Chapter Twenty-Three Tea Leaves

  "Prince Qin has returned."

  "Welcome back to the village, sir."

  "Nice to meet you, teacher."

  As soon as Qin Yu's carriage arrived at Zhangjiacun, the villagers who had received the news one after another stopped their work and rushed to welcome Qin Yu.

  One after another asked for his well-being, in all sorts of ways. Qin Yu's stay at Zhangjia Village was quite short, but the warm welcome he received was truly enviable.

  Qin Yu smiled and responded, the village children gathered around him one by one, lined up neatly to pay their respects, and escorted Qin Yu to the village head's house.

  "Uncle Zhang, are you feeling better?" Qin Yu asked as he arrived at Village Chief's house and paid his respects.

  However, Muramasa was bedridden for seven days due to catching a cold.

  "Alright, alright, young master is back." The corner of Muramasa's mouth was slightly crooked and his words were not clear, but they could be roughly understood.

  Murata's face was flushed with excitement, wanting to struggle to get up, but he couldn't muster the strength. Qin Yu hastily stepped forward and helped Murata up, saying, "Uncle Zhang, just focus on recovering from your illness, I'm sure it won't be long before you can walk again."

  "Alas, borrowing Qin Gongzi's auspicious words, does Qin Gongzi have any important matters this time he returned to the village?" The village head tried his best to recover his mouth, but unfortunately couldn't do it, and finally let out a sigh, speaking unclearly.

  "There's nothing major, this time I'm back mainly to take a look at these kids. In the future, Qin will be staying in Chang'an, and the studies of these kids can't be neglected either. So Qin is thinking whether or not to bring the kids to Chang'an, but this still needs Zhang Shu and the kids' parents' approval."

  "This is a good thing, how can I disagree? The children are lucky to follow the young master, I'm in charge of this matter, let them follow the young master to Chang'an." Village Zheng's eyes lit up when he heard Qin Yu's words and said excitedly.

  "Uh, as long as Uncle Zhang agrees, it's fine. I'll go ask their parents later, but some things are better explained in advance by Qin. The kids follow me to study, but that doesn't necessarily mean they'll achieve anything." Qin Yu nodded and continued.

  Muramasa can be in charge, but Qin Yu didn't want to make things difficult for others, so it's better to ask the children's parents.

  "Young master, don't worry about it. The children being able to learn from you is already a great blessing, Zhangjiacun village will naturally not have any dissatisfaction. Young master, rest assured." The village head naturally understood that Qin Yu was giving him another preventive shot, and hastily opened his mouth to speak, fearing that Qin Yu would give up on the idea of continuing to teach.

  Once the children of Zhangjia Village have achieved success, the status of Zhangjia Village will inevitably undergo a drastic change, and the Zhang family will also benefit from it. How could the village chief not be willing?

  Although Murashige's words were not fluent and his pronunciation was not accurate, Qin Yu still chatted with him sincerely for a while before bidding farewell to Murashige.

  "What a pity, I really don't know how to cure this illness." Qin Yu sighed silently after leaving Village Zheng's house. Village Zheng was a good person, and Qin Yu naturally hoped that he would recover soon, but unfortunately, there was nothing Qin Yu could do.

  "Go back home and ask your parents if they are willing to let you follow me to Chang'an. If they agree, prepare yourselves, and when the time comes, we will head back to Chang'an together." Qin Yu looked at the group of students waiting by the village chief's house, a faint smile on his face as he spoke.

  "Our teacher did not give up on us." This is the common voice of the fifty-two children present.

  "Yes, teacher." The children excitedly and unanimously responded in unison. After finishing speaking, they turned around and ran towards their respective homes to ask their parents, especially the girls who were overjoyed and tearfully cried while running.

  Women without talent are virtuous, this phrase appeared in the Ming Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty did not have such a saying, but it's not that there was no such trend. Most women who could read and write came from wealthy families, ordinary people couldn't even think about it. Qin Yu was willing to take them to Chang'an, how could they not be excited?

  Qin Yu taught them to read and write, understand the truth, and learned a lot of things that people of this age couldn't grasp yet. Although it was still superficial, it opened their minds one by one, and they naturally knew the benefits of continuing to follow Qin Yu's studies.

  Moreover, their parents often praised Qin Yu in their ears, and they remembered it in their hearts. It's not surprising that they can behave like this now.

  Qin Yu brought the drawings of the curved-share plow and waterwheel to the workshop, where he happened to see Zhang Damao, the skilled craftsman from Zhangjiacun. He immediately handed over the drawings to Zhang Damao, instructing him to make a model according to the drawings, and then print them in large quantities.

  Zhang Damao's carving skills are indeed good, and before long, the templates for the curved plow and waterwheel were carved out, with a clear model, just waiting to be fired into ceramics, and then they can be typeset and printed. After all, some text is still needed to explain, which saves time and effort.

