managed to book this today:
YVR-IAD (UA)
IAD-BRU (SN)
BRU-ZRH (LX)
ZRH-BEG (LX) (stop)
BEG-IST (TK)
IST-CAI (TK) (stop)
CAI-BOM (MS)
BOM-SIN (SQ) (stop)
SIN-PEK (CA)
PEK-YVR (CA)
I probably could've pushed for a connection in HKG on the way back but I already spent 3 hours on the phone and was annoyed (and desperate) after calling 8 agents and finally finding someone that was actually knowledgeable and willing to listen to my itinerary. 135k all in J and taxes came out to a very modest $256.41 + booking fee.
the weirdest thing happened while trying to book IAD-BRU. I was able to find space on ANA but if i fed them the flight, they weren't able to see it (only in Y). Expertflyer said there was no space and the UA engine didn't show it as well but the aeroplan engine was spitting it out as a valid connection and lifemiles was showing it too. then I learned it was probably a married segment (on an award booking???
) so I got the agent to search YVR-BRU with a connection in IAD and then they were able to "see" it