Complex sentence: The position of Dey of the city is precarious, as all pirates covet the position because he takes tribute from all the countries with consuls in the city in return for their ships not remaining unscathed on the sea.
Split into simpler sentences: The position of Dey of the city is precarious, as all pirates covet the position. This is because the Dey takes tribute from all the consuls within the city in return for their country's ships remaining unscathed on the sea.