She Who Became the Sun

The narration shifts to Ouyang. He is a general in Esen’s forces; Shao Ge is his second in command. Ouyang does not consider the Red Turbans a threat. Complexities of the Yuan social hierarchy are revealed as Shao attempts to bond with Ouyang through their shared Nanren heritage, which Ouyang rebuffs. His perception of identity is more complex, as he prefers to be considered Mongol, even though he is not.

Ouyang and Shao observe the drills of Commander Altan-Bataar, a young Mongol noble. Altan looks down on Ouyang because of his status as a Nanren and a eunuch. Ouyang thinks little of Altan because he is young, privileged, and foolish. Dissatisfied with the results of the drill, Ouyang lectures the soldiers about subpar leadership, revealing that he values competency over class status, an unpopular stance, to which Altan responds by calling Ouyang a “thing” because of his castration.

In the evening, Ouyang goes to Esen’s ger. Ouyang considers it a briefing, but Esen views it as a visit between friends, the only Mongol noble to view Ouyang this way. As they discuss the drills of the day, their relationship and character differences become clear. While Ouyang cares about Esen, his feelings are complicated by his insecurities, complicated identity, and Esen’s obvious masculinity.