There's a lot of scepticism whenever it comes to Ou Hon's skills and achievements, so this post is dedicated to allaying that scepticism. To do that, we will examine his arcs in the manga and discuss the contributions that earned him more than enough merit to become one of Qin's Generals. That said, parallels to his historical counterpart — Wang Ben — will be largely ignored to ensure the uniformity and cohesion for this discussion. The Japanese equivalent of the characters' names will also be used to maintain consistency with Sense Scans and Turnip Farmers' scanlation of the manga.

Alliance Arc (Chapters 180-183)

Following the aftermath of the Qin-Zhao alliance, we were then introduced to Ou Hon's unit — the Gyoku Hou (GHU), which was affiliated with Qin's southern army — at Qin's northern battlefront, where they were able to take a Wei enemy HQ before the Hi Shin Unit (HSU) could. Precisely how that happened is not that hard to grasp since the Gyoku Hou is a cavalry unit, which gave them enough of a headstart to outpace the Hi Shin unit, a ragtag group of infantry and militia soldiers. More than that, as explained by Ou Hon, the Gyoku Hou is a gathering of elite soldiers from the noble caste, giving them an advantage over HSU in terms of resources, martial might, and strategic prowess.

Notable Contribution:

Took out a Wei HQ

Strategy:

While not shown, we can deduce from the result that GHU's strategy was similar to what Kyoukai outlined for the HSU — "follow Qin's main offence, then circle around to the rear of Wei's HQ, and hit them from there."

I gathered that Ou Hon's strategy would be similar to Kyou Kai's because it's the tactic that considers the path with the quickest chance for victory as well as the highest chance for maneuverability for independent 300-man units such as the GHU and HSU. More than that, it's also a strategy that preserves their energy for the main attack and decreases their number of casualties. Hell, it's pretty tenacious, too, given that they both technically used the Qin's main army as a "bait" for their maneuver.

All in all, it's a very sound strategy, and one that greatly illustrates the following principles from Sun Tzu's Art of War:

• What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.
• Thus one who is skillful at keeping the enemy on the move maintains deceitful appearances, according to which the enemy will act. He sacrifices something, that the enemy may snatch at it.
• By holding out baits, he keeps him on the march; then with a body of picked men he lies in wait for him.
• The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy, and does not require too much from individuals. Hence his ability to pick out the right men and utilize combined energy.

These principles are basically a recurring theme in Ou Hon's strategies, as we will later see in the Wei Fire Dragon Arc.

That said, while the GHU lost to HSU in taking out the next Wei HQ due to the unorthodox tactics — camouflaging themselves with the dead before launching a sneak attack — that HSU employed, it's not really that surprising since Ou Hon/GHU was trained in orthodox military tactics. It's as the HSU said, the GHU wouldn't ever consider doing it. So, really, it's all fair play.

Thus said, the Alliance Arc has already illustrated Ou Hon's tenacity and strategic ability despite his youth and privileged status.

Sanyou Campaign Arc (Chapters 189-243)

(i) The Siege of Korou

Like Mou Ten, Ou Hon did not immediately launch an attack against Kourou's eastern wall after observing that the first wave of Qin soldiers were not able to push back against the defensive tactics of Wei General Fuu Haku, who was well versed in siege tactics. Hence, on the 11th day of the siege, Ou Hon led the GHU to launch a sneak attack in order to claim the castle of Kourou.

Notable Contribution:

Shortened the month-long siege of Kourou city to a mere 11 days through his tactics

Strategy:

Ou Hon used a variety of tactics — (1) [feint] using a smokescreen to cover the arrival of their siege tower and (2) [offensive-feint] creating a base and employing several group tactics with his spearmen on top of the eastern wall in order to open its gates before (3) [defensive-offensive] deploying his cavalry units, which he divided to simultaneously attack the Wei soldiers in front of the gates AND claim the castle.

