Chen Chang was a "highly cultured and wealthy," not to mention brilliant, Chinese warlord. Angered by the Western powers' exploitation of his homeland, he plotted to bring misery and ruin to any Westerner he happens to come across and "to bring disaster upon the white race." He was occasionally aided by River Lily, a murderous Chinese pirate queen. He was opposed by Richard Kendall, an American who managed to succeed through luck rather than any particular skill.