Confucianism under Heaven

Chapter 94 The Way of Tea

Chapter Ninety-Four: The Way of Tea

The Deer Cry Banquet lasted until midnight before it came to an end. Everyone came with high spirits and left with great enjoyment, but a sense of melancholy lingered on each person's face amidst their joy.

Where will I see the bright moon next year? I'm afraid I'll be far away from home, longing for my hometown.

Qingyun County is their root.

The effects of the Hundred Leaves Sacred Wine made Ye Ru feel a little dizzy, so he returned to his room.

As for Chen Tianjian and the others, they did not leave but stayed at the Ye residence.

Su Tongyao looked at the sleeping Ye Ru, wiped his face with a hot towel, and then tidied up with the servants.

After all, it felt a bit strange to say that she wasn't a pampered young lady.

The next day, Ye Ru woke up, looked at the blanket covering him, and felt a little touched.

Pushing open the door, Ye Ru stretched, washed his face, and headed towards Su Tongyao's room.

Seeing that Su Tongyao was still fast asleep and that the Ye family compound had become extremely clean, he guessed what had happened.

After gently closing the door, Ye Ru arrived at the residence of Chen Changfeng and the others.

Good morning, sir. How was your drink yesterday? Please forgive me if I was not hospitable enough.

"Haha, we're having a great time drinking. Chen Tianjian is brave on the battlefield, and he's also the best at drinking parties."

Chen Changfeng stroked his beard and smiled.

"You old scholar, you're always talking badly about me behind my back."

Chen Tianjian pushed open the door and laughed and cursed.

"And you're talking about Brother Tianjian? You certainly lost your composure yesterday."

Wen Lue also walked in from outside.

"Good morning, esteemed scholar."

After Ye Ru greeted them, the three of them sat down on chairs, and Ye Ru personally poured four cups of tea.

"I have some fine tea here, which I stole from the demons. When I return to the capital, I will send someone to deliver two cans to you."

Chen Tianjian waved his hand, drawing envy from the other two.

Although the other party spoke grandly, the tea from the demons' side was of extremely high quality.

In the past, the human race also traded with demons, creating a trade route for exchange.

Tea is one of them.

"Sichuan and Chongqing produce tea. After development during the Warring States period, it has become a tea-producing area. If I have time, I will go to Sichuan and Chongqing to get some tea."

Chen Changfeng nodded.

"I have some with me, which is Mingsheng Lake Longjing tea. I picked this tea myself when I was lecturing in Yangzhou a couple of years ago. It comes from Lion Peak and an old well, and the quality is excellent."

Wen Lue laughed heartily, then with a flick of his sleeve, a tea set appeared before the four of them.

If anyone witnessed this scene, they would be utterly astonished. A mere student was able to enjoy tea and discuss philosophy with two great Confucian scholars and a great general—that was unprecedented.

"The Six Gentlemen of the Tea Ceremony".

Ye Ru said softly.

"Does Chief Ye also have some insights into this tea?"

Upon hearing these unfamiliar words, Wen Lue pondered for a moment, but then his eyes lit up.

"Know a thing or two."

Ye Ru smiled.

"Haha, music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, and tea are the eight arts of life. Brother Wen has always been fond of tea and has unique insights into the art of tea. Today, I'm afraid you've met your match."

Chen Changfeng picked up the teapot, intending to brew tea, but Wen Lue stopped him.

"Would Chief Scholar Ye be so kind as to brew us some tea?"

The article is intended to test Ye Ru.

"It is my duty as a junior."

Ye Ru stood up, looked at the teapot beside him, and said regretfully:

"When choosing water, the first thing to consider is the source. Water is the mother of tea, and the teapot is the father of tea. The best water is mountain spring water, followed by river water, and then well water. Unfortunately, there is neither mountain spring water nor river water here, which is a regrettable thing today."

"There is a Qingyun Mountain not far from Qingyun County. I will fetch you a mountain stream."

