The Poppy War

by

R. F. Kuang

The Poppy War: Chapter 10 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
A Federation ship called the Emperor Ryohai has been patrolling the sea between Nikan and the Federation for 12 nights. Unbeknownst to the crew, the Cike’s commander, Tyr, is hiding on the ship. This was an unusual mission: normally, the Cike work within the Empire, not against foreign enemies. Tyr thinks about how, decades ago, his master took him into an underground labyrinth and abandoned him to find his “goddess.” Now, a schooner sails out to meet the Federation ship. As Tyr watches it, he feels sudden vertigo. Soon, he knows, he’ll lose control and become “a spouting, unstoppable conduit for the gods, a gate to the spirit realm without a lock.” Then, someone will lock him in the Chuluu Korikh, just as Tyr did to his master and has done to his subordinates. This happens to everyone in the Cike eventually.
This helps readers understand that Jiang has the right idea: militarizing and utilizing one’s connection to the gods for military purposes has major consequences, namely that everyone seems to eventually go mad and then get imprisoned in the Chuluu Korikh. Jiang hasn’t been imprisoned, possibly because he seeks to learn and protect rather than cause harm. The Chuluu Korikh is also what Jiang asked Rin about during her Trial; she guessed that “unnatural criminals” were there. Perhaps the Cike are unnatural—if only because seemingly no one else in Nikan understands them.
Themes
Dehumanization and the Horrors of War Theme Icon
Identity, Cultural Trauma, and Coming of Age Theme Icon
The Purpose of Education Theme Icon
The schooner’s passenger boards the Ryohai: it’s Empress Su Daji herself. Tyr is shocked. The Empress calls to him, but her eyes turn into snake’s eyes, and she carries out a “psychospiritual assault” on him, making it so he can’t reach his goddess anymore. In the spirit world, she tells him not to question her and pushes his mortal body into the water, where Tyr drowns. Everyone who can access the spirit world feels his death. Chaghan, the Seer of the Bizarre Children, tells Altan Trengsin that Altan will command the Cike now. The Gatekeeper feels it; though he’s mostly forgotten who he is, he’ll never forget “the stain of the Vipress’s venom.” Rin feels it while she meditates and wonders what would happen if she took poppy seeds and brought a god to Earth. The Phoenix has been calling to her, promising to make her a “legend.”
Recall again that the Empress supposedly has the power to hypnotize people—it certainly seems like this is true, and that she uses her power here to assault and kill Tyr. Her reason for killing Tyr—in front of Federation higher-ups, no less—calls her loyalties into question. This passage also brings several characters back into focus, such as Altan, the former star student at Sinegard. It’s interesting to note that while Rin feels Tyr’s death (presumably thanks to her training with Jiang), Altan (whom Jiang has said is a lot like Rin) does not. The differing educational paths they’ve taken means that Rin has a deeper understanding of spiritual issues, despite being younger and less experienced.
Themes
Identity, Cultural Trauma, and Coming of Age Theme Icon
The Purpose of Education Theme Icon
That summer, Federation and Nikara soldiers engage in a skirmish, and the conflict expands until, seven days after the fight, the Federation of Mugen declares war on the Empire of Nikan. After looting a port city, a Federation battalion begins to march for Sinegard. Kitay tells Rin he’s actually excited—they have job security now—as they help evacuate civilians. They’re loading the Magistrate’s wagon with heavy crates, which the Magistrate reveals contain his prized teapot collection. Incredulous, Kitay smashes the teapots and tells the Magistrate to do his job and help them reassure people that things will be okay. The Academy’s campus becomes a military encampment and now houses Eighth Division soldiers. Students join the unit’s ranks. The soldiers aren’t thrilled about the students, but on the plus side, Raban returns.
When war finally breaks out, divisions between wealthy students and Rin seem less consequential. In fact, Kitay’s choice to smash the Magistrate’s teapots suggests that he values human life in general, and he isn’t going to prioritize the rich and powerful when it comes to ensuring citizens’ safety. This speaks to Kitay’s humanity and his compassion, qualities that will be increasingly important to his character going forward.
Themes
Dehumanization and the Horrors of War Theme Icon
Rin and Kitay wonder what Federation soldiers look like. They agree the soldiers probably look “more human than [they] realize,” though Rin insists they still have to win. Masters are constantly busy, though Rin manages to catch Jiang for a conversation one day. She suggests they call the gods, like the Speerlies used to, and asks what Lore’s purpose even is if they can’t weaponize the gods. Jiang insists that the Speerlies were “collectively deluded” and were bloodthirsty, thanks to the Phoenix’s power. He suggests Rin is too young to understand the consequences of what she suggests. Rin is angry, and she feels like he’s treating her like a child—though war is now forcing her to grow up too fast. To allay her fears, Rin sneaks a handful of poppy seeds.
Their conversation is relatively superficial, but Rin and Kitay begin to circle an important point here: the Federation of Mugen is, in fact, inhabited by fellow human beings, but each side has been taught to dehumanize the other to justify killing their enemies. Jiang continues to see Rin as naïve and inexperienced, given that she’s so intent on using the gods to help Nikan’s military achieve victory. However, it’s important to note that his telling her this mostly results in her doubling down on her belief that she’s mature—something that, in fact, seems to point to Jiang being right.
Themes
Dehumanization and the Horrors of War Theme Icon
Identity, Cultural Trauma, and Coming of Age Theme Icon
Quotes
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