The First Discovery

Mid-19th century. French Jesuit missionaries, under the pretext of converting "savages" to the true faith, are conducting reconnaissance in the Far East. Foreign Minister Nesselrode secretly permits English spy Austen to travel along the Amur River. The danger of foreign invasion in the Primorye region grows each year. This is well understood by the patriotically inclined Russian people, among whom was young naval officer Gennady Nevelskoy. Having secured the support of the Governor of Eastern Siberia, Count Muravyov, and the head of the Main Naval Staff, Prince Menshikov, Nevelskoy, without the highest permission, reaches the mouth of the Amur River in the summer of 1849 and discovers a strait between the mainland and Sakhalin Island... . .