| Duke Hyou | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese | Biao Gong/Lord Biao | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kanji | 麃公 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Romaji | Hyou Kou | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real Name | Hyou | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Epithet | Epitome of the Instinctual Type | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Biographical Information
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Professional Information
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Media
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Appearance
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| “ | I would never have imagined that there could exist someone who could conquer my "Ryuudou". Furthermore, to have achieved it just with "instinct" is even more unthinkable. Even Zhao's esteemed instinctual general Kei Sha was not able to decipher this "Ryuudou" a single time. It would appear that...you are a man who has surpassed the boundaries of my understanding, a general who is the true epitome of the instinctual type. You have my utmost respect. Duke Hyou. | ” |
—Ri Boku, commending Duke Hyou. | ||
Duke Hyou was a Great General of the Qin Military and the leader of the Duke Hyou Army. He was the state of Qin's most powerful Instinctual Type military commander who used crude tactics to upset the entirety of battlefields with his berserker behavior and often led suicidal charges.
Appearance[]
Duke Hyou was a large man with a warrior's build, grey, white hair, and large grey eyes that many called ferocious and beast-like, as well as sharp and fang like teeth. He has a long mustache and styles his beard into three long goatees. The Duke wore a red cloak on golden armor and wielded a glaive along with a spike rimmed shield.
Personality[]
Duke Hyou was known as a battle-thirsty and ruthless man who freely sacrificed the lives of his soldiers for the sake of victory. He displayed his intuitive instincts as he realizes the objective of Go Kei, who forced the fight to the Dakan Plains, and states that the field is where Wei war chariots are most effective.
He was a bold Great General as he led his soldiers on a charge against the Go Kei Army. From his point of view, war is a great blazing fire, and he strikes when that fire reaches the height of its strength. He respects opponents who are strong enough to give him a great fight as he says Go Kei showed a most impressive blaze in the end of their duel. However, during the midst of it, he mocked the Wei Great General for not having "the blood of a warrior" and called him a loser for his inability to let go of the bitterness from his past.
He also had a relaxed and joyous side, as he is seen celebrating alongside the Hi Shin Unit the night after Shin killed Man Goku and forced Ou Ki to have a drink with him after the victory of Dakan Plains. Having no children of his own, he began to treat Shin as a protégé of sorts on the battlefield prior to his death.
History[]
A baby Duke being born on the battlefield
According to the Duke himself, his mother apparently gave birth to him in the midst of an intense battlefield, and proceeded to grow up there too.
The Duke in his youth.
His successful career earned him the attention of the 28th Qin King Sho, who sent the Duke numerous summons to return to Kanyou. He ignored each and every one of them. He had no need for glamorous light or dream-like the Six Great Generals. From what he could see, the six of them were people who were pursuing a dream, who set foot onto the battlefield to chase after some sweet dream that resonated together with the dream of the "War God" King Sho. But for him it was different. For the Duke, the battlefield is his home, and to live is to wage war. So long as he could fight on the battlefield, emerge victoriously, and have delicious wine to sip during the night, then he was completely satisfied. For these reasons, he did not become a member of Qin's Six Great Generals as he wasn't interested.
Story[]
Keiyou Campaign Arc[]
Duke Hyou led an army of 150,000 to invade the neighboring state of Wei with the goal of capturing the city of Keiyou. He split the army into 6 separate divisions before they reached the Wei border. Upon hearing the word of the Wei army's advance from Keiyou to Asui, he told his officers of Go Kei's goal and changed his plan to meet the Wei forces on the Dakan Plains to do battle.
Duke Hyou initiates the Battle at Dakan Plains by establishing his HQ near the plains after moving out from Asui Castle. When he received news that the Wei war chariots had completely overrun the 4th army's Infantry, he orders the cavalry units to hold their positions.
Seizing an opportunity created by the remnants of the 4th army infantry, Duke Hyou signals the 4th army cavalry to support them. While the 4th cavalry overwhelms the Wei infantry, Duke Hyou dispatches the 1st and 2nd army cavalries to the hill camp of Kyuu Gen, where the 4th Qin army was already engaged.
