After New Year's Day in 1995, on the first working day of the year.
The Hong Kong Government Gazette published the news that Royal Superintendent Zhou Quan had been promoted to Senior Superintendent.
He had been transferred from deputy head of the West Kowloon Operations Department to deputy head of the Security Department at Police Force Headquarters.
The Police Force's commissioned-rank management, who had already discussed it with Number One, reacted very calmly.
Below commissioned-rank management, however, an uproar instantly broke out.
Even the chiefs of the various districts were filled with disbelief.
The senior superintendents of the various districts were naturally familiar with Sergeant Zhou of West Kowloon, known for his tough methods and style and his rapid rise through the ranks.
But precisely because of that, they were shocked by Zhou Quan's promotion.
After all, Zhou Quan had only crossed the threshold into the commissioned ranks last year.
Yet in just one short year, he had been promoted again?
At this rate, in five years at most, he could complete the journey they had spent a dozen or even twenty years struggling through in the Police Force.
Calling his rise rapid no longer did it justice. Even a rocket probably could not match that speed of promotion.
Still, when they thought of Zhou Quan's remarkable, illustrious service record, along with the current Number One's own rise through the ranks.
The district chiefs felt somewhat less troubled by the complicated emotions deep in their hearts.
Compared with Zhou Quan's promotions to superintendent and senior superintendent a year apart.
The career of the newly appointed Number One was clearly far more extraordinary.
Riding the momentum of the Motherland's sweeping victory in its contest with the Foreigners' home base, Sir Hui had successfully secured the position of Deputy Commissioner of Police.