White tea legend

Chapter 230 Foreign Order
Yao Siniang set out with the golden turtle, and the road to Guoxing Temple was winding and winding. In Taimu Mountain, there are twists and turns, green mountains like waves, thousands of lush trees, and a vast sea of ​​clouds. Siniang's steps are light and healthy, and her golden tortoise shells are shining, making them look interesting together.

Passing through the deep valley, there are gurgling streams and clear springs flowing up the rocks. Siniang stopped to watch, while the golden turtle tilted its head to explore the water. Both enjoyed themselves. Climbing high and looking into the distance, you will be surrounded by mountains, covered with dense forests and covered with rays of light. Siniang was relaxed and happy, while the golden turtle held its head high and breathed, as if absorbing the aura of heaven and earth.

The sun sets over the west mountain, and the twilight is vast. Finally, Guoxing Temple comes into view, simple and solemn.

"Is this here?" Siniang asked.

The golden turtle nodded.

In front of the mountain gate, Siniang leaned down to stroke the golden turtle and waved goodbye to him.

The golden turtle turned back three times and finally entered Guoxing Temple.

The mountain gate slowly closed.

Through the gap in the temple door, Jin Gui saw that Mrs. Yao Si had turned and left.

The setting sun shines on her light steps, and the girl's figure is like a butterfly in spring, light and erratic. Her long hair danced with the breeze, and the hem of her clothes swayed gently with the wind, as if painting a cheerful melody in the air. As she left, the surrounding scenery seemed to be infected by her happiness, and everything seemed particularly vivid and bright.

The golden turtle seemed to smile.

Abbot Mingxin came over and saw the golden turtle staring at the crack in the door with a silly smile, and said: "Is this trip to the mountains fruitful?"

The golden turtle was stunned and lowered his head.

Abbot Mingxin said nothing, picked up the golden turtle and put him back into the release pond in the backyard.

The water ripples, reflecting the shadow of the turtle.

I saw the golden turtle swimming slowly, with ripples appearing on the water, but there was a trace of imperceptible sadness in those deep eyes. Although he was in clear waters and soothed by the soft sunshine, his heart could not calm down in any way.

In the microwave of the water pavilion, ripples appeared in the lake in the heart of the golden turtle, filled with the beautiful figures of the four mothers. The gentle eyes, the light steps, and the warmth of the fingertips when parting, are like the warm sunshine of spring, melting the ice heart that has been deposited for thousands of years.

The golden turtle is swimming in the release pond, with the surging love of spring hidden under the turtle shell, and his silent admiration for Siniang floating on the silent water. Every glance at himself reflected in the water seemed to remind him of this sudden heartbeat.

He wants to practice Taoism and become an immortal, so how can he touch ordinary people? The golden turtle was quite troubled by this.

Mrs. Yao Siniang originally went to the mountain road to see if Zhuo Laosan had come back. Unexpectedly, she met a golden turtle on the way and gave the golden turtle a ride.

She left Guoxing Temple, walked along the bridge in front of Guoxing Temple, crossed the green pool, and reached halfway up the mountain without knowing it.

Yao Siniang stopped and looked back at the top of Taimu Mountain. She saw lingering clouds and mist on the top of the mountain, like a fairy spirit. In the haze, the scenery is looming, like a paradise, making people relaxed and happy, and the worldly thoughts disappear.

Just as she was intoxicated by this extraordinarily enchanting world, her eyes were suddenly attracted to the foot of the mountain. There, Zhuo Laosan was walking slowly, supporting an old man. Zhuo Laosan looked respectful. While supporting him, he lowered his head and whispered, as if to comfort or resolve doubts.

"Zhuo Laosan!" Mrs. Yao Si couldn't help shouting excitedly.

Zhuo Laosan also saw Mrs. Yao Si and asked her why she was here. Mrs. Yao was too embarrassed to say that she had come to pick him up, so she just strolled here and asked her who the old man Zhuo Laosan was supporting was.

Zhuo Laosan said: "Wang Shanhe, the famous tea boss in Wanghai!"

They were enemies in the same industry. I don’t know why Zhuo Laosan brought Wang Shanhe up the mountain. Wang Shanhe was also quite embarrassed. Zhuo Laosan persuaded him all night, and he finally decided to let go of his dignity and go up the mountain to learn the white tea making technique from Lu Yu.

"He wants to become Mr. Lu's apprentice?" Mrs. Yao Si looked at Boss Wang, whose hair was turning white, in disbelief.
Wang Shanhe was also embarrassed, because Mrs. Yao Si added: "Is he too old? How can anyone accept such an old apprentice?"

"Live and learn." Zhuo Laosan took Wang Shanhe's hand and called Mrs. Yao Si to help Wang Shanhe to the top of the mountain.

