An American jewel thief ends up in 1900 China to steal a rare artifact and the effect it had on people lives. Dan Harris finds out through a colleague that a rare artifact made from blue jade is in the possession of a Russian countess who lives in Peking China. Dan heads for Peking to steal the Blue Peacock. A series of events prevent him from stealing it. The countess and him fall in love. They are trapped in Peking when Chinese rebels descend on the city killing foreigners and missionaries. The beginning of the Boxer Rebellion. Alot historical events that take place in this three part series.