Chapter 2 Summary

Robb is in the main cabin having tea with Captain Isaac Perry. He is surprised when his nephew, Culum, enters the cabin. He tells them of the plague epidemic that occurred in Scotland and that his mother, brothers, and various family members are dead. His cousin, Roddy, Robb's son, is safe. They go ashore to tell Dirk. When Dirk learns of the events, he sends Chen Sheng to Macao to buy herbs and other remedies attributed to helping ease the after-effects of the plague. They sail to the flagship. During the ride, Dirk reads the dispatches and learns of the missing ship and a year of lost profits. Other financial news, such as a run on their bank, is not good. They learn that they are broke.

Dirk also reads the news of the industrial revolution and all of the changes in England...