That Lord Changwen--so full of himself!
Dammit! People are still flocking to them!
And Cheng Jiao's pulling the strings behind the scenes!
So Lord Changping will be at the faction's core once again?
How very tedious.
I shall retire.
Chancellor... sir...
At this rate, Li Si, sir...
I'm aware.
"Some Days Later"
This won't do. Lü Buwei's not even making appearances.
What on earth could he be thinking?
If I don't do something...
Li Si!
Terrible news! Hurry--take this horse!
It's the chancellor's villa-- it's just awful!
Ah, what a treat!
And to be invited by the chancellor himself!
Look at this gathering...
All these people!
Hurry inside, Li Si, sir!
It's simply shocking in there!
Qin found itself in dire financial straits,
--having to rebuild after last year's coalition army attack. --This way.
The entire nation was living in moderation.
What--
What's all this?!
Now that's a fine reaction...
Li Si.
"Ominous Shadow"
B-But Lü Buwei, sir... what is all this?
Everything's just so boring everywhere now.
I thought I'd go all-out, try to liven things up.
Look at all the people it's brought together.
All prominent, influential people, too, might I add.
Plus plenty of the noble and warrior classes from other nations.
B-But why invite them here?
Isn't it obvious?
I shall take them under my wing as my guests.
That ought to put us far ahead of the king's faction.
Now wait a moment!
Ah, the elephant's trumpeting!
Yes, they'll bolster our faction--
but how did you get the money to pay them all?
In fact... where did the funds for this grand feast come from?
Don't tell me you used our nation's reserves!
I would never be so cheap.
I simply loosened my own purse-strings a bit.
He...
He paid for this--with his own funds?!
This splendid banquet and the sums to pay all those people...
This is just "a bit"?
Just how much does this man have saved up?
Can't wait to see the king's faction react when this simple move
leaves them in the dust again!
Fathead!
I admit, I am ashamed.
Our timidity has forced you to use your own funds.
I don't mind.
Besides, it's about time we tackled our preparations in earnest.
Preparations?
The king has gotten... larger than I'd expected.
Now, at this moment, he is truly worth devouring.
Li Si.
You may think I speak of a simple assassination.
But we cannot take the nation by killing its king.
The people will not accept me at the helm.
A tremendous trick is required
if I am to take the nation with the people's support.
A tremendous trick visible to all and sundry.
Visible to all?
Pipsqueak!
What on earth do you intend to do?
The ceremony in 18 months' time.
Eighteen months...
He can't mean--
The crowning ceremony.
The king comes of age, revealing himself to the world as the true king.
The eyes of the nation will be on this major ritual.
That's his target?
The ceremony?!
There I shall subjugate every inch of this land--and the king with it.
Moneybags!
Liu Yi?
"Princess of Qin" "Liu Yi"
What is it?
You have a missive from Tunliu.
Oh, from Grandmother? It's been so long.
"Cheng"
Oh, Cheng Jiao...
The houses of Cao and Huai say they're joining our side!
The house of Jing offers financial aid!
Ooh, that's a big get!
It's still not enough!
Get to work on the big old Yunbo and Chicang families!
They can be difficult, but I will have them all rounded up!
Yes, sir!
Opposing Lü Buwei's expanded faction
was the party with the best showing within Ying Zheng's faction:
that of Cheng Jiao.
Don't settle for a lukewarm response!
I shall speak with them myself if necessary!
Yes, sir!
It had grown so quickly
that even Lord Changwen, a presumed ally,
regarded it with a wary eye.
Slip some surveillance in there, just in case.
Make sure you all have proper bodyguards.
Lü Buwei's faction could make their move any time now.
Do not give them an opening.
Yes, sir!
Cheng Jiao certainly has changed, eh, Shou Bai?
Mmm.
"Cheng Jiao's Former Instructor" "Shou Bai"
And this faction, too, thanks to him.
There's a loyalty here that was once lacking.
Keep your voice down!
Perhaps it's just that he's grown up.
Mmm.
But what drove that change
was His Highness.
As a teacher, it's not my place to say...
but the presence of His Highness changed Cheng Jiao for the better.
I sense even more changes taking place within him,
especially since the battle at Zui.
Ying Zheng.
Do you really mean to go fight at Zui?
Yes.
You certainly do like your time away from the palace.
But only a foolish king would leave now.
What?
A nation is its king.
Its king must be defended to the very end.
