I opened a tea shop in Bianjing

Chapter 31
The fashion of Chinese tea drinking flourished in the Tang Dynasty and flourished in the Song Dynasty.Compared with the Tang people's tea-making method, the Song people's tea-making skills are more proficient.In the eyes of literati and bureaucrats, tea is listed as the "four elegant things" together with piano, chess and flower arrangement.

Drinking tea became a popular way of leisure from the nobles to the common people in the Song Dynasty, and even a necessity of life.And they are not only satisfied with this, brewing a bowl of tea soup with excellent color, fragrance and taste is the embodiment of a gentleman's character and personal cultivation, so the trend of "fighting tea" arises spontaneously.

Tea fighting also has two different fighting methods.One is to order tea, and the other is to share tea.The so-called ordering tea is to prepare the tea soup separately, and the tasters evaluate it from three points: color, fragrance and taste.People in the Song Dynasty favored white tea, so the more white the tea is, the longer it lasts, it is the top grade.

However, tea distribution is much more complicated, requiring the brewer to point out the colors on the surface of the tea.Whoever has the best and brightest suit wins.

At this moment, the battle for tea in Minglou has just begun.The hall on the first floor is separated by 36 exquisite screens, forming 36 independent small grid rooms, which are scattered like a Go board.In this huge "chessboard", hundreds of handsome and elegant people who love tea are placed on different positions of the "chessboard" like chess pieces.

They are either in a room of two, or in a room of three, or in a room of four, separated by a screen, and compete with each other for tea fighting.There is a doctor of tea in each cubicle as a referee, and from time to time there are shouts from the doctor of tea: "Xuanwujian, Yuan Lang wins one water", "Baihujian, Li Sanlang wins half water"...accompanied by the shouting of the doctor of tea Then came the lament of the loser and the triumphant voice of the winner: "Haha, I've given in, I've given in."

As the president, Du Juan sat firmly in the middle of the aisle, with a smile on his apricot face, turning his head from time to time to observe the battle situation around him.

And in the Zhengqi Pavilion in the inner house, Mo Yunxiao was sitting sadly at the table, pouring himself a bowl of tea.Madam Wei who was sitting beside her was naturally not as calm as her.

She slapped the table, stood up suddenly, and said, "He Lu, this doesn't seem like your temper."

Mo Yunxiao smiled wryly, and said, "If not, so what?"

"Hmph! Mother-in-law." Mrs. Wei paced back and forth a few times, and said angrily, "You know, for us girls, marriage is a big deal. How can we win or lose in a tea fight?" Discussion? Do you choose the uncle or the doctor who makes tea?"

"I lost my family's tea and medicine prescriptions, and Huan'er has gone to nowhere." Mo Yunxiao sighed: "Now it's really a knife and I'm a fish."

Mrs. Wei was taken aback for a moment, then came up to her, held Mo Yunxiao's hand tightly, and said, "He Lu, I know you are in a difficult situation, and you are alone and helpless in this family. But, you must never agree to this ridiculous marriage." Otherwise, I'm afraid you will regret it for the rest of your life."

Mo Yunxiao smiled lightly and said, "Thank you sister for your concern, I have my own measure."

"Sister?" Mrs. Wei frowned, and said, "Why, you have a relationship with me, and you won't call me by my name?"

Mo Yunxiao was also taken aback, and said blankly: "Sister's name..."

Caiyi hurriedly said, "After my girl fell into the water, she forgot many things."

Mrs. Wei was slightly taken aback, knelt down and said, "Then you should never forget me. I am Wei Wanwei Yuru."

Mo Yunxiao smiled suddenly: "Sister, how could I forget you. You are Zeng Bu's wife, and I am one of the best poetesses in my life."

Mo Yunxiao didn't know who this Mrs. Wei was at first, but after hearing her name, she knew her identity.Although Wei Wan was not as famous as Li Qingzhao at the same time, he was still famous at the time. Mo Yunxiao's profound knowledge of Chinese studies was naturally known.

Mrs. Wei smiled after hearing this, and said in a half coquettish tone: "You still have some conscience." But after laughing, she also became worried: "No wonder your father wanted to marry you in such a hurry Going out, presumably because of your amnesia, you want to find someone who is proficient in tea ceremony to help you manage the business of tea house."

Mo Yunxiao sighed softly, and said, "Yes. So even if I am for Minglou, I should obey my father's arrangement."

Mrs. Wei nodded, expressing her understanding of Mo Yunxiao.She stood up slowly and said, "But this has wronged you."

"Sister, how do you know that I was wronged?" Mo Yunxiao smiled and said, "Maybe it's my uncle who came to the door who was wronged."

As she spoke, Caiyi couldn't help laughing out loud.

Mrs. Wei sighed, and said, "Sister, don't worry, I will definitely find the best doctor in the world to cure your amnesia."

Mo Yunxiao's heart warmed, and she couldn't help the tears wet her eyes.In this lonely and chaotic time and space, Mrs. Wei is like a bright torch, giving her warmth and light.

Mo Yunxiao was about to speak, but someone outside said: "He Lu, why don't you follow me to the front hall to have a look."

