I traveled through time and became the Queen of Ancient Dian

Guard Zhuge entered. "What are your orders, Queen?" Baona pointed into the darkness. "Increase patrols. I'm feeling uneasy."

The trade of the ancient Dian Kingdom was unprecedentedly prosperous, with silk, tea, and porcelain continuously shipped to neighboring countries in exchange for precious spices, gems, and medicinal herbs.

However, Baona knew that one should not put all eggs in one basket and that relying on a single trade route was extremely risky.

She decided to open up a new trade route, a route leading to the more distant and richer Western Regions.

That morning, the caravan led by Shangguan Xingshang was ready to set off. The sound of camel bells and the clatter of horses' hooves broke the tranquility of the early morning.

Merchant Murong stood on the city wall, watching the huge caravan moving further and further away. He had now become Baona's right-hand man, responsible for managing trade within the kingdom, but there was still a trace of resentment in his heart.

He originally wanted to lead the team himself on this trip to the Western Regions, but Baona entrusted it to Shangguan Xingshang.

The caravan traveled westward, crossing mountains and ridges and crossing turbulent rivers.

The scenery along the way is magnificent, but dangerous.

One day, the caravan camped in a dense forest to rest.

The leader of the Sima tribe came to visit and brought bad news: "A group of fierce robbers have recently appeared on this road, specializing in robbing passing caravans."

As soon as these words were spoken, the caravan members immediately looked worried.

Guard Zhuge stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Her Majesty has already made arrangements. We are well-equipped with sophisticated weapons and well-trained guards, and we will definitely protect the caravan."

Although Zhuge's guards were full of confidence, there was still a tense atmosphere in the air.

A few days later, the caravan arrived at a canyon with steep mountains and dense forests on both sides, which was an ideal place for robbers to roam.

Sure enough, a sharp whistle pierced the sky, and a group of ragged and ferocious-looking robbers rushed out of the mountains and forests and surrounded the caravan.

The leader of the robbers, holding a gleaming broadsword, shouted ferociously, "I built this road, I planted these trees! If you want to pass this way, you have to pay me money!"

Shangguan Xingshang forced himself to remain calm and approached, "My dear friends, we are a caravan from the ancient Dian Kingdom. This is our first time passing through this precious land. Please give us some courtesy."

"Stop talking nonsense!" the robber leader interrupted him impatiently, "Leave all the goods behind and I'll spare your life!"

The caravan members clenched their weapons tightly, and the atmosphere was tense and ready to explode.

Shangguan Xingshang's face was pale and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

He secretly glanced at Zhuge's guard behind him and signaled him with his eyes to be ready.

Guard Zhuge nodded slightly, placed his right hand on the sword at his waist, and stared at the robber opposite with a sharp gaze.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew past, stirring up a cloud of dust...

"Get started..." A deep voice came from the caravan.

The wind and sand suddenly stopped, and Zhuge's guard shot out like an arrow. The long sword in his hand flashed with a cold light, and in an instant he killed a robber off his horse.

"Kill!" He shouted loudly, and the caravan guards who had been lying in ambush jumped out, formed a well-trained formation, and launched a fierce attack on the robbers.

Baona stood on the carriage and calmly commanded the battle: "Encircle the left side! Archers, shoot!" Arrows flew through the air, and screams rang out one after another.

The robbers originally thought that this was just an ordinary caravan, but they did not expect to encounter such strong resistance, and they immediately fell into chaos.

Zhuge's guards led the charge, their swordsmanship was fierce, blood splattered wherever they went, and no one could stop them.

He was like a tiger descending from the mountain, unstoppable, killing the robbers so much that they were terrified.

The caravan members were a little timid at first, but when they saw how brave Zhuge's guards were, their morale was boosted, and they all waved their weapons and fought bravely.

Seeing that the situation was not good, the leader of the robbers thought to himself that something was wrong and wanted to escape, but was forced back by a sword from Zhuge's guard.

"If you surrender, you can still keep your lives!" Guard Zhuge shouted sternly.

The robbers had already lost all their fighting spirit. They dropped their weapons and knelt down to beg for mercy.

"Have mercy! We are also forced to do so..."

Baona got off the carriage, glanced at the robbers kneeling on the ground, and a barely perceptible smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

"You want to live?"

The robbers kowtowed repeatedly, "Want to live! Want to live!"

Baona said slowly, "I can give you a chance. Lead us safely through this trade route. After you succeed, you will be rewarded handsomely."

The robbers looked at each other in bewilderment. They didn't expect Baona to make such a condition.

The robber leader raised his head, a glimmer of hope in his eyes, "Are you serious?"

Baona nodded, "My word is my bond."

The robber leader immediately agreed, "Okay! We'll lead the way!"

Thus, this group of ferocious robbers transformed themselves into guides for the caravan.

Led by the robbers, the caravan continued its journey westward.

As the sun sets, the sky is burning with a fiery red sunset, which shines on the winding mountain road, making it look particularly mysterious.

Shangguan Xingshang rode beside Baona and couldn't help but whisper, "Empress, why don't you..."

Baona raised her hand to interrupt him, looking into the distance, and said meaningfully: "This road has just begun..."

Guard Zhuge led the way at the front of the caravan, and his robbers stood on both sides of the team, keeping a certain distance from the caravan guards.

Although they were once enemies, they did not dare to act rashly in the face of Baona's wisdom and majesty.

The afterglow of the setting sun shines on the winding mountain road, forming a golden glow.

The caravan moved forward slowly, passing through dense forests and steep mountains.

The robber leader gave directions from time to time to ensure that the caravan avoided potentially dangerous areas.

The group finally came to an open area. It was a flat grassland with mountains in the distance.

"We're here. This is the shortcut to the Western Regions." The robber leader pointed forward with a hint of relief in his tone.

The caravan members were all surprised. Shangguan Xingshang excitedly patted the reins and shouted, "Everyone, work harder, victory is at hand!" Guard Zhuge also nodded. The morale of the caravan instantly increased, and everyone quickened their pace. Soon they walked out of the grassland and entered a wider canyon.

Baona stood high on the carriage, overlooking the scene ahead, with an indescribable sense of satisfaction welling up in her heart.

The successful opening of this new route not only means that the trade of the ancient Dian Kingdom will become more prosperous, but also means that her decision has been verified.

She gently combed her hair that was messed up by the wind, and a faint smile appeared on her face.

A few days later, the caravan returned safely to the ancient Dian Kingdom.

Baona met with the Queen of Ancient Dian as soon as possible and reported the situation of the expedition in detail.

The queen sat on the throne, her eyes full of relief and love.

She gently stroked Baona's face, her voice as gentle as water: "You did very well, my child."

Baona looked up at the Queen of Ancient Dian, feeling her endless tenderness, and her heart was filled with happiness.

She held the Queen's hand tightly and whispered, "This is all your teaching. I will definitely not let you down."

However, just as Baona was immersed in this happiness, the leader of the Sima tribe suddenly appeared outside the palace and asked for an audience with a serious expression.

The queen nodded slightly and signaled the leader of the Sima tribe to enter.

"Queen, the opening of the new route is certainly worth celebrating, but we still need to be cautious about whether the major tribes will change their trade strategies as a result." The leader of the Sima tribe said respectfully.

The Queen smiled slightly, her gaze returning to Baona, and said meaningfully, "Go, bring news of the new trade route and negotiate with them. Your wisdom and courage will surely win us more allies."

Baona nodded firmly, turned around and strode out of the hall, her heart full of confidence and determination. New paths had been explored, trade routes were waiting to be opened, and challenges ahead still awaited her.