Question

You are an ambitious young person living in Rome. You have 16 gold coins in your pocket. An odd ship captain approaches you and offers to take you to Chang’an along a new oversea route. The total cost of travel to Chang’an will be 14 gold coins—one way. Once in Chang’an, the only way to travel back to Rome is along the Silk Road. Would you go to Chang’an with the captain? (Assume information in the table still applies.) Explain what you would do to return to Rome and become a rich person.

Answer 1

I would consider the opportunity to travel to Chang'an with the captain. This new oversea route could potentially lead to new business opportunities and wealth, as Chang'an was a major center of trade and commerce in ancient China.To return to Rome and become a rich person, I would use the Silk Road as a means of transportation and trade. Along the Silk Road, I would look for valuable goods that I could buy or trade for in Chang'an and sell for a profit in Rome. Some examples of valuable goods along the Silk Road include silk, spices, precious metals, and gems.I would also network with other traders and merchants along the Silk Road to learn about potential business opportunities and make valuable connections. This would allow me to expand my trade and potentially become a successful merchant, accumulating wealth and power over time.