Tea Merchants of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 121 Making Friends

"Some excitement is not so good to watch." Li Qing turned his fan and raised his eyebrows, "Brother Zhang, how many days do you plan to stay in Huizhou?"

He stared at Jiang Yin intently, as if he wanted to see some difference in Jiang Yin.

Jiang Yin coughed lightly, cupped his hands and said, "I will be in Huizhou this time, and I will have to return to Chengdu Prefecture in three to five days at the shortest, or half a month at the longest.

Actually, I also want to go north to Tokyo. Unfortunately, time is tight and I am afraid I won’t be able to make it.”

She knew that if she didn't say something today, Li Qing would probably not say anything, and would not let Su Shan tell her.

It's okay for her to say something half-truthfully.

"Brother Zhang, are you from Chengdu?" Li Qing narrowed his eyes and curled his lips, "I heard that the tea monopoly system has been implemented in Mengshan, Yazhou, and all Mengshan tea is monopolized by the government?"

He looked at Jiang Yin meaningfully, as if he understood why Jiang Yin came here. It was just for some tea after all.

For the sake of tea, he felt a lot more relaxed.

Jiang Yin was slightly stunned. He didn't expect that Li Qing knew so much.

"Of course I know." She became more serious and said with a wry smile, "Because of this, we can't even drink good tea."

She was not lying. They really didn't have any Mengshan tea for other guests.

"So, you came to Huizhou to buy tea?" Su Shan took over the conversation and said, "Then you have to hurry up and buy it quickly. Huizhou may also implement the tea monopoly system."

He sighed and continued, "If Huizhou implements the tea monopoly system, even local people like us will have no tea to drink."

Fortunately, his family had prepared a lot of tea, otherwise, he would be anxious now.

Li Qing's mouth twitched slightly, and he looked at him resentfully, but said nothing. He just sighed silently, and then stared at Jiang Yin.

Jiang Yin pretended to be surprised and said, "Huizhou is also going to implement the tea monopoly system? The Ancient Tea-Horse Road is quite far from here, how can the tea monopoly system extend to here?"

"How far can it be?" Su Shan gave her an ambiguous look and continued, "You who came from Chengdu know that if you ride fast, you can reach Chengdu in less than ten days."

He lowered his voice and continued, "This distance is nothing compared to a war horse. I'm afraid the higher-ups are still regretting why they didn't include Huizhou tea in the tea monopoly system earlier."

"Be careful with your words." Li Qing raised his hand and knocked Su Shan on the head with the fan, saying speechlessly, "You can say these words, be careful not to get into trouble."

He knew that Su Shan was a troublesome person who told everything to others and was not afraid of being sold out.

As he spoke, he looked at Jiang Yin, the meaning in his eyes was very clear.

Su Shan glared and said, "Ouch, be gentle."

This man is becoming more and more suspicious. He doesn't know what to say.

Jiang Yin quickly raised his hand and said, "Don't worry, I won't go out and tell anyone! Really, I swear!"

At most she would do something wrong, but it would not implicate these two innocent people.

Li Qing gave her a look that showed she was sensible, and Su Shan continued, "Really, if you believe me, Brother Zhang, go buy it quickly. It will be too late if you are late."

The smile in Jiang Yin's eyes deepened, and he nodded and said, "Thank you, Brother Su. I understand. I'll go buy some more later."

Just then, the Tea Doctor came in. Jiang Yin asked him to put out a set of tea sets and personally performed a tea show for Su Shan and Li Qing.

As soon as the tea show started, even Li Qing couldn't help but praise: "Brother Zhang is really a tea lover. His tea skills are better than the tea doctor here."

He couldn't wait to take a sip of the tea and shouted, "Good tea!"

Su Shan's hands trembled in fear, and he quickly took a sip. Then he glared at him and said, "It's good tea, why are you making such a loud noise?"

Then, he turned to Jiang Yin and said with a smile: "Brother Zhang, don't waste such a good tea-making skill. Can I have another cup, no, another pot?"

It’s good tea, he can drink a few more cups and even take some home.

"Of course." Jiang Yin smiled and continued to grind the tea powder, saying, "I'll grind more of this tea powder, you can take it back and make tea.

I will also tell you how to make tea, and you can try it later."

"Obedience is worse than respect." Li Qing bowed and said, "Thank you, Brother Zhang."

Seeing that Li Qing's guard had been lowered, Jiang Yin chatted with him casually and said calmly, "Just now I saw you guys gathered outside to watch someone painting. I didn't see the painting, but I really like the painting paper. Is that Huizhou Xuan paper?"

She suddenly realized that both the painter and the spectators like Su Shan and Li Qing were a little abnormal.

She didn't understand because she had never met Li Qing and Su Shan before, but after chatting with them today, it was obvious that these two people were not brainless people. How could they not see through the flaws of the painter?

"You are talking about him." Su Shan couldn't help but speak from the heart again.

This time Li Qing did not stop Su Shan, so Su Shan continued, "He is half of our own, invited here to paint and perform."

Jiang Yin was shocked and asked, "Brother Su, what do you mean by this?"

What does it mean to be half of one's family? Is it what she thinks?

"It's just as you think." Su Shan raised his eyebrows slightly, "You also know that Huizhou is also famous for Huizhou ink and Xuan paper, but many people don't know this, let alone feel the charm of these two directly."

"But!" He changed the subject and said with a smile, "If someone uses Hui ink and Xuan paper publicly and demonstrates their advantages directly, then those who don't know about them will be able to feel it directly."

People tend to only believe what they see, and it doesn't take too much effort, so why not do it?

Although he had guessed it long ago, Jiang Yin still couldn't help but exclaimed: "So, this is someone you deliberately arranged. Even the title of Qinglian Layman was also your idea?"

What a talent, he could come up with this idea.

"How do you know it was our idea?" Su Shan couldn't help but ask.

He didn't seem to say that this was their idea.

Li Qing held his forehead and didn't want to talk.

Jiang Yin smiled and said, "Brother Su said that they are half of us. Half is the painter himself. The other half is naturally Brother Su and Brother Li."

She struck while the iron was hot and said, "If I'm not mistaken, you two are from a family of Hui ink and Xuan paper, right? Only people from our own family would worry about these things."

One should do one's job well, just like she now puts herself in the position of the head of the Jiang family, she has to worry about the Jiang family.

It's just that she woke up late, unlike Su Shan and Li Qing who started working outside early.

"Brother Zhang is smart." Su Shan said with a chuckle, "My family makes Hui ink, and business has been slow recently, so we have to think of a way."

"My rice paper is the same." Li Qing spread his hands helplessly, "I don't know what's going on recently, business is not good!"

He observed Jiang Yin's expression calmly.

There is actually nothing to hide about their identities, and the locals are all aware of it.