The Sufi Mystic Ibn Batuta

In 1341, Ibn Batuta was ordered to go on a hodge to Mecca. But the Sultan knew that if Ibn Batuta went to Mecca, he wasn't coming back. And so he brought Ibn Batuta a new proposal: Go to China as an ambassador to the Mongol court. The Sultan would send along 200 slaves, singers and dancers, 100 horses,. textiles, robes, dishware, and other cool stuff.