One year and two months had passed since the Battle of She Gan Plains.
The scars of that campaign had long healed, and the northeastern territories governed by Duke Hyou flourished under a period of relative peace. Soldiers trained relentlessly, villages prospered beneath the protection of the Duke's banners, and the border forts stood vigilant against Wei incursions.
Within the grand residence of the Duke Hyou household, General Hyou Ren sat beside his wife, Ri Yue, as attendants brought forth another stack of intelligence reports from the Qin capital.
Hyou Ren let out a weary sigh before opening the first report.
"...It's Shin again."
Ri Yue smiled knowingly.
"What has he done this time?"
Hyou Ren rubbed his forehead before reading aloud.
"'Three Hundred Man Commander Shin has become entangled in the assassination conflict between Chancellor Ryo Fui's faction and His Majesty Ei Sei's faction.'"
Silence filled the chamber.
"...That fool."
Ri Yue covered her mouth with a small laugh.
"He certainly knows how to find trouble."
Hyou Ren leaned back in frustration.
"This is exactly what I feared."
"If Shin continues involving himself with King Ei Sei's personal affairs, the Duke Hyou political faction may eventually be dragged into supporting the royal faction openly."
"Our neutrality exists for a reason."
Just then the heavy doors opened.
Duke Hyou entered the chamber with his usual carefree grin, carrying a jug of wine over one shoulder.
"What're you two talking about?"
"Shin."
"Hahaha! Again?"
Hyou Ren handed his father the report.
After reading several lines, Duke Hyou burst into loud laughter.
"That brat really does chase excitement wherever he goes!"
Hyou Ren could only shake his head.
"This is no laughing matter."
"If word spreads that our family openly supports Ei Sei, Chancellor Ryo Fui may begin viewing the Duke Hyou faction as political enemies."
Duke Hyou simply shrugged.
"I'll follow whatever my wife decides."
Both Hyou Ren and Ri Yue nodded.
Within Qin's court, very few people understood the true influence of the Duke Hyou faction.
Although Duke Hyou commanded the armies, the political power behind the family rested in the hands of his wife.
Princess Ei You.
Born as one of the daughters of King Sho, Princess Ei You was the aunt of the young King Ei Sei.
Long before Duke Hyou rose to prominence, the ancient State of the Duke had surrendered to Qin. Rather than being dissolved completely, it had been allowed to retain a measure of semi-independent rule in exchange for unwavering loyalty to the Qin throne.
For generations, the ruling house of the Duke had strengthened that loyalty through marriage with Qin's royal family.
Princess Ei You's marriage to Duke Hyou continued that centuries-old tradition.
While Duke Hyou became Qin's greatest instinctual general, Princess Ei You quietly administered the northeastern territories of Qin, ensuring prosperity, stability, and loyalty throughout the region.
Her political influence rivaled many ministers within Kanyou itself.
Without her approval, no major political decision concerning the Duke Hyou faction would ever be made.
It was an influence Shin himself knew nothing about.
To him, Princess Ei You was simply his beloved grandmother.
Hyou Ren opened another intelligence report.
His expression immediately became one of disbelief.
"...You've got to be kidding me."
Ri Yue tilted her head.
"What now?"
Hyou Ren handed her the document.
"'Commander Shin has frequently been seen accompanied by two young girls known as Kyou Kai and Ka Ryo Ten.'"
"'Numerous witnesses report the three behaving as though they are inseparable.'"
Ri Yue smiled warmly.
"It seems our son is quite popular."
Hyou Ren sighed.
"He's only been away from home for a short while and somehow already has two little lovers following him around."
"I don't even know whether to be impressed or concerned."
Ri Yue giggled softly.
"Perhaps both."
Duke Hyou laughed so loudly the servants outside nearly jumped.
"Hahahaha!"
"That's my grandson!"
"He fights battles and wins girls at the same time!"
Hyou Ren simply buried his face in his hand.
Another report remained.
He unfolded it slowly.
"..."
"..."
"...Unbelievable."
Ri Yue noticed his stunned expression.
"What happened?"
Hyou Ren spoke with complete disbelief.
"After becoming a Three Hundred Man Commander..."
"...Shin refused to train under either you or me."
Ri Yue blinked.
"He refused?"
Hyou Ren nodded.
"Instead..."
"...he sought out Great General Ouki."
Even Duke Hyou paused for a moment.
The room fell silent.
After several long seconds...
Duke Hyou suddenly burst into roaring laughter.
"Hahahahaha!"
"That brat!"
Hyou Ren looked utterly defeated.
"I honestly don't know whether my son is the greatest idiot in Qin..."
"...or the greatest genius."
"Our family already has a Great General."
"His own grandfather."
"And yet somehow..."
"...he managed to gain an audience with another Great General instead."
Ri Yue rose from her seat and walked beside her husband.
She gently placed a kiss upon his cheek.
"There, there."
"Perhaps Shin is simply going through his rebellious stage."
Hyou Ren looked toward her.
She smiled warmly.
"Children eventually leave the guidance of their parents."
"They stumble."
"They make mistakes."
"They seek their own teachers."
"But in doing so..."
"...they become stronger."
She gently intertwined her fingers with his.
"I think this journey will ultimately be good for both Shin..."
"...and the future of the Hyou family."
Hyou Ren finally allowed himself a small smile.
"I certainly hope you're right."
Far to the west...
The banners of Qin began to move once more.
Orders were issued across the kingdom.
The invasion of Han had begun.
Great armies marched toward Qin's western frontier, where another chapter in the Warring States would soon be written.
Meanwhile, Duke Hyou and General Hyou Ren remained stationed along Qin's northeastern frontier, maintaining constant vigilance against the armies of Wei.
Neither father nor son knew that while they watched Wei, events elsewhere were already being set into motion.
Far beyond Qin's borders...
Within the royal court of Zhao...
A gathering of Zhao's highest military officials stood before an enormous campaign map of China.
The atmosphere was deathly silent.
Standing at the head of the chamber was Riboku, the mastermind among Zhao's Three Great Heavens, who had quietly returned after years of gathering intelligence throughout the other states.
His calm eyes rested upon the map of Qin.
One by one, the Zhao generals listened as he spoke.
"The greatest obstacle of Zhao..."
"...is not Qin itself."
"It is one man."
His finger slowly moved across the map before stopping on a single name.
Ouki.
The chamber fell completely silent.
"The Monstrous Bird of Qin."
"The last symbol of King Sho's era."
"So long as Ouki lives..."
"...Qin's military spirit cannot be broken."
A Zhao general stepped forward.
"Then what is your strategy?"
Riboku's expression remained unreadable.
"We shall bait him."
"We shall force him onto a battlefield of our choosing."
"We shall isolate him from Qin's reinforcements."
"And then..."
"We shall kill Ouki."
Those words sent a chill throughout the chamber.
Every Zhao commander understood the magnitude of the operation.
This would not simply be another invasion.
This would be a meticulously prepared campaign designed to erase one of the Six Great Generals of Qin from history.
Outside, the banners of Zhao fluttered beneath the cold night wind.
Far away, Ouki is completely unaware that the deadliest trap of his life had already been set into motion.
And unknowingly...
Shin, who had chosen to follow Ouki instead of training beneath his own father and grandfather...
Was about to be drawn into the battle that would shape the future of Qin.