Li Shimin was greatly alarmed upon hearing this: How many men had he brought, and was there such an iron turtle?
Fang Er shook his head slightly: The temporary intelligence indicated only one person. I dispatched six thousand men to Yanmen Pass to capture him. We intended to take him alive, but he managed to slip away.
As for whether there are other tanks, we cannot be certain yet.
I have returned this time to remind Your Majesty to strengthen the palace's defenses.
Upon hearing his words, Li Shimin breathed a sigh of relief and waved to Fang Er, saying.
He's just a minor fish. If you make such a fuss over him, you think too little of the palace guards.
As long as he dares to approach the imperial palace by even half a step, he will only meet his demise.
Alright, stop mentioning him. You came back during the holiday, did you forget something?
Fang Er was instantly stunned and scratched the back of his head, asking, Your Majesty, I am dull-witted, what have I forgotten?
These days, are there any special customs for the New Year?
I didn't find anything unusual in the past two years either.
Li Shimin feigned anger and said, What's wrong? Returning during the holiday and not even kowtowing to me?
Also, common folk bring gift packages to visit relatives during the New Year. Did you come back with empty hands?
Fang Er: .........
Damn it, Li Shimin is speaking from the perspective of a father-in-law. No wonder I couldn't figure out what I had forgotten.
Your Majesty, I did return in a bit of a hurry, fearing that person might cause any damage to Chang'an.
How about this, if the palace is missing anything, I'll have someone prepare it from my estate?
Get out, get out! Li Shimin waved him away with feigned anger.
I lack nothing!
Fang Er now only wants to do one thing!
▄︻┻┳═一☆（a
Yes!
Half an hour later, on the training ground next to the workshop, two thousand guards and Wang Xuance were all quietly waiting for Fang Er to speak.
Wang Xuance!
Here!
Take a thousand guards, have them change into civilian clothes, and disperse them to the various gates of Chang'an City to watch for any suspicious individuals!
Everyone, make sure to keep your eyes sharp for this Duke!
Yes!
The two thousand guards were divided into two groups; half remained to guard the workshop, while the other half left with Wang Xuance.
They were to carry only swords, not firearms.
After all, this was Chang'an.
This was also a precautionary measure. Li Shimin might not take it seriously, but I cannot afford to be careless.
The next day, carrying a jar of peanuts in a glass jar, he entered the palace again.
Inside the Liangji Hall, Fang Er happily looked at Li Shimin: Father, your son-in-law wishes you a Happy New Year~~
Hahahaha~~ Excellent, I've been waiting for you all day. Come, come, let's go to the Ganlu Hall. Your mother and Changle are both here. Today, you will dine in the palace!
Li Shimin saw a small blue pill mixed among the peanuts in the jar and was extremely pleased.
He walked out from behind the imperial desk, took Fang Er's arm, and walked out of the hall.
Upon entering the Ganlu Hall, Li Shimin waved to stop the palace maids and eunuchs who were about to bow and said to Empress Zhangsun, Guanyin Bi, look who's here!
Seeing Fang Er, Empress Zhangsun smiled and beckoned to him.
Come, come and let Mother see, have you gotten tanned from being in the south for so long?
Changle hopped over to Fang Er's side and said happily, "Ah, brother-in-law is here! Quick, let Mother see."
Saying that, she pulled him towards Empress Zhangsun.
Empress Zhangsun looked at Fang Er with great affection. When Fang Er approached, she took his hand and began to inquire about his well-being.
For example, whether it was hot in the south, whether there was much rain, and what was fun to do, and so on.
This made Fang Er very bewildered. Li Tai and Li Ke, those two fellows, returned two years ago. Did they not tell her?
Li Shimin, standing beside them, looked at Fang Er and then at his wife, feeling inexplicably a pang of something.
They had a meal in the palace, and the imperial cuisine was as unappetizing as ever!
During the feast, Fang Er reported to Li Shimin, Your Majesty, I have recalled two divisions.
Li Shimin popped a peanut into his mouth, bit it with a crunch, and asked, Was it because of that fellow?
Fang Er nodded slightly, Your Majesty, this person is no ordinary man. If he escaped in the Western Regions, it could be attributed to the chaos of the battlefield.
But outside Yanmen Pass, even my two divisions, totaling six thousand men, could not apprehend him, which is enough to show his extraordinary nature.
Li Shimin stared at him for a long time without speaking, seemingly lost in thought.
After a long while, he said faintly, After you return, please submit a memorial.
Unauthorized deployment of troops is a grave offense. Even if I say nothing, the entire court would not let it go unchecked.
Let this be the last time!
Also, call me Father in private! If you dare to call me anything else, I'll break your legs.
Pfft! Empress Zhangsun, sitting beside them, burst into laughter.
Fang Er repeatedly nodded and then raised his wine cup, smiling, Alright, Father, your son-in-law understands!