would be General of the entire army. Not long after that, a very bad fever swept through the army. Many soldiers were sick. And Mulan, the General of the army, became sick, too.
When the doctor came out of Mulan's tent, he knew the truth. “The General is a woman?” yelled the soldiers. “How can this be?” Some called out, “She tricked us!” and “We will not fight for a woman!” They said, “Punish her! Make her pay!
The cost is for her to die!” But others called out, in voices just as loud, “With Mulan, we win every battle!” They said, “Stay away from our General!” Just then, a soldier ran up. “Everyone!" he called. "A surprise attack is coming!” Mulan heard this from inside her tent. She got dressed and went outside.
She was not yet strong, but stood tall. She told the soldiers where they must go to hide so they could attack when the enemy came. But they must get there fast! The soldiers, even those who did not like that their General was a woman, could tell that Mulan knew what she was talking about.
It worked! The battle was won. It was such a big victory that the enemy gave up, at last. The war was over, and China was saved!
You can be sure that after that last battle, no one cared anymore that Mulan was a woman. The Emperor was so glad that Mulan had ended the long war, he set aside the rule about being a woman. “Mulan, stay with me in the palace,” he said. “Someone as smart as you would be a fine royal adviser.” Mulan bowed deeply.
“You are too kind, Sire,” she said. “But if you please, what I wish most of all is to return home to my family.” “Then at least take these fine gifts,” said the Emperor. "So everyone at your home and village will know how much the Emperor of China thinks of you.” Mulan returned to her village with six fine horses and six fine swords. Everyone cheered that she was safe.