The wind stirred the banners above Kanyou's Inner Court as ministers whispered behind their fans. The defeat of Zhao at Atsuyo had not brought peace — only pause. The kingdom's strength was brittle, its generals scattered, and unification had stalled.
Then Shou Hei Kun stepped into the light.
Before King Ei Sei, he unrolled a scroll of bold black ink.
① Nationwide Family Register② Military Restructuring③ Full-Scale Invasion of Han
"The First Pillar," Shou Hei Kun said, "is the foundation — a complete family register. With it, we will control taxation, recruitment, and internal movement with precision. Without it, we are blind to our own strength."
"The Second Pillar," he continued, "is military restructuring. We will no longer rely solely on the old generation. The battlefield has changed. Four names have risen through fire and blood. It's time we shape them into the pillars of a new era."
"The Third…" He placed a heavy stone on the map — the small kingdom nestled between Qin and Wei.
"Is the annexation of Han within two years."
...
Four commanders stood before the court:
General Ri Shin, of the Hi Shin Unit
General Ou Hon, of the Gyoku Hou
General Mou Ten, of the Gaku Ka Unit
And newly declared before the court —General Ren, of the Gu Ren Tai
Shou Hei Kun declared their new commands:
Shin would lead 50,000 men alongside Great General Tou as the central spearhead.
Ren would lead 50,000 from the southwest, a parallel assault designed to split Han's defenses.
Ou Hon and Mou Ten would command 50,000 each to secure the borders against Wei and Zhao, ensuring no foreign interference.
...
Three great armies moved as one.
From the western plains, the Hi Shin Unit marched beneath black banners, wind snapping around Shin's spear.
From the southern ridge, the Gu Ren Tai moved like a stormfront, scouts and vanguard already slipping into Han territory under cover of trees and dusk.
Behind them came the heavy drums of Great General Tou's central army — siege towers, cavalry, and reserve divisions stretched to the horizon.
Across the fields of Han, horns began to sound. Torches flickered along distant walls. From fortress to fortress, the alarm was raised.
In the capital city of Shintei, a signal beacon burst to life — red fire streaking into the gray sky.
Qin had begun its invasion.
And for the first time in years, Han prepared to fight for its survival.