Dirk Struan: The main character of the novel, Dirk Struan is the head of Struan & Company, the greatest private trading company in nineteenth-century Asia. He has a tumultuous and often abusive relationship with Tyler Brock, his chief rival, and the two men are engaged in a constant struggle to destroy each other in matters of business and personal affairs. Struan is referred to as the Tai-pan, or "Supreme Leader," throughout the novel.
Tyler Brock: Tyler Brock is the owner of a rival trading company, Brock & Sons Trading Company. He is a former shipmate of Dirk Struan and the two men have a rocky and often abusive relationship. Brock is Struan's chief rival and the two are constantly trying to one-up each other in business and personal matters.
Culum Struan: Culum Struan is the son of Dirk Struan and Ronalda. He is born in 1824 and is sent to Glasgow with his mother shortly after his birth. Ronalda never returns to China. Culum is an important character in the novel, but his role is not fully revealed until later in the story.
Gordon Chen: Gordon Chen is the illegitimate son of Dirk Struan and his mistress, Chen Kai Sung. He is born in 1824 and is an important character in the novel, but his role is not fully revealed until later in the story.
May-May: May-May is Jin-qua's granddaughter and is secretly assigned the task of teaching Dirk Struan "civilized" (Chinese) ways when she becomes his mistress in 1837. May-May is a secondary character in the novel.

Chapter 21