Il Cielo dei Tre Regni
by Lunar Wave
Disclaimer: This story borrows the setting and characters of the Koihime†Musou series and borrows multiple elements from Katekyo Hitman Reborn. I own neither series as they both belong to their respective owners. Also, considering Koihime†Musou could be considered a fanfic of the Three Kingdoms, I'd like to say I don't own anything related to the stories of the Three Kingdoms.
-()-
The Silent Cloud at the Edge of the Sky
-()-
Kashin led the march through Seishuu. They had pretty much departed around a day or two after Denhou's departure. As for where Enshou was… Apparently, she had been forced by the En Clan Elders to attend as well, completely forgetting the point of why they sent Denhou instead. Still, the invasion had not been called off, so they continued.
To reach Joshuu from Kishuu, they had two available routes. One through Enshuu, the other through Seishuu. Seishuu was the supremely easiest option. From the current capital of Enshou's territory, Kahoku, Seishuu is the closest state. Furthermore Enshuu's current ruler, Sousou Moutoku, also had a relatively large army in comparison, and Enshou and Sousou had had some bitterness in the past. It might have been possible for Enshou to have used Sousou's rumored distaste of Joshuu's current lords, Ryuubi and Hongou to their advantage, but Seishuu was so much weaker than Sousou. Especially considering what they were bringing.
An army a hundred thousand strong. With control over both Kishuu and Yuushuu, conscripting as many as they could that they can hand a spear too, it was a force that will scare any army. And so, Seishuu's lords allowed them to pass without even a warning, merely bulking up their defenses. Kashin quickly demanded from each town they passed through a supply line, and they agreed easily. No city in the world exists that wouldn't be intimidated by the sight of a hundred thousand armed men lumbering down the road… And lumber they did. A large army means slower movements. Especially since Enshou's most trusted generals, Bunshuu and Ganryou, as well as the commander herself, wasn't even in the group. Kayuu filled in the role nicely, but there is more than a little distrust in what was just recently a band of mercenaries.
Unfortunately, the straightest route to Joshuu from Kishuu is blocked by a mountain range. It's possible to cross, but with an army their size, it's better to just avoid it. So circling around the mountain and crossing past four commanderies to reach Joshuu proper.
This war will be an easy victory. Kashin concluded. A hundred thousand is no small feat. The only army in recent history that could be compared to it is the Anti-Toutaku Coalition, which is an amalgamation of many armies in one. However, a hundred thousand soldiers marching under a single lord's banner? Unprecedented, and this wasn't even their full army. They had an entire hundred thousand more waiting back in the Enshou territory, to defend from banditry and other important jobs. And this army will now ram into a comparably weaker army in turn. There is no way the Joshuu Army (for they refuse to refer to them as the Imperial Army, thank you very much) to win this fight.
In war, numbers are everything.
-()-
A frontline scout unit. Likely here to scout out Joshuu's border defenses.
Foolish. They're too far ahead of their army, and too few in number. They forget who they are dealing with. They are underestimating the Imperial Army.
Good.
"… Charge."
"Ren-dono gave the order! CHARGE!"
It's time to remind the world why the Flying General is so feared.
The Ryofu Platoon roared. They charged forward with spears at hand.
The scouts didn't even stand a chance.
-()-
Everything is going fine. Kashin nodded. Quite forgetting that there were supposed to be scout units informing them of the movements ahead. They haven't even entered Joshuu Proper, so does it matter if they had scout units or not?
Kouyuu Bunkyo's commandery was in the way, but the lord was not present. Still, they complied with their request for supplies. Begrudgingly. Then again, most towns wouldn't be happy if their supplies, meant to be saved, were to be forcibly taken from them without even payment. However, bigger army diplomacy wins out, and so they did.
The army moved forward, unimpeded. Its arrival on Joshuu borders, is like a death sentence for those that defy it.
-()-
There was a small contingent of horses moving out from their capital towards Seishuu. It was about the size of a guard escort that once passed by here earlier. It didn't take Ren a second to know what to do.
"Attack." Ren told her contingent of soldiers. They all smirked and, with a nod, began shooting arrows at them. "Charge."
"Charge, go, go, go!" Nenene roared. "We're taking Enshou Honsho's head!" It seemed Nenene caught on quickly… but…
"No. No killing." Ren scolded the strategist.
"… Oh, right… if Enshou dies, then there's a chance that she'll be propped up as a martyr, right?" Nenene frowned, picking up what Ren meant. "Then let's take Enshou Honsho's head! Preferably with her body still attached!"
The Ryofu Platoon roared, and they descended upon the small escort that Enshou had brought with her.
