The Russian road to China

Across the endless steppes and frozen rivers of Siberia, an ancient trail winds its way toward the Chinese border, threading the Urals, the Altai foothills, and the shores of Lake Baikal. This is the story of a road forged by Cossacks, traders, exiles and engineers, a spine of steel that gradually turned wilderness into towns and cities. As the narrative unfolds, the reader follows the early merchants of the Stroganov family as they barter furs with nomadic Samoied peoples, laying the financial foundation for Russia’s eastward surge.

When the beleaguered Cossack leader Yermak arrives, seeking redemption after a clash with Imperial forces, the Stroganovs see an opportunity to push the frontier further into Tatar‑controlled lands. They equip him with fresh muskets, bargaining with the promise of wealth and a chance to tame the hostile steppe. The stage is set for a daring expedition that will test loyalty, ambition, and the harsh realities of a road that seems endless.