Cangyuan Autonomous County's Nu-liang Township, Paipai Village, is where I am stationed. Paipai is renowned for its tea and is often referred to as the “Bingdao” of Cangyuan. Here, I have had the privilege of participating in village work and gaining a deep understanding of the knowledge surrounding ancient tea trees.
May you learn from the old pine, striving to be evergreen leaves
The first time I saw the ancient tea tree known as No. 1 in Paipai Village, I did not find it particularly remarkable at first glance. From afar, it looked no different from other tea trees. However, upon approaching the ancient tea tree, I couldn't help but marvel at the wonders of nature. The thousand-year-old tree stands tall like an ancient pine, resilient against frost and Snow. To taste the tea of Paipai, one must first rinse the leaves, leaving a lingering fragrance in the Cup, then pour the Infusion. The tea is refreshingly sweet with a pure and natural flavor. While tasting the tea, the flavor of Paipai tea does not match its influence in Yunnan; it isn't as well-known as Pu'er or Dian Hong, yet it has its unique character. I think this might be the survival strategy of Paipai tea, not flaunting its Beauty like peaches and plums but learning from pines and cypresses to remain evergreen and rejuvenated. We know that once spring passes, peaches and plums will inevitably wither, while only the old pine remains green all year round.
A tree without pruning will perish, striving to be new tender leaves
During my time in the village, I participated in the work of the local industry office, which involved counting and tagging ancient tea trees. In this process, I noticed some ancient tea trees with thick trunks but very few leaves, and these were not included in the count by the staff of the local industry office. I asked why, and they explained that due to parasitic plants, most of the nutrients of these ancient tea trees had been depleted. As Guan Zhong said, “It takes ten years to grow a tree, a hundred years to cultivate people.” From the moment a tree is planted, it may develop any number of issues, such as leaning or twisting. If no one corrects and straightens it, the attempt to grow the tree will fail. I believe that our Party members and cadres are similar. During our growth and development, we may encounter situations where we veer off course, but if we dare to self-correct and undergo a “self-revolution,” we can grow new tender leaves and become sturdy and meaningful “ancient tea trees.”
Dig deep roots downward, striving to be golden leaves of prosperity
In Paipai Village, the first rays of morning sunlight often fall on the ancient tea garden at the entrance of the village. Under the sunlight, the ancient tea trees shine with a golden glow, turning green leaves into golden ones. Ancient tea trees, with their deep roots and lush branches, have become a vital source of income for the residents of Paipai. Village work should also be like this; we need to dig deep roots and understand the needs of the people, closely linking our work to the realities of their lives. Only by truly integrating ourselves into the community can we identify problems and seek solutions, leading the people to prosperity and becoming the golden leaves of wealth in their eyes.
Here in Paipai Village, I have not only learned about ancient tea trees but also experienced the emotions and wisdom associated with them. Life in the village continues, and the knowledge about the ancient tea trees will forever remain in my heart. May this emotion and wisdom continue to be a source of strength for me to grow together with the ancient tea of Paipai, cherishing every day of my life in the village.
(Li Chengyu, Work Team Member Stationed in Paipai Village, Nu-liang Township)