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The Star-Gazer of Khanbaliq

A world book centered on Zeinab al-Shirazi, a Persian astronomer in the 13th-century Yuan Dynasty court, blending historical realism with themes of scientific rebellion and maritime intrigue.

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Zeinab al-Shirazi

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Imperial Observatory, Zhenglitai, Observatory

The Imperial Observatory of Khanbaliq, known as the Zhenglitai, stands as a monumental testament to the intersection of Mongol power and global scientific endeavor. Perched atop the massive eastern walls of the capital, the observatory is a fortress of stone and bronze, designed to capture the secrets of the heavens. Its architecture is a hybrid of traditional Chinese masonry and the functional requirements of Persian astronomical practice. The structure is dominated by a series of high platforms where massive bronze instruments are permanently mounted. These include the Abridged Armillary Sphere and the Great Gnomon, designed by the court astronomer Guo Shoujing, alongside older Persian quadrants and water clocks brought from the Maragheh Observatory. The atmosphere at the Zhenglitai is one of perpetual, chilly silence, broken only by the scratching of quills on parchment and the rhythmic dripping of the clepsydra. During the day, the sun's shadow is meticulously tracked to refine the solar calendar; at night, the platform becomes a stage for the stars. The observatory is not merely a place of science but a political crucible. Here, the Great Khan's 'Time-Keepers' must ensure that the celestial movements align with the imperial mandate, for a missed eclipse or a miscalculated planetary conjunction could be interpreted as a sign of heaven's displeasure with the Yuan rule. For Zeinab, the observatory is both a sanctuary and a prison. Its height provides her with an unobstructed view of the cosmos, yet its walls are patrolled by guards who monitor every calculation she makes. The stone floors are cold enough to sap the heat from one's boots, and the scent of sandalwood incense from nearby temples often mingles with the metallic tang of the bronze instruments. To the common citizens of Khanbaliq, the Zhenglitai is a place of mystery and dread, where foreigners and local sages converse with the gods through metal rings and glass. To Zeinab, it is the workshop where she distills the infinite complexity of the universe into the precise lines of her forbidden charts, working under the constant threat of discovery by the Keshig who watch for any sign of intellectual treason.

Map of the Unseen Horizon, Forbidden Chart, The Map

The 'Map of the Unseen Horizon' is Zeinab al-Shirazi’s magnum opus and her most dangerous secret. It is a revolutionary maritime chart that deviates fundamentally from the traditional coastal maps used by the Yuan navy. While standard charts rely on 'dead reckoning' and visual landmarks, Zeinab's map utilizes advanced spherical trigonometry and her own observations of 'invisible stars'—dimmer celestial bodies that remain fixed in the sky even when the brighter constellations shift. The map is drawn on high-quality vellum smuggled from Samarkand, chosen for its durability and resistance to the damp salt air of the sea. Zeinab uses a specialized ink compounded from ground lapis lazuli, iron gall, and a rare translucent resin that makes the finer lines nearly invisible unless viewed under specific angles of moonlight or candlelight. The chart covers the treacherous 'Devil’s Breath' currents of the South China Sea and extends into the Indian Ocean, marking safe passages through coral reefs and seasonal monsoon paths that were previously thought impassable. It incorporates the concept of 'lunar distance' to calculate longitude, a technique Zeinab refined from the works of Nasir al-Din al-Tusi but adapted for use on a moving ship's deck. The map is more than a navigational tool; it is a manifesto of intellectual freedom. Zeinab believes that the stars are a common heritage of all humanity, and her map is intended to break the imperial monopoly on trade and exploration. She hides the map within the layers of a mundane agricultural almanac, or sometimes beneath the false bottom of her instrument chest. If the Keshig were to find it, the map would be proof of her collaboration with independent merchant-mariners—a crime punishable by death. Each dot on the map represents a night of clandestine observation, and each line represents a calculated gamble against the Great Khan’s absolute control over the world’s horizons.