And if worse comes to worst...
he must also bear all responsibility for his nation's demise.
Now you're trying to renounce that responsibility.
True, that is kingship, too.
However,
isn't fulfilling my obligations to prevent the nation's demise
my first and foremost path as king?
It may seem reckless, but as long as the faintest hope remains,
I shall not sit back and wait for annihilation.
Only the king has the power to rally the people of Zui--Qin's last stand.
If a king is the lofty presence you have made him out to be,
is that not meant for moments like this,
Cheng Jiao?
There's no time. I must go.
Wait, Ying Zheng.
Your refusal to give up...
What is this indomitable spirit of yours?
It's just like before: You were on the brink of despair
when something drove you to this point.
It is all for my dream.
I shall be the king who unites the Middle Kingdom.
This is no place for me to stumble.
Take care of this nation while I'm gone, Cheng Jiao.
You are the only one I can entrust it to now.
I shall return.
Cheng Jiao, my lord?
A united Middle Kingdom, my foot.
You're in that miserable state, struggling with that sly fox Lü Buwei--
don't you prattle on about your pipe dreams, you imbecile!
My apologies!
Let's go.
Y-Yes, sir!
Did you see the prince and his retinue just now?
They were glaring at us the whole time.
What?!
Nothing's changed at all, Si Shi.
Perhaps we need better surveillance...
Oh?
Eh? Huh? But you're not Cheng Jiao.
Ah, Liu Yi. It's been a while.
My goodness--Ying Zheng.
What brings you here?
Just going to the greengrocer.
Liar.
Er... who might this lady be?
You don't know?
This is Cheng Jiao's first wife, Liu Yi.
That's right.
She's cute...
She's been by his side ever since I came from Handan to Xianyang.
Which is why...
Enemy of Cheng Jiao!
...she often threw stones at me.
Did I, now?
That being said, I just heard something that I simply cannot ignore.
You--with the beard.
Me?
You insulted my husband, Cheng Jiao.
It wasn't exactly an insult...
You seem to suspect him of being treacherous.
Can you say he isn't,
Liu Yi?
Dear me. Do you really have to ask,
Ying Zheng?
He's not who he once was, fixated on the jeweled throne.
The path of today's Cheng Jiao leads to enriching the nation,
strengthening it--
indeed, he is searching in earnest for the sacred way of kings.
Would someone like that, at a time like this,
incite a rebellion to weaken the nation unnecessarily?
If Cheng Jiao is plotting to overthrow you, Ying Zheng,
it would only be after crushing Lü Buwei.
Then he will meet you head-on.
That ambition, too, may already be...
Ying Zheng.
I pray you brothers will join forces to keep power in royal hands--
and that our nation will thrive forevermore.
The calendar entered a new year, and spring was already on its way.
A year old already.
This is where I can truly be comfortable.
The intensity of your clash with the chancellor's men
has reached even the Inner Palace.
I hear both sides are evenly matched.
No--we're at a bit of a disadvantage.
But we will not lose.
Your Highness...
I hope it's all over soon.
Yes.
"Liu"
I'm off to my hometown of Tunliu, then.
Right.
Hard to believe that old bat is still around.
This evil-looking boy, the husband of my beloved great-grandchild?
Slash her! Cut this old lady down!
Oh, don't say that.
I'll be away for about half a year. Take care not to catch a cold.
Get enough sleep. Read only in moderation.
Eat balanced meals-- that means vegetables, too.
Your collar's crooked.
Fussy as always, I see.
And I don't want you doting on other women.
I-I'll miss you. But I'll be going now.
Liu Yi, wait.
Take this to the old lady-- in celebration of her 80th.
It's packed to the brim.
Though I'm not sure about giving all this to someone on her way out.
Oh, Cheng Jiao!
I really will be on my way now.
Your first trip home in a decade. Enjoy yourself.
Travel safely.
I will!
"Handan, Royal Capital of Zhao"
Good morning, Guo Kai, sir.
"Zhao Minister" "Guo Kai"
Mmm.
"Zhao Retainer" "Yao Jia"
Good morning, Guo Kai, sir.
That is quite an elegant ear ornament, sir.
Leave it to you to notice, Yao Jia!
I must admit I am an avid stone enthusiast, sir,
and it is clear to me that that is no ordinary gem.
Surprised, are you?
Yet I have never seen such a stone here in Zhao.
Where on earth did you obtain it?
