A United States Midshipman in China

On a gunboat drifting the mighty Yangtze, two newly‑commissioned midshipmen find themselves thrust into a volatile China where foreign lives hang in the balance. Their ship, the Phoenix, watches a bustling river town where European families and missionaries mingle with local officials, yet an undercurrent of danger ripples beneath the surface. The young officers, eager yet cautious, hear rumors of a ruthless viceroy and a feared local powerbroker whose iron rule threatens to erupt into open violence.

Guided by the seasoned pilot Langdon, they learn that the fragile peace is a thin veneer, poised to shatter at any sign of insult to the foreigners. As tensions rise, the midshipmen must navigate not only the treacherous currents of the river but also the tangled web of diplomacy, intrigue, and looming conflict. Their first days on the Phoenix set the stage for daring actions that test courage, loyalty, and the resolve of a navy far from home.