The Royal capital Kanyou palace

The large man who always followed around the King's younger brother was ripping a prisoner and shackles in half with no effort. And then looked at three remaining prisoners down in the pit that he was in.

That was quite a sight , indeed that was absolutely amazing lord Chenjiao." Some courtiers said.

Curse you Chenjiao, you are a traitor to the throne! Our Lord Shou Bun Kun Will have your head for these crimes." One of the prisoners said.

After some insults from both sides the large monster dude proceeded to smash one of the remaining three face first into the ground, splattering the front side of his body on the bottom of the cage area.

Listen carefully you dogs of Shou Bun Kun oh, I'm not betraying the country at all. I am simply returning things to the way they were before.. back to the way they were five years ago.

Flashback

Chenjiao was always being followed around by courtiers for lack of better wording kissing his ass for position when he got older. I know but it was a double edge sword. Chenjiao did whatever he wanted and they let him because they knew you'd be the next king. One day it was a commotion and a bunch of people who always follow them around left after asking him to figure out that there was an older heir to the throne. Ei Sei's mother was a dancing girl, which pissed off Chenjiao but he was told that the boy was in the castle. He looked up to see Sei walking on one of the upper ramparts and looking down on him. And he went to meet his mother but she wasn't excepting anyone in and the servants were gossiping about the beauty of the new queen and how his mother wasn't anything to be compared, then he decided he wouldn't accept it.

Back with Shin and the group

Shin had finally gotten the hang of riding the horse and was now doing great and going extremely fast.

So this is what taming a horse is like." Shin thought.

Not bad, Shin keep it up." Heki said.

Heki, I know about this it's just hard than i imagined!" Shin said.

Know about what?" Heki said.

How since we started using cavalry and battles the entire battlefield has changed completely. And it was all cause of that king Barei guy." Shin said.

You mean king Burei of Zhao." Heki said

Yes, I just remembered the day when he first started dreaming of being able to ride horses." Shin said.

Flashback

You know, someday we're gonna have to ride horses." A very young Hyou said.

Yeah I've always wondered what it would be like." Shin said.

I overheard people at the market today talking about how no one really used to cavalry until king Burei of Zhaocame up with the idea. It was around 80 years ago when he assembled the first cavalry army. His army shattered the presumption that horses were only good for pulling carts." Hyou said.

Yeah but wouldn't it be really hard to fight while riding an animal like that." Shin asked.

It seems like it makes you really strong. I heard Den had his entire infantry squad beaten by just single horsemen in the last battle! He even lost one of his hands." Hyou said.

Well in that case I wouldn't mind riding one into battle." Shin said.

But in reality there is an order to these things. Do you only people allowed to ride horses are either no pools or professional soldier class in the actual army. Militia and peasants like us will have to work our way up from foot soldier until we get promoted to the soldier class." Hyou said.

What a pain that's going to take forever, I want to ride one soon." Shin said dejectedly.

Ah, doesn't Sai have a horse in his barn? Hyou asks.

Dude, that's a cow." Shin said.

Well let's try riding a cow next time we get a chance." Hyou said while rubbing the back of his head.

Alright." Shin said.

Flashback end

Royal palace

Rankai has run out of toys to break. Bring me some more." Chenjiao said talking about the human that always followed him around.

My Lord we ran out of prisoners loyal to Shou Bun Kun." Shi Shi says.

Then bring me others, bring me his entire family. Wait, that's not enough, bring me every single person that lives on his land." Chenjiao says.

Um." Shi Shi says?

What is it?" Chenjiao asks.

The truth is we already dispatch meant to secure his family, however someone ended up getting in the way." Shi says.

Who dares?" Chenjiao says.

The very person we gave his land to." Shi says

Do you want me to hand over Shou Bun Kun's wife and children, but all his land already belongs to me. In other words all the people living there are my slaves. No you wish to take them from me? That is unacceptable. But if you were to offer your own family in return minister Shi then I might reconsider." Ouki said.

Damn Ouki. He's getting ahead of himself just because he killed Shou Bun Kun. I'll feed him to Rankai after this has blown over. By the way, minister Shi, what happened to getting me Ei Sei's Head? My patience is running thin." Chenjiao said.

Yes sir, we are currently searching for him." Shi says.

Mister Shi. I have agreed to handover the reins of this country to you and the chancellor to do as you wish, however you must bring me the head of my brother in exchange! That is the only thing I require you to do. Otherwise even you will not be safe from my wrath." Chenjiao said.

There is no need to be in such a rush your highness. Your loyal chancellor swears on his life they will bring you the head of king Ei Sei. Now that Shou Bun Kun is Dead and the king has lost his support, he is probably hiding like a rat somewhere fearing for his life. doesn't the thought of that bring a smile to your lips? We can slowly take our time rooting him out while he despairs. By this point the king is no longer a factor; we have bigger fish to fry." Jie Shi says.

