Chapter 254: Light Moon
There is no doubt that Lex's observation Haki is invincible, far exceeding the level of heroes of ancient and modern times.
But even so, Lex still didn't know that a historic dialogue was taking place among the powers at this moment.
The strategy proposed by Jupiter at a critical moment when the world government was in decline was recognized by the rest of the world's highest powers.
As long as this matter is approved by Im, the world situation will inevitably undergo earth-shaking changes.
This was an event no less historic than the last time Lex had waged a great war.
Lex, who was presiding over the World Conference, was unaware of this for the time being. He was studying another important issue:
"So, everyone, do you have any opinions on building a cross-sea trade chain?"
After resolving the issue of increasing naval spending, Lex dealt with a number of major decisions in succession. However, unlike the proposal on naval spending, Lex's handling of most proposals was no different from the government's previous style of doing things, and the Five Elders also took a tacit attitude.
Only the proposal regarding naval expenditures, the decision to allow member states and the government to jointly provide expenditures for local naval bases, made the Five Elders furious and feel an unprecedented threat.
Lex's ambition at this moment is already obvious.
Although this policy was first proposed by King Li Ce of the Kingdom of Flowers, and was finally perfected by Prince Cobra of Alabasta after discussion among everyone, Rex did not seem to raise any opinions throughout the process.
However, the final result is the most favorable to Lex and the most unfavorable to the World Government.
This is equivalent to giving each member country enormous power, while dividing the navy, turning the naval base that originally belonged to the World Government and Marinford into a military force that belongs to both the World Government and the local kingdom.
More importantly, the military expenditure that was supposed to be paid in the form of "Sky Gold" bypassed the World Government and was directly provided to the naval base. This not only saved the process of transporting the Sky Gold, but also lost the World Government's authority that was deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and lost the legitimate interests of the descendants of God.
Back to the world conference at this moment——
When Lex brought up the issue of cross-sea trade chains, the royals at the round table looked at each other in bewilderment.
"May I ask Prime Minister Lex how we can ensure our interests in the cross-sea trade chain? If after establishing this kind of trade, we not only cannot benefit, but suffer losses, then -"
A king from a member state of the North Sea asked cautiously and tentatively.
Although Lex's power is intimidating, it concerns his own interests, so he has to get to the bottom of everything no matter what.
This is different from increasing naval spending. All member states know that it is beneficial to them, so no matter who proposes it, they will agree, let alone Lex.
Lex smiled faintly:
"Your Majesty, don't worry. The cross-sea trade chain I mentioned will not be implemented in the Four Seas for the time being. As we all know, although the Four Seas are vast, to reach other seas, you must at least pass through natural dangers such as the Upside-Down Mountain, or even cross the Red Earth Continent, or even directly cross the Calm Belt. Among these routes, even the most common Upside-Down Mountain route is quite dangerous. Therefore, before there is a revolutionary improvement in the shipping method, the cross-sea trade chain of the Four Seas will not be considered for the time being."
Lex finished his speech in a very eloquent manner, but the King of the North Sea, who had just raised the question, seemed a little embarrassed.
It seems that while you are worrying about whether your interests will be harmed, the other person has no intention of playing with you at all.
Lex continued:
"The core of this cross-sea trade chain is to open up the maritime channels between the seven main routes of the Grand Line and the New World, starting with the New World and Paradise. Only when the New World and Paradise are completely connected can we further consider the Four Seas and the Grand Line."
"As for whether your interests will be harmed after the establishment of the cross-sea trade chain, you can rest assured. We will only trade goods that are in short supply or simply unavailable locally. For common local commodities, we will not engage in price wars and cause market turmoil."
At this point, Lex glanced at a special "royal family" on the round table. He was Kozuki Sukiyaki, who came on behalf of Wano Country, and was also the contemporary general of Wano Country.
"For example, seastone is a rare mineral. I believe that your kingdoms are all in short supply. Not only your countries, but even the World Government, Marinford, and Impelton are all in short supply of seastone."
