This must-read Taiwanese classic chronicles the legendary journey of a Scottish merchant and a Xiamen trader who together sparked the global craze for Taiwanese oolong tea.

How did Taiwan’s oolong tea come to be so famous? Before the Opium Wars, the major ports of Qing China bustled with sailing ships. Loaded with goods, these ships would sail away, traveling to Britain and Europe. The most significant of these goods was tea—second only to water as the most consumed beverage in the world.

After Taiwan’s port Tamsui was established, the island became a new home for immigrants and adventurers. John Dodd, a Scottish merchant, partnered with Li Chunsheng, a savvy comprador. Together, they set their sights on the vast American market, betting their future on a dream product—Taiwanese oolong tea. They overcame the distrust and difficulties posed by tea farmers, government officials, inspections, and Hong Kong firms to bring their vision to life.

For the next thirty years, tea accounted for more than half of Taiwan’s total export value, establishing Taipei as the island's political and economic center—a status it holds to this day. This book tells the story of two people who recognized the untapped potential of a local resource. Their pioneering efforts earned them the title of "Fathers of Taiwanese Tea."

This five-volume series captivated readers over a decade. Created by an artist from a tea-farming family in Taiwan, it tells the story of Taiwan’s renowned oolong tea: how it began in the cherished Taipei district of Dadaocheng and journeyed to the world stage.