Opening a Tavern in the Tang Dynasty

Yu Yu was looking at the bag full of wine and drinks that she could hardly hold, and was getting anxious when Xiao Yu's voice came over.

Yuyu's eyes suddenly lit up: "Mom, come and help me, I really can't carry it anymore, there are too many things."

Xiaoyu hurried forward, took a few bags of drinks and beer, and said with a smile: "Let's go, let's put these away quickly and wait for the emperor and the ministers to come back."

Li Shimin instructed the eunuchs and the three guards, Li Junxian, Wei Shuyu, and Fang Yizhi, around him, "You guys, go help Yuyu and Xiaoyu cook lunch."

The eunuch quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Li Junxian laughed heartily: "Your Majesty, don't worry. With us here, dinner will surely be served soon."

After saying that, they hurried down the mountain and headed towards the kitchen where Yu Yu's family cooked.

On the other side, Xiaoyu stood by the wood stove, waving a spatula. "Have quick hands and feet, light the fire first. We have to cook this meal well today."

At this time, the eunuch and three guards also arrived in the kitchen. Wei Shuyu skillfully added firewood into the stove, and the flames rose rapidly.

Yuyu was washing vegetables: "Mom, the water is really cold, but these vegetables are so fresh. They will definitely taste good after being washed."

Xiaoyu smiled and nodded: "Of course, I picked these this morning, so I have to wash them carefully."

At the place where chickens, ducks, and fish were being slaughtered, Li Junxian was laboriously holding down a fat chicken. "It's still alive and kicking, don't move. This is also to fulfill your destiny of becoming a meal."

The eunuch who was butchering the fish nearby said: "This fish was so slippery, it almost escaped from my hands."

Li Hao cut the fat and lean pork into even cubes, saying as he did so, "This braised pork needs to be cut neatly into squares so that it will be more flavorful when cooked."

Everyone was busy in the kitchen, and soon the aroma of various dishes began to fill the air.

The lotus root and bone soup was bubbling in the large pot. Yuyu walked over and looked at it. "Rich aroma, classic Blue Star soup."

Xiaoyu lifted the lid of the pot and took a look: "The soup is almost done. Add a little less firewood and let it simmer for a while. The lotus root must be cooked until it is soft and sticky to be delicious."

Wei Shuyu took out some firewood and piled it up in the stove: "Okay."

The boiled chicken was served on an exquisite plate, with a slightly yellowish color and a hint of oil.

Bowen, who was in charge of the plating, praised: "This white-cut chicken looks tempting. The Yuyu family's craftsmanship is really unique."

Xiaoyu smiled and said, "The key to this white-cut chicken is the cooking temperature and the dipping sauce. You'll know when you try it later."

The roast duck is ready, with crispy skin and fragrant aroma.

Li Hao, who was roasting duck, wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "This roast duck requires the right heat and sauce. One point more or less will not do."

The eunuch next to him swallowed his saliva and said: "Brother Li, your cooking skills are so delicious just by smelling it."

The steamed fish was served, topped with shredded green onion, ginger and red pepper, and sprinkled with hot oil.

Yuyu brought the steamed fish over and said happily, "This fish is steamed just right, very tender and fresh."

Xiaoyu's mother took a look and said: "Well, this fish must be eaten while it's hot. It loses its flavor when it gets cold."

The lobster's bright red shell was particularly eye-catching. Qin Huaidao, who was cooking the lobster, proudly said, "This lobster must be handled very well. Every piece of lobster meat must be kept intact so that it is delicious."

The braised pork is stewing in the pot, and the bright red color makes people salivate.

Xiaoyu said as she stirred the food, "This braised pork should be stewed slowly over low heat to force out the fat in the meat and then absorb the sauce. The taste is amazing."

Yuyu, who was standing by, couldn't help but come over and said, "Mom, your braised pork smells so good even before it's even out of the pot."

The pork belly with preserved vegetables was placed upside down on the plate. The preserved vegetables were shiny black, and the pork belly was fat and lean with distinct layers.

Li Hao walked over and checked it out: "For this pork with preserved vegetables, the preserved vegetables must be carefully selected and steamed together with the meat. The flavors will penetrate each other and this is the authentic taste."

The braised pig's feet and ears were cut into small pieces and neatly placed on a plate, next to which was fried large intestine with sauerkraut.

Cheng Chumo, who was eating braised food, said: "Is this braised food? They all have their own unique aromas."

The eunuch who stir-fried the large intestine said: "This pickled cabbage must be fried to bring out its flavor. It is the perfect match with the large intestine."

The vegetables have been fried and are green and juicy.

Yu Yu, who was cooking, said, "The vegetables are fried crispy. After eating all the big fish and meat, it's good to have some vegetables to relieve the greasiness."

The emperor and his ministers came over. The emperor smelled the aroma of the food on the table and said with a smile, "Today's lunch is really sumptuous. Thank you for your hard work."

The ministers also echoed: "Your Majesty, looking at this table full of delicious food really whets our appetite."

Yuyu said excitedly, "Your Majesty, there is also good wine. We must have a good meal today."

Everyone sat around the table, and Yu Yu's family began to serve food to everyone.

Li Junxian picked up a glass of wine and said, "Your Majesty, it is a blessing for me to have such a grand banquet today. I offer my respects to Your Majesty."

The emperor smiled and raised his glass: "Today is a rare day of relaxation, let us all drink this cup together."

Wei Shuyu tasted the lotus root soup and exclaimed, "This soup is so delicious! The lotus root melts in your mouth."

Fang Yizhi also picked up a piece of white-cut chicken: "This white-cut chicken is tender and fresh, and it's delicious when dipped in this sauce."

Yu Yu's family arranged the dishes and hurried to the table.

Xiaoyu smiled and said to the emperor and his ministers, "Your Majesty, gentlemen, today's meal should be considered the opening meal. Please enjoy it. This Moutai liquor is a rare commodity, so I brought it here especially for everyone to drink."

The emperor laughed heartily and said, "Well, it is a real pleasure to have such fine wine and delicious food today."

At the table with the guards, eunuchs, and Yuyu's family, Li Junxian poured wine for everyone, saying as he poured, "Your Majesty, this Moutai has a rich aroma and is truly a fine wine. We must get drunk today."

The emperor picked up the wine glass and took a sniff: "It is indeed a good wine. The taste is unique. I like it."

The ministers also picked up their wine glasses and took a sip. Wei Shuyu praised: "This wine is soft and mellow, with a long aftertaste. It is truly a heaven-sent wine."

Fang Yizhi also said: "Your Majesty, with such fine wine to accompany this meal, the taste is even more special."

Wei Shuyu smiled and said, "I heard that this beer has a unique flavor. Let's try it." Then he opened the beer and poured it into the cup. Foam surged, and everyone clinked their glasses with a smile and started drinking.

Yuyu picked up the drinks and distributed them to everyone: "If you don't drink, drink the drinks. They taste good too."

Cats and dogs were attracted by the aroma of food, gathered around the crowd, and looked at everyone with shining eyes.

When Yuyu saw them, his eyes lit up and he stood up and said, "You little cuties must be hungry too."

As she spoke, she took some leftover bones and meat from the table, squatted down and fed them to the cats and dogs.