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The Western Zhao Invasion Arc is the eighteenth story arc of Yasuhisa Hara's Kingdom. Serialized in Weekly Young Jump in 2016, the arc is currently the longest as it exceeded the Coalition Invasion Arc.
Summary
Preparing the Campaign
| “ | We brought in Mou Ki who has seen prodigious growth in the last few years...And to prevent any information from leaking, only the four of us have been tackling the problem of how to take down Gyou...But we can't find even the slightest spark of a successful method. Back during the Coalition War, We were just barely able to come up with a workable plan. Compared to back then, we've had plenty of time to dedicate to this task. But even with a year of brainstorming, our efforts have borne no fruit. Perhaps attacking Gyou really is too reckless of a plan after all... | ” |
In the tenth year of Ei Sei's reign, after claiming the Region of Kokuyou from Zhao, Qin shifted its focus to domestic stability following the State of Ai's rebellion. Ryo Fui was stripped of his position as Chancellor, and the Queen Mother Bi Ki returns to Kanyou's palace. Within the royal court, a failed edict to expel foreigners, driven by jealous nobles, was instantly quashed by Ri Shi.
As winter brought peace to the kingdom, Qin prepares for a turbulent eleventh year. To conquer Zhao efficiently and safeguard Qin’s resources and borders, Shou Hei Kun and his tactical council, including Kai Oku, Shou Bun Kun, and Mou Ki, struggled for a year to devise a feasible invasion plan for capturing Gyou. Mou Ki identified supply chains as a critical issue, but Shou Hei Kun proposed an unprecedented strategy of proceeding without one. This shocks Mou Ki, but Shou Hei Kun encourages them to find a hidden path to success.
Key commanders, including Shin and Ka Ryo Ten of the Hi Shin Unit, Ou Hon of the Gyoku Hou Unit, and Mou Ten of the Gaku Ka Unit, are summoned to the capital. They are informed of a strategy designed to mislead Zhao into believing the target was western Zhao fortifications, keeping the true objective, Gyou, a secret known only to select generals and commanders chosen for their exceptional talents.
Setting Out
With an assembled force of over 200,000 soldiers, General Kan Ki is appointed to lead the first army due to his success at the Battle of Kokuyou Hills. The second army is commanded by the "Mountain King" Da Shang Zhao, Yo Tan Wa, while the third army falls under General Ou Sen, who is also named Commander-in-Chief for the campaign. After the appointments, Shou Hei Kun advises Ou Sen to abandon the plan to attack Gyou in exchange for negotiating a deal with Qi.
Heki expresses distrust towards Ou Sen, recalling Ou Sen's deceit during the Sanyou Campaign eight years earlier, where the General used him as bait without his knowledge. Ten reassures Heki by citing Ou Sen’s recognition by Ko Shou, one of Qin’s original Six Great Generals. Meanwhile, Shin finally decides to wield Ou Ki's Glaive, a weapon passed down by Great General Ou Ki and is honored by the veteran soldiers of the Hi Shin Unit, who momentarily delay the march before continuing.
As the army marches toward Kinan — where supplies are hidden—they proceed at a moderate pace, taking breaks during bad weather. However, Ou Sen accelerates the march upon receiving an urgent message, arriving in Kinan at night.
During a war council, they are ordered to proceed to Gyou immediately without resting and to avoid marching through the Region of Koku You. All of the Commanders are warned that any squad falling behind will face execution. It is revealed that real supplies are hidden in Kinan while fake supplies were sent to Koku You to mislead Zhao's spies, shocking the commanders with the deception strategy showcasing Ou Sen's strategic acumen.
Changing targets
As the Qin army advances along the Yellow River, Zhao faces dual threats: an invasion by Yan forces led by Ordo targeting Seika city and the main Qin attack. Ri Boku trusts Shi Ba Shou, stationed in Seika with 5,000 men, to repel the Yan invasion, allowing him to refocus on the Qin army. Zhao delays the Qin by deploying soldiers from mid and large cities while Ri Boku unsuccessfully attempts to convince King Tou Jou to deploy Kantan's elite guards, instead gathering troops from cities around the capital and Gyou.
Taking Retsubi
Ou Sen assigns the Yo Tan Wa Army and Hi Shin Unit to capture Retsubi, a strategic city near the Yellow River. The Mountain King begins the attack by intimidating Zhao soldiers, leading to a successful breach of the gates by her forces and the Hi Shin Unit. Despite initial struggles, the Hi Shin rookies rally under Suu Gen's leadership and Shin’s impressive display with General Ou Ki's podao, overcoming Zhao's defenses. However, Shin's difficulty wielding the heavy weapon is noted.
After the city's capture, Ou Sen realizes that Retsubi is a trap and departs with A Kou to assess Gyou. Upon arrival, he recognizes the city's fortifications as nearly impregnable, deeming it "perfect" for defense. Returning to Retsubi two days later, Ou Sen, A Kou and his guards, who all are injured.
March on to Gyou
From this point of. This war shall become a battle of wits between Ri Boku and Myself.
