The Poppy War, #2
The Dragon Republic
by R. F. Kuang
Contents
Chapter 16
Overview
Rin and the Cike are reassigned to Jinzha’s flagship as the Republican fleet begins a ruthless sweep through Hare Province. Radan’s defenses are annihilated, its civilians terrorized into a sham vote, and its stores taxed. Hesperian proselytizing and Petra’s racist “science” deepen Rin’s conflicted reliance on them. Easy conquests follow until a storm stalls the advance, exposing frictions within the Cike and Rin’s lingering unease.
Summary
After Jinzha’s brutal reprisals, Rin, Kitay, and the Cike are ordered off the Swallow and reassigned to the armored flagship Kingfisher, where Hesperians and the Gray Company can closely watch Rin. Jinzha warns them to obey him absolutely as the fleet lines up for a direct push through Hare Province to secure supplies before larger battles.
Approaching Radan, Jinzha refuses negotiations and orders an immediate attack. The Seahawks unleash incendiaries that turn Radan’s oiled sails into firetraps, destroying the fleet within an hour. Civilians are herded out unharmed but terrified, while the men are detained overnight to await their fate. The Gray Company spreads along the beach, preaching to frightened townsfolk.
Petra summons Rin, probing whether the Phoenix returned in battle, then reprimands young missionary Augus for trying to feed civilians against orders. In Petra’s cabin, laudanum dulls Rin as Petra presents “physiognomic” claims that Nikara are inherently inferior, rationalizing Hesperian dominion. Rin bristles yet remains unsettled by the Hesperians’ power and her desire for order after past destruction.
At dawn, Jinzha orchestrates a “vote” under duress; the surviving men choose to join the Republic, after which a garrison and grain tax are imposed. The fleet continues north with similarly lopsided victories, sometimes using allied Hare boats as bait. Momentum stalls only when a thunderstorm forces the ships to anchor; Rin, uneasy, imagines sentient eyes in the storm.
Belowdecks, the Cike kill time and restrain their powers to avoid Hesperian scrutiny. They debate the Gray Company’s faith; Rin is tempted by its promise of order. Chaghan and Qara appear distant; Chaghan pointedly withdraws, and Ramsa suggests Chaghan’s bitterness centers on Altan. The chapter closes with victories piling up, faith and coercion intertwining, and fissures within the Cike unresolved.
Who Appears
- Rin (Fang Runin)Protagonist; reassigned to the Kingfisher, witnesses Radan’s destruction, endures Petra’s tests and racist lectures, wrestles with Hesperian ideology.
- JinzhaRepublican commander; imposes strict obedience, demolishes Radan’s fleet, stages a coercive vote, installs garrison and grain tax.
- KitayRin’s tether and strategist; critiques Jinzha’s fear tactics, observes Hesperian proselytizing, offers sardonic commentary.
- Sister PetraHesperian scientist-missionary; drugs and measures Rin, enforces discipline on missionaries, espouses demeaning racial “science.”
- NezhaFleet captain; relays reassignment orders, explains surveillance motives, defends the staged vote as ‘choice.’
- RamsaCike demolitions expert; banters during battles and storm downtime, debates faith, notes Chaghan’s grief over Altan.
- BajiCike fighter; eager for action, spars during games, questions Hesperian religion, suggests Rin’s tests are intrusive.
- Admiral MolkoiNavy admiral on the Kingfisher; executes Jinzha’s orders to incinerate Radan’s makeshift fleet.
- Brother AugusYoung Gray Company missionary; tries to feed starving civilians, reprimanded by Petra for undermining orders.
- SuniCike berserker; restless for combat, keeps powers hidden from Hesperians during campaign.
- ChaghanPsychic from the Hinterlands; cold toward Rin, remains with the Cike, his grief and resentment simmer.
- QaraChaghan’s twin; asks Rin about Petra’s procedures, offers a brief, sympathetic glance before leaving.