The servant chuckled, “All the waste flows away through the pipes.”

“Because Taoyuan County is elevated, there’s a large pit outside the county specifically for collecting waste. Even some households without flushing toilets have specialized workers to collect and transport it to the pit.”

Guo Tianyang quickly realized something was amiss!

“If so much stuff is flushed every time, wouldn’t the end of the pipe get blocked?”

The servant slapped his thigh, “You’re sharp! Actually, the pit isn’t that big, and it’s not far from the downstream river! But we use a specially made waterwheel. It’s said that with the power of the waterwheel, the waste can be transported elsewhere.”

“To where?”

“To the neighboring county.”

The Emperor: “…………..”

Guo Tianyang: “………..”

The servant continued enthusiastically, “Speaking of pipelines, it’s the biggest project in our county, and the whole county spent two years on it!”

“I was involved in it back then.”

“Our county magistrate said that the pit must be far from Taoyuan County; otherwise, the water will become bitter over time due to the filth sinking into the ground!”

“Our water in Taoyuan County is good! Clear and sweet! People from neighboring counties even come to buy water, so we can’t let them down!”

“The county magistrate is indeed a great person!”

Damn great person! So you dump the waste into others’ homes, leaving only your water sweet, and still have the nerve to sell water?!

Guo Tianyang looked resentful, thinking he had never seen such a despicable person in the palace!

The Emperor felt his throat tighten, feeling nauseous. The water in the capital was indeed bitter. Was it all because of this?

“Oh, it’s really not easy to build these pipelines. Our county magistrate even thought about connecting them to the moat in the capital. Anyway, there are so many people in the capital.”

“If it weren’t for the distance being too far, the terrain too complicated, and the waterwheel not powerful enough, it might have happened!”

The Emperor and Guo Tianyang exchanged angry glances.

This despicable behavior was truly beyond words!

The servant didn’t notice their expressions and continued to explain, “Our toilets here don’t have wiping sticks, so we provide a water gun and toilet paper.”

Saying that, he pulled out something resembling a wooden faucet from behind the toilet.

“You see, there’s a handle here. Just press it, and water comes out.”

With that, the servant pressed the handle, and a stream of water shot out.

“This water gun has its own water tank, filled with saltwater. Our county magistrate said only saltwater can clean properly! All the inns in the county are equipped like this!”

“This saltwater is replenished every morning, or you can pull the rope if it’s not enough.”

Guo Tianyang’s eyes lit up. This was great! So convenient.

The Emperor, on the other hand, covered his forehead, feeling a wave of dizziness. Saltwater to clean buttocks, such extravagance!

The servant then opened a hidden compartment next to the toilet, revealing a stack of white paper.

“After using the toilet, dry yourself with this paper and throw it in the basket. Someone will come to collect it. And we’ve already folded the paper for you. If it’s not enough, you can ask for more.”

“To wipe your bottom with paper!?”

The Emperor and Guo Tianyang were shocked at the same time!

The servant explained when he saw their confusion, “Ah… speaking of this paper, it’s really embarrassing,”

“Our inn can only provide this kind of paper. It’s a bit rough to use. I heard the paper used in the county yamen is as soft as a handkerchief.”

“By the way, if you need to use the public toilets outside, you’ll use this toilet paper. The county magistrate doesn’t allow the use of wiping sticks, thinking it’s unsanitary, so there are none in the county.”

“I have to tell you something! When the county magistrate promoted this toilet paper, many people couldn’t adapt. There was a rough man named Zhang Biao around him, and when he saw someone using wiping sticks, he stitched them up!”

“Don’t provoke him if you see him. This man has a mole on his forehead, looks plain, but is incredibly strong and not very bright!”

“Toothbrushes and handkerchiefs are arranged on the side for you. If you have any other questions, just call me. I’ll leave now!”

Both of them were shocked beyond measure, with their sphincters tightening.

The Emperor weakly waved his hand and dismissed the servant.

Turning his head, he saw toothbrushes and handkerchiefs laid out on the side. There was even a mirror that he hadn’t noticed before!

Looking at himself clearly in the mirror, his face showed a few more wrinkles, and his temples were slightly gray.

He couldn’t help but reach out and touch them. This mirror… was also so magical!?

Then he smiled bitterly, “Am I getting old? Why have I never heard of any of these things before?”

Guo Tianyang, seeing the servant leave, rushed to the hidden compartment like a mad dog and pulled out a stack of paper, rubbing it vigorously.

“Your Majesty! It’s good paper! Paper you can write on!”

The Emperor glanced at the white paper, nodding, “I see. I’m tired. Let’s find an opportunity to meet the local county magistrate tomorrow. I want to see what kind of extraordinary person can manage a small county like this!”

…

Taoyuan County Yamen, Rear Courtyard

“Xiao Tao, your massage technique is far worse than the girls at Xueyue Tower! Be gentler!”

Fang Zheng slumped in the reclining chair, chewing on candied fruit, his words a bit slurred.

Behind him was a charming maid with bright eyes.

The maid’s name was Fang Yutao, an orphan adopted by Fang Zheng six years ago. Her name was also given by him, and now she was in her prime at twenty-eight.

Hearing Fang Zheng’s dissatisfaction, Xiao Tao pushed harder and said, “Then go to Xueyue Tower yourself!”

“Okay… I’ll go.”

Fang Zheng lazily got up and was pushed back by Xiao Tao.

She pressed hard with both hands.

“Yes! That’s the right pressure, keep it up.”

Xiao Tao gritted her teeth as she kneaded, and Zhang Biao walked in.

“Young Master! The brothers have news that the two new merchants in town are here to do porcelain business.”

“Should we bring them over!?”

Fang Zheng shook his head discontentedly, “What’s the rush! Are you accustomed to being a thief?”

“Wait until it’s time, and they’ll come to us on their own.”

“It’s not like in the past; many industries in the county are just starting out now, and many things need to be formalized!”

“If we rile up public resentment again while cooperating with people, it won’t be good. That’s not a long-term solution!”

“With this Young Master’s governing achievements, I can be promoted at any time. If someone with a grudge comes along and runs their mouth, won’t this Young Master directly enter the imperial court?”

“Zhang Biao, are you looking forward to me leaving so soon!?”

Zhang Biao grinned, “Don’t worry, Young Master! No one can take you away. As long as I, Zhang Biao, am here, you’ll die in Taoyuan County even if you’re killed!”

“Scram!”