After Ou Sen and his escorts return, the Qin armies set out, with every last soldier they had, leaving behind an empty Retsubi and heading towards Gyou. After a short time, the Yo Tan Wa Army breaks away, to intercept the attacking Kou Son Ryuu and his army. They managed to hold their advance.
In the meantime, Ou Sen surprises even his closest commanders when he orders them to make a sharp turn and attack a small city on their way. He plundered all their supplies but gave strict orders not to harm any of the citizens.
Routes of the Qin armies and the refugees.
After giving a speech to reassure them, he sends citizens to the east. Since they had nothing left, they followed his orders and fled to the east, thankful that the "Great General Ou Sen" had spared their lives. After this he attacked another small city, proceeding the same way again, hereby creating a lot of refugees, that head to the east. He went on with this procedure but split his army into three parts so that things would go faster, and a "current" of refugees would emerge from the small cities while the Yo Tan Wa army kept up with them by moving eastward.
As waves of refugees are arriving upon Gyou, Ou Sen had his forces encircle Gyou. Thus, the other side realized that now not only Ou Sen's army had dwindling food supplies. The same now applied to Gyou which had taken in the refugees. The move horrified and surprised Ri Boku.
Deferring the Zhao attack forces
As Ri Boku fails to secure Kantan's army to reinforce Zhao forces engaging Qin's, the encirclement of Gyou became complete. But Ou Sen has plans: First, have the Kan Ki Army continue the siege and defeat any Zhao liberation forces besides the Ryouyou and Atsuyo forces, secondly have the Yo Tan Wa Army and Heki Army reinforced with a fraction of Kan Ki's forces and siege Ryouyou's forces. Lastly, Shin's 8000 Hi Shin Unit, Ou Hon's 5000 Gyoku Hou Unit, and Mou Ten's 5000 Gaku Ka Unit alongside the 70000 Ou Sen Army which totals 88,000 men will attack the Atsuyo's Army. As commander of the Zhao, Ri Boku sent Shun Sui Ju to lead the forces of Ryouyou while he led the army of Atsuyo.
Yo Tan Wa starts feint attacks on Kou Son Ryuu's Ryouyou force by sending the In and Un Tribes then sending the Feego Tribe with Bajio's detachment to charge.
Battle against the Atsuyo Army.
After dividing his forces, Ou Sen started the battle by organizing his forces. He put Ma Kou and A Kou upon center and right. Leaving only Mou Ten's 5,000 Gaku Ka Unit facing 30,000 Zhao Rigan troops led by Ki Sui and his Army. But Ma Kou has plans, he relieved Mou Ten with his Army after the former almost trapped Ki Sui's right-hand man. While the right with Ba Nan Ji attacking Ma Kou in waves. But Ou Hon, disregarding orders, charged upon the attackers. Ou Sen later tasked Shin with killing Ki Sui with only 800 men. Shin arrived up in Ki Sui's base, but Mou Ten and others were attacking them. Ri Boku appeared behind Ma Kou and killed him. After doing it, Ri Boku retreats with Shin on their trail. Ma Kou Army starts to disintegrate when Shin meets up with Mou Ten and plans to resurrect the Ma Kou Army.
Mou Ten concocted a lie that Ma Kou survived the ambush to raise the army's flunking morale and regain lost momentum. Ki Sui is shocked at the outcome when the Ma Kou Army regained their strength, putting Shin and Riku Sen on both sides to repel Ki Sui and Ba Tei's forces and create rallying points. He gave Ma Kou's catchphrase to every Ma Kou soldier, raising morale. Ba Tei attacked Shin's position just as Mou Ten expected. Shin and Kyou Kai led Ba Tei's force away and sent Gaku Ka's force to reinforce Riku Sen. Ki Sui charged on Mou Ten's and the right position. Later that night, Shin found Mou Ten lying among corpses and congratulated him. Ri Boku was notified that his tactic failed.
That night, Mou Ten alongside Shin talks with Ma Kou Army commanders, and the latter says that his tactic is never disobeyed. When a messenger arrives, saying that Mou Ten will be temporarily promoted to General to command the Ma Kou Army as he sees fit. The reason why Mou Ten was lying on the battlefield is when he fell off his horse. Shin was relieved on the left and commanded to return to the center. The second day passed with Mou Ten playing Ki Sui and Ba Tei in his hands.
The right flank, however, took it easy on that day, but Ou Sen decided the right to be his next move.
On the second day, A Kou and Ou Hon set their forces to battle, Ba Nan Ji and his army at the front, Chou Ga Ryuu on the back with 19,000 strong combined against A Kou's 19,000, Gaku'Ei's army with 7,000 against Ou Hon's 4,500 Gyoku Hou Unit. Chou Ga Ryuu bluffed A Kou into sending his forces to his right, then turned to attack the Gyoku Hou's position. Ba Nan Ji attacked A Kou, forcing him to send 8,000 of his men to assist Ou Hon. Hon got an idea and took Ban You, turning to run. They charged upon Ba Nan Ji's forces.