Lu Yu was not surprised by Wang Shanhe's arrival, nor was he deliberately enthusiastic or deliberately cold. He was explaining to the apprentices. When he saw Wang Shanhe, he asked for advice: "Boss Wang is a famous tea boss in Changxi. , are very familiar with our Changxi tea tree, what varieties of tea trees do we have in Changxi?”

"We have many types of tea trees in Changxi, such as Caicha, Zaofengchun, Cuigangzao, Fuyun and so on." Wang Shanhe is very good at it.

Lu Yu took Wang Shanhe to a tea garden and showed him the tea trees there. There were two kinds of tea trees there, one was like Xiaojiabiyu and the other was like a lady, with thicker and plumper leaves and stronger needle-like tea buds. ,strong. The former is delicate and weak, while the latter is graceful and rich.

Wang Shanhe had never seen such a tea tree before, and asked in confusion what new variety it was.

Lu Yu introduced: "Dabai tea and Dahao tea."

Wang Shanhe had never heard of such a tea tree variety, so Lu Yu pointed to Zhuo Laosan beside him and said that it was thanks to him that he helped find the high-mountain white tea tree.

Wang Shanhe couldn't help but feel regretful, seeing that Lu Yufeng was handsome and in his prime, yet he was sixty years old and still had to worship a younger student as his teacher. For a while, he couldn't help but talk.

Zhuo Laosan got straight to the point and spoke for Wang Shanhe, but Lu Yu agreed readily.

Wang Shanhe couldn't help but be overjoyed.

When Lu Yu accepted a new apprentice, Baicha also received a new customer at "Xiangming Yaxu". Sunlight shines dappledly through the window lattice on the bamboo curtains of "Xiangming Yaxu", and a warm breeze blows in, bringing unusual visitors.

This foreigner who came across the ocean from the Merovingian dynasty was named Albert. He had a tall nose and deep sunken blue eyes. His skin was slightly roughened by the sea breeze, and his long golden hair was tied into a bun. Buttocks, casually placed on the broad shoulders. He is tall and straight, wearing a dark robe, a delicate belt around his waist, and sturdy leather boots. His whole person exudes an exotic ruggedness and aristocratic elegance.

When Albert stepped into this market town, his exotic charm immediately attracted everyone's attention.

In Chang'an, there are many foreigners, and the common people have long been accustomed to foreigners. However, on the streets of Wanghaili in southeastern Fujian, the common people have never seen such a tall figure and strange clothes. They watched curiously and whispered.

The children hid behind the adults and peeked at the blond stranger, while some of the bolder ones pointed at Albert and whispered, with innocent surprise on their faces.

The old people frowned and whispered to each other, their eyes filled with doubts and wariness.

Several vendors stopped selling, holding goods in their hands, curiously observing every move of the foreign guest. The whole market town became lively with Albert's arrival, and people's conversations were inseparable from this rare foreign visitor.

Albert was also full of curiosity about this oriental land. He stepped into the "Xiang Ming Yaxu" and his eyes lingered on the delicate, traditional and elegant furnishings in the tea room. Suddenly, he was attracted by the pleasant aroma, which was the white needles that the hostess had just cooked.

Bai Cha smiled slightly and invited Albert to sit down. She skillfully handed a cup of tea with a light yellow-green color and a delicate fragrance to the guests. Albert held up the tea cup with a hint of expectation and tasted this magical drink from the East for the first time.

When his lips touched the warm tea, a soft sweetness flowed down the tip of his tongue and reached his heart. The tea soup slid down his throat like nectar, and Albert couldn't help but squint his blue eyes, enjoying this indescribable wonderful feeling. The hustle and bustle around him seemed to have temporarily disappeared, leaving only his silent communication with the cup of tea.

"This is..." Albert put down the tea cup, his eyes flashed with surprise, and he asked in clumsy but sincere Chinese, "What kind of tea is this?"

"Silver Needle, our specialty of Changxi," Bai Cha proudly introduced, "it is picked from the tenderest tea buds in spring, and is sun-dried, rolled and dried by my family members. It is the tea king of this year." Sai’s King of Tea is known as the best tea, with the effects of refreshing the mind, clearing away heat and detoxifying. “

Albert nodded, immediately realizing that this wonderful tea would cause a sensation in his country. He eagerly expressed his desire to buy a large number of silver needles to take back to his country.

The two reached an agreement after some haggling. Albert paid a deposit in advance and agreed that the balance would be paid at the port before he returned home. In the following days, Lu Yubaicha and his wife mobilized tea farmers in the town to work overtime to refine the tea. Finally, on a sunny morning, the wooden box filled with silver needles drove slowly to the port with the carriage.

Albert stood on the edge of the dock and watched the large ships loaded with cargo sailing out to sea. His thoughts flew back to the small tea room, and the cups of tea that made his heart beat. He knew that this shipment would open up his country's new understanding of oriental tea culture.

