Calm Belt Development and the Lead-Platinum Ore Business
Although he had never heard of the term 'imported pirates' before, Doflamingo was a smart man and quickly understood what Ortolan meant.
After all, the idea of using pirates and prisoners to do work is not unique to Ortolan.
It's not even Kaido's patent, but rather the patent of the True Celestial Dragon of the Yellow Banner of Mary Geoise. Since the establishment of the World Government, there has been a project spanning hundreds of miles, which is still not completed.
That is the 'Cross-Sea Bridge Project'. The Celestial Dragons originally intended to connect the various islands by building a cross-sea bridge. This project is called Tachibana Wolf and is also known as the 'Bridge Building Nation'.
The main workforce for this project consisted of hundreds of pirates, gangsters, and anti-government figures who were constantly being added to the workforce over the past few hundred years.
They've built hundreds of cubic meters already, and it's still being built in the East Blue. Trying to connect all the islands in the world is like a pipe dream. Only the Celestial Dragons could be so reckless and irresponsible.
After understanding Ortolan's meaning, Doflamingo pondered for a moment, "For an industry with abundant labor and the potential for substantial profits, I think mining is the most suitable..."
"So it really is about mining?" Ortolan stroked his chin. "I've considered this before, but it seems the New World doesn't have particularly abundant mineral resources."
"It's still there, mainly because no one is going to develop it. After all, the environment and atmosphere here are extremely dangerous. Instead of developing these mineral resources in the New World, with this manpower and resources, what else wouldn't make money?" Doflamingo said with a smile.
Only people like Ortolan and his ilk, who have tons of pirate slaves they can use as consumables, would be willing to consider this. The rest of us forming tens of thousands of laborers to mine in the New World? That's a joke!
After a slight pause, Doflamingo continued, "Leaving aside the New World, I've always believed that the Calm Belt is a very resource-rich and undeveloped area. If Vice Admiral Bane has the ability to solve the transportation security issues in the Calm Belt, I think it would be very suitable... Actually, with the power of your Marine warship, forming a fleet and crossing the Calm Belt wouldn't be difficult at all..."
"The Calm Belt ..." Ortolan's eyes lit up as he murmured.
Yes, the Calm Belt has been undeveloped for hundreds or even thousands of years since it was discovered. Only the indigenous people of the region, and countries like the Amazon and Lily, have used some resources there on a small scale.
It can be said to be a truly undeveloped treasure trove, because most ships today are powered by sails, so the Calm Belt is an inaccessible forbidden zone for sailing ships that require a lot of wind power.
In addition, the Calm Belt has a stable climate and calm seas, making it a favorite habitat for Sea Kings. They usually build their nests in the Calm Belt, where countless colossal Sea Kings live, each as large as an island.
If they are disturbed in the Calm Belt, it will be a big problem.
So without some strength, it's really impossible to just wander around in the Calm Belt.
"Yes, the Calm Belt isn't just about mineral resources and timber resources; it should also be top-tier. Vice Admiral Bane, you purchased so much shipbuilding equipment from me before, so you must have plans to develop in this area. If you can achieve success in the Calm Belt, your shipbuilding project could even be self-sufficient in raw materials. More importantly, once you successfully establish yourself in the Calm Belt, it's equivalent to opening up a stable market in the sea. If you can open up the northern Calm Belt in the New World, you can directly communicate with the North Blue. Our goods, resources, and commodities from the North Blue can be transported to the New World at a rate far exceeding that of our competitors. The profits from this trade are terrifying..." Doflamingo analyzed.
Ortolan was also pondering another question: what are the two most important elements in strong logistical support for violent institutions, armed groups, and armies?
One is military equipment, and the other is food!
With enough ammunition and weapons, frankly speaking, as long as you lower your bottom line, you can make money no matter what. If you really can't afford to rob, then that's the end of it.
Therefore, money is not the most important thing.
Compared to the military, the ability to be self-sufficient in food is the key to stabilizing the army under one's command!
The Calm Belt has a mild and very stable climate. You can grow anything there and have one, two, or even four harvests without any problem. If you establish a large number of plantations and farms there, and then reduce the pirate slaves sent by Impel Down to farm tools, wouldn't the problem of food supply in G-5 and the future Neo Marines be solved?
Thinking of this, Ortolan excitedly slapped his thigh. "Wow, wow, this idea is brilliant! The Calm Belt definitely needs some development... Dover, you've really done me a huge favor..."