Yuan Dynasty, Mongol Empire, The Court

The Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368) represents a unique epoch in human history where the vast Mongol Empire, founded by Genghis Khan, established its center in the heart of China under his grandson, Kublai Khan. This era is characterized by the 'Pax Mongolica,' a period of relative stability that allowed for unprecedented cultural and scientific exchange across the Eurasian landmass. The court at Khanbaliq is a dazzling, chaotic melting pot where Mongol warriors, Han Chinese bureaucrats, Persian astronomers, Arab merchants, and European travelers like Marco Polo all vie for the Emperor's favor. The social structure is strictly divided into four classes: the Mongols at the top, followed by the 'Semu-ren' (Central and Western Asians, including Zeinab), then the Northern Chinese, and finally the Southern Chinese. This hierarchy creates a tense atmosphere of competition and suspicion. While the Mongols are the masters of the land, they rely heavily on the administrative and scientific expertise of the Semu-ren to govern their vast territories and to master the seas. The Yuan court is a place of immense luxury and brutal discipline. Gold-threaded silks and exotic spices are common, but so is the swift execution of those who fail the Khan. The empire's reach is vast, yet it is plagued by the difficulties of managing such a diverse population and the constant threat of rebellion from the disenfranchised Chinese subjects. Science in this world is not a pursuit of pure knowledge but a tool of statecraft. Astrology is used to determine the timing of military campaigns, and engineering is focused on siege engines and canal building. In this environment, Zeinab’s Persian heritage grants her a privileged position as a 'Foreign Sage,' but it also marks her as a permanent outsider, a tool to be used and discarded if her loyalty or utility is ever questioned.

Keshig, Imperial Guard, Secret Police

The Keshig are the elite imperial guard of the Yuan Dynasty, serving as both the personal bodyguards of the Great Khan and a sophisticated internal security force. Originally founded by Genghis Khan as a loyalist vanguard, by Zeinab’s time, they have evolved into a pervasive network of surveillance that monitors the activities of high-ranking officials and foreign scholars alike. A Keshig officer is easily identified by his heavy silk brocade armor, his distinctive Mongol bow, and a sense of cold, unwavering authority. They are the 'eyes and ears' of Kublai Khan, and their presence in the Imperial Observatory is a constant source of tension for Zeinab. They are not merely soldiers; they are trained to look for patterns—in the frequency of a scholar's late-night lights, in the correspondence sent back to distant homelands, and in the company one keeps. The Keshig are particularly suspicious of the 'Semu-ren' astronomers, fearing that their superior knowledge of mathematics and geography might be used to aid foreign powers or internal rebels. They operate with near-total immunity, and an accusation from a Keshig commander is often equivalent to a death sentence. To Zeinab, the Keshig represent the physical manifestation of the empire’s paranoia. She has learned to read the rhythm of their patrols, the sound of their heavy boots on the stone stairs, and the specific way they linger near her desk when they suspect she is hiding something. Her interactions with them are a delicate dance of feigned subservience and intellectual distraction. She often uses complex astronomical jargon to bore or confuse the guards, making her work seem like harmless, dry academic pursuit rather than the revolutionary cartography it truly is.

Persian Science, Islamic Astronomy, Maragheh

The scientific tradition that Zeinab al-Shirazi carries is rooted in the golden age of Islamic scholarship, specifically the Persian school of astronomy centered around the Maragheh Observatory. This tradition is defined by a rigorous commitment to empirical observation and the application of advanced mathematics to the movements of the celestial bodies. Key to this is the 'Zij-i Ilkhani,' a set of astronomical tables compiled by the great polymath Nasir al-Din al-Tusi, which Zeinab uses as her primary reference. Unlike the more traditional Chinese approach, which often focused on the symbolic and ritualistic aspects of the heavens, Persian science in the 13th century was heavily invested in the physical geometry of the universe. They developed the 'Tusi-couple,' a mathematical device that explained the linear motion of planets through the combination of two circular motions, laying the groundwork for later Copernican theories. Zeinab’s expertise includes the use of the astrolabe for determining time and latitude, the construction of armillary spheres to model the heavens, and the calculation of planetary orbits using complex epicycles. Her training in Shiraz involved not only the study of the stars but also the philosophy of 'Hikmat' (wisdom), which taught that the study of the natural world was a path to understanding the divine order. In the Yuan court, this scientific background makes her invaluable but also suspicious. Her colleagues often struggle to follow her calculations, which rely on the base-60 (sexagesimal) system and sophisticated spherical trigonometry. Zeinab views her science as a universal language, one that transcends the borders of the Mongol Empire. She often laments the loss of the House of Wisdom in Baghdad but sees the exchange of ideas in Khanbaliq as a way to preserve and expand upon the legacy of her ancestors.

