White tea legend

Chapter 225 Raise the throne
Looking out into the sea, a grand competition is in full swing.

The silk flags were flying, the copper pots were shining brightly, and the tea craftsmen were dressed in rich costumes, each holding their own skills, competing to display their unique skills. The water steam is rising and the fragrance of tea is curling up. For a moment, the mountain breeze carries a rhyme and the sound of the spring accompanies the music. It seems that tea souls from all over the ages are sharing the true meaning.

The contestants gently twist the tea leaves and put their efforts into it. Every drop of boiling water falling into the cup is the wisdom accumulated over the years. Looking at its color, smelling its fragrance, and tasting its taste, every step is like flowing clouds and flowing water, containing the essence of heaven and earth. The judges stroked their beards and nodded, their eyes shining brightly, seeing the true meaning in the details, and looking for a beautiful scene in silence.

Finally, they announced the tea king of this tea king competition.

"This tea is picked at the first dawn of Chunlan. The leaves are white with frost. They are twisted like silk by hand and have a heavenly fragrance. Looking at its color, it is as smooth as jade; smelling its fragrance, it is as elegant as orchid; tasting its taste, it is sweet and mellow. Today everyone The consensus is that Silver Needle is truly the king of tea. The Changxi tea people are so ingenious that they have won this honor and are famous in the history of tea.”

Amidst the applause, the man in white, the maker of the silver needle, was pushed onto the podium.

With the "Tea King" trophy in hand, Lu Yu couldn't help but smile no matter how calm he was.

"My achievements are not due to my own efforts, but to the help of internal help. The Bai family of Zhuojing comes from Changxi, and is responsible for white tea. The fragrance is as smooth as Lingde, and the charm is as clear as the person. We should celebrate today's honor together. Alas, A good pot of tea must be brewed by beautiful leaves and by a beautiful woman. My tea ceremony is all about her silent support and finishing touches. I hope to continue our tea relationship with my wife Bai for this lifetime.”

The audience burst into thunderous applause, and the aroma of tea was warm and cozy.

Some people are sincerely convinced, while others are not.

Silver Needle Baihao won the title of the new Minzhou Tea King, and Changxi County also followed suit. The magistrate of Changxi County personally received tea masters and various contestants from Minzhou, and personally accompanied them to Taimu Mountain.

The magistrate of Changxi County held the invitation with courtesy, and all the guests gathered together to enjoy the famous mountains and rivers. When I first climbed up to Taimu, I saw green peaks, shrouded in clouds and mist, like entering a fairyland. Walking towards the tea garden, green waves are rippling and the fragrant wind fills the path. Looking closely at the young buds, they look like beautiful articles, which makes you feel relaxed and happy.

Then go to Baiyuan and visit Lu Yu's tea making room.

Copper cauldrons are arranged indoors, bamboo sieves are hung, and craftsmen stir-fry tea in ancient ways, with a light and sophisticated technique. I saw them sweating like rain, baking in the cauldron, and stirring in their hands. Under their ingenious craftsmanship, the tea leaves turned into a refreshing tea fragrance.

The county magistrate smiled and pointed to the unique ingenuity and said: "This is the charm of the Changxi River. It is not only the beauty of the soil and water, but also the beauty of man-made work."

Everyone said yes.

The guests tasted it carefully and praised it. They were all amazed at the art of white tea tea and the beauty of Taimu Mountain.

The county magistrate was deeply grateful to Lu Yu and his wife, saying that they use tea to make friends and the mountains to attract visitors, promoting the integration of tea and tourism in Changxi County, and aiming to promote local culture and enhance external exchanges. The distinguished guests said that this half-day tour not only enjoyed the beauty of nature, but also appreciated the essence of humanities, which was a double gain.

Finally, everyone had a white tea banquet cooked by Bai Cha himself in Baiyuan.

The table is covered with delicacies, and the dishes are all exquisite in color, flavor, and shape. Fine vegetables on a jade plate, seafood in a golden bowl, fragrant tea to accompany the meal, and delicious ileum. The guests raised their chopsticks, with the fragrance lingering on their lips and teeth, and they all praised: "This is a delicacy that only a master chef can prepare!"