"It was just a casual remark; I'm glad you can handle it." Doflamingo waved his hand modestly, not taking credit for anything.
After a pause, Ortolan continued, "Besides this matter, the reason I called you here is that I also wanted to ask if your Donquixote Family is also involved in the grain business?"
"It involves some things," Doflamingo nodded slightly in response.
"Well then, could you help us purchase a large amount of grain? You know, we'll soon have a large number of laborers coming here. Although I won't pay them, I still have to provide them with food. Without food, how will they have the strength to work for me? They'll all starve to death. But with tens of thousands of mouths to feed, although our G-5 grain supply can hold out for a short time, there's absolutely no need for me to use the high-quality grains meant for my brothers to feed these bastards. Wouldn't that be a waste? You agree, right?" Ortolan said.
Do those bastard pirates deserve to eat the same food as the G-5 Marines?
"So you mean you want some food at a lower price?" Doflamingo asked after thinking for a moment.
"Well, old and rotten grains don't matter, as long as it's cheap, filling, won't make me sick, and won't kill me, that's fine. I don't care about the taste or type of food either; I'll eat when I'm hungry," Ortolan said without hesitation.
"That's a problem. Old grain is very cheap. If you have a large demand, we can open a special channel to sell it continuously until you no longer need it." Doflamingo agreed immediately.
"Then I'll leave it to you," Ortolan said with relief.
The two sat there for a while, drinking tea and chatting. Doflamingo finally grew restless and tentatively asked, "But Vice Admiral Bane, you and I had a score to settle... cough, we haven't settled it yet..."
Mentioning this, Ortolan's eyes darted around nervously. Seeing he couldn't avoid it, he put on a worried expression and began to plead poverty, "Even the richest man has no surplus grain! I'm penniless, all my money's gone, and I haven't seen any return yet. If you're not in a hurry, just wait. You can calculate the interest normally. Once the goods from the North Blue Totto Land, I'll sell them in Totto Land, and I'll pay you back immediately..."
Doflamingo was helpless looking at Ortolan's pleading poverty. "I clearly heard it just now, that little brother of Smoker, that genius sent you 20 billion Belly in cash."
You close the door and then tell me you're broke?
"Sigh..." Doflamingo sighed softly, "Since that's the case, then I won't rush you. I still trust Vice Admiral Bane's reputation. However, I was thinking that there's a lucrative business opportunity coming up soon. If you have some spare cash, you could consider investing in it. It's basically a sure-fire way to make money..."
While Ortolan was still complaining about being poor, upon hearing this, he immediately sat up straight, cleared his throat, and said, "Well, I suddenly remembered, we still have 20 billion Belly in our account, it's just that Smoker guy just paid back some money..."
Hearing this, Doflamingo grinned mischievously and asked, "Are you going to settle my bill?"
Ortolan, with his thick skin, waved his hand dismissively. "Please forgive me, let's postpone the bill. You just mentioned some money-making opportunity... If I make that money, I'll settle the accounts with you immediately!"
Hearing this somewhat shameless remark, Doflamingo was both amused and exasperated, but finally spoke up, " In the North Blue, the Kingdom of Frevance has encountered problems with its Lead-Platinum Ore. Lead-Platinum Disease patients are starting to appear in their country, and it's very likely that a large-scale Lead-Platinum Disease will occur within the next two years. I'm not sure if Vice Admiral Bane is familiar with the concept of Lead-Platinum Disease, but what I mean is, if this disease breaks out on a large scale in Flevance, they will perish!"
Ortolan looked puzzled and asked, "So?"
"As far as I know, the World Government has already secretly begun to buy up large quantities of Lead-Platinum and Lead-Platinum and lead are not only highly prized by nobles of various countries for use in jewelry, tableware, and the like, but they are also important precious metals and a necessity for the military's high-end production technology. In other words, once Flevance is destroyed, the production of Lead-Platinum and lead will inevitably plummet, even to zero. Under such circumstances, the price of Lead-Platinum stockpiled and not yet sold is unimaginable..." Doflamingo said with an evil smile.
"You mean, we should join in too?" Ortolan raised an eyebrow.
"That's right. If you have enough consumables, we could even take over the entire Lead-Platinum Ore after this epidemic ends and after Flevance is destroyed. We could develop it with consumables. It's a business that's incredibly profitable. You should know what status Flevance has in the North Blue because of Lead-Platinum and lead, right?" Doflamingo asked Ortolan.
"The most wealthy kingdom in the North Blue..." Ortolan murmured.