Opening a Tavern in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 283: Coal stoves everywhere in the palace, you forgot your father

Li Junxian rode his horse at full speed back to the palace and headed straight for the imperial garden, where Emperor Li Shimin was already waiting.

Seeing Li Junxian's return, Li Shimin showed an anxious look: "Junxian, you are finally back. I have been waiting here for a long time. Let me see the new and interesting things sent by Zuixianlou."

Li Junxian quickly ordered his followers to move the coal stove to the pavilion in the imperial garden, and ordered people to place the coal balls aside.

He squatted down and put the coal balls into the coal stove with swift movements, and then lit them with a fire starter.

At first, the sparks flickered slightly, and everyone stared at them intently.

After a while, the flames gradually rose, and the coal stove seemed to come to life and began to emit a hint of warmth.

Li Shimin walked forward, his eyes fixed on the coal stove. Curiously, he reached out to feel the rising heat. A look of surprise gradually appeared on his face. "This coal stove is truly amazing. It can be so hot in such a short time."

He was wearing a bright yellow dragon robe, the corners of which swayed gently as he walked, and the golden dragon embroidered on the robe seemed to come alive in the warmth.

The eunuchs and palace maids gathered around, looking at the coal stove they had never seen before, whispering to each other.

An old eunuch said with a broad smile, "Your Majesty, if these fine things were placed throughout the palace, you would no longer have to worry about the cold this winter."

Li Shimin nodded slightly and fell into deep thought.

He thought that if this coal stove was promoted, it would not only allow the imperial palace to enjoy warmth, but it might also have extraordinary significance for the wintering of the people of the entire Tang Dynasty.

Li Shimin was delighted to see the excellent effect of the coal stove and immediately issued an order: "Pass on my decree. Install a coal stove for each of Empress Changsun, Consort Wei, Consort Yang, Consort Yin, Consort Yande, Consort Zhengxian, and Consort Xu Hui, and send them an appropriate amount of coal briquettes. My princes and princesses should also be provided with such fine items in their palaces."

The attendants took orders and left. For a moment, the palace became busy.

The eunuchs carefully carried the coal stoves, while the palace maids held the coal balls and shuttled between the palaces.

In Empress Changsun's palace, upon hearing that the Emperor had gifted her a coal stove, the Empress smiled gently, "Your Majesty is so kind, this coal stove must have its own unique features."

Once the coal stove was set up and the coal balls were lit, warmth instantly spread. The Queen sat on the couch, feeling the warmth, and said to the palace maid beside her, "With this stove in winter, the palace maids will be able to work less coldly."

In Concubine Wei's palace, as soon as the coal stove was set up, Concubine Wei approached curiously. She was dressed in gorgeous brocade clothes, surrounded by pearls and jade. Looking at the burning coal balls in the coal stove, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes: "I didn't expect this small object to have such great power. It's interesting."

Concubine Yang gently stroked the delicate body of the coal stove. Her face was serene as she spoke softly, "This will surely dispel much of the chill in the palace. Your Majesty truly cares about us all."

Concubine Yin nodded slightly and instructed the maid, "Place this coal stove in the corner of the room, so that it is out of the way and everyone can enjoy the warmth."

Concubine Yan De smiled and said to the attendant who came to deliver the coal stove, "Go back and tell His Majesty that I thank His Majesty for this gift. This coal stove will surely fill the palace with warmth in this winter."

Concubine Zheng looked at the jumping flames and fell into deep thought, wondering who this Zuixianlou was and how they could make such a wonderful thing to present to the emperor.

Xu Hui was reading a book in her own residence. When she heard about the coal stove, she stood up to greet him.

After everything was settled, she sat at the table, feeling the warm air, her thoughts drifting away, thinking that it would be fun to write about the beauty of this coal stove in poetry.

The palaces of the princes and princesses were also filled with laughter and joy due to the arrival of the coal stove.

Crown Prince Li Chengqian fiddled with the coal stove curiously and said to his study companion, "This is a gift from my father. We must cherish it."

Princess Xiangcheng gently instructed the palace maids to place the coal stove in the right place so that the whole room would be warm. At the same time, she also reminded them: "The coal balls need to be watched while they are burning. Don't be careless."

The other princes and princesses were either excitedly playing around the coal stove, or quietly enjoying this rare warmth.