Devil's Breath, South China Sea, Currents

The 'Devil’s Breath' is the name given by mariners to a series of unpredictable and violent currents and weather patterns in the South China Sea, particularly around the Paracel and Spratly Islands. These waters are the graveyard of countless merchant vessels and imperial warships, characterized by sudden, localized typhoons and 'white squalls' that can capsize a ship in minutes. The currents here are notoriously complex, often flowing in directions that defy the seasonal monsoons, leading sailors into hidden reefs or stalling them in the 'Doldrums of the Dragon.' To the Mongol navy, these waters are the final barrier to their total dominance of the spice routes to the Indonesian archipelago and the Indian Ocean. Kublai Khan is obsessed with finding a reliable passage through the Devil’s Breath to avoid the long, pirate-infested coastal routes. Zeinab’s 'Map of the Unseen Horizon' is specifically designed to solve the mystery of these currents. She has discovered that the movements of the water are influenced by the underwater topography and the lunar cycle in ways that are predictable if one knows which stars to track. She calls the phenomenon the 'Breath' because of the way the air pressure changes before a storm, a sensation she has learned to correlate with specific barometric readings from her modified water clocks. The Devil’s Breath serves as a physical and metaphorical boundary in the story—it represents the untamed wildness of the world that the Empire seeks to conquer, and the dangerous territory where Zeinab’s secret allies operate. Navigating the Devil's Breath requires more than just courage; it requires the precise mathematical insights that only Zeinab possesses, making her the silent master of the very seas the Khan seeks to claim.

Society of the Open Horizon, The Network, Merchants

The 'Society of the Open Horizon' is a clandestine network of independent merchant-mariners, scholars, and disillusioned officials who believe that the knowledge of the world and the wealth of the seas should not be the exclusive property of the Mongol throne. They are a multi-ethnic group, reflecting the diversity of the Silk Road: Persian traders, Han Chinese cartographers, and even a few renegade European monks. Their primary goal is to establish a 'Shadow Silk Road'—a maritime network that bypasses imperial customs and control, allowing for the free exchange of goods and, more importantly, ideas. Zeinab is their most critical asset within the Imperial Observatory. She provides them with the astronomical data and navigational charts necessary to sail the open ocean, far from the sight of land where the imperial patrols are most active. The Society operates through a series of coded messages, hidden signs in the marketplaces of Khanbaliq, and secret meetings in the backrooms of tea houses or the docks of the Grand Canal. They view themselves not as political rebels seeking to overthrow the Khan, but as stewards of a higher truth, believing that progress is stifled by the rigid control of the empire. Membership in the Society is a high-risk endeavor; discovery means execution for treason. Despite the danger, the Society provides Zeinab with a sense of purpose and a community that values her intellect for its own sake, rather than as a tool for imperial expansion. They are the intended recipients of her 'Map of the Unseen Horizon,' and they represent the hope of a world where the stars guide everyone, not just those who wear the imperial yellow.

Kublai Khan, Great Khan, Emperor

Kublai Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan and the founder of the Yuan Dynasty, is a figure of immense complexity and ambition. He is a ruler who understands that an empire cannot be maintained by the sword alone; it requires the mind. This realization led him to create a court that is a magnet for the world's greatest thinkers. Kublai is portrayed as a man of insatiable curiosity but also of absolute, often ruthless, pragmatism. He views the scholars he has gathered—including Zeinab—as part of his 'Imperial Collection,' much like the exotic animals in his menagerie or the precious gems in his treasury. He values Zeinab for her ability to perfect the calendar, which is essential for the agricultural stability of China, and for her potential to unlock the secrets of maritime navigation. However, his patronage is a double-edged sword. While he provides Zeinab with the finest instruments and a position of high status, he also demands total intellectual submission. Kublai is acutely aware of the power of knowledge; he knows that the same mathematics that can guide a merchant ship can also guide an invading fleet. His relationship with Zeinab is one of distant but intense scrutiny. He occasionally visits the observatory, asking pointed questions about the stars that reveal his sharp, strategic mind. He is not easily fooled by jargon and has a keen instinct for detecting hesitation or deceit. For Zeinab, Kublai Khan is the ultimate shadow over her life—a man who could grant her everything she desires in terms of scientific resources, but at the cost of her soul and the freedom of the knowledge she holds dear.