  The villagers of Zhangjiacun thoroughly carried out the task of replacing Qin Yu, and by evening, a thousand illustrated technical manuals were placed on Qin Yu's desk. What made Qin Yu cry with laughter was that the villagers had actually added his name, Qin Yunfei, to the drawings.

  The next day, Qin Yu took the 52 children to Yongnian County Town. The county magistrate had to be visited, and according to Wang Cai, this county magistrate seemed to have smashed a lot of flower vases and porcelain bowls.

  The gatekeeper reported, and County Magistrate Lu Ziyuan personally came out to greet him. Before he even arrived in front of him, Lu Ziyuan clasped his hands together in a fist and shouted loudly, "Brother Yunfei, forgive me, forgive me! The gatekeeper doesn't understand the situation, I've already scolded him once. From now on, Brother Yunfei, just come straight in whenever you arrive."

  "When did the county magistrate become so close?" Qin Yu was a little puzzled in his heart, but he didn't think much about it. He hurriedly made a fist and said, "Where, where, County Magistrate Lu is busy with official duties all day long, and should be the model for officials of the Tang Dynasty. I, Qin, have disturbed you."

  Qin Yu's remark "the model of the Great Tang officials" made the county magistrate feel delighted, who doesn't love to hear pleasant words, especially when it came from Qin Qiong's nephew Qin Yu.

  Qin Yu didn't know that since he was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Kaifeng, all the major aristocratic families had already investigated his background thoroughly. As a result, people with connections to several prominent clans had also received the news one after another. And as for Lu Ziyuan, who served as the Magistrate of Yongnian County, it was even more so - otherwise, why would he be so close to Qin Yu?

  It's likely that someone who will soon inherit the title of Duke would not get along, isn't that foolish? Moreover, Qin Yu will become the son-in-law of the Lu State Duke, so it's understandable why the county magistrate is being so enthusiastic.

  "Nowhere, just treat this as your own home, younger brother." Lu Ziyuan said, suddenly slapping his forehead, "Look at my memory, quickly, younger brother come with me to talk inside."

  Qin Yu smiled and nodded, then followed the county magistrate, who had greatly increased his performance skills, to the county government office.

  Upon entering the inner house, just as they sat down, the county magistrate's servant girl brought over a bowl of boiling hot tea water. Qin Yu took one look and was momentarily stunned - on top floated some scallion ends, ginger ends, and inside were dark scattered tea leaves.

  "Little brother, what brings you here? Do you need your older brother's help?" The county magistrate asked warmly after waving his hand to signal the servant girl to withdraw.

  "I also ask County Magistrate Lu to forgive the crime. The people below do not understand things and have been slow in responding to Brother Lu. After Qin learned of this matter, he severely reprimanded them. County Magistrate Lu is a model for officials of the Great Tang Dynasty. How can we not give the curved handle plow to County Magistrate Lu? Here, Qin has brought the drawings and explanations."

  Qin Yu slightly bowed to show apology, while saying and gesturing for the house servant to hand over the box containing the drawings to County Magistrate Lu Ziyuan. Just then, as a matter of courtesy, the magistrate said "reprimand", Qin Yu said "admonish".

  The county magistrate listened to Qin Yu's words, and he was overjoyed. The unhappiness from before instantly dissipated, and he took the box handed over by his house servant, opened it, and flipped through a few pages, suddenly stunned.

  At this time, Qin Yu spoke up and said, "Qin Mou's ability is limited, this thing still needs to be passed on by Lu County Magistrate throughout the Great Tang."

  The county magistrate's breathing became more and more urgent, if this box of maps were to spread throughout the Tang Dynasty, he would naturally be able to get a share of political achievements. Originally, he was thinking of this idea, but the curved plow was owned by Qin Yu, and it couldn't be forced. At this moment, Qin Yu delivered it to his doorstep, how could Lu Ziyuan not be excited?

  After a moment, Lu Ziyuan came to and suddenly stood up, made a fist at Qin Yu, slightly bowed and said, "Younger brother, if you have any requests in the future, I will definitely help with all my might."

  "That's all for now, thank you, Brother Lu." Qin Yu stood up and smiled in return.

  Lu Ziyuan saw Qin Yu change his address, and naturally knew that Qin Yu was really going to make friends with him. He was overjoyed and said, "Good, good, younger brother, please sit down quickly and taste the tea I brought from my hometown."

  "It's really tea." Qin Yu thought strangely in his heart, history is history, seeing is believing, and Qin Yu didn't expect that the tea of the Tang Dynasty was indeed like this, and the difference between it and the modern tea-making and brewing techniques was really too big.

  "Please, younger brother." Lu Ziyuan lifted his teacup, gesturing for Qin Yu to drink tea.

