Chapter 4: The Count's New Duty
The next morning.
Slurp
Slurp, slurp
The castle's cook, having observed Bruno's demonstration, quickly picked up the technique. Making noodles wasn't particularly challenging, but the cook managed to invent a new dish: fried eggs.
"It's impressive that he could come up with a new dish on his own. It shows that the new cook isn't incompetent. Be sure to reward him," Bruno commented casually.
"I'll arrange it immediately, my lord," Shabi replied.
After a satisfying but modest breakfast, Shabi was waiting by the castle gate. While he was somewhat puzzled by Bruno's sudden decision to inspect the territory, he executed Bruno's orders without question.
As planned, Bruno intended to thoroughly review his domain, Idar City, today. This not only aimed to better understand this world but also to scout for a location for the Hanging Gardens.
Accompanied by a small entourage—Shabi and two personal guards—Bruno mounted his horse and set off, guided by his memories from the previous life.
This was Bruno's first time riding a horse since his transmigration. At first, he was a bit shaky and wobbly, but he quickly adapted and even occasionally urged his mount forward with a little whip.
Bruno's castle was located in the northwest corner of Idar City, perched atop a low hill. Although the castle, standing at about three or four stories high, appeared somewhat shabby and unimpressive to Bruno, it was still the tallest and most luxurious building in Idar City.
After all, luxury is relative.
As Bruno traveled away from his castle, he noticed that the farther he went, the more dilapidated the residents' homes became. The houses closest to the castle were mostly two-story stone buildings, some with sizeable courtyards. As he moved farther away, the stone houses gradually gave way to wooden structures, and the courtyards became smaller.
"The residents around the castle are mostly those who work for us," Shabi explained, sensing Bruno's curiosity. "Their wages are relatively good, so their living conditions are among the better ones in Idar City."
"In fact, you didn't have to come here," Shabi continued. "This area mostly houses the poor and serfs; there's nothing particularly noteworthy."
The roads gradually narrowed, and the air was tainted with a foul odor. Likely due to recent rain, the road was muddy, and a mix of cattle and horse manure with the mud made it difficult to distinguish.
The number of people on the road increased. Most wore filthy, worn-out tunics, walked barefoot through the muddy path, and some were shackled with heavy iron chains, their gazes vacant and distant.
"Is this how you deal with the manure?" Bruno asked.
Shabi nodded as if it were obvious. In a world where merely making ends meet was a struggle, who had time to worry about sanitation?
A clean and sanitary living environment was something only the nobility could afford in this world.
"Fortunately, we're riding horses…" Bruno finally understood why medieval nobles carried umbrellas and why high heels became associated with certain smells.
Suppressing the nauseating stench in the air, the four of them quickened their pace, heading toward the city walls that were now visible in the distance.
Finally… they were out of the city.
Outside, Bruno took a deep breath of the fresh air. Nature's scent was surprisingly pleasant.
"Shabi!" Bruno said sternly.
"Yes, my lord?"
"From tomorrow, arrange for someone to collect manure from the city. Also, post a notice: one large basket of manure can be exchanged for a copper coin."
Dirty! Chaotic! Poor!
This was Bruno's impression of Idar City. He could not accept that his territory looked like this.
Bruno was someone who valued his own life, and the filthy sanitary conditions in Idar City were like a ticking time bomb, ready to explode into an uncontrollable plague!
He would not allow such a thing to happen!
Shabi rubbed his ears, wondering if he had heard incorrectly.
"Collect manure?" Shabi asked uncertainly.
"Yes! You heard me correctly!" Bruno said firmly.
"But… isn't it a bit too much to exchange three large baskets for a copper coin? Even ten baskets for a coin would be a lot."
Shabi was close to tears. His lord had just settled down, and now he was starting to make unreasonable demands again. After all, this was the norm for most territories.
The thought of having to equate those precious copper coins with filthy manure was overwhelming for Shabi. He feared he would be scolded severely by the old steward when he returned.
"Three large baskets of manure for one copper coin. That's the decision," Bruno said decisively.
Gold coins, silver coins, and copper coins were the three types of currency in the Norman Empire. One gold coin could be exchanged for twenty silver coins, and one silver coins for twenty copper coins.
"But this will result in a significant expense for the territory. After all, a single shovel full of manure from the streets can fill a large basket," Shabi said quietly.
"That's fine. Manure is actually quite valuable," Bruno said with a smile.
"Valuable?" Shabi thought his lord was becoming increasingly strange.
"Do you have a problem with that?" Bruno glared at him.
"No! Not at all!" Shabi quickly replied.
"Serfs often work slowly and need someone reliable to oversee them. So, from tomorrow, I'll appoint you as the manure supervisor for Idar City. Your job will be to supervise the serfs in collecting manure and managing the waste."