A pungent, spicy aroma wafted out from the kitchen. Xia Nu, who couldn’t tolerate spicy food, had already shrunk away timidly, her sensitive nose unable to handle such a bracing smell—it made her quite uncomfortable.

But for those who loved spicy food, this aroma was exactly what roused their appetites—it teased the palate, making one’s mouth water, leaving an irresistible urge for more.

This was the "Poached Fish" Aunt Zhang had made based on Shen Hao’s description, a dish with the right balance of sour and spicy. Shen Hao had always been fond of it, and after more than eight years, tasting this familiar flavor again left him overwhelmed with emotions.

He could only heap praise on Aunt Zhang’s culinary skills.

In truth, Aunt Zhang no longer needed to work as a cook in Shen Hao’s home. The business at the Zhang Family’s Wine Shop was thriving beyond words. These days, many outsiders would come before dawn, drawn by its fame, just to wait for the daily quota of twenty jars of Wuliangye. The family had long since become fabulously wealthy, built a big house, a new wine cellar, and hired plenty of staff. Even the son who once wasn’t given the time of day now had matchmakers knocking on their door.

Whenever she thought of these things, Aunt Zhang couldn’t help but sing Master Shen’s praises, saying the whole family had been blessed—such days were once beyond imagining.

The Zhang Family was loyal and grateful, and also not foolish—they knew the importance of passing on their craft. The brewing recipe, learned from Shen Hao and painstakingly refined, was never for sale, no matter how much anyone offered. Others might gnash their teeth, but didn’t dare push hard—after all, with Shen Hao’s backing up above, it was different from other families, who’d be stripped clean in no time.

Despite her wealth, Aunt Zhang still did the cooking out of gratitude; she said it was the least she could do to repay his kindness. But Shen Hao wouldn’t be able to enjoy her cooking much longer—once he left for Fengri City, Aunt Zhang wouldn’t follow. The only ones going were Hu Tian, Xiaoma, and Xia Nu.

Poached fish, sweet and sour pork, tofu with scallions, stir-fried baby bok choy, cold sliced pork, pork rib soup, and a jar of Wuliangye.

The guest he invited was, as always, Chen Tianwen.

"Tsk tsk, I didn’t expect Commander Shen—no, rather, Lord Shen, even after your promotion, you’d still invite me to dinner. What an honor!" Chen Tianwen grinned, raising his wine bowl to clink with Shen Hao’s before downing it in one gulp. He hadn’t been much of a drinker, but lately he’d shown signs of turning into a lush—it was all Wuliangye’s fault. Compared to other liquors, Wuliangye was just too smooth, like drinking silver itself—what a pleasure!

"Try the fish. It’s a new dish."

"Mmm! Oh! Full of flavor! Perfect with wine!"

"Bang!"

Once the fish was finished and half the jar of wine drained, Chen Tianwen was flushed, his words tinged with wine.

"Lord Shen, you never take a loss. Tell me, is there something you want me to sort out for you this time, since you’ve invited me for drinks?" Chen Tianwen’s words were casual, but a shrewd light flashed in his gaze.

Shen Hao poured him another bowl of wine and filled his own, then spoke: "I’ll be leaving soon for my new post in Fengri City. The Li City operation—I built it up from nothing. I don’t feel at ease handing it to someone else. Will you help me?"

"Crack!" Chen Tianwen snapped the bamboo chopsticks in his hand without realizing it, staring at Shen Hao in disbelief. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"What, you’re not willing? If you come to the Black Banner Battalion, your official rank will rise by half a grade, and you’ll have more independence—you won’t have to report to the Hundred Households of the Li City Guard Station for everything. Also, once I’m the Black Banner Camp Commander in Fengri City, I can coordinate with you, and the prospects are far better than staying in the C Flag. Frankly, with your age and cultivation, if you want to climb higher, you need a new path."

"Why... choose me?"

"You’re the best fit."

Chen Tianwen just smiled in silence, keeping his feelings to himself. Over the past half year, he’d shown goodwill and placed his bets on Shen Hao instead of Tang Qingyuan, impressed by Shen Hao’s potential and character. Backing someone early on might well pay off handsomely—he just hadn’t expected it would come this soon.

Beyond the straight half-grade promotion to Black Banner Camp Commander, the autonomy of the Black Banner camp was itself superior to being one of the Six Flags subordinates within the Xuanqing Guard.

Still, Chen Tianwen hadn’t expected that the coveted opportunity so many were eyeing would land in his lap.

Should he accept? There was no need to hesitate.

He raised his wine bowl and toasted Shen Hao—thus, the matter was settled.

"After I leave, you’ll need to quickly fill out the remaining squad in the Black Banner Battalion. The personnel are up to you, but keep one thing in mind: bring in as many unattached people as you can—keep the numbers of Nobles and military men lower, though not absent. It’s all about having the right mix."

"Don’t worry, my lord. I understand." Chen Tianwen, switching from casual to proper formality, presented himself accordingly.

With Chen Tianwen’s post set, Shen Hao then reassured Wang Jian and Zhang Liao. As for whether they had other thoughts, Shen Hao didn’t care. He believed both men were shrewd enough to understand the stakes—they simply weren’t up to the task of heading the Black Banner Camp.

As for whether Wang Jian and Zhang Liao might have conflicts with Chen Tianwen, Shen Hao wasn’t concerned—it was up to Chen Tianwen to handle them. If he couldn’t manage even this, he wouldn’t stay long in that seat.

...

On the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month, Shen Hao officially completed the handover and left for Fengri City ahead of Tang Qingyuan. Chen Tianwen, Wang Jian, Zhang Liao, and others came to see him off. Lin Xin’Er was there too, standing aside to bid him farewell, chatting in whispers with Xia Nu for some time.

For a moment, everyone was caught up in their own emotions; waving goodbye today, who knew what they’d feel next time they met?

...

By the time Shen Hao arrived in Fengri City, Jiang Cheng had already taken office—one day earlier than him. After completing the formalities, Shen Hao planned to pay his respects to the new Xuanqing Guard Steward in Fengri City, only to be told that Thousand Households Wu Changhe was out inspecting the lower cities and not at the Thousand Households Station. So, he followed a Trial Hundred Households from the station’s logistics to his assigned residence.

What Shen Hao liked most about the Xuanqing Guard was how well they looked after those with ranks—he never had to fuss over daily matters himself.

The new compound was smaller than the one in Li City—but in Fengri City, every inch of land was valuable. Being able to live in a separate residence near the Thousand Households Station was already quite a privilege.

Since Shen Hao brought his steward, servants, and slaves, the place was empty except for essential furnishings—he’d need to get it sorted himself soon.

Later, back at the Thousand Households Station, Shen Hao’s handover counterpart was a Trial Hundred Households named Wang Yiming, whom Shen Hao had met before and knew as former Deputy to Chen Yiyun.

"Where’s Hundred Households Chen off to, then?" Shen Hao asked casually.

"That... this subordinate does not know, sir."

Shen Hao made no response, keeping his head down as he continued going through the past half-year’s documents for the Black Banner Battalion at the Thousand Households Station: financial records, policies, petitions and paperwork from below, and orders from above.

By the time he looked up, it was already time for the lower emissaries to clock off.

"My lord, your carriage and two guards are ready and waiting outside."

"Mm. Notify all Black Banner Camp Commanders of the subordinate garrisons: the day after tomorrow at 7 a.m., come for a council meeting—no absences allowed."