36. But It May Not Be
There is one historical figure who may fit the story told in one version of the Mulan tales. Princess Pingyang was the daughter of Li Yuan, the emperor who founded the Tang dynasty. She was a female warrior who led the Chinese army to victory during the seventh century.
Of course, Pingyang lived after “The Ballad of Mulan” was first transmitted, so she probably wasn’t the original inspiration. But if Pingyang was a known historical figure who led the army to victory, then maybe there was a real Mulan who preceded her.