Opening a Tavern in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 282: Fill the Emperor with coal briquettes and load the coal stove onto a carriage to take b

Yuyu watched the adults talking, her eyes rolling around. Suddenly, she thought of something and pulled Xiaoyu's sleeve and said, "Mom, since this coal stove is so good, should we put a few more in the store and install some in the private rooms upstairs?"

Her little face flushed slightly with excitement, and her two braids swayed gently with her movements.

Xiaoyu gently stroked Yuyu's head and said after thinking for a moment: "This is a good idea, but we still need to consider the space and ventilation of the private room and not act rashly." Her eyes showed consideration and caution.

Li Hao interjected, "Mom is right. I'll go take a closer look at the layout of the private room tomorrow, and then discuss with Chef Mi to see how to best arrange it."

His expression was focused and serious, and he already had some of the responsibility of a young man.

At this time, Acai came over with a plate of freshly baked dim sum, which exuded an enticing aroma.

She placed the snacks on the table and said softly, "Madam, this is the new snack made by Chef Mi. Let everyone try it."

Her movements were gentle, her face was serene, and the light pink maid's dress made her look even more gentle and charming.

Ah Fu was busy clearing the table of leftovers, muttering, "Now that the coal stove is warm, the guests are drinking more. We're going to be busy today."

Although he complained, he had a satisfied smile on his face and beads of sweat on his forehead glistened in the light.

Xiaoyu thought to herself that if these coal balls and coal stoves could be supplied in the palace so that the emperor could also experience their convenience, it might also be an opportunity for Zuixianlou.

So, she quietly summoned the secret guards and whispered, "Go to the palace and tell the emperor that Zuixianlou has made some coal stoves and coal briquettes that are particularly effective. I'm sending twenty coal stoves and one hundred kilograms of coal briquettes for your appreciation. Please send a carriage to deliver them."

The secret guard received the order and disappeared into the night in a flash.

The palace was brightly lit.

Emperor Li Shimin was reviewing memorials in his study. When he heard the secret guards requesting an audience, he frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "Why are you so flustered?"

The secret guard knelt on one knee and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, Zuixianlou has recently developed a new product called coal briquettes and a coal stove. When the coal briquettes are burned in the stove, they can generate a large amount of heat that lasts a long time. The owner of Zuixianlou has specially sent me to inform Your Majesty and to send you twenty coal stoves and one hundred pounds of coal briquettes for your enjoyment. We are waiting for Your Majesty to send a carriage to pick them up."

Emperor Li Shimin put down his pen, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes: "Oh? The coal stove is ready? I want to see it."

Then he said to the secret guard, "Go quickly and arrange a carriage to Zuixian Tower. Don't delay."

The secret guard received the order and quickly rushed back to Zuixianlou.

Inside Zuixian Tower, Xiaoyu and everyone else were still busy.

The secret guard returned and reported to Xiaoyu: "Madam, the emperor has agreed, and the carriage will be here soon."

Xiaoyu nodded slightly: "Thank you."

She turned to Li Hao and said, "Hao'er, take a few people and carefully move the twenty coal stoves and one hundred pounds of coal briquettes to the door. Once the carriage arrives, you can load them."

Li Hao responded and started to get busy with Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao.

While everyone was busy, a horse galloped over and arrived in front of Zuixian Tower. The horse neighed loudly, raising a cloud of dust.

Li Junxian dismounted from his horse with an agile posture. He was dressed in a black suit with a sword hanging from his waist. The patterns on the scabbard gleamed coldly in the sunlight. His face was stern and he looked very heroic.

He strode into Zuixianlou, clasped his fists and said, "I am Li Junxian, and I have come to receive the coal briquettes and coal stoves on the orders of the Emperor."

Xiaoyu hurried forward and bowed slightly, "General Li, thank you for your hard work. The things are ready and right here."

As he spoke, he raised his hand to indicate the neatly stacked coal stoves and coal briquettes on the side.

Li Hao brought Ah Fu and others forward, preparing to move the coal stove and coal briquettes and load them onto the truck.

Li Junxian walked closer to take a look and saw that the coal stove was well-made, the iron sheet of the stove body was thick and smooth, and the stove mouth was of moderate size, making it convenient to add coal balls.