Astronomical Instruments, Astrolabe, Armillary Sphere

The tools of Zeinab’s trade are masterpieces of medieval engineering, blending the mathematical precision of the Islamic world with the metallurgical skill of the Chinese. Her most prized possession is her personal brass astrolabe, a compact and intricate device crafted in her father’s workshop in Shiraz. It consists of several interchangeable plates (tympans) engraved with the coordinates of different latitudes, and a rotating 'rete' that maps the positions of the fixed stars. With this single instrument, Zeinab can determine the time of day or night, the height of a mountain, or her exact latitude with startling accuracy. In the observatory, she also works with massive, room-sized instruments. The 'Abridged Armillary Sphere' (Jianyi) is a complex arrangement of nested bronze rings that represent the celestial equator, the ecliptic, and the horizon, allowing for the measurement of the positions of stars and planets. There is also the 'Quadrans Novus,' a sophisticated version of the traditional quadrant that incorporates a universal scale for solving trigonometric problems without the need for tables. Zeinab has secretly modified some of these instruments, adding fine graduations that allow for the tracking of the 'invisible stars'—dimmer stars that she has identified as essential for her forbidden map. She also uses a 'Clepsydra' or water clock, which she has refined with a series of compensating floats to ensure a steady drip even in the varying temperatures of the Khanbaliq nights. These instruments are not just cold metal to her; they are the extensions of her senses, allowing her to reach out and touch the fabric of the cosmos. To an observer, her speed with these tools is almost magical, but it is the result of years of rigorous training and a deep, intuitive understanding of the geometry they represent.

Khanbaliq, Dadu, The Capital

Khanbaliq, also known as Dadu (the Great Capital), is the heart of the Yuan Empire and a city of staggering scale and order. Designed by a combination of Chinese and Muslim architects, it is a city of perfect squares and broad avenues, a sharp contrast to the organic, sprawling cities of Europe or the Middle East. The city is divided into the Outer City, the Imperial City, and the Forbidden City at its center, where the Khan resides. The air of Khanbaliq is a mixture of the smell of coal smoke—a fuel that fascinates foreign visitors—and the scents of the various quarters: the savory steam of the Chinese markets, the pungent spices of the Muslim quarter, and the earthy smell of the horse stables in the Mongol districts. The city is a hub of global commerce; the Grand Canal brings grain from the south, while the Silk Road brings luxuries from the west. At night, the city is surprisingly quiet, governed by a strict curfew enforced by the Keshig, but from her vantage point at the observatory, Zeinab can see the flickering lights of the taverns and the secret gatherings that continue despite the law. Khanbaliq is a city of contrasts: the brutal efficiency of the Mongol military machine exists alongside the delicate beauty of Han poetry and the profound depths of Persian science. For Zeinab, the city is a labyrinth that she must navigate with care. Every street corner holds a potential spy, but also a potential ally. The sheer diversity of the population provides her with the cover she needs to interact with her secret network, as a Persian woman in scholarly robes is just one of many strange sights in this global metropolis.

The Silk Road of the Stars, Intellectual Exchange, Translation

The 'Silk Road of the Stars' is a metaphorical term for the movement of scientific and philosophical ideas across the Mongol Empire. While the physical Silk Road carried silk, tea, and spices, this intellectual highway carried manuscripts, mathematical proofs, and astronomical data. Under the Yuan, there was a massive effort to translate Persian and Arabic scientific works into Chinese, and vice versa. Zeinab often finds herself at the center of this exchange, working in the 'Academy of Scholarly Worthies' to translate the works of Euclid and Ptolemy into a form that the Han Chinese bureaucrats can understand, while also learning the sophisticated algebraic techniques developed by Chinese mathematicians like Qin Jiushao. This exchange is not always harmonious; there are deep-seated prejudices on both sides. The Han scholars often view the foreign methods as overly complex and 'barbaric,' while the Persian scholars can be arrogant about their superior geometric proofs. Zeinab acts as a bridge, finding the common ground between the two traditions. She recognizes that the Chinese excels in long-term observational records—some stretching back over a thousand years—while the Persians provide the theoretical frameworks to make sense of that data. This synthesis of knowledge is what allows Zeinab to create her forbidden map; it is a product of the best of both worlds. However, she is also aware that this exchange is closely monitored. The Khan’s censors are always looking for 'heterodox' ideas that might challenge the state’s ideology. Zeinab’s work is a constant act of translation and subversion, using the tools of the empire to build a foundation for something that exists outside of its control.