Wen Lue pondered for a moment, then suddenly his eyes lit up. He rode on auspicious clouds and flew away. After a while, he returned with the mountain spring water.

Chen Tianjian and Chen Changfeng were also shocked for a moment, not expecting Ye Ru to have such insights into the tea ceremony.

"Please, esteemed gentlemen."

Then Ye Ru began to follow the steps of scalding the teapot, placing the tea leaves, warming the cups, pouring the tea from a high position, steeping it from a low position, serving the tea, and finally handing the brewed tea to Chen Changfeng and the other two. This was the tea ceremony.

With each step, the three people's faces showed even more shock.

"Has Ye Anshou studied the tea ceremony?"

Wen Lue stared at Ye Ru's skillful technique with an expression of disbelief.

He had initially thought Ye Ru was just talking casually, but this method made him feel somewhat ashamed.

"I just had some free time, so I categorized and summarized them."

These words made the three of them swallow hard, thinking that the other party could know so much in his spare time. Was he really the reincarnation of the Demon Emperor?

"Today I have finally met him. His talent is unparalleled, and he truly lives up to his reputation."

Wen Lue sighed, stood up, and bowed.

"Thanks for the advice."

Chen Changfeng and the other man remained silent, their gazes towards Ye Ru now filled with admiration.

They all knew that these old guys from the Academy of Saints were always arrogant and haughty, but today Ye Ru's actions had actually managed to subdue this tea master.

"Sir, there's no need for such formality. I'm just a junior who's only showing off my limited skills before an expert, and I'm not worthy of such a refined audience."

Ye Ru quickly returned the greeting.

"Your understanding of the Way of Tea is unique in the world. Why don't you write an article for my All Saints Academy? I will publish it in the Tea Journal later."

Wen Lue extended an invitation.

These words caused Chen Changfeng's expression to change. He knew that this "Tea Journal" was a newspaper dedicated to tea and an authority on tea. However, it was extremely picky about accepting manuscripts, and even a scholar would be rejected without hesitation.

"I am not knowledgeable enough, I'm afraid I am not qualified."

"If you can't do it, then no one in the entire Yanhuang Kingdom can. So, I'd like to invite you to be an honorary lecturer for my tea hall lineage. If you ever need anything in the future, I will definitely grant your request."

Wen Lue noticed that Ye Ru seemed somewhat reluctant, and his tone even carried a hint of pleading.

"Since you've said so, if I don't agree, I'm afraid I'll be accused of disrespecting my teacher. Alright, I agree."

Ye Ru remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was very pleased.

Although this title is nominal, it is very important for literary reputation.

"Everyone is happy."

Chen Tianjian said something that pleased everyone.

"Chief Ye, the National Tournament for Young Scholars is about to begin. You already know the location of this tournament. You should set off tomorrow for Zhongjie City. Here is a map."

After a moment, Chen Changfeng got down to business, took out a map, and pushed it in front of Ye Ru.

"So fast?"

Ye Ru was taken aback, then said.

"It's not that it's fast, but that Zhongjie City is located in the Western Shu region, which is close to the Azure Lotus Sword Domain of the poet Li Bai, so it's a bit troublesome to get in and out. But we will go there at that time."

Chen Changfeng frowned, then said again:

"This year's National Competition for Children of Scholars is the grandest in ten years, encompassing almost all the top talents in the field of children of scholars. The pride of all the great and holy families will also gather together, and there will even be people from other countries coming to watch."

"Tomorrow, the pride of the various noble families will leave their homes and head to the City of Heroes in Western Shu."

Upon hearing this, Ye Ru's usually calm heart began to beat faster, and the blood in his body quietly began to boil.

Although he has lived two lives, he is still a hot-blooded young man with an untamed spirit and a competitive nature.

He was eager to know who would stand out from the crowd and emerge as the only outstanding talent when all the chosen ones gathered together for the National Scholars Competition!