บท 18: 18

Return to Kai City

After leaving the capital's majestic palace and the applause of the ceremony, it felt as though I had returned to the real world. As I left Qin's politics, power struggles, and that magnificent atmosphere behind, I realized my thoughts were leading me back to Kai City. For me, this city was not just a garrison point but also the center of my strategies and growing responsibilities.

The Journey Back

After the ceremony, I set off towards Kai City at the head of my 3,000-strong unit. Along the way, my soldiers were silent. Most were still digesting the events of the ceremony, feeling the excitement brought by their new ranks. Others were remembering the comrades they had lost in battle. Even though we had achieved victory, every triumph came at a price.

I rode silently atop my horse, my mind preoccupied with evaluating the events of the past few months. Our victory against the Wei army, the killing of Kyuu Gen, those strategic moves filled with death traps… All of these were crucial for Qin's future, but they also weighed heavily on me.

I thought to myself:

"These victories make me a stronger leader, but at the same time, they burden me with greater responsibilities. These responsibilities are tests for me. Will I one day crumble under their weight?"

Arrival in Kai City

When we arrived at Kai City, a group of soldiers and officers welcomed us at the garrison gates. The city's atmosphere, far removed from the tension of war, was calmer and more orderly. The grandeur of the ceremony was absent here, but for me, this city felt more real. Here, I felt a sense of belonging.

One of the officers who greeted us hesitated when his eyes met mine. I could feel the respect I commanded due to my rank and victories, but at the same time, there was a hint of surprise in his eyes at how far I had come at such a young age.

Transition to Headquarters

Upon reaching headquarters, my first priority was to inspect my unit. The condition of my soldiers was more important to me than anything else. While most of my 3,000 men returned from the ceremony in high spirits, some still carried the wounds of war. I held a quick meeting with my officers to discuss the condition of the injured, our supplies, and other immediate needs.

Then, I retreated to my quarters to analyze the events. Sitting at my desk, I began evaluating the dangers and opportunities that awaited us in the coming months. Qin was growing, but this growth was drawing the attention of our enemies.

Analyzing the Situation

I replayed the details of the war over and over again. The victory against the Wei army and the killing of Kyuu Gen had taught me important lessons.

Strategic Planning:

The death traps and the fake sandstorm had caught the enemy army off guard and neutralized their numerical advantage. However, this was a one-time success. I knew that such tactics would not be enough when facing stronger enemies. I would need to devise more sophisticated plans.

Leadership and Motivation:

I had motivated my soldiers by using my presence as a general. But I realized that this ability was limited. To earn the trust of my soldiers, I needed to do more. I had to engage with them individually and understand their needs.

Political Balances:

At the ceremony, I had felt the attention of Prime Minister Ryu Fui. This man had significant influence over Qin, and I could not predict what his interest in me would lead to. Palace politics could be far more dangerous than a battlefield.

Conversation with Shin and Piao

Shortly after retreating to my room, Shin and Piao came to see me. Shin burst in energetically as always:

"Hey, Zhi Yong! A commander of 3,000 men, huh? I guess you'll be even more arrogant now!"

Laughing, I replied:

"Shin, I don't have time to be arrogant. We need to work even harder to maintain our victories. We've only won one battle, but there's an entire China ahead of us."

Piao, with a more serious tone, added:

"Zhi Yong is right. We defeated Wei, but that doesn't mean they've given up. Men like Go Kei start making new plans the moment they lose a battle."

Shin shrugged his shoulders:

"Why are you so serious? We won! What more do you want?"

Piao, glancing at Shin with mock sarcasm, replied:

"Not everything is as simple as swinging a sword on the battlefield, Shin. We need someone who thinks like Zhi Yong. Otherwise, one victory can turn into defeat in the next war."

Grumbling, Shin responded:

"Alright, alright! But remember, I'm going to be the strongest!"

We all laughed together, ending this tense conversation. However, behind these smiles, we all knew that the real struggle was only just beginning.

