明代の奴僕

Abstract

The number of nu-p'u belonging to the gentry rose markedly since the middle of the Ming dynasty. They were the alienated peasants who fell into servitude through severe taxation and corvee services imposed by the state on one hand, and usury and land amassment practiced by the gentry on the other. As gentry's subordinates, the nu-p'u carried on a wide range of production and management duties. Moreover, due to the gentry's tendency to relieve themselves of actual managing, they were often in the position of exercising authority over the peasants. By employing the nu-p'u, the gentry could not only increase their wealth and influence but also accelerate the breakdown of the peasantry, creating further reserve of nu-p'u, The nu-p'u on their part could exploit the peasants in the name of the gentry. In the upshot, the lord-subordinate relationship between the gentry and nu-p'u signifies that a considerable portion of the population eluded the authority of the state. By becoming nu-p'u the peasants could escape from taxes and corvee services, and by commanding a large number of subordinates, the gentry could be ensured of the base for their power and influence.