The humble Wang Lung glories in the soil he works, nurturing the land as it nurtures him and his family. Nearby, the nobles of the House of Hwang consider themselves above the land and its workers; but they will soon meet their own downfall.Hard times come upon Wang Lung and his family when flood and drought force them to seek work in the city. The working people riot, breaking into the homes of the rich and forcing them to flee. When Wang Lung shows mercy to one noble and is rewarded, he begins to rise in the world, even as the House of Hwang falls.

    Written in his characteristic narrative to simplicity it details his negotiation with the central government of Nan king and aims to increase the archaeological and geographical knowledge of these now desolate areas that were once the hub of Buddhist religion and enterprise. Hedin, in this account traverses a part of the route the Marco Polo tread on, and was performed at the time when China was declared a republic. Translated from the Swedish by Elizabeth Sprigge and Claude Napier 20th century - Twentieth century Subject : Central Asia , China-Description and Travel Region : China; Mongolia;; Asia; North-Asia. Period : 1901-2000 AD