Li Shimin looked around and shouted to his attendants, "Place the remaining coal stoves and coal briquettes carefully in the imperial kitchen so they don't interfere with the imperial chefs' preparations."

"Also, the corridors and guard rooms in the palace that require heating should all be placed in a reasonable manner. The main rooms for the palace maids and eunuchs must also be equipped with one, so that they can relieve their hard work during this cold winter."

The attendants agreed in unison and hurriedly began to make arrangements.

In the imperial kitchen, the imperial chefs were busy in the cold, their hands and feet were a little stiff, but as soon as the coal stove arrived, they felt warm.

A senior imperial chef said with great joy, "With the arrival of this coal stove, the ingredients can be better preserved. Our cooking enthusiasm has increased a lot. We will definitely be able to prepare more delicious dishes for Your Majesty."

In the main room of the eunuchs and palace maids, everyone gathered around the newly installed coal stove, their gratitude overflowing with words.

A young eunuch rubbed his hands and said with a smile, "In the past, my hands and feet always got frostbite in the winter. This year, with this coal stove, it's better."

An old maid nodded and said, "This is Your Majesty's grace. We must serve you well and not let you down."

As coal stoves were installed and put into use throughout the palace, the cold gradually dissipated.

The guards on duty were feeling the warmth brought by the coal stove in the warm sentry box.

One of the guards cupped his hands to his mouth, exhaled a puff of hot air, and said loudly, "Brothers, listen carefully. Right now, ours is the only guard post in the palace that has coal briquettes. Don't grab them. I'm on duty here today, and this coal stove is our comfort for this shift. When we change shifts tomorrow, you brothers will enjoy it."

Another guard frowned, somewhat unconvinced: "Why do you have the exclusive right to be on duty here? We have the same hard time on night duty."

The guard puffed out his chest and replied confidently, "This is the order from above, and I must follow it. If you have any objections, you can speak to the commander."

The two of them chatted back and forth, and the atmosphere gradually became tense.

At this time, an older guard stood up. His eyes were dignified and he said in a deep voice, "Don't argue. This coal stove is a gift from the emperor, so that we can better guard the palace, not for us to argue. Besides, the number of coal briquettes is limited, and everyone has the opportunity to enjoy it. Why bother to damage the harmony at this time?

Everyone bowed their heads and remained silent after hearing this. The two guards who had been arguing also looked ashamed and bowed to each other in apology.

Peace returned to the warm sentry box, and the guards once again focused their attention on guarding the palace.

In the corridors between the palaces, the palace maids and eunuchs no longer shivered in the cold as before.

However, the number of these coal stoves is limited and they are only available in specific corridors.

Li Shimin paced in the Imperial Garden, feeling the warmth from the coal stove. He was just enjoying himself when his expression suddenly changed. He raised his hand and tapped his forehead, saying, "I almost forgot that my father, the retired emperor, lives in the palace. I should also give him such a good gift."

After saying this, he immediately summoned his attendants and said, "Quickly fetch a coal stove and an appropriate amount of coal briquettes, carefully pack them, and send them to the palace of the Emperor. Do not delay in the slightest."

The attendants hurried away after receiving the order.

Soon, he placed the coal stove and coal balls steadily on an exquisite cart and slowly walked along the bluestone road in the palace towards the palace of the retired emperor.

The coal stove shone with a shiny black luster in the sunlight, and the coal balls were packed in an exquisite cloth bag.

After being sent to the palace of the retired emperor, the attendants respectfully saluted the retired emperor, placed the coal stove in the main hall of the palace, and skillfully lit the fire.

Emperor Taizong Li Yuan was dozing on his couch when he was startled awake by the noise. He opened his eyes slightly and asked in confusion, "What is this?"

The attendant hurried forward and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty has specially ordered us to deliver this coal stove and coal briquettes. They are made by the folk Zuixianlou and can bring warmth to the Emperor during this cold winter."

The Emperor stood up and approached the coal stove. He stretched out his hand to feel the rising heat, a gratified smile on his face. "My son, you still care about me. This thing looks novel, but it is indeed warm."

After saying this, he sat back on the couch, wrapped himself in the brocade quilt, and closed his eyes to rest in the new warmth, while the servants quietly stepped aside and served him carefully.