-()-
In a fair world, this would've been the end of it. Enshou would be captured and the war ended before it began. Kazuto had expected that Enshou could break through the soldiers at the gates. Ganryou and Bunshuu may not be as strong as his allies, they still are among this world's heroes: capable of lifting heavy weaponry without flinching. Well, Ganryou seemed largely uncomfortable lifting her personal weapon, but they were still far and above most rank-and-file soldiers. However, Ren is in a league above them, to the point that Aisha and Rinrin had trouble dealing with her even together. So when Kazuto had Ren patrol the borders, he counted on Ren being present to intercept Enshou. Even if by some chance there was an advance scout from Enshou Army, or that the nearby Seishuu lords were to send an army to help them out, Ren would still be able to defeat them fast enough that Enshou wouldn't be able to escape. And Ren would then capture Enshou. Using Enshou's life as a bargaining chip, they would be able to make her army stand down.
Unfortunately… that is not how this chapter would end.
For luck was in Enshou's favor this time around.
-()-
Kayuu had been worried. There were no reports from the advance scouts. Kashin may not care, but she knew when something is amidst. So Kayuu had elected to slip away with her most elite soldiers on her side to scout ahead. From the beginning, Kayuu never really trusted anyone aside from her own men to do the job done, after all. Besides, the army may have faith in her strength when she easily took down Kishuu's Capital, that faith didn't translate to faith in her alignment with them. Makes sense, even if it did sting Kayuu a bit. The world viewed her as the general who abandoned her lord when she was needed the most. Her pride as a warrior demanded that she rectify this immediately, and this campaign will be the key to proving it. That she, Kayuu, was a proud, noble warrior.
And so, upon reaching the border between Seishuu and Joshuu, it was then that Kayuu quickly noticed the flag that was being waved and who the flagbearer's army was beating up.
"… Ryofu." Kayuu grimaced, knowing Ryofu's strength… before a fierce grin appeared on her face. "Good." It's time for her to prove who was the best warrior in the world, once and for all. "Men! Get Enshou-sama, Bunshuu, and Ganryou to safety! Those who aren't afraid to die, let's take on Ryofu!"
Her most loyal companions roared in response and they attacked!
Ryofu's halberd swung down, killing yet another of Enshou's guards. Ryofu was just in range of Enshou. A single swing from her halberd, and Enshou will be no more.
"RYOFU!" Kayuu roared, her poleaxe swinging down. Houtengageki blocked it as if natural. This, however, also gave Enshou the chance to slip away from what should've been the final strike. "Hoy, you two! Get the boss out, now!" She nodded behind her where her platoon was.
"Thanks a bunch, Kayuu!" Bunshuu nodded.
"Got it." Ganryou nodded. "Let's go, Reiha-sama."
"I won't forget this humiliation, Ryofu!" Enshou whined, as she was dragged away, by the two.
"… Kayuu." Ryofu acknowledged her former comrade. "… In the way." Ryofu frowned.
"Then make me move." Kayuu scoffed. Ryofu nodded and swept her halberd across. "That's it, Ryofu! This will be the first time we are on opposite sides of the battlefield! Let's see who truly deserves the title of Strongest Warrior of the Era!"
"Out of the way!" Ryofu replied, not paying remotely any attention to Kayuu, only the retreating Enshou. If they get to them, they'd be on horseback once more. She'd lose the chance to end this war before it even started. That cannot be allowed.
"You don't have the time to be distracted!"
Ryofu grimaced, as she swung her halberd in reply to Kayuu's swing. Her soldiers were fighting Kayuu's. "Nenene."
"Got it!" Nenene replied, "Men! Get Enshou back!
"Men, don't let them through!" Kayuu growled. "Ryofu!"
Ryofu growled. Kayuu may not have been stronger than her, but Kayuu was still one you can't ignore. Each powerful hit that Ryofu struck, Kayuu returned with her own savage strikes. Each time Ryofu blew her back, Kayuu merely launched herself forward again. And so, this dance continued, even as Ryofu had to reluctantly watch as Enshou's group tottered towards the horses, pulled onto them, and began riding off…
… "Retreat." Ryofu declared.
"Huh?"
"No point in fighting anymore." Ryofu dispiritedly replied as she blew Kayuu back again. This time, rather than try to move forward, she had her horse move back.
"Running away, Ryofu!?"
"… Kayuu was a friend." Ryofu closed her eyes. "Can't kill friends."
"You were holding back!?" Kayuu roared, as she barreled forward once more.
"Yes." And with a mighty swing, Ryofu's halberd grew great and, this time knocking Kayuu off her horse. "But won't forgive if Kayuu wants to hurt my friends." Ryofu's glare gave to all the soldiers. "Nene!"
"Archers!" A call from the distance was heard.
"Che!" Kayuu growled. "Scout unit, retreat now! We got what we came here for!" Kayuu glared at Ryofu, "… Next time we meet. I will kill you."
"… Understood." Ryofu sadly nodded. And so Kayuu left.
-()-
Nenene grimaced as she watched Ryofu's dispirited return to their vantage point where they were watching the border from. "… Welcome back, Ren-dono."
