The State of Ai Arc is the 15th significant story arc of Yasuhisa Hara's manga "Kingdom," marking a pivotal shift in the power dynamics of the warring states.
Following the victorious Choyou Campaign, Qin is fortifying Choyou to use as a strategic base against Wei, with the Hi Shin Unit and Kyou Kai Unit overseeing its defense. This fortification leads to a surge in resources and manpower, benefiting Sanyou City.
Meanwhile, the Queen Mother, who has been secretly planning the creation of her own state, Ai, declares Taiyuan its territory. She aligns with Ryo Fui and Chu, causing further turmoil. Chu invades Qin, exploiting the weakened central region. Whilst the Queen Mother and her faction make their own plans on attacking Kanyou.
Summary[]
It is now two months after the events of the Choyou Campaign, where Qin was victorious. Workers are building a fortress in Choyou to weaken Wei and establish Choyou as a foothold for launching an invasion into Wei. Due to this, there is a significant increase of immigrants, resources, and soldiers to defend the region against any Wei counterattacks. The Hi Shin Unit, along with the Kyou Kai Unit, is overseeing the workers and helping defend the fortress. As a result, even Sanyou City has seen a growth in resources and manpower.
The other states are troubled by this development, including Ri Boku of Zhao. Times are shifting into a new era where the strengths between the states become obvious, and the weak are swallowed by the strong. The state that is about to tip this delicate balance is Qin, led by King Ei Sei. However, he still has to contend with Ryo Fui, who is a significant power in Kanyou.
While Shin and Kyou Kai deal with a Wei attack on Choyou, the Queen Mother emerges from hiding and goes to the throne room. She demands that both Sanyou and Choyou be handed over to the Royal Harem. Ei Sei is angered by this and tries to figure out her motives. The Ryo Fui faction agrees with the Queen Mother, proposing that the Three great families will provide the necessary funds to defend these cities. With a two-to-one vote, the cities are handed over.
The Queen Mother, however, has not been idle. She has raised two children with Rou Ai and has been planning to create her own state, the State of Ai, declaring Taiyuan as its territory. She wants Ryo Fui to act as an ambassador, and he goes to her secretly. Chou Kou, a strategist working for the Queen Mother, has made all the plans for the creation and defense of this new state, including an alliance with Chu. As a result, Chu invades Qin.
Amidst the turmoil with Wei, Chu, and Ai, an award ceremony is held at Choyou. Tou is promoted to the rank of Great General, becoming Qin's second Great General following Mou Bu. Shin and Ou Hon are also called on stage, being promoted to 5000-Man Commanders. Following the ceremony, the Roku O Mi Army and the Gyoku Hou Unit set out towards the southern front to assist Mou Bu's army in their clash against Chu. Tou then orders Shin to attach himself to Ryuu Koku and take charge of defending Choyou. Wishing Sei good luck, Shin begins to learn what it means to be a general under Ryuu Koku's tutelage.
Meanwhile, many states are sending resources, money, and congratulations to Rou Ai and the Queen Mother for the creation of the State of Ai. Due to their agreement with Kanyou, they need to send half of the money to Kanyou, which Rou Ai finds unfortunate as they could use the funds to raise an army.
It is a new year, and everyone is gathered to celebrate. However, these are not entirely happy times as this is the year of Ei Sei's coronation, the time when Ryo Fui is expected to make his move.
Kyou Kai is promoted to 3000-Man Commander, making the Hi Shin Unit an 8000-man unit. Shin struggles under Ryuu Koku's tutelage, failing some basic tasks. Ryuu Koku wants Kyou Kai to leave the Hi Shin Unit, as a 5000-man commander is only allowed to command 5000 men, but she refuses.
The ministers and soldiers are pressuring Rou Ai and the Queen Mother to attack Kanyou before they are attacked themselves. The children of the Queen Mother and Rou Ai are held hostage to force them to launch an attack on Kanyou, which they plan to do. The Queen Mother advises that the best time to attack would be during Ei Sei's Coming of Age Ceremony. The generals of Ai believe they can succeed where the Coalition Army failed. The central region of Qin, including Kanyou, is short on troops, with the main bulk of Qin's military strength dispatched to the south to intercept Chu's invasion. As the Wei invasion campaign has just begun, central Qin has been sending various units to reinforce the east. The only reason Qin won against the Coalition Army was due to their full mobilization of resources. Now, the situation is the complete opposite, with the central region completely unguarded.
Characters Introduced[]
Qin[]
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Messenger
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member of the Royal Family
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Ai[]
- Ko Reki
- Haku Bi mentioned
- Mei You mentioned
- Han O Ki
- Han Roki †
- Wa Tegi †
- Hou Ei †
- Ka Fu †
- Kou Riki †
- Ha Mui
- No Ko mentioned
- Bu Dai
Zhao[]
- Mei Rin mentioned
- Jou Kei
- Hi
- Ryo Fui's father/teacher
Chu[]
- Hoku Ryuu
- Ei Etsu
Han[]
- Chou mentioned
Highpoints[]
- Two months has passed since the Qin took the regions of Choyou from the Wei.
- Wei is attacking Choyou.
- The royal harem has control over Sanyou and Choyou.
- The Queen Mother and Rou Ai have two children.
- The Queen Mother made Taiyuan into a new state called Ai.
- Chou Kou made a pact with Chu to aid the state of Ai.
- Chu is invading Qin.
- Ryo Fui goes to the state of Ai as an ambassador.
- Tou is promoted to the rank of a Great General and becomes the second active one alongside Mou Bu.
- Both Shin and Ou Hon are promoted to the rank of 5000-Man Commanders.
- Ou Hon is assigned under Roku O Mi's commander.
- Shin is assigned under Ryuu Koku's commander.
- Both Ou Hon and Roku O Mi head towards the borders of Chu to aid Mou Bu with reinforcements.
- Both Shin and Ryuu Koku are assigned to protect Choyou and oversee the construction of the fortress.
- Kyou Kai is promoted to the rank of 3000-Man Commander.
- The Hi Shin Unit is now a combined 8000 unit with the Kyou Kai Unit.
- Kyou Kai plans to attack when the lower parts of the fortress have finished.
- Minister of Ai is Ko Reki.
- General of Ai is Han O Ki.
Major Battles[]
- Battle of Kanyou