A Ka Kin, 1000-Man Commander of the A Kou Army led his forces alongside Ou Hon's attack on the flanks. Chou Ga Ryuu divides his forces to chase Gyoku Hou and sends 1000 soldiers to interfere with Ou Hon's attack, but A Ka Kin charges along with the latter to prevent it. Seeing this, Ou Hon sends 30 of his soldiers to assist him and prevent A Ka Kin from potentially being killed. Later that night, Ou Hon returns to the lines with cheering from the soldiers of the A Kou Army with actions crippling the Ba Nan Ji Army beyond fighting shape.
At the center, Shin is frustrated by their failure and inaction in the center when they find out that their supplies are running out.
The 3rd day is seen when Gyou’un, Rin Shou Jou's apprentice enters the scene in A Kou and Gyoku Hou's position. He alongside Chou Ga Ryuu started an attack at Akou's front, along with his prophecy of their dying master. Ou Hon tried to help A Kou and the general's army when they were trapped. Ban You was trapped and near death when Shin arrived. As Shin arrived, the momentum drew on the right. Faster than Shin expected, the whole Hi Shin Unit, including Kyou Kai Unit totaling 8,000 men arrived fast, and Ou Sen will never send any more troops on the right.
Due to Hi Shin's appearance, the attack in A Kou Army was softened, using it to re-organize and Ou Hon to reposition. Gyou Un started to attack Shin's line with a heavy cavalry charge, hitting Kan To's position. Sou Jin used his ability to eliminate some horsemen, Kan To, although wounded by a horse stomp, killed Zhao's dismounted cavalry. The rest tried to escape but were cornered.
The 10,000 Gyou'un Army vs 8,000 Hi Shin Unit was in an attrition attack, where Shou Sa, En, Hai Rou, Bi Hei, and Ga Ro was in mess. Ka Ryo Ten was in a mess with tactics when Shin and Kyou Kai knew what Gyou'un's move was about, that he is an Instinctual type, like Shin. He decided to take over the command field. The ensuing battle between Gyou'un and Shin is swinging towards one another, for example, En, Gaku Rai, Bi Hei, Kyo Gai and Ga Ro are in pinch, while So Sui, Na Ki, and Na Ki Clan have wiped their opponents, when Shin sensed that there is something, so he sent Kyou Kai and her Kyou Kai Unit and his reserves on En's position while taking Ten's cavalry unit to face Gyou'un himself.
As the battle between Hi Shin Unit and Gyou'un Army's bulk is fighting, Shin and Gyou'un face each other. They started insulting and taunting each other while trading blows, the former telling the latter to stay home if he cannot move on with Rin Shou Jo's death, while the latter insults Shin for being lucky when Ou Ki's Glaive fell on his hands. Shin snapped and landed a blow upon Gyou'un, but only deflected by the latter.
While Shin and Gyou'un were dueling, Ka Ryo Ten was thinking of En's position, which was steadily decreasing, until Kyou Kai and her own Kyou Kai Unit made a tactical decision, in which So Sui and the Kaku Bi Unit funnels the left, she approached Ga Ro to do the same, which made the latter call Gaku Rai while Kai and her forces are in the center.
Kyou Kai herself led the attritional battle on her position, resting only to recover her stamina. But at the end of the day, Shin just made a draw with Gyou'un when Hai Rou arrived. Shin tries to chase after the wounded Zhao general but instead faints and passes out due to his wounds. When the latter went to the area where he posted his men, he found Kyou Kai standing among Zhao's corpses, remembering someone on Qin's Six Greats.
The third day ended with stalemates, with Hi Shin Unit taking casualties, but repelled Gyou'un. Shin and Kyou Kai lie side by side in a tent due to their exhaustion. While Ba Nan Ji, Chou Ga Ryuu, and Gyou'un were resting. The latter saw the potential of Ou Hon, Shin, Kyou Kai, and Mou Ten. Meanwhile, a report from Gyou arrived. The city is running out of supplies that are limited to 20 days, so Ou Sen Army only limits their supplies to 10 days. Ri Boku just made a decision that Gyou will hold within 10 days.
Many days later, the battle on Ou Sen and Ri Boku was reduced to a staring contest. A Kou briefs his men while they also argue about plundering the cities they capture of their food, while Ou Hon talks of striking Zhao's left commanders in one strike. A Kou objects, deciding to strike one Zhao commander per day. They were given Ba Nan Ji, Gaku Ei, Gyou’un or Chou Ga Ryuu. They decided upon Gaku Ei first, and A Kou commanded both Hi Shin Unit and Gyoku Hou Unit to strike him down, with A Kou sparing backup. But Ri Boku has a plan and is called Ba Nan Ji. Ri Boku told him that A Kou has a weakness.
