The Three Pillars is the 800th chapter of the Kingdom manga.
Summary[]
The officials in Kanyou are discussing available armies and provisions for the frontline forces to once again invade Zhao, but they are hampered by the absence of Shou Hei Kun. While they prepare for the next invasion, Fuu Kyou, a candidate for Prime Minister of Qin, interrupts, urging them to abandon their current plans. He warns that ignoring the harsh reality of their recent defeat could lead to an even greater disaster. Fuukyou emphasizes that resources are limited, noting that the attacks on Gian and Hango mobilized over 300,000 soldiers with no success: only draining supplies and emptying the royal treasury to pay back the soldiers' families. The losses at Hango were borne by the Northern Army, and without reparations for the families, the northern regions might pull away from them.
Ri Shi then reminds the group that Qin's three-year truce with Wei is ending soon. Wei has grown stronger since capturing Juuko, and it's possible they could use it as a base for an invasion. Additionally, Chu’s armies are preparing to move north. Ri Shi notes this is the natural consequence for weakened kingdoms. When the officials ask if they should focus entirely on defense, Fuu Kyou points out that it will be equally challenging, as they have already lost 200,000 soldiers in the last two years.
Ri Shi declares that it's time to abandon dreams of Unifying China and refocus on realistic goals for Qin, suggesting they consider forming a multi-kingdom alliance like the previous rulers of the Spring and Autumn Period. Shou Bun Kun accuses him of giving up too easily, but Ri Shi counters, saying he too once longed for China's unification. As a legalist, he had hoped to help build a great kingdom based on laws after unification, but as an official of Qin, he must now face reality to prevent Qin from entering an irrecoverable state.
The other officials dismiss his concerns as an overreaction to just two defeats, but Ri Shi sharply reminds them that those defeats cost Qin tens of thousands of soldiers and damaged the reputation of the Six Great Generals. Another official argues that these discussions shouldn't take place in the absence of the Chief of Military Affairs.
In a flashback, Shou Hei Kun takes responsibility for the losses to Ri Boku and offers his head, but Ei Sei refuses. The Chief admits they've lost their way to unification with loss of both Kan Ki and defeat at Hango, but Sei acknowledges this, saying that they must attempt something unprecedented, with no clear path to follow. Despite the setbacks, Sei vows never to give up and orders Shou Hei Kun and Shou Bun Kun to find a solution. Shou Hei Kun, seeing this, asks for three days to devise a plan. Sei affirms his belief that Shou Hei Kun is the equal to, if not more skilled than, Ri Boku as the Chief bows his head before departing.
In the present, the officials realize they haven't seen Shou Hei Kun in six days and fear he may have taken his own life over their recent losses. However, an exhausted and disheveled Shou Hei Kun enters the palace and requests a private audience with Ei Sei. During the meeting, Sei thanks Shou Hei Kun for his efforts in fighting against all of China. Shou Hei Kun admits that he contemplated suicide during his isolation and even reached for his blade but stopped his hand when he remembered Sei's belief that he surpasses Ri Boku. Reflecting on this, Shou Hei Kun realized he too believes he can surpass Ri Boku and began considering how they might still unite China. He concluded that by continuing to sacrifice Qin’s citizens and implementing "Three Pillars" of reform, they could restore the path to unification. The first of these reforms, he explains, is the creation of a family register for all Qin citizens.
Characters[]
Qin[]
Wei[]
- Go Hou Mei (vision)
- Ran Bi Haku (vision)
- Gai Mou (vision)
Zhao[]
- Ri Boku (mentioned)
Characters Introduced[]
Qin[]
High Points[]
- Fuu Kyou, a candidate to be the next Chancellor, is introduced.
- Shou Hei Kun contemplates suicide and offering his life to Ei Sei after the failure of the northern invasions.
- Shou Hei Kun tells Ei Sei that if they can erect the "3 pillars", then they can restore the path to unification.
- The first pillar proposed by Shou Hei Kun to restore the path to unification is the creation of a family register.
Trivia[]
- Gai Mou makes his first reappearance years after the Fire Dragons of Wei Arc and Choyou Campaign.