NOVEL NEXT chapter 42 - Solving Sanitation Problems
Despite the harsh conditions, Louis would never let hygiene issues affect the Red Tide Territory's future.
"First, we need to build latrines," Louis said, his gaze sweeping over the assembled artisans and laborers. "We'll add several public latrines in each residential area. You can start preparing now."
The artisans nodded at Louis's command, but many still looked puzzled.
Build latrines?
Isn't it just digging a pit?
Louis didn't explain much; instead, he directly led the people to select the sites.
He chose locations far from water sources, away from the main residential roads, and downwind.
This ensured that drinking water would not be contaminated and daily life would not be affected.
They adopted a dual-pit alternating use method.
Each latrine had two parallel pits, one meter apart, each at least two meters deep and 0.8 meters wide.
After the first pit was used for 6 to 12 months, it would be covered and left to ferment into fertilizer, then the second pit would be used, and so on.
To ensure the residents truly followed the new rules, Louis even made a special arrangement.
He commissioned illustrations of the "Ten Commandments of Latrine Use" to be hung on the walls of each latrine.
Since most people were illiterate, he had simple, straightforward diagrams drawn.
For example, "Do not relieve yourself anywhere," "Cover the pit after using the latrine," "Do not throw trash into the latrine," and so on.
He issued a strict prohibition: "Everyone must use the latrines according to the rules. Violators will be severely punished."
When the new rule was first implemented, many residents were puzzled. They had been accustomed to relieving themselves anywhere since childhood and had never thought that using a latrine would require rules.
But no one dared to object. Perhaps they didn't understand the reason, but they believed that their Lord's words were 100% correct.
Building latrines was only the first step; the next focus was water source treatment.
Louis frowned, pointing to the river near the Red Tide Territory on the map. "We can no longer let everyone fetch water from the river casually. We need to build a water purification system."
He sent people to sample several fast-flowing rivers and finally selected the cleanest water source.
The first layer was coarse gravel, which could intercept silt and large particles of impurities.
The second layer was fine sand, which could absorb suspended matter in the water, making the water clearer.
The most crucial layer was the top layer of birch charcoal fragments, which could not only remove odors from the water but also filter out some pathogens, making the water safer.
Louis watched the first batch of purified water slowly flow into the storage barrels, so clear that he could almost see the fine sand at the bottom.
He scooped up a cup, confirmed there was no strange odor, and then nodded. "Good, this water is drinkable."
To ensure water quality, he even specifically arranged for several reliable soldiers and stewards to test the water daily and report any abnormalities immediately.
The surrounding residents gathered around to watch. They cupped their hands, carefully took a sip of water, and showed surprised expressions.
"It's sweeter than river water…"
"And it doesn't have that strange earthy smell!"
Thus, the residents gradually accepted the rules for fetching drinking water here.
As the new water system began to operate, the Red Tide Territory's water problem finally ceased to be a hidden danger.
And the cleaning work had to be thoroughly executed.
Louis gathered more than a dozen reliable residents, pointing to the soiled areas. "From today onwards, you are the cleaning team. Your only job is to maintain the cleanliness of the territory.
Brooms, wooden buckets, and lime will be issued to you. You must patrol daily, leaving no dead corners."
But these people alone were not enough; hygiene had to become everyone's responsibility, so he instituted a "Big Cleaning Day."
"Once a month, everyone in the territory must participate. Soldiers, commoners, slaves, and even knights are no exception."
The first Big Cleaning Day officially began. The morning bell rang, and the streets of the Red Tide Territory were bustling with people.
Soldiers, commoners, and slaves, all holding brooms, wooden buckets, and shovels, gathered in the square, ready to begin the day's cleaning.
Although no one said anything, many still showed resistance.
But just before they started, a familiar figure had already moved.
Louis picked up a broom and directly swept away the dust and fallen leaves on the ground.
Swish—
The sound of the broom dragging on the ground was clearly audible, exceptionally loud in the quiet air.
Everyone was stunned for a moment.
The soldiers' expressions were subtle. They had thought they were only there to maintain order, but they didn't expect the Lord to personally participate.
The slaves were even more incredulous. A noble, doing the same work as them?
But before they could think further, several soldiers reacted first, muttering, "Even the Lord is doing it," and then also lowered their heads and began to clean.
With the soldiers leading the way, the remaining residents also began to act.
The crowd gradually dispersed. The main street, alleys, livestock pens, and market—every corner had someone cleaning, and the previously dirty and messy environment quickly improved.
Louis didn't say a word. He just buried himself in his work among the crowd.
When he looked up, he found that the residents who had initially resisted were now fully immersed in the cleaning.
When the sun set, the garbage and feces of the Red Tide Territory were thoroughly cleaned, and a fresh scent filled the air.
...
At first, Louis's series of "troubles"—building latrines, purifying water sources, digging drainage ditches, and organizing a cleaning team—
Many thought it was just a young Lord's whim that would soon fizzle out.
But as time passed, observant people began to notice something was off.
"Huh? Where's the trash on the street?"
"Wait, why isn't there that strange smell in the alley anymore?"
Even more surprisingly, when they drank water, there was no longer the usual muddy taste!
In the past, people often had diarrhea, but now this situation had almost disappeared.
In the past, everyone thought dirtiness was natural; after all, everyone was used to it.
But now, looking back, they realized that a place could truly become so clean, so suitable for living.
The most direct change was that fewer people were getting sick.
Unconsciously, the initial complaints about "the Lord being too troublesome" disappeared, replaced by silent acceptance of the new rules.
After all, who wouldn't prefer ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) a more comfortable environment?
Bradley stood on high ground, overlooking the refreshed Red Tide Territory.
As the Calvin Family's old butler, he had witnessed territory management across the empire.
Even core cities like Cloud Tide City, where the Calvin Family mansion was located, had most districts with environments not as good as here.
"Interesting..." Bradley murmured to himself, his evaluation of Louis rising a few more points.