  Qin Yu brought the teacup to his nose, took a light sniff, and a strong onion and ginger flavor wafted up, while the tea leaves' flavor had faded significantly, almost undetectable. He took a small sip, and a salty flavor mixed with the onion and ginger flavors instantly entered Qin Yu's senses of taste and smell.

  Qin Yu naturally knew that the Tang Dynasty's tea for guests was a very high specification, so he didn't dare to be rude, although it was hard to drink, he still drank it down and didn't make any expressions.

  "Brother, how is this tea?" The county magistrate asked with a look of intoxication after taking a sip, just like Qin Yu, also taking a small mouthful, just moistening his lips, or else it would have scalded him.

  "Not bad, indeed not bad. I heard from Lu Dage that this tea seems to be a specialty of Lu Dage's hometown?" Qin Yu nodded and smiled as he said so.

  Lu Ziyuan smiled upon hearing Qin Yu's praise and said with some pride, "That's only natural. I won't hide it from you, brother, but this tea requires multiple processes to be made. It's not that I'm boasting, but apart from the Sage's place, my tea is the best."

  Qin Yu almost burst out laughing, "This can also be called tea." Of course, Qin Yu wouldn't say that out loud. He quickly opened his mouth to ask, "Brother Lu, do you still have any tea leaves, the ones freshly picked from the tea tree? I want to bring some back to Chang'an."

  "My dear brother wants to drink tea, how can I not give it to him? Don't mention the word 'leaves' again." The county magistrate heard Qin Yu's words and suddenly became unhappy, with a serious face, saying that he seemed to be blaming Qin Yu for being too particular.

  Qin Yu naturally understood what Lu Ziyuan meant, and hastily opened his mouth to say, "Brother Lu, I didn't mean it that way. I just wanted to make some tea for myself, so I needed some tea leaves. In my free time, it's also a way to relieve boredom. Brother Lu knows that I have a fondness for techniques, but it's really laughable."

  "So that's how it is, I was wrong to blame my younger brother. In that case, I still have some uncooked tea leaves here, so I'll give them to you, younger brother." Lu Ziyuan was slightly taken aback before smiling and saying.

  Before Qin Yu could thank him, Lu Ziyuan continued, "However, younger brother, I have something to say that I'm not sure if I should mention."

  "Brother Lu, please speak." Qin Yu said with a hint of puzzlement, having no idea what Lu Ziyuan was about to say.

  "Since you are the son of a noble family, the nephew of Wing Country's prince, and the husband of Lu Country's princess, and you have extensively studied poetry and literature, it would be better for you to stay away from this skill." Lu Ziyuan said with a somewhat heavy tone.

  Qin Yu heard this and could say nothing more, it was also an unavoidable matter, the ancient times were like this after all. He could only open his mouth to say, "Brother Lu's words are indeed correct, I will definitely remember them carefully. However, these tea leaves are purely a hobby of mine, and I won't personally take action."

  "That's good." Lu Ziyuan nodded in satisfaction and continued, "How much does my younger brother need?"

  Qin Yu thought for a moment and said, "Well, let's start with 100 stones first."

  "Pffft." Lu Ziyuan had just taken a mouthful of tea when it was suddenly spat out.

  "Brother Xian, how much?" Lu Ziyuan looked at Qin Yu in shock, thinking he had misheard, and asked.

  "A hundred stones, is that a lot?" Qin Yu looked at Lu Ziyuan with doubt and asked.

  Lu Ziyuan was already shocked, but when Qin Yu said it again, his face suddenly stiffened, "Younger brother, the tea leaves produced in my hometown add up to no more than a hundred stones."

  Qin Yu suddenly felt a bit embarrassed when he heard this, wasn't this obviously a lion's big mouth opening?

  It wasn't until then that Qin Yu remembered that at this time in the Tang Dynasty, the development of the south was not so strong, and tea leaves were mostly wild. The common people mainly engaged in agriculture, and due to economic constraints, they couldn't form a large scale. Asking for 100 stones at once was indeed difficult for ordinary people.

  "This, I really didn't know, and thought tea leaves were high-yielding. I hope Brother Lu will forgive me. Since that's the case, then please take a look, Brother Lu." Qin Yu said, slightly bowing his head to show apology.

  "Dear brother, don't be difficult, I'm not a stingy person. This way, there's still one stone of uncooked tea leaves, I'll give them all to you." Lu Ziyuan said with some blame, glancing at Qin Yu.

  "How can that be good? Brother Lu also wants to drink." Qin Yu was so excited that he didn't even learn from the ancient people's words.

  Can't you calm down? There's only one stone left, and you're giving it all to Qin Yu.

  Lu Ziyuan raised his hand to stop Qin Yu from continuing to speak and directly slammed his palm on the table, "This matter is settled."

  "So be it, thank you, Brother Lu." Qin Yu also didn't decline and made a fist, slightly bowing to show his gratitude.