The day started as A Kou Army took on 3 Zhao Armies led by Ba Nan Ji, Gyou'un, and Chou Ga Ryuu. But A Kou has a tactic focused on full defense, like Ou Sen's defensive tactic. Meanwhile, the Hi Shin Unit was put on the front while the Gyoku Hou Unit was on the rear against the Gaku Ei Army, which was enraged upon Kei Sha's death. Ba Nan Ji stated that he would finish the fight and kill A Kou.
Ten's perception of the Gaku Ei Army was underestimated, when the rage upon Kei Sha's death made them fight at a berserk pace, almost pushing Kyou Kai Unit, Kaku Bi Unit, and Shou Sa. The Gyoku Hou makes their move and Shin alongside Hi Hyou Unit moves as well.
While A Kou Army made defenses just like his master did. But Ri Boku just knew what he did. Ba Nan Ji and Gyou'un made their attacks, shattering the almost solid defense of A Kou Army. A Kou himself stalls Ba Nan Ji, while Gu Nei stalls Gyou'un. the Gyoku Hou Unit meanwhile attacks Gaku Ei's side while Shin and Hi Hyou Unit themselves face Gaku Ei himself. But Gu Nei failed to stall Gyou'un and was killed, and A Kou was trapped by 2 Zhao Generals.
A Kou does his best against both Gyou'un and Ba Nan Ji, inflicting damages on both Generals in a 2-on-1 fight. While Gyoku Hou's pressure on Gaku'ei Army, a messenger requested Ou Hon to assist A Kou. He reluctantly accepted, leaving Kan Jou to pressure Gaku Ei's soldiers while Shin was going to his position. A Ka Kin saved A Kou in a hair's length after both Gyou'un and Ba Nan Ji nearly missed him and killed his horse.
The Gyoku Hou and Ou Hon arrive in the area where A Kou and A Ka Kin are being cornered by Gyou'un and Ba Nan Ji. He dueled with the two while retreating. The Gyoku Hou was forced to cover the retreat before A Kou Army cut the two Zhao Generals with the other men going to Ka Ryo Ten's position while requesting Kan Jou that he order a complete withdrawal of A Kou Army. While in Shin's position, Gaku Ei and Shin faced each other with a little space between them. Gaku Ei reminisced about being on Kei Sha's side, rewarded nothing but praise from him in his battles and earning his loyalty, forward to Kei Sha's wake, enraging him and charging upon Shin. The latter closed his eyes and charged too, he opened his eyes and slashed through Gaku Ei, killing him.
As Gaku'Ei's body falls onto the ground, his soldiers are left dumbstruck by the result. Their celebrations were cut short when Chou Ga Ryuu's forces came to Ka Ryo Ten's position, she commanded a full retreat, using Kyou Kai Unit as rearguard. Shin also commanded a retreat, with Gaku Ei's men too scared to chase them. Shin's slash through Gaku'Ei was also felt by Hou Ken.
Despite efforts to send messages to Ou Sen, he declined to send any more troops or backup. They were reduced to collapsing defensive measures, and both the Gyoku Hou and Hi Shin Units were chewed up by Zhao attacks, and the absence of a commanding officer after A Kou was incapacitated during the last day's fighting.
The day ends with nothing either gained or lost. A Kou Army just fought with full morale though their commander was incapacitated. However, the army wanted Ou Hon to take over the right wing's command. But Ou Sen declined it. Shin overheard Kan Jou and Ban You talk about Ou Hon, which shocked Shin to discover that Ou Sen suspected that Hon was not his son.
The 11th day started with nothing but a back-and-forth battle, but Qin's right side's rations were running out and A Kou was still unconscious. Ou Hon himself was fighting, and Shin charged but only went through the line before the day ended.
As Night came, Ten was struggling with her tactics when Ou Hon approached Shin and talked about 'awakening' their men, but neither of them had any idea about that. The 12th day started, and their men were organizing. Their men almost sapped out of their strength, used the opportunity to greet their men. Shin and Hon started the lines with an inspirational message, Hon's were about making their unit from scratch but made his men arise, while Shin started his speech about when they kill Fuu Ki and Ryuu Sen was too nervous on the plan, at the end of the speech, Shin charged through with the rest of his men. They made headway, despite casualties. Shin's suffered casualties from disarrayed charges. Hon's men started making way for their master. A Ka Kin forced the A Kou Army's lieutenant to charge too.
Hi Shin Unit, despite disarrayed, used that to their advantage. While Kan To's group was stalled, they were saved by Kaku Bi Unit's cavalry. When the enemy archers aimed the horsemen, Suu Gen appeared from behind and killed the archers. Then Zhao tried to charge through with cavalry on Kan To's position, they used Kyou Kai's Gouriki to stop them, and Shou Sa killed the stunned cavalry. Shou Sa commended the rookies, then talked about what Shin does to them. They did so much damage against Chou Ga Ryuu's men, that he decided to withdraw his men, and sent messages to Ba Nan Ji and Gyou'un to fall back.
While Gyou'un was busy on Gyoku Hou Unit, he received the message and forced himself to retreat. Ba Nan Ji too took the message and retreated from A Kou Army's sight. Ka Ryo Ten used the moment to command the unit to charge through to match up Ou Sen Army's pace.