"… Send word."
"Got it." Nenene nodded.
Plan C has failed. Moving on to Plan D… the plan that Touka definitely didn't like.
-()-
"Absolutely not!" Touka yelled, as the details of Plan D were relayed to them.
"Would you rather give up?" Reborn scoffed.
"Yes." Touka replied. "Even if we win this, the people… they're lives will be uprooted if we go through with this plan! I don't want to do this! Kazuto-kun, say something!"
"I'm against it as well." Kazuto nodded, "Same reasons as Touka, but there's also the simple fact that it's no guaranteed win. It's still risky. The strategy was used by an era with relatively widespread use of black powder weapons, involving a territory that is larger than Joshuu. Not only that, but even the climate is kind of the opposite of that time. Would it be as effective as you think it is, Hinari?"
"… We can make it work." Hinari nodded. "There's… very little other way that one can fight a force a hundred thousand strong when we're barely scraping forty thousand ourselves."
"The towns, the villages! We'll be razing entire countrysides for this! The farmlands will be…"
"You want to give up then?" Kazuto frowned. "I don't mind giving up, but giving up means Paitan giving up her position. Giving up means we'll still be chased across the world, this time without an army between Paitan and those who want Paitan dead. Giving up… means we've given up on everything we stood for so far."
"… But if we do this, then we'll be giving up the people instead…" Touka warred with herself.
"Learn some selfishness, foolish brat." Reborn scolded.
"I will stay quiet when you insult your student, but Touka-chan is mine." Fuurin severely glared at Reborn.
"She has left your nest a long time ago. Now she is facing a dilemma and her solution is to run away." Reborn scoffed. "You may have taught her knowledge, but you forgot to instill in her wisdom."
"And you will?"
"Of course not." Reborn scoffed, "She can have her head in the clouds forever if she wants, but those types of people tend to fail when it matters most."
"Reborn-sensei. I understand your stance, but this army was raised on Touka-sama's ideals." Aisha severely told him. "Following Ryuubi's desire is only natural."
"It was raised on Ryuubi's charisma, not her ideals. Her ideals made her worth following, but if she didn't have the charisma, she would never have gotten this far."
"Alright, everyone!" Kazuto called out, "You're starting to get too heated about a strategy meeting. We're literally here to decide a path forward. It's not completely decided yet. Besides, there are three other plans that we approved earlier. As long as those go off without a hitch, Plan D is just a thought." Kazuto then turned to Touka, "… Touka, calm down a bit. Drink some tea and think." Kazuto consoled her. Touka nodded a bit, as she sat down once more. "… Hinari would never have suggested this as our Plan D is if we didn't have another option."
"… I know." Touka nodded in reply. "Sorry, Hinari-chan."
"… It's fine." Hinari nodded. "Then… let's make Touka-sama's suggestion our last plan. Plan E. But Plan D… would need to be able to bridge easily to it if we are overwhelmed."
"If Enshou commits her entire army, we'll easily be overrun." Kazuto nodded. "A hundred thousand should still be doable in home turf."
"Not without some major sacrifices."
"… I still don't like that we have to do this…"
"… It's fine."
"Eh, Suu?"
"We shouldn't allow our enemies to live off our hard work as they're attacking our home. We can survive one bad harvest. It might be bad in the short term, but it's better to be prepared for the long haul. Besides, our spring harvest was pretty decent. We should be able to compensate people for winter…"
"We'll need to preserve a lot of things, but, I guess so." Kazuto nodded, "… If the head of the Agriculture Officials says so, then it must be so." Kazuto smiled a bit, "… Thank you, Suu."
Suu nodded a bit.
"If you have objections, Ryuubi, then give us the solution." Reborn prompted.
"… I don't have to like it." Touka relented. "… If it will help everyone then we should just go for it."
"… Good. Then work hard to get the first three plans to work."
"This is still a big undertaking… and, at most, it'll just serve to delay their movements. We'll need to begin transporting now."
"Leave it to us." Rairai declared. "I'll have my family work on it!"
"We'll get it done!" Denden nodded.
"… Ren." Kazuto turned to her. "Do as you feel is right."
Ren nodded in response and stood up. She left as soon as she could.
-()-
A few days passed from the ambush. Enshou had long arrived back with her army and is resting her wounds from Ryofu's attack. Unfortunately, this does mean that they were forced to be stalled.
"So. Is Reiha ready to move on?" Kashin asked in anger. "We've been stuck here in Kouyuu's commandery for far too long already!"
"Hey, it's hard to get a replacement for our weapons! Give us a break!" Bunshuu grumbled. Bunshuu was really grateful that Enshou was so rich; they could afford to make their weapons so big and nice. And so, "Zanzantou ZAN is here!"
"Just call it Zanzantou! It doesn't look any different from your previous one!" Kashin barked at her.
