| Ko Chou | |||||||||
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| Chinese | Hu Zhe | ||||||||
| Kanji | 扈輒 | ||||||||
| Romaji | Ko chō | ||||||||
| Epithet | Guardian Deity of the Royal Capital | ||||||||
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Ko Chou, also known as Guardian Deity of the Royal Capital, was a Great General of the Zhao Military and leader of the Ko Chou Army.[1] He served and protected the royal capital Kantan before becoming the Commander-in-Chief of the entire Zhao Military.
He was killed by the Kan Ki Army as he committed suicide by slashing his throat during the Battle of Eikyuu.[2]
Ko Chou was first mentioned the Western Zhao Invasion Arc and was the central antagonist of the Battle of Eikyuu Arc as he faced off against the armies of Qin and Kan Ki Army led by Kan Ki of the newly reborn Six Great Generals of Qin.
Appearance
Ko Chou appeared to be an old gray-haired man in full armor and an ornamented helmet. He has sharp eyes, goatee, and a mustache. His face was decorated with jewels.
Personality
Ko Chou was a serious man and not much is currently known about his personality except like Ren Pa, Rozo, and Shi Ba Shou, he utterly disliked the former king of Zhao, Tou Jou, as he found him to be no better than the dirt beneath his shoes.
History
Ko Chou was originally a fierce general who rampaged on the frontlines of Yan. Songs were sung about him as the "man who even demons feared". His ability was recognized by king Tou Jou and he was deemed the "Guardian Deity of Kantan", where he's been assigned ever since.[3]
Story
Western Zhao Invasion Arc
After hearing the reports of Qin's invasion, Ri Boku tells Kaine to send a request to Kantan in order to summon Ko Chou to the western border after they heard that the Qin has set out with a 200,000 strong army to attack Zhao.
After some days Ri Boku ordered him to attack Retsubi , and Ko Chou came from the western mountains and conquered Retsubi with 50,000 soldiers.
After the conclusion of the Battle at Shukai Plains and Qin's conquering of Gyou, the general makes his first official appearance at Retsubi, standing guard along with Shun Sui Ju while they prevent the Qin army led by Tou and Roku O Mi from resupplying their exhausted armies with food rations.
He also wanted to hold the line against Tou Army, while also expecting reinforcements from the north, which were nonexistent. Upon hearing it, and Ri Boku's imprisonment, he and an enraged Shun Sui Ju decided to return to Kantan.
Battle of Eikyuu Arc
Following Ri Boku's fall from power, Ko Chou assumes the role of Commander-in-Chief of Zhao's military forces, tasked with defending against the Qin invasion. When Qin Great General Kan Ki launches his offensive in Eikyuu, Ko Chou deploys his main army of 150,000 soldiers to engage him in battle. For seven days, Ko Chou successfully pushed the Kan Ki Army to the brink of destruction.
On the 8th day, Ko Chou arrives to oversee the interrogation and torture of the captured Rai Do and his soldiers. While his commanders cry out in fury, demanding harsh punishment for Rai Do, Ko Chou instead offers praise for Rai Do killing his old friend, Ryuu Haku. However, in retaliation for the Kan Ki Army's massacre of the Kokuyou Region civilians, Ko Chou gives Rai Do a grim choice—he must decide which hand or fingers will be cut off as a punishment. Rai Do choose his left.
However, despite the best efforts of his torturers, Rai Do shows great valor and refuses to reveal Kan Ki's plan to Ko Chou, so he is finally executed. His body was cut into small pieces and stored in a chest that was later discovered by Kan Ki, the officers, and his soldiers.[4]
Ko Chou then receives a visit in his HQ from his soldier, Ka Man, who reports on the current battlefield situation. Ko Chou orders that 3000 soldiers be left stationed at Eikyuu as a precaution. He also contemplates the possibility of Ou Sen coming to Kan Ki's aid but dismisses the idea, noting that Ou Sen’s focus is on Bujou and Heiyou.
Ka Man, still concerned, suggests doubling their lookouts on the western side to anticipate any moves from Kan Ki. Ko Chou assures him that it’s already taken care of and that even if Ou Sen intervenes, it won’t pose a significant threat. Ka Man, thinking ahead, proposes sending 5000 men to Ko Haku Kou and instructs Ryuu Haku Kou to send troops to the middle of their forces. He notes that it’s unfortunate for Kan Ki to face the Ko Chou Army, as they wield pain as their weapon—something they’ve endured like no others.
