At about the time the maritime powers were making links with the orient, the notion of China as a land of extraordinary riches began to spread. As one contemporary visitor reported: "This is a mighty, wealthy country, blessed with silk, gems, pearls, quicksilver, rhubarb, japonica, musk, and other treasures, in great abundance."
隨著歐洲海權國家與遠東往來愈來愈頻繁，有關中國神話般富庶的傳說漸漸流傳開來，甚至文獻中有這樣的記載，「這是一個富庶而強大的國家，這裡有豐富的絲綢、寶石、珍珠、水銀、大黃、黃蓮、麝香和其他珍貴物品。