21 The King who would unify these lands

Narrator PoV

The past 6 years were relatively calm, but that didn't mean the world was at peace. It was merely a prelude before the next era of warfare. It is said that "with chaotic times, comes heroes who would quell the chaos." The 7 Kingdoms were all relying on their generals to be that hero.

Han, the smallest of the nations lacked the strength to conquer, but they were more than capable of defending relying on their two great generals, Huang Zhong and Guo Jia. They even ventured out and attacked the important location of Badong.

Wei, Han and Chu, all had their eyes set on that region as taking that land would divide up Qin and they may even lose all the lands they took from Chu. Chu didn't commit a full scale attack during this time. They focused more on settling their internal affairs.

There was rumour that the King's brother Prince Anxin and his Sun Ce nephew were locked in a power struggle. Most of the Court preferred Sun Ce over him as the king didn't have any heir and Anxin was a psychopath without any talent .

Sun Ce was both a good warrior and good at politics. His hold over the court strengthened after he recruited famous strategist named Pang Tong who was a peerless genius. He could even give strategist GenPo under Renpa a run for his money. With him, the void left by Zhou Yu was filled and Chu gained a great strategist.

But there was the rising faction of Xiang Yu who was basically the main authority in Western Chu. He still remained loyal to the With all these people grabbing for power, Chu didn't dare to venture towards north. but when their internal affairs would be solved, they would surely become strongest in the middle kingdom.

Yan was the most pitiful as they were struggling to gather enough soldiers to reclaim their territories. The Threat coming from both Ma Chao and Guan Yu being at the borders had forced them to only defend. Although it was difficult to break through to the Capital due to mountain terrain, they were at a deadlock.

Their neighbour Zhao was completely opposite. Zhao, after the tragedy of Choyou were thought to be severely weakened for generations, but with the new great Heavens and many talented generals, Zhao became very powerful. For the first time in a while, Zhao didn't have any lack of generals worthy of the title 3 great Heavens of Zhao.

Lu Bu, who returned after his seclusion to train was disheartened hearing about the death of KouRyu. So he went beyond the defensiveline to slaughter all the Xiongnu and Hun tribes. His ruthless slaughter was so brutal that both tribes were almost extinct. He was awarded generously and earned the title "Zhao's Supreme Heaven." He was basically the leader of the 3 great Heavens and had authority to even command them.

In order to limit his powers, the king chose to appoint Guan Yu as the 3rd great Heaven with Zhang He as a future candidate. Houken was declared as Riboku's strongest general although he didn't participate much in the battles.

Wei was more focused on creating strife between the other kingdoms. Jia Xu, lived up to his name and created unrest through spies. He spread rumours to Zhao that Qin would attack and told Chu the same which made them focus most of their resources at the border.

Although his tricks would be silent and unknown, their effects could be devastating to other states. Without Reiou, Gaimou and Earl Shi, Wei could only rely on Xu Chu and Gokei. Gohoumei, son of Gokei was also becoming a great general but Wei decided to hide him and let him grow as they didn't want another repeat of Sima Yi.

Qi was silent amidst all this. They maintained their usual business approach and focused on trade. They improved their infrastructure with the overflowing gold and also recruited General called Yue Fei. He was a brilliant warrior with intelligence and a very strong army.

He was appointed as the guardian of Qi and guarded the gateway to the capital.Yan once decided to push towards Qi but he not only defended his kingdom, he also killed Yan's great general Yue Xin which further weakened them.

Lastly, Qin was in a dormant state. With the death of their king and great general KouRyu, they chose to withdraw and reform their nation. KouRyu's Heavenly Generals proved why they were chosen by KouRyu, Specially Zhuge Liang, Han Xin and Lu Meng. Even Shoheikun, a genius who studied under great general Koshou, admitted Zhuge Liang was definitely more brilliant than him and more versatile.

There was also a new field for Qin, naval warfare. Due to not having so much control over Yangtze river before, Qin didn't have much of a navy. Even KouRyu didn't have many naval troops. KaRin had some good navy soldiers, but they were few in number. The arrival of Gan Ning made them focus on navy as they need to fight a lot of naval battle in the future.

Gan Ning was a former pirate who was quite formidable in the waters. But Xing Daorong of Qin defeated him in a battle and made him join Qin. Gan Ning was appointed as the commanding general of Nan navy corps in Jiangxia. He soon became a renowned name in Qin due to his prowess.

Han Xin, one of the pillars of KouRyu joined up with the ChouTou army and participated in some battles where he won using his strategies and commanding skills. ChouTou himself said, "If we were to measure the only sheer capabilities to command troops in a battle , Han Xin can be almost as good as KouRyu when he matures."

When other kingdoms were became busy with succession problems, The power struggle began here also with Ei Sei , his brother Sei Kyo and Ryofui. Sei Kyo managed to gain the upper hand and pushed Ei Sei out of capital while Ryofui took 200,000 troops away on an expedition. They even tried to kill Ei Sei but Hyou, his body double found by Shoubunkun took the fall for him.

Ryofui PoV

It looks like our little king isn't quite good as I thought. His younger brother snatched the throne from him, and now he lost his right hand Shoubunkun. That old man can not be underestimated. As someone who served at great general Kyou's side, he was quite a threat.

