If we consider ship capacity, Umit's claim is plausible, but in this case, ship capacity is not the most crucial factor.
The two most crucial elements for smuggling in North Blue Totto Land are influence in the North Blue and influence in the New World. You can only do it if you meet these two criteria.
Otherwise, do you think you can purchase a large quantity of goods and supplies from North Blue at a very low price?
Even if you manage to acquire a large amount of goods and supplies in the North Blue, do you think Charlotte Linlin, this big shot, will actually pay to buy them from you after you transport them to the New World?
The fact that she didn't take your life means you brought enough goods.
Umit understood this principle well. If he didn't join this business, Ortolan and Doflamingo would only develop a couple of years later. If he joined, everyone would make a lot of money together. There was no particular need for them to be indispensable.
So it was Umit who rushed to ask Ortolan for a way out, while also considering the Sea Train project he saw on the way, which was the real business he was concerned about!
According to Yixiao, he is not yet a friend of Ortolan, and becoming Ortolan's friend depends on sincerity!
How can he show sincerity? By giving money? Although he is the Sea Transport King, he is not as rich as the great tycoon Rupert. Rupert gave away 200 billion Beli in cash in one go. How can Umit give that away?
He can't come up with more than 200 billion, and he can't present anything less than 200 billion. That would be awkward!
As I said before, when it comes to industry influence and the foundation of business, we'll go for it even if it means losing money, let alone now that it's just a matter of Yang earning less.
After a brief moment of thought, Umit raised a finger and said, "Four ships, I want a share of the profits. Do you think that's reasonable?"
Ortolan was genuinely surprised to hear this. Although influence was one of the two key elements of this deal, Ortolan felt that the value of four ships was negotiable, even though Umit had initially asked for three million.
After all, Umit's size is what it is. He initially deployed four ships, and if things go well, it's only natural to add more. This will allow the business to expand better and enable G-5 to get rid of financial pressure as quickly as possible and embark on the road to profitability.
I just didn't expect this guy to ask for such a low price? Only one coin?
"Why don't we just let Doflamingo pay for this one..." A 'malicious' thought flashed through Ortolan's mind. Originally, he thought that Umit wanted three, he would bargain down to two, and then he and Doflamingo would each take one and give it to Umit.
If there's only one piece now, then there's no need to divide it, right?
Dover should be able to handle it, right?
However, this 'malicious' thought only flashed through Ortolan's mind before he abandoned it. One should be honest; his reputation and credibility in business were quite important. Doflamingo had been working with him for so long and was a good partner. He was a serious henchman and had never done anything underhanded or malicious.
As the older brother, you can't always be thinking about betraying your younger brothers, right? If you betray Doflamingo, who will be his younger brother in the future?
"Forget it, I'll just split it by 0.5%..." Ortolan thought to himself, but then felt that splitting it by 0.5% would be thankless and make him seem stingy. He might as well eat it all at once and make Doflamingo thank him.
These thoughts happened in an instant. After just two thoughts, Ortolan decided not to haggle with Umit. They were offering four ships for one tael. It would be really unfair of him to haggle. Perhaps the business could continue, but he guessed this would be the only time.
At the same time, he didn't want Doflamingo to share any of the pressure; whatever Umit wanted, he could get it from Ortolan.
"I think we get along quite well. You're a friend introduced by Mr. Field, and today is our first time working together. I, Bane Ortolan, have some pride when it comes to this. You've already said you only want one cup. If I were to haggle any further, it would be really bullying you!" Ortolan put down his teacup and then extended a hand over.
Umit quickly grasped Ortolan's hand and shook it vigorously twice. "Thank you for your guidance Vice Admiral Bane..."
"I wouldn't dare accept such a suggestion, it's a pleasure working together, let's make progress together." Ortolan replied with a smile.
Next, the two sides entered into some detailed discussions, such as how to cooperate in the future, how to handle the handover, financial management and supervision, annual revenue, as well as route arrangements, ship modifications and the like.
