The three met in the aftermath of San Francisco's devastating 1906 earthquake--the mandarin lai tsin, a runaway American heiress, and a young englishwoman. Against all odds they made their dreams come true, building one ...The three met in the aftermath of San Francisco's devastating 1906 earthquake--the mandarin lai tsin, a runaway American heiress, and a young englishwoman. Against all odds they made their dreams come true, building one of the world's largest trading companies and most luxurious hotels.