1628. The most able general of the Ming Emperor is appointed as supreme military leader of the North-East Army, an intellectual and highly regarded aristocrat: Yuan Chonghuan.

He fought and pushed back the invading Manchus for ten years. But it was clear that soon he had to defend his homeland. He did it with bravery and courage, winning all the battles against the invaders even when he was badly outnumbered.

The Manchus understood that they could only defeat Chonghuan through intrigue and politics. They managed to bribe officials and eunuchs. The General was charged with treachery and executed on September 22, 1630. Before dying, he cursed the Emperor to reach a time when he had to kill his own children.

This time came when the walls of the Forbidden City were broken by the peasants of Li Zicheng. Before committing suicide, the Emperor did kill his wives and children.

Two Portuguese sailors were present at the events - they saved the life of one of Emperor's daughters and took her to a monastery in the South. And this is how the legend of Changping and the Portuguese sailor starts. And this is how (nine generations later), two Americans of Portuguese descendent are tied to the curse — their lives will change forever.