This book explores the vital role of merchants within early modern China. Unlike European merchants, their Sino-colleagues have long been regarded as certain social pariahs after pre-Qin period, despite the fortune they made. The key mission of this monograph is to investigate whether the standing of merchants in the Ming Empire has been improved compared with their predecessors. Generally, their status is reflected in state-merchant relationship and their role in the market, which can be found in miscellaneous economic activities such as market monopoly, commercial taxation, international trade, and consumption. This book aims to be of relevance to students and researchers interested in early modern history, eastern commerce, Ming merchants, and contemporary global affairs.

This book explores the vital role of merchants within early modern China. Unlike European merchants, their Sino-colleagues have long been regarded as certain social pariahs after pre-Qin period, despite the fortune they made. The key mission of this monograph is to investigate whether the standing of merchants in the Ming Empire has been improved compared with their predecessors. Generally, their status is reflected in state-merchant relationship and their role in the market, which can be found in miscellaneous economic activities such as market monopoly, commercial taxation, international trade, and consumption. This book aims to be of relevance to students and researchers interested in early modern history, eastern commerce, Ming merchants, and contemporary global affairs.

Dieses Buch erforscht die wichtige Rolle der Kaufleute im fruhen modernen China. Im Gegensatz zu den europaischen Kaufleuten galten ihre chinesischen Kollegen in der Vor-Qin-Zeit lange Zeit als soziale Parias, trotz des Reichtums, den sie erwirtschafteten. In dieser Monographie soll untersucht werden, ob sich die Stellung der Kaufleute im Ming-Reich im Vergleich zu ihren Vorgangern verbessert hat und wie die chinesische Monarchie mit Handlern umgegangen ist. Es werden die Beziehungen zwischen Staat und Handlern untersucht, deren Rolle auf dem Markt sich im Umgang mit verschiedenen wirtschaftlichen Aktivitaten wie Marktmonopol, Handelsbesteuerung, internationalem Handel und Konsum niederschlagt. Das Buch richtet sich an Studenten und Forscher, die sich fur die Geschichte der Fruhen Neuzeit, den oestlichen Handel, die Ming-Kaufleute und zeitgenoessische globale Angelegenheiten interessieren.