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Dear Diary,
We have finally reached the capital city of Xanadu; the heart of this great Mongolian Empire. It brings me great joy after almost four long years of traveling around thousands of miles through the harsh dessert and along the Silk Road to finally reach the Mongolian Empire. The city of Xanadu, became my new obsession as I walked along the crowded marketplace with different people whom I never seen in my entire life. The scent of exotic flowers and spices from around the world made the whole city burst into life, and listening to people chat with their foreign languages. Merchants from many different shops ushered me to take a look of their fine goods ranging from; spice, rare herbs, silk cloths, precious stones, beautiful hand crafted jewelries, porcelain, cotton, woolen cloths, animals, animal skins, ironworks, and many more. But what astonished me the most, was the use of paper currency that had somehow made its way into their efficient economy. I observed a few passersby exchanging the paper money for goods, and noticed larger pieces of paper were worth more. The bills were stamped, sealed, and old worn out currency could be exchanged for new ones, with a small few of course. But this wasn’t as nearly astonish, when arriving at Kublai Khan’s summer palace. Upon my arrival at his palace, I was nearly in shock by how unworldly huge the palace was, adorned with towering walls and pillars reflecting the emperor’s power and nobility. It was as the whole place was mocking at your tiny being, with guards were stationed on every post, graced with finely crafted armor and weapons. I was greeted with his attendants, who I gave the holy oil that I have obtained in Jerusalem and the letters from the pope. They escorted me and my crew to have an audience with their great emperor; Kublai Khan. I was of course nervous, scared, and honored to meet him. He sat upon his throne looking down on me as I bowed and present myself to him. Of course I didn’t know...