just comparing what was possible (though not necessarily desirable or frequently done thing) before and what isn't possible after.
as a trader, technically there was no range limit before.. the limit is enough gold to pay the men (so you don't get robbed) and repair the equipment and of course, time. well, i suppose there's a limit to the distance your men is willing to go before lynching you.
"before" it was a case of knowing there's such a deal on offer before trundling off somewhere far off with lots of gold.
whereas now, don't need the gold or men since it's done in bonds.
perhaps another way of doing it would be a trader can access X miles from where he is atm + market offers of own realm?