Everyone listened to Lex's speech quietly.
"But what you don't know is that in a mysterious country in this ocean, there is a huge amount of high-quality seastone minerals!"
!!! ~
Everyone was shocked.
Kozuki Sukiyaki was even more shocked. He felt that Lex seemed to have glanced at him just now.
As expected, the next moment, Lex looked at Kotsuki Sukiyaki who was sitting upright:
"Although this country is in a state of isolation, if it joins this cross-sea trade chain, it will keep up with the trend of the times and become more prosperous and powerful. Of course, it can also choose to only sell seastone to other countries."
Lex's words were somewhat confusing, and most of the people present did not understand what Lex wanted to express specifically.
However, Camus, Rowling and other heads of state in the New World were keenly aware that Lex was referring to Wano Country.
However, even though Camus and Rowling knew that Lex was referring to Wano Country, they did not know the deeper meaning of Lex's words.
Only Kotsuki Sukiyaki, the person involved, seemed to understand a little.
[This guy? He could have come to my country in the New World to mine seastone, so why did he bring it up at the World Conference? No! ~ This seems to be exactly why Lex invited me to this World Conference! ]
Lex, who is always able to "read minds", knows exactly what Kozuki Sukiyaki is thinking at the moment.
But he didn't say anything, he was waiting for Kotsuki Sukiyaki to speak first.
"... Prime Minister Lex, my country does have the seastones that the outside world talks about, but my country is far away from the sea and has inconvenient transportation to the open sea. I'm afraid I can't--"
Lex smiled slightly:
"Oh? General Kozuki doesn't want to join the cross-sea trade chain?"
"No, no! I dare not go against Prime Minister Lex's wishes, but my country, Wanzhi, has been closed to the outside world for many years. It is poor and backward. I am afraid that I cannot--"
Kozuki Sukiyaki subconsciously refused the so-called "trade chain" and the sale of seastone to other countries. According to the ancestral precepts passed down from generation to generation by the Kozuki family, they must close the country and preserve the strength of Wano Country until the destined Nika warrior comes to liberate it. Only then can they establish their country and follow the Nika warrior.
For the Wano Country, Rex is a big shot that cannot be provoked but can be avoided.
Lex was not surprised by Kozuki Sukiyaki's refusal. Lex was determined to get the seastone and Pluto of Wano Country.
However, with Lex's current status, he does not need to do these things personally or even speak a word. He only needs to adjust to the general trend of the times, and countless people will flock to Wano Country one after another to disrupt the waters of this country.
"Oh, General Kozuki, you are worrying too much. The cross-sea trade chain I mentioned is entirely voluntary. There is no such thing as coercion. You can do as you please."
-
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The Kuri area of Wano Country at this moment.
Following Lex's guidance, Roger has met Kozuki Oden.
"Ahahaha! ~ Oden, you really want to go out to sea with me?"
At first, Roger was a little worried about whether Kozuki Oden was willing to go to sea with him. He was afraid that this samurai who could understand the original text of history would not be willing to go to sea with him. But who would have thought that before he even opened his mouth, Oden knelt down on the spot and begged Roger to take him to sea.
Roger sat upright, looking seriously at Oden who was kneeling in front of him. He seemed hesitant, but he was actually excited inside.
"Yes! Roger! I must go out to sea with you! Just promise me, I have my reasons for going out to sea!~"
The members of Roger's pirate group around were watching this scene, talking and laughing.
When Oden's retainers heard what Oden said, they were all shocked.
"No! ~ Lord Oden, you can't go out to sea!"
"Absolutely not! ~ Lord Oden, General Sukiyaki will not allow you to go out to sea! It is tantamount to betrayal for the people of Wano to go out to sea! ~"
"You need to think carefully, Lord Oden."
Kozuki Oden looked determined, no one could stop his determination to go to sea:
"Hmph!~ The old man is not here, so I'm going to follow Luo Jie out to sea right now!"
