Answer: C. Chinese merchants were less valued in society and therefore traders had more freedom to travel and expand markets.
Explanation: Confucianism brought a stability into a country which had been effected in many ways from previous changeovers in dynasty's. Confucius believed that every person had there place in society. He enforced through his philosophy, and turned Ancient China into a structured society. This structured society was based on work/effort given by the social class. For example- The merchants were at the bottom of this system even though many were wealthy, they didn't labor like farmers did.