The third series of the anime is called the Coalition Army Arc, and in it, the six states of the Warring States period (excluding Qin, Han, Wei, Zhao, Yan, Qi, and Chu) joined forces to wage a fierce battle at Hangu Pass. This battle saw the rise of each general, Shin's growth, and most importantly, it tested Sei's qualities as a king. Furthermore, the final episode of the anime ended with Kyoukai completing his revenge and returning to the Hi Shin Unit. So, in this article, we'll explain the contents of the fourth series of the anime, which is scheduled to air in April 2022. (Contains spoilers!)
Toward the Civil War
A little over a year has passed since the battle with the Allied Forces, and the Warring States period has entered a period of civil war. As each nation enters a period of internal unification, the power struggle in the Qin Dynasty between King Ying Zheng and Prime Minister Lü Buwei reaches its climax. Thanks to Ying Zheng's unifying power, which inspired Zhai and defeated Li Mu in the previous war, the King's side's influence has grown. Additionally, Seikyo, the younger brother of Sei's former enemy, was influenced by seeing his brother in battle and, perhaps because of this, he had a change of heart and grew into a man trusted by his subordinates. He advocated for the overthrow of Lü Buwei and helped win over many nobles to the King's side.
The Rebellion of Seikyo, the King's Younger Brother
While the King's side was gaining the upper hand, the Zhao army attacked the town of Tonryu, where Seikyo's first wife, Rui, was visiting her hometown. Following the impact of Sei's campaign last year and in order to save his wife, his younger brother, Sei Kyou, sets out for Tunliu to defeat the Zhao army. After arriving, Sei Kyou's army defeated the Zhao army in just half a day, but a big trap had been set for them. When they recaptured Tunliu, they found that a man named Pu Xu, who was connected to Lü Buwei, was the lord of the castle, and Pu Xu had already captured Sei's wife, Rui.
Kei and Shin's Growth
The garrison was already filled with Pu'i soldiers, and Seikyou was captured without any means of escape. The only false news that reached the royal capital, Xianyang, was that Seikyou had betrayed the garrison and started a rebellion with the people. Sei quickly realized this was a trap set by Lü Buwei, and planned a rescue mission for Seikyou with the combined forces of Kai and Shin, his most trusted troops. Two years have passed since the combined forces, and Kai has become a general commanding 30,000 men, the Hi Shin Unit has grown to 5,000 men, and Kingudam has grown to a commander of 1,000.
The Person Name Seikyou ①
The now-grown Hi Shin Unit and the regular army led by Kai attack Tonryu with overwhelming force and easily enter the castle. Meanwhile, Seikyou, who had been captured, manages to escape on his own and runs to Rui, who is being held captive underground. Along the way, Seikatsu engages in unfamiliar combat with an ambush, and despite being wounded, he manages to rescue Rui from the prison. However, just as they are about to reach the exit, they are caught up by Kamakura and his soldiers who have been pursuing them from behind. Hearing the approaching footprints, the badly injured Seikatsu has his wife escape to the exit first, and together with his subordinate, they face a desperate battle.
The Person Named Seikyou ②
Shin and the others arrive at the scene, accompanied by Rui, who has called for help. They see Seikyou lying on the ground next to the body of Gamo, whom Seikyou had likely killed. As Rui rushes to his side, Seikyou strains his final words, telling Rui to gather his forces under Sei and to Shin to become the spear that will accomplish Sei's great task: unifying China. The arrogant Seikyou of four years ago, who only imposed oppression and had no one to risk their lives to protect him, is no longer there. Upon hearing of Cheng Kyou's death, the king's loyal retainers broke down in tears and, filled with anger toward Lü Buwei, joined the King's camp.
Battle against Wei
Now, some time has passed since the civil war, and the Warring States period has returned to days of battle. In order to counter the Shanyang region, which Li Mu called a checkmate, Wei redrawn its borders and built a new fortress called Zhuoyong north of Shanyang. The Qin's next battlefield was Zhuoyong, where they faced the Wei army led by Wu Fengming. In addition to Teng, Rokuomi, and Longguo, who had originally invaded Wei, the Hi Shin Unit and the Gyoku Hou Unit were called in as reinforcements.
Wang Ben's Strategy
With an enemy army of 60,000, and Zhuoyong surrounded by mountains and rivers, advancing to Wu Fengming's innermost reaches was expected to be a fierce battle. Wang Ben proposed a plan: Using Teng's army in the center as a decoy, the Hi Shin Unit, the Gyoku Hou Unit, and the Lu Ming Wei Army would break through the enemy's first line of defense and attack from three directions. It was a somewhat aggressive strategy, reducing the enemy's strength on the first and second days and then gathering at the Wei army's main camp by noon on the third day. However, Wang Ben's plan led the Qin army to battle Wei.
