scholarly research. The opening of the book begins by introducing the Yangtze River (Yang-Tseu-Kiang), heralded as the most important waterway in China. Dautremer describes its source, navigation systems, and the provinces it nourishes, creating a detailed portrait of the river's geography. He discusses the river's navigability, the various tributaries, and the risks associated with traversing the upper stretches of the Yangtze. Furthermore, the narrative touches on the economic and agricultural characteristics of the provinces flanking the river, emphasizing their reliance on rice cultivation and the intricate relationship between the river and local communities. (This is an automatically generated summary.)