Although conditions were harsh, Louis refused to let hygiene problems jeopardize the future of his territory.
"First, we need to build latrines," Louis said, his gaze sweeping across the assembled artisans and laborers. "We'll install multiple public latrines in each residential area. Prepare for the work."
The artisans nodded at the command, though many wore puzzled expressions.
Build latrines?
Isn't it just digging a hole?
Louis offered no lengthy explanation. Instead, he led them personally to scout appropriate locations. He chose spots far from water sources, distant from major roads, and situated downwind—ensuring that neither water supplies would be contaminated nor daily life disrupted by foul odors.
He implemented a dual-pit alternating system.
Each latrine had two parallel pits, spaced a meter apart. Each pit was at least two meters deep and 0.8 meters wide. The first pit would be used for six to twelve months, after which it would be sealed and allowed to ferment into compostable fertilizer. The second pit would then be used in rotation, allowing continuous operation without harming public health.
To ensure compliance, Louis introduced an innovative method of public education. He commissioned a "Ten Commandments of Latrine Use" and had them illustrated on the wall of every latrine.
Because most residents were illiterate, the instructions were communicated through simple, direct drawings. Examples included:"No defecating or urinating anywhere else,""Cover the pit after use,""Do not throw garbage into the latrine," and more.To drive the point home, Louis gave a clear order:
"Everyone must follow latrine regulations. Violators will be strictly punished."
At first, the residents were baffled. Most had grown up relieving themselves wherever they pleased and had never imagined that using a latrine could involve rules.
But no one dared to question him. Perhaps they didn't fully understand why, but they had complete faith in their Lord's decisions.
Building latrines was only the first step. Next came water purification.
Louis furrowed his brows as he pointed to the river near Red Tide Territory on the map.
"We can't let people continue fetching water straight from the river. We need a proper water purification system."
He dispatched survey teams to collect water samples from various fast-flowing streams, eventually selecting the cleanest source. There, they constructed a stepped sand filtration system using a three-layer method:Coarse gravel to catch silt and large particles,Fine sand to trap suspended impurities and clarify the water,Birch charcoal as the top layer to eliminate odors and filter out germs.Louis watched as the first batch of filtered water flowed into a barrel. It was so clear that the fine sand at the bottom could be seen. He scooped a cup, sniffed it, and drank.
"No strange smell," he muttered with a nod. "This is drinkable."
To maintain safety, he appointed reliable soldiers and stewards to test water quality daily and report any anomalies immediately.
Curious residents gathered nearby, scooping sips of water with their hands.
Their expressions changed from skepticism to astonishment.
"It's even sweeter than river water!"
"And it doesn't have that earthy smell anymore!"
Gradually, the people began to accept the new water collection rule: drink only from the purification station.
With the clean water system in place, the Red Tide Territory's water crisis was resolved.
Next came sanitation and cleanliness.
Louis selected a dozen trustworthy residents, pointing to the filth in various areas:
"Starting today, you're the cleaning team. Your sole responsibility is to maintain territory cleanliness. You'll be issued brooms, buckets, and lime. Patrol daily. Leave no corner uncleaned."
However, relying only on a few people wasn't enough. Cleanliness needed to be a shared responsibility. So Louis declared a "Great Clean-up Day".
"Once a month, everyone—commoners, soldiers, slaves, and even knights—must participate. No one is exempt."
On the first Clean-up Day, the streets of Red Tide Territory buzzed with activity as the morning bell rang.
People poured into the central square holding brooms, shovels, buckets, and cleaning rags.
Many wore reluctant expressions. Some soldiers assumed their role was simply to maintain order. Others muttered quietly among themselves, doubtful about such a decree.
But before anyone could act, one figure moved first.
Louis stepped forward, picked up a broom, and began sweeping up dust and fallen leaves.
Swish—
The sound echoed across the square, startling everyone into silence.
The soldiers exchanged surprised glances. They hadn't expected their Lord to personally clean the streets. The slaves stood frozen. A noble doing the same work as them?
Before the shock wore off, a few soldiers muttered, "Even the Lord is doing it…" and lowered their heads to begin cleaning too.
Seeing this, the remaining residents followed suit.
The crowd dispersed into action. The main streets, alleys, animal pens, and marketplace—every corner became a scene of sweeping and scrubbing. The previously filthy surroundings began to transform.
Louis said nothing more. He just worked silently alongside the others, cleaning without pause.
When he finally looked up, he saw that even those who were initially reluctant were now thoroughly engaged.
As the sun set, the Red Tide Territory was free of trash and stench. A clean, crisp scent lingered in the air.
At first, Louis's string of "annoying tasks"—building latrines, purifying water, digging drainage ditches, and forming a cleaning team—was met with complaints and disbelief.
Many dismissed it all as a youthful lord's naïve impulse that would soon fade.
But as the days turned into weeks, the truth began to show.
"Wait… where's all the trash that used to be on the streets?"
"Why doesn't the alley smell anymore?"
Even more astonishing, the water tasted better, and the number of people suffering from diarrhea or sickness dropped sharply.
Before, filth was just part of life. People had long accepted dirtiness and disease as unavoidable facts. Now, they were beginning to realize—life could be better.
The most direct and noticeable change? Fewer people were falling ill.
Gradually, the grumbling about Louis being "too troublesome" faded into silence. In its place was an unspoken respect—and acceptance of the new rules.
After all, who wouldn't want a cleaner, healthier place to live?
Bradley, the elderly steward of the Calvin Family, stood on a nearby hill, surveying the dramatically improved territory.
He had seen many lords try and fail to manage domains throughout the Empire.
Even the core cities like Cloud Tide City, home to the Calvin Family manor, had districts dirtier than what he now saw below.
"Interesting…" Bradley murmured to himself, his evaluation of Louis rising even higher.
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