Opening a Tavern in the Tang Dynasty

"Dad, what did you mean by 'going there but never coming back'?" A young voice suddenly came from behind.

Cheng Yaojin looked back and saw Cheng Chumo striding towards him, his armor glowing coldly under the light.

Cheng Yaojin looked at his son and grinned, "Chu Mo, you're here. I was just discussing the matter of the people from the Western Regions with His Majesty."

Cheng Chumo stepped forward, bowed to the emperor, and sat down next to Cheng Yaojin.

His eyes revealed a certain eagerness: "Father, if there really is a war, I am willing to go to the border and serve the Tang Dynasty!"

Cheng Yaojin patted his son's shoulder and laughed, "Good! You are worthy of being my son, Cheng Yaojin!"

Li Shimin nodded slightly, his eyes calm. "However, we have just finished the war, and our dynasty needs to recuperate. I don't think they will mobilize troops again so soon. However, we must defend the border, and we need the generals to pay more attention to it."

Cheng Yaojin responded and turned to look at Cheng Chumo, a hint of confusion in his eyes: "Why are you here? Not with Qin Huaidao? Aren't you two inseparable on weekdays?"

Cheng Chumo chuckled and scratched his head: "Dad, Huaidao is in the kitchen downstairs. As soon as he smelled the aroma of wine and food from Zuixianlou, he couldn't move. He's eating happily. I can't wait for him."

Cheng Yaojin waved his hand and said, "Is that so? Then you can go to the kitchen too. Xiaoyu's son Li Hao is about your age, and it would be fun for you young people to get together."

Li Shimin nodded slightly, a smile flashing in his eyes: "It would be good for you to go and familiarize yourself with the place. Perhaps these people of your age can be of help to you on the battlefield in the future."

Cheng Chumo received the order and ran towards the kitchen downstairs happily, with a crisp sound of armor colliding: "Okay"

Qin Huaidao stuffed his mouth with food and said incoherently: "You are here too. It smells so good. Come and eat it too."

Cheng Chumo sniffed the fragrance in the air and couldn't help swallowing his saliva. He replied, "It smells good."

Qin Huaidao patted the seat next to him, and after Cheng Chumo sat down, he said, "I think it's nice to stay at Zuixianlou. There's food. By the way, what did your father just say to you?"

Cheng Chumo picked up a piece of meat and answered while eating: "Nothing, just let me and Li Hao get acquainted. We are the same age."

Qin Huaidao chewed his food and nodded: "Is that so."

Xiaoyu, who was standing nearby, also came over and said, "Right, right, right. Li Hao is about the same age as you two. You two will definitely be able to play together."

Li Hao put down the rag and said, "Haha, so you were talking about me. I'm right here! You can't miss out on the delicious food at Zuixianlou. You have to eat to your heart's content today."

"Brother Cheng, Brother Qin, after we've eaten and drunk our fill, we can go for a walk outside the building. There are a lot of fun places nearby!"

Cheng Chumo took a bite of the braised dish and said, "Hahaha, you are indeed a generous person. I have to go shopping for a while."

Qin Huaidao was washing the vegetables: "Li Hao, let's help clean up. We feel embarrassed for eating so much."

Cheng Chumo nodded: "Yes, yes, yes."

Li Hao cupped his hands and said, "Thank you very much."

Qin Huaidao waved his hand: "You're welcome, we plan to stay in this Zuixianlou. His father also said so, so we can continue to play."

Li Hao came over to help wash the vegetables: "This is my mother Xiaoyu, and this is my sister Yuyu. Yuyu always comes up with a lot of interesting ideas. Mom's cooking skills are superb. These delicacies are all made by mom herself."

Cheng Chumo smiled and nodded. "Is that so? I'm in for a treat! No wonder the food is so delicious! It's all Auntie's cooking."

Qin Huaidao also agreed: "Yes, such amazing cooking skills are not common, I really need to try it."

Xiaoyu smiled and waved her hands aside: "It's just some home-cooked meals."

Yuyu blinked mischievously: "Hehe, I want to learn mom's cooking skills and make more delicious food in the future."

On the second floor of Zuixian Tower, Li Shimin solemnly picked up a stack of memorials from the table and handed them to Cheng Yaojin: "Take a look at this memorial."

Cheng Yaojin quickly took it, his eyes filled with confusion: "What's wrong with this?"

Li Shimin slowly said, "Lord Cheng, take a look. These are memorials submitted from various places."

"Now that the situation has stabilized a bit, these sweet potatoes and potatoes are very good for the people. It's time to plant them widely in our Tang Dynasty."

"If this can be successfully promoted, the people's food shortage will be further alleviated. This is a major national issue."

Cheng Yaojin nodded as he looked at it, and said in a gruff voice, "Your Majesty is wise. If such a good thing were to be cultivated, it would surely benefit the people. However, the promotion of it still requires careful planning."

Li Shimin stood up and walked to the first floor, his expression solemn: "Okay, okay, this matter is of great importance. We need to return to the palace for a meeting and discuss it carefully. Cheng Aiqing, you will also return to the palace with me."

Cheng Yaojin then hurriedly bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, I obey your command."

I just have to go to the court, and I hope Your Majesty will forgive me for not being able to stay here with my son any longer."

Li Shimin waved his hand and said, "It's alright. Cheng Aiqing is loyal to the country. I know that."

Cheng Yaojin then turned to Cheng Chumo and asked, "Chumo, what do you think of the Zuixian Tower?"

Cheng Chumo grinned and said, "Dad, it's great. We have fine wine and delicious food at Zuixianlou, and it's very lively."

Cheng Yaojin nodded. "Alright, then you'll stay at Zuixianlou, and Qin Huaidao will stay too. I'll have your mother, Hua Dajiao, tell Madam Qin not to worry."

Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao responded in unison: "Okay, okay, thank you, Dad."

"Thank you, Uncle Cheng!"

Cheng Yaojin followed Li Shimin back to the palace. A guard received instructions and hurried to Cheng Yaojin's mansion.

Arriving at the gate of the mansion, the guards respectfully requested an audience. Not long after, Hua Da Jiao's impetuous figure appeared. "What's the matter?"

The guard saluted hastily, then said, "Madam Cheng, His Majesty has summoned General Cheng back to the palace for an important matter, and General Cheng has specifically instructed me to come and inform you."

"Also, General Cheng also said that Master Cheng Chumo stayed at Zuixianlou, and Master Qin Huaidao was also with him. General Cheng asked you to inform Madam Qin so that she wouldn't worry."

Hua Da Jiao frowned at first, then waved her hand and said, "I know, I know. These two are more troublesome than the other! Okay, I'll go tell the Qin family right away."

"Go back and tell the master to do his job well in the palace and not worry about the affairs at home!"

The guard replied yes and hurried back to the palace to report.

As Hua Da Jiao walked towards the house with big strides, she muttered to herself, "This master is really something. He followed His Majesty back to the palace in a hurry without saying a few words."

"Chu Mo is fine, he's staying in Zuixianlou and living a carefree life. I have to go tell that woman from the Qin family."