The New Zhang Qian
Ma Ning: 9 Camels, 553 kilometers, 17 days. We were lucky today to interview a guy called Li Ning who has certainly enjoyed many adventures over the past few years. Many thanks to Wang Yue Han for acting as translator.
Zhang Qian was the man who opened the Silk Road for the Chinese almost 200 years ago. Beseiged by the Xiongnu who incessantly raided and pillaged along the border, Zhang Qian was sent as an envoy to negotiate with the Yuezhi. He was captured and held for 10 years, and whilst he failed in his mission as envoy, he discovered both the northern and southern routes around the Taklamakan Desert, as well as the amazing Ferghana horses which would change warfare in China for ever.
The world today is a much safer place but there are still those who exhibit the spirit of people such as Zhang Qian. One man like this is Li Ning, otherwise known as Ma (’Horse’) Ning with whom I was lucky enough to talk to today. Li Ning has crossed the Taklamakan Desert solo, walked thousands of kilometer, made it halfway across Lop Nor, and climbed a number of peaks in Xinjiang.
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