Opening a Tavern in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 285: Qin Shou has a heater outside, and the secret guard also has a coal stove

The next day, Yuyu got up early: "Mom, I'm up."

Xiaoyu heard the voice and asked in surprise, "So early?"

Li Hao smiled and said, "My sister must be sleeping well because she has installed a coal stove and is warm at night."

At this time, the tavern was filled with a lingering chill.

Yu Yu obediently helped Xiao Yu wipe the tables and chairs. Although her little hands were tender, her movements were very methodical.

Li Hao was counting yesterday's accounts on the side, his brows sometimes relaxed and sometimes slightly frowned.

"Mom, do you want to add some new dishes to our tavern today?"

Yuyu asked, her eyes twinkling. Xiaoyu thought for a moment and nodded, "I could give it a try, but I'd have to see what fresh ingredients are available at the market first."

As he was speaking, a familiar customer pushed the door open and walked in, laughing loudly, "Boss Li, do you have any good wine and food to treat us?"

Li Hao hurried over and said with a smile, "Brother Zhang, of course we have some newly arrived fine wine. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

The store gradually became lively, with waiters moving around, and Yu Yu also cleverly helping to serve some side dishes.

In the corner, a man who looked like a poet was writing with a brush, as if he was composing a poem for the tavern, which attracted people to gather around and watch.

"In this prosperous Tang Dynasty, our tavern is also a small world of its own. We must run it well." Xiaoyu whispered to Li Hao.

Li Hao's eyes were firm: "Don't worry, mother, Zuixianlou will get better and better."

Xiaoyu whispered a few words, and soon the secret guard appeared like a ghost.

The secret guard stood respectfully aside, waiting for Xiaoyu's instructions.

Xiaoyu then said to Ah Cai, "Go and invite in the two gentlemen Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao who are guarding outside Zuixian Tower."

Acai left in a hurry. A moment later, Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao walked into Zuixianlou with curiosity and doubts.

Cheng Chumo spoke first, clasping his fists and saying, "Why did you ask us two to come here today? What is it that you want to discuss?"

Xiaoyu smiled slightly, motioned them to sit down, and then slowly said, "My two lords, this winter is so cold, I have prepared some gifts for you."

As he said that, he asked the secret guards to bring up an exquisite coal stove and ten pounds of coal.

"This coal stove and coal are given to you two gentlemen for warmth. I hope they can keep you out of the cold."

Qin Huaidao's eyes flashed with surprise and gratitude, and he quickly said, "Mrs. Li is so thoughtful and considerate. We are really grateful for your care."

Cheng Chumo also nodded in agreement.

Yuyu stood in the corner of the tavern, waved her hand, and said crisply, "Cheng Chumo, Qin Huaidao, and the secret guards, the three of you, each one will have a coal stove and ten pounds of coal briquettes."

Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao were stunned at first, then looked at each other and laughed.

Cheng Chumo walked forward and gently rubbed Yuyu's head: "Little girl, you are helping someone in need."

Yuyu pouted and said seriously, "Winter in the Tang Dynasty is very cold, but I don't have to worry about it with a coal stove."

The secret guard stood silently by, but a hint of warmth flashed in his eyes.

Although he usually hides in the dark, performs his guard duties, and is serious, he couldn't help but be moved by Yu Yu's care at this moment.

Li Hao watched from the side and said to Xiaoyu with a smile: "This child has a kind and innocent heart, just like you."

Xiaoyu looked at Yuyu tenderly: "In this prosperous era, if we all take care of each other, we won't be afraid of the cold winter."

Then, the coal stoves and coal balls were distributed one by one.

Cheng Chumo couldn't wait to fiddle with the coal stove, saying as he did so, "With this thing, I can stay warmer on duty in winter. Little girl, I'll remember this favor."

Qin Huaidao also echoed: "Yes, it is a blessing for the Tang Dynasty to have such warmth."

Yu Yu looked at their happy faces and a bright smile appeared on her face.

Li Hao laughed heartily as he walked forward, patted Cheng Chumo on the shoulder, winked at Qin Huaidao, and said loudly, "Brother Cheng, Brother Qin, what are you talking about? We have known each other for a long time and have a deep friendship. This is just a small favor. In this prosperous Tang Dynasty, why should we be so polite to each other?"

Cheng Chumo scratched his head, the smile on his face growing even wider. "Brother Li is absolutely right. It's us two who are being pretentious. But in this cold winter, your gift is truly a timely help, and it warms our hearts."

Qin Huaidao also bowed and smiled, "That's right. Brother Li and his family treat us so sincerely. If there is any mission in the future, the two of us will definitely do our best and will never be vague."

Everyone gathered around the warm fire, laughing and talking happily.

After Cheng Chumo and Qin Huai thanked Li Hao's family, they took the newly acquired coal stove and coal briquettes and turned back to the outside of Zuixian Tower to continue their duty.

They placed the coal stove in a sheltered corner, skillfully lit a fire and added coal. After a while, red flames jumped up, reflecting on their faces and bringing bursts of warmth.

"With this heater, I feel much better than before." Cheng Chumo stretched and said comfortably.

Qin Huaidao nodded and said, "Yes, Brother Li's family is really thoughtful."

Yu Yu was also outside the tavern, next to her own small coal stove.

She warmed her little hands by the fire, her eyes sparkling as she watched the people coming and going on the street.

Occasionally, when an acquaintance passed by, she would greet them cheerfully, and she looked so adorable.

The cold wind blew, but it couldn't blow away the small circle of warmth surrounding the coal stove.

Yuyu's eyes lit up, and she pulled Xiaoyu's sleeve and asked, "By the way, Mom, aren't we going to start selling coal briquettes and coal stoves?"

Xiaoyu was slightly startled, then smiled and said, "Oh, it's time. We've been preparing for the past few days, and now that winter is in full swing, there must be a lot of demand."

Li Hao, who was listening nearby, also came over and nodded, saying, "Mother, you're absolutely right. Our coal stoves and coal briquettes are both of top quality. As long as the price is fair, we'll definitely be able to open up a market in Chang'an."

Yuyu jumped excitedly: "That's great, then everyone can be as warm as us."

So the family hurriedly began to arrange the sale.

They cleared a space at the entrance of the tavern, neatly arranged the exquisite coal stoves and bags of coal briquettes, and asked the waiters to hang up a cloth banner with the words "High-quality coal stoves and coal briquettes, a must-have for a warm winter" written on it.

Yuyu was like a cheerful little bird, walking around the coal stove and the coal briquettes, muttering to herself, "Mom, now we're just waiting for the people to come and buy them, right?"

Xiaoyu looked at Yuyu's cute appearance and nodded with a smile: "Yes, yes, our tavern is in a good location, and Zuixianlou has many diners on weekdays. News spreads quickly, and it won't be long before the people know about it."

Sure enough, not long after, several ladies came together.

They looked at the coal stove curiously, reached out their hands to feel the temperature on the stove wall, and exclaimed in amazement.

"This coal stove looks really good. It's much better than our own earthen stove." said an old lady.

"Yes, and these coal balls look durable." Another lady agreed.

Xiaoyu and Yuyu hurried forward and enthusiastically introduced to the aunties how to use the coal stove and the advantages of coal balls. Li Hao, on the other hand, was busy greeting other people who came one after another with Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao.

As time went by, more and more people gathered at the door of the tavern, and it was very lively. Everyone showed great interest in the coal stoves and coal balls that could bring warmth, and they all paid money to buy them. For a while, the sounds of transactions and discussions were intertwined.