The sixth morning of the Kan Plains campaign dawned beneath a sky veiled by dark clouds. Across the battlefield, both Qin and Zhao remained in formation, neither side daring to launch the first attack after five relentless days of bloodshed.
Within the Hyou Army camp, soldiers hurried to reorganize their formations. Wounded men were escorted to the rear while fresh supplies were distributed. Broken weapons were replaced, horses were tended to, and every commander prepared for what everyone believed would be the decisive phase of the war.
Then, the earth began to tremble.
A distant cloud of dust rose from the southern horizon.
Moments later, countless Qin banners emerged.
One hundred thousand reinforcements had finally arrived.
Leading the massive host were two of Qin's greatest generals,
Ouki and Mou Bu.
The exhausted soldiers of the Hyou Army erupted into cheers as the reinforcements entered the camp.
Hyou Ren stepped forward alongside Ri Yue, Mo Yun, Lu Shen, Bao Jun, Tian Hao and the rest of his commanders to welcome the newcomers.
Ouki's unmistakable smile spread across his face as he surveyed the camp.
"Fu fu fu..."
"The future of Qin truly is bright."
His eyes wandered across the disciplined formations of the Hyou Army.
"I believed that by the time we arrived, your army would be desperately fighting for survival."
Instead, he looked toward the Zhao camp across the plains.
"Yet after five days... you have held one hundred and twenty thousand Zhao soldiers to a complete stalemate."
His gaze returned to Hyou Ren.
"Not only have you survived, but your army has matured throughout this campaign. Every commander under you has grown stronger. Even your soldiers now carry themselves like seasoned veterans."
Hyou Ren bowed his head slightly.
"We merely fulfilled our duty until reinforcements arrived."
Ouki chuckled softly.
"Fu fu fu... modest as always."
Before another word could be spoken, Mou Bu stepped forward.
The towering general stopped directly before Hyou Ren.
"Hyou Ren."
"Mou Bu."
Neither bowed.
Neither looked away.
For several silent moments, the two simply stared at one another.
Mou Bu's sharp eyes swept across the Hyou Army.
"You held Zhao here for five days."
"Barely," Hyou Ren answered.
"No."
Mou Bu's reply came instantly.
"You held them exactly as I expected."
"Had you been driven back before we arrived..."
"...I would've been disappointed."
A faint smile appeared on Hyou Ren's face.
"And here I thought you'd complain that I left you too little to do."
"Hmph."
Mou Bu looked toward the battlefield.
"There are still one hundred and twenty thousand Zhao standing."
"We'll settle who's stronger another day."
"Today..."
"...we crush Zhao."
Hyou Ren nodded.
"Agreed."
Without another word, the two generals walked into the command tent alongside Ouki.
A massive map of the Kan Plains lay spread across the table.
One by one, Hyou Ren detailed every engagement fought during the previous five days.
Mo Yun's instinctive duel against Fuu Ki.
Ri Yue's relentless horse archers harassing Ri Haku's center.
Bao Jun and Tian Hao holding Zhao's left wing at bay.
Lu Shen's disciplined defense of the center.
Most importantly...
Hou Ken's complete absence from every major engagement.
When the report concluded, silence filled the tent.
Ouki narrowed his eyes.
"Fu fu fu..."
"Curious."
"Hou Ken has not once appeared despite commanding Zhao's army."
"He has allowed his subordinates to exhaust themselves while revealing nothing."
Hyou Ren nodded.
"That is precisely what concerns me."
He stepped toward the map.
"I believe Zhao's true objective has never been this battlefield."
Every commander's expression hardened.
"I have three hypotheses."
He raised one finger.
"The first."
"They intend to capture General Mou Bu alive."
Several officers exchanged surprised glances.
Hyou Ren continued.
"General Mou Bu is the son of Commander-in-Chief Mou Gou, who currently leads Qin's invasion of Han."
"If Mou Bu is captured..."
"General Mou Gou would almost certainly halt his campaign."
"It would immediately relieve Han while giving Zhao valuable leverage."
He looked toward Mou Bu.
"Furthermore, General Mou Bu is one of Chancellor Ryo Fui's greatest military pillars."
"A living Mou Bu is worth far more to Zhao than a dead one."
Mou Bu remained expressionless.
"So they think they can capture me."
No one answered.
Hyou Ren raised a second finger.
"The second hypothesis."
"They seek General Ouki."
The atmosphere inside the tent instantly grew heavy.
"Hou Ken."
"The man responsible for one of Qin's greatest tragedies."
"The same man who has remained hidden throughout this battle."
"I believe Zhao deliberately appointed him Commander-in-Chief to lure General Ouki onto this battlefield."
Ouki remained silent.
"If General Ouki falls..."
"The consequences extend far beyond Kan Plains."
"The other kingdoms will see that Qin's Great Generals are no longer invincible."
"Their morale will rise."
"States that hesitate to oppose Qin today may find the courage to march tomorrow."
Ouki slowly closed his eyes.
"Fu fu fu..."
"A troublesome possibility indeed."
Hyou Ren raised his final finger.
"The third hypothesis..."
His voice became colder.
"They intend to accomplish both."
Silence swallowed the tent.
Capture Mou Bu.
Kill Ouki.
If Zhao succeeded...
Qin's military strength and political influence would suffer a devastating blow in a single battle.
After several moments, Ouki finally broke the silence.
"Then how shall we determine Zhao's true intention?"
Hyou Ren placed his hand upon the map.
"We destroy their wings."
His finger pointed toward Shou Mou and Kouson Ryuu on Zhao's left.
Then toward Fuu Ki on the right.
"If Zhao's objective is simply to delay us..."
"They will retreat once both wings collapse."
His finger slowly moved beyond the battlefield toward the towering cliffs overlooking the plains.
"But if..."
"...they continue fighting despite losing both flanks..."
"...then only one conclusion remains."
Every eye followed his finger.
"There is another Zhao army hidden somewhere beyond these cliffs."
The command tent fell into complete silence.
Even Mou Bu folded his arms more tightly.
Ouki's smile slowly disappeared.
Beyond those cliffs...
There could already be an army waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
And if Hyou Ren's final hypothesis proved true...
The true battle of Kan Plains had not yet begun.