"… I'd have been happy with just a normal sword." Ganryou murmured as she looked at the replacement hammer. She always did prefer a lighter weapon… unfortunately…
"What was that, Toshi?" The culprit who forced her to wield the giant hammer for the sake of matching with her giant sword, asked.
"Nothing, Bun-chan."
"What exactly is Reiha doing in there?" Kashin asked, frowning, as she looked at the tent. "I say she shouldn't trust that Kouyuu. He showed up at that thing that the brat called, right?"
"More allies are always better right?" Bunshuu scratched her head. "I mean, we basically made the entire country our enemy now."
"Do you really think so?"
"Huh, oh, hi Kataigou." Bunshuu lazily waved, "Didn't think you'd show up."
"Apparently, a certain strategist gave up partway through, so now I have to suffer the weight of her job." Kataigou scoffed, "Well, it matters little. An army of our size should be enough to take down Joshuu. And saying that we made an enemy of the entire country? Then why are more soldiers not coming to Joshuu's aid? No, they know that we're the ones in the right here."
"It's easy for you to say that when you weren't the one there."
"Am I wrong then?"
"Oh-hohhohhohhoh!" Enshou's shrill laughter was heard once more, as she exited the tent, "Toshi, Iishe! It's time to move, let's go!"
"Got it~" Bunshuu stood up, "Yep, I think my blade is ready~"
"Finally." Kashin sighed.
"Now, now, dear sister." Kataigou patted her sister's shoulder, "Let her have her time." She then turned to Enshou, "So what path are we taking?"
"It seems that the southern lord of Seishuu is allied with the fools from Joshuu." Enshou hummed, "So we should go west from here and enter Joshuu directly."
Kataigou pondered, "Joshuu's harvest was pretty prosperous from what I gather. We can replenish our supplies by taking control of their cities as we march south towards their capital."
"Really?"
"Ehh, that's amazing!" Bunshuu praised.
"… Well, it's better than nothing." Ganryou nodded.
"That girl Ryuubi and the boy Hongou! I will teach you to fear the En Clan's En Honsho! OH-HOHHOHHOHH-Guh!"
"Reiha-sama!" Ganryou moved forward to catch her lord.
"Aiyaya…" Bunshuu winced, "Seems she's still a bit beat up…"
"… Dammit, does that mean we'll have to keep stalling here!?" Kashin growled.
"It wouldn't do for our commander to be weak in front of the army." Kataigou sighed, "… Still, we'll lose quite a lot if we don't commit to moving…"
"Umm… I think we'll be fine… if we move slowly." Ganryou told them, "We can still be on the move, but as long as we don't jostle Reiha-sama too much, it should be fine."
"A good compromise, Ganryou. We'll do so." Kataigou nodded.
"Che… fine. We'll do that." Kashin nodded. "Hoy, Kouyuu! We'll be out of your hair soon enough."
Kouyuu nodded, and he left with his guards back to his city.
What no one noticed is that his guards were one less.
-()-
Ren opened her eyes. It has been a few days since her fight with Kayuu. It was still a shame that she hadn't been able to capture Enshou at the border. A massive loss for them as a whole. However, what's done is done; she needs to move forward.
"Ren-dono…" Nenene's voice sleepily said as she woke up next to her.
Ren looked around to see the empty home of a civilian. The evacuation order had been given, and the people were given the bare minimum time to prepare for travel. There was still peasant clothing in the city, as the former owners didn't have all the time in the world to evacuate. They were more than enough for her soldiers to use. For now, they'll pretend to be living in the town. Just another misdirection that Nenene had suggested. It seemed Nenene was working on her strategist skills. Good.
"… Ryofu-dono, a scout unit from Enshou's army appeared." A soldier reported. Well soldier, but he was in plainclothes as a farmer.
Considering how quickly Kayuu reached them, there should be scouts looking about, now. All they'll see are her men, pretending to help with the harvest. "Un." Ryofu nodded, "Don't kill them. Continue pretending. Run if they attack."
"Got it." The soldier bowed and he quickly left to return to his field.
"It's time…"
"Un."
"A messenger from Seishuu, Ryofu-dono!" A soldier in plainclothes as another farmer approached, with a scroll. Ryofu looked at the message and nodded. Nenene took it quickly, and the soldier left.
Nenene opened it, "… Kouyuu Bunkyo, from Seishuu." Nenene nodded, "They put here the route that Enshou intended to travel to take Joshuu."
"… Got it." Kouyuu Bunkyo's retinue had passed by them earlier and swore that he would give them insider information on Enshou's movements. Of course, Ren didn't entirely believe him but allowed him past. That was before they started pretending to be citizens of this town. Still, it seemed as though Kouyuu Bunkyo had a distaste for Enshou.