When everyone turned their heads, Mo Chenglin was already standing at the door of Zhengqi Xuan.

When Mo Chenglin saw Mrs. Wei, he was also a little surprised. He came up and saluted with his sleeves, and said, "It turns out that Mrs. Wei came to see my little girl. What kind of virtue and ability is there for my little girl? It's really frightening."

Mrs. Wei smiled lightly and said, "Old man, don't be too polite. He Lu is your daughter and also my confidant. She wants to choose a husband. Logically speaking, I shouldn't talk about it as an outsider. But I don't want me This kid regrets it someday, so I have to come and take a look."

Mo Chenglin chuckled and said, "Madam Wei is willing to appreciate it, that would be the best."

Mrs. Wei nodded, then turned to Mo Yunxiao and said, "He Lu, sit here. I will go to the front hall with your old man to have a look."

Mo Yunxiao was a little nervous and stood up unconsciously.Mo Chenglin looked a little embarrassed, but he waved his hand and said, "Since Mrs. Wei spoke, you should sit down first."

At this time, the battle situation in the front hall has entered a white-hot stage.Half of the contestants have been eliminated.The defeated people shook their heads in disgrace, and left one after another.The rest of the group regrouped and continued the battle.

Mrs. Wei and Mo Chenglin walked through the aisle.Mrs. Wei looked at these people and couldn't help sighing: "I really didn't expect it, this momentum is almost catching up with the examination room."

Mo Chenglin said with a smile: "I made Madam Wei laugh. My little girl has been hanging around in Tokyo since she was a child, and got the nickname 'Nv Yan Luo'. I thought that there would not be many people asking for marriage, but I didn't expect so many people to come." people."

Mrs. Wei sighed: "Old man, you underestimate your daughter. In the city of Tokyo, from princes to nobles, down to the house of innocence, whose daughter does not seek to be educated and reasonable, and abide by women's festival? But Helu is different from them. They are peonies and begonias, while Helu is plum blossoms. Plum blossoms have their own unique arrogance. Since ancient times, countless literati have praised plum blossoms. It is no wonder that Helu is coveted by so many people."

Mo Chenglin laughed and said, "Yes, yes, Mrs. Wei is right."

At this time, Mrs. Wei took a look and saw Zhang Di.He was walking back and forth among the cubicles, looking at the tea soup made by others, pouted and shook his head from time to time, as if none of the tea soup made by others could catch his eyes.

Mrs. Wei pointed at him and asked, "Hey, is this the guy from your Minglou?"

When Mo Chenglin saw it, he shook his head and said, "No."

Mrs. Wei felt strange, so she went up to her and asked, "My little brother, are you here for a tea fight?"

Zhang Di was taken aback, but still very proud, raised his head and said, "No, it's my son who came to fight tea."

"Oh? Who is your son?" Mrs. Wei continued to ask.

Zhang Di looked embarrassed, and hurriedly said: "You don't know if you tell me." Then he turned around and was about to leave.Mrs. Wei pressed his shoulder and said with a smile: "Then, are you here to spy on other people's truth?"

As soon as he said this, the tea drinkers turned their heads one after another, piercing Zhang Di's cheek with eyes.

His face flushed, he tried his best to shake off Madam Wei's hand, and said: "My son is the best at making tea, why do you need to spy on him? I just came out to have a look by myself."

"Then what did you see?" Mo Chenglin asked.

Zhang Di smiled, pointed to the nearest bowl of tea soup on the left hand side and said: "Just look at the tea from this brother. The tea is greenish, and if you don't bite a cup, it can't be regarded as top grade. There is also this gentleman's tea. The tea color is white and clean, but The cloud feet are scattered, it cannot last long, and it cannot be considered top grade..."

Zhang Di reviewed seven or eight bowls of tea in a row, all of which cited flaws, which greatly displeased the tea drinkers.

"Hmph! From this point of view, it seems that your son is Zhou Lang Gu Qu, and his skill in ordering tea is much better... why don't you invite him out for a comparison?"

A tea guest yelled like this, which aroused the echo of the crowd.

Zhang Di couldn't get off the stage for a while, so he shouted loudly: "Forget it, I'm going to invite my son to come down, so that you ordinary people can open your eyes!"

"I'm coming right now." The door of a private room on the second floor opened in response, and a young man dressed as a scholar came out waving a folding fan, followed by a doctor of tea.Dr. Tea carried a tray with a bowl of tea on it, followed the young man carefully downstairs.

Dr. Tea placed the bowl of tea on the round table in front of the counter.Everyone gradually gathered around and took a sniff, the warm tea fragrance was refreshing.

Dr. Tea looked at it again and again, and couldn't help being amazed: "This tea is bright in color, full of vitality, and it won't disperse after biting a cup, and has a strong fragrance." When he said this, he raised his head and asked the young man: "I'm taking the liberty, but I just want to have a taste." .”

The young man nodded and replied with a smile, "Please go ahead."

Dr. Tea carefully picked up the black ferret tea bowl, brought it to his lips and took a sip. After tasting it for a long time, he said with some appreciation: "Eloquent and fragrant, it is indeed an excellent top grade."

(End of this chapter)