Opening a Tavern in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 275: Coal replaces charcoal in winter, can be used for cooking, heating water and keeping wa

Xiaoyu was wearing a lavender silk dress with a moon-white gauze dress over it. Her black hair was tied into a simple bun with a warm jade hairpin inserted in it.

At this moment, she was standing in the backyard of Zuixianlou with a solemn expression, and whispered to the void: "Secret guard, call the emperor, I have something important to discuss with you." Although her voice was soft, it revealed unquestionable majesty.

Yu Yu is smart and playful, her eyes are as bright as stars, and she has two shallow dimples when she smiles.

She was wearing a pink silk dress and came to Xiaoyu happily, asking curiously, "Mom, why do you want to call the emperor again?" Xiaoyu gently touched her head and did not answer.

Li Hao has a tall figure, handsome face, and a bit of youthful vigor and vitality.

He was dressed in a blue shirt, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he was also thinking about the intention of his mother's action.

After a while, Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao walked into the backyard.

Cheng Chumo exuded a bold and generous spirit. He laughed heartily and said, "What's the big deal so early in the morning?"

Qin Huaidao was more gentle, wearing a white robe as white as snow, with a face as gentle as jade. He bowed slightly.

Xiaoyu looked at them and said slowly, "This matter is of great importance and needs to be discussed with the Emperor."

Although they were confused, they also knew that Xiaoyu always acted with propriety.

At this time, Ah Fu was squatting in the corner outside the kitchen washing vegetables. His hands were red from the cold. He looked up when he heard the noise.

He was wearing coarse linen clothes and had a simple smile on his face.

Acai was wiping the tables and chairs on the side. She was wearing a blue cloth skirt and her hair was neatly tied behind her head.

Chef Mi was busy in the kitchen, and the aroma wafted from the clinking of pots and pans.

While waiting for the emperor to arrive, Yuyu took Xiaoyu's hand and said coquettishly, "Mom, look at the new sachet I made. Is it beautiful?"

Xiaoyu took the sachet, examined it carefully, and smiled: "You have such a skillful hand."

Li Hao was practicing swordplay on the side, the sword shadows flashing and fierce. He secretly wondered in his heart whether what his mother wanted to say to the emperor was related to the situation in the Tang Dynasty.

Finally, Li Shimin hurried over wearing a bright yellow dragon robe, escorted by secret guards.

He walked with the gait of a dragon and a tiger, his face dignified but with a hint of concern. As soon as he entered the backyard, he asked, "Xiaoyu, what are you so anxious about?"

Xiao Yu bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty, I have recently discovered that coal can replace charcoal to help us survive the winter. Charcoal requires a lot of wood, but coal reserves are abundant. If utilized, it will not only relieve the people's winter heating needs, but also reduce the logging of wood, which will benefit the long-term development of the Tang Dynasty."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's eyes flashed with surprise and thought. He paced back and forth and said, "I have heard a little about this coal, but I don't know how to mine and utilize it most appropriately."

Cheng Chumo stepped forward, clasped his fists, and said, "Your Majesty, I think we can first send people to explore the coal veins, and then recruit skilled craftsmen to study the method of coal mining."

Qin Huaidao also nodded and said: "Your Majesty, we still need to consider the transportation and storage to avoid any accidents."

While everyone was discussing, Yuyu suddenly interrupted and said, "Your Majesty, will this coal have a strange smell when it burns?"

Everyone was stunned by this sudden question. Li Shimin looked at Yuyu with a hint of approval in his eyes. "Miss Yuyu, this is a very good question. This is indeed something that needs to be considered."

Although Xiaoyu was a little angry at her daughter for interrupting the discussion, she was also proud of her sharp thinking.

Li Hao was silently thinking about countermeasures. His brows were furrowed, his eyes were focused, and his mind was constantly thinking about the various properties and uses of coal.

After a moment, he said calmly, "Your Majesty, perhaps you could try it out on a small scale first to observe its effects before making a final decision. Coal has many uses, not only for heating, but also for cooking and boiling water, bringing many conveniences to the lives of the people of the Tang Dynasty. However, the area where the coal stove is burned must be well ventilated, and doors and windows must not be completely closed to prevent gas accumulation and endangerment."

After saying this, he raised his head slightly, with a hint of determination and confidence in his eyes, and looked at Li Shimin, waiting for the emperor's response.

At the same time, he subconsciously straightened his slightly wrinkled blue shirt sleeves.

When Li Shimin heard what Li Hao said, his eyes flashed and he had something in mind.

He nodded slightly, his expression solemn yet filled with anticipation. "Really? If it's true, as you say, that this coal can solve many of the Tang Dynasty's problems, then that would be fantastic. Now that winter has just arrived and the cold hasn't yet taken hold, this is a prime opportunity to prepare. We mustn't miss it."

He stood with his hands behind his back, his dragon robe swaying gently in the wind. "I will immediately arrange for skilled craftsmen to devote all their efforts to the production and testing of coal. We must maximize its effectiveness and benefit the people."

Xiaoyu wrapped her shawl around her, shivered slightly, and said softly, "It's so cold, but if this goes smoothly, the people of the Tang Dynasty will soon be able to use coal. Then, even in the coldest winter, our homes will be warm, and we won't have to worry about charcoal shortages and difficulties in heating."

Her eyes were full of anticipation, as if she could already see the curling smoke rising from the chimneys of thousands of households, dispelling the winter chill.

Fishy jumped up and down beside him, echoing, "Yeah, that way everyone can spend the winter comfortably."

As they were talking, a burst of rapid dog barking was heard. Everyone turned around and saw a Husky walking back and forth with a piece of coal in its mouth, wagging its tail. It looked very funny.

It ran straight to Xiaoyu, put the coal on the ground, stuck out its tongue, and looked at everyone with bright eyes.

Li Shimin saw it and frowned slightly, with a puzzled look on his face. He asked, "What is this?"

Xiaoyu smiled as she stepped forward, gently patted the husky on the head, and explained, "Your Majesty, this is coal. It was originally meant to be brought to Zuixianlou to be made into briquettes, but considering the limited space at Zuixianlou and the inevitable flying of coal dust during the production process, which would disturb the guests, they decided to make the briquettes in an open space outside the city instead. Perhaps this husky was just being playful and actually brought a piece of coal over."

The Husky seemed to understand Xiaoyu's words and barked twice as if in response.

Yuyu squatted down, hugged the Husky, and said with a smile: "You naughty boy, don't make trouble."

The Husky struggled a few times in Yu Yu's arms and tried to pick up the coal again, which made everyone laugh.

In the corner of Zuixianlou, two local dogs were lazily lying by the stove.

Their fur is mottled, their ears are drooping, their eyes are squinting, and they are comfortably feeling the warmth from the stove.

Its body occasionally rises and falls slightly with its breathing, and its four paws are spread out casually, as if the troubles in the world have nothing to do with them.

One of them occasionally opened its eyes, looked at the jumping flames, and then closed them contentedly.

When Yu Yu saw the two cute dogs, her heart was filled with joy and she couldn't help but walk over.

She squatted down slightly, stretched out her slender little hand, gently placed it on the back of one of the local dogs, and stroked it slowly.

The local dog was startled by the sudden gentle touch, its ears stood up alertly, and it turned its head to look at Yu Yu.

When he saw that it was Yu Yu, the vigilance in his eyes disappeared instantly and his tail shook gently.

The corners of Yuyu's mouth turned up, revealing two sweet dimples, and her eyes curved into crescents. She whispered, "Doggy, isn't it warm?"