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Reverse Mountain, Grand Line side.
Several Marine warships were stationed there.
Slave laborers sent from the Bridge Kingdom in the East Blue worked day and night, desperately building a toll station.
A certain doctor and a whale were forced to move.
The checkpoint had not yet been built, but the tariff policy was already in effect.
All major member nations received notice from the World Government at the same time: from now on, anyone passing through Reverse Mountain must pay a toll.
If it was a merchant ship, an additional tariff of up to 30% would be charged, and special personnel would be on hand to count the goods.
Refusal to pay the tariff would result in the revocation of member nation status and designation as an enemy nation of the World Government.
This bandit-like behavior enraged the major member nations, but facing the World Government, they could only grit their teeth and endure.
The royal families of each nation were well aware of the consequences of losing member nation status. It wasn't just about losing human rights, but also becoming targets for other nations to carve up.
They could even become slaves!
On the surface, the World Government had long abolished slavery, but this only applied to member nations. Non-member nations, who had no human rights, generally met the same end.
A living hell.
Because that's how they treated non-member nations!
However, the kings were surprised to find that even after paying a 30% tariff, purchasing Groudon Company's products still yielded huge profits.
Not only did orders from various countries not decrease, but they grew rapidly like snowflakes!
No one knew what would happen in the future, so while they could still make money, it was naturally better to buy as much as possible.
Erumalu Trade Port.
Officials from various countries surrounded the office.
"The price was agreed upon, why the sudden increase?!"
"Ah? Do you think our company wants to?!"
Swoke, the brother of Snake and head of the Trade Port, looked displeased, showing no patience for the troublesome customers. He used his sharp voice to argue with the crowd.
"Listen up, the World Government also collects tariffs from our Groudon Company, so our company can only raise all product prices!
"Heh, our company's products are already cheap enough, with profits as thin as paper. Are we supposed to sell them to you at a loss?!"
"Don't dream about it!"
"If you don't buy, plenty of other countries will. Look for reasons within yourselves, have you been managing your countries diligently?!"
"You complain about such a small price increase, and you still have the nerve to do business? I'm telling you, not only will prices go up now, they'll go up even more in the future!"
"If you really want to haggle, go argue with the World Government!"
"Pah, a bunch of useless guys!"
Swoke sneered incessantly.
"Alright, I'll be merciful and tell you some good news: our company has already lodged a tariff protest with the World Government!"
"Really?!"
The envoys were pleasantly surprised.
They dared not defy the World Government, but the Hoenn Government behind Groudon Company did, and they were counting on Hoenn.
Holy Land, Power Hall.
Government officials were reporting on the tariff details of Reverse Mountain and the trade situation at Erumalu Trade Port.
Erumalu Trade Port had now become the world's largest port, with its enormous transaction volume and variety of goods attracting member nations in droves.
Before this, the World Government did not want countries to be too closely connected, and trade with each country was conducted separately. They had never established such a centralized port.
For various countries, the trade environment was like upgrading directly from a small market at their doorstep to a large wholesale center.
Not only were the quantities large, but they were also cheap.
Countries were also transporting their surplus resources to Erumalu Trade Port, including grain, steel, timber, and everything else.
In just half a month, the tariff revenue alone approached a trillion Berry, astonishing even the Five Elders.
They even felt fear!
"Transaction volume not only didn't decrease, but it's rapidly increasing?"
"How can this be?!"
The Five Elders broke into a sweat.
Money was just a number to them. They cared more about stability.
Such mutual exchange among nations would inevitably lead to rapid growth in national power, and they could even completely abandon war and focus on developing their national economies.
Before long, the economic and military strength of all nations would significantly increase.
But this was not what they wanted to see.
The stagnation or deep entanglement in the quagmire of war for member nations, continuously consuming national strength, was what benefited the World Government's rule.
Nations that were too strong could easily break free from control!
Just as the World Government spared no effort in plundering powerful individuals from various nations, it was to prevent member nations from becoming too strong.
Even the chaotic situation, including the number of member nations, was deliberately orchestrated by the World Government. Maintaining balance was paramount.
Ants do not need to develop!
The world does not need to progress!
"Increase taxes! We must increase taxes!"
"Raise the tariff to 50%!"
"Not enough, raise it to 70%!"
"Increase trade costs to a level that nations find unacceptable, only then can we curb the surging trade enthusiasm of various countries!"
The Five Elders were dripping with cold sweat.
They had anticipated that Erumalu Port would have a significant impact, but their attention was focused on the Hoenn Government, overlooking the ambitions of the member nations.
Fortunately, they discovered it in time!
"Report, there's one more thing."
The messenger handed over a document.
"The Hoenn Government has sent a document condemning the World Government for setting up checkpoints and collecting taxes at Reverse Mountain, demanding that the World Government remove the checkpoints."
"Condemn?"
Saint Nusjuro picked up the document.
The content was the same as the messenger's report: the Hoenn Government expressed strong condemnation and protest, appealing to them to stop the malicious tariff behavior for the sake of world peace and development.
This precisely showed that they had seized the Hoenn Government's weakness!
Reverse Mountain was not the New World. If war broke out at Reverse Mountain, the Hoenn Government would not only lose its geographical advantage, but troop reinforcement and deployment would also be a huge problem.
The advantage was theirs!
The World Government had suffered several losses against the Hoenn Government, and this time, they could finally reclaim some interest!
"All Five Elders, please take a look as well."
"Hmm."
The Five Elders flipped through the document, a smile appearing on their faces in unison, the long-accumulated bad mood easing considerably.
Good!
Saint Nusjuro gripped the Shodai Kitetsu.
"This trade war should end!"
Erumalu Port.
News of the tariff increase quickly arrived. The World Government uncharacteristically gave a deadline: the new tariff policy would be implemented in a week.
However, the exorbitant 70% tariff was unacceptable to many member nations. If the World Government collected 70%, Groudon Company would also have to raise prices.
This meant that the price of the same item more than doubled!
"Shameless!"
Officials from various countries cursed.
But there was something even more shameless.
The World Government high-profilely announced that it would also establish a trade port, and products traded through the new trade port would only require a 20% tariff.
Overall, some goods from the World Government's side were slightly cheaper, but that was the price including tariffs.
No matter what, comparison always highlights differences.
Groudon Company's goods were not only excellent and inexpensive, but also free of miscellaneous taxes, making all transactions very comfortable.
On the other hand, the World Government was clearly trying to extort money, and by calculation, it was even significantly more expensive than before.
Cutting off one's financial path is like killing one's parents!
Hoenn Government, Fleet Admiral's Office.
"They really have no shame."
Daichi listened to his subordinate's report, not flustered at all. Rather than earning less money, he preferred to see the World Government's credibility collapse faster.
"Kuzan, are you ready?"
"Yes, anytime!"
Kuzan's lips curved upward.
After being gone for so long, it was time to go back and see his old friends!
"Send out the notice to the world!"
Daichi rubbed his hands together, his fighting spirit surging.
"Let the world witness the Hoenn Government's military exercise!"