She Who Became the Sun

In Anfeng, Zhu is slowly recovering from her injuries. She has another epiphany—though Ouyang cut off her hand to make her suffer, she can overcome these new circumstances because she is not Zhu Chongba. Her experiences as an unwanted non-male child give her resilience a cisgender boy would be less likely to develop. Meanwhile, Ma and Xu Da, who have nursed her back to health, reveal that they had to call in Jiao Yu for medical assistance. As a result, he knows Zhu’s secret. Xu Da offers to kill Jiao Yu to protect Zhu, but she decides to deal with Jiao Yu herself. In the meantime, as Zhu convalesces, her relationship with Ma deepens. They grow comfortable enough with each other to flirt, and their intimacy slowly grows until they have sex for the first time.

As she heals, Zhu begins showing her ambitions and leadership more openly. Because of the loss of her right hand, she must once again prove herself to her followers. At a strategy meeting with her captains, she observes Jiao Yu’s reactions to her: neutral, though he begins adopting a condescending attitude typical of men toward women in their society. During the meeting, Zhu receives a message that Chen, the Prime Minister, and the Prince of Radiance are all in Bianliang. Chen expresses concern that the Mongols may try to capture Bianliang and asks for Zhu’s assistance. His true test to her is one of loyalty: he requests her assistance in his plans to get rid of the Prime Minister, claim the Prince of Radiance, and “become a king” (348). Zhu tells her captains to prepare to depart for Bianliang.

Back at Anyang, Ouyang encounters Wang, who seems to dislike him even more than usual. Wang is suspicious of Ouyang’s diplomatic success and more aware and perceptive of Ouyang’s circumstances than Esen is. He comments upon Ouyang’s flagging loyalty to the Mongols and tells Ouyang that he intends to accompany their army to Bianliang. Ouyang doesn’t believe him until Esen confirms the news later that evening. Ouyang tries to dissuade Esen from permitting this, but Esen wants to consider it as an opportunity for forgiveness. Ouyang’s conflicting emotions also influence his relationship with Esen, tainting their intimacy. Returning to his rooms, Ouyang is met by the Nanren commanders privy to his plot. They are nervous about Wang joining the campaign, but Ouyang brushes off their concerns.

The journey to Bianliang tries everyone’s patience. Frustrated with the logistical nightmare of Wang’s addition to their army, Esen vents to Ouyang. Ouyang advises him to punish Wang. Esen summons Wang and orders his guards to burn Wang’s books. Before Esen can continue, he receives news that his favorite horse is ill and must be put to death. Esen leaves, Wang mourns his books, and Ouyang grieves for Esen’s loss of purity.

The next day, Ouyang meets with his co-conspirators; one is missing and two are later killed. Lord Wang, witnessing the commotion, offers cutting remarks about Ouyang, then becomes unnerved. Ouyang realizes Lord Wang can see his ghosts.

Zhu and Ma make love. Ma realizes how deep her feelings for Zhu are, and it scares her. Later, she sees Zhu at her desk, practicing summoning her Mandate of Heaven, though Ma doesn’t understand it as such yet. The next day, Zhu goes to see Jiao Yu. He still belittles her, but she intimidates him in turn by revealing her Mandate of Heaven (white).

Soon afterward, Zhu’s army departs for Bianliang. Ouyang’s army is already there, but he hasn’t attacked yet, making her suspicious that he is awaiting reinforcements. She realizes his goal is vengeance. Deciding to meet him again, Zhu sneaks into Ouyang’s ger. Upon discovering her, Ouyang attacks but Zhu resists. Once they begin to converse, Zhu presents him with an offer: help her send Chen’s message to the Prime Minister and let the Prime Minister and the Prince of Radiance go free, and she will withdraw her troops from Bianliang. He agrees but says he will only wait to attack until noon the following day; after that, she’s on her own. During the exchange, Zhu realizes that Ouyang’s ghosts are not haunting him. Ouyang leaves to deliver the message, then dismisses her.

