65 Episode 3 Soybeans (1/2)

Soybeans.

It is the raw material for miso, soy sauce, tofu, natto, etc., and is an indispensable crop for the Japanese diet along with rice.

Globally, soybeans are used for animal feed and soybean oil.

It is also known as the ”meat of the field” because of the large amount of vegetable protein it contains, making it highly nutritious.

In addition, it is symbiotic with rhizobium, which enables nitrogen fixation and makes it easy to grow in rough terrain.

There is nothing to complain about in this crop.

But it's not very tasty. It's a little bitter. ......

”Well, it's just roasted. You can't blame it for not tasting good. But the taste can be changed by the way you cook it.　It's also useful as livestock food.

While eating the roasted soybeans, Hercule was explaining about soybeans to Karolina.

It was during the previous war with the Kingdom of False that Hercule had acquired soybeans.

He happened to buy them from a merchant from the East who was trading them.

Judging from the fact that it did not sell well, it is probably not cultivated in the Kingdom of Fars.

What's the dish?

”Well, ...... these seeds are ripe, but if you pick them when they're green and boil them in salted water, I think they'll taste pretty good.

In other words, it is edamame.

There are other uses, such as miso and soy sauce. ......

I knew how to make them, but I couldn't actually make them even if I were asked to, so I didn't intend to mention them.

Of course, there is no doubt that having both miso and soy sauce would increase the number of cooking options.

So I will continue to develop them.

Basically, most things can be created if you have enough people, money, and time.

Hercule has all of that, so I'm sure he'll be able to taste soy sauce and miso someday.

In addition, he has the basic knowledge, so it is only a matter of time before he completes it.

Soybeans can grow in rough terrain. This should alleviate some of the Empire's food problems. ...... But more importantly, I have something to show you.

What kind of beans this time?

They're not beans. It's better than beans.

When Hercule clapped his hands, the servant brought out an object.

A large white cloth and a basket full of what looked like wool.

What is it?　What is this?

This cloth is cotton. The cloth is cotton, and this wool-like stuff is cotton.

...... Is that a Barometz?　It's the fruit of a legendary tree that grows sheep, right?　Are they real?

Karolina leaned forward.

Hercule chuckled.

You are half right and half wrong. First of all, there is no such thing as a tree that bears sheep. But there is a plant that bears woolly fruit. This is it.

It's not a dream.

It's not a dream. ...... That's what I said.

In addition, the cotton ......, or cotton flower, was found in the territory of the Kingdom of Fars.

The major producer of cotton in this world is Sindira, and it seems that cotton was not produced on a very large scale in Phars, but it was still produced ...... in a small way.

This is why Hercule brought it to Lemuria when he returned from his expedition.

Since the textile industry is relatively easy and lucrative, Hercule intends to make wool and cotton the mainstay of the nation's industry.

It would be perfect if he could somehow introduce silk and even dyestuffs.

In addition to these textiles, Hercule plans to earn foreign currency from coffee, sugar and bone ash porcelain four-wheelers.

The only thing is that ...... did not think much about getting involved in any more industries.

Of course, he would like to grow spices and other crops if he could.

However, it is obvious that all of my efforts will end up half-heartedly.

It is better to focus on a specific industry.

Even if we grow spices, we can't compete with the home of spices in terms of production and quality.

But, Your Majesty. I have a personal question. ......

What is it?

Fields are finite, right?　If we increase the number of commodity crops, won't that decrease the supply of food grains?　Didn't the previous emperor restrict the cultivation of commodity crops many times because he was concerned about this?

In the Lemurian Empire, commerce is considered lowly, but the cultivation of commodity crops is considered lowly as well.

This is because they cannot be eaten.

Only a few rich people can afford the luxury of commodity crops, and the price of grain will skyrocket, making it impossible for the poor to eat. ......

This is undesirable.

This is the general idea in this world.

But Hercule's idea is different.

The reason why famine occurs in the first place is not because we are not self-sufficient in grain. Famine occurs not because we are not self-sufficient in grain, but because we depend on the province of Misrule for most of our food. If the weather in the Misrule region is unfavorable, the supply of grains will drop rapidly. ...... We should reduce the amount of grain produced in Misr Province and grow grain elsewhere.

”But isn't there any other province more suitable for growing grain than Misr?

If not, why not just conquer it?

Hercule grinned.

The Lemurian Empire straddles three continents and is bordered by three oceans.

The Lemurian Empire straddles three continents and is bordered by three seas: the Aether Sea in the north, the Album Sea in the west, and the Rubel Sea in the south.

The Arter Sea and the Album Sea are connected by a strait, and the city on the shore of this strait is the capital of the Lemurian Empire, Nova Lemuria.

This place north of the Sea of Artell, ...... the Taurica Peninsula and the surrounding area, is the next target of the expedition.

Later, Hercule gathered his subjects and held a meeting.

However, even though it was a meeting, it was half a done deal since Hercule had said he would do it, and all the vassals could do was modify his plan.

”The Taurica Peninsula? It was our territory, wasn't it?　It was.

Yes. We couldn't maintain it, so we abandoned it.

Hercule replies to Galfis' question.

This expedition was also a part of the war for land restoration that Hercule had once advocated.

”I see. I'm sure you're aware of that, but I'm not. Is that right?

Kristoff understood Hercule's intentions.

The major countries along the Aether Sea coast are Lemuria, Hayastan, and Bulgaron, of which Bulgaron does not have a navy or even a proper port.

The current Lemurian Empire has free access to the ports of Hayastan. ......

If Lemuria can control the Taurica peninsula, which is the ceiling of the Aether Sea, Lemuria will be able to completely control the Aether Sea.

Well, that's one thing, but ...... the most important thing is to trade with the northern countries and open up new breadbasket areas. If we rely only on the ...... Misrule Province for our wheat supply, we won't be able to cope with famine. We also need someone to sell Lemurian goods to.

In fact, the northern coast of the Aether Sea has a very fertile soil called chernozem, which is very suitable for growing wheat.

Hercule wanted to make this a new food supply for the empire.

And ...... above all, there are northern countries north of the Taurica Peninsula.