"Even if you say so, I'm not your homeroom teacher.

　Hercule read the letter that came from Cecilia and let out a sigh.
　In a nutshell, there were pages and pages of content to the effect that "Anyway, I had a fight with Nia because of the Mebukijiji, and it was Nia's fault in the ratio of 7:3, right? In fact, I had written it a few weeks ago.

　In fact, Hercule had been told the same thing by Near a few weeks ago.

　"As far as I can tell from both sides of the story, I feel like I'm the one at fault. ......

　I'm not sure if it's because I slipped up or because I'm the main cause,.......
　I'm not sure what to do.

　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I'm so excited about this.
　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm not sure what to do.

　I'm not sure what to do.　If it were me, Carolina and Lunalee, we could settle this with s*x.

　If it were me, Carolina and Lunalee, we could settle this with s*x.
　That's how Hercule had managed it so far.

　When that didn't work, he apologized anyway.

　You can't reason with an angry person.
　The best thing to do is to apologize and get them in a good mood.

　But Cecilia and Nia are women.
　Cecilia and Nia are both women, and there is no way they can solve their problems in bed, because they both think they are at fault.

　You can tell that you want a mediator when you tell me.

　Hercule leaned back in his chair with a sigh.
　If he really wanted to break up with her, he would not have said this to Hercule.

　The intention of both of them to ask Hercule, their mutual acquaintance, to intercede is obvious.

　"We're both b*tc*es, you know. Totally ......

　Nia does not have any close friends in Lemuria, partly because she is a Nightmare.
　It is one thing to not be discriminated against outwardly, but another to have friends.
　Cecilia also has no friends in the true sense of the word, as she is the next princess maiden (medium).

　Both of them don't really know how to socialize.

　I've never had a friend in my life. ...... Well, Hercule is the Emperor of Botch, so I can't say much about him.

　You have to do something about it. ...... It's my responsibility, too.

　But Hercule is not their homeroom teacher.
　He doesn't have that much time on his hands.

　I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on. I'm not that busy.

　...... Just then, someone knocked on the door.

　"Your Majesty, this is Antonio.
　"Your Majesty, it's Shylock.

　Hercule put down his pen, put away the letter and ordered them to enter.
　Slowly the door opened and they entered.

　Hercule got out of his chair and sat down on the sofa. ......
　He asked them to sit down as well.

　Then he rang the doorbell and called Cifanie ......
　He ordered the tea to be made.

　"Well, first of all, ...... before we get to the point, Antonio. Can you give us a report on the sheep breeding?
　"Yes, Your Majesty. I think it's safe to say that the breeding process has been largely successful. I think we're almost there.
　"That's very good.

　Hercule nodded with satisfaction.
　Hercule had been ordering the breeding of ...... sheep ever since he hired Antonio.

　This is because the textile industry is the easiest industry to increase the national wealth.
　It was only natural to introduce cotton and to improve old fibers such as sheep.

　Now let's get down to business. Actually, I'd like you two to start a business.
　A business, sir?
　Just the two of us?

　Antonio and Shylock tilted their heads.
　Antonio was originally a trader and Shylock was a money changer and money lender.

　The former is the Minister of Commerce and Trade, the latter the Minister of Finance.

　They both have similar jobs, but ......
　Strictly speaking, they are different.

　Oh. I thought it was time to focus on trade.

　There are three reasons why Hercule wanted to focus on trade.

　First of all, it is the basic policy of Hercule to gain national wealth through trade.
　No matter how much he boosted industry and commerce, it would be meaningless if he did not sell it to foreign countries.

　Secondly, the repeated wars have had a negative impact on the national treasury.
　It is time to focus on domestic affairs.

　Third, we have the Taurica Peninsula, Rosa and other islands in our hands.
　Now that the maritime threat had been eliminated, it was time to focus on trade.

　First of all, I'm thinking of introducing a marine insurance system. Some of the guilds have already implemented it, but ...... this time it will be a state-led initiative.

　Hercule then explained the ...... marine insurance system.

　Marine insurance system.
　In other words, it is a system to compensate for the loss of ships and cargo when ships run aground or are attacked by pirates.
　You can think of it as a marine version of life insurance or medical insurance.

　The loss of a ship or cargo is a great blow to a merchant.
　It is a great loss that would turn a millionaire into a pauper in one fell swoop.

　However, with the insurance system, the fall of the city can be avoided.

　The merchants will be able to engage in commercial activities more actively than before.

　"Well, of course, you have to make sure that profits will increase. By the way, ...... is going to include foreigners in the insurance system.



　It's practically an oligopoly of the Lemurian Empire. ......
　There's no reason why it can't be profitable.
　Foreigners are welcome as long as they are willing to pay.

　However, in the event of war, we will shut down everything.

