20 Episode 19 U.S.




 Hmmm, it's good. ......

 Hercule was eating a curry.
 Recently, he has been completely addicted to curry.

 Usually, Hercule ate curry with naan.
 This is not because Hercule likes naan, but because he does not have rice.

 In other words, if there is rice, I want to eat it. I want to try it.
 This is the true intention of Hercule.

 And Hercule is ......
 In addition to Kunala and the sugar cane, Hercule had ordered the merchant to bring him another ...... rice.

 What Hercule is eating now is ......
 Saffron rice made from the rice and Kunala's homemade curry.

 Hercule moved his spoon and ate with relish, shouting as if something was missing.

 Yes, it's good. It's good, but it's not the same ...... rice I want to try. ...... It's not the same ...... rice I want to try.

 What's different about it?
 I'm sure you've heard of it, but I've never heard of it.

 It's a good idea to stay away from dangerous people.

 As for the discomfort that Hercule is feeling, ......
 This is due to the difference in rice varieties.

 The rice that is generally eaten in Japan is a variety called Japonica rice.
 The rice grains are round and sticky.

 On the other hand, the type of rice that Hercule is eating now is called indica rice.
 It is characterized by long, thin, dry grains that are not very sticky.

 Indica rice accounts for 80% of the rice cultivated in the world, so it is the major rice variety in the world.

 In Japan, large quantities of indica rice were imported as an emergency measure during a poor rice harvest caused by a cold summer in 1993.
 However, it did not seem to be consumed much because it did not fit with Japanese rice cooking methods.

 Indica rice is suitable for dishes such as curry, pilaf, and paella.
 Taking this into account, indica rice may have been more suitable for the food culture of the Lemurian Empire than japonica rice, so this is not a bad story.

 For Hercule, the man from his previous life is a stranger, but he is sure to have inherited his memories.
 There is no way that he is not affected by it.
 It is impossible that he is not influenced by the man in his previous life.

 ...... Well, I guess we can recommend indica rice in our country. Maybe they won't accept japonica rice. ......

 I have a vague idea of what Lemurians like to eat.
 I know what the Lemurians like to eat, but if you want to eat it as porridge, japonica rice is good enough.

 First of all, both of you should study how to cook this grain.

 If we can't find a way to cook it that suits the Lemurian palate, then even if we grow it, people won't eat it.
 It's useless.

 "Your ...... Majesty.
 Hey, what's up, Karolina?
 This grain ...... is certainly delicious, but why do you want to grow it?

 Karolina, who was eating curry and rice with Hercule, asked.
 Karolina's question is valid.

 Hmm, well, there's a lot to it.

 In case you're wondering, Hercule isn't the kind of idiot who would start a national project just for his own nostalgia.
 Probably.
 Probably.
 Maybe. ......
 may be............

 I don't know what to say, but I'm going to go with ....... Carolina, do you know what the harvest multiplier is?
 "I've never heard of it, but ...... it's literally a harvest multiplier?
 Yeah. Yes, yes. Actually, rice has a better yield multiplier than wheat.

 Wheat is the staple food of the Lemurian Empire.
 Wheat has the merit of being able to grow in places with little precipitation and thin land, but at the cost of a smaller harvest rate.

 However, the harvest rate is small, and depends on the soil, labor, and climate.

 According to the archives of the Lemurian Empire, the highest value is 30 times.
 The lowest is three times.
 The average is about eight times.

 If the land is good, the climate is favorable, and intensive agriculture is practiced, it is 30 times higher.
 If the soil is not good, the climate is not favorable, and you do not spend much time and effort, the price is 30 times higher.

 That's why.

 There are some places where the multiplier is less than one, but wheat is not grown in areas where the multiplier is less than three, as expected.

 Rice, on the other hand, was harvested at a rate of 15 times in Shimoda and 25 times in Ueda during the Heian period (794-1185).
 Considering that wheat in the Lemurian Empire was harvested at a rate of 30 times, this is quite a high rate.

 Another big advantage is that it is difficult to have repeated cropping problems. In the case of wheat, you have to give it a rest once.
 "Huh. ......" (I'm not sure.)

 (I don't know.) Carolina looks at me with a puzzled expression.  
 Seeing Carolina, Hercule smiled bitterly.

