The Great Wall of China was not only a military wall, but it was also one of the first systems of economic defense in history. As early as the 7th century BCE, the Wall was built over centuries to secure China’s important routes of trade, notably the Silk Road, against invasions and raids.
The empire could tax merchants, regulate trade, and control the flow of silk, spices, and precious materials between East and West by controlling the crossings of borders. The Wall’s garrisons became centers of logistics, supply, and commerce, providing stability for long-distance trade.
The Great Wall was a strategic investment, not just stone and earth; it was a hedge for wealth, prosperity, and proof that business has always been as important as borders.
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