Cloud tea is like life; life is learning, wisdom is cultivation.<\/p>\n
Today, let me share the story of Li Kaiji, the second-generation master of An Le Hao. If Hongzong was the founder of An Le Hao, then Kaiji was the key figure who pushed An Le Hao to its pinnacle.<\/p>\n
In the thirtieth year of the Daoguang reign, Hongzong passed away, and Li Kaiji inherited his father’s business. This succession was not merely a transfer of property, but a continuation of spirit. After taking over, Kaiji did something that nobody expected \u2014 he went to take the imperial examinations. You heard that right: a tea house owner went to sit for the civil service exams.<\/p>\n
And he actually succeeded. Through the provincial and metropolitan examinations, he was ultimately granted the title of Example Tribute Jinshi (Imperial Scholar) and appointed as Assistant Gentleman for Cultivating Duties. This title sounds impressive, but for Kaiji, the most important thing was not the honor itself, but the fact that because of this status, he became the “dedicated tea official” supervising the procurement of tribute tea. In the Qing Dynasty system, tribute tea was an important offering from local regions to the imperial court, with extremely high quality requirements and strict management. Those who could serve as tribute tea supervisors had to be talented individuals with both scholarly achievement and tea expertise.<\/p>\n
Imagine: a tea house owner who was also an imperial court-recognized tribute tea supervisor \u2014 how special was that identity? He not only understood how to make tea, but also understood the court’s requirements for tea. This dual identity gave An Le Hao’s teas a natural aura of “official recognition.” Later, he built the “An Le Hao” tea house, which at its peak had over three hundred acres of tea gardens, employed forty to fifty workers, and produced and sold three to four hundred piculs of tea annually, becoming one of the most renowned tea houses on Yiwu Tea Mountain.<\/p>\n
Having drunk tea for decades, I have come to deeply understand a principle: professional work must be done by professionals. The reason Kaiji could become a tribute tea official was precisely because he understood every step of the tea-making process intimately. From picking to withering, kill-green, rolling, and drying, he personally oversaw every step. He would even go up the mountain himself to select which tea gardens to harvest from and designate which tea trees produced the finest leaves. This attitude is in perfect continuity with what we now call the “craftsman spirit.”<\/p>\n
Speaking of wellness, making tea and cultivating health follow the same principle. You cannot rush, you cannot seek quick results. Just as Kaiji passed his examinations step by step, not through connections or shortcuts. Drinking tea for health is the same \u2014 do not listen to exaggerated claims of “results in three days.” Simply and steadily drink good tea every day, and your body will gradually improve. Ripe Pu-erh tea is mild in nature and especially gentle on the stomach and intestines, making it particularly suitable for the elderly. A pot of light tea brewed an hour after each meal and sipped slowly aids digestion and relieves fatigue.<\/p>\n
Tea has grades; all may enjoy it regardless of status. Although Kaiji held an official title, he never looked down on ordinary tea farmers because of his status as an imperial scholar. On the contrary, he often went up the mountain with tea farmers to pick leaves and study together how to improve tea quality. This approachable attitude is precisely why An Le Hao grew ever greater. He also frequently taught tea farmers various tea-making techniques, leading to a noticeable improvement in tea quality throughout the Yibi region.<\/p>\n
Behind every successful tea house stands a person who understands, loves, and respects tea. Li Kaiji was such a person. With his knowledge and diligence, he elevated An Le Hao from an ordinary tea house to an imperial court-recognized tribute tea supplier. This story tells us that in whatever profession we pursue, professional knowledge and a down-to-earth attitude are always the most important things.<\/p>\n
Make friends through tea, please enjoy a cup.<\/p>\n
\u2014<\/p>\n
Author: Old Tea Head \u00b7 Lin Shen (LamSam)
\nZen Tea Manor ZENTEA MANOR
\nTianying Supply Chain Company
\nwww.zentea-shop.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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