Question: When Shang finds out Mulan is a woman, Chi-fu (council guy) stops Yao, Ling and Chien from saving her from execution, and says "you know the law." Was there a certain rule back in Ancient China allowing women to get in the army, why was need for Mulan to be executed (almost executed), couldn't they just send her home, why was it a big deal?
Bishop73
22nd Jan 2015
Mulan (1998)
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Answer: While it was not common for women to serve in the military (depending on the dynasty), they were never put to death. Disney just made this is as a plot device to develop the love interest. The movie is partly based on the ancient poem, "The Ballad of Mulan" and in none of the ancient versions was she ever threatened with execution. In fact, the poem may be based on Fu Hao, a woman who not only served in the Chinese army, but was a military general.
Bishop73
I think that it was an issue, because according to what the emperor said, she basically stole an identity; she "deceived the captain" and "impersonated a soldier."