Yea but for routine consumption, drinking exclusively hot (boiled previously) water wasn't as much of a thing, especially in Northern China, prior to like mid 1800s.
It was after a particular outbreak (cholera?) somewhere in the 19th century that hit northern China way worse than southern China that they figured out the major difference was the hot water habits in the South. Even in the 1930s there was still a push to increase boiled water usage.
Sometimes people do things for a certain reason but it can also have other positive effects. In a way, it doesn’t matter why a trait or behaviour spreads, as long as it’s beneficial.
I don’t disagree with your sentiment but the literal topic of conversation here is the “why” part.
Sometimes conversations can have practical applications. Other times they’re just academic for academics sake. But both are perfectly fine conversations to have.