As Mou Ten quickly realised Ou Hon's intent behind the maneuver, Mou Ten's Gaku Ka Unit (GKU) set out to charge ahead of the GHU in claiming the castle. However, it must be recognized that Mou Ten acted accordingly because he analysed that Ou Hon was looking at the greater strategic goal of the siege — that is to say, the capture of the castle weighed more heavily than simply taking out the enemy commander. Hence, if Ou Hon was simply looking to showcase his martial might, he would have simply devised a plan that whittled away at Wei's troops in order to significantly reduce Kourou's defenses and allow the Qin army to subjugate the city more easily — a plan that would just drag on, even if the siege of Kourou city was determined by General Mou Gou to be a battle of attrition.

Shortening the duration of a siege may not be as laudable as killing an enemy general or capturing the castle, but in the grand scheme of things, Ou Hon's plan enabled the Qin army to advance more quickly in their northern battlefront.

That in itself is a feat — one where Ou Hon's ingenuity (variety in tactics the attack by fire) and potential strength in engineering — the siege tower being an example — were aptly displayed.

(Personally, though, I want to see more of the latter ability as it's one facet of his strategic ability that has not yet been fully explored.)

(ii) The Siege of Kinrikan

While this particular front was again made brief owing to the GHU's siege tower, it is still worth mentioning given the consistency of GHU's skill in sieging cities.

Notable Contribution:

Easily breached the walls of Kinrikan castle

Strategy:

Same tactics as shown in the siege of Kourou castle — with the additional mention of Ou Hon ordering his men to assemble into a small arc formation as they were about to engage with Wei soldiers at the wall

As Mou Ten observed, Wei soldiers concentrated on GHU's siege tower — thereby significantly decreasing Kinrikan's defenses and allowing other units of the Qin army, especially the unit under the 1000-man commander Kaku Bi, to launch an offensive strike at the castle. The GHU may have been overshadowed with the appearance of Kaku Bi, GKU and HSU, but the fact remains that the GHU keeps leading sieges — which means that they were already a force to be reckoned with, even if they were still a 300-man unit then.

(iii) Qin's Three Youths vs Renpa's Four Great Heavens

Following the deaths of 1000-man commanders under Rin Ko's hand, Ou Hon, Mou Ten, and Shin were then elevated in their place.

Notable Contributions:

(i) Assaulted Gen Bou's other sound troops, thereby saving the HSU from being annihilated after they were surrounded, before the GHU and HSU retreated.

(ii) Collaborated with the GKU and HSU to attack Rin Ko: Ou Hon fought with Rin Ko and lost — but despite being wounded, Ou Hon still fought Rin Ko's guards — who were encircling Shin — and retrieved Shin before ordering his adjutant, Ban You, to secure an escape route for GHU and HSU.

(iii) Placed at the rearguard with the GKU and HSU — and despite not managing to secure more achievements, his unit, alongside Qin's centre army, still managed to hold off the Wei's centre army.

Strategy:

(i-ii) While it was not specifically stated, like Kyou Kai, he was able to see through Gen Bou's scheme with his sound troops. Moreover, like Shin, Ou Hon fought toe-to-toe with Rin Ko. Both feats signified Ou Hon's (1) martial prowess as a spear-wielder and (2) ability to read his opponents' strategy, strengths, and weaknesses. Most likely, the latter feat was also a skill he honed from his spearmanship, seeing as spear-wielders must be able to accurately gauge their enemy's weak points before they deliver a killing stroke.

While holding off the centre army (defensive) may not be as laudable as taking a general's head (offensive), the GHU choosing to stay in the centre with Qin army paralysed the Wei army and dissolved any further chances for Ren Pa to assemble another rallying point.

Following this, the GHU, GKU, and HSU all moved to subjugate the rest of the Joukei region before taking the city of Sanyou. From there, Ou Hon decided to stay with his father's army to defend the city. While maintaining a stronghold is not as exciting as fighting in a battlefield, it is definitely a much harder task — a decision that greatly spoke of Ou Hon's defensive capabilities, bureaucratic skills, and wisdom. Often than not, doing the boring thing effectively is what made leaders and kingdoms stay in power.

