By the time Shen Hao woke up, the sun was already well up in the sky.
He shook his head, still feeling a bit of a headache—he'd really drunk too much yesterday.
He grabbed the teapot from the table and gulped down a couple mouthfuls of tea. Only after letting out a deep breath did he feel somewhat awake.
Last night, Shen Hao didn't stay over at Lai Feng Building; he knew his own habits well—if a woman was beside him when he woke, he'd definitely spend the whole morning fooling around. He had matters to attend to today and couldn't afford any delays.
He rinsed himself off with cold water hauled from the well in the courtyard, put on clean clothes, and headed out. He was to visit the Garrison today to chat with Chen Tianwen; he couldn't just accept the reward and forget his superiors.
Upon entering the Garrison, Shen Hao immediately felt plenty of eyes sizing him up—some even whispering. He figured the news about the reward had spread; after all, such a generous reward wasn't common.
He knocked on the door.
"Come in, please."
"General Flag, still busy?"
Chen Tianwen put down his brush, looked up with a beaming smile, and pointed to a nearby chair for Shen Hao to sit.
"Shen Hao, you got your reward, right?"
"I did. I came to thank you, General Flag, for your support." Shen Hao didn't rush to sit, instead honestly stood there.
Chen Tianwen laughed, "You, Shen Hao, are truly capable, who needs support? This time you earned your merit by your own skills. No need to thank me!"
Shen Hao felt something was off about this remark, but didn't have time to dwell on it, and quickly said, "General Flag, what are you saying? If it weren't for you negotiating and backing me at the front, with just my few moves, I'd be nothing—how could I earn merit? It's your leadership that made it possible."
That was the truth. If Chen Tianwen hadn't approved those three Thunder Charms for Shen Hao, he might very well already be dead. And later, so many skilled reinforcements ended up arriving—otherwise, catching the Qingjiang Crane would've been impossible.
As he spoke, Shen Hao discreetly took a small copper box out from his chest and placed it on Chen Tianwen's desk.
"There's no proper way to thank you, so I offer this as a token—a borrowed flower offered to Buddha. Please, General Flag, don't dislike it."
Shen Hao was here to nurture relationships; empty words wouldn't do, and he couldn't just give silver coins, so the Small Nourishing Pill he'd received yesterday was perfect for gifting.
He'd gotten two, and could accept giving one away—even though his heart ached badly. But he had no roots or connections; without doing this, he'd never survive these circles.
Unexpectedly, Chen Tianwen pushed the copper box back to him.
"General Flag, you…"
Chen Tianwen shook his head, cutting him off: "I know the current atmosphere isn't great, but I don't need to fight you for elixirs. Plus, you risked your life for this—if I took it, would I even be a proper person? Put it away, don't make me angry!"
The righteous tone left Shen Hao a bit dazed—this isn't the Chen Tianwen he remembered, since when did this General Flag become so upright?
But seeing his serious face, not acting, Shen Hao could only awkwardly take the copper box back.
Once Shen Hao retrieved the box, Chen Tianwen's smile returned, and he continued chatting like he was making small talk—as if today he was especially free?
"Shen Hao, I recall your ancestral home is in Xinliang City, Jingzhong, right?"
"Uh? Yes."
"At thirteen you traveled and became a Cultivator, at eighteen you joined our Li City Xuanqing Guard—it's been eight years now. When you first arrived, you worked under the old General Flag, right?"
"Yes, served under him for three years, then after he left, I followed you."
"That's right, time really flies. I've always been relying on you quite a bit."
The more Shen Hao listened, the more it felt off—what was Chen Tianwen getting at? Why so suddenly polite?
"General Flag, I'm not worth such praise! I've learned a lot following you, that's the truth—otherwise I'd still be just an ordinary soldier, not knowing if I'd live or die."
Chen Tianwen smiled happily, not really responding. After a pause, he suddenly asked, "Now that your ability and experience are enough, have you considered taking on more responsibilities?"
Is this… a promotion?!
But then, Shen Hao instantly dismissed the idea.
Li City Guard Station was fully staffed, from Hundred Households down to School Commander—there were no vacancies. Even if someone wanted to promote him, there wasn't a position to fill.
"General Flag, your subordinate doesn't quite understand."
"What's so hard to understand? I'll speak plainly—your ability is recognized, and you're loyal, so the station plans to give you more work. Do you have any thoughts?"
It really is a promotion?!
"But General Flag, don't tell me you're planning to transfer me elsewhere?"
"Ha? Hahaha! What are you thinking? Talent like you—how could we transfer you and benefit outsiders? I'm talking about promoting you here in the Garrison. Any thoughts?"
"I'll definitely obey arrangements, but the station doesn't seem to have vacancies?"
"None right now, but soon there will be."
"?" Shen Hao was puzzled, wondering if some General Flag was about to be reassigned?
Chen Tianwen just shrugged, spreading his hands: "Don't look at me—it's Lord Hundred Household's idea. I'm not clear on the specifics. He just asked me to touch base with you first. If you're okay with it, Lord Hundred Household will talk to you personally."
So it all comes back to this! Shen Hao felt a bit more certain—no wonder Chen Tianwen was so strange today, turns out he was acting under Tang Qingyuan's orders.
But how exactly was Tang Qingyuan going to promote him?
"Well, since you're early, timing's perfect—Lord Hundred Household's in the Public Office today. I'll take you over."
Chen Tianwen was especially proactive; though Tang Qingyuan hadn't told him details, he had his own plans. Shen Hao was currently a Small Banner Officer, and one promotion would make him a Senior Seventh Grade General Flag—then he'd be on equal footing with Chen Tianwen, a colleague rather than subordinate. If nothing else, keeping things friendly meant easier dealings in future.
Having another ally in the Garrison made everything much easier.
...
When knocking open Lord Hundred Household Tang Qingyuan's Public Office door, Chen Tianwen was a frequent visitor, but Shen Hao was there for the first time and felt inexplicably tense.
"Mm, Old Chen, trouble you, but you can go back—I'll talk to Shen Hao alone."
"Ah? Yes, sir, I'll take my leave then."
"Mm."
Chen Tianwen had barely brought Shen Hao in when Tang Qingyuan dismissed him after just a couple words—probably just as confused.
Tang Qingyuan sat in the chair, finished his work, and finally looked up at the slightly nervous Shen Hao.
"I assume General Flag Chen already filled you in?"
"Yes."
"Good. But have you ever wondered why someone like you—a rootless, connectionless Small Banner Officer—gets a promotion instead of those noble offspring? Is your ability truly that much better?"
"That... I don't know, I ask sir to clarify."
"Simple—I need someone capable with a clean background to help me, and right now you're the best choice."
Tang Qingyuan spoke while pulling out a dossier from the drawer and handing it to Shen Hao.
"Have a look first; we'll talk after you finish reading."