Everyone was still not satisfied and asked him about his cooking skills. Lu Yu smiled and led his wife out. The curtain opened slightly, and a beauty walked in with a graceful face, her face was like a flower, and she came out of the city. Originally the Bai family of Lu Yu's wife, she was also the master of cooking at this banquet. The guests were astonished. They had never expected that Heyi Tingge, a showman, was also proficient in the art of cooking.

Lu Yu boasted: "Although I am famous for tea, my cooking skills are really my specialty. Hidden in the kitchen, my craftsmanship should be comparable to that of famous chefs." When the guests heard this, they respected the couple even more. They were both good at tea ceremony and Skilled at cooking, a talented man meets a talented woman, a match made in heaven.

Along with laughter and joy, delicacies are served again, and the fragrance is overflowing. The guests drank and praised each other.

After you have had enough wine and food, it is the time to drink tea to eliminate oil and relieve greasiness.

Lu Yu said to everyone: "Now my wife will make white tea soup for everyone."

At this time, the art of sencha tea was highly praised by the saints and became popular all over the country from Chang'an City. However, no one in the world knew that this art of sencha tea was started by Lu Yu, because during the time when Lu Yu and Bai Cha were in Chang'an City, Bai Cha had used magic to erase Chang'an. Memories in people's minds.

Although not many people in the Li Dynasty know the legend of Lu Yu and Xiang Ming Yasu, the art of sencha tea has indeed become the most fashionable way of drinking tea in the Li Dynasty.

And this white lady doesn't need to cook tea, but makes tea. What kind of method does it use?

Everyone is looking forward to it.

I saw the white lady holding a white jade porcelain pot, gently stretching her jade arms and spreading her green sleeves.

She performs her art with white silver needles. The movement of clouds and flowing water is as melodious as the wind blowing in the willows, and burning incense is like mist rising from the lake. It is quiet and elegant, revealing agility.

Viewers can only see her gracefully pouring water, the steam is steaming like fairy spirit, and the tea leaves are flying up and down in the cup, like a leaping dragon and a tiger.

A fragrance overflows with the wind, as if there is a fairy voice hidden in it. With everyone watching, their hearts follow the fragrance of tea, and their souls follow the graceful lady.

This art is extraordinary, just like a goddess scattering flowers, which is fascinating and unforgettable for a long time.

In the competition, only those tea industry leaders had the opportunity to taste the exquisiteness of Baihao Silver Needle. At this moment, everyone present, from all over Minzhou, could taste the exquisiteness of white tea soup. Everyone was very excited. Praise one after another.

"This tea is as clear as jade liquid and as sweet as nectar in the mouth."

"Silver Needle of White Hair is truly worthy of its reputation, with elegant fragrance and endless aftertaste."

"The queen of tea lives up to its reputation. Every sip is the ultimate enjoyment."

"Looking at its color, smelling its fragrance, and tasting its taste, all three are good, just like drinking a cup of spring."

……

Everyone spoke to each other and expressed their opinions, but they all praised the extraordinary charm of Xinke's "Tea King" White Silver Needle.

Bai Cha stood up from the desk and saluted everyone.

But seeing the white tea, the face is like white orchids under the moon, elegant and refined, and the behavior is like the wind blowing willows, elegant but not vulgar.

The Changxi County Magistrate on the side looked dumbfounded.

After everyone returned home, Lu Yu and his wife not only bought white tea as gifts, but also gave everyone "Changxi Pork Slices" as souvenirs. In addition, there are Changxi meat swallows, Changxi chicken wings, Changxi steamed buns, etc., all of which are new products developed by Wu Wangsan and Su Niang after they opened the Changxi meat slices shop.

Especially the Changxi meat swallow is the most interesting. Its skin is as thin as a cicada's wing, reflecting the shadow of a finger, and it contains fine meat and fresh soup. It is like looking at flowers in the mist, hazy and attractive. Its appearance is like a flying swallow skimming the water, light and elegant; its color is crystal clear, like a newly exposed pearl, with a warm luster. It melts in your mouth, the aroma of meat overflows, and the soup is mellow, like a swallow returning to its nest, warm and satisfying.

