Composting is the process of mixing plant residues, kitchen waste, and manure together to ferment.
Dead leaves, fruit peels, kitchen waste, manure, and crushed bones are layered into the pits, with a thin layer of soil sprinkled over each layer.
This fermentation requires regular stirring to keep it aerated and evenly decomposed, turning into organic fertilizer in four to five months.
Luo De's mastery of fertilization allows these fertilizers to ferment in just two weeks, which requires the townspeople to come and stir daily.
The first week's smell from the compost pits was truly maddening, and every time Luo De went to inspect, he would cover his mouth and nose tightly, take a quick scoop to look at, and immediately leave.
Luo De feared that if he stayed a second longer, he'd absorb the smell into himself.
Otto was responsible for supervising, while five farmers were in charge of the stirring work.
"Otto, can you help me switch jobs?"
Standing by the manure pit, the farmer with his nose stuffed with cloth to block the smell murmured, "Last night, my wife wouldn't even let me into the house."
Otto sighed and pointed to a short, chubby boy not far away, "My youngest son is working in the next manure pit over. You can only switch with him."
Now everyone knew that composting entailed stirring the pit with sticks daily, and no one wanted to do it anymore.
With only two meals a day, who can exert themselves this much?
"Then can we change to another group?"
Due to insufficient manure, some compost pits had more mud and plant ash, along with wild grasses, moss, leaves, and a small amount of bird droppings. A small amount of water would be added during regular overturning to keep it moist.
This type of organic fertilizer ferments faster, and with Luo De's mastery, it can ferment in roughly a week, making it very suitable for growing crops.
Due to the presence of mud, this compost pit also had a bad smell, but compared to the manure pit, it was like heaven.
Otto sighed again, and a resigning farmer beside him calmly said, "Luo Fei, you might as well give up on such impractical thoughts; no one will switch with us."
"However, there is some good news."
Otto suddenly lowered his voice and said, "The Lord asked me to tell you that once finished, each of you five will receive an extra two pounds of meat and a set of clothes."
The farmers' eyes lit up, and Luo Fei leaned on his stick towards Otto, "Not work points?"
"Live meat, it'll be given after we're done!"
"That's great... Hey!"
Excited, Luo Fei slipped, his stick not holding steady, and he fell straight into the manure pit!
"Help me!"
...
...
"So did you save him or not?"
In the blacksmith shop where Luo De was forging, he held back laughter as he asked after hearing Otto's report.
Having assigned all the tasks, Luo De took this opportunity to craft the single-handed sword he promised Durant.
Luo De was curious about how the 100% increased material strength combined with the precision-forged enchantment would perform.
"Of course, we saved him."
Otto said with a wry smile, "But Luo Fei was covered in black and yellow... no one dared to get close, so we handed him a stick to climb back up."
In truth, he could have climbed up himself, but the surroundings were so… well, he just couldn't.
"But now he's thoroughly absorbed the smell."
"Hahaha!"
After Luo De said this, everyone burst into laughter, and Luo De couldn't help but laugh along.
After their hearty laughter, Luo De earnestly remarked, "Well, it's just as well; the composting should be his duty from now on."
At this, everyone burst into laughter again.
Until Durant walked over and reported to Luo De, "Lord Baron, two trading teams have come from the south."
The laughter quickly halted, and Gang Le gripped his war axe, "I'll go notify the brothers."
"Hey!"
Luo De stopped Gang Le and asked, "What are you going to do?"
"Aren't we going to rob them this time?"
"... I'm a lord, not a robber."
Luo De rolled his eyes.
Each phase has its objectives, naturally requiring corresponding methods of handling.
For example, in times of hunger and cold, one must find food first, but once basic needs are met, it's necessary to consider long-term development.
Moreover, I never robbed them before!
The last resort back then was still in line with the law!
Right now, the resources aren't extremely scarce, so normal trade is the way to go.
"Let the trading teams enter the town, and notify Lawrence to receive them."
"Understood, Lord Baron."
Durant turned around to make arrangements.
Luo De wasn't suited to forge here anymore, so he packed up simply and returned to the manor.
Soon, Lawrence brought a young man in his twenties to Luo De's presence.
The young man smiled, bowed at a ninety-degree angle, and greeted,
"Good day, esteemed Lord Baron, may the light of the Lord of Dawn shine upon you."
Luo De raised an eyebrow, astonished to see a believer.
The backward era is always filled with devotion to deities, and this world is no exception.
Especially in hunger and cold, people often seek faith to support their perseverance.
The Lord of Dawn is the largest church in this world.
Even the Broken Rock Empire, with its mixed beliefs, has several churches, as does the territory of the Earl of the Tulip.
But Luo De doesn't believe.
Mainly because it doesn't help.
As a transmigrator, his very existence is heretical.
Unless there are benefits.
"I am Man Xiu Silver Dove, from Oak City, and I come here with respect hoping to trade with you and your people."
"Welcome, young and handsome Silver Dove from Oak City. As you can see, Black Pine Ridge now has a lord, so as soon as your trading team enters here, you'll need to pay taxes."
Man Xiu's gentle voice and humble attitude did elicit some goodwill from Luo De.
But taxes cannot be spared.
"Certainly."
Man Xiu proactively took out a delicate little leather bag from his pocket and offered it with both hands,
"This is three Gold Coins, my trading team's entry tax, thank you for allowing me to trade here."
The leather pouch was embroidered with a proud, upward-looking dove, adorned with wheat and leaf decorations alongside.
It seems this Silver Dove Clan is not small.
Luo De received the pouch, opened it to see three shiny, beautiful Gold Coins inside.
Gold Coins aren't generally circulated among commoners; nobles, with their plentiful resources, naturally keep their coins in excellent condition.
Luo De kept the pouch, returned the three Gold Coins to Man Xiu, and said, "I want to keep the pouch as a memento, but I don't want Gold Coins for the tax. I'd rather have your goods.
Does your trading team have farm tools?"
"We do, noble Lord Baron." Man Xiu nodded.
"Great, leave all of them."
Even though all the farm tools from the Golden Sand Trading Team have been distributed, it's still not enough.
Many farmers are still using wooden hoes that only scratch a shallow layer of the ground when tilling.
"That's fine, but all the farm tools together aren't enough to offset three Gold Coins."
"I also need other iron goods,"
Man Xiu seemed a bit hesitant, "This…"
"I'll compensate you with goods or Gold Coins for the excess."
Luo De saw the troubled expression on Man Xiu's face and knew that the request exceeded the tax, and he feared Luo De would demand more from him.
Ordinary iron farm tools cost around sixty to seventy Copper Coins, but a common iron sword costs at least ten Silver Coins, with better craftsmanship fetching an even higher price.
The price of thirty iron swords could exceed three Gold Coins.
"Frankly speaking, my people have just experienced taxation and probably don't have much to trade with you.
I assume Frost Leaf Town has only me who can trade with you."
"No problem, Lord Baron."
Man Xiu cheerfully agreed, then curiously inquired, "Is the Black Stone Mountain Range your Black Pine Ridge? If so, please allow me to trade there."
Black Stone Mountain Range?
These four words made Luo De's heart tighten, prompting him to stand straight and cross his hands before him,
"You've been there before?"