Tea Merchants of the Song Dynasty

In the familiar lobby of the old house, Jiang Yin, Mrs. Feng, great-grandfather Jiang Guangwu, eldest aunt, second aunt and fourth aunt's family gathered here, waiting for Jiang Yin to speak.

Of course, Jiang Xiaoya was taken out to play by Xiaoluo, while Wang Heng and Yan Ge'er guarded the door and did not allow outsiders to come in.

Without Wansheng stirring up trouble, the room was very quiet and no one spoke first.

Jiang Yin pondered for a moment, narrowed his eyes and smiled, "Don't just sit there, try the tea on the table first."

Everyone had a cup of Huangshan Maofeng tea at hand, which she specially arranged.

Seeing that no one said anything, Fourth Uncle Fang Wenyuan, who had been drinking half a cup of tea in silence, raised his hand and said weakly: "What kind of tea is this? It looks like our Mengshan tea, but I'm not sure."

As he spoke, he took two more sips and couldn't help but exclaimed: "Although it's not as good as Mengshan tea, it also has a unique flavor."

Since the tea monopoly system was launched, they themselves have been reluctant to drink Mengshan tea. Now there is a substitute, and he is somewhat happy.

"Is it really so delicious?" Jiang Si Niang said flatteringly, "Let me try it."

"Let me try it too." Jiang Er Niang followed.

As for the others, although they didn't say anything, they tacitly picked up their teacups and began to taste the tea at hand.

After everyone had tasted the tea, Jiang Yin smiled and said, "What do you think of this tea? All Mengshan tea is now owned by the government, and we at Jiang's will definitely not sell Mengshan tea anymore in the future.

But Jiang's business still needs to continue. Do you think it would work if we use this tea to replace Mengshan tea?"

Previously, she had only explored Huangshan Maofeng tea on her own and had not brought it out to the public.

Now that the traitor in the Mengshan old house has been caught, it is time to plan this matter.

Upon hearing this, everyone who originally thought the tea was good fell silent.

They didn't say anything, so Jiang Yin asked them one by one.

She said to her fourth uncle Fang Wenyuan and Jiang Si Niang, who had just spoken, "Si Niang, fourth uncle, do you think this tea can be used to replace Mengshan tea?"

She still hopes to listen to everyone's opinions and pool their wisdom to find the best solution.

Jiang Si Niang frowned slightly, and then answered seriously: "If it is sold in a teahouse, it is enough. But if it is used to replace Mengshan tea, I always feel that something is missing."

As for what was missing, she really couldn't remember it for a while.

Fang Wenyuan pursed his lips and said, "Perhaps, there is something wrong with the tea-making technique. The tea is good, but the tea-making technique is too crude."

It was so rough that he felt it was a waste of food, but even so, it could not conceal the fact that it was good tea.

If the tea making technique is more refined, the tea produced may taste even better and comparable to Mengshan tea.

Jiang Guangwu raised his eyebrows and praised: "Old Four, you two have made great progress. This tea is indeed made roughly. If it is made according to our Mengshan tea making method, the taste will be no less than Mengshan tea."

He raised his eyes to look at Jiang Yin, and said gently: "A Yin, where did you get this tea? I have never drunk it before."

The more he looked at Jiang Yin as the head of the family, the more satisfied he was with him. Not only did he quickly clear up the hidden dangers within the family, he was also actively looking for opportunities for development.

Thinking of the third family and Jiang Dewang who were taken away last night, he felt inexplicably bitter in his heart, and was very glad that Jiang Yin could still give them a chance and trust them again.

Others also looked at Jiang Yin, wondering where the tea came from.

Jiang Yin smiled and said, "This tea is called Huangshan Maofeng Tea, produced in Huangshan, Huizhou. I got it by chance, and I thought it was good, so I kept it."

She did not elaborate on the origin of Huangshan Maofeng tea. She also agreed to let Zhao Xiao go since the matter had already been resolved.

In this case, no matter how much you say, it will only cause trouble. It is better to say less and not mention it actively.

"Huangshan in Huizhou?" Aunt Jiang asked in surprise, "It's very far from our Yazhou. If no one delivers it, I'm afraid the round trip won't even cover the cost."

From a business perspective, she naturally wants to put the good tea into her own pocket.

But Huizhou is too far away. Not to mention the loss on the road, even the time cost alone is not something that most people can afford.

The risks of this matter are greater than the benefits, and she has some ideas in her mind.

Jiang Erniang was also surprised and asked, "Ayin wants to go to Huizhou to buy this Huangshan Maofeng tea?"

If Jiang Yin wanted to go so far away, she would definitely not agree.

There have been so many assassinations in Yazhou. What if those people were waiting for Jiang Yin to leave Yazhou before assassinating him?

By then, distant water will not be able to put out the nearby fire, and those who are secretly planning assassinations will probably be able to succeed more easily.

Whether it was out of selfishness or something else, she didn't want Jiang Yin to take the risk.

"Yes, I have this idea." Jiang Yin nodded and said, "What if we buy the newly picked tea from Huangshan before making tea, and then use our own method of making Mengshan tea to make Huangshan Maofeng?"

Different tea making techniques will result in different quality of tea.

She has always wanted to apply the mature tea-making method of Mengshan tea to Huangshan Maofeng tea.

Of course, Huangshan Maofeng tea also has its own tea-making techniques. She can then consider how to refine and improve it.

"You want to change Huangshan Maofeng tea into Mengshan tea and continue to sell it in the teahouse?" Jiang Erniang was a little surprised, then frowned and said, "But if so, what if the government finds out and asks us to take over Huangshan Maofeng tea as well?"

The quality is no less than that of Mengshan tea. Not only the officials, but even she is tempted by it.

Xie Daoyun sneered and raised his eyebrows, "She should be trying to use this to fish in troubled waters and get over this matter first."

The Jiang family is in danger, and it remains to be seen whether it can survive this year.

Now we have discovered that tea that is similar to Mengshan tea would be a shame if we don’t use it to make up the difference between Mengshan tea and Huangshan Maofeng.

"Take advantage of troubled waters?" Uncle Fang Xianshan said in a deep voice, "Ayin, do you think the government will let us make up for the tea we lost?"

He thought more deeply. Perhaps, Jiang Yin was so anxious to find new tea because he felt that the government would not give in on this matter.

Jiang Yin pondered for a moment, and finally nodded and said, "Yes, it's better to be prepared. This year, we lost 20% to 30% of the tea. This year, the government has ordered all Mengshan tea to be confiscated by the government. If Jiang still monopolizes 80% or less than 80% as in previous years, what will the government think?"

She continued, "The emperor's heart is like a needle in the sea. What if the emperor thinks that our Jiang family is not willing to obey the new policy and does not want to hand over all the Mengshan tea, and fails to set a good example?"

If I were really accused of this crime, I would be unable to defend myself and would be at the mercy of those with ulterior motives.

Aunt Jiang took a deep breath and said to Jiang Yin, "What does Ah Yin want us to do? Don't worry, as long as I can do it, I will definitely cooperate with you to the fullest."