The Dragon Republic

"Our world is a dream of the gods. Maybe they have other dreams. But all we have is this story unfolding, and in the script of this world, nothing's going to bring [him] back to life."

"Our world is a dream of the gods. Maybe they have other dreams. But all we have is this story unfolding, and in the script of this world, nothing's going to bring [him] back to life."

(the most breathtaking arc by paper-ish)

"She was afraid that if she stopped being angry, she might crack apart."

"Rin was so tired of having to prove her humanity."

Fire and wat

Fire and water looked so lovely together. It was a pity they destroyed each other by nature.

You asked how large my sorrow is,
And I answered, like a river in spring flowing east.
—Li Yu (李煜)

You asked how large my sorrow is,
And I answered, like a river in spring flowing east.
—Li Yu (李煜)

“Happy New Year,” Kitay said. “May the gods send you blessings and good fortune.”
“Health, wealth, and happiness. May your enemies rot and surrender quickly before we have to kill more of them.”

Credit: Jhoca

Inspirations: Let’s Talk History

Once upon a time the Qing dynasty ruled over China from 1636 to 1912. During its later years, the British who love tea bought their supply from China—but because they didn’t want to pay for it with their silver, they made up for it with cotton and opium exports from India, in which they’d just gained control. As opium addiction became an issue in the land though, the Chinese government declared a ban on all opium trade. The Great Britain was obviously bothered so, you guessed it, they showed up with their ships and guns in June of 1840 and demanded unjustified rights. The following years brought suffering and two Opium Wars for China as it was overpowered by the west, the US, France, and Russia all taking advantage of its weakness to press for favourable trade treaties and generally getting away with whatever the hell they wanted.

Eventually, people got fed up and, with various revolts, the 1911 Revolution succeeded in overthrowing the Qing. After more civil war and unrest, the Beiyang government was established as China’s central authority with Yuan Shikai being the first formal President of the Republic of China. But, seeking more of the ever-alluring power and monopolising the power of the new national government, Yuan made a short-lived attempt to make himself Emperor, died, power struggles ensued, and China ended up with two warring governments: the Communist Party of China (or CPC, based in North China) and the Nationalist Party of China (or KMT, based in South China, created by Sun Yat-sen who had previously opposed and then compromised with Yuan).

History is complicated and confusing, but there is one thing you need to know whenever it comes to the affairs of the east: that, after a point, you will always find the west peeking its head. So as China fought to unify itself, two things relevant to this historical fiction series were happening: on one hand, the foreign armies stationed in North China that had been brought in to suppress the rebellion were in danger of warring to gain power over the divided land for their “advanced nations” and on the other hand, the Soviet Union proceeded to pledge its assistance for unification of China. Thus, while everyone sought to retain both a compliant native government and equal opportunity for investment, the Soviet leadership initiated a dual policy of support for both Chinese parties, backing CPC with money and spies and aiming to reorganise KMT along the ideals of the Comintern—an international organisation founded by Russia that advocated world communism.

After years of division, Japan’s invasion of China in 1937 due to its decades-long imperialist policy to become a colonial power itself, led to a temporary unification of KMT and CPC as China fought the Second Sino-Japanese War with the help of the Soviet Union and the United States. And then there was death and tragedy and the Rape of Nanjing and WWII and the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki...and you know how it goes—lives were destroyed, crimes were committed, and history was tainted and painted in black.

“Do not shirk from war, child. Do not flinch from suffering. When you hear screaming, run toward it.”

Characters: Development & Relationships

“When you have the power that you do, your life is not your own.”

Credit: Nan Fe

Credit: Nan Fe

CW ➾ racism, colourism, colonisation, abuse, misogyny, PTSD, grief, substance use and addiction, self-harm, nonconsensual human experimentations and medical examinations, torture, rape, burning, genocide, mutilation, gore and violence

Companions: Playlist & Related Reviews

“Between us, we have the fire and the water,” she said quietly. “I’m quite sure that together, we can take on the wind.”

“Between us, we have the fire and the water,” she said quietly. “I’m quite sure that together, we can take on the wind.”

“You gods have no power except what we give you.”

“You taught me the meaning of fear, nothing more.”

“Could they be winning? If winning meant killing as many people as they could, then yes.”