Great General's Will

Lore & Background

The Great General's Will is defined by Ouki's final words and actions in *Kingdom 4*. After being mortally wounded by Hoken, Ouki is carried from the battlefield by Shin. As he dies, Ouki urges Shin to sit straight and experience the battle fully. He transfers command to Tou, witnessed by Kanou. Ouki tells Mou Bu that he will become one of Qin's greatest generals, and reflects that Zhao was the most formidable enemy he ever faced—that it is the natural order for one great general to eventually fall to another. He then tells Shin he cannot train him, joking that it was selfish of Shin to expect him to, and advises him to learn through the battlefield itself. Ouki passes his battle glaive to Shin before dying on his horse. Earlier, Ouki had told Shin that the path to becoming a general is the path of sacrifice. The will is also reflected in Shin's vow to defeat Hoken after nearly being killed by him, and in the Hi-Shin Unit's determination to press on for their fallen comrades.

In Their Own Story

Dust choked the air as the Zhao lines trembled before the Qin advance. Li Xin stood atop his chariot, the hilt of Ei Sei warm against his palm. He did not shout orders; he simply breathed. The soldiers around him felt it—the surge of absolute certainty radiating from their commander. It was not fear they saw in his eyes, but a calm that promised victory. With a single nod, the charge began, carried forward by a force stronger than steel: the Will of the Great General.

Reader's Guide

The Great General's Will is demonstrated through Ouki's actions and teachings in *Kingdom 4*. After the Hi-Shin Unit's thirty-six surviving members rendezvous with General Ouki, Shin impresses Ouki by being determined to press on for their fallen comrades. Ouki tells him that the path to becoming a general is the path of sacrifice. Later, as Ouki dies from Hoken's mortal wound, he urges Shin to sit straight and experience the battle fully. He transfers command to Tou, witnessed by Kanou. Ouki tells Mou Bu that he will become one of Qin's greatest generals, and reflects that Zhao was the most formidable enemy he ever faced—that it is the natural order for one great general to eventually fall to another. He then tells Shin he cannot train him, joking that it was selfish of Shin to expect him to, and advises him to learn through the battlefield itself. Ouki passes his battle glaive to Shin before dying on his horse. This transfer of the glaive symbolizes the passing of the great general's will. Earlier, Shin had vowed to defeat Hoken after Kyoukai explained that Hoken's strength comes from a lifetime of relentless, disciplined training, and that the blow that nearly killed Shin was meant to destroy his body from within.

Did You Know?

• The Great General's Will is passed from Ouki to Shin through Ouki's battle glaive, which he gives to Shin as he dies on his horse.
• Ouki tells Shin that the path to becoming a general is the path of sacrifice, and advises him to learn through the battlefield itself.
• Before dying, Ouki transfers command to Tou, witnessed by Kanou, and predicts that Mou Bu will become one of Qin's greatest generals.
• Ouki reflects that Zhao was the most formidable enemy he ever faced, and that it is the natural order for one great general to eventually fall to another.
• Shin vows to defeat Hoken after learning that Hoken's strength comes from a lifetime of relentless, disciplined training, and that the blow that nearly killed Shin was meant to destroy his body from within.