The scene opens with the arrival of a letter from the emperor. It is a royal decree granting Jimingi County's magistrate the rank of a "study companion" . The magistrate, who is wearing an embroidered uniform, kneels before the emperor and accepts the decree. He tells the military supervisor that he is working for the prince. The military supervisor tells him that the prince wants to learn how to train soldiers in combat skills and military tactics. He also tells the magistrate to set off immediately to train the soldiers.