Summary

Starting in Part Two, many of the characters are unaware that Zhu is actually female. To avoid confusion, this study guide will follow the most common pronouns that are used within the novel itself. This means that Zhu will be referred to with he/him pronouns when the narrator does not know who she is, and she/her pronouns once her name has been given.

Chapter Five begins as the eunuch general Ouyang laments the defector General Ma whom he recently killed. His second-in-command Shao is confident they can make good ground against the rebels by winter, but Ouyang thinks the revolts will never end. After a high born leader Altan treats Ouyang with disrespect, he demands that Altan’s soldiers march across the cold river. A sub-commander claims that the men who drowned are cowards, but Ouyang points out that the...