He picked up a coal ball and looked at it carefully. The coal ball had a uniform texture and emitted a faint luster.

Li Junxian nodded slightly. "These coal balls and coal stoves look quite ingenious. If they are as easy to use as they say, they will definitely bring a lot of convenience to the palace."

Xiaoyu smiled and said, "Don't worry, General. These coal balls burn vigorously and long-lastingly. The ventilation design of the coal stove can also reduce smoke. I will definitely not disappoint the emperor."

Everyone worked together to load twenty coal stoves and one hundred kilograms of coal briquettes steadily onto the carriage.

Li Junxian checked again and confirmed that everything was correct. He then mounted his horse, tightened the reins, and said to Xiaoyu, "Madam, please wait for good news. I will return to the palace to report."

He was about to ride away when Xiaoyu hurriedly spoke to stop him: "Wait a minute."

Hearing the sound, Li Junxian pulled the reins and looked back at Xiaoyu with a hint of doubt in his eyes.

Xiaoyu walked forward gracefully, followed by Ah Fu holding a small and exquisite coal stove, and Ah Cai carrying a bag of ten kilograms of coal briquettes, following beside Xiaoyu.

Xiaoyu smiled lightly and said, "Thank you for all the hard work you've put in this time. This small coal stove and ten pounds of coal briquettes are a small token of our appreciation to Zuixianlou. I hope you will accept them. In this cold winter, they will keep you warm while on duty or resting."

Li Junxian was slightly startled, a touch of emotion flashed in his eyes, and he immediately dismounted, clasping his fists and saying, "Madam, your kindness is so kind, I shouldn't accept it, but it's hard to refuse, so I respectfully obey your command."

His voice was low and mellow, with a hint of gratitude.

Ah Fu stepped forward and placed the coal stove on the ground, while Ah Cai gently placed the coal balls aside.

Li Junxian looked at the coal stove carefully. Although it was slightly smaller than the one sent to the palace, it was also finely crafted. There were simple patterns engraved on the stove wall, which was quite unique.

Xiaoyu demonstrated it herself. She skillfully put the coal balls into the stove and lit them with a fire starter. After a while, the flames jumped up and the stove gradually emitted warmth.

Li Junxian watched quietly from the side, feeling the heat blowing on his face, and secretly praised in his heart.

After the demonstration, Xiaoyu stood up, straightened her skirt, and said, "General, this coal stove is very convenient to use. You just need to add coal balls at the right time."

Li Junxian clasped his fists again in thanks: "Thank you, Madam. Junxian will definitely remember your kindness."

Li Junxian carefully put away the coal stove and coal briquettes, then climbed onto his horse again. He sat on the horse, his posture as straight as a pine tree, and looked at Xiaoyu and the others with gratitude. He said in a loud voice, "Then Junxian will return to the palace first. See you later."

After saying this, he gently pulled the reins and clamped his legs around the horse's belly. The horse neighed loudly, spread out its four hooves, and galloped towards the direction of the palace. The dust raised by the horse's hooves drifted away behind it.

Xiaoyu stood in front of Zuixian Tower, looking at Li Junxian's receding figure with a gentle smile on her face. She breathed a sigh of relief and murmured to herself, "I hope these coal briquettes and coal stove will satisfy the emperor and Guard Li."

Yuyu skipped over to Xiaoyu, tugged at her sleeve, tilted her head back, and asked, "Mom, if we give such a wonderful gift to the Emperor and Guard Li, will they really like it?"

Xiaoyu looked down at her daughter, patted her head lovingly, and said with a smile, "Silly girl, these coal briquettes and coal stove are so convenient and warm, they will definitely like them. Who knows, maybe our Zuixianlou will become even more famous because of them in the future."

Li Hao also came over, his eyes full of anticipation: "Mom is right. If the emperor praises us, there will definitely be more diners coming to our Zuixianlou. We must prepare well."

Cheng Chumo patted Li Hao's shoulder and laughed, "Of course. With such goodies like this in our Zuixianlou, and with Chef Mi's cooking skills, we're sure to be packed with guests in the future. We have to put in our utmost effort to run the restaurant well."

As they talked, they turned and walked towards Zuixian Tower. The flames in the coal stove were still jumping.