The guests ate and took, and the depression of not being able to get the tea king had long been relieved, and the gloom in their hearts had long been gone.

After seeing that there is a sky beyond the sky and mountains beyond the mountains, they all returned home with a full load. Even the Zhao brothers from Wuyi Mountain were convinced and returned home.

Xiangming Yaxu is even more famous in Changxi County. Many tea farmers send their children to Taimu Mountain, hoping to become apprentices of "Xiangming Yaxu" and learn tea making from Lu Yu and his wife, so as to gain skills. Live in peace and harmony in the world.

Among the young men who came to apply for the job, one caught the attention of Mrs. Yao Si.

The man's name was Zhuo Laosan.

When he first arrived at Baiyuan, Lu Yu had already closed the door. Zhuo Laosan was not discouraged and decided to show his ambition in an extraordinary way.

He first visited Changxi tea farmers to help them solve their cultivation problems, asking for no money but a letter of recommendation. The tea farmers felt his sincerity and offered the most fragrant tea leaves one after another, but Zhuo Laosan declined them all, saying: "I didn't come here for the tea, but to learn from Master Lu." The news spread and everyone praised him.

As a second plan, Zhuo Laosan opened a tea stall in the market and made tea with insect-eaten leaves. Everyone was puzzled. He explained: "The beauty of tea does not lie in the perfection of the leaves, but in the exquisiteness of the heart." Customers first doubted and then praised, marveling at Zhuo Laosan's skill in brewing excellent tea from defective leaves.

After hearing about this strange thing, Lu Yu also sent people to inquire about it. Visitors reported back and were amazed to see Zhuo Laosan splashing the street dust with clean water and then washing the leaves with water. He was meticulous and meticulous. Lu Yu wanted to give it a try.

Lu Yu held a tea banquet, invited celebrities from the county, and expressed his intention to recruit disciples, and many talents gathered. During the banquet, Zhuo Laosan presented a pot of tea. The water was colorless and had a light fragrance. Everyone sipped and shook their heads. Zhuo Laosan, however, sat still, looking calm. Lu Yu was curious and asked why.

Zhuo Laosan responded calmly: "This is 'the heart is as clear as water', which means that to learn tea, you must first learn the heart. Tea is the spirit of water. If the mind is not clear, the tea will be unclear. If the mind is calm, the tea will have its own charm." Lu Yu was surprised that he was well versed in the philosophy of tea ceremony. Start testing seriously.

Lu Yu put forward a harsh challenge and ordered him to make tea with steady hands in the rain. The heat, water temperature and posture are all indispensable. Under the violent storm, Zhuo Laosan remained calm and calm, and the aroma of the tea he brewed impressed everyone present.

In the end, Lu Yu set the ultimate test question, asking Zhuo Laosan to restore a damaged antique tea set overnight. Zhuo Laosan knew that this was not an easy task, but with his profound understanding of tea utensils, he managed to restore them as intact as ever.

Seeing this, Lu Yu finally nodded: "Your character, skills, and understanding have all met my expectations. I will accept you as my disciple."

As a result, Zhuo Laosan officially became Lu Yu's disciple.

On the day when Lu Yu officially brought Zhuo Lao San into Baiyuan, Bai Cha exclaimed when he saw Zhuo Lao San: "Why is it you?"

Only then did Lu Yu know that Bai Cha and Zhuo Laosan had known each other for a long time, and he also learned from Bai Cha how Zhuo Laosan searched for medicine for his father, went deep into the tiger's den, kept his promise, and fed the tiger with his own body... He was even more impressed with Zhuo Laosan.

Filial piety, commitment, diligence...these are all good qualities that tea people must have.

Lu Yu decided to train Zhuo Laosan well.

But Bai Cha took Lu Yu to the backyard of Baiyuan to inspect three tea trees and asked Lu Yu to check the quality of these tea trees.

Only three white tea trees were seen standing alone. It has a handsome appearance, vigorous and powerful; the leaves are long and narrow, like a sword or a belt, green and silvery, sparkling. Pekoe is like frost, dotting it, making it more noble and pure. Among the lush branches and leaves, the tea buds are as green as jade, subtle and ready to bloom, like a peerless beauty, standing gracefully among the blue sky and clear water.

