Shen Hao hadn’t expected the commendation from the Jingxi Town Governor’s Office to come down so soon after he returned from the Imperial City.

The pretext surely wouldn’t be the previous incident at Tu Kui City’s Sword Emperor’s Tomb—Xuanqing Guard’s performance was mediocre at best and riddled with errors; didn’t you see their commander, Wu Changhe, thrown into prison at the time?

So this commendation was issued mainly for the earlier case of the plague concealment in Pingshun City, and the discovery at the Special Land.

Ordinary silver coins meant nothing to Shen Hao anymore; what really delighted him were four other things.

The first was what Jiang Chengjiu had hinted at earlier: a promotion in rank, from Senior Sixth Grade Hundred Households up to Junior Fifth Grade Deputy Thousand Households.

Don’t underestimate this half-grade leap—for most people, getting past the Fifth Grade threshold is a lifetime’s struggle. And Shen Hao isn’t even thirty years old yet.

The post also holds real power.

Looking across the entire Jingjiu Dynasty, you could count on one hand those Shen Hao’s age sitting in a position of authority and bearing a Vice Junior Fifth Grade rank.

On one hand, Shen Hao had indeed accomplished quite a few major things these past two years—his achievements speak for themselves. On another, fate and circumstance played their part; he climbed aboard the "Black Banner Battalion" at just the right moment, and thanks to insight and timing, seized the opportunity before anyone else. Afterward, his ascent was all but assured.

Lastly, Jiang Cheng’s support was indispensable. Shen Hao was truly grateful to this superior. Not only did Jiang give him full trust, but also ample assistance, never failing to remember him when fortune smiled. Take this promotion: if Jiang hadn’t deliberately withheld the commendation until Shen Hao’s Cultivation advanced, he might have had to wait for another round to step into the ranks of Junior Fifth-Grade Officials.

One could say Shen Hao reached the Junior Fifth-Grade rank by his own merit, plus luck and connections.

Looking at the faces of his colleagues reading the announcement around him, not a single one was genuinely happy for Shen Hao. Probably only those Xuanqing Guard soldiers he’d saved back at Tu Kui City would offer sincere congratulations, while the others were quietly inventing all sorts of stories about him.

Even Tang Qingyuan, who was closest to Shen Hao, offered a somewhat forced smile. Not out of malice, but simply hadn’t come to terms with the gap—he himself took decades to reach Junior Fifth Grade, yet Shen Hao made it from Xiaoqi to Deputy Thousand Households in just over two years.

The comparison would drive anyone insane.

Aside from the rank promotion, Shen Hao’s position remained unchanged; he would continue as Hundred Households of Black Banner Battalion in Fengri City.

Previously, Shen Hao was Senior Sixth Grade Hundred Households Officer—same rank as any local Garrison’s Hundred Households Officer—but now he was Junior Fifth Grade Hundred Households Officer, half a rank above local Garrison Chief Officers. Henceforth, no one could use "dual affiliation" to challenge his authority within the Black Banner Battalion.

This was the first reward that truly pleased Shen Hao. The second was merit: he was awarded a full Four Transitions!

Adding the previous First-Grade Viscount and Five Transitions, it brought him right up to Second-Grade Viscount.

The benefits of his title hadn’t yet materialized, but Shen Hao knew that as it rose, he’d secure an invisible status within Jingjiu Dynasty’s upper tiers—sometimes no less significant than position, and, more importantly, easier for high-ranking families to accept.

Of course, with promotion of title and rank, Shen Hao felt immediate practical benefits: Xuanqing Guard had reassigned him an estate, three times the size of his previous one, ready for him to move in any time.

With increased rank and title, there were two other tangible benefits—both part of the same package.

A new Yanji Saber, and a top-grade Magical Artifact!

It’s said that usually only Senior Fifth Grade ranks get issued top-grade Magical Artifacts, so Shen Hao receiving one at Junior Fifth Grade is rare indeed.

Of course, as with previously issued Standard Magical Artifacts, these items were strictly for use, not ownership. Should Shen Hao be relieved of duty or die, they would be reclaimed immediately.

The final reward paired with the new Yanji Saber: a saber technique titled "Light Splitting Slash."

This was Shen Hao’s first encounter with a systematic saber technique; he’d previously learned from Xuanqing Guard-issued manuals, mostly a jumble of military moves—effective but not coherent.

So this saber and its technique gave Shen Hao something he desperately needed. He still remembered being completely suppressed by swordsmanship in the Cloud Sword Domain, that moment when the illusionary Cloud Sword overwhelmed him. Now, with an actual saber technique, his situation should greatly improve.

Not only did Shen Hao receive substantial rewards, but the Black Banner Battalion soldiers also drew widespread attention with their commendations. Even the Thousand Households Guard who’d reinforced Pingshun City were handsomely rewarded—none were forgotten.

"Follow Lord Shen and you’ll eat meat!"

This saying first spread from Li City Black Banner Battalion, then to Thousand Households Station. Many scoffed at the time, but now, seeing every rewarded person’s beaming smile, it was clear that following Shen really meant eating meat, and with full legitimacy, too.

That night, Shen Hao hosted a banquet for everyone close to him, setting a table at the restaurant.

This was a rare grand occasion for Shen Hao. Previously, when promoted to Trial Hundred Households, he’d only invited Tang Qingyuan.

Wang Jian, Wang Yiming, Tang Qingyuan, Zhu Shou, Chen Tianwen, Liu Kuan, Zhang Qian, Gan Lin—all attended.

The wine was Wuliangye, of course. The connoisseurs toasted and exclaimed their delight, while lighter drinkers like Wang Jian ended up scratching their heads in drunken confusion yet still forced themselves to praise "good wine," drawing sympathetic glances from others.

The feast dissolved into several groups by the end. Those led by Zhang Qian and Gan Lin grew lively, planning to head to Hong’en Hall for more drinks and entertainment. Shen Hao didn’t follow; he and Tang Qingyuan went to the tea room instead.

As for Wang Yiming and Wang Jian, the attendants had to carry them home directly—their drinking was truly remarkable.

Shen Hao wasn’t much of a tea expert, but Tang Qingyuan was a seasoned hand, guiding Shen Hao effortlessly to one of his usual tea rooms.

The tea room was quiet. Tang Qingyuan brewed tea himself, while Shen Hao sat opposite at the tea table.

"You’re skipping Zhang Qian’s crowd and their flower wine, pulling me here for tea—surely you have something to say? Here." Tang Qingyuan finished brewing a pot, poured Shen Hao a cup and handed it over.

"Zhang Qian and the others are not just after flower wine—they’re going to find women. If I want to go, it’s no rush. In fact, I wanted to discuss something with Lord Tang."

The mood was subtle.

Originally, Tang Qingyuan was Shen Hao’s superior’s superior; back then, Shen Hao was a Small Banner Officer, Tang Qingyuan was Hundred Households. Later, Tang Qingyuan personally sent Shen Hao to the Black Banner Camp Commander post—lighting his path to promotion. Shen Hao rose steadily, and now matched Tang Qingyuan in rank. If you left out Tang’s current "Acting Chief Officer" label, Shen Hao actually wielded more real power.

"What’s up? Don’t tell me you’ve decided to agree to that marriage proposal again?" Tang Qingyuan chuckled, making a joke, but couldn’t help feeling awkward inside—like a veteran swept aside by the rising tide.

"Lord Tang, what do you think about the vacant Chief Officer position at Thousand Households Station this time?"