Gunpowder Alchemy

After China's crushing defeat at the hands of the British steam ships, the Emperor executed the key members of the Ministry of Science as punishment. Eight years later, the Crown Prince plots to rebuild its fleet. Soling, daughter of the former imperial Head Engineer, becomes caught in this scheme when she's enlisted to find the rebel alchemist who holds the formula for gunpowder fuel. First book of The Gunpowder Chronicles series, a steampunk retelling of the Opium Wars.