　This is an example of how to get insured foreign merchants to pay ......
　This was a way to discourage insured foreign merchants from funding the war against the Lemurian Empire.

　"I see. ...... against the Republic of Adleria?
　You know exactly what I mean.

　Hercule nodded loudly at Antonio's words.
　The Republic of Adorlia.

　The Republic of Adorlia is located at the base of the Aperian Peninsula.
　It is a republic of ...... merchants, with an island on a large tidal flat as its mainland and other smaller islands under its control.

　It is a republic of merchants that has resisted the Lemurian Empire many times in cooperation with the Kingdom of Chelda.

　Now that the Kingdom of Chellda has fallen, the Lemurian Empire will be able to use ......
　It is the last enemy in the Album Sea.

　The Lemurian Empire is the last enemy in the Album Sea. As long as the Lemurian Empire's finances don't collapse, it's almost a guaranteed insurance policy.

　Shylock nodded.
　If an insurance system is introduced, some of the merchants in the Republic of Adluria will certainly join it.

　It would be an effective card to use as a foothold to intervene in the internal affairs of the Republic of Adluria, as well as a check and balance.

　The next step is to establish a ...... trading company. That's right, ......, the name is 'Lemuria Trading Company'. And we'll divide it into three parts. The Album Sea Trading Company, the Artel Sea Trading Company, and the Rubel Sea Trading Company. All three have the same basic capital, but there are three ...... presidents and managers. We'll have each of them compete.

　Antonio tilted his head.

　Is it correct to say that we are merging the guilds of the ...... traders?
　"Well, basically, yes.

　Hercule nodded and answered.

　However ......
　Hercule added.

　It will be a stock company. Fifty-one percent of the stock will come from the Imperial government, but the rest will come from the private ...... sector and society at large, including foreign countries.
　"...... shares, sir?
　Can you be more specific?

　Antonio and Shylock leaned forward.
　When Hercule explained about shares, ...... they nodded in admiration.


　The first premise is that ...... trade in this world is very risky.
　Therefore, if you are exposed to free competition, you are almost certain to fall together.

　This is natural because everyone is trying to buy cheap and sell high.
　Unless the risks are reasonably small, as they are on modern Earth, but in this world, where the seas are full of pirates and monsters as big as kraken sometimes attack, ......

　It's best to have merchants cooperate with each other as much as possible.

　Furthermore, trade requires a huge initial investment.
　It is impossible for traders to fund this alone.
　At the same time, it would be too costly for the Imperial government alone.

　But what if we could get the entire society to invest?
　Not just the traders, but the other merchants of the Lemurian Empire, the nobility, the clergy.
　Even the wealthy from abroad.

　If they funded it, ......
　If they fund it, we'll have it in no time.

　Well, at least more than half of the shares must be held by the Imperial government to be safe. ......
　I'm sure you'll be glad to know that I'm not the only one.

　Incidentally, the reason why we divided the company into three is because each company has its own products, ......
　The reason for the division of the company into three is that each company deals with different products, different types of ships, and different business enemies.

　Each ocean has its own armament and ships.
　It is safer to divide the companies from the aspect that it is better to have some competition.

　Since the capital of the three companies is the same, there is no problem.

　Only subjects of the Empire will be allowed to join the trading companies. In other words, only taxpayers will be able to join. As a perk, we're going to give you a little discount on insurance and better ...... tariff treatment.

　"I see. ...... So, how much power do you give to the trading companies?

　How much power do you give to your trading company?" Antonio asked, and Hercule thought for a moment before answering.

　You can hire mercenaries. You may hire mercenaries and operate armed ships. You may hire mercenaries and operate armed ships. You may negotiate independently with foreign nations. That should be enough. But ...... forbids you from starting wars on your own.

　If they start wars at will, it will be impossible to control them.
　Well, it is doubtful that they will grow up to have that much power, but ......

　I was thinking of putting a collar around it, just in case.

　I'm not sure how much ...... effort you're putting into this.
　"It's a national policy. Against the Phallus.

　The Lemurian Empire has been a major force in the east.
　The only way for the Lemurian Empire to trade with the countries of the East is through the ...... Rubel Sea, the Kuro Plunge, or through the Kingdom of Phallus.
　As for Hercule, the fact that the Kingdom of Foulth benefits from every trade is ......
　It's not a very interesting story.

　Now, that's why ...... we're going to be looking at both financial and commercial/trade policies. I'll let you two work together on this. Antonio can leave the room if he wants. And ...... Shylock, I need to talk to you about something else. Stay.



　Hercule said, and Antonio stood up and ......
　He bowed and left.

　Hercule looked at Antonio and then stood up. ......
　He picked up the gold coins that were on the desk, returned to the couch, and placed them on the table.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　Hercule said, then with a ......
　I'm going to change the money.

　We're going to change the currency. I don't like the idea of it.