Back to Ming Dynasty with Industrial Revolution System

Chapter 1228 The First Teahouse in the City of London

A strange shop opened in the city of London. It does not sell finished tea, but you can drink authentic Chinese tea here.If you don't like the most authentic Chinese tea brewing method, you can also ask to add sugar, lemon, milk and other ingredients to the tea to cover up the strange smell of the tea that has been transported across the ocean.

In order to localize tea culture, tea masters from China are also improving the taste of tea to spread tea culture.

Originally, the unintentional behavior of many British people adding other ingredients to tea was determined as a formal tea variety in this strange shop, which was divided into different types such as mellow Chinese tea, lemon tea, and milk tea.

"The first teahouse in Britain has opened. You can drink various types of tea here, including the most authentic Chinese tea, sweet milk tea, and delicious lemon tea! Tea can boost your spirit and nourish your spleen and stomach! You can discuss in the teahouse Politics, academics, and goods!" The employees of the teahouse handed out leaflets to London residents passing by at the entrance of the teahouse, announcing the opening of the first teahouse.

A large carriage stopped at the entrance of the teahouse, and a noble couple got out of the large carriage.

"Ma'am, this is the teahouse we recently established in the city of London. There are Chinese tea and various new teas, biscuits, and oriental pastries here. Concerts and art exhibitions are held from time to time. Many nobles have come to the teahouse to talk during this period of time. things, chatting and laughing happily." The noble man said.

"I'd like to see some oriental drinks and cakes," the woman said.

The servant standing at the entrance of the teahouse pushed open the wooden door of the teahouse for them.

The nobles in twos and threes had already gathered inside. They formed groups and gathered around the wooden tabletops. Some of them had their legs crossed.There are tea cups, teapots and various snacks on the wooden table.On the walls around the teahouse, there are both Eastern ink paintings and Western oil paintings, which are very stylish.

There are also hired musicians playing music from the British side on the organ platform, with soft tunes.

In order to earn money from the residents of London City, this teahouse opened by a Chinese businessman catered to the needs of the locals as much as possible. Not only did it improve the taste, but it also purchased local musical instruments in the teahouse and invited local musicians to come. play.

Of course, Huaxia businessmen also brought a lot of private work into the localization, sometimes hanging oriental ink paintings on the walls, placing porcelain, and even playing the zither.

Chinese culture with oriental elements, such as tea and ink paintings, was fashionable and trendy in the eyes of the British aristocrats at this time, as if their relationship with oriental elements was like catching up with the trend.

This has been the case since ancient times. Whichever country has a strong national power, its cultural influence will also spread to the surrounding areas and even the whole world.

Just like when the Ottoman Empire was at its strongest, even the civilizations on the Southeast Asian islands were affected by it, and some countries changed their beliefs.The Ottoman Empire once replaced the Ming Dynasty's influence on them on some islands in Southeast Asia.

In the eyes of the British nobles, the Eastern Empire is an extremely powerful existence. Their King Charles signed a commercial treaty with the other party on his own initiative. Be strong.Therefore, any oriental Chinese elements are regarded by them as an absolute trend, especially teahouses, which have never been heard of before, provide the local nobles with a good leisure place.

In the past, noble banquets were too extravagant and extravagant, and even the nobles could not often hold feasts, and teahouses, which were relatively petty bourgeois places, became their favorite places.

"To meet their needs, it is difficult for our tea master. Originally, our tea master was proficient in how to select tea, grow tea, and brew tea, but now he has to add milk, honey, Lemon and other seasonings, to match the most suitable ratio. This... has deviated from the tea we know... or our tea is more authentic." The shopkeeper of the teahouse sat on the second floor, opened a box by himself, and asked Li Jinde There are other directors explaining the situation of the teahouse.

"It's good that the teahouse we opened can make money. We can give them whatever they like, and it will do us no harm. It is said that even the duke comes to our teahouse to drink tea, but the king and queen don't come." Li Jinde said.

"The king has the best preserved tea leaves we have given him, and he doesn't need to come to the teahouse at all," said one director.

"The business of our teahouse is booming day by day, and more and more aristocrats like to hold banquets or discuss things here at a relatively low cost... It's just that the thing I've heard them talk about most recently is the matter of Scotland in the north of England. It is said that the elders of Scotland Because they were dissatisfied with the king's merger of the churches of the two countries, they would expel the envoys sent by the king to the local area. Scotland also summoned a large number of soldiers, and under the leadership of the Presbyterian Church, established the Covenant Army. Scotland seems to have the intention of rebelling against the king. I don't know if it will affect our business." The shopkeeper of the teahouse said.

Teahouses are not only for making money, but also the best place to inquire about information.

This has become a place where nobles like to gather. Apart from gossip among parents, it is inevitable that these nobles will discuss some state affairs.

The conflict between Scotland and England over King Charles has recently intensified.

Scotland has established an independent army, and there is a tendency to separate from Britain.

"Regardless of any conflicts between the king and the Scots, our Western Trading Company is a neutral party until we receive orders from the capital. The Fourth Fleet will protect us and our property, and they will not mess around. We Instead of worrying about the relationship between Scotland and England, why not consider opening a few more teahouses in London to make more money for the company." Li Jinde was not too worried.

"What if there is an order from the capital to take action?" Many Chinese businessmen asked.

"Then act according to the capital's order, just as we don't have to make difficult decisions. Don't worry, the English will not let the Covenant Army attack London City, and King Charles will organize an army to attack them." Li Jinde said, "With the Scottish side I would rather go to the legendary Mediterranean to see the markets there than to do anything else. There is the Ottoman Empire between the West and the East.”

"Mediterranean? How do you go to the Mediterranean?" Some businessmen were puzzled.

"The Levant Company in Britain is organizing a fleet to transport the woolen goods they collected to the Ottoman Empire for sale. I plan to take their boat." Li Jinde replied.

He didn't know that the Ottoman Empire had already had some conflicts with China's expansion.

(End of this chapter)