The term "Silk Road" is a later designation.
It holds a pivotal position in Chinese history.
Strictly speaking, there are four Silk Roads in total.
The northern route began in the Han Dynasty, starting from Chang'an and extending all the way to the Mediterranean countries.
The southern route starts from Sichuan and heads west.
The Grassland Silk Road started from the grasslands, led to Central Asia, and finally to Europe.
The land-based Silk Road was easily affected by war, and the Western Regions were a place plagued by constant warfare.
Therefore, there is another Silk Road, which is the Maritime Silk Road.
This Silk Road can be considered the oldest major sea route ever established by humankind.
His journey began in Quanzhou and Guangzhou, passing through the islands of Southeast Asia, crossing the Strait of Lingyamen, then heading west to Choryan (southern India), crossing the ocean to reach the Abbasid Caliphate (Arabia), then to Kunlunnu (Africa), and finally entering Europe by land, before arriving in the Roman Empire (Da Qin).
On countless sunny and stormy days, ship after ship, laden with a dazzling array of goods, set sail from China, traveled thousands of miles, and docked at the azure coast of the sea.
People with different skin colors, different colored eyes, and speaking completely different languages looked at the silk, ceramics, tea, bronzeware, and other items being unloaded with curious and enthusiastic eyes.
Although China is a major agricultural country, it actually started long-distance ocean trade a very long time ago, with generations of people sailing on ancient routes.
Especially during the Tang Dynasty, not only were many goods transported overseas, but countless people from overseas also crossed the ocean to land in China.
Take Guangzhou for example. Since the Tang Dynasty, many people from all over the world have gathered here.
The Maritime Trade Office, established during the Sui and Tang dynasties, was equivalent to a customs office, and it reached its peak during the Song dynasty.
However, some people later proved to be unworthy and blocked the path to the ocean themselves.
After the establishment of the Maritime Trade Office, China's shipbuilding technology also made rapid progress.
By the time of Zhao Huan, ships had reached their historical peak, and were the highest point in the world.
Ships sailing from China attract countless onlookers wherever they go.
For example, in Chorian, people would stand by the sea, watching the ships of the Song Dynasty sail by, gazing longingly at the merchant ships laden with goods, dreaming of going aboard to see them.
Some people even remarked: "If I could visit the places these ships came from, it would be worth dying for."
Even when they reached the waters of the Arab world, the Arabs, renowned for their shipbuilding, still exclaimed upon seeing the merchant ships of the Song Dynasty: "A miracle created by God!"
Haha, in recent years, Zhao Huan hasn't devoted much of his energy to the sea.
After all, the strategic focus for the past decade has been on basic needs, military affairs, and domestic trade.
In order to check Zhao Gou's power, Zhao Huan appointed Yu Yunwen as the Minister of the Navy.
Zhao Huan also maintained an absolutely open attitude towards doing business with people from overseas.
After all, our Celestial Empire is a land of abundant resources and treasures; we are not so petty as to prevent these people from living here.
Besides, business still needs to be done, and there's an age-old principle in business: harmony brings wealth.
But some people just don't want to be peaceful; these are the people who want to cause trouble in Guangzhou.
Do they think they have special privileges in Guangzhou just because they are "foreigners"?
I let you stay not to curry favor with you, but because I pity you and am giving you a chance.
Don't get me wrong, if someone wants to cause trouble, I can too.
Setting the letter aside, Zhao Huan rubbed his temples. He had a life motto: spend as little time as possible trying to persuade a person or a group with theories.
Those who can set rules are not those who rely on reason, but those who rely on force.
Tokyo is just ahead.
When the emperor returned in triumph, civil and military officials were already waiting outside the city to greet him.
More people from Tokyo came to greet them.
Once the emperor's entourage arrived, shouts rang out: "Long live the Emperor!"
Amidst cheers and applause, Zhao Huan returned to Tokyo, a city he had left more than six months prior.
It was early summer, when lotus flowers were just beginning to bloom, and the trees lining the streets of Tokyo were already adorned with light green, exuding vitality and energy.
The wind blew from afar, gently caressing the Bian River, carrying moisture as it wandered through the streets of Tokyo, fluttering the emperor's cloak.
The people of Tokyo warmly welcomed the emperor's victorious army.
Wanyan Dan was taken prisoner of war and sent to the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
After entering the palace, Zhao Huan hurriedly took a hot bath and changed his clothes.
Afterwards, Zhu Lian, accompanied by Roujia, and Han Chenchen, accompanied by Zhao Chun, went to Zhao Huan's palace to pay their respects.
Upon seeing the now graceful and elegant Roujia, Zhao Huan was momentarily dazed, only to realize that he had already traveled through time to the eleventh year.
Even though I've only been away for a little over six months, it feels like I've been gone for ages.
"Father, you're finally back. Roujia missed you so much."
Ignoring Emperor Zhao Huan's dignity, Roujia rushed forward and hugged him. Zhu Lian reminded her from behind, "Roujia, what kind of behavior is this?"
"It's alright, I also miss our Roujia very much."
Roujia is already sixteen years old this year. According to the customs of the Song Dynasty, at the age of sixteen, she is of marriageable age.
However, an emperor like Zhao Huan, who came from another era, wouldn't care about such things. He didn't object to Roujia not getting married even at the age of thirty.
Anyway, he can afford to support him!
Zhu Lian reminded her, "Roujia has reached the age to get married, and she can no longer hold the Emperor like she did when she was a child."
"It's alright, it's alright. She's my daughter, there's no need to worry!" Zhao Huan laughed, his laughter quite relaxed, like someone from an ordinary family. He looked at Roujia with loving eyes and asked curiously, "Is there a man you've taken a fancy to?"
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