The next day, Zhu waits with her army. The Zhang navy arrives and begins coordinating attacks on Bianliang with Ouyang’s forces. Zhu’s men become nervous, but she convinces them to hold the line. At the last moment, the Prime Minister appears, riding toward them. Xu Da grabs the Prince of Radiance and the Red Turbans retreat. Once they are safely away from the battle, they stop for a rest. The Prime Minister comes to thank her for her loyalty. Zhu kills him, officially seizing power.

Bianliang falls to the Mongols. Chen escapes as Ouyang lets him go. Zhang asks about Zhu Chongba and considers her an opponent to watch. In the remains of the palace, Esen is disappointed by the throne, lesser in reality than as a symbol. Wang appreciates the history and symbolism of the place. Meanwhile, Esen and Wang go to the remains of the garden. Wang explains its history to him, effectively distracting Esen (intentionally or not) as the Nanren commanders carry out their coup. Esen realizes too late what happened and immediately blames Wang. Wang denies involvement; Ouyang admits his guilt.

The two lords are taken captive. Ouyang realizes Wang had figured out their plan long ago. Wang admits his complicity. Ouyang wants to kill Wang, but Wang convinces him not to. Ouyang lets Wang go. Esen can only watch as his trusted men admit their treachery. 

After Wang leaves, Esen asks why Ouyang betrayed him. Ouyang reminds him of Chaghan’s slaughter of Ouyang’s family and treatment of Ouyang himself and the vengeance Ouyang feels duty-bound to take. Esen also realizes that Ouyang—not Wang—killed Chaghan and that his task doesn’t end with eradicating Esen’s family. He also intends to attack the Yuan emperor, even if it means his death. Esen questions if Ouyang ever felt anything for him; Ouyang tells Esen to fight him, a battle to the death instead of a cold-blooded execution. Esen refuses and even removes his armor, killing himself as much as Ouyang kills him. Esen’s death is the only one Ouyang grieves. Afterward, Ouyang rallies the troops and prepares to march on the Great Khan.

In Anfeng, Ma receives a letter from Zhu (written by Xu Da) about the events at Bianliang. Ma prepares for Zhu’s return but mourns the distance she feels is growing between them. Upon their return, the Prince of Radiance blesses Zhu, but Ma is once again filled with foreboding. Other changes are made as well. Xu Da delivers the Prince of Radiance into Ma’s care, and guards are now posted outside her door. The Prince of Radiance reveals that those with the Mandate of Heaven can see ghosts. Though Ma is wary of the Prince, she also sees the humanity in him.

Zhu returns. Ma enjoys a moment of domestic bliss before Zhu informs her of the plan to retake Jiankang (lost after Little Guo’s death). Zhu is now sympathetic to Ouyang’s motivations, much to Ma’s chagrin. After escaping Bianliang, Chen is now, the narrator says, “barely more than a bandit leader. But everyone knew you underestimated Chen at your own peril” (401).

When Zhu tells Xu Da about her plans to capture Jiankang, he pledges his loyalty and asks how far she wants to go in her quest for power. Zhu replies, “I’m going to be the Emperor” (403). To do so, Zhu secretly takes the Prince of Radiance aside. He tells her that the Prime Minister “was never going to rule. But neither will Zhu Chongba” (405). She agrees and kills him, simultaneously returning her biological brother’s borrowed name to his hungry ghost.

The Red Turbans capture Jiankang, and Ma is summoned to join Zhu there. Chang Yuchun accidentally reveals the Prince of Radiance’s death. Angry, Ma figures out what Zhu has done and questions whether Zhu is still interested in the empathetic balance Ma provides. Zhu understands but issues an ultimatum: support her in becoming emperor and accept the sacrifices along the way or leave. Undecided, Ma walks away.

Time passes. Zhu prepares for the ceremony officially proclaiming her the leader of the Red Turbans. She publicly displays her Mandate of Heaven, renames the city Yingtian, and renames herself “Zhu Yuanzhang, the Radiant King” (409). Ma appears in the crowd, dressed in red to honor the Prince of Radiance, and proclaims her loyalty to Zhu, accepting the sacrifices and suffering she will have to endure. Zhu once again displays her Mandate of Heaven and invites her followers to “Rise” (411).