Chapter 5: An Yuan Tang's Second Master (Part 2)

  Duoduo stood up, "I'm going to wash clothes now... Little Xiūcái, don't think too much either, it's better to be down-to-earth."

  Don't look at Duo Duo's usual coldness and sharp words, but actually she has a good heart.

  I think he felt what I said earlier was too much, so he opened his mouth to comfort me.

  Zheng Yanqing smiled and also stood up: "Then I'll go brew some tea, Grandfather will be back soon, just in time to refresh him."

  Zheng Shi'an liked drinking tea, but his method of drinking tea was slightly different from that of later generations.

  Yan Qing's previous life also liked drinking tea, but most of them were brewed with boiling water. However, the Sui Dynasty people drank tea mainly by decoction.

  At the age of four, Yan Qing began learning the method of brewing tea.

  Now, Cha Yi has been honed to be extremely exquisite, and not only does Zheng Shian like it, but sometimes even Zheng Da Shi will let him brew tea.

  A small stove was moved out under the central hall corridor and soon a fire was lit.

  Taking advantage of the opportunity to adjust the furnace temperature, Zheng Yance used a tea grinder to grind yesterday's dried tea cakes into uniform fine powder. Don't underestimate the skill of grinding tea, it requires sufficient patience and even force. The tea powder must be subjected to uniform force in order to maintain its flavor. In the past, when Yance learned to grind tea, he spent three whole months on it.

  When Yan Qing was boiling water with a kettle on the stove, Zheng Shi'an came back.

  He looked like he wasn't too happy, his chubby face was gloomy and almost dripping with water.

  "Grandpa, you're back very early today!"

  Zheng Yanqing hastily stood up and asked for peace. Having lived in this era for five years, he had gradually become accustomed to his own identity.

  Showing off in front of your grandson!

  From feeling awkward at first to getting used to it now, Zheng Yankai won't feel embarrassed either.

  Zheng Shi'an forced a smile, "Xian Qing, don't be in a hurry, Grandpa isn't thirsty today."

  Yan Qing could clearly feel that Zheng Shi An was weighed down by his troubles.

  He hastily walked down the corridor, went forward and pulled Zheng Shisan's hand, saying: "Grandfather, the water seller Old Wang said that a spring was found in Huan Cui Yu. I asked Xu Ma to leave two buckets, preparing to make a bowl of longevity soup for Grandfather... Grandfather, come sit."

  The Sui people were particular about drinking tea, charcoal fire and water.

  At this time, the Tea Saint Lu Yu had not yet been born, and the good water under heaven had not been evaluated. However, people who were skilled at drinking tea still divided water into some grades. Among them, mountain spring water was the best, river water was second, and well water was the worst. Within mountain spring water, milk springs and gentle streams were especially good. When wealthy families drank tea, they often used mountain spring water to boil it, thus forming a special industry: water sellers.

  Near Xingyang, especially around Huan Cuiyu Mountain, the scenery is the best.

  A spring of milk is hard to find, sometimes a single spring of milk is worth a thousand pieces of gold.

  Zheng Dashan likes to drink tea, and Zheng Shian also has a knack for it. After a day of hard work, returning home to drink a bowl of tea soup cooked by Zheng Yanqing is absolutely a happy thing. The Baishou Tang mentioned by Zheng Yanqing is a kind of tea soup.

  Pulling on Xianqing's small hand, Zheng Shian's mood suddenly relaxed a lot.

  He lifted his clothes and sat down on the porch, watching Zheng Yance cook water.

  When the water surface in the teapot appears with fish-eye-like bubbles, Zheng Yanqing scooped a handful of salt and threw it into the teapot. In tea art, this is called one boil. The amount of salt will directly affect the taste of the tea soup, so there are many details to consider when boiling for the first time.

  "Grandpa, you seem very tired?"

  Zheng Shi'an leaned against the pillar, listening to Xian Qing's inquiry, a satisfied smile on his face. "It's fine, not too tiring."

  "Grandpa, is something going on at home today?"

  "Oh?"

