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Characteristics
Ri Boku
Chinese Li Mu
Kanji 李牧
武安君
Romaji Ri Boku
Epithet Savior of Ganmon

The Great Blaze
Strongest of the Three Great Heavens
Bu'An Kun

Biographical Information
Status
Alive
Marital Status Single
Age Early 40s
Gender Male
Eyes Blue
Hair Blonde
Skin White
Relatives Unnamed Parents (Deceased)

Unnamed Brothers (Deceased)
Qi (cousin, deceased)

State Zhao
Residence Ganmon, Zhao
Buan, Zhao
Birth Place Unknown, Zhao
Professional Information
Classification Strategist
Cavalry
Occupation Soldier
City Lord
Politician (Prime Minister)
Affiliates Zhao Military
Ri Boku Army
Zhao Government
Military Rank Great General
Political Position Prime Minister
Equipment Sword
Podao (formerly)
Media
Japanese VA Morikawa Toshiyuki
Appearance
Manga Debut Li Mu and Hai Yin
Chapter 135 (Official Appearance)
Anime Debut Episode 29
Game Debut Kingdom:Seven Flags
If you were but a simple strategist, there would be no need to kill you. Of course, you are no mere strategist. Nor do I mind you declaring yourself to be a coward. That is not something which demonstrates the caliber of a man. Your claims having no desires is probably true. Normally, an entity of greed such myself would view people like you as nothing more than a piddling existence...Yet for some reason instead, I feel you project a fearsome greatness.

—Ryo Fui to Ri Boku.

Ri Boku, also known by his titles of the Savior of Ganmon and Bu'An Kun (Lord of Bu'An).[1] is the leader of Three Great Heavens of Zhao, succeeding the previous members, Ren Pa and Rin Shou Jo, and Commander-in-Chief of the Zhao Military.

During the Battle of Bayou Arc, he debuted as the second newly appointed member of Three Great Heavens aside from Hou Ken and later as the former Prime Minister of the Zhao Courts afterwards at the beginning of the Alliance Arc. Upon becoming a Great Heaven, one of Ri Boku's first decisions were to target and defeat the legendary Great Generals Ou Ki, the Monstrous Bird of Qin, and Geki Shin, the Savior of Yan in order to establish himself as a leading military commander in the new era of the Warring States.

Ri Boku was first introduced as the main protagonist in Hara's previous one-shot manga, Li Mu and Hai Yin [2] and made his official appearance in the series during the Battle of Bayou's 4th day as he and Kaine travelled to observe the battle and was revealed to be the mysterious Commander-in-Chief who had just wiped out a large majority of the Northern Horsemen Tribes from a conversation between Yo Tan Wa and Ei Sei.

Ri Boku is considered the greatest opponent to Ei Sei's dream of Unifying China underneath the banner of the state of Qin and one of the greatest militaristic figures of in the entire series, to the point where he attempted to discard the Qin King from following through with his plans of unification. Because of his actions after the Battle of Bayou Arc, Ri Boku is the secondary central antagonist, the central overreaching antagonist of the Coalition Invasion Arc alongside the Coalition Army, the overreaching antagonist in the Western Zhao Invasion Arc, the main protagonist of the Zhao Crisis Arc after his fall from power and the central antagonist in the Zhao's Retaliation Arc, and once again in the current Hango Campaign Arc alongside Shi Ba Shou.

Appearance[]

A tall and handsome man, Ri Boku has a kind face and rugged muscled body riddled by scars. He has long, light hair, tied into a high ponytail, blue eyes, and a small black goatee. He wears long blue robe with a fur collar and a white tunic underneath it. After his battle with Kan Ki, he received a scar across his right temple of his face.

Personality[]

Ri Boku is a humble and kind man to those around him, neither caring for fame nor glory. He truly wants to live on a peaceful farm, start a family and spend his days without war and the constant pain of warfare. He also does not mind physical labor, actually preferring the work, as seen during his tenure in Ganmon, and later during his exile after the Coalition Army's defeat.

However, as a strategist and military commander, he is ruthless towards his enemies and willing to utilize so-called underhanded in any means for victory. He allowed and commended the idea of attacking Ou Ki from behind in his duel with Hou Ken and was willing to betray Qin despite alliance after they gained the strategic region of Sanyou after defeating the Wei forces led by Ren Pa, realizing leaving Sanyou to Qin would become a massive threat to Zhao and the rest of the Warring States in the future.

