Which of the characters in the scenario plays a role most similar to the Ottoman Empire at the beginning of the Age of Exploration? A store owner sells expensive rugs at his shop. To get the rugs, he needs to drive to another city to purchase them from the talented weaver who makes them. However, the highway that connects the two cities has a toll bridge whose owner charges drivers a fee to use it. The store owner hopes to avoid paying the fee by finding another route. Though his employees are convinced that he will never be able to find an alternate path, the store owner eventually discovers that he can avoid the toll bridge by taking a series of back roads. The store owner is finally able to purchase rugs from the weaver without paying any tolls!

A. The store owner
B. The talented weaver
C. The store employees
D. The toll bridge owner

D. The toll bridge owner ​