The flags of victory flew high above Gyou, Retsubi, and Ryouyou. The three great strongholds of Zhao, once thought impenetrable, now lay firmly in Qin's grasp.
But this was no ordinary triumph. This was the kind of victory that rewrote maps—and history.
Kanyou – The Royal Palace
In the capital, the great hall of the royal palace was filled with tension and awe. Courtiers and commanders stood in rows, awaiting the words of the young king whose dream had begun to take form.
Before King Ei Sei, five warriors stood.
Each one had carved their name into legend.
Tou, Ouki's calm and fearsome heir.
Mou Bu, the unstoppable spear of Qin.
Ou Sen, the cold mastermind behind the Gyou campaign.
Kan Ki, the unpredictable beast who held the siege line.
Yo Tan Wa, the mountain queen who shattered Zhao's rear.
Ei Sei's voice echoed across the hall.
"From this day forth, these five shall be known as the Great Generals of Qin."
Gasps and murmurs swept the chamber. The Six Great General System, long dormant since the days of King Sho, was reborn—though only five seats were filled.
Ei Sei raised his hand.
"The sixth seat remains open. It will not be given freely. It will be earned."
Now came four young commanders, each scarred by the war, each carrying the weight of their own ambitions.
Shin of the Hi Shin Unit, Ou Hon of the Gyoku Hou, Mou Ten of the Gaku Ka, and Ren of the Gu Ren Tai stood side by side.
Ei Sei spoke again, his voice firm.
"In the campaign for Gyou, you did not follow—you led."
He turned first to Ren.
"Ren. On the left wing of the Atsuyo front, when Ba Tei's elite unit launched their assault, your instincts held the line. You anticipated the collapse before it came. And when Ba Tei himself broke through, it was you who met him head-on."
"You killed Ba Tei, saved the flank, and gave our center room to breathe. That single act kept the entire formation from collapsing."
"For your valor and command, you are promoted to the rank of General of Qin."
Ren gave a simple bow. He said nothing, but Kai and the men of the Gu Ren Tai, watching from the side, allowed a brief cheer before silencing themselves with discipline.
Then, Ei Sei addressed the others:
"Shin—for holding the line against Gyou'un's relentless assault, and for claiming his life in the name of Qin, you are promoted to General."
"Ou Hon—for defeating Chou Ga Ryuu and delivering a critical blow on the right, you are promoted to General."
"Mou Ten—for preserving order through strategy and saving our army in its darkest moment, you are promoted to General."
Each stepped forward, bowing deeply.
Later that evening, the four new generals stood together on the balcony overlooking Kanyou. The war was not over, but something had changed. They were no longer rising stars. They had arrived.
Shin cracked a grin.
"You really took down Ba Tei, huh?"
Ren shrugged.
"Someone had to."
Mou Ten laughed.
"If that's how we're measuring things, I better start aiming for generals next campaign."
Ou Hon glanced at them, arms crossed.
"The sixth seat won't wait for jokes. Only results."
Shin smirked.
"Then let's go get those results. Together or not—we're going to change the world."
Behind them, the banners of Qin whipped in the summer wind. Below, the drums of war had already begun to beat again.