snapped out of his daze, glared at Buck, and angrily said, "Stop them right now! Don't let anyone leave! Tell those guys that if they agree to become slaves, I can free them... no, I, the merciful King Patton, can let their families stay in the country for another year! Now!"

"Yes!" Buck, regaining his senses, glanced at him and said without hesitation, "I'll go right now!"

The words were spoken.

Before King Patton could say anything more, Buck had already rushed out.

Even King Patton, who witnessed this scene, was somewhat surprised, but quickly nodded in satisfaction, "Although this fellow is a commoner, he is still loyal to the Kingdom of Michael."

however.

Not long after.

Another guard rushed in, frantically saying, "King Patton, King Patton, Lord Buck... that guy rushed out of the city and went straight to join Roos, and that guy, that guy... he even took all the civilians of the town with him!"

"?!"

(End of this chapter)