The story of the rise to prominence of Luk, a Shanghai fruitseller who became one of the most powerful men in China in the first half of the 20th Century.

The continuing saga of the life of one of the most powerful men in China in the first half of the 20th Century. By the late 1920's, Luk has established himself as the overlord of Shanghai; a player in politics, business, and the huge underworld. But his generosity begins to strain his finances. Pondering his future, he decides to make a strong commitment to the country, opting for high society over getting high.