The Poppy War, #2
The Dragon Republic
by R. F. Kuang
Contents
Chapter 2
Overview
Rin spots Empress Su Daji at the parade and lunges for a chance to kill her, but trauma and the Phoenix’s hunger overwhelm her. Fire flares, guards converge, and Daji is whisked away. Chaghan sedates Rin and the Cike retreat as Imperial alarms trigger a citywide manhunt, wrecking their mission.
Summary
At the victory parade, Rin is shocked to see Empress Su Daji alive and untouched by the war. Consumed by rage and visions of killing Daji, Rin argues with Unegen about striking immediately while Qara lacks a safe shot. The Phoenix urges her to unleash fire, but Rin holds back to avoid mass casualties.
Daji notices Rin and taunts her with a wave. Firecrackers explode, triggering Rin’s trauma. Panic surges; she sparks uncontrollably, alarming the crowd and revealing the Cike’s presence. Imperial guards advance as Daji’s litter is spirited away.
Pressed by fear and the Phoenix’s will, Rin loses control and nearly incinerates Unegen. As she freezes, aflame, Chaghan forces laudanum over her mouth, sedating her and quelling the god’s dominance. He drags her from the square while smoke and heat draw further attention.
They reach a sampan to escape. Across the port, lamps, bells, and smoke signals flare, broadcasting a manhunt for traitors. Chaghan rebukes Rin for exposing them. Sedated, Rin slips into a self-made vision of the island she sank, veering between detached fascination and crushing guilt while Ramsa and Chaghan ensure her survival.
By chapter’s end, the assassination plan is blown, Daji remains alive, and the Cike are fugitives under immediate pursuit.
Who Appears
- Rin (Mai’rinnen Tearza)Protagonist; triggers panic and Phoenix fire upon seeing Daji, nearly burns Unegen, then is sedated and evacuated.
- ChaghanStabilizes the situation by sedating Rin with laudanum and extracting her from the square to the sampan.
- UnegenTries to restrain Rin; is nearly incinerated when she loses control before Chaghan intervenes.
- Empress Su DajiAppears at the parade, recognizes Rin, and is quickly whisked to safety as guards converge.
- RamsaWith the Cike during the escape; checks on Rin as she succumbs to sedation.
- QaraPositioned in a bell tower without a clear shot; her caution contrasts with Rin’s impulsiveness.
- The PhoenixGod of fire urging slaughter; overwhelms Rin’s control until laudanum suppresses it.