Reborn As a Pirate

Tussella couldn't figure out Lorraine's mind, and didn't know whether he interrupted just right to embrace the kindness of not wanting to embarrass the master or the malice of taking advantage of the fire.

But whatever the purpose, Tussella had no room for rejection.

The rich and sloppy lunch ended in a hurry. Only Lorraine ate up the food in front of the four of them, and they barely took a bite of the rest.

The servants removed the plates and replaced them with coffee, the head chef came up to express his thanks, Lorraine politely handed over the tip, and the drama of satisfaction was performed to the end.

It was still the not-so-long table for four, but the atmosphere was completely different.

Before the meal, Tussella had an absolute advantage with his impeccable rogue face, and Lorraine could not find any flaws in him, because a hero with a family and country in his heart is invincible, as it has been throughout the ages.

Carmen later launched a special attack at this table, using her standard Carmen-style pincer attack to beat Miracle Serra to the ground.

Tusera recalled his selfish desires again, hoping to be recognized, hoping to get in the upper class, hoping to achieve success, hoping to be rich and healthy...

Lust is like the shadow of a hero.

When selfish desires are awakened and the aura dims, Lorraine's enemy is no longer the unrivaled hero before. Now he is just an ordinary colonial governor.

It's time to win...

Thinking so, Lorraine ended Carmen's attack in a timely manner, and took the initiative to open the final round of the negotiation when Tussela's psychological flaw was the greatest.

Sir, what achievements do you think a qualified governor should possess?

A qualified governor... Tussela pondered for a moment while holding the coffee, dedicated to his duty.

The word .

From a soldier's point of view...

The governor is not a pure soldier. Lorraine forcefully interrupted Tussela's intention to avoid important things, You are in charge of a vast land equivalent to one-third of the mainland of Spain. Compared with that, the Florida garrison of the two divisions is simply nothing. Not worth mentioning.

Tusera looked over with dissatisfaction: A powerful army is the cornerstone of a kingdom!

The army is the cornerstone of the kingdom, Lorraine said, but not the cornerstone of the governor.

As far as I know, the considerations of the governor by the colonial powers are not too different, such as population, development, taxation, and conquest. The position of the governor is more civilian, although it is inevitable to be responsible for expanding the territory and stabilizing the place, but Your king should be more concerned with how much money you make him while in office than with holding the frontier and leaving this barbaric and barren land behind with no harvest.

Tusera frowned: President, you are talking about business, but until now, you have not involved our business today.

In fact, every word I say is in the scope of business, I mean, double profit.

The Drake Chamber of Commerce has always been committed to creating a mutually beneficial business environment. This is not to say that we do not pursue profits, but we do not demand short-term profits.

That's why I and my powerful business partners jointly launched the Baishang Association to provide high-quality and cheap business services to the members of the association.

It is precisely because of this non-compulsory profit sharing that the association has attracted 397 chambers of commerce to join, and the Baishang Association has become the most united and dynamic trade association in the Pan-Atlantic.

Last year, the association's total trade exceeded 70 million pounds, and the top 50 members only contributed 65% of it. Among associations of the same size, this ratio is 15% lower than the average.

The same goes for pirate suppression.

Associations actively undertake social responsibilities. In order to clarify business routes, there are an average of 103 armed merchant ships, and more than 3,000 naval guns are out of production at any time.

The Drake Chamber of Commerce is responsible for 25 percent of that.

We fought against pirates without expecting anything in return, especially during the two years between the great victory at Yorktown and the signing of the Peace Treaty in Paris. We replaced the great powers in diplomatic restraint and became the absolute main force against evil in the Caribbean.

Why do we do this? When the companions around us go bankrupt because of the war, what makes us persevere instead of shrinking our heads and letting others slaughter us like most of our peers?

It's Gongying! Lorraine stood up, waving his arms and clanging words, Businessmen are profit-seeking! Justice is the path we choose, because we firmly believe that the path of justice can give us more, and firmly believe that Gongying can give us More.

The same applies to Miami.

As soon as the topic changed, Lorraine left the chair and made a circle along the long table.

Let's look at the needs of the Jazz first.

You are a true patriotic hero. The first thing you need is absolute loyalty to your kingdom and king. Any proposals that treason or harm Spain's interests will be contrary to your needs, so they are invalid. .”

Lorraine crossed his arms across his chest and continued.

Not hurting your loyalty is the premise of our cooperation. Then assuming our proposal meets the standard, we should consider your second-level needs, such as money, status, respect, political achievements, etc.

Spain's Governor-General is elected for a three-year term with no re-election limit, and you have only one and a half years left in your first term.

I don't know if you have considered whether your king will agree to your re-election after your term ends. If so, what reasons should he use to convince his parliament and ministers?

Because you put an end to British aggression during your tenure? This is obviously inappropriate.

After 20 years of running Florida, Britain's interest in this land has dropped to an all-time low, and your only potential enemies are your ally, France, and the nascent United States, which is also your ally.

Are they going to attack you? Or are you expecting the natives of the peninsula to attack the town?

Tusera's eyes widened: How can I expect a war that is not beneficial to the country!