One of his most characteristic is his loyalty to Zhao and drive to protect his homeland, even at the risk of his own life. Although he considers himself a coward, he is willing to put himself in harm's way for the sake of fulfilling his duty. However as noted by Ou Sen and Kan Ki, Ri Boku is too bounded by his personal ethics and duty to truly realize his ideals, despite how corrupt the Zhao government was with during Tou Jou's reign and still remaining so with Yuu Boku and Kaku Kai now in power. He refused to resort to force and rebellion to overthrow them, insisting on acting with non-violence and loyal obedience to the Zhao king.

Abilities[]

Ri Boku, the strongest member of Three Great Heavens in all of history.

Gyou'un

STATS
Strength 91
Leadership 99
Intelligence 100
Experience S
Accumulating strength at Seika

STATS
Strength 91
Leadership 99
Intelligence 100
Experience S
I am always: Aiming for something

STATS
Strength 91
Leadership 98
Intelligence 100
Experience A
Politics 92

STATS
Strength unknown
Leadership 98
Intelligence 100
Politics 88


As the man who surpassed the previous generation of Great Generals like Ou Ki and Geki Shin and the single most dangerous foe that Qin has faced,[3][4] Ri Boku is considered Zhao's greatest member of the Three Great Heavens in its history and a commander of an unprecedented level.[5][6] Ei Sei and Sai Taku have even called him the biggest obstacle to unification of China.[7]

Physical Abilities[]

Ri Boku Vs Shin

Ri Boku clashes with Shin.

Master Swordsman: As proof of his battle experience, Ri Boku was shown to have numerous scars on his body. It was stated by Shin and the generals who were present during his appearance at Kanyou that he has a terrifying and overwhelming martial presence that is a sign of living through a ridiculous number of battlefields as a warrior.[8] This was later proven when Shin, a talented swordsman, challenged him to a duel. Ri Boku easily kept up and even had the upper hand against Shin in their brief bout.[9] He later assassinated Ma Kou with a swift precision to his neck and was also able to kill Shu Ma with a quick stab from his blind spot.

Leadership[]

As a member of the second generation of Three Great Heavens, Ri Boku is a living symbol of the Zhao Military.[10] It was noted that after his victory in the Battle of Bayou he became extremely popular amongst the common folk.[11] The loyalty of his vassals runs so deep that many of them like Kaine [12] and Shin Sei Jou [13] are ready to sacrifice their lives for him. This was also shown during Kan Ki's ambush when Ri Boku was able to rally his personal guards to the point where they were throwing away their lives to protect HQ until the arrival of reinforcements. He was also shown making a passionate speech to his soldiers about the things they have to protect before battle in order to boost their morale.[14] With a leadership stat of 99, Ri Boku ranks among the best leaders in the series.

Tactical Abilities[]

Master Strategist: Ri Boku is the only character in the series so far with the highest knowledge of war, surpassing the likes of Ou Sen, Shou Hei Kun and Haku Ki in that aspect. Unlike most strategists, his plans and tactics are based on real experience as a soldier/officer in the front lines which makes them much more effective, allowing him to operate in almost all situations. His plans often focusing on elements such as logistics, terrain, supplies and misinformation in order to gain upper hand.

In examples shown so far, his strategies seem to be focused on the situation before the battle begins. This was seen during the Coalition War when he devised a contingency plan for the worst scenario before fights even started. He deliberately chose for Zhao the battlefield closest to the southern path and was sending his men to the Bu Pass, a few thousand at a time. To send tens of thousands of troops to the southern path without anyone catching on would take numerous days, however since they were being sent from day one, Ri Boku quickly turns the tides after Ka Rin's plan failed.[15] Against Yan, he was able to move his HQ to the right of the Yan, giving him a significant advantage while against Ou Ki, the misinformation and movement speed of his army was able to completely overcome The Monstrous Bird of Qin.[16] In his war with Kan Ki he separated his main force from other Qin battalions and surrounded him within a cage-like encirclement made from hidden northern troops in order to almost completely wipe out his army. Ri Boku's tactics were enough to defeat an army of 200,000 Xiongnu in a way that was later described as "completely one-sided slaughter" with only 130,000 soldiers.[17][18]

