Though conditions were harsh, Vaerik would never let sanitation problems affect the territory's future.
"First, we need to build toilets," Vaerik's gaze swept over the gathered craftsmen and laborers. "Add multiple public toilets in each residential area. Prepare for this first."
The craftsmen nodded upon hearing Vaerik's orders, but many still looked puzzled.
Build toilets?
Wasn't it just digging a hole?
Vaerik didn't explain much, instead directly leading people to select locations.
He chose positions away from water sources, avoiding main residential roads, and in downwind locations.
Ensuring neither drinking water contamination nor interference with daily life.
He used an alternating dual-pit method.
Each toilet had two parallel waste pits, one meter apart, each pit at least two meters deep and 0.8 meters wide.
After using the first pit for 6-12 months, it would be sealed and left to ferment into fertilizer, then the second pit would be activated, cycling continuously.
To make subjects truly follow new regulations, Vaerik even specially arranged something.
Creating "Ten Toilet Commandments" illustrations, hanging them on every toilet wall.
Since the vast majority were illiterate, he simply had people draw simple, direct pictographs.
Such as "no defecating or urinating anywhere," "cover pit covers after using toilets," "don't litter in toilets," etc.
He issued strict prohibitions: "Everyone must use toilets according to regulations. Violators will be severely punished."
When new rules were first implemented, many subjects looked bewildered. They had been accustomed to relieving themselves anywhere since childhood, never thinking toilet use required rules.
But no one dared object. Perhaps they didn't understand the purpose, but they believed the lord's words were one hundred percent correct.
Building toilets was just the first step. The next focus was water source treatment.
Vaerik frowned, pointing at rivers near Crimson Tide Domain on the map: "We can't let everyone randomly fetch water from riverbanks anymore. We need to build a water purification system."
He sent people to sample several fast-flowing rivers, finally selecting the cleanest water source.
Here they built a terraced sand filtration pool, using three-layer filtration to purify water quality.
The first layer was coarse gravel, which could intercept sediment and large particle impurities;
The second layer was fine sand, which could absorb suspended matter in water, making it clearer;
The most crucial layer was the topmost birch charcoal fragments, which could not only remove odors from water but also filter out some bacteria, making water safer.
Vaerik watched the first batch of purified water slowly flow into storage buckets, so clear you could almost see fine sand at the bottom.
He scooped up a cup, confirmed there was no odor, then nodded: "Good, this water is drinkable."
To ensure water quality, he even specially arranged several reliable soldiers and stewards to test water quality daily, immediately reporting any anomalies.
Surrounding subjects crowded around to look. They cupped water carefully and took small sips, showing surprised expressions.
"Sweeter than river water..."
"And without that strange earthy smell!"
Thus subjects fully accepted the rule of obtaining drinking water here.
As the new water source system operated, Crimson Tide Domain's water source problem finally ceased being a hidden danger.
Cleaning work had to be thoroughly implemented.
Vaerik gathered over a dozen reliable subjects, pointing at filthy areas: "Starting today, you are the cleaning squad, responsible only for maintaining the territory's cleanliness.
Brooms, wooden buckets, lime—these tools will be distributed to you. You must patrol daily, with no blind spots."
But these people alone weren't enough. Sanitation had to become everyone's responsibility, so he established Great Cleanup Days.
"Once every month, everyone in the entire territory must participate. Whether soldiers, civilians, slaves, or even knights—no exceptions."
The first Great Cleanup Day officially began. Dawn bells rang as Crimson Tide Domain's streets filled with people.
Soldiers, civilians, slaves—all holding brooms, wooden buckets, shovels, gathered in the square, preparing to begin today's cleaning work.
Though no one said anything, many faces still showed resistance.
But just as they hadn't yet started, a familiar figure had already moved first.
Vaerik picked up a broom and directly began sweeping dust and fallen leaves from the ground.
Swish swish—
The sound of the broom dragging across the ground was clearly audible, particularly loud in the quiet air.
Everyone was stunned for a moment.
The soldiers' expressions were subtle—they had thought they were only here to maintain order, not expecting the lord to personally participate.
The slaves were even more incredulous—a noble actually doing the same work as them?
But before they could think more, several soldiers reacted first, quietly saying "the lord is working," then also lowered their heads to begin sweeping.
With soldiers leading, the remaining subjects also sprang into action.
The crowd gradually dispersed—main streets, alleys, livestock pens, markets—every corner had people cleaning, rapidly improving the originally dirty and chaotic environment.
Vaerik didn't say another word. He just buried his head in his work among the crowd.
When he looked up, he found that those subjects who had initially resisted were also fully invested in cleaning.
When the sun set, Crimson Tide Domain's garbage and waste were thoroughly cleared, the air carrying a fresh scent.
...
Initially, Vaerik's series of "troublemaking"—building toilets, purifying water sources, digging drainage ditches, organizing cleaning squads.
Many people thought it was just the young lord's momentary enthusiasm, believing it would fizzle out before long.
But as days passed, observant people began noticing something amiss.
"Huh? Where's the street garbage?"
"Wait, why doesn't the alley have that stench anymore?"
Even more surprising—when drinking water, the previous muddy fishy taste was gone!
Previously, people often had diarrhea, but now such cases were nearly nonexistent.
In the past, everyone thought filth and chaos were natural—after all, everyone was used to it.
But looking back now, they realized a place could truly become this clean, this suitable for living.
The most direct change was fewer sick people.
Unconsciously, those initial complaints about "the lord being too troublesome" disappeared, replaced by quiet acceptance of new rules.
After all, who wouldn't like a more comfortable environment?
Bradley stood high above, overlooking this completely transformed Crimson Tide Domain.
As the Tudor family's old steward, he had witnessed territory management throughout the empire.
Even core cities like Cloud Tide City, where the Tudor family mansion was located, had most districts with environments inferior to here.
"Interesting..." Bradley murmured quietly, his evaluation of Vaerik rising several more notches.