Chapter 1: The China Clipper
* Tai-Pan Struan Jamieson boards the China Clipper, a British passenger plane bound for Hong Kong.
* He reflects on his life and the challenges that await him in the colony.
* Example: "He had sold the Hong Kong Export Company, amalgamated the Hong Kong Land and Building Company with the Hong Kong Trading Bank, established the Asiatic Petroleum Company, and dropped deals to finance international railways and steal Anglo-American oil concessions in Sumatra. And this was only the beginning."
Chapter 2: The Flower Dragon
* Jamieson arrives in Hong Kong and is greeted by his nephew, Dirk Struan.
* They discuss the growing tensions between the British government and the Chinese population.
* Example: "Hong Kong was an anomaly, not quite Britain, not quite China, but a place where the cultures of the two great powers rubbed uneasily against each other, a place where fortunes could be made or lost in a single day."
Chapter 3: The American Cattle King
* Jamieson meets Ian Dunross, an American millionaire who is planning to build a massive hotel in Hong Kong.
* Dunross's plans are opposed by the Jardine Matheson Company, led by Quillan Gornt.
* Example: "Quillan Gornt had risen from the rank of clerk to become one of the most powerful men in Hong Kong. He was known for his ruthless business practices and his unwavering loyalty to Jardine Matheson."
Chapter 4: The Noble House
* Jamieson explores the Hong Kong business community and makes allies and enemies alike.
* He becomes aware of the complex web of relationships and rivalries that exist within the colony.
* Example: "The Noble House was more than just a business. It was a symbol of British power and influence in Hong Kong. It was a place where deals were made and reputations forged."
Chapter 5: The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
* Jamieson discovers that four powerful men, known as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, are conspiring to destabilize Hong Kong.
* These men include Quillan Gornt, Ian Dunross, Paul Quentin, and Todd Andrews.
* Example: "Quillan Gornt was the businessman, Ian Dunross the gambler, Paul Quentin the adventurer, and Todd Andrews the traitor. Together, they formed the most formidable alliance in Hong Kong."
Chapter 6: The Battle of the Bund
* Jamieson leads a group of loyalists to defend Hong Kong from the Four Horsemen.
* The battle takes place on the waterfront of Victoria Harbour and results in heavy casualties.
* Example: "The battle raged on the bund for hours. The sound of gunfire echoed through the streets, and the smell of gunpowder filled the air. Men died on both sides, but neither side seemed willing to give up."
Chapter 7: The Phoenix
* After the battle, Jamieson and his allies consolidate their power and rebuild Hong Kong.
* The colony emerges as a symbol of hope and stability in a turbulent region.
* Example: "Hong Kong was a fire that had been extinguished only to rise from the ashes again. It was a city that had endured war and adversity, and it would continue to thrive long after the storms had passed."