The night came, and the time where the last of the rations were given to soldiers. Instead of lining up, Shin used this opportunity to get heart-to-heart by giving the rations themselves. While on the left side, Mou Ten charged against Ba Tei's position to wreak havoc on their lines. Ou Sen's position moved their men too. But Ri Boku has a plan and sent his tactics on his army's positions.
Night at Zhao lines was easy, as Kaine was given instructions upon the wing commanders. But Gyou'un warned her that her loyalty to Ri Boku was too much like his and Ga Ryuu's loyalty to Rin Shou Jo and hopes that she does not suffer the fate that they suffered, that the young woman rebuffed.
The 13th day started as Hi Shin and Gyoku Hou fights their way to Zhao's left. Ou Sen moves his men carefully, while Den Ri Mi thinks why Sen deliberately abandoned the right-wing. Sou Ou commended his leader for awakening the two units, but Sen only expected Shin's unit to awaken, while his son's, he just gambled on it. Despite it, he knew that Zhao's right will not easily be defeated by the likes of Shin and Hon, but he knew the right-wing will take the victory. Meanwhile, on Zhao lines, Ri Boku and Ga Ryuu had the same idea, crippling one of the two will cripple the right-wing, the duo decided on Ou Hon and his Gyoku Hou Unit.
On the right-wing, Shin and Hon moved their units across the field, fighting both sides, until news that Hon was lost. As per Ri Boku's plan, Gyou'un charged upon Hon while Gaku Ei's own men charge to Shin's position independently. Alongside Gyou'un, his Rai'un Unit was charging, Ban You and Kan Jou tried to halt them, but the 10 Spears, handpicked spearmen charged through the HQ. While Shin was busy fighting Chou Ga Ryuu's men, a detachment of the fallen Gaku Ei's men charged through Kyou Kai Unit.
Gyou'un breached Gyoku Hou's HQ, he and his men deal with 'Ou Hon while other members trap Gyoku Hou's men. Kan Jou sensed something wrong, so he went to his master. Ban You also sensed it, but he was halted by Chou ga Ryuu himself. Kan Jou broke through, yelling to his master to flee while he would stall the enemy. He was attacked and only shielded with his glaive against the slash. But his master returned and saved him. Hon stabbed Gyou'un's arm while his men guarded his sides against the Zhao. But even wounded, Gyou'un returned a slash and threw him unconscious.
The Gyoku Hou retreated, and Kyuu Kou sacrificed himself to let his master escape. After the deed is done, Chou Ga Ryuu retreated. Night came, Shin and Kyou Kai went to Gyoku Hou's HQ to discuss a plan. The plan is, taking over Hi Shin Unit as their main HQ, Shin will be temporarily promoted to commanding both A Kou Army, Hi Shin Unit, and Gyoku Hou Unit, as A Kou and Ou Hon was incapacitated.
The Hi Shin Unit prepared for the battle. Ten was nervous about her tactics when Kai jokingly groped her, as both Kai and Shin replied they were serious about what's happening.
Meanwhile, Chou Ga Ryuu noticed the changes and declared that it is the end of the right-wing.
The battle started earlier than expected, with En and Shou Sa in charge of tactics and strategies, and saving as many savable men as possible, while letting others deliberately to their fates. While the Gyoku Hou faces Gyou'un's army with Ban You as commander.
Hi Shin Unit fought individually, saving only those tactically savable, while isolated and beyond salvation were left to their fates. Kaku Bi Unit and Hi Hyou Unit was acted like weapons. They are faced against Chou Ga Ryuu's army.
The push of the Hi Shin Unit was steady. While both A Kou Army and Gyoku Hou Unit defends the flanks against Ba Nan Ji Army and the remnants of Gaku Ei's army and the Gyou'un Army, respectively. But there is a problem, Kan To and others were trapped within Zhao ranks. Shou Sa went to save them. While on A Kou Army's side, A Ka Kin made a move against Ba Nan Ji. On the Gyoku Hou Unit's side, Ban You went and faced Gyou'un Army's Rai'un Unit.
The battle at the right was going quite roughly on the Zhao side, losing both Chou Ga Ryuu, Gaku Ei and Gyou'un. On the left, despite losing Ko Zen, Mou Ten decided to hold Ki Sui's army. While on the center, Ou Sen and Ri Boku started their own battle.
Later on, Shin and the right-wing pushed on, up to Ri Boku's HQ, where Hou Ken waited. Sou Tan killed Kin Mou. Shin dueled Hou Ken and killed the latter, Shin fell unconscious.
The battle at Shukai Plains was a victory for Qin.
Battle of Ryouyou
Meanwhile, Zhao and Yo Tan Wa Army alongside Heki Army, fought Shun Sui Ju and Kou Son Ryuu when the former decided to taunt Yo Tan Wa by killing several mountain men and ordering a retreat. They went to Ryouyou but were shocked when they encountered Quanrong people, whose ancestors made Zhou Kingdom fall to their knees, prepared to face them. She initially commanded Shunmen but was repulsed. Then commanded the Mera and Feego tribes to capture a hill, then rained arrows upon Quan Rong troops. In the meantime, general Heki was ordered to set up a defense line and fight back. The day ends with both sides retreating. Yo Tan Wa rebuffed the Feego King's joke.
