January 3, 1994, the first working day of the new year.
The Hong Kong Government Gazette, published by the foreign Governor, announced the changes to the Police Force's Commissioned Rank officers for 1994.
Zhou Quan stood at the very top of the list of newly promoted Commissioned Rank officers.
At the meeting auditorium in West Kowloon Headquarters, not a single officer with a pip on their shoulders was absent.
Under the burning gazes of all the Sirs and Madams, Commissioner Wong personally changed Zhou Quan's epaulettes.
The original three Bath Stars were replaced by gleaming new crowns.
Catching sight of his new epaulettes out of the corner of his eye, Zhou Quan looked all the more radiant.
His only slight regret was that the insignia on his shoulders was not the Special Administrative Region emblem.
But that hardly mattered. Once Hong Kong Island returned, he could simply exchange it for a newer, higher-ranking one.
Seeing his junior so full of confidence, Commissioner Wong, too, felt deeply gratified and excited.
He wanted to draw Zhou Quan aside for a few heartfelt words, but there were still plenty of outsiders present.
"Stay humble and levelheaded! Keep up the good work!"
Commissioner Wong restrained his emotions. In the end, he merely gave Zhou Quan a firm pat on the shoulder and smiled as he offered his encouragement.
After straightening Zhou Quan's pristine white uniform with care, Commissioner Wong turned and returned to the rear of the dais, taking the central seat at the long conference table.
Zhou Quan, meanwhile, remained at the front of the dais.
Although his epaulettes had been changed, there was still another important matter to settle at today's ceremony.
"I will now read West Kowloon Region's Document No. 940001!"
After Commissioner Wong took his seat, the refined Internal Affairs