The Discovery of Wild Ancient Tea Trees Here

"Clan leader Chen, there's no need to rush. We've finished our meal. May I ask where the large leaves used in your shrimp dish come from?" Xiang Bei noticed the dense forest on the high mountains behind the village and had already guessed the origin of the tea leaves.

"Madam, the tender sprouts used in this dish come from a wild tree growing in the mountains behind our village. When the new shoots sprout in spring, the leaves are the thickest and juiciest. Our people climb the trees to harvest them for cooking and making porridge. Although they may taste slightly bitter at first, there's a sweet aftertaste on the tongue afterward, and they are very fragrant."

"Are these trees abundant? How long can you harvest the tender leaves each year?" Xiang Bei became interested instantly.

"These trees grow on the mountainside behind our village, where there are perennial clouds and mist, and the temperature is much lower than at the foot of the mountain. The period of new shoot growth lasts from early spring to late summer, approximately three to four months. If Madam likes, I can immediately arrange for my villagers to climb the mountain and harvest some fresh shoots for you."

"I like it very much. These are excellent leaves for making tea. Clan leader, please arrange for as many people as possible to harvest the top three leaves and buds. After they are collected, spread them out on bamboo screens in a cool, ventilated place. We will return here in three to five days at most after leaving today. I will purchase them at the price of first-grade spring tea, regardless of the quantity. Here's a deposit of fifty taels of silver. I hope we can establish a long-term cooperation." Xiang Bei always acted decisively and efficiently.

"Madam, you are truly a great benefactor and auspicious star for our Chen Village. We will not disappoint you." Clan Leader Chen didn't expect that the visit from this lady for a simple dinner would bring such significant business to the village. He couldn't wait to inform the villagers of this good news immediately.

"Very well, then. We'll take our leave now. Hopefully, three days from now, in the evening, we can sign the first cooperation agreement here." Cheng Mo spoke as he stood at the door, waiting for the car to depart. Knowing that Xiang Bei wanted to camp by the seaside overnight, Becoming didn't want to delay in Chen Village, especially since he looked forward to a night alone with Xiang Bei more than she did.

"Farewell, esteemed guests. May I have the honor of knowing the names of our distinguished guests?" Clan Leader Chen sneaked a glance at the dignified Cheng Mo standing outside the door under the setting sun, instinctively becoming even more humble and cautious, speaking with extra care. The aura emanating from this gentleman was quite overwhelming.

"Oh, we've been impolite. We had such a pleasant conversation that we forgot to introduce ourselves. My husband's surname is Cheng, and my surname is Tong. We are the proprietors of the Same City Roadside Traveler Inn. Do you"

"A gift for Mr. Cheng and Mrs. Cheng. Heavens, the proprietors of the inn from the same city have graced us with their presence. I am truly, truly honored..."

"Clan Leader Chen, there's no need for such formalities. I believe we will meet again in the future. Goodbye." Seeing the old man's excitement, Cheng Mo directly bid farewell, helping Xiang Bei onto the carriage and departing.

"Ah Mo, there's still a short distance to the official road from the village. I want to enter the space right away. I need to check if there are those large leaf trees on the back mountain of Chen Village in the space, and how much quantity there is. This could be a treasure for making Wuyi Rock Tea."

"Sure, go ahead. Leave the map you drew of the surrounding area for me to examine carefully. If you haven't come out by the time we reach the entrance to the small road that leads east from the south side of the road, we'll wait for you there."

"Okay. Pull up the small table and have a cup of tea, take your time." Xiang Bei reached out to collect the two mattress pads into the space, then together with Cheng Mo, they set up the small tea table, spread out the map previously drawn on it, placed the tea set and black tea from the Jade Snowflake Cave, and took out two sofa cushions the same width as the bench for Cheng Mo to sit more comfortably. Then Xiang Bei flashed into the space.

Cheng Mo watched Xiang Bei disappear before him without blinking. There was a moment of daze and loss, but looking around and seeing that Xiang Bei had arranged everything for him so thoughtfully, his heart settled sweetly.

Xiang Bei wasted no time entering the space and flew straight to the mountain back of Chen Village. As expected, the terrain here was lofty, shrouded in mist, with various tall and sturdy trees. Among them were many large leaf tea trees, about five or six meters high, resembling Pu'er tea trees, but there were not as many plants as imagined, which brought a slight sense of disappointment.

Xiang Bei flew into the Jade Snowflake Cave, crossed her legs and meditated under the air vortex, releasing her consciousness to slowly wander through the mountains of Chen Village. Everything in the mountain became extremely clear. At an altitude of about a thousand meters, there was a waterfall hanging down nearly a hundred meters, crashing into a deep canyon. The slopes on both sides of the canyon were gentle, with several streams flowing slowly out of the ravine. Some of them gradually converged into rivers, bypassing half of Chen Village and continuing southward. It was there, in that abundant water-filled canyon, that large patches of tea tree saplings and bushes, about two to three meters high, were growing wildly. These were the wild native tree species of white tea, narcissus Wuyi Rock Tea, and cinnamon tea, as known to modern people! Brother Qiao, your Southeast Asian merchants will surely hold you in high esteem from now on, as if you were their own father.