Definition: In this task, you're given a statement and three sentences as choices. Your job is to determine which sentence can be inferred from the statement. Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or have details that are not mentioned in the statement. Indicate your answer as 1,2, or 3 corresponding to the choice number of the selected sentence.
Input: Statement: At the same time, merchants built up a thriving trade with the rest of the Roman Empire. Choices:  1. Merchants built up trade. 2. Merchants struggled to trade. 3. Merchants built up trade with Greece.

1