the Red Poppies

Set against the backdrop of the collapse of the tusi (native chieftain) system in the Tibetan-inhabited areas of western Sichuan during the first half of the 20th century, the novel tells the story of the "foolish" second son of the Maichi chieftain's family.

Considered an idiot by everyone around him, this young master nevertheless possesses an uncanny prescience and wisdom that transcends his time. While other chieftains were vying with each other to plant poppies, he suggested growing wheat instead. As a result, when an oversupply of opium led to widespread famine, masses of starving refugees flocked to the Maichi family, greatly expanding their territory and population. The foolish young master thus won the hand of the beautiful Tana as his wife and went on to establish the first border trade market in the Kham region.

However, beneath this prosperity lurked hidden dangers. The struggle over succession within the family grew increasingly fierce. In the end, amid the thunderous roar of the People's Liberation Army's artillery, the Maichi family's fortified manor came crashing down, bringing an old era to its definitive close.