Ajiu (simplified: 阿九, traditional: 阿九, pinyin: Ā Jiǔ, jyutping: aa3 gau2), also known as Princess Changping (长平公主 — Chángpíng Gōngzhǔ), was the daughter of the Chongzhen Emperor, the last emperor of the Ming dynasty. Despite her royal status, she learnt martial arts and wandered the jianghu, developing feelings for Yuan Chengzhi in Sword Stained with Royal Blood. Her tragic story continued in The Deer and the Cauldron, where she appeared as the one-armed nun Jiu Nan (九难 — Jiǔ Nán), a master martial artist who sought revenge against the Qing dynasty.
Biography
Early life as a princess
Ajiu was born as the second daughter of the Chongzhen Emperor, the last ruler of the Ming dynasty. Despite being a princess, she was known by the simple name “Ajiu” (阿九), meaning “Ninth” or “Ninth Child”, which was a common naming convention for imperial children.
As a young princess, Ajiu was described as exceptionally beautiful, with her appearance noted even by Xia Qingqing, who was also considered very attractive. However, unlike most imperial princesses who remained within the palace, Ajiu developed an interest in the jianghu and began to venture into the jianghu.
Training in martial arts
Ajiu learnt martial arts from Cheng Qingzhu (程青竹), the leader of the Qingzhu Gang (青竹帮). Despite her royal background, she became a skilled martial artist, demonstrating exceptional ability and dedication to her training.
Her identity as a princess who practised martial arts was unusual, reflecting her independent and determined nature. She managed to balance her royal responsibilities with her passion for martial arts, learning to navigate both the imperial court and the jianghu.
Meeting Yuan Chengzhi
During her adventures in the jianghu, Ajiu met Yuan Chengzhi, the protagonist of Sword Stained with Royal Blood. She was deeply attracted to him, and he was likewise captivated by her beauty and character. However, their relationship was complicated by several factors:
- Yuan Chengzhi’s relationship with Xia Qingqing, whom he eventually married
- Ajiu’s royal status and the political implications of a relationship between a princess and a martial artist
- The ongoing conflict between the Ming dynasty (which her father represented) and the rebels led by Li Zicheng
Despite these complications, Ajiu’s feelings for Yuan Chengzhi remained genuine, creating a complex emotional dynamic in the story.
The fall of the Ming dynasty
In 1644, when Li Zicheng’s rebel forces captured Beijing, the Chongzhen Emperor faced the collapse of his dynasty. In despair, the emperor decided to kill his family members to prevent them from falling into the hands of the rebels.
The Chongzhen Emperor summoned Ajiu to the palace. When she came, clutching his robes and crying, the emperor sighed and said, “Why were you born into my family?” (汝何故生我家 — Rǔ hé gù shēng wǒ jiā). With these words, he raised his sword and cut off her left arm, intending to kill her.
Ajiu fell to the ground, bleeding and unconscious. The emperor then killed her younger sister, Princess Zhaoren (昭仁公主), and committed suicide by hanging himself.
Survival and recovery
Despite being left for dead, Ajiu did not die. Five days after the attack, she regained consciousness. An imperial eunuch named He Xin (何新) discovered her and, seeing that the rebels were about to enter the palace, carried her to safety at the residence of her maternal grandfather, Zhou Kui (周奎).
Ajiu survived the loss of her arm and the fall of the dynasty, but she was left with permanent physical and emotional scars from her father’s attack and the destruction of her family’s empire.
Becoming Jiu Nan
After recovering from her injuries, Ajiu eventually went to Mount Hua with He Tieshou (who had become He Tishou after becoming Yuan Chengzhi’s disciple). There, she met Musang Daozhang of the Iron Sword School and became his disciple, learning advanced martial arts techniques including the Divine Stride of a Hundred Changes (神行百变).
In the revised edition of the novel, Ajiu followed Musang Daozhang to Tibet. Before parting ways with Yuan Chengzhi, she told him that if he did not come to find her within three years, she would become a nun. When Yuan Chengzhi did not return (having gone into exile with Xia Qingqing), Ajiu fulfilled her promise and became a Buddhist nun, taking the name Jiu Nan (九难 — Jiǔ Nán), meaning “Nine Difficulties” or “Nine Calamities”.
