Episode 35

Even before I found myself in this world, I had always been fascinated by history. You could say I was something of a history buff, which is why I enjoyed historical simulations so much, devouring every little record I could find.

Naturally, I also indulged in a lot of dramas, movies, and novels. No matter the setting—be it Western or Eastern—older works always seemed to feature one particular item. It was a kind of cliché, really.

Just as Japanese characters in light novels who travel to another world inevitably make mayonnaise and sushi, Koreans who find themselves in the Middle Ages can’t resist making this one thing.

I handed that very item to Cardinal Rotair, who had accompanied me here.

“Since you’ve come such a long way, why don’t we have a chat over a light snack? But first, let’s wash our hands.”

“Ah, Marseille soap. Thank you for providing such a fine product.”

Cardinal Rotair accepted the soap and washed his hands thoroughly, taking a moment to savor its scent.

“I’ve heard that Marseille soap has improved in quality recently, and it’s true. It’s as good as anything from Italy, and it doesn’t irritate the skin.”

“Exactly. As you know, it’s been discovered that lye-based soaps aren’t good for the skin. That’s why those who can afford it in England and France now use olive oil-based soaps.”

“I actually brought quite a bit of soap with me. It’s not ideal for a clergyman to use too much, but not using any at all feels uncomfortable. I guess I didn’t need to bring so much after all. Ha ha.”

After confirming that his hands were odor-free, Rotair picked up a piece of meat from the dish.

It’s around this time that forks are starting to be used in Italy. However, having spent time in Paris, Rotair seemed comfortable eating with his hands.

His habit of checking his hands for any lingering smell before eating was a clear indication of the hygiene awareness of this era.

Yes, even people of this time understood that having dirty-smelling hands wasn’t good.

There’s a common misconception that the Middle Ages were a time of filth, poor medical knowledge, and nonexistent hygiene. But that’s a completely unfounded and erroneous belief.

While ascetics considered bathing a luxury and refrained from it, ordinary people enjoyed and frequently bathed.

In large cities like Paris, there were over twenty public baths, and London even had streets lined with bathhouses.

Rural folks often washed in lakes or rivers, and there are countless records of soap being used.

In fact, in England, so many soap workshops were popping up that monks were complaining to Richard about it.

It was common knowledge among noblewomen that lye soap was harsh on the skin, so they used Italian or Marseille olive oil soap.

So, the old novel cliché of introducing soap and getting an “Oh wow, amazing!” reaction was never going to happen.

People of this era, especially the upper class, were already using soap and understood the importance of cleanliness.

The decline in hygiene standards didn’t occur until centuries later, when the infrastructure couldn’t support the growing population.

The drop in European temperatures and subsequent famines were the final blows.

With these hardships, living standards plummeted, and access to clean water became difficult, leading to waterborne diseases and the belief that bathing was unhealthy.

This complex series of events led to the misconception that medieval hygiene was abysmal.

The poor hygiene during the Black Death wasn’t because the Middle Ages were inherently primitive.

That’s a simplistic and retrospective interpretation.

However, the fact remains that proper hygiene practices didn’t take root.

If they had understood the true causes of disease, they wouldn’t have let hygiene standards fall.

In summary, my task isn’t to introduce soap and set up mass production to earn praise.

I need to instill accurate awareness and change behaviors.

The power of perception is far stronger than people realize.

People’s actions, thoughts, and customs are all based on their perceptions.

If I can spread the right awareness, hygiene and technological advancement will naturally follow.

Of course, saying it is easy; it’s a million times harder than inventing a few gadgets and receiving accolades.

To gauge the level of knowledge of one of the era’s most learned individuals, I posed a question to Rotair.

“Speaking of soap, why do you think uncleanliness leads to illness, Your Eminence?”

“Recent studies have shown that it’s due to foul odors. When bad smells enter our bodies through the nose, they cause illness. That’s why we must wash to prevent odors.”

Exactly. This is proof that the Middle Ages had some hygiene awareness, but it also highlights the era’s limitations.

They had a rough idea but weren’t 100% accurate.

Given the knowledge of the time, this was the best they could do.

Bacteriology wouldn’t develop until the 19th century, so how could people of this era know about germs?

What modern people take for granted was completely foreign to them.

This is why changing perceptions is difficult.

People are creatures who can’t easily alter their existing beliefs.

If I were to say, “Actually, it’s not the odor itself but the bacteria causing it that leads to illness,” would they respond with, “Wow, that’s amazing knowledge”?

Of course not. They’d likely dismiss it as nonsense.

Changing deeply rooted perceptions isn’t something even the most brilliant scientist can do overnight.

It takes decades, if not centuries.

So, I never intended to approach this scientifically.

As a humanities person, I can’t create things with scientific knowledge.

I can convey more advanced concepts and knowledge, but without the ability to create, I’d be criticized as all talk.

Modern people, when sent back in time, are more likely to be mocked as mere talkers than hailed as geniuses.

I plan to use my strengths to guide this world in the direction I desire.

