Soon, a tender was announced on the front pages of newspapers dedicated to mobile phones.
The Alabasta Royal Power plant requires 200,000 workers with a schedule of 14 hours a day and a salary of 1 million belli per month. Two hundred thousand people, at a million belli per person, that's 200 billion belli per month.
But to produce a full-fledged energy source, Alabasta needs just five months. And the costs will be only 1 trillion belli.
After the electrification of Alabasta, which has over 200 million residents and hundreds of large factories operating, at least 3 trillion belli a year can be collected.
...
It was night, and on the vast construction site in the capital, a small fully automated workshop was still illuminated.
Bang! - the sound of a fist hitting the table.
"That's it! Don't doubt it! You can't just watch your brothers starve! This is a great opportunity—a whole trillion belli!"
At this time, Belo Betty was dressed in bright yellow work clothes of Alabasta, with a cigarette in her mouth, her hair tied in a ponytail, her face marked with black and gray spots from work, but she didn't care, and she was eagerly scrolling through her phone. Before her were the news of the recruitment for the Royal Power Station.
It had been more than a month since she arrived in Alabasta.
The hundred-thousand-strong Revolutionary Army easily filled dozens of ultra-large construction sites throughout Alabasta.
Belo Betty had long lost her initial caution, leaving only the seriousness of a hired worker laboring for a boss.
Dragon watched her for a long time, then said:
"360 billion isn't enough for food, Betty?" We are the Revolutionary Army, not workers of Alabasta. We have other responsibilities, and if we participate in this tender, everyone will inevitably find out about us.
The hundred-thousand-strong Revolutionary Army joined Alabasta's construction crew and signed a contract. It was impossible to withdraw funds before the end of this period; otherwise, they would have to pay a penalty and would not receive even a belli.
To take on additional work, the Revolutionary Army would need to recruit another 200,000 people. But they cannot allocate more than 100,000. The Revolutionary Army operates worldwide. The total strength of the army is less than 500,000. If 300,000 of them are working in Alabasta, the Revolutionary Army will be diverted from advancing the revolution.
Belo Betty was breathing heavily and shouted:
"But 1 trillion in 5 months!!! This country doesn't care that we're the Revolutionary Army, haven't you realized that?"
Of course, Dragon understood this, but if almost the entire Revolutionary Army were in Alabasta, it would pose a significant threat to the country. After all, the World Government is always closely monitoring them. The question is, if the entire Revolutionary Army is in Alabasta, why hasn't the World Government managed to detect them yet? Are they blind?
Dragon really did not want the Revolutionary Army to affect this country.
But, thinking of the 1 trillion belli, Dragon was also anxious. The Revolutionary Army would be able to attract such a vast amount of funds.
No matter if it affects Alabasta, their Revolutionary Army will engage in battle with the World Government!
"Alright!" Dragon said fiercely, gritting his teeth.
Hearing this, Belo Betty pulled out a cigarette and threw it on the floor, then took out a Den Den Mushi. Soon, a deep voice emanated from the snail:
"Hello! Betty?" It was Karasu, the commander of the Northern Army.
"Send more people to Alabasta!" Betty said.
"War?" Karasu was stunned.
"What nonsense are you talking about? There's a deal for 1 trillion belli!" Betty exclaimed.
Karasu was silent for a moment, as if digesting the meaning of this phrase, but he trusted his comrades and finally said slowly:
"Alright."
...…
So, early the following morning.
Shortly after Ezekiel woke up, but before he started work in the administrative hall, he was informed:
"Your Majesty, someone has accepted your offer, and they are waiting outside."
After all, it concerns a deal for 1 trillion belli. Although now for a prosperous Alabasta, a matter of 1 trillion can be considered trivial, it is still worth discussing the deal in detail with the other party.
"Sorry, sorry, I won't smoke anymore!"
When The Woman casually entered the palace with a cigarette, she was startled by a guard's sharp, disdainful flick of the ash. Ezekiel recognized her—it was Belo Betty, the commander of the Eastern Army of the Revolutionary Army!
Honestly, Ezekiel was a bit surprised. Had the Revolutionary Army entered Alabasta?
The Revolutionary Army doesn't break the law. They oppose the World Government. So, with Alabasta, are they somewhat friendly?
But, as such an organization, aren't you afraid of just showing up at the palace like that?
Unexpectedly, their commander was very polite to Ezekiel.
She took off her sunglasses, curiously looked at His Majesty the King, whom she had long wanted to see, and then solemnly bowed as a gesture of gratitude for his reception.
"Your Majesty, you must have recognized me."
Jinbei frowned seriously, he too realized that this woman was a high-ranking figure in the Revolutionary Army, wanted by the World Government.
"Commander of the Revolutionary Army, Belo Betty," said Ezekiel. "What do you want?"
"Our Revolutionary Army has an adequate number of people and wants to accept your offer... and we only need 3 months to fulfill your request," Belo Betty said confidently.
"3 months?" Ezekiel was a bit surprised. They were already working 14 hours a day and would only be able to finish in 5 months. And these guys wanted to complete it in 3 months?
Since it was a matter of negotiations, a plan had to be devised that could pique Ezekiel's interest, otherwise what set them apart from other contenders. Dragon, as the leader of the Revolutionary Army, has an extraordinary intuition. Now that he agreed, he would organize it as best as possible.
"We have 300,000 people, and they will work 16 hours a day for 1 trillion Belli," said Belo Betty with a smile.
Ezekiel was stunned: 300,000 people from the Revolutionary Army would work for him 16 hours a day for 3 consecutive months!
Jinbei was astonished not by the number and time, but by one trillion Belli. He hadn't had a mobile phone for a long time. He wasn't afraid. He just thought it was useless, so he knew little about deals.
One trillion Belli…
To hell with the millennia of savings on Fish-Man Island! Is there really that much money involved?