3rd day began of Rozo estimating Yo Tan Wa Army's strengths and weaknesses, Mera, Feego, Bajio's, and Yo Tan Wa's units are especially strong, taking some of their men in battle. But Shun Sui Ju has a plan, involving attacking Heki Army themselves, which was burning Heki Army's supplies. Later, Heki was shocked when half their supplies got burnt. Yo Tan Wa offered her share, but he declined. He later charged at Quanrong ranks but sustained casualties. And all his runners intended to request Kan Ki Army supplies died when ambushed by spare Zhao troop positions.
8th day was reduced to self-defense by Heki Army, and Yo Tan Wa's tribesmen are giving their share of food, and infighting was rife until Yo Tan Wa summoned all tribe leaders for a meeting. She suggested killing 3 Quanrong commanders and deliberately inflict themselves heavy casualties, to conserve any supplies that they have. Katari, Feego King, and Ba Jio will lead the 3 armies against the Quanrong. He Ki also offered his army to the battle. Yo Tan Wa agreed to his request and replaced Katari with his own.
9th day started with Heki Army's 5,000 men and Mera Tribe's 5,000 men are attacking Bunen's army with 20,000 men, while Danto will face Tork and Ba Jio faces Goba. Yo Tan Wa meanwhile summoned the Enshu Tribe’s Chieftan Enpo. While Shun Sui Ju already knew their plan all along. He Ki used his heavy shield troops and archers to cut down as many Quanrong horsemen and repair the defense holes left by their charges. He also commanded Mera Tribe's cavalry to charge against the Quanrong detachment.
Then Bajio and Feego King start their own battles.
Bajio's army was initially bucked under Goba's first wave, stood their ground, and pushed their enemies thanks to Tajifu's unit. Feego Tribe was also having progress, despite heavy casualties. Heki Army is having their enemies pushed the farthest. Even though their strength was evenly matched, their ferocity was stronger. Bunen's HQ was near reached by Heki Army itself. But upon reaching the HQ, Bunen's elite troops led by Geeli one-sidedly killed Heki's men, and himself was cornered when the Mera Tribe arrived. But Bunen called his archers and fire on both Mera Tribe and his men.
As the arrow rains in both Quanrong, Heki Army, and Mera Tribe, Kitari tried to rally the men but is wounded. Heki saves her but gets wounded in the process. Katari meanwhile, charges upon Bunen. Geeli charged through him and is swiftly stabbed but he and two other Quanrong hold Katari enough time for Bunen to stab him.
As Katari dies, an enrage Kitari tries to charge through the Quanrong but is knocked out, while the Mera tribesmen are thrown into despair, leading to a one-sided massacre. Heki is then forced to retreat and regroup.
Feego Tribe, however, accomplished their task. Despite their numbers was culled in half, Danto managed to corner Tork. He just taunted Tork, which the latter swings his sword, but was stabbed by the Feego King.
On Bajio's side, Bajio made progress against Goba, but the wise Quanrong commander commanded a retreat. Yo Tan Wa tried to block them, but Shun Sui Ju appeared on her rear alongside Rozo. Not only that, but Kou Son Ryuu Army also appeared on the side. Yo Tan Wa created blocking forces and charged right to Goba. She amputated Goba's hands and was killed and ordered a full retreat. The Quanrong and Zhao pursued them.
Katari became the Mera Tribe chieftain and reorganized her forces. But Bunen stopped chasing them and joined other Quanrong and Zhao men to chase Yo Tan Wa Army. But the Mountain King has her plans despite being trapped in. With her forces reorganized, they charged upon the encirclement. She led her forces against both Quanrong and Zhao forces, Ba Jio broke the encirclement and amputated Kou Son Ryuu's sword hand. But the chase for Yo Tan Wa was unrelenting. She was cornered into a corner with Gan Clan, a group of scouts, and several Quanrong when Ba Jio arrived and held her to escape the pursuers and jumped through the cliff.
Despite jumping the cliff, both of them had enough strength to fight several Quanrong until Yo Tan Wa was knocked out and Ba Jio was knocked out, but he fought on until he reached the Mountain King.
Meanwhile, her men are rallied towards a spot and waited for the signal. Enpo and his Enshu Tribe went upon and climbed a cliff near Quanrong's City, Ryouyou.
Bajio meanwhile used his feral instinct to buy the other tribesmen's time to come to Yo Tan Wa's position. Tajifu and Shunmen with their men arrived and rescued the Mountain King, but Shun Sui Ju's and Rozo's soldiers arrived at the outskirts, but Danto and his tribe, with the head of Tork charges through them.
