Opening a Tavern in the Tang Dynasty

After saying that, he led the princes and princesses and followed the emperor to the private room on the second floor of Zuixianlou.

The little princess looked expectant, thinking about tasting the cool watermelon and sweet and sour green plum soup later.

"Green Plum Soup is Here"

“Ice watermelon is here too”

With a loud shout, Yu Yu's family brought green plum soup and ice watermelon into the private room.

A dense layer of water droplets condensed on the sides of the bowl of green plum soup, exuding a slight coolness. The eldest prince sniffed the green plum soup and said, "This sour and sweet green plum soup is both refreshing and cooling."

The rind of the ice watermelon was covered with a thin layer of white frost, and the flesh was as red as fire. Li Shimin took a bite and said: "It's so cool, even the queen can eat it."

Empress Changsun nodded: "Okay"

The princes and princesses cheered, "How cool!"

The emperor smiled and said to Yuyu's family, "Yuyu, you guys should eat too. Thanks to you, I can get rid of the summer heat."

The Yu Yu family hurriedly expressed their gratitude and then tasted the food together.

"This tastes amazing, sour and sweet, icy and cool, just like a clear spring on a hot day." Princess Changle said with sparkling eyes.

The second prince stuffed a watermelon in his mouth and mumbled, "I want to stay here forever. I want to have ice watermelon and green plum soup every day."

The emperor looked at the princes and princesses who were still not satisfied and said with a smile: "Why, no matter how much fun we have, we still have to go back to the palace."

When the prince heard this, he pouted and said, "But father, there are such delicious watermelon and green plum soup here. I don't want to go back to the palace so soon." The other princes and princesses also nodded.

The emperor patted their heads lovingly and said, "I know you're reluctant to leave, but the palace has its own rules. Don't worry, I'll have Yuyu pick some watermelons and prepare some green plum soup to take back so you can continue to enjoy it in the palace."

When the princes and princesses heard this, they smiled again: "Okay, okay."

Xiaoyu pulled Yuyu up and said, "Your Majesty, let's go pick it now."

Yuyu quickly grabbed a piece of watermelon and said, "Yes, yes, yes."

Xiaoyu and Lihao followed the clues and picked out the ripe watermelons, and Yuyu put the watermelons steadily into the basket.

After picking the watermelons, they came to the greengage tree and carefully picked the greengages one by one: "Pick a basket of these too."

After a while, several people came back carrying baskets of watermelons and green plums.

Yuyu and the others returned carrying several baskets of watermelons and green plums. The emperor saw them and said jokingly, "How could we possibly need so many?"

The Queen also glanced at the Emperor with a look of reproach and said, "Your Majesty, the children like it. It would be better to take more back with you, so that they won't complain when they return to the palace because they haven't eaten enough."

The princes and princesses also gathered around, their eyes sparkling as they looked at the watermelons and green plums in the baskets, shouting, "Take them, take them! The more the better! We can enjoy them slowly when we get back to the palace."

The emperor's expression froze, and he said solemnly, "Forget it, we'll go back soon. I still have to go back to the palace to talk to the ministers about this ice-making matter. If this wonderful method can be promoted, it will benefit many people in this hot summer. But..."

At this point, the emperor paused, his eyes sweeping over the crowd. "This ice-making method is extremely important. I will keep it in mind. Only I know it, and I must not let anyone else know it. Only in this way can we stabilize the world."

The Yuyu family hurriedly bowed and responded, "Your Majesty is wise and wise. You are well aware of the situation and will be able to handle it properly."

The emperor nodded slightly and began to arrange to return to the palace. He prepared to take the prince and princess as well as the baskets of watermelons and green plums back to the palace to plan the method of making ice.

On the way back to the palace, the details of the ice-making method kept emerging in Li Shimin's mind.

He sat in the sedan chair, his expression solemn yet filled with uncontrollable excitement: "Carriage, drive quickly, I want to return to the palace quickly"

"Drive, drive, drive~"

As soon as he entered the palace, he immediately dismissed his attendants and paced alone in the imperial study, thinking: "I have to make arrangements properly."

He knew that if this method of making ice was feasible, it would benefit the people: "This would be great for our Tang Dynasty."

It can also save a lot of trouble in cooling off the summer heat in the palace, and can also become a national weapon for rewards and trade.

"Someone come here!" The emperor called out loudly, his voice full of urgency.

"Your Majesty, what are your instructions?" The personal eunuch hurriedly bowed and entered.

"Quickly summon the Minister of Works and the Minister of Revenue to see me." The emperor's eyes were scorching.

Soon, the ministers hurried over. The Minister of Works Li Daliang was full of confusion, and the Minister of Revenue Dai Zhou was also confused.

"Your Majesty, why did you summon us in such a hurry?" asked Li Daliang, the Minister of Works.

The emperor stood with his hands behind his back, his expression dignified. "Today I learned a method of making ice. This matter is of great importance."

"Ministry of Works, you must quickly arrange for skilled craftsmen to prepare the necessary materials and make ice according to the method I have described."

"Ministry of Revenue, you must allocate the necessary money and supplies without error. I require you to work together to complete this ice-making project as quickly as possible. If successful, it will be a great contribution to the country."

The Minister of Works and the Minister of Revenue looked at each other. Although they didn't know where this method of making ice came from, they saw that the emperor attached so much importance to it.

They quickly responded in unison: "We obey your orders and will do our utmost."

"Father, father!" A clear child's voice sounded outside the imperial study, and then a small figure ran in like the wind and rushed straight towards Li Shimin.

Li Shimin was originally concentrating on the book on the desk. Seeing this, he immediately showed a doting smile on his face: "Hahahaha"

He put down the pen in his hand, opened his arms and picked up the little man: "You come to play with me again."

"Father, please eat some watermelon. It's just ice-cold." The little guy pointed proudly at the cut watermelon on the table. The watermelon had an icy, cool and sweet taste.

"Okay, okay." Li Shimin responded with a smile, picked up a piece of watermelon and took a bite. The cool feeling spread in his mouth instantly, making him squint his eyes slightly, enjoying this rare coolness.

At this time, Empress Zhangsun also walked in. Seeing this, she scolded him, "Don't bother your father all the time. His Majesty has many state affairs to attend to."

Li Shimin waved his hand and said with a smile, "It's okay, it's okay. I really have a great thing going on today. I just arranged for ice to be made."

"Really? That's great!" Empress Changsun's eyes lit up, and she looked delighted. "Then we'll always have ice. This will make the hot summer much easier to endure."

"I think so too."

Li Shimin nodded gently, his eyes full of longing: "By then, the palace will be cool and refreshing, and the summer heat will be mostly dissipated. Whether I am handling state affairs or you are relaxing in the palace, both will be much more comfortable."

The little guy in Li Shimin's arms also clapped his hands excitedly: "Wow, I can eat ice watermelon every day from now on!"