Kingdom: Hyou Ren

Ishiro rode beside me, as we rode at the forefront of our 2000 Man unit.

A man learned through his battles, and experiences. As although I originally wanted an infantry-heavy elite unit, as the battles raged and I grew up, I knew that although it did indeed possess a unique ace in terms of defense.

I had also come to realise, that always playing defensive, would come to properly kick me in the arse. Throughout the last 9 months, I had come to realise the importance of a proper cavalry, both defensively and offensively.

So, after the Battle against the Raiga Tai Forces, I had decided to reorganize our army once again, promoting an additional 200 men to cavalrymen.

So I now had 1000 men on horse, and 1000 men on foot.

Most of them wielded Glaives or Spears with shields. 

However, that was not the only improvement gained throughout this last year. No, I had achieved something new.

Since the Battle of Hidong Plains, I had spent many days and nights, figuring out how to solve a quite simple, but difficult issue.

The issue of giving commands.

During the Battle, I couldn´t hold my recruits back. Sure, veterans and elites wouldn't do it, but I couldn´t always rely on having a veteran force at hand.

I had spent many nights grumbling over it, coming up with different solutions. Horns, flags, smoke signals, and whatever I could. But in the end, I had decided to simply steal it from another man, Kyou En. 

The act of using your arrows, and specifically designed devices to create sound. And if your archery was prominent enough, you could use it to lead armies of over 40,000 as he did.

Sadly, I hadn´t reached that proficiency. But so long as a battlefield doesn't stretch too far, I'm fairly confident in being able to use it effectively, 

In addition to that, during these last 6 months. We had gotten another 2 men who had stood out amongst the rest, earning them a place amongst my staff, Gankou Gei and Shiba Dan.

Shiba Dan was a part of the infantry, wielding a Glaive alongside a heavy weapon. He stood at a massive 203cm in height, with a large and bulky appearance. 

Gankou Get meanwhile, was similar to Roku. Except he wielded a spear, he was 189cm tall, and he had a swimmer's build. Focusing on speed rather than sheer power. 

They had both been a part of my original 300 elites, and they had survived battle after battle. And after Sanyou, when we were stationed at Sanyou City, they had gained additional trainings from the officers after proving themselves.

Then they gained some renown during those 3 months, eventually becoming 200-men commanders, 1 for the infantry and the other for the cavalry.

The cavalry had 3 commanders, and the infantry had 4. 

The Cavalry had Roku as its 1000-Man Commander, and overall Commander. Ryo serving as the 500 Commander for the original 500 elites, Gankou served as the 500-Men Commander for the Genji´s men who were promoted, and the newly recruited ones.

For the Infantry, Kaen served as its overall Commander, 1000 men. Tetsuji and Hozu then served as his 500-Man Commanders, with Shiba Dan being Hozu´s Lieutenant. 

However, I put that into the back of my mind as I focused on the status of our marching.

We had left Kanyou about 4 days ago, and at a casual march-rate, we had now reached Kankoku Pass, 2 days before the Coalition Army would arrive. 

The Battlefield at Kankoku Pass had been split accordingly, Ou Sen had been positioned to the left of Kankoku Pass, the massive wall guarding the only entrance. Ou Sen was to be squared up with the Yan Army.

Kankoku Pass itself was guarded by General Chou Too, Mou Gou and Kan Ki, positioned in 3 towers atop the wall and commanding their parts of the wall. They were facing the combined forces of the Wei and Han Armies, with the Wei General in charge, with over twice the number of soldiers as Han. 

Behind the wall, was a reserve force. However, the strategy was to avoid them being used, so they were almost entirely greenhorns.

To the right of the Kankoku Pass, were the combined forces of Mou Bu and Tou against the Chu Army, the largest Army assembled by a single state alone.

And then, further to the right was Duke Hyou´s Army, facing the Zhao State, and the battlefield I had been assigned to.

I don't know if it's due to my father's influence, simple tactics or some other intentions, but I had no problem being positioned alongside my father, not only would it gain me a lot of glory.

If I played our relationship well enough, I could end up being put into strategic command of the entire 40,000-man army, which was a gigantic leap for me. But my father had no interest in such positions, and he rarely needed a tactician.

But Duke Hyou was no simple war-beast, and he knew I would be taking over after him, inheriting the title of Duke and Lord of the Hyou Family, and what Father wouldn't wish to assist his son in growing through the ranks.

Now, I also doubt he'd put me in such a position, if he didn't see me fit or ready. So now, we just have to see if he saw me worthy enough. 

However, I was brought out of my thoughts by a shout.

"REN! MY SON!" A familiar voice shouted, as a man rushed out of the forest, followed by 200 or so men on horseback, as he was. 

Even I was taken aback by this action. Father had never shown this type of affection since I turned 12, much less publicly. 

My brain froze for a second, as he just continued to rush at me. 

"Erm, sir?" Genji asked from the side, but I couldn´t even answer, as Duke Hyou appeared before me.

"Father." I said, in simple greeting, however I was once again brought aback as his horse suddenly sprang forward, before stopping right beside me. As his arm wrapped around me, and brought me in for a hug.

I was tall, standing at 187 centimetres by the age of 18, but he still towered above me.

"You've made me proud, son." He said, under his breath. But with his typical tone, before his horse stepped back, followed up by his booming laughter.

"Welcome home, son! I've missed you! You've got to tell me all about your adventures!!!!" He laughed, and I couldn't help but sigh.

What the fuck is up with this man. 

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**EVERY 50 POWERSTONE IS AN EXTRA CHAPTER**

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