Front Page News Story

Discovering a Road of Silk

Teaghan Murphy: Time Travel Reporter

 

 

 

 

 

     In the Han dynasty, Zhang Quian, was the first to discover the route of the Silk Road. This man was deployed to the western region by emperor Wudi (Silk Road in Western China). Zhang Quian was sent to make an alliance with the Da Yuezhi. In 139 B.C, Zhang Quian was set out. However, when he crossed the Hexi Corridor, he was captured by Huns. He spent ten years in captivity and was finally able to escape. He traveled through the Pamir Mountains and the Gobi desert. Zhang Quian finally met the Da Yuezhi. However, they would not make an alliance with them because they believed that the Huns were too strong. Dissatisfied, Zhang Quian decided to return to the Han Empire. On his way home, he was once again captured by the Huns for a year. Again he made an escape and made it home (Zhang Quian). When he returned he told Wudi about the lands he had seen. Wudi was very interested in the information about the far lands (Silk Road in Western China).

 

     Zhang Quian made a second journey out to ally with another group. This time he made it much more easily. He is credited with being the pioneer of the Silk Road (Silk Road in Western Han Dynasty). The first and second trips westward became the western and southern routes of the Silk Road. The expeditions occurred because Zhang Quian was the ambassador at that time. Being an ambassador means that it was his job to travel to far lands. Zhang Quian was sent out to make an alliance but Zhang Quian actually changed the future of trade in his discoveries.