These fellows are pure thrill-seekers, never afraid to stir up trouble.
Despite being provincial governors, they actually wanted to abandon their posts and go adventuring with him!
What's more, they all solemnly guaranteed that their military affairs were properly arranged, leaving Fang Er no room to refuse.
With things having reached this point, he had no choice but to agree, and with a grimace, he nodded.
"Since all you elder brothers have spoken so highly of it, then let us go together."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Yaojin's expression of discontent vanished, replaced by a wide, beaming smile as he said,
"Hahahaha~ Brother Fang is truly one of us! Tell me, when do we leave?"
Fang Er replied, "Once the selected candidates from various regions arrive in sufficient numbers, we will depart first. The rest will be escorted by the Skyfire Army. How does that sound?"
Matters in the Americas could not afford to wait; he had to return as soon as possible. He could only transport these officials in batches.
After staying in Chang'an for two days, the number of selected candidates from various regions reached over two thousand.
These individuals traveled to Panjin in the transport team's vehicles, while Fang Er, along with Cheng Yaojin and the others, set off ahead to prepare the necessary supplies for the sea voyage.
Upon arriving in Shenyang, he found an excuse to hand Cheng Yaojin and the others over to Chai Shao, and then proceeded to Panjin with Wang Xuance.
There were still three passenger liners in the system's warehouse, items that had not been revealed before.
Much like the process of releasing the Varyag aircraft carrier, after the helicopter flew a certain distance from the coast, with a wave of his hand, a passenger liner appeared on the sea.
The next moment, his heart was filled with regret.
Regret that he hadn't brought out this ship sooner!
He had no concept of passenger liners; he had never taken one in his previous life, nor had he paid attention to them.
Who would have thought that this thing would be so luxurious!
"Zhonghua Fuxing" (中华复兴 - China's Revival) were the four characters printed on the hull; they were likely the ship's model or designation.
After instructing Wang Xuance to land the helicopter on the deck, Fang Er opened the cabin door and leaped out.
The entire ship featured an intelligent control system and an intelligent engine room, equipped with two 7000kw engines, boasting dual ship power systems, dual power supply systems, dual fire suppression systems, and other advanced facilities and equipment. The ship's deck could directly accommodate helicopter landings.
The ship was 212 meters long and 28.6 meters wide, with a gross tonnage of 45,000 tons.
It had a passenger capacity of 2,000, 3,070 meters of vehicle lane length, three vehicle decks, and a total loading lane length of 3,000 meters, capable of carrying over 350 vehicles of various sizes, possessing immense carrying capacity.
Its economical speed was 18.8 knots, with a maximum range of 5,000 nautical miles.
This was utter decadence!
The ship's interior even featured VIP sea-view suites, deluxe double rooms with observation balconies, and all passenger cabins utilized graded accommodations.
It housed large entertainment and leisure facilities such as a grand multi-functional performance hall, a children's play area, a shopping mall, an arcade, KTV, a starry sky cinema, and viewing areas – it was truly a mobile maritime city integrating travel, leisure, and entertainment!
Wang Xuance, having witnessed the various weaponry and equipment on the destroyers and aircraft carriers, found all the facilities on this ship incredibly novel.
However, he maintained his usual composure, not asking questions he shouldn't, not speaking what he shouldn't, suppressing all his curiosity.
The three massive parking decks below the main deck, which were not of much use, were filled by Fang Er with exchanged supply provisions.
Upon returning to the deck, Fang Er nodded at Wang Xuance with great satisfaction.
"I know you have a belly full of questions, but now is not the time to tell you.
"Wait a little longer, and I will tell you everything later."
Wang Xuance chuckled, "Everything depends on you, Lord Duke."
Fang Er smiled and patted him lightly on the shoulder, then instructed him to go back and bring over the craftsmen who knew how to operate fishing boats.
Since the establishment of the Panjin shipyard, the training of such personnel had never ceased.
Coupled with the fishing boats to practice on, these craftsmen were no longer unfamiliar with modern vessels.
Or rather, they could no longer be called craftsmen; "sailors" would be a more fitting description.
While Wang Xuance was away, he released the other two ships.
There were many people to be taken to the Americas this time, not just the prospective officials who were still en route.
To prevent any troublemakers among the immigrants from causing incidents, he also planned to bring a portion of the Skyfire Army to provide armed suppression if necessary.
Facing hundreds of millions of immigrants, the five thousand troops from the Dengzhou Governor's Office alone were far from sufficient.
When Wang Xuance brought the sailors over by helicopter, these individuals, upon seeing three more massive ships they had never seen before, found themselves beyond shock, experiencing only numbness.
Anyone who was shocked every few days would eventually become like them.
Li Shun and Lu Fei were still in the Americas. The foremen among these crew members stepped forward to salute Fang Er.
"Fu En greets the Lord Duke."
Fang Er nodded slightly at them, then pointed to the three ships and said, "You will work separately and learn how to operate them in the shortest possible time."
"Old Wang, take them to the bridge."
Fu En bowed in assent and then followed Wang Xuance towards the bridge with the others.
With the ships and supplies settled, upon returning to Shenyang, he did not seek out Cheng Yaojin and the others. Instead, he first went to find Sun Simiao.
At the Duke's Estate, in the Hundred Herbs Pavilion.
Fang Er pushed open the door and saw two bathtubs placed in the courtyard.
The two young boys, Fang Xin and Fang Xia, were splashing around and playing in the water.
Sun Simiao was writing something nearby, while Changsun Ling'er and Fang Fengzhu were watching the two children.
Hearing footsteps, old Sun looked up and saw Fang Er. He put down his brush, stroked his beard, and chuckled.
"This old Taoist thought you had forgotten these two children, young friend. You've been back for so many days and haven't even come to see them. Aren't you afraid this old Taoist will mess them up?"
"Ah~ As long as you like them, feel free to mess them up. We can always have more~"
Fang Er replied with a smile, picked up a chair, and sat down beside him.
His words amused Changsun Ling'er and the others. She covered her mouth and laughed, "Brother Fang, those words are so insincere. Just you wait, I'll go tell Sister Yue'er about this later."
Fang Er quickly said, "Miss Ling'er, I consider you all family, which is why I speak so carelessly. If you go and report me behind my back, that would be very unkind, wouldn't it?"
Changsun Ling'er's cheeks instantly flushed red. She playfully chided, "Hmph! Who is family to you~ Brother Fang, don't speak nonsense. If this gets out, how will we sisters ever get married~"
Fang Fengzhu laughed, "Sister Ling'er, Brother Fang clearly mentioned your name just now, why did you include us?"
Zhang Yuanshuang also chimed in, "Exactly, exactly. Don't drag us into this. We have nothing to do with this matter~"
Fang Xin, who was soaking in the medicinal bath in the tub, saw them talking animatedly and shouted with his big eyes, "I want all of them! All of them~"
Hearing this, Fang Er's face immediately turned as dark as the bottom of a pot.
"Go back to your bath! You little rascal, why are you everywhere!"
ps: One chapter first. I have social engagements tonight, will post later.