Zhang Qian

Chinese, 164 BCE – c.114 BCE

Zhang Qian, a diplomat of the Western Han dynasty, was dispatched to Central Asia by Emperor Wu in 138 BCE. He led an expedition to contact the Yuezhi in the hopes of forming an alliance against the Xiongnu, but the Xiongnu captured Qian and his companions. They finally escaped after a decade in captivity and Qian continued his mission, only for the Yuezhi to reject the alliance. Even though he had failed, Qian gained a wealth of knowledge about the West, which led to the establishment of the Silk Road and China’s expansion into the West.