Kingdom: Hyou Ren

Chapter 22: The Arrival of the Coalition's Army



"Have you lost your ability to see? Have you all lost your heads completely? Just look at this." Ei Sei said as he turned towards the map, which showcased the 6 armies of the coalition force.

 

6 months had passed since the Battle of Hidong Plains, and my unit had been stationed around that area for the 3 months following that, engaging in 4 different battles, against smaller forces. The weakest being a 500-man unit.

 

But the weaker units, with lower tier troops and commanders. Had provided sufficient training for my men. I had gotten reinforcements after the Battle of Hidong, replenishing our troops. And since then, these new recruits had grown to the level of a standard Qin Warrior, while those from Genji´s unit had become even better, most at the appropriate level of veteran. 

 

After those 3 months, I had retired from the Battlefield, returning to the capital to relax for some time, with my unit having been given leave inside the city. 

 

And since my Father was out, protecting the border. I was representing the Hyou-Family´s interests within the city, and this had ended up with me by the King's side, as the news of the coalition army hit us.

 

Which had thrown the council into chaos, and Ei Sei was now working on getting them back to reality.

 

"At this point, in every corner of our Kingdom, innocent civilians are being slaughtered by the thousands, our castles are burned and our soldiers killed by the tens of thousands. And the only men fully aware of this, are the men in this room. So we are the only ones who can fix this." Ei Sei said, as the entire chamber became silent.

 

"Understand? The lives of Qin´s innocent civilians are within the hands of our council. So we must not falter, they're defiling our country. They're violating our people. We must work together, to find a countermeasure. Now." He shouted, stepping forward and stretching his hand out.

 

"Coalition Army or not, we must fight!" He shouted, ending his speech. Which properly lit a fire under all these councillors, apart from Lû Bu and Ei Sei´s faction.

 

"We must retreat the civilians"

 

"Evacuate the towns" 

 

However, I knew the Coalition's End goal, as I stepped through the crowd. Walking past them, from my previous position behind it all.

 

I was in silver clothing, with golden outlines as I stepped forth, catching the attention of certain individuals, including Lord Changping.

 

I stepped up to the map, as I began studying it. The movements all seemed identical to the original story, so perhaps it's my time to shine.

 

"Your Grace, Chancellor. I know it is not my place, but you're all going about this situation wrong." I said, silencing the entire chamber.

 

"What!? How dare you?" The Minister of Left, Shou Ban Ka. The leader of EI Sei´s faction, and a reliable backer to Ei Sei.

 

However, before anyone could respond. Sei held up his hands, as he began walking up towards me.

 

The map was placed on the ground, by our feet. And he stopped in front of it, standing in front of his throne, but almost walking onto the map. I stood on his left, facing the map. 

 

"How so, explain yourself." He said, and I nodded, crouching down. 

 

"As Lord Shou said, it has indeed happened before. With Chi, but the only difference now. Is that Qin does not possess the strength of Chi, we´re not strong enough by ourselves to force this. And this army would never be assembled, if the goal was some puny castles and territory." I said. 

 

"So, our threat is not large enough to force this, and the coalition army is too strong for a few puny castles. So, my assumption. Is that they're not after our land, but Qin. Their goal is the death of Qin." I said, shocking many within the room. 

 

"They have come, to turn 7 Kingdoms into 6. And that's not all. Due to us not being a do or die threat, none of these Kingdoms have the trust in each other to extend the war. Fearing a betrayal, and therefore. They naturally intend to end this war quickly." I said, as I began moving the pieces. Straight towards Kanyou, the capital.

 

"Their goal is Kanyou, our heart. And therefore, we need to stop them at Kankoku Pass. The only defensive line which can possibly defend against this force." I said, ending my speech.

 

"But if we do that, we'd leave our entire country. All its civilians and castles, defenceless. For a strategy, we cannot be sure they will actually end up doing." Lû Bu said, but I shook my head.

 

"It´s very clear, they have burnt all the castles they have taken, they do not bother to even garrison them. And they're heading towards us at lightning speed, they're betting on precisely this happening. For us to squabble about their intentions, and for the news of the 6 armies to throw us into chaos." I said, my eyes locking onto Sei´s.

 

"Which is why, no matter what you devise. You must begin rallying the men immediately, call all civilians south of Kankoku Pass, and all men must fight." I said, my eyes escaping Ei Sei´s. 

 

"I agree. We´ll raise all our levies, without halt. Send the word out." Ei Sei said, and I stood up. 

 

"Alright. I´ll take my leave then." I said, as I began walking out.

 

"Wait, Hyou Ren. Your advice has been impeccable, we might still require it." Minister Shou said, trying to stop me.

 

"I have my unit to tend to, and Lord Changping is far smarter than me, he's likely already seen through their intentions, without needing me to point them out. He's more suitable for this, than I am. You're in safe hands, Minister Shou. Don't worry." I said, as I finally turned around and left the room.

 

This place, far behind our lines. In the safety of the city, with no soldiers in sight. Was not my place, my place belonged to the Battlefield. And by my father's side. 

 

I would not let him die.

 

For all his harshness, and coldness, he was still my father. And I loved him, like my second father. He taught me how to wield a sword, a spear, and everything I know. Even if he may be disappointed in my way of fighting, I knew he loved me, as I loved him. 

 

And he would not fall. 

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