View source for Characters in Defense of Provinces

When a province is invaded, all characters currently located in that province will respond to the invasion and join with troops in the defense. Naturally all characters assigned to armies located within the province being invaded will also be available to join in the defense of the province. In addition all characters assigned to nearby defensive imperial armies will also arrive for the invasion battle. The term "provincial commander" used at various places in the rules and in your Kingdom Reports is an intentionally ambiguous term which simply means the most senior (oldest) ranking character available in the defense of a province from invasion. If no characters are available for the defense, the province commander is automatically assumed by the computer to be a minor commander within the ranks of your troops. It is the responsibility of the province commander (otherwise known as an "army commander") to take charge of the defending troops and carry out your standing province defense orders.