The Economic Story of Historical Records
There are always similarities in historical development. The process of a dynasty from prosperity to decline almost ran through the whole ancient China society, and the Han Dynasty was no exception. From Gao Zu's narrow escape from the Great Wall to Emperor Wudi's conquest on all sides, the Han Dynasty experienced her historical process of becoming strong. In one hundred and twenty years, the Han Dynasty experienced five emperors and one queen. However, the development of more than 100 years has not been smooth. There are princes spying on the throne inside, and Huns eyeing it outside. Under the influence of internal troubles and foreign invasion, the rulers of the Han Dynasty showed extraordinary courage and ability, attacked the Huns, broke the princes, opened up the Silk Road, and finally achieved a generation of hegemony. The Han Dynasty stood at one end of the mainland and gained the support of all countries.
When Sima Qian wrote history, it coincided with the rise of the Han Dynasty. Historical Records has also become an indispensable and precious material for studying the history of this matter.
No matter how big or small a country is, its foundation is economy. Including urban economy, rural economy, financial system, material circulation and other aspects. This paper mainly explores a corner of the development history of the Han Dynasty through several economic stories contained in Historical Records.
Gaozu-Guanzhong, Du Xing (1)
There are many economic stories about Gaozu. Here are only the things that laid a solid foundation for the inheritance of the Western Han Dynasty for more than 200 years.
According to the emperor, I want to make Luoyang my capital. But Liu Jing (Lou Jing) (2) made Liu dismissed the idea. He first expounded the advantages of Chang 'an over Luoyang in terms of geographical location: "There is trust in the left of Guanzhong, forgiveness in Bashu in the right, fertile land in the south, the benefit of Huyuan in the north, blockade on three sides, and the rule of princes in the east." It is true that the terrain in Guanzhong area is easy to defend and difficult to attack, which is convenient for military defense. The security of all countries is very important for national stability. Moreover, the land in Guanzhong area is fertile and rich in products, which eliminates the material support from other areas, which can not only calm down the political instability caused by the lack of materials in Guodu area, but also avoid the instability caused by the support from other areas, saving the financial expenditure of transportation.
Starting from the reality that the war at the end of Qin Dynasty led to the stagnation of production and the loss of population in Guanzhong, Liu Jing suggested that the six giants should move to Guanzhong later. This not only enriched the population and economy of Guanzhong, but also revived the Guanzhong area.
When Emperor Gaozu proclaimed himself emperor, the world was not crowing. Gaozu once said to himself: "The world is Hungary, and it will be difficult for several years. Success or failure is unknown. " We can see that when Chang 'an was the capital, the national economy was depressed and the society was in turmoil. It is the plan of building the capital and prospering the capital that stabilized the political and economic situation of the country and provided a stable rear for the Han Dynasty. Therefore, Chang 'an, the capital city, was the beginning of economic recovery in Han Dynasty.
Wendi Deng-convince Nong Sang (3)
Open any version of China ancient history textbooks, there is not a content about "the rule of cultural scenes" that does not mention "persuading farmers to mulberry". It seems that not telling Nong Sang is tantamount to not saying "the rules of cultural scene".
China is an agricultural country. If farmers don't keep their fields and farm, it will shake the foundation of the country! Emperor Wen deeply realized this. In the Record of Biography of Emperor Xiaowen, Volume 10 of Historical Records, Emperor Wendi repeatedly mentioned the issue of agriculture, and repeatedly warned ministers to attach importance to farmers and agriculture: "As the saying goes,' Agriculture is the foundation of the world, and I will cultivate it myself to give the ancestral hall a good harvest.' He said: "Agriculture is the foundation of the world and is very important. Today, I work as a coolie and get a tax. It's for the end, not to persuade farmers. Its land transfer tax. "(4) During the reign of Emperor Wendi, many agricultural policies were indeed implemented. During the reign of Emperor Wen, the agricultural tax in China fell to the lowest point in the modern history of China.