As the Go Kei Army emerged from the plains, Duke Hyou took to the field, leading a fierce charge of 5000 soldiers of his personal cavalry directly into the Wei forces. Wearing his war mask, Duke Hyou enters a berserk-like state, fueling his soldiers's morale and making them an unstoppable force. Together, they smashed through Go Kei's formations, cutting through Wei's armored infantry in their relentless assault. Despite Go Kei sending out his war chariots to thin their ranks, Duke Hyou pressed on with his attack.
When Heki's cavalry unit arrived to assist, Duke Hyou commanded his soldiers to support the Pincer Attack on the Wei chariot unit to his left. After breaking through the Wei army's final defensive line, he reached Go Kei's headquarters and kills Shu Ki with a single stroke. Face to face with Go Kei, the two Great Generals engaged in a fierce duel. Duke Hyou dominates the battle, mocking Go Kei for dwelling on his tragic past and declaring, If you're a general, focus on defeating the enemy army! There should be nothing else that occupies your heart!!! With those words, he cuts down Go Kei, shattering the Wei army's morale.
As the Wei forces retreated, Duke Hyou noticed Ou Ki and invites the Monstrous Bird to celebrate their victory at Asui. Announcing the Qin army's return home, Duke Hyou declared, "There is no task more difficult than reigniting a fire that has already been extinguished."
Battle of Bayou Arc[]
During the Han Campaign lead by Mou Gou, Duke Hyou was stationed at the front lines of the Qin/Wei border to keep a close eye on them, because they were seeking a chance to retaliate for the Keiyou Campaign.
Alliance Arc[]
Duke Hyou was stationed in Asui. He along with Great General Mou Gou were nominated as potential candidates for leading the Sanyou Campaign. Heki was sent to Asui to ask the Duke for his opinion.
Sanyou Campaign Arc[]
In order to prevent the Chu from attacking Qin during the Sanyou Campaign, Duke Hyou, Chou Tou and Mou Bu were stationed at the Qin/Chu border.
Coalition Invasion Arc[]
Duke Hyou was first seen leading an army of 10,000 against the Wei army of 100,000 under the command of Go Hou Mei. As the Wei were moving to trap him in a Pincer Formation using War Chariots, they were saved due to the arrival of the Hi Shin Unit who coordinated with his troops to stave off the attack. As the Wei began to use Ryudoryoku, the Duke had all the troops halt their attack stating that "something ahead smelled extremely off." and had them retreat instead. He then commented on Go Hou Mei's skill, saying he had thought that Wei no longer possessed any noteworthy generals and realized that Go Hou Mei's HQ reeked of no ordinary strategy. He then told his troops that their HQ's fire was growing dim, so they went back to save them.
Later that night, the Duke met with Shin and thanked him for his assistance before explaining the significance of the invasion. After this, he asked Shin to accompany him and battle the Wei in hopes of stopping their advance. On the fourth day of combat, Duke Hyou sent word to the Hi Shin Unit to take the Shourai Mountain Paths and then strike the enemy in their flank. When the Zhao army arrived, Duke Hyou had his men retreat to Chuukou.
Later on, Duke Hyou and Qin's other generals were called to Kanyou. They were told that they would need every last measure of military strength available to combat the Coalition Army of 500,000 men and Shou Hei Kun then explained the strategy he had in mind.
Just before the Battle of Kankoku Pass started Duke Hyou interrupt the speech of Rin Bu Kun by screaming CHARGE!!! and attacked the Zhao army in front of him. After he charged into the Zhao army, he notices that the battlefield had no “stench” so he reshuffled his men and charged again. When he noticed the movements of an army to his left in the distance, he charged over there. At this moment the Zhao Commander in Chief Kei Sha sent the Man Goku Army to attack the rear of the Duke Hyou Army who were exhausted from the first charge. When he noticed that Shin saved the rear he commends him and laughs at the thought that the person who inherited Ou Ki's Glaive is an Instinctual type like himself. He then had Kai Dou reorganize their formation and set his eyes back at Kei Sha in the back. When he finally was close enough to Keisha he retreated because the sun had set.
