Columbus was looking for a sea route to Asia precisely because the Silk Route was not a reliable trade option for Europeans during that period.

The Silk Route's heyday was during the Mongol period, and following the disintegration of the Mongol Empire overland trade through Central Asia declined. Another blow to European overland trade with Asia occurred when the Ottomans took Constantinople in 1453 and embargoed trade with the West.

So, by the time the New World was discovered, the Silk Road was not really a thing anymore, at least for European merchants.

China was a major benefactor of the gold and silver being extracted from the New World. I'm going off of a hazy Chinese history course. I remember being surprised, but it actually makes a lot of sense when you stop and think about it.