  "I saw Grandpa in a bad mood... Aunt Xiu said that when one is in a bad mood, it's best to talk to someone about it, it can help relieve worries."

  Zheng Yanqing put on a mature look and asked innocently.

  "What's wrong?"

  Zheng Shi'an couldn't help but laugh and said: "You're just a bit older, what's the use of saying it... Stare at the fire, wait for it to boil twice!"

  "Oh!"

  Yan Qing stopped asking and stared at the teapot intently.

  After Zheng Shi'an smiled, his mood seemed to have brightened up a lot.

  The water in the teapot, when it appears like a continuous gushing spring, Xian Qing scoops out a ladle of water for later use. Then he picks up the bamboo clip and stirs it in the water, pouring the tea leaves into the center of the whirlpool. In an instant, the foam fills the air, flowing over the teapot, making a hissing sound. The courtyard is suddenly filled with a strong tea fragrance, causing Zheng Shi'an to involuntarily take a deep breath, feeling even more relaxed.

  "Hurray!"

  "Really?"

  In the teapot, the tea water is boiling and foaming.

  Zheng Yanqing slowly poured the spare water he had scooped out earlier into the teapot to stop the boiling, and immediately saw the pot spout out a tea flower, with a fragrance that was refreshing.

  "What do you think of Luoyang?"

  Zheng Shi'an's sudden question made Zheng Yanqing jump in surprise.

  He was pouring the soup, his hand shook, and the soup flowers immediately dispersed. It's worth knowing that these soup flowers are also the essence of brewing tea, which is quite particular. If the soup flowers disperse, it's equivalent to this pot of tea being ruined. Fortunately, the teapot had already left the stove, and Zheng Yance only scattered the soup flowers when he was pouring the soup. Even so, he still felt strange in his heart.

  Are you going to Luoyang?

  Yan Qing quietly poured another bowl of tea from the teapot and placed it in front of Zheng Shi'an.

  For this half-adopted grandson, Zheng Shi'an was very satisfied. But sometimes he still felt that Yan Qing's temperament was too cold and not like other children of the same age. Every time he spoke to him, he always felt as if he was talking to someone of the same age.

  Of course, Yan Qing was just an audience and rarely spoke.

  Jianyan Qing's face showed a look of surprise, and Zheng Shian couldn't help but laugh.

  But his smile immediately disappeared, and he said in a low voice: "Today, Master told me that Second Master is coming back!"

  Second Master?

  Zheng Yanqing was no stranger to this title. In fact, he had known long ago that in An Yuantang, there existed a Second Master.

  As for the origin of this second master, it must be traced back to the ancestors of Zheng Da Shi.

  The ancestors of Zheng Dash were from the sixth house of Zheng Lianshan, one of the seven houses of the Zheng family in Xingyang. Lianshan was famous for his bravery and his great-grandson Zheng Xianhu was also a notable figure at that time. Zheng Xianhu's son Zheng Wei surrendered to the Liang dynasty during the Northern Wei period but later returned during the late Northern Wei period. When the Northern Wei split, Zheng Wei led an army in response to the Western Wei and many of his clansmen followed him, including two men named Zheng Ding and Zheng Rongye who were originally slaves of Lianshan's family but were incorporated into the Zheng family due to their meritorious service.

  Zheng Rongye was killed in battle later, while Zheng Wei achieved great success and fame.

  He was granted the title of Grand General, Defender of Jiangling, and Commander-in-Chief of military affairs in fifteen states. At that time, it was also the heyday of the An Yuan Tang family of Lian Shan. Zheng Ding was also enfeoffed as Weiwei Shaoying due to his merits, and after his death, he was posthumously awarded the title of Yisi Sancai.

  The Second Master Zheng in Zheng Shi'an's mouth is actually the son of Zheng Ding, Zheng Chang

  In Anyuan Hall, Zheng Chang is also a pragmatic figure. Because he followed the Sui Emperor Yang Guang, he has been away from home for many years. Zheng Yanqing knew of this person's existence but had never met Zheng Chang. Suddenly hearing that Zheng Chang was coming back, Yanqing didn't find it strange at all.