As Yo Tan Wa exits the forest, Rozo and Shun Sui Ju are busy fighting Danto's men, but Bunen and his men arrived at the scene and charged through with his chosen riders while pouring the rest upon the fight. But Katari and Heki arrived, the former charging to chase Bunen, the latter going to assist Danto. The Feego King just said that the Mountain King just played her cards while the barbarians and Zhao are led too far from Ryouyou, as the Enshu Tribe started decimating the Quanrong city.
The battle on Ryouyou was fierce, with Enshu Tribe fought Quanrong guards with wanton strength, while Yo Tan Wa herself was on the Saha Gorge. Danto has difficulties fighting Rozo, while Bunen faced Katari, the latter killing him after amputating the Quanrong commander's hand.
As Danto was dueling with Rozo, Heki tries to break through rough Quanrong lines, the Feego King suffering blows of Quanrong King. But the king used this to make Heki kill Rozo.
After their Quanrong King was defeated, the other Quanrong men surrendered themselves to Yo Tan Wa. Shun Sui Ju went to Ryouyou but was halted by Enshu Tribe, other Yo Tan Wa Army members, and Both the Mountain King and her newfound men, the Quanrong on their tail. The elder of the Quanrong that someone who holds Ryouyou with their lives, the Mountain King referred to, that Yo Tan Wa liberated them from Rozo's tyranny and the Zhao commander's blind eye to their pleas, Yo Tan Wa gave their freedom. And warned Shun Sui Ju that he can retreat, but not attack Gyou, or else, the Quanrong will be his enemies. He retreated. And the Qin, Mountain Armies and Quanrong's first move towards the city, is to eat and regain strength. Despite Kitari distrusting the newfound ally, Mountain King replied that she trusted Mera Tribe when He Ki was brought to her face.
She praised Heki for what he did to Rozo when Shunmen joked about Bajio died of wounds.
She said that the Battle of Ryouyou was just a piece of the main mission, that is preventing both Shun Sui Ju, Zhao and Quanrong to attack Kan Ki Army on Gyou. They succeeded, but instead of moving to Gyou, Shun Sui Ju opted to reinforce Retsubi and seal all efforts of escaping Zhao. She commanded her troops and Heki's men to hold a position on the city in case Zhao made any stupid maneuvers before she leaves.
He Ki meanwhile, thinks of supply delivery on both Ou Sen Army, cooped up fighting Ri Boku Army and Kan Ki Army besieging Gyou, with Zhao defending supply lines, when Katari kicked him.
They tried to resupply Ou Sen but was blocked by an elite Zhao army unit outskirt.
Gyou
Kan Ki Army was tasked to besiege Gyou and repel any Zhao force that comes their way. Ring Yoku, Rai Do and his Rai Do Clan, Koku’ou, and her force, Zen Ou and his Zen Ou Clan, and Kan Ki himself were being attacked by any Zhao force that tried to relieve Gyou and destroy the Qin invaders.
Later that night, as Gyou was starving, Kan Ki is eating Ma Ron's cooked horse meat with Ogiko, when Rai Do and Koku Ou arrived and see Ring Yoku snoring, the latter being stretched too thin that day. They talked about what Ou Sen thinks about losing Ma Kou.
At the same time, Kan Ki Army was relieved when Zhao forces just encircled them and no movements. But Ma Ron smelled suspicious and told Kan Ki that their survival will be with Yo Tan Wa Army or Ou Sen Army will be victorious and give them food or they are forced to lift the siege of Gyou. Kan Ki accepted Ma Ron's request that if they are running out of food, they will abort the siege.
As their supplies running out, Kan Ki was content maintaining the encirclement. Ma Ron said that their supplies are running thin because of Quoh Clan stealing it. And Zen Ou Clan was threatening him with outright pillaging if their supplies were further reduced. Ma Ron suggests that the Quoh will face Saki Clan, which Kan Ki said that do what he must do and relayed a message to the Zen Ou Clan that if they pillage food, they will face the whole Kan Ki Army and sarcastically remarked that the Ou Sen Army took their sweet time.
Inside Gyou, several Zhao citizens smelled something wrong, as some people got mixed up with strangers, probably Qin infiltrators.
The hunch is right, as some Ou Sen Army infiltrators were acting inside. They burned every major granary inside Gyou. They entered the city 2 weeks ago. But they were killed after the deed and damage are done. Kan Ki outside the gates knew there is something, and he again sarcastically mutters.
Inside the city, Gyou's leader was alarmed by the news of burning their granaries. He told the messenger to cover up the problem and take inventory on other granaries and stores.
Many days passed, Kan Ki smirks on his seat while Ogiko is sleeps. While his men are busy shouting that "the Kan Ki Army will not harm them", and Gyou was on chaos when 2 messengers abound: 1 was about Ri Boku Army was inbound, and Ou Sen Army was bound to arrive.
Ri Boku Army arrived first, faced Rai Do Clan. Then Ou Sen arrived, and Gyou's gates opened up by rebellious refugees, which Zenou Clan takes advantage of. Ri Boku retreats, in time when a carriage from Kantan arrived to arrest him.
