Okay so hear me out…
I was asking myself: why China? What's the matter with this particular country that makes Ed pick it without missing a beat?
They need a refuge, which should be far away, yet reachable by ship. Fair. But there are many countries fulfilling these requirements. Why China?
And then it hit me. What is China famous for? Or was, back in the days? Fine fabrics, colourful garments and expensive silk. They used to trade those to the west, thus forming the historically Silk Road, which spanned almost the entire Asian continent.
Ed is a well-travelled man. He has heard of China's silk for sure, maybe he has even seen it first-hand, once or twice. When he freely dreams of a life with Stede, and is looking for a place to start anew, he immediately suggests China. Why? Not only because it's far away. But because it's a country that is just as colourful as Stede and on top of that it is defined by the one thing that had been their secret connection from the start. Fine things.
GIFs made by @rainbowbonnet . Many thanks <3