"I'll get one of our men to pass it on then." Nenene nodded, walking over to another soldier, this time pretending to man a shop, and talked a bit.
Ren waited silently. Soon enough, Nenene came back, and the man began preparing to leave town. Likely westward towards the river. Joshuu's capital is at a nexus of three rivers and traveling down the river should be the fastest route there.
"… I wonder why Kouyuu decided to side with us…" Nenene frowned. "But the seal that he showed us was the real deal, so he wasn't lying."
Ren nodded. It's rather hard to fake a burning seal. Still, one must always be cautious.
"There's no real merit in siding with us…"
"… It doesn't matter."
"Eh?"
"Complicated things were already taken care of by Master." Ren decided.
"… You mean we shouldn't worry about it?" Nenene frowned before nodding, "Got it."
And so, the game of pretending the Ryofu Company, consisting of hundreds of soldiers, continued.
-()-
"… You want to side with us?"
"To be perfectly honest, Enshou-kun's overtures are grating for us. Even I can see the writing on the wall. Once Joshuu loses, Seishuu loses its autonomy. We'll be subjugated by Enshou ourselves, just so that she can keep control of Joshuu."
"Really? And you don't want to be subjugated by Enshou? The reports on her territory don't seem to indicate she's a bad boss or anything."
"Do you really think I'd allow a fool to take the helm of the country? The fool who didn't even make a proper plan during the coalition? The one who made a fool of herself in front of the entire country, as she flaunted her bloodline as if it is holy? I'd rather even Ryuubi on the helm than deal with a fool who believes all the things she gained is only natural due to what her ancestors have done."
"… Got it. Then I want you to do something for us."
"Hmm?"
"Force Enshou to attack through this route."
"I see… you want Enshou to move through Joshuu as much as possible before reaching your capital then? And? How would I convince her to do this?"
"The route is close to two rivers, leading directly to our city. Maybe you can convince her to go boating?"
"Master, we don't want her to use the river!"
"Sorry, sorry, my bad."
"I suppose I could appeal to her that the route would give her plenty of water…"
"I swear, Joshuu is too blessed with resources…"
"It's fine. We'll be prepared with a river defense as well."
"Anyway, we want her to spend as much time trying to go through Joshuu. Can you do it?"
"Should be doable. If she does decide on a different route, I will inform you as soon as I can."
"Thank you, Kouyuu."
"… I may not have believed that you were worthy at the start of the Anti-Toutaku Coalition to lead us, Hongou, but you've gained that faith long since."
-()-
"The evacuation of Toukan is done."
"The evacuation of Rouja is in progress."
"Rijou is prepared to evacuate."
"Toukai is prepared to evacuate."
"Houjou is prepared to evacuate."
"That's it then." Kazuto breathed. "Thank you." The officials all bowed and left the room. That was the five most northern commanderies between their northern border and their capital, Kahi. Seems everything's progressing well enough.
"… Kazuto-kun…"
"Hmm?"
"… I'm sorry."
"What's wrong, Touka?"
"… If I didn't ask to give Enshou a chance to reconsider then we could've just arrested her and this entire thing wouldn't have escalated like this."
"Not necessarily." Kazuto comforted her. "Maybe capturing Enshou could've ended this war. But remember that both Kataigou and Kashin are in Enshou's army. They could easily rile up her army anyway to attack, in a bid to reclaim their commander."
"But still."
"What's done is done. There's no point in thinking about what-ifs and what-could've-beens."
"…"
It seemed this wasn't enough for Touka, so Kazuto decided to take a different approach. "… Besides, apologizing to me does nothing." Kazuto shook his head, "The only one who would be satisfied by me accepting your apology and forgiving you is your own ego. If you want to apologize, apologize by finishing up with the paperwork for feeding the evacuees." Apologize not by words, but by deeds.
"G-got it!" Touka nodded and, with renewed vigor, started down the mind-intensive work that is paperwork. Still, it distracted her from her thoughts of self-loathing.
Letting Enshou get away was probably the single biggest misstep they've made in their entire career. And that misstep is going to cost them far, far too much. Still, this misstep was far from unsalvageable. They can still squeeze a victory out of this. They just have to play it smart. It will hurt; there will be plenty of bad will made from their decision but…
Kazuto breathed out, as he tried to see what he should do. Even if no one has blamed him, he knew he had a part in the problem. Paitan deferred to him the entire time, and he deferred to Touka. If he simply tried to argue against letting Enshou free… But it seemed like the right thing to do at the time.
In the end, his own inexperience was at fault here. He needs to start shaping up if he wanted to be someone who can help Touka reach her fullest potential, and avert the tragedies that will take place.
-()-
Kan'u Unchou patiently watched over the town as its citizens evacuated southwards, away from the fighting. With them, most of their stockpile. It still sucks for them to abandon their farms, but war is coming, and they will have to weigh their lives against their livelihoods. And those who chose the latter…
"… Let us join the army."
