The Queen Mother's Goal is the 403rd chapter of the Kingdom manga, written and illustrated by Yasuhisa Hara.
Summary
Everyone is still shocked of the fact that Bi Ki, the Queen Mother wants the cities of Tou Gon and Choyou to be handed over to the Royal Harem. Ei Sei is angered and tries to figure out why she wants those cities as Ryo Fui is just smiling as well as the Queen Mother.
As nobody can say something value, she starts the conversation herself. She says that this not something to make a fuss about as already many of the staff currently overseeing the Sanyou region come from the Royal Harem. She simply asks to strengthen that influence a bit more.
Shou Bun Kun asks her what she exactly means by strengthening. She responds that it is for the positions of governor and the other executive seats to be staffed by members from the three great families, who will then see to investing their own wealth into the region.
Ri Shi starts thinking about this proposal as with the construction of Choyou, the entire region needs funds. If they would be able to get the three great families to pay out of their own pockets, then it certainly would not be a bad deal. He then tells her he thinks it to be an excellent idea, but to suddenly replace the entire upper echelons with staff from the three families may lead to difficulties arising. He tells her it will require time to consider this proposal.
She responds that she has little patience for accommodating for his red tape considering it moves at a slow pace. She then tells everyone who she will be appointing a governor. That person is Rou Ai.
Almost nobody knows the identity of this man as then Ri Shi remembers something. He remembers that Ryo Fui sent him to the royal harem and deduces that the Queen will use him against them. Ryo Fui is still thinking about it and what his next move will be. Rou Ai is not used to this situation and his sweating heavily.
Queen Mother then directs to Ryo Fui and asks him if there is something he wish to say. He tells there is nothing and says that there will not be any issue. Shou Bun Kun cannot accept this and says that this matter cannot be decided so casually. Queen Mother responds that it is two against one, this is a majority vote. Shou Bun Kun knows that they have lost this argument and the Queen Mother says that her business has concluded. She takes her leave as she asks Ryo Fui to take care of this matter.
Later that day Ei Sei ask Kou, who was once with the Royal Harem if she knows who Rou Ai is. She tells him that he is one of the Eunuchs. The Ei Sei faction officials are debating over what transpired. Ei Sei realizes that both Ryo Fui and Ri Shi knew this person. As well as Shou Bun Kun and Shi Shi. Shou Bun Kun tells Ei Sei that an investigation will be required to know what the Royal Harem is plotting.
Ei Sei admits that due to the Coalition army and the other events that they completely neglected to keep tabs on the Harem. He then realizes that the Queen did not make any disturbance for two years and that this suspicious on its own. Kou says that they should pay their respect to her as she has not met her granddaughter yet.
Meanwhile, Ri Shi sends a member of the Clan Shukyou to gather information about the Harem’s plans. The assassin successfully infiltrates the resident of the Queen Mother and observes her and Rou Ai as they discuss their plans that as long, they have Sanyou they will be able to do as they please. The Queen plans that if there would raise any problems, they could raise an army just by spending some money as that region is in poverty. She then states that she wants to raise her own kingdom. Suddenly two kids then walk in, and they call Rou Ai their father and the Queen Mother their mother.
Characters
Qin
- Royal Palace
- Ei Sei Faction
- Ei Sei (flashback and main story)
- Shou Bun Kun (flashback and main story)
- Shi Shi (flashback)
- Kou
- Rei
- Unnamed officials
- Ryo Fui Faction
- Ryo Fui
- Shou Hei Kun
- Ri Shi (flashback and main story)
- Unnamed retainer (flashback)
- Unnamed officials
- Clan Shukyou
- Unidentified member
- Clan Shukyou
- Ei Sei Faction
- Royal Harem
- Queen Mother
- Rou Ai
- Chou Kou
- Unnamed officials
- Rou Ai’s children
- Unnamed eunuch (flashback)
- Three Great Families of Qin
- Unidentified members (mentioned)
- Bessa Tribe
- Unidentified member
- Three Great Families of Qin
High Points
- The staff overseeing the Sanyou region comes largely from the Royal Harem.
- The Ei Sei faction is outvoted.
- Ei Sei doesn't know who Rou Ai is.
- The Queen Mother wants to raise her own kingdom.