Chapter 00

Summary

• The HMS Vengeance is anchored off the coast of Hong Kong
• The main character, Dirk Struan, is about to disembark on the island to take possession of it for Britain
• Hong Kong is an uninhabited island known for its large natural harbor
• Struan has coveted the island for 20 years and sees it as a key step in gaining access to the rest of China
• Struan is a large, red-headed man with a reputation as a legend in the trade industry, armed with two knives and accompanied by his younger half-brother Robb
• Struan reflects on the events leading up to the takeover of Hong Kong and his plan to defeat China in war
• Struan plans to use the island as a base for his trading empire and to bring civilization to the area