Does “which is as much as to say” refer to “free” or does it refer to the whole of that sentence?
Does it mean being free has the same meaning to him as being idle, disordered, and unprofitable?
It is not the fourth size of one of your least provinces. A thousand spears could conquer it in five weeks. It is an unseemly blot on the skirts of your empire.”
“Most undoubtedly,” said the Tisroc. “These little barbarian countries that call themselves free (which is as much as to say, idle, disordered, and unprofitable) are hateful to the gods and to all persons of discernment.”