Pirate Kingship-Chapter 836 - 507: What? That Pig Didn’t Just Go After One of My Daughter’s Cabbages? _3

"Byron said, pirates, gangs, black markets... these things cannot be completely eradicated in this era of low productivity; the key to governance is control.

If Black Sails Harbor were to completely eradicate these black businesses, they would just move to a place beyond our control and continue operating; it would be better to keep them close for easy supervision.

Managing a crime syndicate full of ruffians is never a battle between good and evil but a choice between greater and lesser evils.

This is also the limit of what a 'Pirate King' can achieve.

Only when the cost of being a good citizen is less than that of a criminal can we fundamentally reduce such occurrences.

Byron said that with the material boom brought by the whale oil power revolution, this day should eventually come.

Moreover, with the industrial upgrades and the birth of ironclad warships, when shrapnel shells hit the water, the profession of a pirate may completely lose its survival space due to not keeping up with the equipment iterations of various countries.

By then, the sea will only be an arena for 'Breaking Off Engagement Battles' and 'Wolf Pack Tactics' between nations, and there will be no more Pirate City."

Vanessa's eyes became particularly solemn upon hearing this:

"Besides having considerable strength, that brat actually possesses such insight? It's not much different from the predictions your father once told me.

If they were to meet, they would surely have many topics in common.

I suddenly have hope for the future of the Bayfolk."

Having walked only a short distance, Vanessa herself hadn't realized that her way of referring to Byron had quietly changed from "that pig who rooted in my family's cabbage" to "brat."

And Black Sails Harbor's changes aren't just superficial; the management structure has changed even more significantly.

Originally, there were four Fourth Order Pirate Warlords. Back then, [Goat Captain] Alex was turned into a puppet by [Pinocchio] and killed in the chaos, with the Golden Fleece falling into Byron's hands.

His pirate fleet was also divided among the people.

The Fourth Order Beast Tamer [Dung Eater One-eyed Owl], who had possessed a one-eyed bronze statue and escaped, also secretly returned to Black Sails Harbor after the successful lesson from Owl the master of success studies (Chapter 484).

He accidentally discovered that Byron and his team had defeated the [Puppet King] and came back triumphant, leaving him with feelings of regret and despair.

According to the "Pirate Code," after he fled, he automatically lost his right to the distribution of spoils, and he couldn't blame anyone else.

Fortunately, he still had one flesh eye, and after Byron helped clone him a new body, he was conveniently recruited under his command.

The other two warlords, [Candy Witch] Ivanka was the first to be subdued by Byron and Violet.

Although she is known for "one part saltpeter, two parts sulfur, three parts charcoal, plus a bit of sugar for big Ivan," she is adept at evaluating the situation and had long since clung to Byron's coattails.

Meanwhile, the [Thief Baron] Valyrian was originally one of the Bayfolk.

Upon hearing the news of the Queen's safe return, he couldn't help but be overjoyed, rushing over to pay his respects and, incidentally, singing Byron's praises.

After completing a tour, Vanessa also realized what Byron was doing; he was obviously trying to demonstrate his strength, proving he had the capability to take care of her daughter.

However, as the Queen of the Bayfolk, Vanessa was different from those typical mothers-in-law who value "rice, flour, and oil"; she was a mother-in-law with a broader vision.

Despite having seen the noticeably more prosperous Pirate Harbor, her eyes still showed no significant reaction:

"Although the Bahama Archipelago, composed of over 700 islands and more than 2400 reefs, isn't small in size, its production is limited, relatively impoverished, and lacks a steady working population; it's hardly a foundation for sustainable development.

When the Great Flood comes, I'm afraid a single wave will wipe it out.

And you're not planning to rely on this to retake your original throne, are you?

Even an offshore island nation like Hightins is already on shaky ground."

Byron smiled nonchalantly, raised his hand with an inviting gesture:

"You're right; this little leverage indeed won't suffice. So, I'll lay my cards on the table. Missy, show your mother-in-law a special skill!"

Violet covered her mouth and laughed, then saluted seriously: 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"As you command, Captain!"

She snapped her fingers, conjuring a vortex transmission gate out of thin air, pulled her mother by the hand, and rushed into it.

In the next moment, the three of them were high in the sky, with a gigantic Edge Fortress beneath their feet.

Vanessa transformed into her Siren Banshee form to stabilize herself.

Looking at the vast 'modern' city below, the columns of smoke rising to the sky, the countless large factories, and the industrious workers, her pupils couldn't help but shrink.

"This is...?!!"

Violet gave her mother temporary access, allowing her to see through the area sealed by the "National Border Lock."

Near the port's dockyard, dozens of large Galeons waiting to be remodeled into Heavy Cruisers were lined up...

The Whale Oil Power Research Institute's whale oil steam engine, and the Jenny Machine were being assembled in full swing...

Bolt-action rifles were rolling off the production lines...

Everything made her eyes open wider and wider; there was no longer the easy nonchalance she had when touring Black Sails Harbor.

Byron chimed in at the right time:

"This is Torrent Fortress. An industrial center built under Violet's direct supervision, the steel production here has long surpassed the total of the entire world!

The prototype of the first whale oil-powered steam engine is set to be online for testing the day after tomorrow at the latest.

This is also the world's first practical steam engine; subsequently, Jenny spinning machines, forging machines, steam planes, and even steam warship projects will each be launched.