The vast Fuuman Plains lay silent beneath an overcast sky.
At its center stood a massive command pavilion unlike any ever seen before. Four grand seats had been arranged around a large war table engraved with a map of China. Each seat represented one of the greatest military powers of the age.
The first seat was already occupied.
The Commander-in-Chief of Wei, Go Hou Mei, calmly studied the map before him, his fingers tapping lightly against the table.
"..."
Before long, heavy footsteps echoed throughout the camp.
A giant of a man entered the pavilion.
The Commander-in-Chief of Yan.
Ordo.
He glanced toward Go Hou Mei before letting out a hearty laugh.
"So someone actually arrived before me."
Go Hou Mei barely raised his eyes.
"I simply dislike making others wait."
"Hahaha! Fair enough."
Before another word could be exchanged…
A tremendous presence descended upon the tent.
The entrance curtains were thrown aside as an enormous warrior walked inside, every soldier instinctively moving aside.
His body resembled a mountain.
His muscles seemed carved from iron.
The Commander-in-Chief of Chu.
Kanmei.
"I am Kanmei."
His booming voice alone filled the pavilion.
Even Ordo couldn't help but grin.
"...It's been a long time since I've seen a man bigger than myself."
Kanmei merely crossed his arms.
The atmosphere grew heavier with every passing moment.
Then...
Footsteps.
Measured.
Calm.
Confident.
The final commander entered.
The Commander-in-Chief of Zhao.
Ri Boku.
Walking beside him was a refined noble whose mere presence caused every commander to straighten unconsciously.
Ri Boku smiled gently.
"It appears everyone has finally arrived."
His eyes swept across the room.
"It is unfortunate that Qi has withdrawn from this campaign... and that Han is no longer able to participate."
Silence filled the pavilion.
Ri Boku continued.
"As agreed during the negotiations, no nation within this coalition shall possess authority over another."
"The armies of Zhao, Chu, Wei, and Yan shall all stand as equals."
The commanders nodded.
Then Ri Boku's tone changed.
"However..."
"There must still exist one individual capable of overseeing the coalition as a whole."
The room froze.
Go Hou Mei narrowed his eyes.
Ordo folded his arms.
Kanmei stared directly at Ri Boku.
"..."
"A supreme commander?"
Ri Boku nodded.
"The one chosen for that role..."
He stepped aside.
"...is the Prime Minister of Chu."
"The Head of Military Affairs."
"Shun Shin Kun."
Every commander reacted.
"What?!"
"So there is a hierarchy after all!"
Go Hou Mei's expression hardened.
Ordo frowned.
Even Kanmei raised an eyebrow.
Shun Shin Kun slowly smiled before speaking.
"My role is simple."
He looked at every commander one after another.
"If any of you idiots forget why we're here..."
"I'll personally kick your asses and put you back in line."
The room fell silent.
Then…
"Hahaha!"
Ordo burst into laughter.
"I like this already!"
Even Kanmei gave a faint grin.
Ri Boku continued.
"I shall not command any nation's army directly."
"From the beginning of this campaign until its conclusion..."
"I will serve as the Coalition Army's Strategic Advisor."
No one objected.
Every commander present knew there was no greater strategist in China than Ri Boku.
Days later...
The greatest military force in history began to move.
Hundreds of thousands of soldiers stretched beyond the horizon.
The banners of….
Zhao...
Chu...
Wei...
Yan...
Fluttered together as one.
The Coalition Army had begun its march toward Kankoku Pass.
Within the moving headquarters, the commanders continued their council.
Ri Boku stood before the enormous map of China.
"Gentlemen..."
"The whole of China stands on the verge of checkmate."
The commanders listened intently.
"Many still believe Qin's conquest of Sanyou was merely another territorial victory."
"They are mistaken."
He pointed toward Sanyou.
"This..."
"...was the move that nearly decided the entire game."
His finger slowly traced Qin's possible future offensives.
"From Sanyou..."
"Qin can strike Zhao."
"Pressure Wei."
"Threaten Han."
"And eventually expand until every battlefield on the continent falls within their reach."
"Their offensive would continue widening..."
"...until all of China lay beneath Qin."
The room grew deathly silent.
Even Go Hou Mei found himself unable to argue.
Shun Shin Kun spoke.
"Only Ri Boku and I recognized Qin's true objective."
"Chu itself would not immediately fall to Qin."
"Our lands are vast."
"Our armies are countless."
"But..."
"If Qin devours every other kingdom first..."
"Eventually even Chu would stand alone."
His eyes narrowed.
"So rather than allow Qin to continue moving its pieces..."
"We shall simply overturn the entire board."
He slammed his hand onto the table.
"We will destroy Qin itself."
The commanders nodded in agreement.
Ri Boku lowered his gaze.
"...This is my responsibility."
Everyone looked toward him.
"The Sanyou Campaign became possible because of one decision."
"My proposal..."
"...for the two-year alliance between Zhao and Qin."
"I believed I could use that peace to strengthen Zhao."
"Instead..."
"I handed Qin the opportunity it needed to seize Sanyou."
He slowly clenched his fist.
"This coalition..."
"...exists because of my mistake."
"I will personally ensure that mistake is corrected."
Outside...
The thunder of hundreds of thousands of marching soldiers shook the earth.
Dust clouds rose into the heavens.
The greatest alliance ever assembled advanced relentlessly toward Qin.
Far in the distance...
The towering walls of Kankoku Pass finally appeared on the horizon.
The decisive battle for Qin...
...was about to begin.