Later life as Jiu Nan
As Jiu Nan, Ajiu became a formidable martial artist and a leading figure in the anti-Qing resistance. In The Deer and the Cauldron, set many years later, she appeared as a middle-aged but still beautiful one-armed nun who was one of the most powerful martial artists of her time.
Jiu Nan continued to seek revenge against the Qing dynasty for destroying the Ming empire and killing her family. She attempted to assassinate the Kangxi Emperor but was prevented by Wei Xiaobao, who protected the emperor. However, Wei Xiaobao’s cleverness and personality impressed Jiu Nan, and she took him as a disciple.
Jiu Nan also took Ake and Aqi as disciples, though her relationship with Ake was complicated. She had kidnapped Ake as a child, believing her to be the daughter of Wu Sangui, who had betrayed the Ming dynasty by opening the gates to the Manchu forces. Jiu Nan intentionally taught Ake flawed martial arts techniques, hoping that Ake would one day attempt to kill Wu Sangui and fail, leading to her own death.
However, when Ake’s true parentage was revealed (she was actually the daughter of Li Zicheng and Chen Yuanyuan), Jiu Nan’s plan was thwarted. Eventually, Jiu Nan gave up her quest for revenge, realising the futility of continuing to harbour hatred.
Personality and character
Ajiu was characterised by her beauty, intelligence, and royal dignity. Despite her privileged background, she demonstrated courage and determination in learning martial arts and venturing into the jianghu. Her love for Yuan Chengzhi was genuine and deep, though it remained unrequited.
After losing her arm and her family, Ajiu’s character was shaped by tragedy and loss. As Jiu Nan, she became more hardened and focused on revenge, though she retained her sense of justice and her ability to recognise goodness in others, as demonstrated by her relationship with Wei Xiaobao.
Her transformation from a beautiful young princess to a one-armed nun seeking revenge, and finally to someone who could let go of hatred, represented a journey of growth and acceptance.
Martial arts
Ajiu became a highly skilled martial artist:
Qinggongs
- Divine Stride of a Hundred Changes (神行百变) — An exceptional qinggong learnt from Musang Daozhang of the Iron Sword School, which allowed for rapid position changes and exceptional agility.
Sword techniques
Ajiu was skilled in sword techniques, likely learning from both Cheng Qingzhu and the Iron Sword School. Despite losing her left arm, she developed techniques that allowed her to fight effectively with one arm, becoming one of the most powerful martial artists of her time.
Relationships
Family
- Chongzhen Emperor — Ajiu’s father, who cut off her arm during the fall of Beijing. Despite his attack, Ajiu’s relationship with her father was complex, and she mourned the loss of both her family and her dynasty.
Teachers
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Cheng Qingzhu — Ajiu’s first martial arts teacher, leader of the Qingzhu Gang, who taught her the basics of martial arts.
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Musang Daozhang — Ajiu’s second teacher, from the Iron Sword School, who taught her advanced techniques including the Divine Stride of a Hundred Changes.
Romantic interest
- Yuan Chengzhi — The protagonist of Sword Stained with Royal Blood, for whom Ajiu developed deep feelings. Their relationship remained unfulfilled due to Yuan Chengzhi’s commitment to Xia Qingqing and Ajiu’s eventual decision to become a nun.
Disciples (as Jiu Nan)
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Wei Xiaobao — The protagonist of The Deer and the Cauldron, who became Jiu Nan’s disciple after impressing her with his cleverness and personality.
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Ake — Jiu Nan’s disciple, whom she had kidnapped as a child, initially believing her to be Wu Sangui’s daughter.
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Aqi — Another disciple of Jiu Nan.
Legacy
Ajiu/Princess Changping represents one of Jin Yong’s most tragic and memorable characters. Her story spans two novels, showing her transformation from a beautiful young princess to a hardened martial artist seeking revenge, and finally to someone who could find peace.
Her character was based on the historical figure of Princess Changping, the daughter of the Chongzhen Emperor, who was indeed cut by her father during the fall of the Ming dynasty. Jin Yong incorporated this historical event into his fictional narrative, creating a character whose tragic past and martial arts journey resonated with readers.
Ajiu’s story exemplified themes of loss, revenge, and ultimately, the possibility of letting go of hatred and finding peace. Her journey from princess to nun, from victim to powerful martial artist, and from seeker of revenge to someone who could forgive, made her one of Jin Yong’s most compelling and complex characters.