There was once a saying that the hymn of humanity is the hymn of courage.
Sage now wants to say, human prosperity is his prosperity!
Because he's the big landowner.
"First, open a bank, let them deposit their money; once enough funds are accumulated, we begin large-scale infrastructure projects. Build railways, manufacture cars, look at the commercial street of Storm City now, renovate to high-rises! Sky-scrapers! New flooring! Industry upgrades!" Sage said excitedly.
"Sage, we don't have enough manpower."
Lily said, "At this rate, Letty might never grow tall."
"Who said you had to do it? An individual's creative capacity is limited, but only infinite people can have infinite creative capacity, that's why I never idolize that Vegapunk."
Sage laughed heartily: "Let Letty simplify some of the technology and sell it to those who want to do business, let them handle it themselves. After all... I am that invisible hand, ha ha ha!"
Can those businessmen turn into capital controlling him?
Impossible!
What Old Liu's family could do back home, he could do even more fiercely!
"But how do we open a bank? People barely have any savings, should they invest it all there?"
Lily frowned, "Moreover, such things don't seem suitable for the people under our rule, right?"
Honestly, she felt the current life couldn't be called fully satisfying... but at least it's a fantasy land.
In just over a year, in the conquered territories, apart from those who died, everyone under his rule could eat and wear enough, even had savings to buy extra things, living with a lot of hope.
But now, what Sage was talking about seemed to be personally dashing these hopes away.
Whether it's banks or gold businesses, in her impression, they were exchange houses for gold.
They handled the appraisal of valuable goods and some storage services, but these had nothing to do with commoners and were mostly about withdrawal by nobles and merchants, with the main business being exactly as Sage said at the end.
Lending.
And the money lent out had very high interest rates, just like what Du·Feld specializes in.
The education she received told her that a bank is not something common people should meddle with.
If Sage meant it that way, he wouldn't need to joke; he could just raise the tax rate severely, or even levy directly, because everything was his, so why the pretense of starting a bank?
Yet, because of her trust and understanding of Sage, she didn't strongly oppose but merely asked.
"Lily, my bank and their bank are different things, the biggest difference is..."
Sage smirked, "I give the money!"
He extended three fingers, "Annual interest rate of 3%, deposit one million Belly, as long as it is saved for a year, I give one million and thirty thousand!"
"I am not asking them to put all their money here, just the surplus. A couple of days ago, I toured below, they are living frugally, only knowing to stash money at home. What difference does it make if money is kept at home and doesn't circulate? Might as well let me use it."
Sage said, "Make a... big wave, because spending a small sum isn't enough, it must be utilized together effectively, I lead them to make money, isn't that good?"
"Sage, haven't you already got a lot of money..."
Lily said curiously, "Isn't your money kept just like theirs?"
No disrespect was meant; she was just puzzled.
Sage and she, along with the original East Sea crew, came from rags to riches together and could withstand scrutiny.
"I have a use for my money!" Sage said assertively.
Lily: "..."
"No, I truly have a use. Although I'm a landlord, I don't intend to keep the money, it's there for them to see."
Sage said, "My money and gold, for those who save money, serve as a guarantee."
He spread his hands and said: "Everyone knows I have money, right? I'm not a low-profile person, from you all to the common folks, everyone knows I have money. I have tens of billions of Belly and a large amount of gold, not to mention my purposefully collected treasures."
True enough, not just the ones under their regime but the outside world also thought Sage was rich, probably one of the most successful pirates.
Whether dreamers or those pirates driven by money, they all think so.
The former because he is one of those closest to the Pirate King, after all, he is the Pirate Emperor.
The latter... Sage's achievements are their lifelong aspirations.
"I tell you, living is about peace of mind, and my money assures the bank."
"The people below have confidence, they can save money and they can withdraw it if needed, protected by me, and my Belly and gold. Because I have plenty of money and can release it anytime, they rest assured saving money."
Sage tapped on the table, "With millions of people each saving a month's salary, this money exceeds mine. With this money, I invest in infrastructure, and then lend it out further. This way my territory prospers, they earn money, and I gain more."
"What's this? It's win-win-win! I've won them all over, Lily! Ho ho ho!"
With his funds as a guarantee, those below wouldn't suffer a bank run, making this bank stay till he dies, a highly credible institution.
The more saved, the more constructed, thriving life wakes up inner demand and thus more earnings.
"By then, finance, transportation, entertainment, media, storage, everything I will have involved with, they will all be mine, mine!"
Sage gestured violently in the air across Lily's chest as if grabbing hard, grinning ferociously: "Wipe them all out!"
He always wanted to deal with these Underworld pests, especially Du·Feld, but merely killing their physical body was futile.
This type of trade can't be freed entirely through killing, without seizing, for it misses the essence.
But forceful seizure would not work either, it won't touch the industry's core.
Only by Sage working this way, touching their heart and relying on his formidable strength, is it real robbery!
Pirate robbery demands methods.
Lily, too, was moved by Sage's described vision, her eyes flickering, her mind starting to imagine.
Going further, letting people live better...
That certainly is a good thing.
"Isn't the population insufficient?"
Lily asked, "Even though we haven't fully digested our territories, our islands are numerous, sparseness means not many. Even if the World Government agreed to our terms, continuing like this, remains insufficient."
"That will be an issue for later, let's proceed for now, don't change the plan, continue in this direction. Lily, you need to stay focused on this matter."
Sage smiled slightly: "Moreover, we are going to Zou soon, aren't we? I will personally go there!"
The Fur Race is very strong, any one of them can be compared to a seasoned pirate.
Whether for strength, population or racial aspects, Sage coveted that place!
The Poneglyph, plus the Fur Race...
"I want it all!" Sage roared lowly.