Unfortunately, protecting the farms is the last thing they're going to be doing for this war. Not only that, but it's difficult to field new soldiers, as they tend to break formation far too easily. If they join expecting to make a last stand for each town, they'll be in for a rude awakening. They simply cannot waste soldier lives, when they're already outnumbered as is. Their standing army, discounting city guards and south patrolmen, number forty thousand. Less than half of the hundred thousand fielded by Enshou. The new recruits are welcome, but they must be made aware that, if the Enshou army refuses to back off, then abandoning the village will be their move. A village can be rebuilt. A lost life can't.
Aisha hated it. Much like Touka, she cannot help but be disgusted that she'll have to burn down the hard work of villagers, even if they had a good reason to.
She should've been at the gates with the soldiers. Or at least, they should've assigned at least one of their own to oversee the gates.
Still, regrets are for after the battle. She can't dawdle, knowing that this strategy will test all her skill as a general. Not as a warrior, no. Kan'u Unchou has already proven herself a skilled warrior for the world. This time, she must show that she can lead the army, as the right hand of the two that remain at their capital.
"… All soldiers, prepare to meet the enemy at Toukan." She said, upon reading the message that came downstream from Ren. It seems that Kouyuu has kept up his end of the bargain.
This will be the first time that neither Ryuubi nor Kazuto will enter the battlefield. Neither of them will be allowed to enter the battlefield. The two will remain in the capital. They've had their turn to try and stop the war. Now it is her turn to fight it. This Storm will encircle them, keeping them safe within its eye. And so, she who will be deified as a God of War prepares for battle.
-()-
Moving just behind Kan'u's forces, the 4th battalion is led by none other than Chouun Shiryuu.
Sei hummed as she thought on their battle formations. Overall they have about forty thousand soldiers divided (not evenly) among five distinct commanders. For now, let's call these divisions "Brigades".
The 1st Brigade is pretty much just the Imperial Guard, in charge of protecting the capital. However, it is also a force that can be allocated to aid in other situations. Shokatsuryou is leading this unit, although it really is just a reserve to ensure that the capital still has some defense even if the other brigades fall. Officially speaking, this is Ryuubi Gentoku's Brigade, and they do and will represent it as such, but it will be Shuri who calls the shots. It is also the central hub for all information lines, considering the Joshuu Capital's placement on the nexus of three rivers.
The 2nd Brigade is the main bulk of the army, led by their commander, Kan'u Unchou. Houtou Shigen is also part of this group, to serve as Aisha's chief advisor. The largest brigade proportionally to the others, although not by much. They are meant to be the ones carrying the duty of being the army that would do the most fighting. Not to say the other brigades won't be fighting, but when it comes to matters of combat, the 2nd Brigade will take care of matters. Most tactics and strategies will be decided by the 2nd Brigade, aside from the broad strokes plan that has already begun implementation.
The 3rd Brigade is the second main bulk of the army, led by Chouhi Yokutoku. Close in number, but not by much. Shares most of the duties of the 2nd Brigade. They are meant to work in tandem with each other, despite the distance. Josho Genchoku serves as her chief advisor, having passed on her duties of intelligence gathering to Shokatsuryou for the time being.
The 4th Brigade is the one in charge of maintaining the supply chains between armies, led by Chouun Shiryuu. In other words, Sei herself. Right now, they are also in charge of facilitating the evacuations. Bihou and Bijiku are part of this brigade, although they are still largely assigned to remain in the capital and help coordinate from there.
The 5th Brigade is the training brigade, led by Kouhosuu Gishin. All civilians who wish to enlist, all soldiers who are still a bit green, are supposed to join here, upon which they'll be distributed to the other brigades. A largely thankless task and more than a few headaches are bound to happen from dealing with untrained soldiers. Hardly a big brigade, the bare minimum really, but if things get rough, then they'll become yet another force that could be used to reinforce the other brigades. Its use will probably be felt more if this war lasts years, or at least months.
After the infantry brigades, there's the navy led by Kouchuu Kanshou from Keishuu, having volunteered to help them, considering that, for all their luck in having quite a good network of rivers in their state, they don't have an experienced navy commander to help. Though really, Kouchuu's mostly there to instruct the nominal actual commander of the navy, Kanyou Kenwa. ("Master… are you just using me as a sort of catch-all solution to positions that you haven't filled in yet?" is what she said upon the assignment. Yuuka's treasurer position has been momentarily transferred to Sonken Kouyuu. Sei personally considered Yuuka's ability to handle looking into so many varied things a gift.) Anyway, this brigade's duty is to ensure that Enshou cannot make use of their river system to invade them quickly. Also helping with the work of the other brigades, specifically the information network and the supply chain.
