The six ministers did not hesitate for even a moment, immediately pulling out a massive sum to cover the installation fee, which included the cost of pipes and the so-called fish-head valves, and of course, none of their residences would ever settle for just a single pipe or a single outlet.
They were high officials, and behind every high official stood an entire clan.
Any one of their mansions in Beijing was absurdly large, the kind of place where a kitchen alone required a dedicated water line, the gardens needed irrigation, guest courtyards demanded their own supply, and the main residence absolutely had to be fully equipped, which meant that aside from the main pipeline drawn down from Wansui Hill, the internal system had to branch into multiple secondary lines, each one fitted with its own fish-head valve.
Every branch meant money.
Every valve meant more money.
And yet none of them flinched.
Each household paid an enormous sum before the installation was even completed, and as for that installation fee, it was, naturally, accepted with great satisfaction by Gao Village, who then handed over a portion as tax to Zhu Youjian, neatly packaged as his imperial cut.
The blue hats and yellow hats of Gao Village worked with terrifying efficiency, and the moment the payments were confirmed, the running water systems were installed almost instantly, as if the entire operation had been waiting for this exact moment.
And then…
It was showtime.
Human beings, since the dawn of civilization, had always shared one universal instinct.
The desire to show off.
There was an old saying that wealth which does not return home is like wearing fine clothes in the dark, unseen and unappreciated, and the meaning behind that saying was painfully clear, because if one became rich and did not display it, then what was even the point of becoming rich in the first place.
Showing off was not optional.
It was a fundamental need.
The very next day after their homes were connected to the running water system, the six ministers began hosting lavish banquets, inviting guests from all circles, and just like Zhu Youjian, they performed demonstrations right in front of their audiences, washing their hands with flowing water, brewing tea with effortless elegance, perfectly replicating the emperor's earlier display.
After all, they had already been shown how to do it.
Now it was simply a matter of executing the performance to perfection.
Their guests were stunned, admiration pouring out without restraint.
Naturally, the questions followed immediately. "How is this done? Where can one have this installed?"
The ministers, of course, answered with carefully measured pride. "This is not something easily obtained. It was originally an imperial-exclusive device, and the valve was once called a dragon-head, a name only His Majesty could use. It is only through imperial grace, and our good relations with Eunuch Cao, that it was renamed as a fish-head valve, allowing us the privilege of installing it."
The moment those words were spoken, the guests understood exactly how the game worked.
Gifts were presented without hesitation.
"Minister, please do us a small favor and speak to Eunuch Cao on our behalf. We would also like to install one."
And just like that…
What had once been imperial-exclusive ceased to be exclusive at all.
Within a short span of time, the entire capital was swept up in the trend, and across the Eight Great Hutongs of Beijing, every household of status rushed to install their own system, to the point where any noble or official who did not have running water would hesitate to even call themselves part of high society.
From there, the wave spread naturally from the political sphere into the world of commerce.
Merchants might not hold high official rank, but their wealth was undeniable, and spending money to align themselves with the consumption patterns of the elite was not merely vanity, it was a strategic necessity, a way to signal status and legitimacy in a rigid social hierarchy.
And once the wealthy merchants had also installed their systems…
The supply capacity of the imperial waterworks reached its limit.
Gao Village simply did not yet possess the infrastructure to match the capabilities of a fully industrialized water system, and the reservoirs atop Wansui Hill could barely sustain the daily needs of the imperial palace and the upper elite, let alone expand further.
For now, this was as far as it could go.
After all, in this era, the common people simply could not afford to pay for water, and until productivity increased and average income rose significantly, there was no realistic path for this system to spread into ordinary households.
After the initial frenzy began to settle…
There were, as always, a handful of individuals whose minds moved faster than the rest, people who could spot opportunity in even the smallest shift of circumstance.
One morning, Liang Shixian had just risen when he was informed that a visitor had arrived.
He stepped out to receive them and saw a man with a lean, scholarly face, the kind that immediately suggested deep learning, and more importantly, the man looked familiar, as if they had crossed paths somewhere in the past.
Liang Shixian's mind began turning rapidly, memories flipping through like pages in a book, until suddenly, it clicked.
Donglin Academy.
Years ago, during literary gatherings, he had formed connections with like-minded scholars, and among them had been this very man.
"Ah, Qian Qianyi, Brother Qian," Liang Shixian said with exaggerated delight. "It has been many years, yet your elegance remains unchanged."
Qian Qianyi, however, was no longer a figure of power.
After being entangled in political struggles, falsely accused, and dragged through factional conflicts, he had ultimately been stripped of his position and sent back home, his career in ruins despite briefly gaining the upper hand with the help of Cao Huachun.
Now, he stood here as a commoner.
He returned the greeting with a polite smile. "I did not expect Lord Liang to still remember me."
Liang Shixian waved it off with practiced ease. "How could I forget a scholar of your caliber?"
Qian Qianyi smiled slightly. "I have not come today for myself, but to introduce a friend. He has made inquiries and learned that the running water system originates from your work, and wishes to speak with you."
As he stepped aside, another man emerged.
"I am Cheng Jiasui," he said with a respectful bow. "A close literary friend of Brother Qian. I have long admired Lord Liang's reputation, and now that I see you in person, it is indeed well deserved."
Liang Shixian returned the courtesy. "Brother Cheng, your name is also well known to me."
What followed was the usual exchange of empty pleasantries, mutual praise, and literary politeness that could have filled volumes, but none of it truly mattered.
Eventually, they arrived at the point.
Cheng Jiasui spoke plainly. "To be honest, my grandfather Cheng Rong and my father Cheng Yanshou were both Huizhou merchants. Our family has long been engaged in trade, and I have inherited the business. At present, I operate in Jiading."
The moment Liang Shixian heard the word merchant, he already understood the purpose of this visit.
As expected, Cheng Jiasui continued, "I have heard that the running water system is your creation, and it is truly an extraordinary innovation. I wonder whether you have any interest in expanding it to the southern regions. If you are willing, I would like to invest capital while you contribute the technology. Together, we could establish waterworks in the prosperous Jiangnan region and secure considerable profits."
Liang Shixian immediately put on a delighted expression. "If Brother Cheng has such intentions, then it could not be better. I have long wished to expand southward, but without local support, it would be difficult to manage operations. If you are willing to take part, then let us proceed."