Join or Sign In
Sign in to customize your TV listings
By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.
3 Episodes 2019 - 2019
Episode 1
Discover what happens when the King of Spain's supply of silver meets the Emperor of China's tax demands. This remarkable story places China at the center of world trade 400 years ago, when China's demand for silver linked the world into one global network.
Episode 2
Modern China is the second-largest economy in the world, soon to be number one. But this isn't anything new for China, which has always been an economic and cultural power in the world; Emperor Qianlong ruled over the empire for over 50 years, which extended from the Himalayas to the Yellow Sea. Spin back just over two hundred years to see what "addictive" commodities are at the heart of China's trade with Great Britain.
Episode 3
China grew in wealth from tax reform and international trade with silver that boosted its economy, but as the 19th century approached, the British Empire rose to be a challenger. The sun is setting on the Chinese Empire as the balance of power shifts between China and Great Britain. But China is once again the world's biggest importer of silver, thanks to new high-tech industries.