Professor Zhang Fangci (张芳赐) began his career working with world-renowned Professor of Botany Cai Xitao (蔡希陶) at the Kunming Institution of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, after graduating from Anhui University with a major in tea in 1954. In 1972, was appointed to found and chair the Tea Department at Yunnan Agricultural University, where he began his work to research and restore the nearly extinct Ten Mile tea in earnest.

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Throughout his career Professor Zhang Fangci has co-authored over 20 publications, including a seminal textbook on the cultivation of tea trees recognized for its excellence by the Chinese Department of Education. Furthermore, he has discovered 21 varieties of tea named after him, most notably the popular 大厂茶 variety, which is named after him. For his contributions to the field of tea and agriculture, Professor Zhang Fangci has been recognized with many accolades, including the Lifetime Contribution Award from the Yunnan Pu Erh Tea Association as a "Global Pu Erh Top Ten Outstanding Persons of China"  by the Chinese Pu Erh Tea Festival Organizing Committee

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Professor Zhang Fangci's work culminated in 2008 with the establishment of Ten Mile Tea Farm, a haven for the production and research of Ten Mile tea to ensure that the tea will continue to be enjoyed globally by future generations. Today, the Ten Mile Tea is owned and operated by the Zhang family, with Professor Zhang Fangci still serving an active role as senior advisor.