Firearms in a Fantasy World

Chapter 133: The New Life Movement

Translator: Cinder Translations

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The two lady advisors took quite some time to regain their composure, though their faces still bore traces of lingering fear.

Ladia asked Paul, "My Lord Earl, I've long wondered why there's a shop in Alden Town specifically selling boiled water. I presume that was also your idea?"

"Exactly!" Paul proudly patted his chest, saying, "Heating to a certain degree effectively kills these microorganisms. I call it 'disinfection'. That's why I advocate for the people in my domain to drink boiled water."

In another time and space, the habit of drinking boiled water among the laboring people of the Celestial Dynasty only became common after 1949. In ancient times, plagues, parasites, and gastrointestinal problems were quite common, especially in rural areas, which were hotspots for parasites and dysentery.

After the founding of the New China, vigorous propaganda and promotion of drinking boiled water played a significant role in eliminating parasites and curbing various gastrointestinal infectious diseases.

However, for the lower-class people in present-day Northwest, using precious fuel to boil water is still a bit extravagant. Therefore, Paul financed the establishment of water shops, where for just a copper coin, one could buy a small bucket of boiled water.

He also planned to expand this model to all areas of Alden and Byerldine.

"But this microscope you've just made, right? Did you already know there were many microorganisms in water before?" Ladia suddenly asked, with Eileen also curious, looking at Paul.

"I..." Paul hesitated for a moment.

After that moment of hesitation, he hurriedly explained, "Isn't it common knowledge that drinking raw water can cause diarrhea? I just combined the new discovery from the microscope with this common knowledge."

Ladia still had doubts. "But the cause and effect..."

Paul immediately cut her off. "Where's all this cause and effect coming from? Ah... I called you here for a serious matter to attend to. Honestly, I'm quite busy."

Ladia lightly concealed her amusement and said, "My Lord Earl, please give your orders."

Powerful firearms, telescopes that see a thousand miles, exquisite porcelain, inexpensive paper, time-saving harvesters, wind-sailed battleships, and now this incredibly delicate microscope—all came from the hands of this Earl. If the inventor had been one of those old scholars soaked in knowledge all their lives at the Imperial Academy Tower, it would barely pass muster. But this Earl before their eyes had just turned fifteen. Could it be that there truly are people born with innate knowledge?

Ladia increasingly felt that this lord hid some secret, but she didn't intend to delve too deeply. After all, who doesn't have secrets? For instance, she herself had another identity.

Paul cleared his throat slightly embarrassedly and said, "Firstly, I want to establish a Ministry of Health."

"A Ministry of Health?"

"Yes, the Ministry of Health. The main task of this department is to promote healthy lifestyles in Alden and Byerldine, along with handling some medical affairs."

"What do you need us to do?"

"I need you two scholars to organize people to compile a batch of pamphlets and textbooks, introducing some good habits of the upper class to the common people, and explaining in detail the significance of these habits. You've seen various microorganisms yourselves. Based on my observations of other objects, they don't just exist in water but are everywhere in our world, far more numerous than in clear water. For example, the nail mud I deliberately left out these days..."

Eileen, with a disgusted expression, interjected, "Please, spare us."

"Haha, sorry. With this discovery, the causes of some diseases can be explained. We're sure that some of the microorganisms we've found can cause illness. Let's call them 'pathogens'. Of course, just like certain organisms have symbiotic relationships known to us, some microorganisms may also be beneficial to our bodies."

Paul didn't want to prematurely mention terms like bacteria, viruses, or fungi; it would be hard to explain once spoken.

He continued, "Good habits like frequent bathing, washing hands before meals, keeping the environment clean, eating cooked food, and drinking boiled water, as we just mentioned, can effectively reduce the number of pathogens, thus greatly reducing the likelihood of disease occurrence."

Ladia nodded. "According to what you say, that's true. In the past, we did these things just for comfort. Now, there's an added meaning—for health."

Paul nodded while speaking, "To implement these habits among the lower classes, not just the nobility and the wealthy."

Ladia sighed, "Such concern for your subjects. Lords like you are indeed rare."

Eileen also looked at him with approval.

"Of course, the people in my domain are valuable laborers. I don't want them dying from preventable diseases, especially since who would work in my farms or factories?"

The two female advisors were at a loss for words at Paul's attitude and continued listening to him talk.

"Given that most people in the territory are illiterate, you need to include more illustrations in the pamphlets for better understanding. Pick a few 'little bugs' you don't want to see the most, the more exaggerated and disgusting, the better, to scare them."

"I'll have Morrison's propaganda team take your pamphlets to various parts of the domain to preach. To enhance persuasiveness, they'll also bring microscopes."

In addition to the propaganda team, he also planned to give a microscope to Father Anderson, who presided over the church in Alden Town. It was said that besides his love for prayers and medical research, the priest also had a great interest in various organisms, planting a variety of plants in the church yard.

Oh, and Weis Academy also needs to be equipped with several microscopes, allowing students to get more exposure to biological knowledge. Education should start from childhood.

"Right, and knowledge about childbirth..."

He suddenly thought of this and had sent people to investigate and compile statistics. In the past decade, the infant mortality rate in the Northwestern Bay region—number of deaths under one year old per thousand live births (excluding those born dead)—was over two hundred per thousand.

It was truly a heartbreaking statistic. If these babies survived, how much population could increase in his territory, and how many more workers could his factories employ?

"We must summon experienced midwives from all over, organize their childbirth experiences into books, and also teach them about pathogens—certain types of microorganisms that can cause diseases as observed under the microscope—and how to disinfect, etc."

"Things like cutting the umbilical cord with rusty scissors or rinsing dirt with unboiled water must be strictly avoided."

Paul spoke wherever his thoughts took him, a bit disjointed. The two female advisors had to bring paper and pen to carefully record everything.

"We are declaring war on ignorance and backward practices. I've decided to launch a movement—I call it—"

"The New Life Movement!"

(End of the Chapter)

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