Chapter 7

"Brother, how is it?"

"Hmm, it tastes like the 'Kumagoro' that Dad, who is strict with our allowance, uses for his evening drink."

"Well, that's because it's the same as that Kumagoro."

Kohki and his group had established their base in Shinchi, but their roles were already decided.

Basically, Seiki, who prefers indoor activities, works with Kiyomaro and others to manage the restricted areas adjacent to Shinchi Castle and Kanagawa, and to manufacture various items—well, since they also privately mint Eiraku Tsuho coins, it wouldn't be wrong to call it counterfeiting.

Additionally, he handles the finances of the Shinchi family.

There are both public and secret ledgers, and the only one Taisuke knows about is the public ledger.

Seiki usually stays inside Shinchi Castle and Kanagawa, working on various things, but what he brought to Kohki was artificially synthesized shochu.

This shochu is made from biomass ethanol, which was practically used in the world where Kohki and his group came from.

Since the technology is outdated, the manufacturing facilities are produced using the machinery in Kanagawa, and the cellulose material is sourced from local plants.

The energy source is solar panels, but the people of this era don't understand what they are.

"It's for warding off evil."

When Kohki and his group say this, the people no longer show interest in the solar panels on the roofs of Shinchi Castle and the large warehouses.

Indeed, they think that the solar panels, which shine when sunlight hits them, must repel evil.

The leftover plant material after extracting the ethanol is processed into fertilizer.

Initially, Seiki tried to produce ethanol for medical disinfection, but he diluted it to about 40% alcohol and turned it into a smooth shochu.

It can also be used as white liquor for making fruit wines like plum wine, and as a base for sours and cocktails.

'Kumagoro' is a well-known brand of sake in the Akitsushima Federation, a favorite among the common people, often sold at special prices in supermarkets.

A 4-liter PET bottle for less than 1,500 new yen is a good deal.

"It's almost all alcohol and water, so it might be harsh to drink straight."

"Yeah..."

Unlike properly manufactured shochu, it lacks flavor, but it should be fine if mixed with something else.

"But I don't feel like drinking it."

"Me neither."

Kohki, Seiki, and Kyouko don't drink much.

They aren't particularly sensitive to alcohol, but they just don't have a strong attachment to it.

"Is it possible to increase production?"

"Sure, if we have the plant material."

The plant material is available everywhere, but there's no one to collect it.

Seiki says that once the governance is more established, they can buy harvested plants and increase production.

"More importantly, I want to focus on developing the brewing industry in the future."

This will happen once the governance of the Shinchi domain is on track.

For now, it's enough to ensure that there's enough alcohol for disinfection in case of soldier injuries.

"That will be possible once we have the manpower."

Seiki left the large earthenware container of shochu in Kohki's office and exited.

Shortly after, Taisuke entered, carrying many documents.

"Lord, what is in that earthenware container?"

Taisuke seemed interested in the large earthenware container on Kohki's desk.

Seiki made it with Kumagoro in mind, so it holds 4 liters.

It's quite noticeable, which is why Taisuke was curious.

"It's the alcohol Seiki obtained."

"Hmm, alcohol...?"

In this era, alcohol is a valuable commodity.

Since alcohol is produced from grains, it can't be made unless there's a surplus of grains.

With the underdeveloped agricultural technology of this era, there's no way to have a large surplus of grains, so the amount of alcohol produced is much less compared to the future.

The famous sake-producing regions are mostly in the Kinai area, which is an advanced development region, and the main producers of sake are temples, where money and grains are concentrated, just like in the West, where monasteries produce wine and beer.

In Japan, temple-made sake is considered a luxury item, and even though it's produced in small quantities, clear sake is already being made.

"Is it delicious?"

Taisuke was interested in the alcohol.

Even as a former important retainer of the Iwakura Oda family, he didn't have many opportunities to drink proper alcohol.

Usually, he could only drink weak, cloudy white sake called doburoku.

"It's not very tasty, I think."

"Why not?"

"The alcohol content is high, but it lacks flavor and taste."

Since it's artificially brewed, it doesn't have the flavor of properly made alcohol.

Kohki explained to Taisuke that it's not something he would recommend.

"Would you like to try it?"

"Yes, if I may."

Kohki poured shochu from the large container into a teacup and handed it to Taisuke, who immediately started to taste it.

The strong alcohol, which he had never tasted before, made Taisuke choke.

"Don't drink it all at once. The alcohol content is high."

"Indeed, it is strong."

In this era, there are hardly any people who have experienced alcohol with an alcohol content of over 40%.

Taisuke was shocked by the intense alcohol.

While it might not have much flavor, it has a stimulating quality that could become addictive.

"It might be fine if diluted with water or something..."

Technically, it's a biomass fuel, not alcohol, but it's hygienic and the components are the same ethanol.

Drinking it shouldn't harm your health... but you need to be careful about alcohol poisoning due to the high alcohol content.

"If you want it, I can give it to you, but don't drink too much. It can be harmful to your health and can lead to alcoholism. Dilute it and drink in moderation."

"Can I have it?"

"As a reward for your hard work, I will give it to you."

Kohki gave Taisuke the large container of shochu in a lordly tone.

He had always wanted to say it.

"Thank you, my lord!"

To Kohki and his group, it's just cheap, artificially brewed alcohol, classified as Class A shochu in the future, but Taisuke gratefully took the alcohol home.

"Being able to drink alcohol every day is wonderful!"

Taisuke enjoyed his evening drink every day by diluting the shochu with water.

And the other retainers...

"Lord! If there's an opportunity to reward us, please give us that alcohol!"

"I want that alcohol too! My father keeps the container so carefully that he won't even let me, his son, drink it!"

Until proper brewing began in the Shinchi domain, Class A shochu served as a sufficient reward.