"Western China, 1196. Yun Cai, once a handsome and adored young poet, is now exiled to his family estates to suffer a bitter old age and the irritations of his feckless heir and shrewish daughter-in-law. But 'poison dragons' of cruel ambition sweep away Yun Cai's dull existence when a band of rebel horsemen terrorise his village. He also fears a debt of honour: to save his oldest friend, P'ei Ti, now the rebels' most valuable hostage in a hellish prison. Throughout these ordeals, Yun Cai is drawn to memories of his glittering yet perilous youth in the imperial capital, and a reckless love for the beautiful singing girl, Su Lin, that cost his freedom and almost his life. Yun Cai must now rediscover his old wit and courage to confront the ruthless warlord General An-Shu and his beautiful but cruel consort, the Lady Ta-Chi."--Publisher description.