That said, it's not hard to imagine why Ou Hon was promoted to a 2000-man commander position not long after.

Coalition Invasion Arc (Chapters 257-356)

Once the Coalition Army — composed of the Zhao, Chu, Han, Yan, and Wei armies — set out to attack the state of Qin, the GHU, GKU, and HSU were all deployed with the rest of the Qin army to defend the Kankoku Pass. While the HSU was placed with Duke Hyou against the Zhao, the GHU and GKU were placed with the combined Mou Bu-Tou armies against the Chu.

Notable Contributions:

(i) Saved Mou Ten from one of their Chu counterparts, Kou Yoku, who Ou Hon parried with while Mou Ten pursued Chu archer Haku Rei. Their duel was evenly matched but interrupted by Tou's slaying of Chu 1st Army General Rinbukun.

(ii) On the 15th day, Ou Hon and Mou Ten were then elevated to become temporary 5000-man commanders in order to take charge of Tou's left and right wings. Both their units were able to maintain their respective flanks, thus enabling Tou to focus engaging with several waves of the Chu's army in the centre field.

(iii) Alongside General Mou Bou, the GHU launched several attacks at the Coalition Army's (CA) rear, thereby significantly weakening the CA before they attacked the state of Qi.

Strategy:

(ii) The reason why Ou Hon and Mou Ten were able to launch synchronised attacks — using their cavalry units in order (1) to chip away at the Chu's rears and (2) provide reprieve for Qin soldiers at the centre army — was because of their ability to quickly pinpoint weak points in the Chu's offensive maneuver. Thus analysing that Chu's offensive was thinner and weaker at the rears, both Ou Hon and Mou Ten launched successive strikes against it — all while leaving the other half of their units to maintain the walls of Qin's centre army. That said, it is a strategy that greatly illustrated Sun Tzu's principles on Weak Points and Strong.

As most of Ou Hon's contributions during this arc were defensive maneuvers save for the last part (iii), it's easy to see why his contributions were overlooked again. Nonetheless, ensuring that their opponents in the battlefield remained paralysed at the Kankoku Pass speaks of Ou Hon and the GHU's more than considerable strength in defensive battlefields — battlefields that display an army's ingenuity and a kingdom's martial might.

Also, another thing to note is Ou Hon's ability to grasp how exactly the Coalition Army even managed to happen. In the beginning of the invasion, he mentioned that it was the Qin court's fault — something that Shouheikun admitted to Mou Bu (I previously wrote Shoubunkun, but upon re-reading, it was to Mou Bu SHK actually admitted this to). Shouheikun previously disclosed that he had underestimated Riboku and Chu's Shunshinkun, who both saw that the subjugation of Sanyou was Qin's first step in checkmating the whole of China.

The ability to understand what forces (political stakeholders) move armies to march and the intent (strategic purpose) behind such a move thus indicates that Ou Hon has a good grasp of court politics and its impact in wars. He may not employ his family's political and military connections like Mou Ten, but he definitely understands how politics works, and that in itself is as important as knowing who your enemy is in a battlefield.

That said, it shouldn't come as a surprise why Ou Hon was promoted to a 3000-man commander position alongside Shin. As a 3000-man commander, he was then deployed to Qin's eastern frontlines in the Kaisou region — where the GHU was posted at the city of Rindai.

Wei Fire Dragons Arc (Chapters 379-401)

In the aftermath of the Coalision Invasion, Qin decided to further their conquest of Wei at the Chouyou region with Tou at the helm. Following this, Tou requested the GHU and HSU for assistance.

Notable Contributions:

(i) Devised the whole strategy to conquer the Chouyou region for Qin.

(ii) 1st Day - Broke through enemy frontlines and close in on Wei's reserve enemy frontlines.

(iii) 2nd Day - Defeated the first wave of the enemy's reserve army and parried with one of China's strongest spear-wielders, Wei Fire Dragon Earl Shi, before Ou Hon ordered GHU's retreat.

