1919. Asia is plunged into chaos.
Extraordinary armoured trains cut across Russia, Siberia and Manchuria. Among them, Admiral Kokchak’s train transports the gold of the counter revolutionary government and is the object of everyone’s desire.
In this ruthless treasure hunt, Corto Maltese helps the Red Lanterns, who once saved his life. With Rasputin, his constant friend/enemy, they’ll encounter mysterious Chinese triads, a Russian duchesse, as charming as she is depraved, a follower of Genghis Khan, an American aviator and several generals caught between nostaglia for past grandeur and worry about their future which is already in jeopardy…