 It is a misconception that rice does not suffer from continuous crop failure.
 To put it more precisely, it is less likely to be affected by repeated cropping when grown in paddy fields.

 Incidentally, why is rice, which is a very excellent grain, not grown all over the world?
 The reason is that rice is very sensitive to dryness and cold.
 Without a certain amount of precipitation, a river as a water source, and a warm climate, it is difficult to grow rice.

 In the meantime, Hercule has been looking into some possible locations for rice cultivation, but ......
 Whether it is really possible or not, we will never know until we try it.



 But the main reason is risk aversion.
 Risk aversion?
 If there's an outbreak of a wheat disease, if the rice is safe, there won't be a famine, right?

 That's the main reason why Hercule wants to introduce rice.
 In other words, to avoid risk by diversification.
 However, rice and wheat alone are not enough.

 If other crops such as ...... soybeans, corn, potatoes, etc. are found, Hercule will introduce them as soon as possible.

 But we haven't found any so far.

 You don't seem very interested.
 Sorry about the .......
 No, it's okay. It's not very interesting.

 Well, is there anything interesting to talk about?
 Hercule thought for a moment, but could not think of anything. Well, what should I do? ......

 As Hercule pondered, Karolina smiled happily.

 What's wrong?
 I'm glad to see that you're taking your political duties seriously.
 ...... Well, it's directly related to my food situation.

 That's it, after all.
 Hercule would not go to the trouble if it were not in his interest to do so.
 He imports various crops because it is in his interest to do so.

 It is all for the sake of gastronomy.

 "......, Your Majesty. May I ask you a question?
 What is it?
 "...... What do you intend to do, Hadrian?

 Karolina asked Hercule in a whisper.
 His Highness Hadrian, ...... that is, Hercule's brother Hadrian.

 I don't know what to say. I'm not doing anything wrong. Then there's nothing for me to do.
 But isn't it ...... too rude of you not to come and greet me once you've been crowned? In addition, I have heard that the nobles are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the tax increases. If this continues, ...... 
 "Karolina!

 Hercule stopped Karolina with a loud voice.
 Karolina hurriedly held her tongue.

 ...... "I'm sorry, that was out of line.

 Karolina is pouting.
 I'm not sure what to say.

 "Don't worry. I've been thinking about it too. ...... Do you think I'm just an unthinking person?
 "...... No.
 Do you? Trust me. It's all in my hands.

 Hercule laughed at that, then ......
 He narrowed his eyes and muttered in a low voice.

 I think I'm going to have to do some sifting.

 At that moment, a chill ran down Carolina's spine.
 It was because Hercule had a ...... horrible, brutal look on his face.

 At the same time, she felt a strange sense of relief and her heart raced.

 (Oh, so that's why ...... I like this guy.)

 It's not just Karolina.
 It's not just Karolina, but also Galfis, Christos, Loukanos, and even Darios.

 They will not stand against Hercule.
 Not against Hercule.
 And it's a relief.

 This better, more cunning, more brutal emperor than any of them is terrifying.
 And that's why everyone loves him and feels safe.

 They're glad he's on their side and they're glad he's their lord.

 "Your Majesty, dessert is served.
 "Oh! This is a ...... melon.

 "Oh! This is a melon." A large slice of melon is brought to you.
 Melons are Hercule's favorite food.

 "Bon appétit!

 Hercule popped a large slice of melon into his mouth and ......

 "Boo!

 Spit it out.
 Then he rinses his mouth with the drink and shoves his fingers down his throat, spitting out everything in his stomach.

 "Huh, Your Majesty? What the ......?

 Karolina screamed in confusion at Hercule's sudden strange behavior.
 Hercule silently walks over to Karolina and ......

 "You didn't eat the melon, did you?
 Yeah, yeah, not ...... yet, but ......
 Well... That's good. But just in case. I'm sorry, I'll be pissed as hell later.


 "Eh, what the heck, geez, .......

 Hercule shoves his finger down Karolina's throat and makes her let out everything in her stomach.

 "What the hell is ...... that?

 You can find a lot of things that can make you feel uncomfortable about vomiting, embarrassed that you vomited in front of your girlfriend, and angry that she suddenly made you vomit.

 All sorts of things become squishy inside Carolina.

 In response to Carolina's protests, Hercule gave a short answer.

 "It's poison.