[Knowledge of Fertile Soil (White): You have a clear understanding of the characteristics and fertility of the land, can determine what type of crops are suitable for planting, and can judge which herbs may naturally grow in the surroundings. Your own observational skills are increased by 10%.]
A flood of information instantly surged into Luo De's mind, all about the characteristics of the land and knowledge of crops.
It not only included the features of fertile land and potential locations but also knowledge on how to improve soil nutrition, and more.
The most noteworthy part was a set of standards for scoring the fertility of the land, and as long as it's above sixty points, corresponding crops can be cultivated.
"It's actually more useful than I imagined!"
Luo De breathed a sigh of relief and marveled in his heart.
With [Knowledge of Fertile Soil], Luo De can accurately judge which existing farmland can continue to be cultivated and which must be left fallow.
In addition to crops, the information also includes details on the growth and planting of various herbs, allowing for precise herb collection when traversing the mountains.
Even if Luo De doesn't go personally, he can teach others to improve collection efficiency.
Luo De stood in place and observed the area, the land nearby scored sixty-nine for wheat planting, and seventy-eight for rye planting.
This was similar to Luo De's visual judgment but more accurate.
Luo De immediately called people to mark this farmland and then quickly ran to observe the land he previously thought was barren.
The wheat planting score was fifty-two, and the rye planting score was sixty-five.
Then the third plot, the fourth plot...
After spending another full day, Luo De traveled the entire hillside, classifying the surrounding farmland by whether it can be cultivated, or used for planting wheat or barley.
Of course, there are also distant wastelands that Luo De needs to check, while the land in the town is reserved for growing vegetables.
Classifying farmland is just the first step; Luo De cannot let them merely scatter seeds for this year's planting.
So, upon returning to the town, Luo De immediately ordered Otto,
"Notify everyone to collect all excrement from the town and dig a pit outside the town for concentrated storage."
Otto instinctively wanted to ask why to collect that excrement, but remembering the previous scolding, he immediately shut up and just nodded respectfully.
"No one is allowed to indiscriminately dump chamber pots or defecate in the town. Anyone caught will be fined fifty pounds of rye!"
Luo De's command was not just to unlock the next entry but to create a clean and normal living environment for himself.
Yes, just normal.
In this era, there was no concept of toilets; people were accustomed to defecating anywhere.
At night and when it was cold, excrement would be deposited in wooden buckets and then dumped at will, causing urine-filled puddles everywhere on the streets, some with excrement floating in them.
In the noble's castle, servants tidied up somewhat, but in populous towns, it was extremely severe, with the summer stench and flies buzzing around.
Fortunately, the weather in Frost Leaf Town was still cool, and the ground had just thawed, so there were no scenes of urine flowing everywhere.
Otherwise—
In the future, Luo De absolutely wouldn't let such a scene occur.
"Going outside the town every time might not be bearable..." Otto couldn't help but say quietly.
"Dig some pits in various parts of the town, build a wooden fence around them, and use them exclusively for defecating and dumping excrement!"
Luo De glanced at Otto, speaking irritably, "You're all human, don't you want a clean and tidy living environment?"
"Yes, yes, yes, you're right, esteemed Lord Baron."
Otto nodded repeatedly.
This time, he genuinely agreed from the bottom of his heart.
Everyone hates the foul-smelling excrement, but no one thought to solve the issue, nor had the ability to solve it.
"You have a day, and I'll assign you two soldiers, find the workers yourself."
Luo De looked at Otto sternly,
"If there's a pile of dung on the street the day after tomorrow morning, you'd better be ready for a whipping!"
"Rest assured, it will be cleaned up!"
Otto patted his chest and assured.
Running back and forth among various hillsides all day, Luo De returned only wanting to sleep well.
But the stench from his body was unbearable, wanting a hot bath but having no hot water. He had Gang Le notify the slaves to quickly boil some hot water.
"You need a steward, and more servants, two are too few."
Gang Le reminded him.
Luo De nodded in agreement.
Matt's wife and daughter were no longer working here. Although they showed no hostility, Durant still assigned them to handle the militia's meals.
Now responsible for the guard's and Luo De's meals were two of Matt's original household slaves.
Slaves don't care who their master is, as long as there is food and no beatings.
However, with two slaves catering to over twenty people's meals, the workload was indeed large, so Luo De wouldn't blame anyone for the lack of hot water.
Originally, Luo De planned to add people after completing the manor construction; now, it seems that the issue of attendants needs to be brought forward.
At least find two people to take care of his dietary and living needs first.
"Good day, Lord Baron,"
As Luo De was contemplating, Lawrence walked over with a stack of records,
"The taxation and population statistics tasks you assigned are completed."
"Finished in two days, quite fast."
Luo De casually took the records to review.
It documented that Frost Leaf Town had a total of three hundred and fifty-eight people, ninety-nine adult men of age, and ninety-seven adult women.
Fifteen elderly over sixty, a hundred and forty-seven children under sixteen, of which ninety-seven were under nine.
This was the overall summary of the records, with detailed family breakdowns below.
"Not bad, Lawrence, I like your method of statistics."
Fifteen-year-olds are considered adult labor, while those between fifteen and ten years of age count as half a labor force in this era.
Additionally, due to poor nourishment, people over sixty have reduced physical strength, counting as weak labor.
In this era, common people's natural lifespan is fifty to sixty, with few living past sixty.
Of course, knights like Durant are an exception.
Luo De glanced over the property status of each family, most were not too poor.
After all, without an oppressive lord in recent years, the townspeople have managed some accumulation, especially in food.
But the population is indeed too small.
"Is there anyone who can't afford meals after paying taxes?" Luo De asked.
Taxation sets rules, but people shouldn't starve as a result.
Otherwise, who else would stay here?
For development and expansion, Luo De needs to stabilize these townspeople first, and then attract more people.
"Yes!"
Lawrence drew out a piece of parchment like a treasure, reporting, "Below this horizontal line, these few families don't have enough food for three months.
Especially this last family, a mother and her two daughters with a child, only have fifty pounds of rye left, not even enough for porridge."
Luo De read carefully and nodded in approval.
"Lawrence, you're very smart, knowing exactly what I want."
"Thank you for your praise."
Lawrence beamed.
He understood that although Luo De seemed fierce, as a lord, he truly didn't wish for his subjects to starve.
Otherwise, Luo De wouldn't have spent his first two days constantly walking around the farmlands.
After finishing the statistics, Lawrence immediately marked the families at risk of not affording meals.
"Earlier, you said if I did well, you'd reduce the amount of gold..."
Lawrence expectantly rubbed his hands.
"Rest assured, I won't take any of your ransom money."
Luo De generously waved his hand, and Lawrence's eyes lit up with joy.
"Thank you very much, esteemed Lord Baron, you're the most generous lord in the Broken Rock Empire..."
"Don't leave either."
"Huh?"
Lawrence's voice stopped abruptly, stunned and standing there.
Luo De put down the record sheet, looking at Lawrence with a serious expression,
"Do you have dreams?"