War of Gold and Iron

The Golden Iron War: A Game of National Salvation in a Time of Chaos

In 1898, the transfer of the Zhenyuan warship in Tokyo Bay struck a painful blow to the Chinese people. Yang Du and his father, Yang Ruisheng, were convinced that "gold and iron" were the way to save the nation: build on wealth and defend with military strength. Set against the chaos of 1898 to 1912, this historical novel follows patriots on their path to national salvation, while weaving in several unfinished romances.

From the failure of the Reform Movement to the Allied Forces' entry into Beijing, from the Russo-Japanese struggle over Northeast China to the Tongmenghui's uprising, Yang Du navigates among all sides with his "Golden Iron Doctrine." He builds industries and seeks constitutional government. He and Deling, the daughter of a foreign envoy, fall for each other as their ideals resonate, but the gold necklace they exchange as a token of love is eventually returned amid the chaos. Officer cadets like Wu Luzhen take up arms to defend their homeland. After resisting the Japanese in Yanbian, Wu makes a pact of life and death with Deling’s younger sister, Rongling, and their bond, forged in a hunting rescue, grows ever more passionate amid the flames of war.

After the shots ring out in Wuchang, undercurrents swirl through peace negotiations between north and south. Sun Wen is hampered by a lack of funds, Yuan Shikai waits for a chance to seize power, and news of Wu Luzhen’s assassination sends Rongling on a path of revenge, carrying his saber. The abdication edict of Empress Dowager Longyu finally brings the old era to a close.

Centered on Yang Du, the novel brings together historical figures such as Sun Wen and Yuan Shikai, blending the intrigue of business warfare, the brutality of military conflict, and the maneuvering of political struggle. The fate of the nation intertwines with personal romances. With "gold and iron" as its lifeblood and deep feeling as its soul, the novel lets readers feel the pain of the era while remembering the love and devotion that never came to fruition.

Theme: The greatest struggles, in China and abroad, past and present, are all wars of gold and iron!