Opening a Tavern in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 152: Making Mooncake Boxes and Returning with Flowery Foot 1

Xiaoyu turned slightly to look at Cheng Chumo, with a gentle smile on her lips, and said softly: "Master Cheng, I have something to trouble you with."

Cheng Chumo quickly put down the teacup in his hand and responded with a focused look: "What is it? Just tell me."

Xiaoyu gestured with her hands to measure the size and said, "Go find a carpenter to make some wooden boxes."

Cheng Chumo looked puzzled and frowned slightly: "What's in the wooden box?"

Yuyu's eyes lit up and she jumped up excitedly to answer: "Mooncakes! We can put the mooncakes in a beautiful wooden box. It will be convenient to store and look good."

Li Hao nodded in agreement and said with a smile, "Mooncakes, that's a good idea. Using a wooden box to pack the mooncakes makes them look delicate and thoughtful. We can make more and give some to the emperor during the Mid-Autumn Festival."

Xiaoyu thought for a moment and said, "We need to find a carpenter to make 20 square mooncake boxes and 5 round mooncake boxes. They should be the ones with the seven stars and the moon, big enough to hold 8 mooncakes."

Cheng Chumo was a little puzzled: "What is this Seven Stars and the Moon? How big is it?"

Xiaoyu smiled and made a big circle in the air with her hands. She then pointed at a few spots around the circle to indicate where the mooncakes should be placed and said, "That's about it."

Cheng Chumo suddenly understood: "I understand. I'll go find a carpenter now."

Xiaoyu nodded slightly, her eyes full of trust, and said again, "Go ahead. I'll leave this matter to Master Cheng."

Cheng Chumo clasped his fists, his expression firm: "Okay, don't worry, I will get the mooncake box matter done as soon as possible."

After saying that, he turned around and strode out of the tavern, his figure quickly disappearing from everyone's sight.

Qin Huaidao scratched his head and said with a puzzled look: "I've never heard of mooncakes before. What are they?"

Yuyu skipped over to Qin Huaidao and said with a grin, "This mooncake is delicious! It's round, with a soft, crispy crust, and filled with all sorts of fillings, like red bean paste, egg yolk, and five-nut fillings. Each one is incredibly flavorful."

Xiaoyu also smiled and nodded. "Yes, these mooncakes are perfect for eating during the Mid-Autumn Festival. They symbolize reunion. Every Mid-Autumn Festival, the whole family sits together, shares the mooncakes, and enjoys the joy of family."

Li Hao echoed, "That's right, mooncakes are just a kind of food, but the meaning of reunion they carry makes the Mid-Autumn Festival more meaningful."

Cheng Chumo walked through the bustling market, surrounded by people coming and going and a hustle and bustle.

He was dressed in light clothes and moved among the crowd.

The market was filled with the atmosphere of Mid-Autumn Festival, with vendors shouting one after another: "Selling osmanthus cake! Sweet and delicious osmanthus cake!"

"Mid-Autumn Festival lanterns, come and buy them!" Cheng Chumo looked at the lively scene, the corners of his mouth rose unconsciously, and he thought to himself that he must get the mooncake box business done.

Cheng Chumo was walking when he suddenly heard a familiar voice. He turned around and saw his mother standing in front of a pastry stall.

Hua Da Jiao was bargaining with the stall owner while selecting Mid-Autumn Festival pastries.

Cheng Chumo walked over with a smile and said loudly, "Mom, you are here."

Hua Da Jiao turned around and saw her son, and said with a smile, "Chu Mo, what are you doing at the market?"

Cheng Chumo smiled and replied, "Mom, I came here to ask the carpenter to make some mooncake boxes. Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon, and we need to prepare well. Make some exquisite boxes to hold the mooncakes, so that they will taste good when we eat them."

"I just came over from the tavern. I discussed it with Xiaoyu and the others."

Hua Da Jiao asked with a puzzled look on her face, "What are mooncakes? Why hasn't Mother heard of them? Are they a new delicacy? Are they delicious? How are they different from the cakes we usually eat?"

Cheng Chumo scratched his head and said, "Mom, we haven't started making it yet. Why don't we go back to Zuixianlou together later?"

When Hua Da Jiao heard this, he nodded repeatedly: "Yeah, that's right. Let's go take a look later."

Cheng Chumo took a few steps and said, "Mom, let's go to the carpenter and order the mooncake box first. Don't delay. Once the box is finished, it won't be too late to go back to Zuixianlou to check on the mooncakes."

Hua Da Jiao smiled and nodded, then took Cheng Chumo's arm and the two of them walked towards the familiar carpenter's shop in the market. Along the way, they kept looking at the dazzling array of Mid-Autumn Festival goods on the street.

Cheng Chumo and Hua Dajiao entered the carpenter's shop. The carpenter was busy with his work. He looked up and said jokingly, "Oh, you're here again. What are you planning to make this time?"

Cheng Chumo stepped forward and said politely, "Master, I'd like you to help me make some mooncake boxes. I'd like to make 20 square ones and 5 round ones, the kind with the seven stars and a moon, large enough to hold eight mooncakes. Would you mind? Something like this."

The carpenter thought for a moment and nodded, saying, "Okay, it's not difficult, but it will take more effort and materials."

Cheng Chumo smiled and replied, "Master, please take care of the ingredients. Just make sure you make this mooncake box exquisite. We trust your craftsmanship."

Hua Da Jiao also nodded in agreement.

After saying this, Cheng Chumo gave the carpenter a few more instructions on the details, then he bowed to him and said, "Then I'll leave it to you, Master. We'll be leaving now and will come back to pick it up in a few days."

Then, he and Hua Da Jiao turned around and left the carpenter shop and walked out of the market.

Cheng Chumo and Hua Da Jiao talked all the way and soon arrived at Zuixianlou.

As soon as they entered the room, the lively atmosphere hit them. Yuyu was sharp-eyed and saw Cheng Chumo coming back. She immediately jumped up to greet him and asked with a smile, "Mr. Cheng, and Aunt Hua is here too."

"How's it going? Have you arranged the mooncake boxes?"

Xiaoyu hurried forward, her eyes full of concern, and asked anxiously, "Master Cheng, how are the mooncake boxes? Can the carpenter make them according to your requirements?"

Cheng Chumo wore a confident smile on his face, patted his chest and said, "It's done, don't worry. I've explained everything clearly to the carpenter. He wants to make 20 square ones and 5 round ones in the shape of seven stars and a moon. I guarantee they'll be done perfectly, and you can pick them up in a few days."

After hearing what Cheng Chumo said, Li Hao showed a relieved expression on his face. He nodded repeatedly and said, "That's good, that's good. Now we have a place to get the mooncakes and the box. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, we can pack the mooncakes properly."

"You can enjoy it yourself, and it's also decent to give it to relatives and friends. Master Cheng, you must have made this trip."

As he spoke, he bowed to Cheng Chumo to express his gratitude.

Cheng Chumo quickly waved his hands and responded with a smile: "Hahaha, no way, we are all family, this is not a big deal."