253 BCE
STATE OF WEI: DAIRYOU
Sat on his throne was the old man of Wei, King Anxi. Decades had passed since his coronation, and in that time there had been many developments and changes to the central plains. King Anxi had thought he'd seen it all, but the news he was about to receive was something beyond even his expectations.
The man who'd brought the message kowtowed, his head firmly on the ground as his whole being radiated submission to his sovereign. With a flick of An Xi's wrist, Lord Shou Sen allowed the man to raise his head and speak.
"My King, I bring dire news from the front lines. Wei Fire Dragon Gokei has been defeated and retreated past Rien City. He has tried many times to retake and push back the Zhao lines, but the Zhao army has repelled each attempt. The whereabouts of Earl Shi are not known at present; the army that served under Earl Shi is also missing; the only people we have been able to verify from the Earl Shi army are already dead." The messenger said, sweating, before quickly bowing his head back to the floor.
"Shou Sen, what do you make of this?" King Anxi said to the man who sat across from him; a table of many delicacies and wine was perfectly arrayed between the two of them. With a feather fan in one hand and the other caressing his beard, Wei Fire Dragon Shou Sen and Wei's lead strategical General scrutinised the messenger who fought to keep himself as still as he could.
"It is as the messenger says, Your Majesty, Gokei has lost, and there will be no chance for us to probe through the defences of Sei Chou. With Kyou's swift attack and occupation of Qu City, it makes getting one back against the Zhao even more difficult. Tai Ro Ji and Ba Tou both need their armies to recover, and it is the same for Gokei. The only options we have at our disposal are to deploy both Rei Ou and Gaimou to defend against Chu.
Since I received a message earlier today that Zhao's Sei Chou was called back with a few minor Generals taking his place, this, coupled with the news that Qin's Kyou has begun her invasion into Zhao, cuts out the possibility of a further attack from Zhao." Shou Sen replied; he was a veteran of strategic warfare, and his eyes were always set on the big picture.
His strategy to kill Sei Chou had failed in the past, and now he'd realised that the youngster was possibly favoured by the heavens, since so many edgy situations seemed to just fall in his favour. Even though Sei Chou was decades younger than him, Shou Sen did hold a small amount of admiration and pride regarding the younger man, but that was tempered by a bitterness as if the circumstances that same youngster could've been a Prince of Wei under his very own tutelage.
"Hmm, we will go with your suggestion… And the situation regarding Earl Shi." Shou Sen had sent out many spies since Earl Shi had disappeared, and only recently did he receive a response that both made sense and shocked Shou Sen to the very core. "The claims that he murdered his father in cold blood are true, according to those who lived in Shi manor whilst Earl Shi Tai still lived commented that there was no love or fatherly bond between the two of them; in fact, it was said they were more like enemies.
As to the movements of Earl Shi Ei after killing his father, I have my suspicions, but there is nothing credible as of this moment." Shou Sen finished. King Anxi's experienced eyes studied him for a moment without interrupting. "Some say he has defected along with the Wei armies that were not ruthlessly killed; it is also known amongst others that it was Earl Shi Ei himself who personally led the assault on the remnants of his army who'd not retreated with Lord Gokei. They were given an ultimatum of surrender or death." It was a ruthless strategy deployed by Sei Chou and Shi Ei, a decisive method of war that did not complicate things further than need be.
"So is there nothing we can truly do?" King Anxi asked.
Shou Sen continued to fan himself. "There is something, but for now we cannot commit to a full-frontal assault again for a few years."
King Anxi clicked his tongue. "Hah, my own grandson is beating my Fire Dragons, and there's nothing I can do but watch it happen. That son of mine is truly a fool, for not being able to see the greatest gem in the rough."
….
253 BCE
STATE OF ZHAO: KATAN/HANDAN
"...Kyou and… Ouki…Hoooh." Two names that carried immense weight were said before a deep exhale by King Xiaocheng. Just when he had hoped for a break from the constant invasions, the heavens played their hand, and Qin's King Shou sent his two remaining Great Generals into his Kingdom.
"He's a War God indeed, still even with only two of his Six left… He's still trying…" Xiaocheng sighed once more, not caring for etiquette, as the only person with him at this moment was his grand uncle, the Prime Minister of Zhao, Lord Hei Gen Kun, a pillar of the Kingdom.
"He has always been like this, always looking towards conquering the central plains. I'm sure even if he had none of his Great Generals, he would still be invading and sending out armies whenever and whenever he can." The Prime Minister replied that he had decades more experience than that of his Grand nephew. It allowed his reach to continue to grow and grow, but now he was old and had no worthy successor to hand all of his hard work to.
That was also why he'd decided to back Sei Chou; even though he didn't see Sei Chou as his true successor, Lord Hei Gen Kun was sure the young man would have a significant part to play in the next era. He only hoped and prayed to the heavens that it was for the benefit of Zhao, and not any other Kingdom.