Ri Boku has a talent for being able to maneuver his own HQ and troops in ways enemy generals do not expect often with devastating consequences. Utilizing his own talents, he often methodically researches his opponent's strengths and military records to predict their actions. His most notable achievements utilizing this skill has led to the defeat of Ou Ki, Geki Shin and Kan Ki. Ri Boku's own analysis of war also allowed him to see through Shou Hei Kun's invasion of Wei as a potentially checkmating move, and thus, he deemed it necessary to form the Coalition Army in order to prevent that.[19]

Manipulation of Information: Ri Boku is adept at manipulating the flow of information.[20] Before the Battle of Bayou, he created an information lock-down on Zhao's northern border that enabled him to hide his army and intrude into the battle from the back. In addition, he purposely leaked information that Hou Ken was appointed to a great general in Zhao in order to lure Ou Ki into his trap.[21] He also used a similar method as a key stratagem to form the coalition of armies that invaded Qin, hiding the alliance from Shou Hei Kun. Later during Qin's invasion of the Gyou region, he was able to cut off the three Qin armies from any communication between each other as well as from the outside as part of his plan. And during Qin's attack to the Gian region, he controlled the information flow by concealing the mobilization of the entire northern armies.[22] He is also known to lie about never using his sword in battles, as in later situations he was able to completely catch the enemy off guard, as seen when he ambushed the unprepared Ma Kou and beheaded him.

Ri Boku Confronts Ma Kou

Ri Boku catches Ma Kou off guard.

Assassination Tactics: Ri Boku is capable of personally leading a detachment of soldiers in order to hunt down and slay the commander of an army. It was a strategy originating from his and Kaine's days fighting off the overwhelming Xiongnu back in Ganmon. He waits for the right moment when enemies are vulnerable to completely surprise them thanks to the extraordinary speed of his cavalry. By using this tactic, he was able to catch off guard and swiftly kill Ma Kou as well as numerous Xiongnu leaders during his time at Ganmon. Such a tactic enabled the Zhao forces to paralyze the Xiongnu due to their leaders fearing for their lives in the midst of battle.[23]

Zhao's Great Wall

Zhao's Great Wall

Architectural Skills: Ri Boku also possesses amazing skills in building and modifying fortifications. After the battle for the Koku You Hills, he ordered the construction of several outposts in western Zhao creating an elaborate multi-layered defense that would take at least ten years to conquer which later forced Qin to make a risky and somewhat suicidal attack on Gyou.[24] He also modified Retsubi as a way to be easily recaptured and upgraded Gyou to the point where it was considered by Ou Sen to be the perfect city that is impossible to take from the outside by force.[25] This enabled him to cut off the enemy's supply line and turn the entire region into a deadly trap. Later it was revealed that Ri Boku planned and started the construction of a Great Wall south to Kantan that extends over a distance of 250 Li. By connecting the already existing castles in the region and stretching over mountains and rocks he was able to create a massive bulwark with tremendous defensive capabilities.[26] During the Hango Campaign Ri Boku also demonstrated the ability to construct an earthen fort in his strategy for the purpose of stalling important enemies. Despite it being rashly constructed, it had a secret underground tunnel, and it required a small army of over 10,000 soldiers to conquer it.

Origin Tactics: Ri Boku demonstrated the ability to find the "origin" of the workings of armies on the battlefield. After his battle with Duke Hyou years ago, he was able to deconstruct and decipher the mechanisms of how Instinctual Type military commanders waged war. He then proceeded to hammer that knowledge into the strategical type soldiers under his command. Emerging from that crucible was a new army that combined the strengths of both the strategical and instinctual.[27]

Riboku's Ryuudou

Ri Boku using the Ryuudou.