Later, Ko Chou reallocates 5,000 troops to his right flank to block the advancing Hi Shin Army. However, the situation on the battlefield reveals that this was exactly what Kan Ki had planned. Ko Chou finds his HQ ambushed by Kan Ki's forces. He learns the attackers number around 1000, with more on the way. While his strategists panic, Ko Chou remains calm and quickly analyzes the situation on the map. He deduces that Kan Ki employed Sun Bin's strategy—the Zhao army had been distracted by pursuing Kan Ki’s band of deserters.
Among the deserters were soldiers who had concealed themselves, either by hiding among the bodies or digging burrows. Once Zhao sent 5000 to the right, Kan Ki’s ambush plan took full effect. Ko Chou surmises that Kan Ki may have planned this from the very beginning. Ka Man suggests they retreat, as they can still win if they survive the ambush. The advisors recommend fleeing to Ko Haku's 5,000-man army, but Ka Man worries Kan Ki predicted this and insists they go in the opposite direction.
Ko Chou agrees, and they attempt to escape to the left, but their path is blocked by a cavalry force personally led by Kan Ki. Ko Chou’s unit, handpicked for their elite status, consists of 100 cavalrymen who had undergone strict selection. However, Kan Ki’s cavalry, with Shu Ma Clan leading 200 soldiers whose strength rivals that of the Zenou Clan, overwhelms them. Ko Chou and his men are surrounded, but he remains unshaken. He admires Kan Ki’s scheme but criticizes the poor strategy behind it. Ko Chou is baffled by how Kan Ki was able to send so many soldiers to their deaths and calls him a deranged mass murderer. Kan Ki, uninterested in Ko Chou’s words, retorts that Ko Chou has yet to experience true pain.
Kan Ki continues, claiming that Ko Chou can’t maintain his composure without the pain of the piercings on his face. Ko Chou, undeterred, declares he will go first and have a drink with Rai Do as he places a blade to his own neck. The Shu Ma Clan tries to intervene, but one by one, they are cut down. Before anyone can react, Ko Chou successfully slashes his own throat. He kills a few more soldiers before finally collapsing to the ground, lifeless. Kan Ki orders his men to take Ko Chou’s head, intending to demoralize the Zhao soldiers.
Abilities
| STATS | |
|---|---|
| Strength | 90 |
| Leadership | 93 |
| Intelligence | 96 |
| Experience | A |
| Kanji is too difficult | |
Ko Chou possessed incredible talents and experience for warfare as a Great General and Commander-in-Chief of the Zhao armies after Ri Boku's exile. Because of his prowess and experience in the frontline of Yan, his abilities were recognized by Tou Jou and was assigned to protect the Zhao capital of Kantan, earning the moniker "Guardian Deity of Kantan".
Physical Abilities
Master Swordsman: Ko Chou showed a respectable amount of skill as a swordsman as he killed multiple members of the Shu Ma Clan, elites of the Kan Ki Army, during his suicidal last stand.
Leadership
As a great general and supreme commander of Zhao forces, Ko Chou was a competent leader. His men are willing to follow him and been by Ko Chou's side as he embraced more "pains" than anyone can know.
Tactical Abilities
Master Strategist: The old great general displayed impressive intelligence and foresight as Ko Chou explained that Ri Boku is the keystone that holds up the state of the Zhao itself and immediately chooses to withdraw all forces from Retsubi in order to preserve their fighting strength and divert them to strengthening their defenses in the northern half of Zhao. He was capable of reading the situation on the overall battlefield and creating preventing measures for various scenarios.[5] He also recognized Kan Ki's plan as Sun Bin's strategy and the reason of their miscalculation which indicates a good knowledge of warfare.
Torture Methods: Ko Chou was also shown using interrogation tactics and torturing captured enemies in order to obtain information.
Series Appearances
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"I have lived by the sword and contributed to the building of an era." This appearance template is incomplete. You can help Kingdom Wiki by filling in this character's appearance template. |
| 671. Appointment Ceremony | Absent |
| 672. Golden Wings | Absent |
| 673. Uncertain Air | Absent |
| 674. Invitation to a Harsh Terrain | Absent |
| 675. Onward | Appears |
| 676. Why We Thirst | Absent |
| 677. The Hi Shin Unit's Assignment | Absent |
| 678. Eikyuu | Absent |
| 679. A Plan of Attack | Absent |
| 680. The Boss' Words | Absent |
| 681. Tenacity | Absent |
| 682. The Struggle on the Cliffs | Absent |
| 683. Family of Fools | Absent |
| 684. Surprise Attack | Absent |
| 685. Hour of Reckoning | Absent |
| 686. Kan Ki's Objective | Absent |
| 687. Pain | Absent |
| 688. A Match of Speed | Absent |
| 689. The Height of Entertainment | Absent |
| 690. According to Plan | Absent |
| 691. The Number of Stoves | Absent |
| 692. The Third Group of Soldiers | Absent |
| 693. Pointless Discussion | Absent |
| 694. War of Information | Absent |
| 695. The Chest | Absent |
| 696. Rumors of Release | Absent |
| 697. A General's Duty | Absent |
| 698. The Reason for a Massacre | Absent |
| 699. The Number of Decapitated Heads | Absent |
| 700. The Tension After the Battle | Absent |
| 701. The Commander-in-Chief's Return | Absent |
Gallery
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Quotes
| “ | Our king is not even worth the shit beneath my boots | ” |
—To Shun Sui Ju and his soldiers. (Chapter 640) | ||
Trivia
- Ko Chou was based on a real historical general, Hu Zhe.