"Yes, he and his childish ambitions have once again brought terror to the masses of Zhao, and now we have to respond in kind. Since they have brought two of their Great Generals, we must also do the same." King Xiaocheng wanted to fight fire with fire; he knew there was no way to come out fully unscathed, but King Xiaocheng could count on both men to score victories.
Yet, there was a nagging concern at the back of his mind, one that he could not get rid of however much he tried. 'How loyal is Sei Chou?' It was a question he had not found the answer to even after making the younger man one of his three Great Heavens of Zhao, and now after the recent war with Wei and the new addition to the Sei Chou army… King Xiaocheng's doubts only grew.
Prime Minister Hei Gen Kun, sensing the younger man's contemplation, glanced at him from the corner of his eye. His thoughts were different to the King's; instead of thinking about how loyal Sei Chou is to Zhao, he focused on the glaring problem that was in front of them.
The combined forces of Kyou and Ouki, an army of 250,000 being allowed to cross the border into Zhao and go relatively unchecked, was frightening for him. The Prime Minister knew there was only one way to combat such a duo, and that was to match them with two of their own.
"Since King Shou has committed his only two Great Generals and shown his ambition to invade and conquer, I believe it is in the best interest of Zhao for us to also show our ambition to defend and stand tall. Our citizens must see that we are stronger than the Qin." Prime Minister Hei Gen Kun said.
"Commit both Ren Pa and Sei Chou to face off against Kyou and Ouki; that would definitely give the masses comfort." King Xiaocheng nodded; he could think about whether Sei Chou was truly a loyal vassal or not at a later date. As right now there were more pressing matters to handle.
"Yes, that is good." The King said as he started to stand up from his chair, "Send summons for both Ren Pa and Sei Chou to Handan, so they can formally be appointed." Leaving the residence of the Prime Minister, King Xiaocheng walked at a leisurely pace, taking in the sights of the royal palace as he went.
….
253 BCE
STATE OF ZHAO: HANDAN/KATAN
SEI CHOU POV
After returning home for the birth of my firstborn son, Cheng Yi, which also brought a strange notification from my system, which I thought was dormant. I spent a few days in Chuuzan with Chun Li before I was summoned to Kantan at the behest of King Xiaocheng. Refusal was not an option, and with Uncle Ren Pa being summoned as well, it only made refusal an impossible task.
Along with Fu Jin and a small guard, I left early, leaving Gyou'un, Chou Garyuu, Chou Sou and Earl Shi to bring the army while I met with the King and Prime Minister. The meeting was long and detailed, with many advisors speaking about the Qin invasion, me giving an update on my army, and then further planning with Ren Pa on how we would deal with the Qin.
Ouki and Kyou were a formidable duo, and if I was not mistaken, this would've been Kyou's 99th or 100th city that she took. There was something significant to it, but I just could not remember why; all I knew was there would be an intruder to this battle, and Kyou would die. Kicking started the Kingdom story proper; it made me wonder if things would go the same way or not.
That is also one of the reasons why I found myself in a lavishly decorated house, sitting across from a beautiful woman dressed in fine silks.
"It's like heaven is purposely blocking me from seeing your son." Looking at the woman across from me, I couldn't help but take in her beauty; she had changed a lot since the very first time I had come to visit her. She no longer wore rags and lived in squalor. I had always found it very strange that she and her son had lived in such terrible conditions.
A seductive smile came to the woman's face, full of confidence. "Great Heaven," She said with slow, languid steps that seemed to show more and more smooth skin, and she moved closer. Before she reached me and practically lay across my lap, "Who cares about him?" She whispered hotly close enough to my ear that I felt her breath; a hand travelled down from my shoulder down my chest and lower.
Turning my head to stare into her eyes, I leaned closer as if I was about to place my lips on hers. Before smirking at her, "You and him are quite important." If the former dancer felt any annoyance at the fact that I didn't kiss her, she didn't show it. Instead, she worked her hand, not breaking eye contact for a moment.
Before I could release she loosened her grip before standing up, not one to be outdone in such a heated moment. I stood up and lifted her up and into my arms. "I told you before there was no backing out of this, Great Heaven," She said.
"Hahaha, who asked for a break last time?" I replied with a smirk.
"Haha," She giggled, reaching the bedroom. I placed her down before removing my clothes and entering through the canopy, leaving a slit that the woman stood in and slowly undressed before entering after me and climbing atop of me.
"Let's see who takes a break first this time." She said before riding with reckless abandon. As if she was possessed, her hair flew around her wildly, making me laugh as she lost herself completely to pleasure.
'The Jewel of Kantan is truly a wild woman.' I thought as she brought me to my first finish of many that night.
SEI CHOU POV DONE