Arriving in the Great Ming, Fang Er had only one objective.
That was to bring Song Yingxing to the Great Tang.
As for fighting the Tatars and reforming the bureaucracy, those were merely incidental.
Stepping out of the Huangji Hall, the Brocade Guards and the agents from the Eastern and Western Depots outside were significantly fewer.
From time to time, centurions led men out to arrest previously exposed corrupt officials, or to raid homes for liquidation.
Li Shimin looked back at Fang Er, "Lad, how about you become my prime minister when we return?
What you've accomplished these past three days is enough to prove your capabilities.
What do you say, want to give it a try?"
Fang Er waved his hands repeatedly, "Your Majesty, please don't push a duck onto a perch. I'm not cut out for sitting in court!
After so long, you should know, I am a lazy sort.
I'm always out and about when there's something to do, and at home when there isn't.
If I were to truly serve in court, I fear I wouldn't last ten days."
Li Shimin shook his head helplessly. He was certainly aware of the fellow's temperament.
However, Fang Er's handling of the Ming dynasty's affairs these past few days had greatly pleased him.
Kill those who deserved to be killed, uproot those who needed uprooting, without any hesitation.
Li Tai said from the side, "Shanshan, there's something that's been bothering me for three days.
How come you... regarding the affairs of the Ming dynasty?"
Bang!
Li Shimin kicked him in the backside and glared, reprimanding, "You've been holding it in for three days and can't hold it any longer? Keep holding it in for me!
Damn it, I've held it in for far more than three days.
But did I complain?
You little brat, you have no sense of observation at all!"
Li Tai shrunk his neck, aggrieved. His father's temper seemed to have worsened these past few days, or perhaps he had become addicted to kicking the lard seller, wanting to kick anyone he saw.
"Anzhi, is there anything fun to do in the Great Ming dynasty?"
After scolding Li Tai, Li Shimin looked at Fang Er and smiled.
Fang Er thought for a long time but couldn't think of anything fun in the capital city of Beijing at that moment.
Thinking of Song Yingxing's whereabouts, he said to Li Shimin, "Father, they say, 'With ten thousand strings of cash in your belt, ride a crane to Yangzhou.' Why don't we take a trip south?"
Li Shimin looked at him quizzically, "Is there anything fun in Yangzhou?"
Fang Er said mysteriously, "Of course. This is the capital, with Tatars outside and unrest within. Even if those merchants aren't foolish, they wouldn't be conducting any reckless business here, would they?"
In reality, that was precisely the situation.
The Qing had previously reached the outskirts of Beijing. Wealthy merchants, especially those from the south, had already fled with their families.
Those remaining in the capital were almost all local businesses or small ventures.
Finding a place of fun was indeed not easy.
Once the destination was decided, they sent someone back to the Huangji Hall to request a subordinate familiar with the southern region to act as a guide from Luo Yangxing.
Before long, Ge Luoyang returned with a short, thin man.
"Your subordinate, Commander Chong Lou of the Brocade Guards, greets you, Lord!"
Fang Er nodded slightly and asked with a smile, "Commander Chong, is your family from the south?"
Chong Lou respectfully cupped his fists, "Reporting to you, Lord, your subordinate is from Fujian."
Hearing the accent, which confused 'f' and 'h', Fang Er smiled.
Hahahaha!! Yes, yes, with that accent, you are exactly the guide I'm looking for!
After three days, the tank reappeared on the streets of Beijing.
On the day they entered the city, due to the darkness and shelling, the citizens had all hidden in their homes, not daring to show themselves. Thus, this was the first time the common people saw the tank.
"What is this thing? It can crush bluestone slabs like this!"
"Hiss~ Feel that, the ground is trembling, this thing has immense power!"
"Exactly, it must be a treasure for plowing fields!"
Amidst the public's murmurs, the tank left Beijing and proceeded southeast.
Three hours later, they arrived outside Tianjin at a fishing village.
Li Shimin jumped down from the turret and asked Fang Er confusedly, "Is there anything fun here?"
Fang Er smiled slightly and replied, "You all wait here for a moment. I'll have someone bring a boat over, and we'll travel by boat."
After saying that, he left alone.
When he had gone a little further, he summoned a Jihu electric vehicle. The advantage of this vehicle was its quiet operation, which wouldn't attract attention.
After walking along the coast for a while, he put away the electric vehicle and brought out a yacht.
When the white yacht appeared before everyone, Old Li grinned.
Hahahaha, you always have a way. With this, we can save a lot of time on the journey.
The yacht, with a top speed of 120 kilometers per hour, could reach Fujian from Tianjin in at most two days, making the original two-month journey through the Great Ming much more relaxed.
Commander Chong Lou was speechless upon seeing the pleasure cruise ship.
The speed at which this thing had approached from a distance was beyond his comprehension.
He had never seen a ship that could travel so fast.
After everyone had boarded the ship, the bright white deck and the leather sofas inside opened his eyes even further.
As the yacht departed the fishing village, its arrow-like speed caused the fishermen and coastal residents to stop their work and offer respectful salutes.
Well, they were actually startled.