COLLECTION · Series · 2018

沧海丝路

Original title

During the Western Han dynasty, Emperor Wu Liu Che dispatched Zhang Qian on a mission to the Western Regions, opening the overland Silk Road, and years later Liu Che made the strategic decision to open a maritime Silk Road. In the face of formidable opposition, the little-known young man Yi Buquan was appointed at a moment of crisis to serve as chief envoy of the Han mission. Various court factions led by Liu Tailiang and Tu Liumen, acting from different motives, maneuvered repeatedly around this new national strategy, and Yi Buquan was drawn into their frequent clashes. With life-and-death support from his beloved Ziyu and fellow envoy Wang Zhongwu among others, Yi Buquan led the Han envoys, bearing the重托 entrusted to them by the nation, setting sail from the home port of Hepu to spread benevolence and righteousness to the world, cultivate friendship with distant peoples, benefit allied states, and extend grace across the seas, carrying Han silk and other products as well as Chinese civilization far across the world. Enduring countless hardships, they visited eight states including Duyuan, Yilumei, Chenli, and Yibucheng, opening the world-renowned Maritime Silk Road in an unprecedented and heroic achievement.