The Poppy War, #2
The Dragon Republic
by R. F. Kuang
Contents
Chapter 8
Overview
Rin trains under Eriden to fight Daji without eye contact and rehearses a plan to enter the Autumn Palace bound and sedated. In opulent Lusan, Kitay learns his father is dead and demands a strategist role. Vaisra fails to secure Ang Tsolin’s support, vows to force his hand, and places decisive pressure on Rin.
Summary
Eriden drills Rin to fight Daji without looking at her face, emphasizing how Daji’s gaze and poisons ensnare victims. Rin struggles with lost stamina but uses fire to end a bout, earning Vaisra’s approval. In council, they finalize a risky plan: Rin will enter the Autumn Palace as a bound, muzzled “prisoner,” publicly sedated with opium so Daji lets her close.
As the Seagrim crawls up the Murui to Lusan, Rin seethes at the city’s untouched luxury. On arrival, Kitay slips off the ship to seek news and learns from a minister that his father, Defense Minister Chen, died. Shattered, Kitay returns and demands a real position—chief strategist—vowing victories in exchange for authority.
While parades occupy Lusan, Vaisra quietly meets Ang Tsolin, presenting Rin as proof of intent. Tsolin, haunted by losses at Golyn Niis, refuses to join any side, warning of another ruinous civil war. He notes Daji is reinforcing the palace and that northern Warlords remain with her.
Leaving the meeting, Vaisra reveals he will force Tsolin’s neutrality to break by bringing danger to Snake Province. Acknowledging other southern Warlords’ hesitation, he declares the war will proceed regardless and fixes his strategy on Rin’s assassination of Daji, telling Rin she will be the spear that begins the conflict.
Who Appears
- Rin (Fang Runin)Trains to fight Daji without eye contact; agrees to enter the palace bound and sedated; becomes Vaisra’s key weapon.
- Vaisra (Dragon Warlord)Orchestrates Rin’s covert assassination attempt; fails to win Tsolin; plans to force his hand; stakes war on Rin.
- Captain EridenDrills Rin on lower-body combat and Daji’s tactics; coordinates infiltration and escape routes.
- KitayLearns his father died; abandons neutrality; demands a strategist role and authority.
- NezhaObserves training, manages ship security, allows Kitay to confront the truth onshore.
- Ang Tsolin (Snake Warlord)Refuses alliance, citing war-weariness and losses; his neutrality becomes a pressure point for Vaisra.
- Su Daji (Empress)Offstage threat; her gaze and poisons drive tactics; reinforces the palace, anticipating treachery.