Xuanqing Guard

The confiscated items needed to be carefully verified before being handed over, and that very night, the procedure was held on the drill grounds of the Jingxi Town Governor’s Office; Shen Hao and Jiang Cheng were both present.

There were also three Golden Sword Cultivators and over a dozen eunuchs from the palace in attendance.

The Golden Sword Cultivators were there to verify the rare treasures, elixirs, magical artifacts, and the like that had been seized, serving as witnesses, while the eunuchs belonged to the Imperial Palace Internal Affairs Bureau, naturally coming to claim a portion of the confiscated goods.

Several copies of the inventory were transcribed; Shen Hao and Jiang Cheng each had one, as did the Golden Sword Cultivators and eunuchs. Because the accountant of Xu Mansion had been captured earlier, Jiang Cheng and the palace people even had a confession; after checking against the list Shen Hao provided, they looked over in surprise.

Jiang Cheng gave Shen Hao a smiling nod, certainly with great subtlety. But the lead eunuch donned an exaggerated expression, repeatedly praising Shen Hao’s incorruptibility.

Incorruptible? Me?

It was the first time Shen Hao had ever heard someone evaluate him that way. The reason was that he hadn’t withheld anything during this confiscation—the inventory matched the figures from Xu Family’s accountant almost exactly. Jiang Cheng, used to officials who skimmed off the top, quietly praised Shen Hao for being "understanding," while the eunuch found it even more peculiar: "So there really are honest men in this world? Tsk tsk, is he stupid?"

The handover only concluded near dawn. Satisfied, the eunuchs departed with their wagons and horses; from their manner, one could see they were taking away half of the confiscated goods, mainly silver coins, and surprisingly asking less for elixirs and the like.

"You’re quite clever, kid. I didn’t expect His Majesty would directly send Internal Affairs to participate in the handover, but you managed to take precautions. This time, leaving a ’clean’ impression in front of Yao Xiaotian will do you good in the future." No sooner had the eunuchs left, Jiang Cheng chuckled and patted Shen Hao’s shoulder, teasing him.

Clean? Shen Hao had never considered that before.

Would this count as an unexpected gain?

"My lord, just now you mentioned Yao Xiaotian?"

"Yes, that was the eunuch who praised you. Chief Steward of the palace’s Internal Affairs—no official rank and not technically an officer, but he grew up as His Majesty’s companion in study, and is close to the throne; a useful person at critical moments."

Shen Hao nodded repeatedly, but he didn’t care much in his heart. He was only a Junior Fifth Grade Hundred Households right now, a lofty post perhaps, but still far from someone favored by the Emperor like Yao Xiaotian.

"Later, have your people take one-tenth of the leftovers from my side—don’t complain it’s little. The Commander’s Office will need to record these items as well; take some back and give your men a little reward for their errands."

This wasn’t embezzlement, but rather an official retention. In a Local Government Office, the proceeds from confiscation would be submitted to the National Treasury, but the Xuanqing Guard belonged to the Emperor’s private army, supplied by the Internal Affairs Bureau, so what was confiscated belonged to Internal Affairs and the various Xuanqing Guards.

How these retained items were divided up depended on the inclinations of each Chief Officer.

"Thank you, my lord." There’s no reason to refuse a benefit—Shen Hao accepted readily, clasping his hands in thanks.

While items were still being divvied up on the drill grounds, Jiang Cheng had Shen Hao accompany him for a walk, taking the chance to give advance notice about some matters.

"This matter can be considered settled. Your merit is evident to all, and your swift handling of Xu Hong has many singing your praises. Hahaha."

"My lord flatters me; luck played its part as well..."

His humble words were cut short as Jiang Cheng waved his hand and shook his head: "No need for modesty. Luck is part of one’s ability—had it been someone else, without your fortune, this would not have been accomplished. So even if the case gets suddenly sealed from above, it has nothing to do with you. What reward you’re due will still be given."

Reward?

Shen Hao pricked up his ears, but didn’t hold much hope in his heart.

He’d already considered that, no matter how great his merit this time, he’d likely only be rewarded with some elixirs and merit. He wouldn’t be promoted in rank or office—he was too young and inexperienced. Besides, the Black Banner Battalion in Fengri City was now a prime spot for collecting merit and seniority; why else had he worked so hard to make it a "trial program?" It was all for future planning.

So Shen Hao’s expectation for "reward" was limited; he meant to treat it more as a step in accumulation.

But as soon as Jiang Cheng began, his words set the tone, and Shen Hao’s little heart was instantly suspended.

"Your abilities are clear to all, and your potential considerable. You’ve performed well, so I plan to give you a heavier responsibility."

Shen Hao’s steps paused, then he quickly caught up, cautiously saying, "Thank you for your trust, my lord. But Fengri City only just got started, and many things are still in the early stages. If I..."

"Stop, I haven’t finished speaking—how do you know you’re going to be transferred?"

"Ah? But there’s no vacancy at Fengri City, so..."

Jiang Cheng laughed: "Fengri City Black Banner Battalion was something I initiated while serving as Thousand Households there. Later placed under your command, you turned it into something truly impressive—and now it’s the Dynasty’s only ’trial program.’ That’s a fine place! Never mind whether you want to leave or not—even if you did, I’d keep you there, lest the advantage go to someone else. Besides, many affairs can’t do without you at Fengri City."

"Your luck is remarkable; thanks to the ’trial program’ you devised, we’ve been able to break with convention for a proper pretext."

After a pause, Jiang Cheng continued: "I’m preparing to promote you one level in position, to Deputy Thousand Households. Rank will remain Junior Fifth Grade. No need for anyone’s vacancy; simply put, your current Black Banner Battalion Hundred Households post will be upgraded to a Deputy Thousand Households post."

Shen Hao felt a burst of delight inside.

No transfer necessary, promoted in place, including a half-grade bump in position—such a move hadn’t been seen in the Jingjiu Dynasty, but could now be justified by the ’trial program.’ The benefits were real and tangible.

No need to leave Fengri City, that prime spot for building credentials, and still get promoted—a nearly perfect gain.

"Thank you for your nurturing, my lord! I shall remember this to my dying day!" Shen Hao dropped to one knee, clasped his fists, and expressed his thanks.

"Rise; this is what you deserve."

"Without your support all along, my lord, I could never have achieved what I have today!" Shen Hao spoke from the bottom of his heart; Jiang Cheng truly had no complaints about him.

"Enough, don’t play at sentimentality. As long as you remember it in your heart, that’s enough. Stand up." With that, he reached out to lift Shen Hao’s arm.

Shen Hao rose, and thanked him again.

"After this case is closed, have you any plans for your next step?"

"My lord, I plan to further refine the Black Water Plan. This time, many involved on the Border Army and Jingxi Army sides will be implicated—it’s just the right moment for our entry..."