A New State is the 405th chapter of the Kingdom manga, written and illustrated by Yasuhisa Hara.
Summary
In Choyou, the Kyou Kai Unit is under attack by Wei soldiers and Kyou Kai herself is dueling the commander, whom she defeats instantly. Shin's unit is fighting them as well. Ka Ryo Ten, along with other strategists, are on higher ground overlooking the battlefield. The area where En and Den Yuu are fighting is under heavy attack by enemy forces. The only ones doing well are Shin and Kyou Kai's forces. Ten was afraid that this would happen, since they moved 10,000 troops to Tai Gen. One of the soldiers asks Ka Ryo Ten what to do, as had they already sent in the reserve troops. Ka Ryo Ten then orders En to fall back to the fortress, which even unfinished, it should still be good enough for defense.
Suddenly, a report from Tou comes in, saying that the governor of Sanyou has committed treason in the northern Tai Gen and declares a new state.
At Kanyou, the officials are in a heated discussion as nobody knows what is going on. The Queen Mother still hasn't send a proper ambassador. The movements around Tai Gen are suspicious as well. Ei Sei asks Shou Bun Kun what his mother said to the ambassador they send. Queen Mother says that there is nothing to worry. Establishing the state of Ai is just for ease of governing. She then orders the messengers to relay back to Kanyou that if they want to talk, they need to send in Ryo Fui. The Queen mother said that she would take back the declaration of a new state but hasn't done so and all the ambassadors are being turned away at the gate.
Ri Shi says that this is shame to the state of Qin. This isn't the same era as 500 years ago where states could declare themselves whenever they wanted. He tells if they don't want to negotiate, they will have to use fire power. Shou Hei Kun says if they want to attack, they need to be prepared as he fears that the same will happen like Battle of Tonryuu. Ryo Fui says even without orders he will prepare troops to pressure them. Shou Hei Kun says that meanwhile they need to find her true motive.
The news of a new state is spreading. All the lead strategist of all states are thinking about this.
At the same time the state of Ai is building up their forces. The officials in the state of Ai are worried. However, Bi Ki says that with wealth, they can buy adept Chancellors of other states. She then tells that making a new state was possible due to Chou Kou. However, the officials are still not convinced they can win against Qin if they would attack. However Chou Kou already made a pact with Chu to aid the state of Ai.
Meanwhile, somewhere near the Chu/Qin borders Mou Ten asks where his father's soldiers are as a Chu Army then appears with two familiar faces at forefront- Kou Yoku and Haku Rei.
This news quickly spreads to Kanyou. Shou Hei Kun thinks this to be a good dealt to Chu as they can now pressure Qin in two fronts. This new state however is an opportunity for every state. He also states that even when Qin doesn't acknowledge them as a new state and the other states do, they will become the eighth kingdom of amongst the seven states.
Ryo Fui goes to the state of Ai as an ambassador.
Characters
Qin
- Royal Palace
- Ei Sei Faction
- Ei Sei
- Shou Bun Kun
- Shi Shi
- Unnamed officials
- Unnamed envoys (Flashback)
- Ryo Fui Faction
- Ryo Fui
- Ri Shi
- Shou Hei Kun
- Unnamed officials
- Ei Sei Faction
- Hi Shin Unit
- Shin
- Kyou Kai
- Ka Ryo Ten
- Bi Hei
- En (Mentioned)
- Den Yuu (Mentioned)
- Ka Ryo Ten’s advisors
- Unnamed messenger
- Unnamed others
- Mou Bu Army
- Mou Bu (Mentioned)
- Unidentified village
- Unnamed villagers
Ai
- Royal Palace
- Rou Ai
- Queen Mother (Flashback)main story)
- Chou Kou
- Unnamed eunuchs
- Unnamed messenger
- Unnamed officials (Flashback)main story)
- Ai Army
- Unnamed officers
- Unnamed soldiers (Flashback)main story)
Wei
- Unidentified Army
- Unnamed commander
- Unnamed officers
- Unnamed soldiers
Zhao
Chu
High Points
- Choyou is still under Wei attack.
- The area where En and Den Yuu are fighting are under enemy pressure.
- The only people doing well are Shin and Kyou Kai.
- Ten already send in the reserve troops.
- Ten orders En to fall back to the fortress.
- Ten has been given the report of what has transpired in Tai Gen.
- 500 years ago, states could declare themselves.
- Ryo Fui will prepare troops to pressure them.
- The news of a new state is spreading.
- Zhao Gao made a pact with Chu to aid the state of Ai.
- Chu is invading Qin.
- Ryo Fui went to the state of Ai as an ambassador.