Serve tea to guests as a sign of respect.

Serve tea to guests as a sign of respect.

　　The phrase “brew tea and set out the utensils” in Wang Bao’s *Servant Contract* stipulates that tea should be prepared and served to guests upon their arrival at home.

　　The *Book of the Revival of Jin* by He Fasheng of the Southern Song Dynasty records: “When Lu Na served as Prefect of Wuxing, General Xie An of the Imperial Guard often wished to visit him... When An arrived, only tea and fruit were served.” Lu Na received his guests with tea and fruit.

　　The *A New Account of Tales of the World · Miscellany* by Liu Yiqing of the Southern Song Dynasty records: “In his youth, Ren Yuchang enjoyed an excellent reputation... Once the seating was completed and they began drinking, he asked someone, ‘Is this tea or ming?’” Tea was served once all the guests had taken their seats. The same book also states: “Wang Meng, Chief Clerk to the Minister over the Masses of the Jin Dynasty, loved drinking tea and would always serve it to visitors, which greatly annoyed the scholar-officials. Whenever they intended to call on him, they would say, ‘Today there’s water trouble ahead.’” Wang Meng’s habit of serving tea to every visitor reflected his hospitality.

　　Hong Junju’s *Edict on Food* states: “Once greetings and small talk are done, one should serve three cups of frosty tea.” When guests arrive, after exchanging pleasantries, three cups of tea should be offered first.

　　Serving tea to guests is not just a secular etiquette. Even Monk Tanji served tea to guests, showing that both clergy and laity followed the same practice. By the Two Jin and Northern and Southern Dynasties periods, serving tea to guests had become a widespread custom among the Chinese people.