I thought this was a marketing gimmick as well.
There was another news I came across that mention somebody pays a very high price for the the first pick from the 18 tea imperial bushes of Emperor Qian Long.
These 18 tea bushes are hundreds of years old, not producing any great quantity of tea, and were given "yu" or imperial status when Emperor Qian Long visited West Lake during one of his vacations.
Historically they are very important for West Lake Dragon Well tea.
I wonder if the same man has bought this tea. And if this tea was made by the ten best fryers in the region, it naturally attracts a premium.
Just a thought - that part of China is full of rich people these days.
Julian
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