White tea legend

Chapter 173 Discussing Tea with the Governor

The richest man in Jingling, Lu Weng's family, had a theater troupe, and one of the plays "Chashan Music" was performed extremely well. The news reached the ears of Lord Li, the prefect of Jingling.

Mr. Li is the fifth-generation grandson of Emperor Taizu of the Li Dynasty. He is a member of the royal family of Dazheng. He has a prominent family background and has been an official for generations. There are many people in the family with outstanding achievements. His grandfather served as the governor of Guozhou and was granted the title of Bo of Linying County; his father served as the governor of Bozhou and was granted the title of Duke of Longxi County. Mr. Li has received strict education since he was a child, is familiar with poetry and books, and is well versed in etiquette.

In the early years of Shenlong, he entered the official position as Prince Qianniu. When the saint succeeded to the throne, he was appointed as the weapons supervisor of Beidu.

As a senior official within the royal family, Mr. Li was deeply influenced by the saint and loved tea. He not only drank tea and admired the scenery in his spare time, but also studied all aspects of tea cultivation, production and drinking.

He often held tea parties at his home, inviting literati and elegant people to drink fine tea and talk about romance.

After taking office as the prefect of Jingling, Master Li vigorously promoted tea culture, encouraged farmers to plant tea, and improved the quality of tea.

With the support and influence of Mr. Li, Jingling Tea produced green teas like Jicatecha and black teas like Jinglinghong, and the market was once opened.

Mr. Li has a special liking for tea culture. When he heard that the opera troupe supported by Lu Weng's family had a good performance of "Tea Mountain Music", he became curious and interested, and decided to go and watch it in person to appreciate the excitement.

On the appointed day, Mr. Li came to the Lu Weng family's mansion and saw that the mansion was decorated with lights and colorful, and it was very lively.

The actors in the theater troupe, dressed in gorgeous costumes and with exquisite makeup on their faces, are busy in the final rehearsal.

As the gongs and drums sounded, the curtain slowly opened, and a "Chashan Music" was officially performed. On the stage, the actors showed the beautiful scenery of the tea mountains and the happy life of the tea pickers with their skillful skills and vivid expressions.

The melodious singing and graceful dancing vividly interpret the essence of tea culture.

Mr. Li was mesmerized by what he saw, and he was even more astonished by the protagonist.

He praised: "This boy has handsome appearance and superb acting skills. He is really rare in the world."

On the stage, Hongjian was dressed in a green shirt, as elegant as a fairy; his brows and eyes revealed an air of elegance. His beauty is not coquettish, but a kind of indifferent beauty.

Hongjian's acting skills were superb, and Mr. Li was deeply attracted by Hongjian's performance.

After the performance, while Hongjian was taking off his makeup, leader Li Shen came over.

"Hongjian, quickly take off your makeup and put on beautiful clothes to meet the guests." Leader Li Shen said excitedly.

Ji Lan was ruined by Lu Weng, and Hongjian had a strong opinion of class leader Li Shen. When he saw him, he was usually cold-faced, not as enthusiastic as before.

"Meeting a visitor, what kind of visitor?"

"Dignified guest!"

The class leader smiled exaggeratedly.

Although Hongjian was dissatisfied, he had no choice but to obey. He took off his makeup, put on clean and decent clothes, and was led out by class leader Li Shen.

Outside the Lu Mansion, a green cloth sedan stopped quietly.

Hongjian climbed up in a hurry. He gently lifted the curtain and saw the sedan bearer waving a long pole. The sedan rose in response, walked through the streets and alleys, and headed towards the prefect's mansion.

Halfway through the journey, Hungjian opened the curtains and saw people walking by, and heard the hustle and bustle of the market.

Through the cracks in the sedan window, Hongjian caught a glimpse of several monks on the street.

One of the monks looked familiar. Upon closer inspection, he turned out to be his senior brother. The senior brother held an alms bowl and led several junior brothers to alms. Hongjian thought that if his senior brother saw him, he would definitely get entangled with him, so he quickly avoided him.

