It's 11 a.m. on January 22nd, 1808, in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Brazil.

40-year-old, D'Am Gwold, Prince Regent of Portugal, wakes to the familiar rhythm of a ship slowly rising

and falling in the water. After more than two months at sea, the gentle creek and lurch of the

decks has become a constant companion. Two months ago, a French army invaded Portugal

and marched to the outskirts of Lisbon. Facing total defeat, Jouau and the rest of the Portuguese royal family chose to flee rather than surrender.

Now they're seeking sanctuary thousands of miles away on the other side of the Atlantic.

Brazil is Portugal's largest colony, and it's going to host the country's royal court in exile.

But as Zhao lies in bed dozing, he suddenly hears the

unmistakable sound of birds. Zhao jolts upright, tumbles from his bed and rushes to the porthole.

What he sees brings his smile to his face. They've reached their destination at last.

Zhao hurries out of his cabin.

The deck is already crowded with dozens of other passengers leaning over the rail.

Several bow or curtsey as Zhao pushes past, barely noticing them.

His attention is fixed on the coastline ahead, where the city of Salvador sits at the mouth of a wide bay.

He's been thinking about this moment for weeks.

Having fled his home in traumatic circumstances, he's dreamed of a warm welcome in Brazil,

but there's no one here to greet him.

A few fishing boats and merchant ships lie anchored in the harbor, but the docks are deserted.

As far as Zhu can tell, Salvador is a ghost town.

Despite the muted welcome, Dom Jouw's arrival will transform Brazil forever.

Over the next 13 years, he will oversee the rapid development of his new South American home,

but he will also be

...