The Invisible Stars, Dim Stars, Celestial Points

The 'Invisible Stars' are a collection of dim, fourth and fifth-magnitude stars that Zeinab has identified as critical for long-distance maritime navigation. While most sailors rely on the brightest stars like Polaris, Sirius, or Canopus, Zeinab realized that these major stars are often obscured by light haze or are too far apart to provide the precise measurements needed for calculating longitude at sea. Through her refined instruments and painstaking observation, she has mapped a series of 'stellar clusters' that remain visible even in less-than-perfect conditions if one knows exactly where to look. She has given these stars names from Persian mythology, such as 'The Eye of the Simurgh' or 'The Guardian of the Gate.' These stars serve as fixed reference points that, when used in conjunction with the moon’s position, allow a navigator to determine their distance from a known meridian (like the one passing through Khanbaliq) with unprecedented accuracy. The secret of the Invisible Stars is the core of her 'Map of the Unseen Horizon.' To anyone else, her charts look like a chaotic mess of tiny dots, but to a trained member of the Society of the Open Horizon, they are a clear and reliable guide. Zeinab’s discovery of these stars was born from her nights of solitude in the observatory, where she began to notice patterns in the 'empty' spaces of the sky. She views these stars as her silent co-conspirators, a hidden layer of the universe that only those with the patience and the right tools can see. They are a metaphor for her own existence: an 'invisible' figure in the court who holds the key to a vast and hidden power.

Shiraz, House of Wisdom, Persia

Shiraz, the city of Zeinab’s birth, is remembered in her mind as a place of light, gardens, and the scent of roses and poetry. Known as the 'Dar al-Ilm' (House of Knowledge), Shiraz remained a vibrant center of Persian culture even after the Mongol invasions. It was here that Zeinab’s father, a master instrument maker, taught her the secrets of brass and geometry. She grew up in a world where the debates of scholars were as common as the haggling of merchants, and where the works of Saadi and Hafez were recited in the streets. Her education was unconventional; her father recognized her brilliant mind and allowed her to study the manuscripts in his collection, including rare copies of the 'Almagest' and the works of the Banu Musa brothers. The 'House of Wisdom' in her memory is not just a building, but an ideal—the belief that the pursuit of knowledge is the highest calling of a human being. This upbringing instilled in her a deep sense of cultural pride and a fierce independence. When she was summoned to the court of Kublai Khan as part of the Emperor's 'collection' of talent, she felt the loss of her home acutely. In Khanbaliq, she often seeks out the Persian quarters to hear her native tongue and taste the flavors of home, but she finds that she is now a stranger in both worlds. Her memories of Shiraz fuel her rebellion; she wants to create a world where knowledge can once again flourish without the shadow of an imperial throne, recreating the spirit of the House of Wisdom on the open decks of a merchant ship.

Bureau of Astronomy, Taishiju, Astronomers

The Bureau of Astronomy, or Taishiju, is the administrative body that oversees all celestial observations, calendar-making, and omen-reading in the Yuan Empire. It is a place of intense bureaucratic maneuvering and scholarly rivalry. The Bureau is divided into two main branches: the Chinese branch, which follows the traditional methods of the Song and Jin dynasties, and the Western (Muslim) branch, where Zeinab is a leading figure. This division creates a constant state of friction. The Chinese astronomers are often protective of their ancient traditions and are suspicious of the mathematical innovations brought by the Semu-ren. Conversely, the Persian and Arab astronomers can be dismissive of the ritualistic focus of their Chinese counterparts. The Director of the Bureau is a high-ranking official who must balance these competing factions while satisfying the Great Khan’s demands for accuracy. Every year, the Bureau must produce the 'Imperial Calendar,' which dictates the dates for festivals, agricultural activities, and state ceremonies. Any error in this calendar is seen as a failure of the Bureau and a potential omen of disaster. Zeinab’s position within the Taishiju is one of 'Senior Astronomer,' a title that gives her access to vast resources but also places her under the microscope of her rivals. She must constantly defend her findings and navigate the political minefield of the court. She often uses her reputation for 'foreign eccentricity' to explain away her unusual research interests, playing the part of the obsessed scholar to hide her activities as a revolutionary cartographer.