You speak of Chancellor Lu." Chenjiao says.

In the short term yes, in the long term The Lord of the Warring States in our country. We will wait to deal with the Lord until after we're done with Lu so we can focus on him alone and I doubt he'll get involved right now, and we may already have a symbol of his support. but if we're defeated that vile merchant will be the one to send the throne." Jie Shi says.

Just thinking about it makes me want to puke. How are the preparations going for catching that Wily old fox?" Chenjiao said.

What your highness like to see for himself?" Jie said.

Outside the castle on the walls

Chenjiao looked down and saw a large number of soldiers.

Now this is more like it." Chenjiao said grinning.

At the villa

31 men of the 6th platoon reporting for duty. We have a couple injured that require medical treatment!" A rider said coming into the clearing.

Nice you guys made it to. Bring some food and water. Alright, more reinforcements!" Some soldiers who were already in the clearing said.

I'm amazed that so many of us survived. You still got people scaring them out and looking for more survivors. We're going to get bigger yet. But some of these guys are not ours." The leader said. " Wait, how come I don't see the captain!? I heard he was unharmed! don't tell me he's.."

He's up there and the leader of the other guys was up there with him." A man said pointing to the cliffs.

On top of the cliffs sat Shou Bun Kun he was watching the forest carefully and not moving. some of his soldiers were begging him to come down and take a break from looking out. When the ground began to shake he opened his eyes wide at the realization.

"Ah, I sense your aura, young master. It is time you become what you were born to be, and it seems you have already started." Li Yan said from a boulder not far from Shou Bun Kun's.

A few minutes later

Shin came rushing through the forest on his horse boasting about how he arrived first, when he saw that all of the soldiers including Shou Bun Kun were standing in formation waiting for something with their hands clasped. Then Sei came out of the forest right in front of them followed by the mountain folk.

Thank you for coming, Shou Bun Kun. I have returned." Sei says.

Welcome back, your majesty." Shou Bun Kun says.

A minute later

Shin had wandered to the forest for a breather when he felt an aura pressing on, instinctively his aura raised up dangerously. He turned around and saw a familiar older looking man who was standing back behind him a few feet away from him smiling. The aura turned from a dangerous one to one he could get used to, then the man walked forward only to stop when Ju Kun stepped between them.

I see you've found yourself a new loyal retainer my Lord." The man said, kneeling and clasping his hands together. "My name is Li Yan. I served as chief vassal to your father. I apologize for all that it was just something that we used to do to each other, it would've been much simpler to explain if I had brought the others with me. I just wanted to meet you alone, it has been 14 years and most of our meetings have been quick and I never really got to talk to you."

Ju Kun, he is a loyal friend and vassal, be at ease. Come let us find a seat Li Yan. We have much to talk about and many questions that need to be answered." Shin said.

A few minutes later Shin and Li Yan had sat down on some fallen logs to talk while Ju Kun went to get the others.

What did Gan Tong tell you, my lord?" Li Yan says.

He told me about how my supposed family had come to live in this country, what we did as the generations went down the fact that technically I am a lord of the warring states. And he told me that I was hiding my family name for my protection but he didn't explain to me the whole picture. That's about it."

Ah he did good, I'll explain the rest to you and apologizes if some of it seems repetitive. Your great great grandfather Shi Ba Shi as you know was incredibly low ranking Noble in the court of one of the independent states generations ago. The only reason his family was relevant at his time was because he and his three brothers were probably the best at their specialties in their generation but they still did not get the respect they were due. After a particular loss in battle, half the nobles were blamed by the state king's son for the loss. A bunch were arrested and put in jails, a few were killed trying to fight back but your great grandfather decided all this was happening to take his family and leave. During his older years he settled here in Qin where he and his brothers begin to grow their family strength and renown through some of their incredible abilities and begin building up their own system of Vassals and started creating businesses and becoming real power houses in the political game. By the time your grandfather took control of the family it was on the cusp of being its own entity. The only reason the throne did not think of them as a threat was because the two families were incredibly close after working together so much." Li Yan said looking at Shin.

Alright that sounds about the same with more information. Please continue." Shin said.

"Early on your grandfather finished all but one thing that your great great grandfather started when he settled here, then your grandfather began to collect vassals left right and center those vassals, and the ones already there including my family, would become the core of what would be the power of what you have now, and with political influence growing so high it lead to him taking over a position as a lord of the warring states. But with all the political economic vassal power your family had there was one thing that even though they had a decent amount of, there was no true power in it and that was our military." Then Li Yan smiled. "When your father went to his first battle he set the example for what our military might would be in the future, he took what was maybe half a dozen dysfunctional military families that were loyal to your family and added on to them from your families vassals and recruiting others to create what your grandfather came to know as the 12 zodiacs even though they were only 10 at its highest point."