Later that evening Duke Hyou personally came to congratulate Shin for his performance on the 1st day by offering him a drink. He then gives Shin 1000 soldiers to reinforce his unit for the losses during the battle and told him now isn’t the time for meaningless melancholy and to evolve in this war.
On the 2nd day, he just stayed at his HQ and observed the small clashes he would stay there until the 15th Day.
After ordering the Hi Shin Unit to take a breather, he played a prank on Shin by handing him wine instead of water and tells him to cool his head and pay attention to his unit remaining strength. When Shin asked for the situation for the whole battlefield Duke Hyou said he killed 10,000 of Keisha’s men but can’t seem to bring him out. When Shin suggests using Duke Hyou as bait to draw out Keisha, then using the Hi Shin Unit to kill Keisha, Duke Hyou agrees. But the plan never came to fruition, because after the Duke charged the center, Keisha saw the Hi Shin Unit and retreated. Afterwards Mou Bu killed Kan Mei and his army destroyed their HQs. The Qin soldiers started reinforcing the other battlefields. After Heki reaches the Duke Hyou army battling the Zhao army, he used a type of psychological warfare to assist the Duke against the Kou Son Ryuu Army to the right. Shortly after the Zhao army retreated. Later that evening Duke Hyou told Shin they're still missing something to make the Coalition Army go back home.
On the 16th day, Duke Hyou noticed some dust clouds and left his post at Kankoku Pass to chase a hunch, thinking Ri Boku was up to something.
In response to Ri Boku's plan to attack the second, less defended entrance of the Qin capital, Duke Hyou quickly flanked the Ri Boku Army. When Ri Boku notices the duke, he set up Ryuudou to separate the Duke from his soldiers. But by using his instinctual abilities, Hyou he was able to penetrate through to the center of Ri Boku's Ryuudou strategy. Ri Boku stops and compliments Duke Hyou's abilities as an instinctual general, but he reveals that the end of the Ryuudou was a trap just in case someone breaks through. Hou Ken is revealed to be the "trump card" of Ri Boku. Duke Hyou orders his men to kill Ri Boku while he duels with Hou Ken. Duke Hyou is overpowered during most of the fight, and when he hears Shin screaming his name, he threw his Shield at him, telling him to go FORWARD!! towards Kanyou. Duke Hyou then losses his arm to the Bushin but he manages to break Hou Ken's right arm. In his last moments, the Duke tells Shin -
| “ | Don’t ever let your fire die out. | ” |
before he falls and is slain by Hou Ken.
Abilities[]
| “ | To read through the intentions of a wild beast like Duke Hyou is an exceedingly difficult feat. This is the Duke Hyou we're talking about here. The general who has crushed under his heel God knows how many strategical generals that sought to challenge him. | ” |
—Shun Shin Kun talking about Duke Hyou's capabilities with Ri Boku | ||
| STATS | |
|---|---|
| Strength | 95 |
| Leadership | 95 |
| Intelligence | 70 |
| Experience | S |
| Heirloom: Barbed shield | |
| STATS | |
|---|---|
| Strength | 95 |
| Leadership | 95 |
| Intelligence | 70 |
| Experience | S |
| Heirloom: Barbed shield | |
| STATS | |
|---|---|
| Strength | 95 |
| Leadership | 95 |
| Intelligence | 70 |
| Experience | S |
| Intuition: 100! | |
| STATS | |
|---|---|
| Strength | 95 |
| Leadership | 95 |
| Intelligence | 70 |
| Intuition: 100! | |
Duke Hyou was one of the fiercest Great Generals in the Qin Military since the era of War God. He was considered to have skills rivaling those of the Six Great Generals and was repeatedly offered a position among them, though he declined each time.[1] Having been born and raised on the battlefield, Duke Hyou dedicated his entire life to warfare, accumulating a wealth of experience as a seasoned military commander well into his old age.
Physical Abilities[]
Immense Strength: As a Great General, Duke Hyou displayed incredible physical prowess worthy of the title. He was strong enough to break through an enemy infantry unit, killing 15 soldiers in a single swing of his weapon, and his arm strength was sufficient enough to cut a man in half effortlessly.