Celestial Divination, Astrology, Omens

In the world of the Yuan Dynasty, the line between astronomy and astrology is non-existent. The movements of the stars are believed to be the direct language of the Heavens, communicating the fate of the empire and the will of the gods. Celestial divination is a core function of the Imperial Observatory. Every planetary conjunction, comet, or eclipse is analyzed for its political meaning. For example, a 'blood moon' might be interpreted as a sign of an impending rebellion, while the appearance of a 'guest star' (supernova) could signal the birth of a great leader or the death of a general. Kublai Khan takes these omens very seriously, often consulting his astronomers before making major military or political decisions. Zeinab, while personally more interested in the physical laws of the universe, is a master of this divinatory art. She understands the symbolic language of the court and knows how to frame her astronomical findings in a way that serves her interests. If she needs to delay an imperial naval expedition that might threaten her merchant allies, she might 'discover' an inauspicious alignment of Mars that suggests a period of maritime misfortune. This use of 'scientific prophecy' is one of her most effective tools for subtly influencing the Khan’s policies. However, it is a dangerous game; if another astronomer provides a conflicting interpretation that proves more accurate or more pleasing to the Khan, Zeinab’s credibility—and her life—could be at risk. She views astrology as a necessary fiction, a mask of superstition that she must wear to protect the deeper truths of her science.

Maritime Ambitions, Yuan Navy, Spice Routes

The maritime ambitions of Kublai Khan are a defining feature of his later reign. Having conquered the vast landmass of China, he turned his eyes toward the 'Southern Seas' (Nanyang), seeking to control the lucrative spice trade and to bring the kingdoms of Java, Champa, and Japan under his suzerainty. This led to the construction of massive fleets, the likes of which the world had never seen. The Yuan ships are technological marvels: multi-masted junks with watertight compartments and massive rudders, capable of carrying hundreds of men and vast amounts of cargo. However, the Mongol leadership, primarily composed of horsemen from the steppes, lacks an inherent understanding of the sea. They rely on Southern Chinese shipbuilders and Semu-ren navigators to guide their expansion. This creates a strategic vulnerability that Zeinab and the Society of the Open Horizon seek to exploit. The Khan’s desire for a 'Great Chart' of the southern oceans is the reason Zeinab is under such pressure. He wants a map that will allow his fleets to bypass the treacherous coastal waters and strike directly at the heart of the Spice Islands. Zeinab’s 'Map of the Unseen Horizon' is exactly what the Khan wants, but she is determined that he shall never have it. She knows that in the hands of the Yuan military, her knowledge would be used to enslave distant lands and monopolize the world’s wealth. Instead, she provides the Khan with 'official' charts that are accurate enough to maintain her position but omit the secret deep-water routes that her merchant allies use. The sea, for Zeinab, is the ultimate frontier of freedom, and the battle for its control is fought with ink and mathematics as much as with swords and ships.

Nasir al-Din al-Tusi, Tusi-Couple, Al-Tusi

Nasir al-Din al-Tusi is the towering intellectual figure whose shadow looms over Zeinab’s entire scientific career. A Persian polymath who survived the Mongol destruction of the Alamut fortress and eventually became the advisor to Hulagu Khan (Kublai's brother), al-Tusi is the architect of the Maragheh Observatory and the author of the 'Zij-i Ilkhani.' His work represents the pinnacle of 13th-century astronomy, and Zeinab considers herself his spiritual successor. Al-Tusi’s greatest contribution, the 'Tusi-couple,' provided a mathematical solution to the flaws in Ptolemy’s geocentric model, allowing for a more accurate description of planetary motion. Zeinab has a rare, hand-copied manuscript of his 'Tadhkira fi 'ilm al-hay'a' (Treasury of Astronomy), which she treats as a sacred text. Al-Tusi’s life also serves as a model for Zeinab’s own existence: he was a scholar who managed to thrive and preserve knowledge under the rule of the Mongols, using his intellect to civilize his conquerors. However, Zeinab seeks to go further than her mentor. While al-Tusi worked within the imperial system to build a great observatory, Zeinab is working outside of it to liberate the knowledge that the observatory produces. She uses his mathematical proofs not just to track the planets, but to chart the oceans. To her, al-Tusi is a reminder that even in the face of overwhelming military force, the human mind remains unconquerable. She often 'conversations' with his spirit during her long nights at the Zhenglitai, asking herself what the great master would do when faced with the choice between imperial service and the freedom of the horizon.