“Your Eminence, you are indeed wise. Maintaining cleanliness is crucial. Unfortunately, this is only possible in major cities, while most peasants still live in unsanitary conditions.”

“It’s unfortunate, but we must consider the practical realities of living in a secular age.”

“It’s not just about money or resources. While knowledgeable people like you understand that poor hygiene leads to illness, many are unaware of this.”

“I understand what you’re getting at. Education is important. The Church must play a significant role in this. We have a great responsibility.”

Yes, think what you will. The important part is yet to come.

“I also believe that no organization can do more in this regard than the Church. After all, it’s about spreading the word of God.”

As I smiled, the cardinal’s eyes lit up with excitement.

“Has God spoken to you again, Prophet? I envy you. This must be how the Israelites felt beside Moses.”

“You’re too kind. But in a way, it might be similar. Moses delivered the Ten Commandments to Israel as God’s word. My mission is to spread the message I received from God across the world.”

“Oh! What is it? I’ll do everything I can to help.”

“All who believe in God have a duty to keep their bodies clean. As the Bible states, the human body is made in God’s image and is the most precious thing in this world. But since we are not perfect like God, impurities can enter our bodies and cause illness.”

“I see. I was curious about why bad odors cause illness, and now I understand the principle behind it.”

“It’s not just odors. When we consume spoiled food or come into contact with worldly filth through our senses, our bodies become tainted, leading to illness.”

By adding layers to existing beliefs without outright denying them, and grounding it in the absolute truth of God’s word rather than incomprehensible science, I had a powerful tool.

In the Middle Ages, this was an unbeatable trump card.

Even Cardinal Rotair, finding it not too different from what he knew, was readily accepting it.

“If what you say is true, then neglecting to keep the body clean is akin to disregarding the divine creation of our bodies. This is something that must be discussed with theologians.”

“Indeed, while monks do wash, excessive washing has been considered non-ascetic…”

“That’s not entirely wrong,” I replied, acknowledging the partial truth in his words.

In today’s world, soap and clean water aren’t as abundant as one might think. When the wealthy monopolize these resources, fewer people have access to them. Hygiene is most effective when everyone pays attention to it, so it’s crucial to ensure these resources are distributed evenly across society.

Rotair, being quick-witted, immediately grasped the essence of my argument. “We should conduct research on this at the university. If the church also emphasizes cleanliness during mass, we could see significant improvements in a few years.”

“However, even if individuals strive to maintain personal hygiene, it becomes meaningless if the city remains filthy. I’ve heard that ancient Rome had a system to dispose of dirty water and bring in clean water. Perhaps we should consider implementing something similar?”

“I’ve heard of plans to develop such facilities in Paris,” Rotair replied. “I’ll look into it with the scholars.”

I couldn’t believe how smoothly things were progressing. My backup plans, in case of skepticism, were now unnecessary. Skipping the tedious steps was a welcome relief.

“Oh, and we should add another subject to the university’s curriculum,” I suggested.

“A new subject? Typically, universities focus on humanities, theology, medicine, and canon law,” Rotair noted.

“We need to include research on increasing agricultural productivity. It’s not just because agriculture is the foundation of society.”

Improved hygiene would naturally lead to longer lifespans and a population increase. If we prepare now, Europe might even weather the Black Death, one of history’s worst disasters, with relative ease. However, merely improving hygiene could trigger another catastrophe. While land and food production increase arithmetically, the population grows exponentially. If we don’t address the population growth, society will inevitably fall into the Malthusian trap.

Though this theory has been rendered obsolete by modern chemical fertilizers and economic advancements, the medieval context is different. Without the Black Death and with reduced production due to a great famine, one can easily imagine the dire state Europe would be in.

“Unlike the hygiene issue, this could cause societal chaos if widely known. Let’s keep it a secret for now. God has revealed to me that a great famine will strike Europe in just over a hundred years.”

“A great famine…” Rotair mused. Biblical prophecies of famine weren’t uncommon. The story of Joseph in Egypt, who predicted seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine, was well-known in Christian circles. This background made Rotair more inclined to accept my words without suspicion.

“If a great famine truly comes, it would be disastrous. Do you know how it might occur? For instance, will there be a drought?”

“The temperature is expected to drop overall, which will naturally hinder crop growth.”

Rotair’s face turned grave. “Announcing this outright would cause too much upheaval. But we can’t ignore it either. You’re suggesting we research agriculture to dramatically boost productivity.”

“Yes. Fortunately, God has also provided a way to overcome this. If you trust me, we can save countless lives a century from now.”

“Understood. I’ll send a letter to His Holiness immediately, ensuring that no one else learns of this.”

I responded with a benevolent smile. “I trust you, Cardinal.”

If people’s thoughts are governed by perceptions and paradigms, then those who shape these perceptions can, in turn, govern the people. In as little as ten years, or perhaps twenty, Europe will be guided by the paradigm I’ve established. No one will even realize it, which makes it all the more perfect.