Zhao Min

Zhao Min (simplified: 赵敏, traditional: 趙敏, pinyin: Zhào Mǐn, jyutping: ziu6 man5) was a Yuan princess and one of the main female protagonists of The Heavenly Sword and the Dragon Sabre. The daughter of Chaghan Temür, the Prince of Ruyang, she was known for her exceptional intelligence, strategic thinking, and political sophistication. She initially served as an antagonist working against the Ming Order and the martial arts world, but eventually fell in love with Zhang Wuji and became his wife, choosing love over her family’s political interests.

Biography

Early life and background

Zhao Min was the daughter of Chaghan Temür (察罕特穆儿), the Prince of Ruyang (汝阳王), a powerful Yuan general. Her brother was Köke Temür (扩廓帖木儿), also known as Wang Baobao (王保保), who would become a significant military leader. As a member of the Yuan royal family, Zhao Min was raised with all the privileges of nobility and received an excellent education in strategy, politics, and martial arts.

From a young age, Zhao Min demonstrated exceptional intelligence and political acumen, earning her father’s trust and responsibility. She was given significant authority to oversee operations against the Ming Order and other resistance movements that threatened Yuan rule.

Attacking the martial arts world

Zhao Min played a crucial role in the Yuan government’s efforts to suppress the martial arts world and eliminate the Ming Order. Using her intelligence and strategic thinking, she orchestrated a plan to capture the leaders of the Six Major Factions after their expedition to Bright Peak.

She used the Ten Fragrance Soft Tendon Powder (十香软筋散) to drug and capture the leaders of the Six Major Factions, including Miejue of the Emei Order, Zhang Sanfeng’s disciples from the Wudang Order, and other prominent martial artists. They were imprisoned at Wan’an Temple, where Zhao Min planned to force them to surrender to the Yuan government.

Meeting Zhang Wuji

Zhao Min first encountered Zhang Wuji when he came to rescue the captured martial artists from Wan’an Temple. Despite being on opposite sides of the conflict, Zhao Min was immediately struck by Zhang Wuji’s character and abilities. Her initial plan to eliminate him gradually transformed as she developed genuine feelings for him.

Zhang Wuji, in turn, was deeply affected by Zhao Min’s presence. Her beauty was described as surpassing even that of princesses, and her intelligence and wit made her a captivating figure. Despite their opposing political positions, the two found themselves drawn to each other.

The island incident

During an incident on an island, Zhao Min was poisoned with Ten Fragrance Soft Tendon Powder by Zhou Zhiruo, who was attempting to frame her for crimes she did not commit. Despite being poisoned, Zhao Min used her swimming skills to survive, eventually being rescued by a fishing boat. She recovered from the serious illness and organised search parties to find Zhang Wuji and the others, demonstrating her resourcefulness and determination.

This incident marked a turning point in Zhao Min’s relationship with Zhang Wuji, as it revealed the depth of her feelings for him and her willingness to risk everything to find him.

Breaking with her family

As Zhao Min’s relationship with Zhang Wuji deepened, she found herself torn between her loyalty to her family and the Yuan government, and her love for Zhang Wuji. Her political sophistication allowed her to understand the ethnic tensions and complex dynamics at play, but her genuine feelings for Zhang Wuji ultimately led her to choose love over political duty.

This decision required her to break with her family and abandon her position in the Yuan government, a choice that demonstrated the depth of her commitment to Zhang Wuji and her willingness to sacrifice everything for love.

Marriage to Zhang Wuji

Despite the numerous obstacles and conflicts, Zhao Min and Zhang Wuji eventually married. Their relationship had been tested by political opposition, misunderstandings, and the interference of others, but their genuine feelings for each other ultimately prevailed.

Zhao Min’s marriage to Zhang Wuji, the leader of the Ming Order that was fighting against the Yuan Dynasty, represented a powerful symbol of transcending political and ethnic boundaries for the sake of love.

Personality & traits

Intelligence and strategic thinking

Zhao Min was renowned for her exceptional intelligence and strategic acumen. She demonstrated sophisticated understanding of political dynamics, ethnic tensions, and military strategy. Her ability to plan and execute complex operations against the martial arts world showed her as a formidable opponent, while her later strategic thinking helped navigate the complex relationships and conflicts that arose.

Political sophistication

Zhao Min possessed deep understanding of court politics and the delicate balance of loyalties required in her position. She carefully balanced her duties to the Yuan government with her personal feelings, eventually making the difficult decision to choose love over political duty.

Genuine care and loyalty

Despite initially being an antagonist, Zhao Min demonstrated genuine care for those she loved. Her friendship with Xiaozhao showed her capacity for genuine relationships beyond political calculation, and her commitment to Zhang Wuji demonstrated her willingness to sacrifice everything for love.

Beauty and charm

Zhao Min was described as having extraordinary beauty that surpassed even that of princesses. Her charm and wit made her a captivating figure, and Zhang Wuji had strong reactions to her presence. Her beauty was matched by her intelligence and character, making her a complex and compelling figure.

Martial arts abilities

While Zhao Min was not primarily known as a martial artist, she had received training as part of her noble education. However, her greatest strengths lay in her strategic thinking, intelligence, and ability to command others, including powerful martial artists like the Xuanming Second Elder (Lu Zhangke and He Biweng).

Her ability to organise and execute complex operations against the martial arts world demonstrated her tactical skills, while her resourcefulness in surviving the island incident showed her practical abilities.

Relationships

Zhang Wuji

Zhao Min’s relationship with Zhang Wuji was central to her character development. What began as a political opposition evolved into genuine love, transforming both characters. Their relationship represented the possibility of transcending political and ethnic boundaries for the sake of love, and Zhao Min’s decision to break with her family for Zhang Wuji demonstrated the depth of her commitment.

Family

Zhao Min had complex relationships with her family members. Her father, Chaghan Temür, trusted her with significant responsibilities, but her choice to side with Zhang Wuji against the Yuan government created conflict. Her relationship with her brother Köke Temür (Wang Baobao) also became complicated by her political choices.

Xiaozhao

Zhao Min developed a genuine friendship with Xiaozhao, Zhang Wuji’s companion and servant. This friendship showed Zhao Min’s capacity for genuine relationships beyond political calculation and demonstrated her character beyond her role as an antagonist.

The martial arts world

Zhao Min’s relationships with members of the martial arts world were initially purely adversarial, as she worked to suppress them on behalf of the Yuan government. However, her relationship with Zhang Wuji gradually opened her to understanding and appreciating the values and principles of the martial arts world.

Behind the scenes

Zhao Min represents one of Jin Yong’s most complex female characters, exploring themes of political loyalty, personal choice, and the power of love to transcend boundaries. Her character development from antagonist to protagonist demonstrates how genuine understanding and connection can overcome political opposition and ethnic tensions.

Her character was enhanced in the Third Edition of the novel, with more detailed background, clearer motivations, and deeper emotional complexity. The explanation of her survival on the island and her genuine care for Zhang Wuji made her character more sympathetic and her actions more understandable.

Zhao Min’s story also reflects historical themes about the complex relationships between different ethnic groups during the Yuan Dynasty and the possibility of finding common ground and love despite political opposition.