Besides the six (mostly) infantry brigades, there are the cavalry units, mostly formed under Kousonsan Hakukei, although they have portioned some of them to serve under Bachou Mouki and Batai, who decided to volunteer for the role. Respectively called the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Cavalry. They, in turn, respectively aid the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Brigades. Tanpopo was pretty happy about being relegated to a Supply Chain Brigade, while Josho sighed knowing that both Bachou and Chouhi would just exacerbate each other's worst traits and that she now has the highly troublesome task of reining them both in.
Then there's the Ryofu Company, led by their very own Ryofu Housen and formed by soldiers loyal to her and her alone as well as Chinkyuu Koudai as its strategist. Completely autonomous to the hierarchy. The single right that the Cloud Guardian has that the other Guardians do not. They are meant to act independently, after all, serving as a wild card that their enemies can't predict, largely because her own allies won't necessarily be able to predict it either. The only person Ren will answer to is the Sky: Kazuto and Touka.
'How nice.'
Sei was starting to get a bit envious of Ryofu for being able to snag that position up. Then again, she didn't really mind the Rain Guardian position. She was the one that chose it, after all.
Regardless, it's too late for regrets now. They have a war to fight.
-()-
Chouhi Yokutoku stretched upon finally reaching Rijou, the commandery that touches the southmost point of Seishuu. And here, she and her forces will stay. Soon enough, they'll be called to action, but to assure the citizens of Rijou that they'll be kept safe, a Guardian needed to appear there. They will not abandon the citizens of Rijou.
And when the time comes, the sky will clear up to reveal the blazing power of the Sun Guardian.
"Bring it on, Enshou!"
-()-
"Ren."
"Aisha."
Aisha nodded, "So this is where you were?"
"Un."
"… So anything to report here?"
Nenene stood up, "Got it, General Aisha! We of the Ryofu Company decided to pretend as though we were citizens of this farm village, hoping to ensure that Enshou doesn't figure out our strategy too early. A few days ago, a scout unit came by from Enshou's Army. We know that they're Enshou Army because… well… who could miss golden armor? They were also being really sneaky too, so it was even more obvious. That was also when we received the report from one of Kouyuu's that Enshou is planning on using this route to attack."
"So it came through you first after all…" Aisha nodded, "What have you done since then?"
"Umm… we sent a few scouts ahead… They're being really slow though. Likely because of the river."
"Have there been any reports on if they're going to be using boats?"
"Nope. No signs of boatmaking."
"… I see. Good."
"Besides, it's a bad time for them to use a boat to go down the river. The river levels are far too low for anything more than a fishing boat."
"Thank you, Nenene, but let's not forget that Enshou is an idiot."
"Point taken. What about that one that surrendered?"
"So even that reached your ears?"
"We do still get supplies from you after all." Nenene shrugged. And people talk, even if you tell them not to.
"Denhou Genkou has been quiet, likely due to some lingering loyalty to Enshou. Master, however, has given her the role of his secretary for the time being." Aisha's facial expression was all Nenene needed to know how she felt about that. That mix of exasperation and frustration is kind of hard to miss.
"Ehh… Wait, Denhou Genkou?"
"Yes, the same one that you escaped with back in Rakuyou."
"Well, if she's going to be that guy's secretary, is that really fine?"
"She won't be involved with military matters, and her room is basically a jail cell. However, since she willingly gave up, Touka-sama and Kazuto-sama agreed to give her a second chance."
"… Think they'd do the same for Enshou?"
"I don't really see that one begging for forgiveness even if we do beat her here," Aisha replied.
Ren nodded in agreement. Even the brief interaction she had is enough for her to know that.
Aisha shrugged, "But… if they did do the impossible and surrender… Touka-sama likely would."
"We got saddled with a rather difficult lord, haven't we?" Nenene stretched.
"It is both her virtue and her vice." Aisha nodded, "Still, I prefer a lord capable of mercy than one like Sousou."
"Maybe, but Nene doesn't really care." Nenene shrugged, "I'll go where Ren-dono goes."
"… Fair enough." Aisha nodded, "… I suppose… I'm just saying as I do because I also would rather simply follow Touka-sama and Kazuto-sama."
"… What if the two were to be separated, then?" Nenene asked with a frown.
"… Do you really see that happening?"
"Not really, but being loyal to more than one person is a tedious thing, you know?"
"Tedious… if they weren't so simi… No, I suppose I cannot make that joke anymore." Aisha shook her head, "Kazuto-sama and Touka-sama are starting to grow more distinct with every passing day. But the fact that they usually don't fight means my loyalty to both should be fine…"
"And who would you side with if they do fight?"
"… Honestly…" Aisha thought on it before simply sighing, "I don't really know. I suppose it depends on what they're fighting about. And you?"
"Kazuto." Ren answered easily as if she didn't even need to think about it. Likely she didn't.
"Where Ren-dono goes." Nenene shrugged.
