Stars of Chaos: Sha Po Lang, Vol. 3

This was a blast! Things really get rolling in this volume, both in terms of the overall plot involving Great Liang and the Western nations, and Chang Geng and Gu Yun???s relationship. 

In my review of the previous volume, I mentioned how Chang Geng and Gu Yun???s relationship was intertwined with the wider events of the world around them. That???s still happening in this volume, but given that the stakes in those wider events are higher, it makes sense that the stakes in the two protagonists??? interpersonal relationship is also higher - as evidenced by certain events that happen in this volume that I won???t go into to avoid spoilers. Suffice to say that Gu Yun and Chang Geng???s relationship progresses significantly - though, it must be noted, still with plenty of drama.

In terms of wider plot events, the events of this volume turn somewhat inward, as it were, taking a look at how Great Liang is run, and how that has both helped and hindered the nation throughout history. This plays well into the elements of political and court intrigue that form a major part of this volume???s plot. Though I have very little knowledge of Imperial China???s political history, given how Great Liang basically IS Imperial China, I think it???s safe to say that the issues and problems Great Liang has in terms of governance are similar to (if not exactly the same as) those that plagued Imperial China in the past. It???s interesting to note how not only the protagonists, but even the other characters around them, constantly run into the various hurdles of that system of governance, with various characters trying all sorts of schemes and plots to get around the hurdles in their way.

At the core of all this lies an interesting question: What makes a good leader? All throughout this volume that question comes up time and time again in different ways, and always with different answers depending on the situation and the characters involved. The question isn???t quite answered by the end of this volume, but that makes sense given how the author appears to really try and approach the question from a variety of angles. It???s a fascinating attempt though, and adds an interesting thematic layer to the overall series.

One thing that still concerns me about this series is the handling of Great Liang???s colonialism (which is itself a reflection of China???s own colonialist tendencies). I previously hoped that it would be addressed, but I am beginning to think that it won???t be addressed at all. This is unfortunate, but also expected, all things considered.

Overall this volume builds on the story and characterization of the previous two volumes, creating interesting layers in terms of themes while also progressing both Chang Geng and Gu Yun???s relationship, and the war between Great Liang and the Western nations. While it???s a pity that Great Liang???s colonial policies weren???t addressed (and I now highly doubt they ever will be in this series, all things considered), this volume does tackle interesting questions around politics and leadership that are both appropriate for the past and the present.