They heard a sound and looked up and saw Gan Tong, Hou Bie, and Qu Ying approaching and bowed before taking a seat.

Where was I, ah that you find that there are only 6 Vassal Generals, one left after your fathers death, but three were killed in friendly meeting and after that we proceeded to go scorched earth and beat the people before we ordered to stop. After that and many other successful campaigns your father was named to the six great generals but 16 years ago three families who were set aside during your families rise started colluding together. When your father and mother married and had you, the families and a few allies who had joined them decided it would be easier to wipe out the family before you came of age. Your father had been serving as deputy to Bai Ki when we heard that the family had been attacked, he did his duty and left most of his men behind only taking one vassal to return home and try and put down whatever happened before anything happened to you, but he and your mother were killed trying to get back to Aspen to protect you."

What happened to the families that attacked us, are they still a threat, and why were both my parents gone in such a situation?" Shin asked seriously.

"No, as soon as we got back we completely eradicated them. None of the people who were at fault either out in the open or in the shadow live today. And The reason both of your parents weren't in the city when it happened was because the council had decided that it would be much less likely that they'd attack when neither one of the family leaders were in the city, especially when your father wasn't there to defend. But as I mentioned earlier they weren't the only targets, fortunately before the two of them left earlier that month the leaders of the family and vassals had come together and made a plan in case of emergencies." Gan Tong said.

"Humorously it has to do with the village that got eradicated a few nights ago, as you well know there is a labyrinth of underground paths coming from that village. earlier when grandfather was searching the region we figured out that one of those paths comes out in a forest near the city, so when we started hearing rumors about an attack we decided that we would separate all the important members of the family. Your father was already going on a campaign, your mother needed to go get the last of her things from her family house and your grandfather was just living around the palace so we decided to send him to the summer houses outside of the city, while keeping you inside the city at the most protected place. This plan would be the only reason you and your grandfather survived, when the city was attacked well it wasn't attacked it was breached by traitors. You were sent with a new general to be hidden away from the family, but when your parents were killed and after we had dealt with everyone we brought you back, but your grandfather decided it would be best to keep you out and away from eyes that did not want the best." Li Yan said. "So it was decided no matter what happened: outside of it no longer being safe to not tell you, you would you will be raise normally in the city and trained to be the Lord for after he died, and until you were 15 we wouldn't tell you the truth by that time you would be old enough to begin campaigning and you would be able to know what politics were, it was the last thing he ordered us to do before he died. Since then we've been watching over you and teaching you the necessary knowledge earlier in your life and letting you leave the city when the situation gets tough, unfortunately our lack of court presence and the past few years has kept us somewhat blind to what was happening and if you hadn't run into the merchant earlier that day we probably wouldn't of known what was going on until it was too late. My Lord as the leader of your vassals I must sincerely apologize to you, our oversight put you in danger and got your friend killed. And we ask that you accept our renewal of our vows to you as our new Lord and the family head." Li Yin said as he and the others got on a knee and clasped their hands.

I accept your renewal and swear to be and become the lord you have waited for." Shin said.

Thank you my lord." They all said.

Now from just being around Gan Tong as long as I have, I'm pretty sure that there are some things I should probably know." Shin said with a smirk.

Yes My Lord but these conversations are better ment for private places, and I believe his name is Ju Kun has informed us that there are rooms in the villas that can be used for these private conversations." Li Yan says.

I see and than let us head there." Shin said, walking towards the villa.

In new Shin's room

Now my Lord the first thing that must be brought to your attention probably the most important is the situation with the army. Your father when he realized it might be an attack went to King Sho and made a request, the request was to change the way that his army was allowed to be moved out if he died out of nowhere. And he did so the deal that they made came into place. The deal was no king could force the army out unless the capital was directly under threat by an enemy state, the only time the deal could be undone was when both the king at the time and the head of the family were both of an age. If that doesn't happen the army comes fully under control when you become a general and order them out of the city." Li Yan said.

That will good to know when I'm undoubtably get asked the question. Please continue." Shin said, nodding.

The next is a more delicate topic, well two of them actually. Your father was named Chancellor of War; it's been called the chancellor of the middle. It was created after your father went crazy once to teach him what it takes to wage wars but your father did so well in the job King Sho made it an official position and added some other things to the job. It's there to act as a balance against the chancellor of state if that person gets too powerful or that's what we were told, it's been held by the Duke for the last five years but he decided to hand over the position when court politics got too annoying for him to go in. While you are till still too young to take the position with all its power the position was officially created primarily to be held by one of your family because of their influence as a Lord of the Warring States, so you'll be name to the position when the time comes and have a older member of the group take position until you're old enough to hold it in its full capacity." Li Yan said.

