In the late 17th century, several dozen Cossacks ended up in China. They became some of the best warriors in the Qing Empire, and their descendants still live there today. How did this come to be? In 1685, Chinese troops laid siege to the Albazin fortress on the Amur River, Russia’s main stronghold in the Far East. In Beijing, this territory was considered part of China. The small Russian garrison bravely defended itself against a vastly superior force. However, with no hope of reinforcements, the Cossacks agreed to an honorable surrender. The fortress defenders were given the chance to return to their homeland. For those who feared the long and arduous journey, the Chinese offered to enlist them with good pay, and 45 Cossacks agreed. The idea of recruiting such dangerous and strong opponents as the Russians came from Emperor Kangxi himself. The Cossacks were enlisted into an elite unit of his army — the so-called yellow-bordered banner, in the "Russian company" known as Gudei. They were given housing, arable land, and allowed to marry local women. They were also given an old Buddhist temple, which they converted into an Orthodox church. The Cossacks participated in Qing military campaigns against the Western Mongols and engaged in propaganda among their former comrades to lure them over to the emperor's side. Over time, they assimilated into the local population, and their descendants still live in China. They no longer speak Russian and are indistinguishable from the Chinese. However, they continue to honor the memory of their ancestors.