In the sea breeze, Albert closed his eyes and seemed to smell the refreshing fragrance of tea again. He smiled, secretly looking forward to what surprising changes this tea journey across the east and west would bring to his country.

……

After completing this large and meaningful order, Lu Yu and Bai Cha decided to give everyone in the tea shop a holiday. It happened to be that a She ethnic minority township under the jurisdiction of Changxi County held the Eight Niu Rest Festival in April, so everyone rushed there again. A lively one.

In front of Ruiyun Temple, the Niu Xie Festival of the She people is in full swing.

But the sky is clear, the sun is shining, the villagers are gathering happily, and their clothes are colorful, just like the flowers. The ancient bell is long and long, and its sound echoes far and wide in the valley. Believers gather in groups, incense smoke lingers, and the Buddha's name is Qingyue.

Men, women, and children of the She ethnic group gathered at Ruiyun Temple, each holding incense, candles, and paper horses, and presented them in front of the Buddhas to pray for a prosperous year and good health for the people. The monks in the temple chanted scriptures in unison, and the Sanskrit sounds were like the sounds of nature, pure and solemn. In the square outside the temple, drums and music played in unison, shengs and flutes sang in harmony, dragon and lion dances were performed, as graceful as a swimming dragon, and leaping as fast as a startled lion. The onlookers were crowded and applauded thunderously.

Young men are leading cows in the field, with colorful silk hanging from their horns and embroidered robes, enjoying the competition. For a time, the dust was flying, the hoofbeats were pounding, the audience cheered, and cheers came and went. The vigorousness of cattle and the dexterity of people complement each other, showing the pastoral style of Shexiang. The children gathered in a circle, holding hands, and sang ancient She songs. The singing was melodious and spread to every corner.

Merchants set up stalls to sell all kinds of goods, including handicrafts with She ethnic characteristics and sweet and delicious mountain specialties. There is an endless stream of tourists, either enjoying delicious food or shopping for souvenirs. It is bustling and lively.

Along with the Niu Xie Festival, there is also the La Song of the She people.

At this time, the air is filled with the melody of joy and harmony.

She Lage, an ancient folk song duet form, is deeply loved by people for its unique rhythm and impromptu lyrics.

The She people, wearing colorful national costumes, gathered from all directions. The faces of men, women and children were filled with expectant smiles.

With the sound of the first gongs and drums, the start of the singing was announced. For a time, the valley echoed with the melodious sound of flutes and loud sounds of gongs and drums, and the crowd's emotions became excited. Young men and women of the She ethnic group make friends with each other by singing. They tell stories and express their emotions through singing, and even laughter and curses are integrated into their words.

The female voice is as delicate and flowing as the clear spring in the mountains, while the male voice is like the pine waves in the mountains, rich and powerful. Their voices blend perfectly, like the sounds of nature, both passionate and tender. The lyrics are improvised and full of wit and humor, making the audience laugh sometimes and deeply resonate at other times.

Not to be outdone, the children joined the battle group with childlike voices. Their innocent singing was as clear and sweet as the lark in the mountains. The entire She ethnic minority village came alive with these layers of singing, and everyone's heart beat to the rhythm.

When night falls, the bonfire is lit and the She people's singing reaches its climax. The firelight reflected everyone's excited faces, making them feel warm. The singers sat around the fire, using the fire as the stage and the starry sky as the canopy, and continued their singing. The singing at this time is more affectionate and fanatical, as if it can bring people's souls into a mysterious and distant world.

Finally, a lady in purple was pushed onto the stage amidst the lively singing. She was Zi Yao.

Zi Yao has a singing voice that can conquer the mountains and forests. What is even more amazing is that she can perfectly imitate various sounds, whether it is the singing of birds in the mountains or the whispers of streams, she can reproduce it vividly.

When Zi Yao walked gently onto the singing stage, her appearance was like a sudden breeze rising in the valley, causing silence around her. She started with a gentle female voice. The tone was clear and translucent, as if the sound of clear springs in the mountains were lingering, making everyone present involuntarily listen attentively. Immediately afterwards, she changed her voice and continued singing with a rich male voice. The rough and powerful tone was like rolling stones and falling trees on the mountain, shocking people.

Zi Yao's voice changes freely and imitates it perfectly. Sometimes it sounds like an old man narrating the past, and sometimes it sounds like a naughty child playing around. There is dramatic tension in her performance, and every note is so vibrant that you can't help but sway to it. The audience was deeply attracted by her singing and unconsciously clapped along with the rhythm. The applause was like the echo in the mountains, one after another.

As Zi Yao's song ended, the whole audience was filled with applause and cheers. The judges exchanged appreciative glances, and the audience applauded even more enthusiastically. Zi Yao cannot sing She dialect, but with her amazing imitation ability and beautiful singing voice, she won the honor of King of Singers.