Thoughts at Night

At night, alone in my quarters at headquarters, I was left alone with my thoughts once again. I looked up at the sky and whispered to myself:

"Qin will grow. The dream of unifying China will come true. But there is a price for this dream. I wonder what price I will pay as a part of this dream?"

That question continued to echo in my mind throughout the night. Kai City was silent, but the war within me felt endless.

Deep in Thought in My Room at Kai City

I was lost in deep thought in my room in Kai City. After the war, everything seemed to have calmed down for a while. However, this was nothing more than an illusion. Qin's enemies would never rest for long. States as powerful as Wei and Zhao could be planning a new attack at any moment.

What troubled my mind the most was knowing that the Battle of Bayou was approaching. According to my manga knowledge, this war would be a major turning point for Qin. In the original story, Shin was supposed to seek out Ou Ki and ask him to train him. But now, with my presence and the decisions I had made, everything had changed.

The Plan Takes Shape

I thought to myself:

"Ou Ki's knowledge and experience would be invaluable for Shin and Piao. If they could learn his unique battle style, vision, and leadership, they would be far better prepared for future wars. However, convincing Ou Ki won't be easy. He isn't just any general; he's one of Qin's greatest leaders. His iconic smile, his style… Charismatic, but equally tough to deal with."

Preparation for the Visit

The next morning, I instructed the officers in my unit not to disturb me for a few days. I summoned Shin and Piao. Both of them looked at me with curious eyes as I broached the subject.

"We're going to visit Ou Ki," I said firmly.

Shin immediately jumped up:

"Ou Ki? Why are we visiting him? He didn't even fight with us. Isn't he retired?"

I fixed my gaze on Shin and calmly replied:

"Yes, he's not on active duty right now. But he's one of Qin's greatest generals. If we want to learn something, he's the right person."

Piao was listening more carefully. Then, he spoke thoughtfully:

"Getting training from Ou Ki… Will that really work? After all, he's a retired general."

I looked at him and added seriously:

"Every move Ou Ki makes on the battlefield is a lesson. If we can think like him and manage wars the way he does, we'll be much stronger against Qin's enemies."

Shin still looked unconvinced:

"What if he refuses? Are you sure Ou Ki will help us?"

I smiled and answered:

"That's our job. We have to convince him."

Ou Ki's Estate

After a day-long journey, we arrived at Ou Ki's estate, where he lived his retirement. The estate was close to Qin's capital, Kanyou. The front gate was magnificent yet simple, reflecting Ou Ki's elegant style.

When we reached the gate, one of Ou Ki's guards stopped us. I introduced myself and requested to speak with Ou Ki. After waiting for a while, we were allowed inside.

We found Ou Ki in the garden, sitting under the shade of a large tea tree. A few servants were nearby, and he held a cup of tea in his hand. When he noticed us, his famous smile spread across his face:

"Nfu Kokoko… Look who we have here. Young Zhi Yong and his friends, Shin and Piao. What brings you all this way?"

His tone, as always, was laced with mockery and deeper meaning.

The Request for Training

I respectfully bowed before Ou Ki and began to speak:

"Great General Ou Ki, I apologize for disturbing you. However, we need your help on a matter that is of great importance to Qin's future."

Ou Ki's smile widened slightly:

"Hmmm, the future, you say? Kokoko… Quite the bold opening. So, what is this important matter?"

I took a deep breath and got straight to the point:

"Shin and Piao need training. As Qin's greatest general, we believe you are the right person to help them."

Ou Ki took a sip of his tea and narrowed his eyes slightly. He looked at me seriously:

"Kokoko… You're asking me to teach something, are you? I'm retired. I'm no longer on the battlefield. And why Shin and Piao? Why don't you ask for training yourself?"

I was ready for this question and replied directly:

"I'm already doing everything I can to improve myself. But Shin and Piao need this training more. They will lead the army that unites Qin in the future. They need your knowledge, experience, and vision."

A faint smile appeared on Ou Ki's face. He turned to Piao:

"And you? What do you think? What do you say to this young Zhi Yong's proposal?"

Piao, a little hesitant, spoke:

"If I can really learn something, it will be better for Qin. But I'm worried about taking up the time of a great general like you."

