Kublai Khan was a wonderful host to the Polos, because he really liked having them around. After 17 years in China, however, the three men were eager to see their home again.
Kublai was just as eager to keep them near him. Then the Polos got a lucky break. The ruler of Persia (now Iran), a great-nephew of Kublai, sent representatives asking Kublai to find him a Mongolian bride. Kublai chose a 17-year-old princess, Kokejin. Because of local wars, the Persian delegation was reluctant to retrace their journey by land. Since Marco had recently returned from a sea voyage to “Indie” (India or the Indies), the Persian representatives begged the khan to let the Polos escort them back to Persia by sea. Kublai grudgingly agreed. He was in his 70s and not well. There was little hope he would ever see them again.