Since it's impossible... Lorraine stopped, supported the back of Carmen's chair, and grinned at Tussella, Aside from war, do you have any irreplaceable talents? Loyalty?

As I said before, you control a vast land equivalent to one third of the size of mainland Spain. This land is located at the hub of the commercial route between North America and the Caribbean. The land border is connected with Spain's allies, and the sea border is included among the other Spanish colonies.

Your territory is endowed by nature, and Spain has accumulated a good reputation for hundreds of years. Florida should become Spain's golden field. At least, her governor should know how to make the territory develop.

I'm here to apologize to you. Lorraine bowed slightly to Tussela, Before I came, I did a little research on Florida's revenue.

In 1784, you implemented a low-tax rule in Florida in order to calm people's minds. The residents' income-to-tax ratio was roughly 100 to 27. The business tax was two-way, 7% each way, and the adjusted tariff was 11.5%.

The total number of residents in the six Florida towns is less than 30,000. At this tax rate, your total tax revenue in 1784 was less than 248,000 gold coins, and only 120,000 were paid to the mainland. This amount is not even comparable to that of New Orleans. turned over.

These words really shocked Tussela inexplicably.

As governor, he personally signed all tax-related documents and presided over all distribution and payment matters.

But even he hasn't calculated how much the residents' burden is in a low-tax state, let alone understand the tax situation in New Orleans, even though the two are close at hand.

He couldn't help but ask himself, is this the way world-class plutocrats look at the regional economy?

He looked at Lorraine inquiringly, not angry, but just wanted to ask for a solution, but Lorraine didn't answer his question directly, but just continued at his own pace.

So, what's going on in Miami?

Under the operation of the Drake Chamber of Commerce, the Miami area only collects business taxes in one town, Miami Beach, one-way, with a tax rate of 4%. And due to the adoption of the Freeport model, tariffs are exempted.

Miami Beach was opened in April 1784. At the beginning, there were only 14 plank roads. The total tax revenue of that year was 3,000 pounds, 24,000. In 1785, the plank road increased to 37. From January to August, the total revenue was 9,000 pounds. Seven Twelve thousand octagonal gold coins.

Drake has a long-term plan for the Miami area. Only in Miami Beach, the terminal will be expanded at a rate of 10 boardwalks per year. It is planned to expand for 10 years, so that the terminal area will eventually reach 150 boardwalks and 500 berths. It is the third largest commercial port and the largest free port in terms of throughput.”

Lorraine stopped his tirade, breathed calmly, and waited for Tussela to digest what he had heard before.

After about 5 minutes, he finally asked: How much do you think the tax revenue of the Miami area will be in 10 years? In the same 10 years, how much do you think the tax revenue of the six towns under your management will be?

Tussella opened his mouth weakly.

But... he said weakly, your Miami is a disputed place between the West and England, and her prosperity will bring war to Spain sooner or later...

That is to say, in your heart, if Britain wants Barcelona, ​​Spain should seek peace before the war begins?

That's different! Tussela's eyes were red, Barcelona is the pearl of Spain, and her ownership is undisputed! If you insist on comparing her with Miami, let me ask you, when the British really attacked Miami, what would you do? Which side will your Chamber of Commerce stand on! The motherland? Or treason!

Conversation aborted.

Tussella thought that he had hit Lorraine's weakness, and raised his eyes triumphantly, but what he saw was...shocked?

Sir, we seem to have overlooked a very important detail.

ha?

Do you really know the purpose of my visit to you today?

Lorraine lost her temper.

This is a very impolite question. Even if the two sides are discussing the crux of the debate, he has no position to ask such a question that is close to a personal attack.

Fortunately, Tussella is not proficient in etiquette and speaking skills, and the key is that he obediently embarked on Lorraine's train of thought, and luckily avoided the danger that would overturn the entire conversation.

Didn't you come here so I could post the mayor?

Of course this is my purpose. Lorraine woke up suddenly, I mean, why do I need a mayor to share Miami's interests?

this……

It's getting dark, and night will come when darkness is stronger than light. Lorraine began with a short poem, The Drake Chamber of Commerce is mighty. In the world of pirates I am called the Pirate King of the White Banner , is recognized as the most powerful pirate king of this generation in the Caribbean.

But compared to the dark forces in the entire Caribbean world, such as piracy, smuggling, human trafficking, and second-hand goods, Drake is absolutely weak.

History tells me that private colonial strongholds cannot always walk on the right path, because evil will erode justice, bad money will drive out good money, and the weak can't do anything about it.

That's why I need to find a master for Miami, a master who is stronger than the darkness of the entire Caribbean and can bring protection and order to Miami.

I don't really care who the owner is. I stand in front of you today because for Miami, Spain is the least controversial choice at this stage, and even now Miami can bring you considerable benefits.

If you don't want to, I will go to persuade my motherland in five years. If my motherland is still unwilling, I will even go to persuade America in ten years' time when America grows up.

I am familiar with the group of elites who founded the country. As long as the interests are big enough, they are willing to be enemies of the whole world.

That's the truth of the conversation today, I'm here because you need it, not me.

It's not that you need...it's me?