Lu Yu carefully inspected the leaf buds of these white tea trees, couldn't help but marveled, and asked Bai Cha where these white tea trees were transplanted from.

Bai Cha said that thanks to Zhuo Laosan's help in finding these three white tea trees growing in the high mountain wilderness.

"High in the mountains, amid the clouds and mist, the white tea tree takes root in the rocks and absorbs the essence of heaven and earth. Its leaves range from tender green to deep emerald, all exuding a natural and fresh air. The leaves do not wither in the cold weather, and can withstand wind, frost, snow and rain, so the tea contains unique high-mountain content. Fragrant. The fine hairs on the tea leaves are like frost, which acts as a natural barrier to protect the leaves from cold dew. This not only keeps the leaves warm, but also makes the tea coated in silver, making it more noble in the high mountains where the temperature difference between day and night is large. The tea tree grows slowly, so it can gather the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and the essence of the sun and moon. The tea produced has an elegant aroma, a sweet taste, and a long aftertaste. "

Lu Yu agreed with Bai Cha's judgment and immediately decided to plant white tea trees in the mountains.

Bai Cha also congratulated Lu Yu on getting such a good apprentice as Zhuo Laosan.

……

During the annual Lantern Festival, every household is brightly lit like daylight. Lanterns hanging high in the market are colorful, depicting beautiful scenery of mountains and rivers and legendary stories. People walk through them, laughing and chattering.

The literati and poets in Wanghai might gather together to drink tea, compare poems, and entertain each other with lantern riddles; or they might hold colored lanterns and walk in the streets and alleys, admiring the moon and stars, looking for the annual "Lantern Festival Lantern".

Wealthy families held feasts in their mansions, and invited musicians to perform, singing with melodious music and dancing gracefully. Various performances including acrobatics, magic, shadow puppetry, etc. all contribute to the celebration. Children love the lantern parade the most, waving colorful lanterns of various shapes such as rabbits, fishes, lotus flowers, etc., laughing and playing, and having endless fun.

There is a folk custom in Wanghai called Tiezhi, also called lifting pavilion, which is a pavilion carried on the shoulders.

During festivals or temple fairs, people would raise the pavilion to add color to the celebration. The production process is complicated and meticulous, and requires the joint efforts of many people to complete it.

First of all, the materials should be carefully selected, mostly bamboo and wood, because they are easy to obtain, tough and durable. According to the design, the craftsman saws the material into shapes, whether square or round, long or short, according to its position. Then, the mortise and tenon structure is used to connect tightly, without the need for nails or hammers, but it is as stable as a mountain. This is the essence of traditional woodworking, which tests the craftsman's ingenuity and experience.

Secondly, decoration cannot be ignored. They are mounted on colored paper and painted with magnificent patterns, including dragons and phoenixes, flowers and birds, landscapes and figures, all in meticulous detail. Every stroke and every line requires ingenuity to ensure that the pattern is vivid and three-dimensional. In addition, it is also embellished with jewelry, jade, and glass lenses to add luxury and elegance.

The final step is to install hoops or ropes for lifting. The ring rope is strong, making the loft as stable as a rock when being carried on the shoulders, without shaking.

After the construction of the lifting pavilion is completed, everyone still needs to lift it together. At that time, there will be loud drums and firecrackers, and people will carry their lofts on their shoulders and march through the streets and alleys, competing for beauty and laughter.

Lu Yu and Bai Cha led everyone down the mountain to see the lifting pavilion. Mrs. Yao Si came from the capital of Chang'an and had never seen such folk customs before, so she was naturally curious.

However, he was so happy that he got separated from the crowd. In the crowd, he was forcibly tied up with a sack by several gangsters and carried away...

The first person to discover that Mrs. Yao Si was missing was Zhuo Laosan.

Mrs. Yao Si said she wanted to eat candied haws, so Zhuo Laosan went to buy it. When he came back after buying the candied haws, Mrs. Yao had disappeared, and Zhuo Laosan was knocked around by the crowd.