The road you travel from Tana to Cathay (China) is perfectly safe, whether by day or night, according to what the merchants say who have used it... Cathay is a province that contained a multitude of cities and towns. Among others there is one, in particular, that is to say, the capital city, to which is a great resort of merchants, and in which there is a vast amount of trade, and this city is called Cambalec. And the said city hath a circuit of one hundred miles, and is all full of people and houses and of dwellers in the said city."Which development was the turning point that led to the expansion of trade between Asia and Europe?
a. The opening of the Silk Road
b. The invention of the compass
c. The establishment of maritime trade routes
d. The development of paper currency