(iv) 3rd Day - Slayed Earl Shi and acted as bait alongside the Rokuomi army in order for the HSU to strike Wei's main HQ.

Strategy:

Ou Hon divided Qin's forces to surround Wei's distributed HQs over the area while having three strike groups to execute the main offensive maneuver. He outlined such a strategy that required only three days in consideration of each army's abilities (martial might, strategy, energy, and adaptability) in the battlefield. Thus analysed, he advised that each unit act independently as he also considered how the region's terrain will naturally affect the Qin army's ability to collaborate.

The strategy that Ou Hon outlined for the Qin army was definitely taxing. His strategy meant exhausting all the units' efforts to launch one big surgical strike using three points while using Tou as bait to provide an overall maneuver that not even experienced strategic generals Go Houmei and Wei Fire Dragon Rei Ou expected. Further, he even devised it so as to avoid a possible pincer move that the Zhao army could do should the Ou Sen army leave their post at the Kakuyou region in Qin's eastern frontlines. An analysis most likely to be expected, seeing as the GHU was posted in the eastern frontlines prior the conquest of the Chouyou region.

However, given Ou Hon's abilities and war record, this should not have come as a surprise at all. After all, it's a recall to the following moments in Kingdom: (1) the display of Ou Hon's strategy and tenacity during his introduction in the Alliance Arc and the Sanyou arc as aforementioned, (2) Shin's advice to Sosui that they must fight independently rather than forcing a tight-knit strategy for a newly formed unit back in the Sanyou Arc; and (3) the overwhelming pincer attacks that occurred during the Coalition Invasion arc.

I surmise Ou Hon's experience in those arcs plus his service in Qin's eastern frontlines (to probe and counter Zhao operations) widened his perspective of the battlefield and moved him to sharpen his strategic abilities and the GHU's martial prowess.

Thus said, it's not a surprise at all why exactly Ou Hon was promoted to a 5000-man commander position following this arc's conclusion. While he definitely displayed his potential as a General in this arc, I rather agree with Shouheikun and Tou that it was not the right time as Ou Hon still needed more experience to carry the "weight" and "wisdom" of a General.

Basically, this was where I began rooting for Ou Hon. I also previously disliked his arrogance, but seriously after this, his ingenuity and tenacity — and sass, actually — won me over so much that when he was announced as a General later, I could not help re-reading all his arcs, which eventually led me to doing this.

State of Ai Arc (Chapters 402-437)

Following the rise of the state of Ai and the various developments surrounding Ei Sei's Coming of Age ceremony at the city of You, the Chu — having interests at Ai and being paid by Ryofui — launched an attack at Qin's borders. With this, the GHU and GKU were both deployed to assist in the battlefront.

Notable Contribution:

Along with the armies of Mou Bu and Rokuomi and the GKU, the GHU held off the Chu army led by Karin at the fort of Nanko in the Qin-Chu border region of Gento.

Strategy:

Too brief to discuss thoroughly but since it's a clash at the borders, we can deduce from the previous arcs that the GHU's defensive capabilities were what was needed at this battlefront. Needless to say, there'd be no doubt that it'd be in full display.

That said, what can probably be discussed here is that Ou Hon determined that 1) the states of Ai and Chu were definitely allied and 2) it links back to Ryofui, even though he realised it at a slightly slower pace than Mou Ten. Understandable really, given Ou Hon's focus in military tactics. While it does show that Ou Hon's understanding of political schemes needs more improvement, the fact that he was able to grasp the intent and significance of the encounter indicates that he is very much on the way of becoming a well-balanced General.

Western Zhao Invasion Arc (Chapters 496-639)

Along with the HSU and GKU, the GHU were called upon by Shouheikun and Ei Sei to discuss the conquest of the Zhao city of Gyou.