So, Hung Chien quietly lowered the curtains and hid himself. He was secretly glad that his senior brother didn't notice. But there was a trace of guilt in my heart. I avoided my senior brother in this way, which was really unfunny and magnanimous.

The sedan moved forward slowly, and Hongjian opened a corner of the curtain and watched the senior brother and his entourage drift away.

Finally, the sedan slowly landed in front of the prefect's mansion. When Hongjian stepped out, he saw majestic stone lions on both sides of the palace gate, red walls and gold tiles, giving it a solemn and simple atmosphere.

He composed himself and stepped into the house. The prefect had been waiting in the hall for a long time. When he saw Hongjian arriving, he greeted him with a smile.

"My good nephew has come from afar, and he has traveled a lot." After the eunuch said this, he waved his hand and asked someone to serve him some fragrant tea.

Hongjian took the tea cup and took a sip. He felt the fragrance hit his nostrils and felt relaxed and happy.

He raised his eyes and saw that the furnishings in the hall were elegant, with landscape scrolls hanging on the walls and the Four Treasures of the Study placed on the desk, all revealing the elegance of a literati.

There was a delicate fragrance in the elegant room. Hongjian and Mr. Li were sitting opposite each other at a small varnished table with a white porcelain tea set. In the steaming hot air, Mr. Li was stroking the tea cover and asked softly: "Listen to my nephew's "Tea Mountain Music" You said it was a script written by yourself?”

"Yes, my lord."

"Why did you think of writing a play like this?"

"Because I was young and learned how to make tea from Master Zhiji of Longgai Temple since I was a child. I am very fond of tea."

Hearing that Hongjian was also a tea lover, Mr. Li became more energetic and started discussing with Hongjian.

"Jingling tea is divided into green tea and black tea. Dear nephew, do you know the difference between green tea and black tea?"

Hongjian thought for a moment and then said in detail: "Sir, green tea is collected from young leaves and made through processes such as blanching, rolling, and drying. It retains the original color of the tea leaves, the soup color is clear, and the taste is fresh and sweet; black tea is fully fermented. After the leaves are withered, rolled, fermented, and dried, the tea has a dark color, a bright red soup, and a mellow taste. "

Mr. Li nodded and smiled, very satisfied, and asked: "What kind of details is there in the tea ceremony?"

Hongjian replied: "The tea ceremony pays attention to a kind of artistic conception and state of mind. It is not just as simple as making tea, but to elevate tea tasting to an elegant pleasure. From selecting tea, cooking tea, and tasting tea, every step needs to be carefully considered. Carefully considered and carefully operated, what it pursues is a kind of tranquility and harmony that is beyond the world.”

"Exactly." Mr. Li applauded, stroking his hands, "What do you mean by tea art?"

Hongjian gently picked up the teapot, his fingertips as light as playing a piano, and slowly elaborated: "Tea art is the specific practice of the tea ceremony, including the skills and etiquette of making tea. For example, the temperature of the water, the time of brewing, and the technique of pouring the tea. There are many things to pay attention to. Tea connoisseurs must not only be familiar with the properties of various teas, but also have a tea-receiving mentality in order to maximize the color, flavor, and shape of a cup of tea.”

Mr. Li listened with rapt attention and praised: "My wise nephew is really a learned man. It is rare to be so good at tea. I have benefited a lot from today's meeting."

Hung Chien quickly and humbly replied: "I don't dare to take it. It's just a joke. In front of adults, being born late is just a piece of cake."

Li Taishou stared at Hongjian. How could such an elegant and wonderful man be allowed to live in a theater troupe all year round and live a homeless life?

"My dear nephew, have you ever thought about leaving the theater?" Li Taishou asked.

Hongjian stood up, gave a cross-hand salute to Prefect Li, and said: "Living in the troupe is certainly not a long-term solution. I would also like to ask you to find a way out for Hongjian."

Li Taishou helped Hongjian up and said, "Since we are destined to meet each other, I will recommend a learned man to you. You should go to Huomen Mountain to find him."

As Li Taishou spoke, he wrote a letter for Hongjian.

Hongjian said, "Sir, I still have something I want to ask of you."