Ou Ki let out a deep laugh:

"Nfu Kokoko! Interesting… Very interesting. And what about you, Shin? What do you think?"

Shin stepped forward in his usual bold manner:

"If this will make me a stronger warrior, then why not? But I'll be honest, I want to see how good of a teacher you really are!"

Ou Ki responded to Shin's outburst with another hearty laugh:

"Nfu Kokoko! You are an interesting group. Very well… Then let's begin. But know this, it won't be easy. I will train you, but in return, you must show me that you truly want to learn."

The Start of Training

With Ou Ki's acceptance, a rigorous training process began for Shin and Piao. Ou Ki's methods were far beyond anything ordinary. The process, both physically and mentally exhausting, sharpened their leadership abilities and made them stronger on the battlefield.

This training wasn't just significant for them but also a major step for Qin's future. With Ou Ki's wisdom combined with their youthful determination, the result would truly be extraordinary.

Ou Ki's Challenge

Before starting Shin and Piao's training, Ou Ki took another sip of his tea and then turned his attention to me. His eyes glimmered with a mocking light as he spoke in that characteristic, deep, and enigmatic tone:

"Well then, young Zhi Yong… While they are training here, what do you plan to do? Will you sit idly and seek entertainment, or are you thinking of something more serious?"

His question seemed intended to corner me, but this was just Ou Ki's style. He was always one step ahead, never hesitating to express his thoughts openly.

Revealing My Plan

I smiled as I looked at Ou Ki. This was a question I had fully prepared for. After a brief silence, I replied with a determined voice:

"While they are training, I will focus on strengthening my unit. It is not enough to train them alone; protecting Qin's borders and fighting on the frontlines is my responsibility. I will work to make my unit stronger and more effective."

Ou Ki placed his tea down on the table and gave a slight nod. My words seemed to satisfy him, but this was only the beginning. I continued:

"Within six months, I aim to become a commander of 5,000 men. What I have done so far has brought me closer to this goal. But it's not enough. I know I need to push harder. That's why I will participate in more battles along the border regions. I will further develop myself and my men."

Imitation and Humor

Ou Ki listened to my words carefully. Then, that familiar smile appeared on his face. He let out his iconic laugh:

"Nfu Kokoko… You are quite ambitious, young Zhi Yong. But ambition isn't a bad thing for a soldier. So, if you truly manage to become a commander of 5,000 men within six months, what will you do?"

For his question, I wanted to respond in a way that matched his style. I smiled faintly and changed my tone to mimic his mocking voice:

"Nfu Kokoko… Who knows?"

Ou Ki's eyes widened in surprise at my imitation. Then, he burst into laughter again:

"Nfu Kokoko! Excellent. Confidence at such a young age is truly impressive. But remember, the challenges you will face while strengthening your unit will push you to your limits. Qin is not an easy place."

Shin and Piao's Reactions

Shin, looking at Ou Ki's laughter, murmured in surprise:

"Does this guy always laugh like that? I never thought Zhi Yong could imitate him!"

Piao added more seriously:

"It's good that Zhi Yong is this confident. But becoming a commander of 5,000 men in six months won't be easy. I hope you can achieve it."

Turning to them, I smiled slightly and spoke in a more serious tone:

"This is my responsibility. If we want to make a difference for Qin, both you and I must prove ourselves. While you train here, I will defend Qin's borders. We will all advance on our own paths."

Ou Ki's Final Comment

After this conversation, Ou Ki looked at Shin and Piao, then turned back to me:

"Nfu Kokoko… You're an interesting group, truly. While Shin and Piao train here, it will be interesting to see what you accomplish. But remember this, young Zhi Yong. Greatness is measured not just by victories but by how you achieve them. Qin needs both strong hands and wise minds."

I bowed respectfully:

"Your words are valuable to me, Ou Ki. I will do my best for Qin."

In response, Ou Ki only smiled faintly and returned to his tea. As Shin and Piao's training process began, a new period of struggle was also starting for me. Every step taken for Qin required great responsibility.