  What's strange about going back to one's own home?

  The old master said that the second master was dismissed from his official position after being defeated by Han Wang in Taiyuan.

  He is worried about Second Master's mood, so he plans to let Second Master take over the affairs of An Yuan Tang...

  Yan Qing understood!

  Zheng Shi'an is unhappy because he has to hand over the power in his hands. It's normal to think about it, since the beginning of the new year, Zheng Shi'an has been in charge of all the big and small matters of An Yuan Tang, although there are Zheng Renji and Miss Choi, but in fact, they are only under one person. Suddenly handing over the great power in his hands, he must be uncomfortable in his heart. And he cannot oppose Zheng Da Shi.

  Being a slave to others, perhaps the most tragic thing is this feeling of being unable to control one's own destiny.

  "The old master also said that after the New Year, the young master may take up the post of Dong Cao in Luoyang, so he wants me to go and help him out a bit."

  The Da Gong Zi naturally refers to Zheng Renji.

  Zheng Yanqing asked in confusion: "Isn't the eldest young master in Chang'an? Why would he suddenly want to take office in Luoyang?"

  "What is this position of Cao in Luoyang? Is it a promotion or demotion? If you go to Luoyang, Grandfather, what should I do?"

  Zheng Shi'an smiled slightly, "The young master has naturally been promoted."

  Luoyang belongs to Henan Yin, and the position of Dong Cao is one rank higher than other places, belonging to the fifth rank. The young master has not been in office for five years, but he has risen from the eighth rank of Tong Shi She Ren to his current fifth rank, which can be considered a promising future... As for you, Master's reason for sending me to Luoyang to assist the young master is actually largely because of your sake."

  "Me?"

  Yan Qing was somewhat astonished.

  He came to the Zheng family for five years and had little contact with Zheng Dashi. It was only in the past few months that Zheng Dashi suddenly asked him to brew tea several times, and each time he brewed tea, Zheng Dashi either read a book or closed his eyes to meditate, without saying a word to Yanqing.

  What does it have to do with me?

  "The young master has grown up gradually over the years, and with the eldest son's busy schedule, he hasn't had a peaceful life."

  "After the New Year, Da Gongzi settled down in Luoyang and it's time to find a teacher for Xiao Shao Ye. The old master wants to find a companion for Xiao Shao Ye, thinking about it, he thinks you are the most suitable. Moreover, Shao Furen is pregnant and needs someone to take care of her."

  No wonder two months ago, Zheng Dashe asked himself to make tea.

  It wasn't just about drinking tea, but also a consideration.

  "What about Auntie Xu and Duoduo?"

  "What...the old master means is for them to stay in the ancestral home."

  Yan Qing's expression changed slightly as he heard this, "How can that be? Doudou is just going to go, who will teach me the Dragon Subduing Technique?"

  Zheng Shi'an smiled again, "Don't worry, I've already spoken to the old master, and when the time comes, we'll bring Xu's mother and the others along... However, once we arrive in Luoyang, they can only stay in the outer residence and cannot enter the inner residence to work. Yan Qing, how is your Dragon Subduing Skill coming along?"

  "Oh, so-so!"

  "Don't be careless... and when you arrive in Luoyang, don't reveal any weaknesses in front of the young master."

  Zheng Shi'an savored his tea for a while and chatted with Zheng Yanqing for a bit, feeling much more relaxed afterwards.

  The old man and his grandson chatted for a while longer, and Xu's mother had also finished preparing lunch.

  "Yan Qing, don't mention this to anyone for now, including Xu Ma and Duo Duo. Second Master will probably be back in about ten days, after I've finished handing over things to him, we'll make preparations to leave... But it's really strange, when Han Wang petitioned to strengthen the defenses of Taiyuan at the beginning of the year, Second Master sent a letter saying he was getting along very well with Han Wang."

  Zheng Shi'an got up and whispered a sentence.

  It was precisely this sentence that suddenly brought up a strange idea in Yanqing's mind: would Zheng Chang have another purpose for coming back this time?