 As Qingyun waits for his inauguration, he tries to make friends with other members of the aristocracy and government bureaucracy.Erhu, however, has become jaded by the war, and does improper things such as handing out bonus pay without permission.As rumors spread among the Imperial aristocracy about his lack of control over his subordinates (particularly Erhu), Qingyun reluctantly arranges for Erhu's assassination, fearing a loss of reputation and the potential loss of his ability to implement social change.