Lingnan Tribute Road

During the Tianbao period of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, Du Yuanshan, the judge of the Lingnan Economic and Strategic Affairs Office, was well aware of the difficulties in transporting lychees. In order to reduce the tax pressure on the people of Lingnan, he was determined to open a sustainable tribute road. Du Yuanshan joined forces with Lingnan merchants, Dong people leaders and post officials to form a special transportation team. Instead of pursuing the impossible in terms of speed, they developed a complete "live tree transportation" system - transplanting the entire lychee tree with roots and soil into a special large wooden box, and transporting it via water and land relays, taking careful care along the way to ensure that the lychee matures on the tree. This initiative not only solved the problem of freshness, but also unexpectedly promoted cultural exchanges between Lingnan and the Central Plains. With the transportation of lychee trees to the north, music, dance, medicine, etc. From Lingnan were also introduced to Chang'an, forming a "living Silk Road". However, this success also attracted the covetousness of the imperial dignitaries and the obstruction of local forces in Lingnan. Du Yuanshan must protect this hard-won communication channel while saving his own life.