Tobol by Alexei Ivanov. Short summary

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Siberia at the time of Peter the Great’s reforms: here the interests of the state, the local population, and adventurers of all stripes intersected.

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Siberia in the early 18th century. Peter the Great’s reforms touched the dense eastern lands, awakening them from their centuries-long slumber. The development of Siberia begins with a clash of two ways of life — European and Asian.

New people rush into this wilderness: for riches, known and unknown, or by the sovereign’s will. The army and criminals, officials and dissenters, captive Swedes and scholars. Mongols, Chinese and Russian brigands raid spontaneously. And in this simmering cauldron — humble natives, ostyaks and Mansi, cunning traders Bukharians, Christian missionaries, Germans, and many other people.

All of them have their own interest in the wild, thousands of versts away from the center, mystical land. Peter expects profit from Siberia. He sends his viceroys, auditors and agents there. But most of them are lost in the boundless expanses — they are detached from the interests of the sovereign, pursuing personal lucre.