Chapter 004: The Earl Needs to Clean Up

This is not only to gain a better understanding of the world, but also to select a site for the aerial garden

The road gradually became narrower, and a foul odor mixed in the air

One gold coin can be exchanged for twenty silver shillings, and one silver shilling can be exchanged for twenty copper coins

Shabiri nodded as a matter of course

The chef in the castle is somewhat perceptive; after watching Bruno demonstrate it personally, he was able to grasp it, as making noodles is not particularly difficult.

"It doesn't matter, feces is actually a good thing," Bruno said with a laugh

In the city of Idar, nearly ten thousand civilians and slaves have gathered; the closer one gets to the urban area, the more crowded the streets become, and the acrid stench in the air grows increasingly intense

Suppressing the nauseating stench in the air, the four of them, master and servants alike, could not help but quicken their pace as they advanced towards the city wall that was already faintly visible in the distance

"Collecting... feces?" Shabi asked somewhat uncertainly

That is the result of the continuous fermentation of human and livestock excrement in the air

"Make way, everyone make way, a noble lord is passing through." He waved his whip and shouted loudly, resembling a sycophant who is abusing his power.

The houses closest to one's castle are mostly two-story stone buildings, some of which even feature a sizable courtyard. As one gradually moves away from the castle, the houses transition from stone to wood, and even the courtyards become increasingly smaller

Dirty! Messy! Poor!

Shabi is about to cry, as their own lord the earl has just settled down for a while, yet has started to act recklessly again. After all, whose fiefdom is not like this

"What? Do you have an opinion?" Bruno glared at him fiercely

Hiss ~ Hiss ~

The fact that he was able to independently develop new dishes indicates that this new chef is not a fool; remember to reward him said Bruno casually

Mounting the horse, I rode forward relying on the memories of my original self

"That's right! You heard correctly!" Bruno stated unequivocally

But... isn't it a bit too much to have three large baskets for a single copper coin? After all, even if it were ten baskets for a single copper coin, there would still be people willing to give.

Heavens, this nauseating stench

I will arrange it right away, my lord the Earl

Shabi rubbed his ears, feeling that there might be something wrong with them

The following morning

Although he was somewhat puzzled by Bruno's sudden decision to inspect the territory, he did not ask further questions and simply carried out Bruno's orders without fail

The serfs often work rather sluggishly and require a capable person to oversee them. Therefore, I appoint you as the dung collector of Idar City, responsible from tomorrow onwards for supervising the serfs in their dung collection and disposal duties

This is Bruno's complete impression of Idar City

Finally... left the city

Bruno will absolutely not allow such a thing to happen

Upon realizing this, a terrifying term suddenly appeared in Bruno's mind: the Black Death

It is likely due to the rain that fell a few days ago that the road surface has become somewhat muddy, making it difficult to distinguish between the manure of cattle and horses and the muddy water on the ground

A plague that claimed the lives of one-third of the Western population on Earth

Count Bruno's castle is located in the northwest corner of Idar City, built on a low hill. Although this castle, which is only about three or four stories high, does not appear particularly grand and seems somewhat dilapidated in Bruno's eyes, it is nonetheless the tallest and most luxurious building in Idar City.

"Three large baskets of manure can be exchanged for a copper coin, that is settled then," Bruno decisively stated

This world is such that, in the absence of a powerful force, one can only go with the flow

The number of people on both sides of the road gradually increased, most of them wearing tattered, dirty short garments, walking barefoot on the muddy dirt road, and some had shackles on their feet, their gazes vacant

As he gradually ventured deeper into the heart of the city, Bruno finally understood what the scent lingering in the air was.

However, what is truly remarkable is that he has independently developed a new dish, the poached egg, as if he were a self-taught talent in research and development

After all, luxury is also relative

This is Idar, and it is also this world

Shabice quickly moved forward and arrived in front of Bruno

"Do not harm women and children," Bruno reminded from behind, yet did not intervene

hiss

This is Bruno's first time riding a horse after his journey through time. At first, it was a bit shaky and bumpy, but he quickly adapted, even occasionally urging the horse beneath him with a small whip.

"Shabi!" Bruno said seriously

Is this how the feces are handled

According to the prearranged plan, Bruno intends to thoroughly inspect his territory, Idar City, today

In fact, you need not have come here; this area is mostly inhabited by the poor and serfs, and there is not much to see.

Well ... ... good things? Shabi feels that his own earl is becoming increasingly abnormal

Bruno even witnessed someone casually dumping a large pile of excrement by the roadside, and then upon seeing him, a nobleman riding by, they suddenly knelt down, engaging in intimate contact with some indescribable entity

"My lord, what are your instructions?"

A clean and hygienic living environment is something that only the nobility in this world can enjoy

Bruno is a person who values his life; the filthy sanitary conditions in Idar City are akin to a ticking time bomb, and once detonated, it will unleash an uncontrollable plague

Fortunately riding a horse

Gold coins, silver shillings, and copper coins, these are the three circulating currencies of the Norman Empire

However, this would result in a significant increase in expenses within the territory, as after all, a single shovel on the streets of the city can easily yield a large pile of excrement, " said Shabi in a low voice

Most of the residents around the castle work for us, and their daily wages are quite generous, so their lives can be considered relatively affluent in Idar City. It seems that Shabi noticed Bruno's confusion and kindly explained.

Moreover, when a person faces numerous difficulties just to fill their stomach and make ends meet, how can they have the time to pay attention to hygiene conditions

You are to instruct that starting tomorrow, a dedicated person will be assigned in the city to collect feces. Additionally, notices should be posted stating that a large basket... no, three large baskets of feces can be exchanged for one copper coin

No! There is none!" Shabi quickly said

A barefoot child by the roadside, with a runny nose, curiously gazes at the nobleman riding on horseback, but is hurriedly pressed down by the panicked parents nearby, kneeling helplessly on either side of the road

There were not many companions, apart from the personal male servant Shabi, there were also two bodyguards, while the old butler Fort was busy conducting a population census in Idar City

The thought that those lovely copper coins would be equated with filthy excrement made Shabi feel a sense of despair, as he knew he would surely be scolded mercilessly by the old steward upon his return

He absolutely cannot accept that his territory is in such a state

Upon leaving the city, Bruno could not help but take a deep breath; the scent of nature was truly wonderful

Bruno finally understood why the nobles of the Middle Ages always carried umbrellas when going out, and he also finally grasped the origin of the scent associated with high-heeled shoes

Along the way, Bruno discovered that the farther he moved away from his castle, the more rudimentary the residents' houses became

After enjoying a meal that cannot be considered lavish for breakfast, Shabi had already been waiting at the castle gate for quite some time