Shen Hao awoke, feeling not the slightest fatigue from last night's venting; instead, his body felt light and refreshed.
After washing up, attended by the maid, he left a silver note by the pillow and departed Hong'en Hall. On the way, he bought two roasted sweet potatoes for breakfast. While buying them, Shen Hao noticed a group of ragged refugees gathered not far from the stall, staring at the sweet potatoes in his hand but not daring to approach.
He ate as he walked, all the way into the Thousand Households Station, drawing sidelong glances from many inside. Apparently, no one had seen a Lord Hundred Households eating as he walked. Only when Shen Hao moved off did they whisper to each other, oh, so this is the newly appointed Hundred Households Officer of the Black Banner Battalion?
At the hour of Si, Shen Hao entered the council chamber, where four General Flag Officers dressed in Junior Sixth Grade black robes rose in unison.
"Subordinates greet Lord Shen!"