Notable Contributions:

(i) 1st day - Ou Hon attacked Zhao General Bananji and his forces to disable the pincer move surrounding Qin's right-wing commander Akou at the Shukai Plains, thereby allowing Akou to do a reverse pincer against Bananji. Then Ou Hon divided the GHU's forces into two: Ou Hon led an attack against Bananji while leaving Kan Jou to battle the Zhaos placed in the rears. Ou Hon then launched several offensive strikes until Bananji was forced to put on a defensive stance before their duel was interrupted by the arrival of Akou.

(ii) 2nd day - Ou Hon was attacked by Zhao General Chougaryuu, but despite struggling, Ou Hon managed to form a counter that managed to upset the Zhao's machinations — he created a reverse kill zone/reverse pincer after determining weak points in Bananji's flanks with 1000-man commander Akakin, thereby allowing Akou to maintain Qin's position in the right wing. Further, despite not being able to finish Bananji, Ou Hon was still able to disable Bananji's army.

(iii) 3rd day - Along with Shin, Ou Hon was targeted by Zhao General Gyou'un after Ou Hon left Ban You and Kan Jou with the GHU to assist Akou, whose army was about to collapse. Ou Hon then fought off Gyou'un and his Ten Spears successively despite several injuries and nearly being defeated before being assisted by the HSU to a retreat (remember how the GHU assisted the HSU during the Sanyou campaign?). Following this, Ou Hon then regrouped with the GHU to assist Akou after the Zhao stopped attacking.

(iv) 4th to 8th Day - There was not much development, but both Qin and Zhao armies simply had a stare-off as the battle headed towards a battle of attrition. That said, the fact that all of the right wing carefully rationed their supplies speaks of all the units' and armies' respective skills in managing their resources (something the GHU, GKU, and HSU all honed from being 5000-man commanders during the Bureaucrat's Job Arc in Chapters 486-495).

(v) 9th Day - Ou Hon then suggested that Qin's right wing target Zhao's left-wing commanders beginning with Gakuei. The GHU and HSU then attacked Gakuei's flanks. Afterwards, Ou Hon then left the GHU briefly to assist Akou, who was being attacked by the forces of Bananji and Chougaryuu. Ou Hon then saved Akou from certain death and parried with Gyou'un before he was attacked by Bananji on the side. Following this, the GHU then retreated to allow the rest of Akou's army to incapacitate Bananji and Gyou'un.

(vi) 10th Day - Together with the HSU and the Akou army without their commander, the GHU managed to hold off Zhao's attacks despite not receiving any aid from the main army.

(vii) 11th Day - The GHU continued to chip away at the Zhao army, inspiring Shin and the HSU to do the same, after both of their units' morales were significantly decreased with their diminishing food supplies.

(viii) 12th Day - Like the HSU, Ou Hon managed to revive and bring his unit's morale to greater heights, allowing them to regain their strength as they met with Gyou'un's forces and continued to push the Qin's advance on the right wing.

(ix) 13th Day - Gyou'un targeted Ou Hon and the GHU again, resulting to Ou Hon's defeat and incapacitation later. But despite that, Ou Hon still managed to injure Gyou'un's right arm severely, save Kan Jou, and secure the GHU's HQ.

(x) 14th Day - Despite Ou Hon being incapacitated, the GHU, with Ban You at the helm, and the Akou army continued to face the armies of Gyou'un and Bananji.

(xi) 15th Day - The GHU and HSU parried with the armies of Gyou'un and Chougaryuu. Ou Hon then rose to meet and finally slay Gyou'un in a duel, thereby paralysing the latter's forces before they could launch an all-out attack towards Qin forces. Despite his injuries, Ou Hon and the GHU still provided aid to Ou Sen, who was being pincered by the forces of Bananji and Futei. While the GHU's appearance did not do much to counter the overwhelming forces, they still held off any attacks against the Qin's main HQ until the GKU arrived to provide them reprieve. Following this, Ou Hon then prevented Futei from killing his father and continued to protect Qin's main HQ. Afterwards, the Ou Sen army, along with handpicked soldiers of the GHU, GKU, and HSU, chased Riboku and the Zhao army as they retreated towards Gyou.