Military Formations: Ri Boku is well versed in military formations. He is one of two known great generals who is able to perform highly the advanced defensive tactic known as Ryuudou. Its purpose is to use the flow of soldiers to split the attackers into smaller groups and drive them away from the HQ. The more the enemy tries to close in on the defender's HQ, the stronger the flow becomes. Usually, the commander needs a high vantage point to make this technique possible, but Ri Boku is able to see the entire field while at ground level and doesn't require the tower to use it.[28] All the officers in his army are well educated in warfare and capable of quickly reading the enemy's moves and reacting accordingly even without Ri Boku's command. This was showcased when they created an iron wall defense with Halting Point Formation and other defensive field tactics or when they used Widened Arrow Formation to trap the pursuing Qin forces.[29] When on the attack, the army can form a super offensive formation that utilizes "origin tactics" to make almost unstoppable advances. Ri Boku's knowledge of field tactics is so great that he was able to analyze Ou Sen's advanced defensive formation. Other talented strategists like Ou Hon and Chou Ga Ryuu couldn't grasp it, but Ri Boku was able to find its weakness after a brief observation which resulted in A Kou's defeat.

Politics[]

As the former Prime Minister of Zhao, Ri Boku is a proficient politician and diplomat. After the Battle of Bayou, he made a temporary alliance with Qin that enabled him to invade Yan.[30] He was also the man behind the creation of the Coalition Army convincing other states to fight together against Qin.[31] In addition, Ri Boku kept good relations with the Quanrong's royal family from Ryouyou, which enabled him to use them during Qin's invasion of the Gyou region. He is well liked and supported by many citizens and peoples of Zhao.

Weaknesses[]

Ri Boku's ability as military commander and Great General is certainly one of the best in the central plains, however, even he has his weaknesses. He has shortcomings when it comes to politics which was first shown during his meeting with Ryo Fui. Ryo Fui was able to coercion the Zhao King into threatening the prime minister with a death sentence should Ri Boku fail to retrieve Shun Pei Kun, a scheme that Ryo Fui used in order to even the balance of power between Qin and Zhao in the political battlefield following Zhao's victory in the Battle of Bayou and was able to use Ri Boku's prepared plan of an alliance between their respective states to bargain the handover of Kankou, a highly strategic battlefront. He is also too shortsighted when concerning long term military strategies based around his politics, something Ri Boku later admitted with the alliance which would have allowed Qin to "checkmate" the other warring states following taking Sanyou which forced him to create a Coalition Army against them. Ironically, his relationship with the former king Tou Jou was so severely negative, he was treated as Ren Pa had been, with utter contempt as king simply wanted to find any excuse to execute him. And while he has immense popularity in the Zhao Military his standing in the courts of the state is severely weak due to Kaku Kai's influences.

Quotes[]


It's enough to make your heart bleed. This is why I dislike warfare. However, one cannot open a path with sentiment alone.

—To Kaine

(Chapter 171, page 9)


Understand that there are two types of commanders. The first are those who once slain will result in their soldiers completely losing morale and ending the battle right there. While the other becomes a symbol of martyrdom upon death and causes their soldiers to instead fight to their deaths.

—To Sei Mei

(Chapter 172, page 5–6)


I was never the type of man who wished to stand above the others, to begin with. To be appointed by the people and the state is a heavy responsibility. Neither can I get accustomed to the elegant streets and houses. If possible, I would rather return to the countryside and protect the land there with my comrades, perhaps build a family, raise some sheep, and leisurely spend my days till I go gray, that's the sort of peaceful life I most desire.

—To Ryo Fui

(Chapter 176, page 8)


The purpose of an alliance is not simply for the sake of preventing an enemy from attacking you. Rather, the importance lies in what one can obtain after the alliance. As well as your actions after the alliance.

—To Shin

(Chapter 259, page 16)


So long as you continue to believe that acquiring territory is all there is to warfare, you will never be able to defeat me in this life.

—To Shin

(Chapter 259, page 17)


Nothing good will come out of trying to do something on a battlefield that has already been defeated.

—To Shun Shin Kun

(Chapter 316, page 9)


Warfare is directly linked to politics. A defeat in war often leads to interior conflict breaking out within the courts.

—To Kaine and Fu Tei

(Chapter 366, page 16)


This is only a guess, but though you may be someone who can easily lay waste to swathes of kingdoms...you will never be a man who is capable of raising and nurturing one.

—To Ou Sen

(Chapter 608, page 6)


I can tell you from experience...it is only when you find something worth protecting that your passion will burn brighter than ever.