About the Seven Fire Dragon Masters of Wei
These seven were famous generals of Wei, said to be comparable to the Three Great Generals of Zhao and the Six Great Generals of Qin. They refer to seven men who were active during the reign of the previous king, King Anli. One of them was Wu Qing, who was killed by General Hyokou during Shin's first battle. Later, the other six, Tairoji, Shosen, and Batou, came into conflict with Linghuang, Kaimeng, and Zihak. Zibo killed Tairoji and the others in a friendly firefight. They were imprisoned in Wei for 14 years until this battle.
Linghuang, Kaimeng, and Zihak
For Wang Ben's plan to succeed, he first had to defeat the first wave of the enemy. However, at this point, Wei brought out three of its hidden great generals, the Wei Karyu. Hi Shin Unit faced off against a formidable foe, one of the Wei Karyu, the hulking, powerful general Gaimou, while Gyoku Hou Unit faced off against another of the Wei Karyu, the strongest spearman, Shihaku. The two fought bravely, but on the first day, Shin fought Gaimou, and on the second day, Ou Ben fought Shihaku in a one-on-one battle, and both were seriously injured.
Young Generals Who Surpass ①
With Shin and Wang Ben struggling, the day of the operation, the third day, finally arrived. The Gyokuho Squad decided to have their remaining units take the main attack, and Wang Ben would intercept Shihaku when he appeared. Shihaku's spear, which had slaughtered other Wei Fire Dragons, was not as accurate as Wang Ben's, but was designed solely for piercing power, and just like yesterday, they found themselves at a disadvantage. Wang Ben's determination to win this battle, even in the face of overwhelming power, and ready to die, reflected his determination to use it as a stepping stone to becoming a great general who would make a name for himself in China.
Young Generals Who Surpass ②
As the heir to the royal family, and as a master of the spear, Wang Ben absolutely could not back down from this battle. Gradually, Wang Ben began to lose sight of Zi Bo's spear. This was because the earnest Wang Ben began to catch Zi Bo using the spear forms he had practiced so diligently. This is a basic right-side-up strike that Wang Ben learned from his father, Wang Jian, as a child. Using this form, he delivered a powerful thrust that pierced Zi Bo's heart, securing victory.
Young Generals Who Surpass III
Meanwhile, in order to break through the other Wei Huolong, Kai Meng's forces, He Ryo Ten devised a plan to isolate Shin in the center while Qiang Wei's 2,000-man army advanced toward the Wei main camp. Leaving Shin and 2,000 soldiers in the deadly position in the center, the enemy throws all their forces at Shin. Surrounded and desperate, the army of Takakuni, located on the other side of the mountain, suddenly rushes to their aid. Takakuni's army, numbering over 10,000, charges into the unsuspecting camp from outside, turning the tide of the battle. Karyo Ten had calculated this entire plot in advance and devised this ingenious strategy.
Noon on the Third Day
On the third day, as the sun rose directly overhead, Wu Fengming's army arrived at its headquarters almost simultaneously: Wang Ben, who had defeated Zi Bo, arrived from the north; Lu Mingwei arrived from the west; and, a little later, Qiang Wei arrived. Surrounded by an unexpected attack from three directions, Wu Fengming had no choice but to abandon his troops and flee with his few remaining troops. Furthermore, thanks to Longguo's forces, Xin, who had defeated Kaimeng, was fortunate enough to catch Wu Fengming's retreating forces from the side. While Fengming escaped, he managed to kill the last of the Wei Huolong and Linghuang. This forced the Wei army to retreat, sealing the Qin's victory.
Battle Results
Wu Fengming's mistakes in this battle were mistaking Teng's army for the main attack and failing to recognize the rise of a young general who could surpass Wei Huolong. Thus, the exploits of Wang Ben and Xin in this battle became widely known throughout China. Furthermore, capturing Zhuoyong signified that a full-scale invasion of Wei was now possible, signaling that China had matured to the point of destroying a country.
Summary
So, what did you think? This article covered the opening story depicted in the fourth anime series. The death of Sei Kyou provided strength for the Sei camp, and the invasion of Zhuoyong led to the rise of Xin and Wang Ben, bringing the full-scale invasion of Wei into sharp focus. With the collapse of the Seven Warring States, the world plunged further into war. Be sure to enjoy these fierce battles in the anime and manga!
