The Commander-in-Chief's Return is the 701st chapter of the Kingdom manga, written and illustrated by Yasuhisa Hara.
Summary
The news of the massacre of tens of thousands of soldiers by the Kan Ki Army spreads across the land of Zhao. This act, reminiscent of the massacre of Chouhei, inflames the rage of the people towards Kan Ki and the soldiers of Qin.
The court of Zhao is greatly agitated by the news of Ko Chou's defeat and death, allowing the armies of Qin to rush on the two fortresses of Bujou and Heiyou. If they fall, the capital of Kantan will be in danger. Kan Sou, a court official and Kaku Kai's right hand, says that there is still enough time for the capital to defend and arm itself. And that the barbaric acts of Kan Ki have only increased the morale of the soldiers and civilians. On the other hand, he is more concerned about the wealthy and affluent merchants fleeing from Kantan as the citizens might imitate them which would leave the capital empty by the time the Qin armies arrive. He proposes that they close the gates of the capital to prevent them from leaving.
But another official raises his voice against Kan Sou's suggestion as he shouts against his preparations to escape which the old Zhao official simply replies that their importance is different and far more critical, as they are the backbone of the Zhao government and must protect the king by surviving.
While some are glad by this realization, Kaku Kai berates them by reminding them that their status and power will be lost even if they survive. With all of them agreeing to continue the fight. Kaku Kai is more concerned about the loss of Ko Chou, as they need to find a replacement who can be the new Commander-in-Chief for the entire Zhao Military. General Chou Kotsu, a hero within the military, is brought up and suggested but the idea is rejected as it's too soon for him for this heavy responsibility.
Then a report arrives from a certain man in Chu. Meanwhile, on a battlefield, Ren Pa returns from a victorious battle against the Wei, En Sei, a messenger from Kantan, and asks him to help Zhao following the death of Ko Chou. Ren Pa agrees to save Zhao, but Kaku Kai fears his return as the old Great General was not afraid to make remarks about the previous King Tou Jou's deviant behavior, which is why he was dismissed and went into exile, and he even came into conflict with Rin Shou Jo even though he was a high ranking noble.
Ren Pa will not hesitate to wipe out the royal court when he sees its state and the behavior of the new king Yuu Boku, who is even worse than his father. Kaku Kai, to save his life, falsifies the messenger's report to make Ren Pa look like an elderly man unable to serve Zhao and so the king refuses his help.
It is stated that Ren Pa never returned to Zhao for the remainder of his life. So, with no other opinions, an enraged Kaku Kai states that while it annoys him, he sends a request to Ri Boku to become the Commander-in-Chief for Zhao's military once again. After two years, Ri Boku of the Three Great Heavens is reinstated, and his army leaves Seika to halt the Qin's army progression in the area of Heiyou.
Characters
Zhao
- Zhao Military
- Ko Chou (Mentioned)
- Chou Kotsu (Mentioned)
- En Sei (Death)
- En Ka (Mentioned)
- Three Great Heavens
- Rin Shou Jo (Mentioned)
Chu
Qin
Characters Introduced
Zhao
- Kan Sou
- Chou Kotsu
- En Sei
- En Ka (Mentioned)
High Points
Trivia
- The chapter's title shares a similarity with Kingdom IV: Return of the General movie.