A full month had passed since Pablo took control of the Eastern Coral Region in the South Blue.
(The Eastern Coral Region is the na of the area containing the nine islands under the control of the Pablo Family.)
Nine islands were under his direct control. Things had stabilized. Ports were operating. Trade had returned. Farrs were happy. rchants were afraid. And everyone knew that the na controlling everything was the Pablo Family.
Pablo sat in his office in Sorbet Palace. Before him was a pile of financial reports prepared by Ido. He was calculating. Scrutinizing. Planning.
After deducting all the family's massive expenses (n's salaries, ship maintenance, weapons purchases, administrative costs, bribes, and others), the net annual profits of the Eastern Coral Region exceeded three billion Beli.
The number of family mbers was now approaching three thousand.
Pablo closed his notebook. He smiled. He didn't need money. He needed power. And money was a ans to power.
---
After finishing calculating the profits, Pablo summoned Jinny to his office.
Jinny entered. She wore elegant clothes. Her pink hair cascaded over her shoulders. She sat on the opposite chair.
"Jinny, I have a question."
"Ask."
"What are the local newspapers known in the Eastern Coral Region?"
Jinny thought for a mont. Then she said:
"There are three main newspapers."
"Tell about them."
"First: 'Coral Voice'. Its headquarters is here in Sorbet. It covers news of eight islands. The most widespread and influential."
"Second: 'Northern Shadows'. Its headquarters is on Shadow Island. It was previously under Kuro's control, but now it operates independently. It covers the sa eight islands."
"Third: 'Breeze News'. Its headquarters is on Breeze Island. It covers only one island. Small, limited circulation."
Pablo took ntal notes.
"Who owns these newspapers?"
"Their owners are known. 'Coral Voice' is owned by a man nad Lordan. In his forties, long face, blue eyes, blond hair. He was a supporter of King Bekori before, but he switched after the revolution."
"'Northern Shadows' is owned by a man nad ric. In his fifties, bald, with a thick gray beard, and small sharp eyes. He cooperated with Kuro, but survived the massacre."
"'Breeze News' is owned by a man nad Sorin. In his thirties, young, round face, thick glasses, and curly black hair. He was a simple journalist before inheriting the newspaper from his father."
Jinny left. Pablo remained thinking.
Newspapers in this world are not just news. They are the only way to know what is happening in the world. No television. No internet. No radio. Only newspapers. Whoever controls the newspapers controls what people know. And whoever controls what people know controls their minds.
He decided to make the Pablo Family loved in this region. Not just through fear. Through image. Through propaganda. Through manufactured love.
He called Darin.
"Darin, I have a task for you."
"I'm listening."
"I want the owners of the three newspapers in the Eastern Coral Region. 'Coral Voice', 'Northern Shadows', 'Breeze News'. Bring them here within a week."
"I will."
Darin left.
---
One Week Later
In the grand reception hall of Sorbet Palace, three n sat on luxurious leather chairs. They were nervous. They knew who had summoned them. They knew the power of the Pablo Family. They knew that refusing the invitation was not an option.
Lordan, owner of "Coral Voice". In his forties, long face, blue eyes, his blond hair carefully combed. He wore a dark blue suit. He tried to look confident, but his eyes betrayed his fear.
ric, owner of "Northern Shadows". In his fifties, bald, with a thick gray beard. His small sharp eyes moved quickly, watching everything. He wore an old black coat. He was more experienced than the others, and more cautious.
Sorin, owner of "Breeze News". In his thirties, round face, thick glasses on his eyes. His curly black hair was ssy. He wore simple clothes. He looked more afraid than the others.
Pablo entered the hall.
The three n stood up quickly. They looked at him. They had heard of him. They had read about his deeds. But seeing him in person was different. He was only fifteen years old. He looked younger than they expected.
"Sit down." Pablo said in a calm voice.
They sat down.
Pablo sat on the large chair at the end of the hall. Beside him stood Jinny. Behind him stood Darin.
"Thank you for coming." Pablo said. "I apologize for the inconvenience."
No one replied. They were waiting.
"I would like to offer you so wine." Pablo gestured to Jinny. She poured glasses of red wine. She offered one to each of them. They drank in silence.
"I do not like to waste ti." Pablo said. "So I will be direct."
He placed his glass on the table.
"Your three newspapers will rge into one."
Silence.
Lordan opened his mouth, but closed it again.
ric looked at the others. Then at Pablo.
Sorin was trembling.
"One newspaper." Pablo continued. "It will cover the entire Eastern Coral Region. And it will begin publishing what I tell you."
No one dared to object.
"But..." Lordan said in a faint voice. "Who will run this newspaper?"
Pablo smiled. "Good question."
"You will run it jointly. The three of you. You will share the profits."
ric looked at Pablo. "And how will the profits be divided? I and the owner of 'Coral Voice' cover eight islands. Sorin covers only one island. It is not fair to divide equally."
Pablo looked at him. ric was bold. He knew his worth.
"We will not divide equally." Pablo said.
"40% each for 'Coral Voice' and 'Northern Shadows'. 10% for 'Breeze News'. And 10% for the Pablo Family."
ric was silent. He calculated in his head. 40% of the profits of a newspaper monopolizing the entire region. A huge sum. More than he used to earn.
Lordan was thinking the sa.
Sorin was happier. 10% of the profits of the entire region was better than the profits of Breeze Island alone.
"Any objections?" Pablo asked.
Lordan looked at ric. ric looked at Sorin. Sorin looked at the ground.
"No objections." ric said on their behalf.
Pablo smiled. "Excellent."
He stood up. He extended his hand. He shook Lordan's hand. Then ric's. Then Sorin's.
"From today, your newspapers are under the banner of the Pablo Family. I will send soone to coordinate with you. I want to see the first issue within two weeks."
"It will be ready." Lordan said.
The three n left. They were still terrified. But they were also greedy. 40% of a huge pie was better than 100% of a small pie.
Pablo sat on his chair. He was happy. He was not satisfied with controlling lands, ports, and weapons. Now, he controlled words. Images. People's minds.
The unified newspaper would launch within two weeks. And his image as a hero would be in every issue. As a savior. As a protector.
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