From China-based publisher Shanghai Press, this book recounts the
legend of Mulan and her bravery through beautiful Chinese ink
paintings.
Though we all know the beloved Disney retelling, the original story of
Mulan comes from a folktale from China's Northern Dynasty (439-589)
about the unusual tale of an ordinary girl named Fa Mulan.
One day, the government drafted Mulan's father into the army. However,
he was too old. Mulan didn't have an older brother and the younger one
was not old enough to be a soldier, so she decided to disguise herself
as a man and joined the army in place of her father, hoping her secret
wouldn't be exposed.
Her excellent martial arts skills always put her on the front lines of
every battle. During the 12 years she was in the army, she made great
contributions and won admiration from her unit of soldiers.
After the war, the emperor honored generals and soldiers, rewarding them
with status and money; Mulan didn't care about either. All she wanted
was a horse to take her home as soon as possible. Once home, Mulan
changed her armor into a dress and fixed her hair in an elegant
hairstyle. She came out and thanked her unit for accompanying her home.
It's safe to say, she had fooled them all.