As winter descends and snow fills the city, the Imperial Ice Bureau has been established by decree. Ice cellar…
As winter descends and snow fills the city, the Imperial Ice Bureau has been established by decree. Ice cellars were dug within Kaifeng to store late-winter ice for use in mid-spring, ensuring the palace's stores are abundant.
Aside from ritual offerings and bestowing ice upon the commoners for chilled drinks, the Emperor has granted special leave for servants to fashion the surplus into ice sculptures for festive amusement.