| Zhao | |
|---|---|
| Royal Family | Bu Rei † • Tou Jou † • Yuu Boku • Ka • Earl Chou Ki † • |
| Prime Minister | Kaku Kai • Ri Boku |
| Officials | Hi • Shun Pei Kun • Hei To • Ko Shuu • Jou Kei • Ken Ho • Kan Sou • En Sei † • |
| Royal Harem | Kou Hi |
| City Lords | Duke Hoku Ryou • Duke Son Fu ‡ • Ki Shou • Gaku'in • Shi Ba Shou • Duke Kuku • Tou Kan • Tou Kin • |
| Citizens | Master Hou † • Madame Hou † • Shi Kei † • Shi Ka † • A Mon † • Kou Shou † • Kon † • En Kan (child servant) • |
| Military | |
| Great Generals | Gaku Jou ‡ • Ko Chou † • Chou Katsu † • |
| Three Great Heavens | Ri Boku • Shi Ba Shou • Hou Ken † • Ren Pa ‡ • Rin Shou Jo † • Chou Sha † • |
| Generals | Ki Sui • Ba Tei • Kei Sha † • Kan Saro • Ji Aga † • Gaku Shou • Ba Nan Ji • Shun Sui Ju • Fu Tei • Kotsu Min Haku • En Kan • Ri Haku • Kou Son Ryuu ‡ • Earl Rai • Chou Haku • Mai Kou • Kai Gou • Ryuu Tou † • Gou Ki • Kou Ki Ou • Kou Shi • Shin Sei Jou † • Fuu Ki † • Man Goku † • Chou Sou † • Gaku'Ei † • Chou Ga Ryuu † • Gyou’un † • Kin Mou † • Earl Kou † • Shin Ri Kan † • Zet Su † • Jyou Ka Ryuu † • Ko Haku Kou † • Gaku Haku Kou † • Ryuu Haku Kou † • Ryuu Fu † • Gan Shu • Shi Ketsu Shou • Rai Ban |
| Commanders | Kaine • Ba Fuu Ji • Fuuon • Shi En • Sai'u • Mei Fu • Kou Kaku † • Gou Ran † • Sei Kiga • Ka Hou • Kai Shin • Koku Rai • Koku Rei • Zen Man • Sen Bi • Sei Mei • Seiu • Duke Sei • Ren Ka • Sou Ha • Sei Ka Un • Man Haku • Tou Gan † • Shuu † • Gi Ka † • Sou † • Shuu † • You Ou † • Ba Toku † • Den'I † • Ten † • Rai Ka † • Jo Shou † • Jo Rin † • Shin Riku † • Seki Kou † • Kou Zen † • An Ki † • Chiku Shin † • Ko Getsu † • Ta Getsu † • Ro Shin † • Chou Gaku † • Kou Tou † • Ko Ro † • Sou Kan † • Ka Man † • Kyo Yo † • Chou Riku † • Ki Shou † • Un Kei † • Un Gen † • Gou Za Kou † • |
| Soldiers | Haku Sha † • En Shou † • Ban Riku † • Kaku Jou † • Kon Jin † • Den Ko • Den Pou † • Hei Shuu † • Haku Ya • Kou Shuu • Gi Ta • Ga Kou • Kei Fu • Kat Sho • |
| Affiliates | Quanrong of Ryouyou (Rozo † • Goba † • Bunen † • Tork † ) • Geeli † • Bolf • Chida † • Tehgo • Nujah • Wan • Geni • |
References
- ↑ Chapter 675 Page 15
- ↑ Chapter 673, page 12
- ↑ Chapter 676 Page 11
- ↑ Kingdom Manga Vol.63 Chapter 686
- ↑ Chapter 687