A big-shot merchant in Xianyang.
A merchant in Xianyang... Lü Buwei?
I'll tell you this because you came up with the plan to shun Li Mu:
Things are about to get very interesting for Qin.
Yes, indeed...
That's one audacious man, all right.
During this era,
spies of every nation went undercover to observe their enemy states.
In fact, Yao Jia had been sent here by Lord Changwen.
So Guo Kai, who calls the shots in Zhao,
is tied to Lü Buwei behind the scenes?
My first valuable intel in a while.
I should let Lord Changwen know right away.
But something happened before his message could arrive:
"Zhao"
The Zhao army set out for Qin territory.
Onward!
"Xianyang"
Zhao is on the attack?!
With about 20,000 troops!
Dammit! Zhao has more internal unrest than anyone--
and they make the first move?
I'd heard Li Mu was back in his chancellor post.
Is that why?
No: Per intel, this Guo Kai, who gained power in Li Mu's absence,
now runs the country.
Odd.
One can only take so much land with 20,000 troops.
Like us, Zhao's court is in disarray, and they must be hurting for funds.
Why strike now?
To be honest, I can't read their intentions.
But if an enemy were to barge in recklessly,
looking to break through at a single point...
Beyond the central cities of Tailun and Mandou
"Tunliu"
lies our strategic point in the northeast: Tunliu.
Tunliu...
No! Not Tunliu!
As you know, that area was once Zhao territory.
If our strategic town of Tunliu were to fall into Zhao's hands,
why, the whole region could come under Zhao rule once again!
We must keep the Zhao army away from Tunliu, no matter what!
Exactly right. However...
Unfortunately, we have no generals in the area who can respond quickly.
"Tunliu"
Meng Wu is headed for Chu, Wang Jian for Wei.
"Tunliu" "Meng Wu"
"Wang Jian"
Huan Yi was near Zhao, but just crossed the Huangzhi River in the south;
"Tunliu" "Meng Wu" "Wang Jian" "Huan Yi"
it will take some time to bring him back.
We can round up some mid-class generals,
but I have my misgivings.
Right.
If more troops are to follow these 20,000,
we'll be forced into a tough campaign.
I have a fine idea.
Why doesn't His Highness take to the battlefield?
What?!
The "Miracle at Zui" two years back--
such is the power of our king!
If His Highness were to mobilize once more,
our troops' morale would increase tenfold.
They'd drive off the Zhao army with ease.
It feels like it would be a much simpler battle than the one at Zui.
Enough of your nonsense! Who do you think His Highness is?!
Zui was an exception, with Qin's fate hanging in the balance!
How dare you so casually suggest he go into battle!
Is there a better option?
The longer we wait to respond, the more blood will be shed.
All this fuss over a measly 20,000 troops.
And you, trying to get Zheng out of here?
It's clear as day that you're up to something, Lü Buwei.
Still,
you're right that the Zhao army must be stopped.
Let us rally our Qin troops with the power of royalty!
You... you don't mean...
Cheng Jiao...
That's right:
I shall go.
Are you ready?
Yes, sir!
Those Zhao dogs have invaded the northeast,
looking to steal our land.
I do not intend to allow them a single inch.
We shall strike them before they take Tunliu...
...and slaughter them all!
Let's go!
Come on! Off to the regional stronghold, Tunliu!
"Zhao Army General" "Mei Gong"
"Tunliu"
Hurry--close the gates! The enemy's already past Tailun!
They'll be here in less than ten days!
I want weapons in the hands of every last soldier!
Civilians, prepare yourselves for the possibility of all-out war!
Hurry, Liu Yi--this way!
Liu Yi's in Tunliu?!
Yes.
She'd returned for her great-grandmother's 80th birthday.
A-Are you saying he took to the field to save his wife?
That may be one reason... but it's not the only one.
Your Highness's foray into Zui...
He was impressed, in his way, and I believe he is entering battle
to show he is just as mighty as Your Highness.
Cheng Jiao's deployment makes sense.
Liu Yi is the daughter of the Tunliu region's ruler:
the Princess of the Northeast.
Being her husband, Cheng Jiao, too, is popular there.
He may be the most appropriate person to rally the troops
on the northeast battlefield.
I see.
And yet...
It vexes me still.
The movements of the Zhao army--
something's not right.
"The Punitive Force Moves Out"
Next on Kingdom: "The Punitive Force Moves Out."