Opening a Tavern in the Tang Dynasty

"I see, Yuyu, come with me to the kitchen and bring out a basket of tomatoes."

After hearing this, Yuyu and Xiaoyu hurried to the kitchen to carry the basket of tomatoes.

The princes and princesses came trotting back. When they saw the emperor, they smiled and said, "You're back, father! Why are you coming back to the palace so soon? We haven't had enough fun yet."

The emperor smiled and patted their heads, saying, "I'll take you out next time. It's getting late today, so it's time to return to the palace."

After hearing this, the princes and princesses were a little reluctant, but they still nodded obediently and said, "Okay, then father, please remember this."

Afterwards, he followed the emperor and his entourage and returned towards the palace in a mighty procession.

After a while, the palace--------

Lord Zhang wiped his sweat and said, "Your Majesty, the weather has been getting hotter lately. What should we do?"

The emperor gently waved his folding fan, frowning slightly as he paced across the hall. "Pass on my order. Have the imperial kitchen prepare mung bean soup and distribute some ice cubes to each palace."

The minister nodded in agreement and said, "Your Majesty is wise, but the amount of ice is limited and I'm afraid it won't last long."

The emperor stopped and thought for a moment before saying, "Step back."

"As you wish." The minister took the order and left. The figure quickly disappeared at the end of the palace road shining brightly under the scorching sun, leaving only the emperor still standing in the hall.

Li Shimin looked at the blazing sun in the sky and couldn't help but sigh: "There is only so much ice left in winter, and the weather is so hot, it's not enough to support it."

His brows were furrowed, his eyes full of worry, and he continued to flip through the memorial in his hands.

When he read the numerous reports about the people suffering from the scorching heat but having no way to deal with it, his heart grew heavy: "I have ice in the palace, but the people have to endure this scorching heat. I cannot bear it."

Li Shimin muttered to himself, the memorial in his hand seemed to weigh a thousand pounds.

He knew very well that as the Son of Heaven, he should work for the welfare of the people and how could he allow the scorching sun to become a disaster for the people.

"Convey my decree, ordering the Ministry of Revenue to quickly allocate funds and grain, and to set up herbal tea stalls throughout the city to relieve the heat and quench the thirst of the people. Also, have the Imperial Hospital prescribe a heatstroke prevention prescription and distribute it to all regions."

Li Shimin issued an edict with a solemn expression, hoping to provide some coolness for the people in this scorching heat.

After receiving the order, Gao Shilian did not dare to delay for even a moment. He ran around the city to convey the emperor's will.

Soon, herbal tea stalls were built in every corner of the city, and a spacious awning was quickly erected on the open space not far from Yu Yu’s Tavern.

Buckets of refreshing tea are placed in the shed, emitting bursts of tea fragrance.

When the people passing by saw this scene, their eyes were filled with surprise and gratitude, and they all knelt down in the direction of the imperial palace.

"Really a good emperor"

"It is a blessing for the Tang Dynasty to have such an emperor."

“Who says it’s not?”

Yuyu looked at the few diners in the tavern and asked, "Why are there so few diners here today?"

At this time, Xiaoyu hurried over and said, "Yuyu, there's a group of people gathered not far from our tavern. I don't know what they are doing."

Li Hao, who was standing by, perked up when he heard this and shouted, "Let's go and take a look."

After saying that, he ran out in a flash.

After a while, Li Hao came back panting, shouting as he ran, "It's the herbal tea stall! The government has set up a herbal tea stall there, no wonder there are so many people gathered there."

Yuyu nodded slightly. "A herbal tea stall? It's so hot, people are going there to cool down. No wonder the tavern is empty. We have to find a way to cool down ourselves too."

Li Hao looked at the scorching hot weather and said, "Yeah, Yuyu, it's so hot that I don't even have the appetite to drink or eat meat."

Xiaoyu suddenly said, "I heard someone can make ice. If they can make ice and put it in the pub, it will definitely keep us cool!"

Yuyu's eyes lit up: "Great! This is a good idea, but we still need to think carefully about the method of making ice. If it really works, not only can we feel cooler, but we might even attract diners."

At this time, Li Shimin in the palace frowned, still worried about the heat.

"Why don't we go to Zuixianlou for dinner and ask the Yuyu family for any good advice?"

Li Shimin brought several attendants with him and came all the way from the imperial palace to Zuixianlou.

After entering the door, I saw that the hall was empty and there were few diners, so I walked straight to the backyard and saw Yu Yu's family.

Yuyu looked up and greeted him with a smile, "You're here again. Would you like to have dinner?"

Li Shimin waved his hand and said, "No, I came here mainly to ask you. The weather is very hot, the ice in the palace is limited, and the people are suffering."

"I know you are all very intelligent, and the food at Zuixianlou is excellent. I thought you might have some unique ways to beat the heat, so I came to seek your advice."

Yuyu quickly said, "Your Majesty, we are preparing to make ice."

Li Hao looked at the pile of rocks and said, "This ice-making process actually uses saltpeter."

Xiaoyu took a piece of saltpeter and said, "Look, put this stone into a small cloth bag, and then put the bag with the stone into clean water."

Yuyu smiled and nodded: "It will soon freeze into ice.

Li Shimin's eyes lit up. "Great! This way, even if we don't have ice stored in winter, we can still use it in this hot summer to cool down."

Li Shimin raised his head and said: "My Tang Dynasty is saved, hahahaha, you are my lucky stars"

Yuyu's family hurriedly bowed and saluted. Yuyu smiled and said, "It is an honor for our family to be able to help the emperor.

Xiaoyu nodded. "It's so hot, and everyone is suffering. I just hope this ice-making method can help the emperor and the people feel cooler and get through this scorching summer."

Li Hao looked at the people coming and going in the herbal tea stall outside and said, "Your Majesty, that herbal tea stall outside..."

Li Shimin shifted his pace and said, "The herbal tea stall should remain open."

Yuyu nodded in agreement and continued, "Your Majesty, the herbal tea stall set up by the government outside is indeed a convenience for the people."

Xiaoyu added another piece of saltpeter and said, "I think we should also contribute to the cause and provide free iced tea to the people passing by."

Yuyu said happily, "Yes, the weather is very hot now. Drinking some iced tea will definitely help to cool down the heat. There are many people coming to the pub."

The emperor was delighted and said repeatedly, "This is a very good plan! This way, we can not only make the people feel cooler, but also show your kindness."

Xiaoyu beside her nodded: "Yes, yes, yes, when the ice is made, add it to the herbal tea. I guarantee that the herbal tea will be cool and delicious. The people will definitely love it."

At this time, Empress Changsun came with Li Chengqian, Li Tai and Princess Changle Li Lizhi.

The third prince stayed in the palace because he was still young.

Li Chengqian is smart and clever, but sometimes he has a childish mischievousness: "Here we go again."