Inside Gyou, the army found no food, to the verge of starvation, until supplies from Qi arrived.
Outskirts
Kai Oku sets out to supply Qin, but is intercepted by Shun Sui Ju retaking Retsubi, he baited them from attacking. They were decoys, as the true supplies were ferried to the Yellow River with all of Qin's flotilla. But they also failed to reach Gyou, as Zhao also blocked the river. Unknown to them, only Shou Hei Kun knew that they could rely on Qi for supplies, as they have a river route to Gyou, for a fee of course.
While another army under Tou was due to arrive, as Ri Boku feared that the battle of Gyou would be sending aid to new armies that would besiege Retsubi, with Ryouyou and Gyou in Qin's hands. But Kaku Kai ignored his pleas.
A recovered A Kou wakes up from his coma and heads out with an army to regroup/assist Tou in Retsubi. With nothing about reinforcements from the north, after hearing the news of Ri Boku's arrest, the army under Ko Chou and Shun Sui Ju retreat to the capital to address it.
Aftermath
Gyou, Ryouyou, and Retsubi are captured, alongside other Zhao cities along the entire radius. Hi Shin Unit and others are allowed to return to Qin, with Tou Army being tasked with guarding the area.
Characters Introduced
Qin
Zhao
City Lord of Seika City
City Lord of Gyou
Crown Prince of Zhao
Ri Boku's Deputy in the Zhao Courts
Eastern Commander of Zhao's Eastern border.
Retsubi Cavalry Officer
Han
Yan
Story Impacts
- The main target of the campaign is the city of Gyou, the second largest city in the inner regions of Zhao.
- The Qin attacks with three armies with Ou Sen appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of this campaign.
- 1st army: Kan Ki Army
- 2nd army: Yo Tan Wa Army
- 3rd army: Ou Sen Army
- As commanded by Shou Hei Kun, Ou Sen is allowed to drop the entire strategy to attack Gyou as he sees fit in case of any unexpected surprises. But even as he learned of Retsubi's trap, Ou Sen never dropped the attack plain and instead modify it using his own form of psychological warfare by using the refugees from conquered cities.
- The Hi Shin Unit, Gyoku Hou Unit, Gaku Ka Unit, and the combined Qin armies set out from the capital, Kanyou.
- After mastering the use of podaos, Shin finally takes up wielding General Ou Ki's Glaive.
- Ou Sen's abilities were acknowledged by Ko Shou, the late head Strategist of the Six Great Generals.
- The Hi Shin Unit and Yo Tan Wa Army siege Retsubi, the natural gateway of Zhao, and take the city in a day.
- Yo Tan Wa starts the first attack of the campaign upon Zhao forces under Kou Son Ryuu.
- The Kan Ki Army is placed in charge of sieging Gyou.
- Shin and Ou Hon encounter and clash with Zhao's heroes of the War God's Era, Gyou’un and Chou Ga Ryuu.
- Rin Shou Jo makes his full official appearance through flashbacks.
- Shou Sa, an original member and veteran of the Hi Shin Unit since their days as a 100-Man Unit, dies in battle.
- Kan To inherits Shou Sa's will and spear.
- Kyuu Kou, Kan Jou's right-hand and central figure of the Gyoku Hou Unit, gives his life in protecting Ou Hon.
- Hou Ken makes his final appearance on the battlefield.
- Ko Zen, the adjutant of the Gaku Ka Unit and Mou Ten's former caretaker, dies at Hou Ken's hands after wounding the Bushin's leg.
- Ou Sen meets Ri Boku for the first time on the battlefield as they clash against each other. Ou Sen offers Ri Boku a chance to join him and help him build his "kingdom" but Ri Boku refuses.
- Hou Ken kills Kyo Gai, an original member and veteran of the Hi Shin Unit since their days as a 100-Man Unit.
- Kyou Kai duels Hou Ken for the final time. She loses but greatly injures the Bushin.
- Shin duels Hou Ken for the third and final time.
- Shin kills Hou Ken as he cuts him in twine.
- Shin nearly dies from his duel with Hou Ken, but Kyou Kai is able to save him from the brink of death at the expense of reducing her lifespan and damaging her chi pathways.
- The Ri Boku Army redraw from the battle and heads towards Gyou.
- The Ou Sen Army and the remaining able-bodied Hi Shin, Gyoku Hou, and Gaku Ka Units chase after the Zhao.
- The city of Gyou falls.
Major Battles
- Siege of Retsubi
- Battle at Shukai Plains
- Battle of Ryouyou
- Siege of Gyou
Trivia
- This arc is the currently longest in the series, surpassing the Coalition Invasion Arc by 47 chapters.
- The arc is the official start of the prolonged Qin/Zhao Wars between the Qin Military and Zhao Military. These conflicts started as far back as the Battle of Bayou before Ei Sei’s official declaration of war against the state of Zhao and is currently ongoing.
References
- ↑ Kingdom Manga: Vol.46 Chapter 496