There was no decline in the early Han Dynasty, but Lv Hou's rule was indeed a historical low tide. During the reign of Emperor Wendi, the Han Dynasty reached a new height. At first, it devoted more energy to developing and restoring the country's foundation-agriculture. The development of the country needs a solid agricultural foundation. Wendi flourished, the population surged and the agricultural pressure increased. Wendi's measures ensured the normal development of agriculture and blessed Han. The take-off of the Han dynasty began with persuading farmers to mulberry.
Beijing-lending for profit (5)
Strictly speaking, this is neither the story of Jingdi nor the economy, but it really happened in the Jingdi period, and it is a story of borrowing money (usury) because of the "Seven Kingdoms Rebellion".
This time, the counter-insurgency activities during the reign of Emperor Jingdi required the liehou of Chang 'an to go out with the army. According to the system at that time, Liehou's military expenses were raised by himself. At that time, the military situation was urgent, and Hou Li had to borrow money from "Zi Qian Jia" in Chang 'an. Zi Qian's family refused because they were afraid of killing them and didn't want money, and Yan Wu's family also refused. A year later, Wuyan's profits increased tenfold.
It's not that other rich people have a grudge against money and refuse to borrow money. In fact, the seven countries are powerful and heavily armed, and people can't predict the outcome of the war. So even if you don't make money, you can't lose money. This is human nature.
At this point, the Han dynasty was basically lifted, and the vassal forces were greatly hit and suppressed.
The period of emperor wudi (6)
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty conquered on all sides, and the territory of the Han Dynasty was unprecedented, all of which benefited from the good national financial situation. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty carried out monetary reform and adjusted the financial system; Rectify salt and iron, nationalize salt and iron rights and enrich the national treasury; The accounting method nationalizes a large number of merchants' property and enriches the national treasury; The smooth circulation of commodities has stabilized the domestic circulation system.
Today, people are discussing the gains and losses of Emperor Wu's currency reform, but it is undeniable that compared with the reform, the government standardized the financial system to recover the right to coin and gained a lot of wealth.
Similarly, the renovation of salt and iron has also brought a lot of wealth to the country. Although the salt households and iron households are constantly opposed, they have failed to form a greater momentum.
This calculation method has great development significance. Using ascites to transfer a large number of merchant property from the original owner to the state treasury. Businessmen pay taxes according to different grades of property, and those who conceal or fail to report, after the report is verified, the informant can get half of the property of the accused person in hell to pay. Since then, domestic businessmen are afraid of being framed, and it is not surprising that the world is getting worse.
The main theory of the smooth circulation of goods is the leveling method, which points out the direction for the early circulation of goods and tribute trade.
Storytelling is not the purpose, but the purpose is to form a panoramic view of the economy in the early Han Dynasty and reflect the social situation in the early Han Dynasty through stories related to the economy.
It is said that when Chang 'an is the capital, the domestic situation is uncertain and it is urgent to create a stable situation. The role of smooth transition is self-evident. Persuade agriculture and mulberry to build a country for a hundred years in one paper. Obviously, domestic agricultural development can't keep up with domestic economic and military development. When lending profits, the domestic political situation is unstable, it is difficult for people to accurately estimate the domestic situation, and it is difficult for businessmen to grasp the commercial interests, which directly reflects the turmoil in the domestic situation; By the time Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty implemented currency reform, controlled salt and iron, and the goods flowed smoothly, the country began to become strong, and military dispatch at home and abroad needed a lot of money as a guarantee. Emperor Wu's rectification of the financial system shows the requirements of Emperor Wu and the country at this time.
Storytelling is a means to tell the rise and fall of history and the rise and fall of dynasties through stories. It is also a sentence from Tai Shigong: "On the occasion of heaven and man, after the changes of ancient and modern times, it has become a family statement."
(1) is selected from Historical Records, Volume 55-Family of Houhou, and Historical Records, Volume 8-Biography of Gaozu.
(2) from the historical records, volume 55-stay in hou family.
(3) and (4) are selected from Book X of Historical Records-Biography of Filial Piety.
(5) from shiji volume 129-Huo Zhi biography.
(6) Selected from Historical Records Volume 30-Pingshu.