Opening a Tavern in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 342: Tavern Expands After the New Year

She paused, then continued, "Once the restaurant is built, we'll arrange for two people to sleep on one bed. Together with Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao, there will be six of us, and the living space will be more spacious. In the meantime, everyone can go back to their own homes."

Li Chengqian nodded in understanding: "Xiaoyu has been very thoughtful. I will follow your instructions."

Wei Shuyu also agreed, "That's great. We'll expand the restaurant after the new year, and it will surely look brand new."

Fang Yiai said nonchalantly, "Sure, it's close to home anyway, so it's convenient to come here every day."

Li Dejian also agreed: "Then after the new year, when the restaurant is expanded, we can live here together and gain experience."

Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao smiled at each other, and Qin Huaidao said, "I've gotten used to it. Let's go back to our respective homes first, and then make a big splash here after the New Year."

In a relaxed atmosphere, everyone finalized the follow-up arrangements and continued to enjoy the food, with laughter echoing in the tavern.

Fang Yiai burped, patted his round belly, and said with a smile: "Burp, I'm full, full! Chef Mi's cooking skills are really great. I ate so much that I can hardly walk."

Li Chengqian elegantly put down his bowl and chopsticks, wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, and said, "Today's meal is indeed very satisfying. In that case, let's go back first and come back after the New Year. I look forward to the new look of the tavern after the expansion."

Wei Shuyu and Li Dejian stood up and bowed, "See you after the New Year, everyone."

Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao also stood up. Cheng Chumo said loudly, "Okay, we have to do something big after the New Year!"

Xiaoyu and Lihao escorted everyone to the door and said, "Everyone, take care and be safe on the road. We look forward to working with everyone to make the pub even more prosperous after the New Year!"

Everyone left in the falling snow, leaving Zuixianlou standing quietly in the snowy scene.

Yuyu jumped up and down: "Your Majesty, take care. Take these delicious foods back with you."

Li Shimin smiled and waved his hand, saying, "No need. I have already enjoyed the delicious food in this tavern to my heart's content today. Your hard work and dedication to making this tavern better and better will be the best reward for me."

Yuyu refused to give in and hurried to the kitchen. After a while, she carefully packed a few special dishes in a food box and trotted over to hand them to Li Shimin: "Your Majesty, please accept this little gift. These are the signature dishes of the tavern. Take them back and try them in your spare time."

Li Shimin saw Yu Yu's enthusiasm and could not refuse her hospitality, so he took the food box and said with a smile, "Okay, okay, I'll accept it. Your tavern is full of vitality, work hard in the future."

Upon seeing this, the ministers bowed and said, "Your Majesty, take care."

Li Shimin left with his attendants, watched by everyone.

Looking at the emperor's receding back, Yu Yu was filled with joy, as if she saw a brighter future for the tavern.

The ministers and princes also set out on their journey home, full of anticipation for the experience in the tavern after the New Year.

Watching everyone leave, Yuyu's eyes sparkled with excitement. She turned to Xiaoyu and Li Hao beside her and said, "It's definitely going to get even more lively after the New Year! Look, the Crown Prince and all the other young masters are coming here to gain experience. Once the restaurant is expanded, who knows how many new ideas they'll come up with. Business will definitely take off."

Xiaoyu smiled and nodded, her eyes full of anticipation. "Yes, with them joining us, our tavern feels like it's been injected with new vitality. And since His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has a special status, maybe this tavern will attract even more people in the future."

Li Hao also laughed and said, rubbing his hands together, "Then we have to plan carefully. We will expand the restaurant after the new year, and we have to think about how to make the business more prosperous. We must not let everyone down."

Yuyu jumped up and down and said, "I've got a lot of ideas. Let's discuss them after the New Year when everyone is gathered. Maybe we can turn the tavern into the most lively and interesting place in the whole Chang'an City!"

The three of them stood at the door of the tavern, snowflakes fluttering down, but their hearts were full of longing and enthusiasm for the future, as if they had already seen the scene of the tavern bustling with guests after the New Year.

Cheng Chumo shouted carelessly, "Yes, the New Year is coming soon! Yuyu, I was so busy talking about things after the New Year that I almost forgot that our tavern should have some New Year atmosphere before the New Year."

Qin Huaidao nodded in agreement, "That's right. In the past, during the Chinese New Year, homes were decorated with lights and it was very lively. Our pub should be no exception. We have to let everyone feel the festive atmosphere."

Yuyu's eyes lit up and she said excitedly, "That's right! We can hang red lanterns and put up Spring Festival couplets in the tavern. We can also prepare some special New Year's delicacies. It will definitely attract a lot of customers!"

Xiaoyu thought for a moment and said, "Besides these, we can also organize some New Year activities to let diners participate and make it lively."

Li Hao clapped his hands and said, "What a great idea! Guessing lantern riddles would be a good idea. Customers who guess correctly can receive small gifts. It would add to the fun while also attracting more business."

Cheng Chumo was so excited that he danced with joy: "Haha, this is so interesting."

Li Hao added with a smile: "Let's prepare some fireworks and set them off tonight. It will definitely feel like Chinese New Year."

Yuyu tilted her head, looking puzzled as she asked, "Why expand after the New Year? If we start construction now, maybe we can have a lively celebration in the new restaurant during the New Year."

Cheng Chumo scratched his head and explained, "Yuyu, think about it, it's so cold right now, and the workers are having a hard time working. Besides, it's hard to get construction materials in such cold weather. Cement and other materials will easily freeze, which will affect the quality of the project."

Qin Huaidao also nodded and continued, "Besides, everyone is busy with family reunions during the Chinese New Year, so it's hard to find workers. After the Chinese New Year, the weather will be warmer, which will be convenient in all aspects. Then we can expand the restaurant quickly and efficiently."

Xiaoyu smiled and touched Yuyu's head, adding, "Oh, and now that everyone has just celebrated the New Year, they're a little more financially comfortable. This is a good time for our tavern to expand its business. When the new restaurant opens, it will surely attract more customers."

Yuyu suddenly realized and slapped her head, "Why didn't I think of this? You guys are really thoughtful. Let's expand after the New Year. By then, our new restaurant will definitely be extra grand!"

Yuyu listened to everyone's explanations while chewing the roasted sweet potatoes with relish, the sweet aroma spreading in her mouth. She swallowed a mouthful with satisfaction and said, "Hearing what you said, the expansion after the New Year does have many benefits. These roasted sweet potatoes are sweet too, and thinking about the new restaurant after the New Year makes my heart even happier!"

As she spoke, she took another bite, a happy smile on her face.

Cheng Chumo looked at her and jokingly said, "Yuyu, the way you eat roasted sweet potatoes is like seeing a new restaurant has been built."

Yuyu puffed out her cheeks and mumbled, "I'm just celebrating in advance. Once the new restaurant is built, more people will surely come, and we can do a lot of interesting things together."

Qin Huaidao smiled and said, "That's right. By then, our business will definitely be booming, just like these roasted sweet potatoes, sweet and delicious."

Everyone burst into laughter after hearing this. In this atmosphere full of the flavor of the New Year, they were full of beautiful expectations for the expansion and future of the pub after the New Year.