Qin Zheng
- Technically debuted in book 1 but I’m putting him here because his very existence is a spoiler
- Based on the First Emperor of China, except coded as an Industrial-Revolution-era militant socialist
- Absolute menace. WILL fight you 1 on 6 in the name of the working class but it’s unclear if he really sees other people as people tbh (come on, it’s Qin Shi Huang)
- Yandere with mommy issues (come on, it’s Qin Shi Huang)
- The very embodiment of “Worst Person You Know Just Made a Great Point”
- Child laborer turned human experiment subject turned mecha pilot turned emperor
- Definitely Napoleon’d the original working class revolution in the Qin kingdom
Shangguan Wan’er
- Based on the historical Empress Regnant Wu’s personal secretary
- Granddaughter of disgraced official (grandpa was NOT killed by Wu Zetian in this world!!)
- Hardcore commie
- Looks soft and sweet but would fuck you up if you got in the way of the class struggle
- Hates landlords in particular
- The brains behind Zetian’s operations
- Critically supports Qin Zheng
Gao Taiping
- Based on Princess Taiping, the historical Empress Regnant Wu’s daughter (but they are NOT related in this world!!)
- Yizhi’s 2nd oldest sister
- Mathematical & financial genius
- Capitalist pig on THIN ICE after the revolution
- Up for anything tbh
- Hardcore side-eyes Qin Zheng