Glaive Mastery: Duke Hyou showed masterful proficiency in wielding his glaive. Ou Ki acknowledged that Duke Hyou's martial prowess is at a high enough level to give him a difficult fight.[2] While his combat abilities were not enough to defeat Hou Ken, he was able to land several heavy blows on the Bushin, as he nearly beheaded the Great Heaven, in similar fashion to Ou Ki, and broke his dominant arm before dying.
High Alcohol Tolerance: Outside of combat, he was noted to be able to brew a liquor that was so strong that it was able to make even Ou Ki blink in astonishment. He also had an extremely high tolerance of alcohol. It took ten men from the Hi Shin Unit to drink half a bowl of his special liquor before passing out; while he was able to drink one bowl in one go while still remaining coherent. This feat was so remarkable that the Hi Shin Unit wondered if he was even human.
Leadership[]
Another key strength of Duke Hyou was his leadership abilities. When leading the charge, he was capable of working up the fighting spirit of his soldiers to the very limit and turned it into one mass that overwhelm the enemy.[3] He was a charismatic man who gained a great deal of respect from his soldiers, as seen when many of them followed him to his death as they threw themselves at the Ri Boku Army. He also actively nurtured Shin's growth during the Battle of Kankoku Pass and is knowledgeable about the limits of his troops.
Tactical Abilities[]
Instinctual Type: Duke Hyou was the greatest example of an intuitive military commander and Great General there was before his death. He relied on his instincts to guide his decisions in all his battles. He could read the movements of enemy forces and intuitively determine the best course of action in real-time and liken warfare to like a living entity, making it impossible to predict outcomes before the battle begins, leaving no clear forecast that there is only one important thing; "that it's whether or not the Firestarter will be able to arrive at the location where a Fire can be ignited".
Duke Hyou's style of warfare revolved around committing his soldiers to large-scale offensives, often resulting in heavy casualties. However, by doing so, he created a dynamic and chaotic battlefield that he instinctively reads, searching for openings, key targets, or opportunities to "light a fire."
According to Go Hou Mei, Duke's way of positioning and using troops is completely opposite of the proper, he does exactly what is considered foolish by common teaching. He sends many of his men to die for nothing. However, on the other hand, he is able to win every vital clash on the battlefield allowing him to make up for the earlier losses.[4]
Once identifying such a moment, he committed his forces to exploit the opportunity, aiming to turn it into a decisive victory. Known for leading from the front, Duke Hyou frequently charged headlong into the thick of battle, inspiring his troops with his fearless leadership and drawing immense strength from their shared passion. Ri Boku compared him to a lion or predator, noting that this aggressive, instinct-driven approach unsettles many generals who relied on tactical precision as Duke Hyou had successfully bested and buried numerous strategic military commanders using these methods in the past.[5]
During the Battle of the Southern Path, he was able to decipher and negate Ri Boku's Ryuudou formation - a feat that was impossible to achieve even for Kei Sha. After witnessing this feat, Ri Boku described the Duke as the Epitome of the Instinctual Type, for his unmatched intuition on the battlefield.[6] He is also capable of using basic tricks on the battlefield, like moving away from his own flags. Although it should be noted, that similar to Ren Pa, due to the focus on Duke Hyou himself, this tactic becomes even more effective.
Duels[]
Quotes[]
| “ | The elimination of small states is the natural order of this chaotic era! Do you think you are the only one who has suffered bitterness in his life!? Something like your life story doesn't mean anything on the battlefield! If you are a soldier, you should focus on how to defeat the enemy in front of you! If you are a general, focus on how to defeat the enemy army!! There should be nothing else that occupies your heart!! The only thing awaiting someone like you, who puts his personal feeling before his duty is the word "DEFEAT." | ” |
—To Go Kei | ||
| “ | Shin lad!! Don't ever let your fire die out. | ” |
—To Shin | ||
Gallery[]
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Trivia[]
- The Duke reeked of alcohol according to Shin.
- The Duke is based on the real historical figure, Biao Gong.
[]
References[]
- ↑ Chapter 326, page 4-6
- ↑ Chapter 67, page 15
- ↑ Chapter 68, page 13
- ↑ Chapter 267, page 5
- ↑ Chapter 273, page 17
- ↑ Chapter 323, pages 3-4