PCJ – Chapter 229 This Tea is Extraordinary

The tea products that came to participate in the evaluation meeting have basically already gone through the preliminary selection and possess a certain level of competitive strength. Of course, some of them are recommended by certain departments and generally do not need to go through preliminary evaluation, directly participating in this evaluation. The evaluation does not have very strict standards, but to maintain the authority of the evaluation committee, the evaluation process is generally quite rigorous. There are still some index limitations for the grading evaluation. Within this, there are some unspoken rules.

Zhang Jiaohua and Zhang Manyin were probably the most unexpected combination at the venue. One was clearly a child who hadn’t graduated from elementary school, and the other was an honest farmer. Although Zhang Manyin wore a new set of clothes, this new outfit seemed somewhat out of place on him. His bronze skin, weathered face, and rough hands made it obvious that he was a farmer who worked hard in the fields. Of course, people at the venue might think he was an experienced tea farmer.

If it weren’t for Xia Guoxi coming and telling them that they only needed to sit in the venue and listen without speaking, Zhang Manyin really wouldn’t have dared to come.

“Hello, sir. Are you here to participate in the evaluation too?” A middle-aged man in his forties sitting next to Zhang Manyin and his grandson asked warmly.

“Yes.” Zhang Manyin nodded repeatedly.

This middle-aged man was Zhao Jinyuan, the director of the Zijiang Tea Factory. Hearing Zhang Manyin’s accent, he immediately recognized that Zhang Manyin was from Zijiang.

“You’re from Zijiang? I don’t recall hearing about any other tea factories from Zijiang participating. Which tea factory are you from?” Zhao Jinyuan looked at Zhang Manyin and his grandson with some surprise.

“Yes. We’re from Xintian County. But we’re not a tea factory; we’re a horticultural farm.” Zhang Manyin replied nervously, facing Zhao Jinyuan, who seemed like a leader.

“Horticultural farm?” Zhao Jinyuan was shocked by this unexpected answer. His loud exclamation drew the attention of everyone around, and he quickly apologized to those around him before lowering his voice and asking, “Which horticultural farm are you from? As far as I know, Zijiang City only has the Zijiang Tea Factory participating in the evaluation.”

“We’re from Meizi’ao Horticultural Farm in Gezhuping Town. The provincial tea experts invited us to participate in the evaluation.” Zhang Manyin said.

Zhao Jinyuan nodded, thinking that Zhang Manyin was a relative of some tea expert who got in through special channels. He became even more enthusiastic, thinking that building a relationship with Zhang Manyin might connect him to his tea expert relative. More friends mean more paths, and since there was no conflict of interest between them, Zhao Jinyuan wouldn’t look down on Zhang Manyin just because he was from an unknown horticultural farm.

Zhang Manyin spoke little, and it was always Zhao Jinyuan initiating the conversation. Zhao Jinyuan didn’t realize that the one actually taking the lead between Zhang Manyin and Zhang Jiaohua was Zhang Jiaohua. After all, Zhang Jiaohua was just a child.

“Little friend, did you come to the tea evaluation meeting with your grandpa?” Zhao Jinyuan greeted Zhang Jiaohua out of courtesy.

Zhang Jiaohua nodded, “Yes.”

“What grade are you in?” Zhao Jinyuan asked.

“First grade.” Zhang Jiaohua answered honestly.

“Amazing. You’re in first grade and already attending a provincial tea evaluation meeting. When I was in first grade, I hadn’t even been to a district meeting.” Zhao Jinyuan sighed.

“Now, let’s invite Mr. Ling Yushu, a renowned tea expert, to introduce the tea products participating in this evaluation. Please welcome him!” The host on the stage announced.

An elderly man with white hair, dressed in simple, traditional clothes, stood up and took the microphone from the host. “Alright, I’ll say a few words. There are many tea products participating in this evaluation, indicating the rapid development of the tea industry in our province. In recent years, the global demand for tea has been increasing, and the tea market has been improving. Our provincial tea industry has also seen growth opportunities, promoting the vigorous development of our tea industry. However, I believe there is still potential to explore in our traditional teas. Some traditional processing techniques and specialty products need further development. Many of you may think that the development of local specialty products and traditional processing techniques is already very comprehensive, and it’s impossible to find more valuable products. But I want to tell you all that I used to think that way, but now I realize that this thought is wrong.”

Ling Yushu looked around, satisfied with the curious eyes surrounding him. He took a sip of tea, showed an extremely enjoyable expression, savored it, and then slowly said, “Not long ago, someone sent me a box of very special tea. The packaging was very simple, made of bamboo with unique bamboo carvings, although the carving skills were limited. I’m not talking about the packaging, but the tea inside. This tea is processed with a method we completely don’t know. But I must say, it’s the best tea I’ve ever tasted in my life. Xiao He, please brew a cup of tea for each expert here. Remember, each cup only needs this much. Don’t waste it. The rest, return to me.”

Although Ling Yushu seemed stingy, those who loved tea knew that for people like them, good tea was priceless. A tea that Ling Yushu valued so much must be extraordinary. Ling Yushu was not only a tea expert in Hunan but also a nationally known tea expert. Those so-called national-level top-grade teas like Dahongpao might be priceless to ordinary people, but to an expert like Ling Yushu, they were not unattainable.

Given such high praise from Ling Yushu, it indicated that this tea was indeed exceptional.

“Old Ling, since you gave such high praise, this tea must be extraordinary. You’re too much, keeping such good tea from me all this time.” Another elderly expert with white hair sitting next to Ling Yushu, Han Guixian, said discontentedly.

“I just wanted to surprise you all,” Ling Yushu didn’t feel guilty at all.

“Alright, I won’t argue with you. Let me first taste this tea you’ve praised so highly.” Han Guixian glanced at the tea cup and was stunned. The tea had initially turned into a lump of black mud, but in the water, it completely dissolved without leaving any trace. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, the indescribable aroma of the tea exploding in his lungs.