In the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-581), there lived a young and beautiful girl in North China who was extremely skilful in martial arts and shooting. She was none other but Hua Mulan.
One day, while she was grazing the village flocks, she saw several boys riding on horseback, armed with bows and arrows to go hunting. She entered into competition with them and unexpectedly bagged the most game. After she went back home, her mother scolded her for laying aside grazing in favor of hunting and her father cursed her furiously for not following the rules that girls should obey, but secretly felt surprised at the so many birds and animals that she had successfully hunted.
While Mulan was saying that she was able to shoot an arrow through a willow leaf a hundred yards away with every shot hitting the target, the Lizhang, the head of the neighborhood of 25 families, came into their courtyard. Mulan put an arrow to the bowstring and released it, shooting off the cap of the Lizhang, who was understandably astonished. Mulan’s father hastened to apologize to him and punished Mulan by ordering her to weave cloth for three days and not to step out of her door.
Lizhang had come to distribute the official dispatch, which said that because of making war with a neighboring country, the Khan was badly in need of soldiers and officers, with the name of Mulan’s father being included in the military roster.
At night, Mulan’s father talked over the issue with his wife: He was old and frail, their son was still a small child, and their daughter was ineligible. What should he do? The couple were so depressed that they could only sigh. Mulan heard their talk in the next room and stopped weaving to sigh also.
Mulan did not sleep for a whole night and finally had a good idea. In the early morning of the next day, she sneaked out of her parents’ house, went to the market, bought a horse equipped with saddle, bridle and long whip, and had a campaign gown sewn. Then, Mulan had her long hair cut, wrapped her head in a kerchief, put on her military costume, and mounted the date-red horse, being now disguised as a young male soldier.
After getting everything ready, Mulan rode the horse and gallopped back home like the wind. Her parents almost failed to recognize her. She told them the truth. Since what is done cannot be undone and there was no better way, her parents had no option but to let Mulan join the army. They shed loving tears to bid farewell to Mulan.
Mulan hurried to the border along with the main army. Having marched a long way, the army was now bivouacked by the Yellow River. What greeted the ears of Mulan, now dressed as a soldier, was no longer her parents’ call, but the gurgles and splashes of the rushing waters.
After resuming their march, the army arrived at the foot of the Black Hill, which was close to the enemy’s camp. What greeted the ears of Mulan, who was preparing for the battle to come, was no longer her parents’call, but the enemy’s horses neighing.
On the ensuing expedition, which encompassed thousands of miles to the war, she dashed across mountains and passes as if in flight. In the chilly northern border, her armour and helmet glistened under the frosty moonlight and the drum beat sounding the night watches rang with the coldness of steel against steel.
Going through thousands of battles and experiencing many narrow escapes, Mulan, sharp-witted and brave, was promoted time after time and finally became a general due to her valor and tactical awareness.
After 12 years’ war, she returned in triumph. The Emperor granted Mulan a private audience, giving her a reward of much gold and silver and many treasures and promoting her to the position of minister of war.
Mulan joined the army in place of her father for the common people and the country she loved. She neither wanted gold nor silver nor treasures, neither did she want to severe as the minister of war. She asked only for a camel being fleet of foot, which she could ride to return home and take care of their parents.
Some 12 years later, her parents had become grey-haired. When they heard that their daughter was coming, they came to the crossing, each helping the other, to receive her; her younger brother, who had by now grown up, whetted a knife and slaughtered a pig and a sheep to reward his sister with a suitable banquet.
Mulan finally returned, riding on the camel, accompanied by several comrades-in-arms. Her parents were asked to treat her comrades-in-arms in the hall, while she went to her own room by herself. She took off her military costume, replaced it with the clothes of a beautiful lady, combed her cloud-like hair and adorned her face with lotions and powders, checking herself before the mirror after which she went to greet her guests.
All her comrades-in-arms were astonished to see General Hue who turned out to be a girl.