Strategy:

In summary, Ou Hon maximised his unit's abilities by distributing their strengths in offensive and defensive maneuvers in order to 1) reverse the Zhao left wing's pincers, 2) maintain the Qin right wing's position before their advance, and 3) protect the Qin's main HQ from collapsing. All in all, it's a strategy that allowed the GHU to preserve their energy for challenging encounters and decrease their number of casualties.

Basically, "tear wide swathes despite being cut off from the main army" wasn't just for show, you know? The GHU, like the HSU, really made a big difference in the right wing. It just so happened that, during the skirmishes, their actions were highlighted more as defensive maneuvers — maneuvers which maintained the Qin's advantage in the right wing alongside the HSU, so it's not light at all.

Also, Riboku, Chougaryuu and Gyou'un kept targeting Ou Hon not because he was weaker than Shin. Rather it was because of Ou Hon's quick-wittedness that kept upsetting their pincers and schemes. (I surmise as well that his wide perspective of the battlefield being remarkably higher than HSU's Karyo Ten was factored in as well.) Rather than dismiss his ability, they were, in fact, recognising how dangerous a commander he was.

Another thing to note is that while Ou Hon was incapacitated, the GHU maintained their pace — which spoke of his leadership style and command of the unit. The fact that the GHU kept going even while he was incapacitated shows how well his group adapts to unexpected changes in the battlefield (despite his group's despair when he was wounded — something which Shin helped with as well). Further, it also showed his great trust in the abilities of his unit and those around him, particularly the HSU and GKU. People will say that it's because he had experienced soldiers — Ban You and Kan Jou — under him that enabled it so, but that's not it. For an independent marauding unit (or any army ever, really), strength does not solely lie on the shoulders of the commander, but also his soldiers (as Mou Ten once pointed out regarding Rin Ko's army).

Furthermore, I don't know why people remain sceptical over Ou Hon's slaying of Gyou'un when his strategy to first take out his right arm before killing him next was exactly the same thing that Duke Hyou did to Hou Ken in the Coalition Invasion Arc — thereby weakening Hou Ken significantly and allowing Shin to have an even match later in the city of Sai. (Is it not only tactical to take out your opponent's dominant arm so you can weaken him before you deliver a killing blow, hmm?) Further, it's not like Ou Hon's strength is questionable. As mentioned previously, he defeated Earl Shi, one of the strongest spear-wielders in China. Therefore, it was not impossible at all.

Should there be anything to criticise here, it was simply Ou Hon's suggestion to hit Gakuei first because he appeared weaker than Gyou'un and Chougaryuu. However, with how desperate the right wing was to hit any weak points in the Zhao's left wing in order to advance Qin's right wing, was that too bad of a suggestion? Not really. Ou Sen may be right that they should have targeted Chougaryuu instead, but by no means is Gakuei a weakling, either. It's only fair and consistent with Ou Hon's ability to accurately gauge his opponents' skills and determine where the scales of power lie in a battlefield.

Another thing — commanders usually criticise Ou Hon for disobeying orders, the notable examples being when he went ahead and launched a sneak attack during the Sanyou Campaign Arc; and the other, when he disobeyed Akou's order to hold their position during the first day at the Battle of Shukai Plains. However, in both instances, he was very justified in disobeying his orders as he was able to 1) speed up the sieges in Sanyou and 2) provide assistance to the Akou army when they were attacked by Bananji's forces in the side. Thus, the results more than made up for his disobedience; however, it also speaks of Ou Hon's sharpness and ability to think outside of his commanders' orders to provide a better advantage in the battlefield.

Hence, despite everything that happened, one can therefore say that this arc greatly improved Ou Hon's "weight" and wisdom as a commander.

Thus said, every bloody arc simply proved how Ou Hon keeps on improving after each battle.

Therefore, his promotion to become a General was very much deserved.

I hereby rest my case.