Chung Kuo, book 5 : Beneath the tree of heaven
David Wingrove1993

In 2211, the Seven T'ang, the ruling dictatorship of the solar system, is weakened by a special child's birth ... and the forces for change spreading from the megacities of Earth to a secretive, planet-wide conspiracy on Mars. For generations the T'ang have controlled with mind-manipulation and black-clad assassins. But the inborn urges of humanity cannot be stilled by murder or seduction. Now, as a mad, blood-thirsty ruler plots a coup from within the T'ang, Hans Ebert, his famous face obscured forever behind a mask, begins a new fight for power and love on the red soil of Mars. Revolution may finally free the long-shackled masses. Or it may spread unimaginable destruction to level a world ... and the hopes of all worlds to come.