Well that sounds like it's going to be a pain in my butt but I'll handle it when it gets down to it. Now what is this other thing which I get the feeling that's why you really wanted to have this conversation in private." Shin said, narrowing his eyes.

You're just as observant as your mother. But yes you're right it comes down to the reason why we were so confident we would get information in the capital no matter what. It is my duty to inform you that one of your generals is serving as a deputy in the Royal Army right now. We sent him to the capital because he was getting antsy and we always try to have some information so I figured it'd be a good idea. But he got involved too involved the situation all on his own but I feel that he thought he was allowed to, truly it is an extremely difficult situation to judge if you're not the Lord so when the time comes as hard as it might be you are the only person who can judge the situation outside of the king."

I see, I honestly wasn't sure if I should get you any more involved but with this information that makes it easier we have somebody involved with this so we need to go and deal with that. As far as it goes from this point on I feel like we should send a message to the city, no matter what happens next showing up with two high positioning vassals will send an extremely bad message depending on what happens and might blow the cover you've built up over the years and I feel like it would be better to have everyone there ready in case something goes bad." Shin said.

That's smart I'll send someone as soon as we are done. Is there anything else that we need to do?" Gan Tong

Just keep my rise to position quiet for the time. We should also keep our general to us for right now I'll explain it to the king after this is next meet is over. Somebody come get me when it's time for the meeting. I need to get some fresh air." Shin said.

Later

Shin and Ten were walking through among all the soldiers and mountain people.

It sure has gotten lively around here. It looks like we're getting somewhere." Shin said.

The number of Qin soldiers has increased too, more are appearing from the caves." Ten said.

Seems like the old man hasn't just been sitting around while waiting for us." Shin said smiling.

Lord Shin." Some soldiers said. "Thank you for bringing back the king in one piece. Not only that you even returned with an entire mountain army! Well done! Are yeah you did everything we hoped you would and more! I apologize when we first met, I believed you were just a rude brats."

Who are they?" Another soldier asked.

That is Ten and Lord Shin while we were regrouping, the two of them went with a couple of his vassals, the King, and Lieutenant Heki."

"No it was no big deal, all we did was get captured. At least that's what I think it was, but Shin wasn't exactly treated like he was a prisoner, Sei did it by himself." Ten said.

Well I at any rate, you sure brought a lot of them. There's still more of them arriving as we speak, just how many of them are there?" The soldiers said.

"What strange appearances. Will they even be able to understand us?" Some more soldiers said.

I wonder what exactly they are like." A soldier said.

"You probably won't be able to speak to them properly. But they're not as bad as you might think." Shin said.

The leader is a real looker!" A soldier said.

Don't let them hear that or those stories you heard might become reality." Shin said all too sweetly.

In the meeting room Sei and Shou Bun Kun were sitting on one side and Hecky (who was blushing madly) and Yo Tan Wa were sitting on the other side and there were three seats on the opposite side of the door where Gan Tong was sitting down waiting for the last arrivals.

Apologies y'all, has the meeting begun yet." Shin said, walking in with Li Yan behind him.

"No we haven't even started yet because we've been waiting for you." Heki said.

You know your face is really red Heki? What's up with that?" Shin said with a smirk.

So you've already fallen for her huh?" Ten said.

What are you talking about, Ten." Heki screamed.

Then the bigger mountain person that Shin knocked out whose name was Taijifu said something in the mountain language, which caused Gan Tong to smile.

Taijifu says he doesn't think your face is the type leader likes." The one with the blue mask now know as Bajio said.

"Just what are you talking about!?" Heki said.

All right let's stop busting his balls and get down to it. More importantly isn't it about time we went on the counter attack? We got the momentum right now. We should hit them before they know it yet." Shin said, sitting down.

Certainly Shin has a point. momentum can be a critical element in winning a battle. however to achieve victory with only momentum is something that is committed to a small scale guerrilla warfare. since we are currently about to assault the Royal Capital of Qin." Yo Tan Wa said. "But first we require a plan to scout out the enemy forces and somehow break through the city gates. Now let's begin properly."

Ever since I first returned here to await our King, I've been sending out men to gather as much information from Kanyou as they can." Shou Bun Kun said.

Very good, please continue." Sei said.

Reports indicate that in the last few days, they've been assembling an army 80,000 strong." Shou Bun Kun said.

Eighty thousand, how many people do we have?" Shin asked.

At most 3000." Bajio said.

I brought 1500 of the best troops I could get my hands on." Li Yan said.

After a few minutes of thinking.

These numbers aren't bad." Sei says.

Well maybe but damn 4500 versus 80,000! Just how Shou Bun Kun." Shin said.

These numbers are perfect for executing a scheme." Shou Bun Kun said.