Now the young king was all alone without any retainers and last seen going northwards. Why would he go there? Unless he has someone to back him up, he won't go there as Northern Qin has become like a separate part of Qin. As the mountains blocked the way to venture there, very little could be known about that place ever since that guys assassination.

I heaved a sigh as I remembered about the boy who could have been the Right chancellor of Qin in future. He was strong, brilliant and non corrupt. Most of all, he was also a great businessman.

He could have been a great asset to Qin and myself. I should have sent some of my assassins to protect his back despite his protest.

Well, no use crying over spilt milk. I wanted to get one his vassals but half of them just vanished or presumed dead. While the others chose to remain in the north, except Han Xin who joined up with ChouTou. That stubborn geezer won't let him go. Afterall, he was quite attached to KouRyu.

All I can do now is to see if Ei Sei could take his throne back. He would be easier to control than his brother. I have Moubu and Shouheikun to command these 200,000 troops, I can act when the opportunity comes.

Narrator PoV

The young king went towards the Heibei village to hide and wait for reinforcements but the Assasin who killed Hyou kept following him. In the same time, A young boy with shabby clothing arrived in Heibei village. His name was Shin, a friend of Hyou. Strangely, despite his appearance, he was riding a majestic horse, equipped with a good sword.

As the Heibei village was a criminal den, the thugs wanted to have that horse and tried to snatch it from him. But he cut down each of them.

If you want to know how a slave boy found such a horse, we have to go back about an hour ago.

*Flashback

As Shin was blinded by rage and rushed towards Heibei, he came across the Tai bridge. When he was about to cross it he saw A young man about 10 years older than him with 5 soldiers. He was helping some elderly folks who were attacked by bandits. Shin didn't think much and ran to help them.

The bandits were killed within minutes and Shin realized 5 people killing 50 or so bandits was not normal. They must be veterans. Their leader the handsome young man greeted Shin with a smile and asked where he was going like that.

Shin was hesitant to tell them and the young man understood and didn't ask again. He thanked Shin and said," We don't have anything to reward you. So why not take this horse as a gift?" pointng towards one of their horses.

The horse was big and muscular but had an elegance to it. He was black in colour with silvery mains and golden eyes. Shin refused and said he couldn't accept such a precious gift, but the young man just smiled said it was alright and handed him the reigns.

He left with his men and said before leaving," Vengeance can be great motivation, but if left uncontrolled it will consume you. But seeing you, I can say you can overcome it."

*Present time

Shin arrived in front of the hut and entered it, only to find a bloy who looked absolutely same as his dead friend Hyou. Shin was thinking he is dreaming or something, but at that moment, the assasin caught up to them and proclaimed the young boy with Shin as none other than Ei Sei, the 31st king of Qin.

Shin became enraged after hearing the Assasin killed Hyou and they fought fiercely. All the time, they were being watched by a fellow hiding in the bushes with a weird outfit made of straw.

Shin defeated the assasin and he begged for his life but Ei Sei beheaded him anyway and asked Shin," What do plan now? Do you wish to kill me and avenge Hyou? "

Shin then remembered the words said by the young man he met and replied," No. I'm gonna use you to achieve my goals. I promised Hyou I would become one of the greatest generals of the Heavens, and you would help me with that."

At that moment the person hiding in the bushes came out introduced him as Karyo Ten although she was only pretending to be a boy. He told them he knew a way out and he would help them in exchange for money.

Shin replied that he won't abandon his horse and they could ride it to escape. As 3 of them were all small and skinny, Shin's horse 'Shadow Runner' could carry all of them and still run fast.

The horse was really great and Ei Sei asked Shin where did he get such a precious horse to which Shin could only say he got it as a gift from someone. Ei sei replied that this kind of horse can be found only in Northern lands of Qin and it's a great war horse.

They made their way to to place Shoubunkun told Ei Sei to meet up. On their way, They met another assasin called Muta who was quite skilled. After some struggle, they defeated him and returned to the summer palace of Duke Mu where Shoubunkun arrived by then.

He was overjoyed to see the king unharmed. Shin and him had a fight about Hyou and after some argument, they decided to go to the mountain king for help. Ei sei at first asked to head towards Changan where remnants of KouRyu army remained.

He still remembered the meeting he had with KouRyu when he was a kid, but Shoubunkun refused and said there was no news from them and they doesn't interfere in the matters of politics.

But soon after they started their journey, they were surrounded by mountain tribe soldiers and Ei Sei was taken after he proclaimed his wish to talk about an alliance with their king. Shoubunkun followed him to meet the king.

Shin and the others refused to sit still and headed towards the mountain kings castle but got captured in the end. They were then escorted to the court room of the Mountain king where Ei Sei and Shoubunkun was sitting.

After some arguments about the treatment of Qin people towards the mountain folks, the mountain king asked why they should help Ei Sei. Ei Sei then boldly proclaimed that this was only his first step. He doesn't plan to only unite mountain folks, he plans to unify all of China. He would be the king who would abolish all bordes and end the warring states period of 500 years.

At that moment, 3 people came into the room. Two of them were mountain tribesmen but the other was a handsome young man who was dressed in a general's armour. Seeing him, Shin yelled out in surprise and said," Hey! you are that pretty boy from before who gave me my horse!"

Ei Sei was also shocked, but for a different reason. Because He knew the young man. He looked at the young man and muttered softly," That's general Zhao Yun, the right hand of General KouRyu! Why is he here of all places! "