Quote Originally Posted by EdwinLi View Post
I found Hien's lack of involvement during motivating the people not that much of a issue as it was explained that the reason he did not approach the people was because the people had lost hope and would have just turned Hien in to the Garleans right on the spot because of their fears unless someone else motivated them to fight.

Thus he had to keep a distance until he knew for certain his own people would not just turn him in to the Garleans before returning.
But that totally removes his own agency in the matter, and makes him into a character that it's difficult to view as an inspirational leader. What's his role, if it's not a Return of the King type scenario that inspires others and instills in them the strength to lead their own in victorious rebellion? The only thing he does is get a Xaela army, which anyone winning the Naadam could have done - least of all Yugiri and/or Gosetsu, who were at least involved in winning back the trust and fire of the Doman people.