In the Context of European Trade with Asia, a "Factory

In the context of European trade with Asia, a "factory" is:

A) The place where Asian goods are manufactured for the European markets.
B) The diplomatic quarters in Beijing, called "factory" because they were headed up by a "factor."
C) The place where merchants, local agents, and other interested parties gathered to conduct business.
D) The place European merchants brought their wives and other family members to stay during the trading seasons.