The Litchi Ancient Road originated during the Tianbao era of the Great Tang Dynasty. To satisfy Emperor Xuanzong’s concubine, Consort Yang, who had a penchant for fresh litchis, he ordered the construction of a courier route specifically for their transport. The route began in Fuling and stretched over a thousand kilometers to Chang’an via the Ziwu Road. To ensure the fresh fruit reached the capital within seven days, the transport teams changed men every ten miles and horses every thirty miles, racing day and night with whips cracking and hooves pounding. Because the route’s primary function was the transport of litchis, dynasties following the Song referred to it as the Litchi Ancient Road. By the Ming Dynasty, it had become a vital artery for merchants traveling between Sichuan and Shaanxi.
[Map of the Ancient Roads of Qin and Shu]
"Ahem..." After his initial surprise, a look of worry clouded Zhang Xianzhong’s face. "Attacking Hanzhong via the Litchi Ancient Road and then proceeding to take Chengdu via the Golden Ox Road is indeed an unexpected strategy."
Chapter 394