I think the basic point you've failed to notice is that, not-so-paradoxically, it's the "Free Cities" entrepreneurs who are seeking to benefit from, i.e. are op

I think the basic point you've failed to notice is that, not-so-paradoxically, it's the "Free Cities" entrepreneurs who are seeking to benefit from, i.e. are openly acting in direct collusion with, these very same forced expropriations.