This epic saga chronicles the rise and fall of a powerful Eurasian dynasty over three generations, as it builds an economic empire and exerts influence across continents. Driven by ambition, family loyalty, and internal conflict, the narrative unfolds against the backdrop of tumultuous 20th-century Chinese history, from the early 1900s to the Cultural Revolution. It's a sweeping tale of empire-building, personal betrayals, and the clash of East and West, offering a rich tapestry of political intrigue and historical drama.
Founded by Sir Jonathan, the brilliant and ambitious illegitimate son of a Chinese woman and an Irish adventurer, the Sekloong dynasty builds an economic empire over three generations, exerting its influence from Hong Kong to the Pentagon, and spanning from nationalist to communist China. This dense, rich, complex, and captivating saga of a powerful Eurasian family is marked by a strong sense of clan loyalty, yet divided by infidelities, deaths, power struggles, and ideological conflicts. The backdrop of this family drama is the history of China from 1900 to the Cultural Revolution.
Set against the backdrop of nineteenth-century China, where imperial rule is on the brink of collapse due to the Opium Wars and Taiping Rebellion, a gripping tale unfolds. In Shanghai, Jewish merchant Saul Haleevie and his Chinese partner, Aisek Lee, have built a successful business despite facing hardship and distrust. Their lives are upended when Aisek is falsely accused of causing his mother’s suicide, prompting Saul to risk everything to save his friend while navigating a corrupt penal system that threatens his own safety.
Meanwhile, Saul's daughter, Fronah, grapples with her identity amidst the influx of Westerners in Shanghai. Torn between cultures, she inadvertently destroys one man and confounds another in her quest for love. In the imperial palace, the “Virtuous Concubine” Yehenala schemes to bear the opium-addicted Hsien Feng emperor’s only son, positioning herself for power as the formidable empress dowager. While she wins the power struggle, she cannot avert the impending collapse of the imperial dynasty, which jeopardizes the lives and loves of all involved.
This rich narrative weaves together themes of loyalty, love, and deception, showcasing intricate diplomacy and family dynamics amidst a period of profound change in China.