"… I see." Aisha nodded a bit, slightly put out that Ren's loyalty is a lot more one-sided than hers. "Anyway, I'll have the soldiers prepare barricades."
"We'll go east into Seishuu, then."
"East?"
"We're planning on harassing the Enshou Army a bit. You know, to make them move slower?"
"Be careful got it?"
"We'll be fine. Cloud Guardian privileges, after all!"
"I don't really see how Ren's privilege as a Cloud Guardian would do anything to prevent you from getting hurt."
Nenene blinked at that before, "Oh… right. Thought you were… Never mind."
"Aisha, nice." Ren nodded.
"Wait, what did you two think of me up till now!?"
"… Overly strict and by the books?" Nenene blinked.
"Serious." Ren nodded. "Works hard."
"Haaah…" Aisha sighed. Well, she always knew that the others view her as such. "The first thing that matters to all of us is that we come home safe." Aisha shook her head. "If we live, we can retreat and fight back at a later time."
"Kind of like what we're doing now?" Nenene asked with a frown.
"It can't be helped." Aisha shrugged.
"Speaking of… do you think there will be some Yuushuu conscripts in Enshou's Army?" Nenene frowned.
"… Probably. I can't see how she'd be able to amass such a large army if she was only using Kishuu soldiers." Aisha frowned. "… However, we have a job to do. If they intend to fight, then we'll fight. If they run, then that's that."
"Guess so." Nenene nodded. "Anyway, we'll get out of your hair soon enough. Try not to put the hard work we did in vain, got it?" Pretending to be peasants for a few days was tough work, after all.
"We'll certainly try."
"… Speaking of, where's Hinari-san?"
"In the command tent." Aisha replied.
"Then we won't keep you." Likely Aisha had a lot of things she needed to talk to Hinari about.
"Let's do our best." Ren agreed. And so, the Ryofu Company left Toukan.
-()-
It didn't take the Ryofu Company a long time to move up Seishuu and saw the Enshou Army as they were slowly crossing the river.
"… Our first target is their supplies." Nenene pointed to a bunch of wagons trailing the army.
"… Fire?" Ren asked.
"Those rings are really useful for fire, huh?" Nenene nodded. "Then let's burn as much of them as we can!"
"Kayuu, where?"
"In front of the pack, like the warmonger she is." Nenene smirked. Likely the Enshou Army didn't even think that they could be attacked from behind.
"… Attack at night?"
"Let's not be predictable. Attack whenever we get an opening! Let's put them in a constant state of stress~" Nenene declared.
"Un." Ren nodded. "… Opening." She pointed her halberd.
Nenene did not need to be told twice, "Ryofu Company! CHAAAARGE!"
In a single swift attack, the weak defenses of the supply chain were destroyed. In a single swift movement, all wagons were set ablaze. In a single swift retreat, the Ryofu Company disappeared before the soldiers at the front could even have received news of the destruction of their supplies. Spare weapons, food supplies, beddings, they were forced to salvage as much as they could, and with the wagons wrecked by flames.
And so, the harassment campaigns of the Ryofu Company began.
The first blow of the Kan-En War was struck.
-()-
Chapter End
-()-
Chapter Release Date: June 4, 2021
Last Edited: June 15, 2021
-()-
Beta Reader: Seraphius
Here's a list of Commanderies of Joshuu (Xuzhou), where the war will take place:
Licheng - Rijou (Borders the ocean and Seishuu, a potential path of attack, thus Chouhi's brigade was sent there as a precaution)
Dongguan - Toukan (Most northern commandery of Joshuu, a potential path of attack, thus Kan'u's brigade was sent there)
Langye - Rouja (The commandery below Toukan. If Toukan falls, Rouja is the next frontline)
Donghai - Toukai (The commandery below Rouja and above Kahi. If Rouja falls, Toukai is the next frontline.)
Xiapi - Kahi (Name of the commandery as well as the name of the Capital of the Province. Hongou-Ryuubi Army's Headquarters.)
Pengcheng - Houjou (Westernmost point of Joshuu, right next to the capital. Depending on Enshou's route, this area may also become a battlefield.)
Guangling - Kouryou (Southeasternmost point of Joshuu, east of the capital.)
Chengyang - Jouyou (According to Chinese Wikipedia, this is part of Joshuu, but according to the map I'm using this is Seishuu. For the purposes of this story, it is one of the three commanderies of Seishuu that is allied with the Kan dynasty in this war, the other's being Kouyuu's commandery (Beihai), and another one that I care not to name because they're just irrelevant enough that I don't want to bother looking for the translation for their commandery (Donglai). This is the commandery that Kouyuu earlier introduced to Enshou as an ally of the Ryuubi Army and thus should be avoided for the hassle.)
I will try and avoid using names, but there are two that will inevitably be brought up a lot: Toukan, the northernmost tip of Joshuu, and Kahi, the capital of Joshuu.