鑽天洞庭遍地徽 : 明代地域商幫的興起

Abstract

The definition of "merchant group 商幇" by Qing Chinese appeared in Qing bai lei chao «淸稗類鈔», in the entry of "ke bang 客幇" under the category of agricultural and commercial affairs. However, it was the Japanese consul in China in late Guangxu 光緖 reing that first used the term "merchant group" directly to refer to regional merchant groups. Until late Qing the Chinese word for merchant group, "shang bang 商幇", had not showed up in any Chinese document. Although the term "shang bang" appeared late, the practice of tracing a certain "bang 幇" among regional merchants had started in early Qing period. While in actual commercial activities, it had become relatively common to talk about regional and business groups at least since Qianlong 乾隆 reign. Considering various elements such as the growing tendency of engaging in business among common people in native places of merchant groups, the degree of acquaintance with and familiarity about regional merchant groups in the society, the level of commercial activeness of merchant groups in different places, as well as the creation of relevant organizations and public welfare businesses, prominent merchant groups well-known today had already risen, soon or late, from different places since mid-Ming time, which witnessed the opening of a merchant-group-era in Chinese commercial history. In middle and late Ming period the expansion of commodity production, increasing development of commodity circulation, improvement of transportation conditions, monetization of silver, low or relatively decreasing commercial tax rates, and changing attitude towards merchants among different social classes jointly encourage the emergence of merchant groups. At the same time, the unique characteristic of local commodity productions, natural and geographical conditions, composition of indigenous products, local customs and public opinion about going into business, as well as polices of national defence, frontier trade and diplomacy of Ming court all promoted the rise of regional merchant groups over time.