In the Warring States Period of ancient China (475–221 BCE), Shin and Hyou are war-orphans in the kingdom of Qin. They dream of one day proving themselves on the battlefield. One day, however, Hyou is taken to the palace by a minister. Winding up on the losing side of a power-struggle, Hyou manages to return to the village, barely alive. Shin then meets a boy who closely resembles Hyou, Ei Sei. For now he is the king of Qin; later he will become the emperor Shi Huangdi.
The best episode of "Kingdom" season 4 is "Seven Nations, After the War", rated 8.7/10 from 290 user votes. It was directed by Taiji Kawanishi and written by Junichi Miyashita. "Seven Nations, After the War" aired on 4/10/2022 and is rated 0.1 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "Omnious Shadow".
The seven nations of the Middle Kingdom come to grips with the fallout of the massive coalition army war as internal disputes move to the forefront.
Director: Taiji Kawanishi
Writer: Junichi Miyashita
Qin chancellor Lü Buwei schemes to gain more influence in the Royal Court. Zhao makes a surprising move, prompting Cheng Jiao to make one of his own.
Director: Natsumi Yasue
Writer: Shingo Irie
Tunliu rises in a revolt against the rulers of Qin--one with Cheng Jiao at its center. Old friends reunite as they're deployed to quell the uprising.
Director: Yasuhiro Geshi
Writer: Daishiro Tanimura
Pu Ge reveals his scheme, but doesn't take the bigger, better Fei Xin Force into account. Cheng Jiao takes a gamble as he faces the fight of his life.
Director: Harume Kosaka
Writer: Suzuyuki Kaneko
A wounded Cheng Jiao confronts Pu Ge, then has a heart-to-heart with Liu Yi and shares words of wisdom with Xin as the fighting in Tunliu subsides.
Director: Taiji Kawanishi
Writer: Aya Yoshinaga
Xin and Wang Ben are summoned to assist General Teng in a complex battle with Zhao, but Zhao's star general has some monumental aces up his sleeve.
Director: Kiyomitsu Sato
Writer: Aya Yoshinaga
Kai Meng, Fire Dragon of Wei, challenges Xin to a duel as the battle rages around them. Qiang Lei must act quickly when something goes terribly wrong.
Director: Kiyomitsu Sato
Writer: Noboru Takagi
Diao meets with Kai Meng in the Wei camp while Xin and friends scramble for a way to get her out. The Yu Feng Force faces another brutal Fire Dragon.
Director: Masayuki Iimura
Writer: Shingo Irie
As Wang Ben tangles with master spearsman Zi Bai, Ling Huang gives Wu Fengming and his officers insight into his fellow Fire Dragon's past and psyche.
Director: Kazuya Monma
Writer: Daishiro Tanimura
The three Qin units prepare for the climactic third day of their coordinated assault on Wei's main camp in Zhuyong, with each facing a formidable foe.
Director: Ippei Ichii
Writer: Suzuyuki Kaneko
There is only half a day left for the Hi Shin unit to reach Go Houmei's HQ. The strategists of both camps, Karyo Ten and Junsou, will be able to measure their talent.
Director: Taiji Kawanishi
Writer: Noboru Takagi
Xin finds himself trapped as the simultaneous triple-strike comes together; Wei's unsuspecting main camp panics with the three Qin armies closing in.
Director: Harume Kosaka
Writer: Shingo Irie
Zhao's military minds ponder the aftermath of the Battle at Zhuyong. A powerful figure visits the Royal Court to stake a claim on the new Qin outpost.
Director: Kiyomitsu Sato
Writer: Daishiro Tanimura
The plans of the Queen Mother and her lover Lao Ai soon come to light: the foundation of a new state, within Qin itself. The affront is such that it calls for a response equal to it.
Director: Natsumi Yasue
Writer: Junichi Miyashita
Wang Ben and Xin are rewarded for their actions in Zhuyong as Ai grows ever stronger. Lao Ai reflects on the path his life has taken to this point.
Director: Kiyomitsu Sato
Writer: Aya Yoshinaga
Ai's foreign-backed chancellor puts the Queen Dowager in an impossible position as Zheng prepares for the crowning ceremony in Qin's ancient capital.
Director: Kazuya Monma
Writer: Suzuyuki Kaneko
A supersized Ai army approaches an underdefended Xianyang. The Queen Dowager and Lü Buwei both have their own epiphanies during the crowning ceremony.
Director: Taiji Kawanishi
Writer: Noboru Takagi
The Fei Xin Force meets up with allies before a pitched battle across a key river. Troops descend on Xianyang as Xiang recalls Zheng's parting words.
Director: Harume Kosaka
Writer: Shingo Irie
Xin explains how Diao learned of the rebellion. Lord Changping makes a momentous decision. The seige of Xianyang intensifies as Xin's troops arrive.
Director: Kiyomitsu Sato
Writer: Daishiro Tanimura
Xin pushes onward to Xianyang's Inner Palace as Xiang and Yang are taken to safety. Lü Buwei explains his views to Zheng and how he would rule Qin.
Director: Taiji Kawanishi
Writer: Junichi Miyashita
Zheng refutes his chancellor's notion of ideal government and articulates his reasons for a united Middle Kingdom. Xin gets turned around in Xianyang.
Director: Natsumi Yasue
Writer: Aya Yoshinaga
The court ladies make a run for it when their safety is compromised. Shang Lu's ailing army is just barely keeping the enemy out of the royal capital.
Director: Kiyomitsu Sato
Writer: Suzuyuki Kaneko
Qin army high commander Lord Changping shows what he's made of on the battlefield with an all-or-nothing maneuver meant to immobilize Duke Rongdi.
Director: Taiji Kawanishi
Writer: Shingo Irie
Lao Ai, the man who orchestrated the uprising, must finally reap what he's sown. The Queen Dowager makes a last-ditch plea at her lover's hearing.
Director: Kazuya Monma
Writer: Noboru Takagi
The rebels and masterminds behind Ai's uprising meet their fates--or rather, most of them do. Zheng discusses his vision for Qin's future with Xin.
Director: Ippei Ichii
Writer: Noboru Takagi