Speaking of ship modifications, Ortolan is even more eager to meet Kaido. Now there are four hundred more ships, and they want to sail through the Calm Belt, without the Seastone technology, it is simply impossible. Once it is done, a large amount of Seastone will be required. For example, G-5 can be said to have no Seastone left!
I can't squeeze it out!
Although he was somewhat anxious, Ortolan outwardly chatted with Umit and the others in a relaxed and pleasant manner.
After the atmosphere became more intimate, Umit asked, "Vice Admiral Bane Heavenly Yaksha and I have had some cooperative dealings in the past..."
"Yes, yes, Dover told me that after entering the New World, he had many ideas, all of which were achieved with your help..." Ortolan nodded.
As for the Donquixote Family back in the North Blue, they did have some cooperation with Umit, but that cooperation was purely commercial. Doflamingo's status at the time was really not up to the level of a big shot like Umit.
The New World was undoubtedly the place where Doflamingo transformed. In the original story, his development in the New World was rapid. From Little Tyrant of the North Blue, he became the king of the Underworld in just a few years. After that, Umit was no longer up to Doflamingo's level.
For example, the Donquixote Family has only been in the New World for a short time. They have established a foothold, but their network of connections is not yet fully developed. Their cooperation with Umit is merely a normal business partnership. The Supreme Leader of both sides have never actually sat down to get to know each other.
Umit first made a few modest remarks before asking, "Since I've participated in the cooperation led by you, I've had a real interaction with that Heavenly Yaksha. Since we're both partners, I can't just visit you and not him; that would be too rude. So, I was thinking, could you introduce me to Heavenly Yaksha?"
"Say it, say it..." Ortolan was quite satisfied with Umit's attitude this time. He recognized this friend, so he had no intention of making things difficult for Umit.
After responding, Ortolan continued, "To be honest, I'm quite close to Dover; we're practically friends. I can put in a good word for him. If you have anything you'd like to discuss with him, I can help mediate..."
Umit thought to himself, "I've made so many concessions and shown such sincerity towards Yang Yi, just waiting for you to say that!"
Then he put on a bright smile and said, "If that's how you put it, then I won't stand on ceremony. On the way here, I saw a very strange technology. Lord Yixiao told me that the technology is called the Sea Train, which is a project under Heavenly Yaksha's management. It is currently being prepared for deployment on our G-5. I would very much like to get involved in this technology and its implications, but I don't know if Vice Admiral Bane thinks Lord Heavenly Yaksha would find it appropriate?"
The Sea Train commercial project, from technology to construction, was actually led by G-5. Doflamingo was just a front man, a legal representative, used by Ortolan to put on a show.
Of course, this project is clearly a promising one, so it's unfair to leave Doflamingo completely unscathed and forced to take all the blame. Therefore, in this project, Ortolan generously gave Doflamingo a 10% bonus.
This one percent was essentially a gift, since Doflamingo didn't need to put in any effort; he only needed to nominally fulfill his obligations.
So overall, this is a situation that Ortolan can make a decision on his own.
For Ortolan, Umit's desire to enter the market is not harmful. The construction of the Sea Train is a long process because it is an infrastructure project. At the time, the prospects for this project are indeed broad, but the return cycle is relatively long.
However, neither Umit nor Ortolan actually valued the Sea Train's profitability, but rather its influence!
Umit values Sea Train's enormous carrying capacity and its impact on his maritime business. However, due to Doflamingo's influence and the deterrent power of Ortolan behind him, he dares not use underhanded tactics to harm the Sea Train. So, since he can't defeat it, he has to find a way to infiltrate it. In this way, his influence in maritime business will not only not decline, but may even rise again because of the Sea Train.
Ortolan, on the other hand, valued the increased control and efficiency brought about by the construction of the Sea Train. The islands that his army used to be able to reach in ten days to half a month could now be reached in a day or two with the Sea Train in place.
This kind of influence and concept is what he values more; compared to Yang Yi, it is secondary.
If Umit is willing to join, Ortolan will definitely be willing to let Yangrun go, just to spread the Sea Train more quickly and efficiently, and to achieve the greatest possible coverage in the same amount of time.
Not only Umit, but if Lou Field were willing to invest, Ortolan would also support him.