Some say the tale was born out of wistful thinking, as a story of hope, portraying a woman whose deep love for her country drove her to ultimately sacrifice herself by giving herself up to the invading forces so that her people would be spared. Though many chose not to acknowledge it, China had effectively entered a new dynasty of sorts, under the foot of the Mongol Empire. Since then, it was not uncommon to see Mongols within the walls of China, patrolling the streets, patronizing tea houses, and occupying shared spaces. The same rumors also suggested that this uneasy trade route was an act of mercy towards the Chinese, and a betrothal gift to the presiding Shan Yu’s wife. In order to further deter the likelihood of a rebellion from the Hans, Hun men were ‘encouraged’ to take and marry Han women to solidify their presence within the Northern city. Stories of their successful escapades served as deterrents for rebellion amongst the people of China. The Mongols had instead elected to turn their attention to the west, blood thirsty for conquest and acquisition of Persian land. Shan Yu established a network of routes joined by staging posts throughout the city. In what came to be known as the most notorious, and contemporaneous trade route between the now captive China and the Mongol Steppes, an uneasy peace was built between the two nations. The emperor himself was demoted to little more than a figure head, with Mongol appointed officials now stationed and occupying the highest ranks within the palace. A cruel, but calculative tactic to squelch any semblance of an uprising. Husbands and wives, mothers and children, were all separated and dispersed into the Horde’s diaspora. Shan Yu then ordered them to be dispersed amongst the Golden Ulus’s vast territories to prevent incentives to regroup and retaliate. China was given no choice, and all high-ranking officials were stripped of their statuses and possessions. Mulan could think of a more accurate caricature of the situation by replacing the words ‘to extend’ with ‘to forcibly coerce’. However, to the surprise of all its citizens, instead of an army, Mongol diplomats were sent by the Shan Yu to proposition for a trade route between the Steppes and China. Since the breach of the wall, and the conquering of The Northern Capital and all of the outer perimeters, there was little in the way of stopping the Mongol Empire from outright capturing, plundering and pillaging the inner city. In a practiced, fluid motion, she stirred the rice, sifting the grains under the cool water carefully, all the while smiling contently to herself. She dipped her sunburnt hand into the pleasantly opaque mixture and watched as the water gently rippled around her fingers. “pfft” Mulan scoffed, as she continued swirling her rice methodically in a chipped wooden bowl. ‘Beauty that was enough to capture the heart of even the most ruthless and barbaric of warlords’. Depictions of her would describe a beautiful milky-white complexion, youthful long black hair, delicate and balanced features and a voice as soft as silk. Rumors surrounding their tactical withdrawal centered around an unlikely union between the Hun leader and a Han women, who was said to be as beautiful as she was smart. ![]() It had been almost nine years since the Mongol forces ceased their invasion into the heart of Northern China. ![]() Thank you for following me along this journey! <3
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