—To Ou Sen

(Chapter 608, page 8)


An eye for an eye... a pincer for a pincer.

—To himself

(Chapter 614, page 20)

Etymology[]

  • Ri or Li means "plum, plum tree" (李)
  • Boku or Mu means "shepherd, tend cattle, to herd, to govern" (牧)

Trivia[]

  • Ri Boku is based on the famous historical general, Li Mu who was distantly related to the Qin general, Li Xin whom Ri Shin is based on despite the manga's differences of Shin being a war orphan and Ri Boku being a Zhao soldier well in his youth, the two are presumably unrelated to each other.
  • Wikipedia lists him ("Li Mu") as one of the four generals "commonly known" as the greatest generals of the Warring States period. That's alongside Ou Sen ("Wang Jian"), Ren Pa ("Lian Po") and Haku Ki ("Bai Qi").
  • He is noted by multiple people to be smaller and shorter than they expected despite his rank of Great General, including Qin court officials and Duke Hyou himself.
  • In his youth, Ri Boku had a best friend by the name of Yong Shan.
  • Ri Boku has fought or faced against all the members of Six Great Generals's second generation in battle - Mou Bu and Tou during the Battle of Bayou, Yo Tan Wa during the Battle of Sai, Ou Sen in the Battle at Shukai Plains and Battle of Hango and Kan Ki during the Battle of Gian and Battle of Hika.

Navigation[]

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Six Great Generals:
Ko Shou - Kyou - Haku Ki - Ou Ki - Ou Kotsu - Shiba Saku

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Do Mon - Heki - Kan Ki - Kan Ou - Ou Sen - Roku O Mi - Ryuu Koku - Shou Kaku
Former
Dou Kin - Ei Bi - En Ka - Koku Gou - Ra Gen - Rin Bou - Ryuu

5000-Man Commanders Ou Hon - Shin

3000-Man Commanders Kyou Kai

2000-Man Commanders Mou Ten

1000-Man Commanders Curent
Hoku Shu - Gaku Rai - Kaku Un - Kan Jou - Ogiko - Ran Dou
Former
Baku Koshin - Jou Han - Kaku Bi - Tai Un

100-Man Commanders Chu Tetsu - Den Ei - Den Yuu - Hai Rou - Kyo Gai - Ryuu Sen

10-Squad Leaders Bi Hei - Ro En - Ryuu Yuu - Seki - Suu Gen - Taku Kei

5-Squad Leaders Former
Batsu Ken - Bi Tou - Bun Ketsu - Hou - Kyou Ji - San Ka - Yuu Gi

Strategists Ka Ryo Ten - Kai Oku - Mou Ki
Mountain Tribe
King Yo Tan Wa

Elders Chouga Elders

Warriors Ba Jio - Fuji - Rankai - Shunmen - Tajifu - Toji
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Royal Family Sho † • KiEn Tan
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Royal Family Bu Rei † • Tou Jou † • Yuu BokuKaEarl Chou Ki † •
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References[]

  1. Kingdom Manga: Vol.70 Chapter 761, page 14
  2. Kingdom Omnibus 2: Li Mu and Hai Yin, page 1
  3. Chapter 168 Page 13
  4. Chapter 700 Page 21
  5. Chapter 550 Page 15
  6. Chapter 172 Page 12
  7. Chapter 489 Page 7-8
  8. Chapter 176 Page 3
  9. Chapter 260 Page 7
  10. Chapter 267 Page 11
  11. Chapter 176 Page 8
  12. Chapter 583 Page 8
  13. Chapter 351 Page 5
  14. Chapter 714
  15. Chapter 321 Page 8
  16. Chapter 161 Page 2
  17. Chapter 155 Page 17
  18. Chapter 159 Page 10
  19. Chapter 270 Page 6
  20. Chapter 761 Page 18
  21. Chapter 159 Page 10
  22. Chapter 713 Page 20
  23. Chapter 531, page 9
  24. Chapter 495, page 10
  25. Chapter 511, page 9 and Chapter 512, pages 4-5
  26. Chapter 702, pages 15-16
  27. Chapter 606, page 15
  28. Chapter 322 Page 13
  29. Chapter 634 Page 10
  30. Chapter 177 Page 16
  31. Chapter 269 Page 5
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