Therefore, in the early Han Dynasty, under the very loose economic policies of the four emperors, Emperor Gaozu, Hui Di, Wendi and Jingdi, the whole Western Han Dynasty experienced more than 70 years, and finally it was full of vitality. At this time? Is it because Dajia, a wealthy businessman, traveled around the world, and everything he traded was impassable, and he got what he wanted, but he immigrated to Beijing to expand his clan? (Biography of Historical Records and Huo Zhi).
At the same time, it was implemented by the rulers of the Western Han Dynasty? Zongmin cast money, smelt iron and boiled salt? Policy, so a large number of wealthy businessmen, such as doctor Deng Tong, who made their fortune by casting money, operating iron smelting and cooking salt, appeared in the early Han Dynasty. Throw money at the king? (Historical Records. Level book "); Cao Lu Ty's family? Smelting iron, rich to a million? (Biography of Historical Records and Huo Zhi); Wan Kong's family? Smelting iron as a profession ... how many dollars does a family have when they get rich? (Biography of Historical Records and Huo Zhi). It can be said that the Western Han Dynasty ushered in a prosperous moment at this time. At this time, the people are rich, the people live and work in peace and contentment, and all walks of life such as agriculture and commerce have become extremely prosperous.
However, everything has advantages and disadvantages. Although the economy of the Western Han Dynasty prospered because of these wealthy businessmen dajia, it also faced a brand-new crisis because of them. At this time, with the increasing wealth of wealthy businessmen in the Western Han Dynasty, they gradually controlled the crucial industries such as coin-making, mining, iron smelting and salt. It can be said that at this time, the economic lifeline of the Western Han Dynasty was completely controlled by them, and they were the real masters of the Western Han economy.
Therefore, although the Western Han Dynasty was very rich at this time, the richest man was not the imperial court, but the businessman.
Therefore, these wealthy businessmen, dajia, with such strong financial resources, became a force that could compete with the Central Committee of the Western Han Dynasty, and also made the Western Han Dynasty face constant challenges to the rule of the world. ? Rich Chui son of heaven, and later died of rebellion? ("Historical Records". At this time, some disloyal businessmen tried to overthrow the rule of the Western Han Dynasty with absolute financial resources, as in the Jingdi period? Seven countries rebellion? In the local C camp of the rebels, there are those disloyal businessmen.
After Emperor Wu ascended the throne, with nearly two-thirds of the world's wealth falling into the pockets of those wealthy businessmen dajia, coupled with years of war and frequent natural disasters during the reign of Emperor Wu, the Western Han Dynasty began to face a serious financial crisis.
As we all know, after more than 70 years of efforts by several generations of kings in the early Han Dynasty, the economy has ushered in a moment of rapid development. At this time? There is too much money in the capital to teach. Chen Xiangyin, the millet of Taicang, overflowed and accumulated, so that it was corrupt and inedible? (historical records. Therefore, under such a strong economic background, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty began to take the initiative to attack the Xiongnu, which was the greatest threat to the Han Dynasty, less than eight years after he ascended the throne, and then after 14 years, Emperor Wu finally defeated the Xiongnu and won the Sino-Hungarian War.
Although the victory of the Han Dynasty over the Huns brought endless benefits to the Han Dynasty, the Western Han Dynasty not only solved the Xiongnu problem that had plagued the Central Plains dynasty for a hundred years in one fell swoop, but also firmly controlled the rich places belonging to the Xiongnu, such as Mobei, Henan and Hexi. However, behind this generous return, it is the unprecedented emptiness of finance in the Han Dynasty.
Due to years of war, complicated military expenditure, and frequent occurrence of large-scale natural disasters such as droughts, floods and earthquakes after the middle period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, people fled everywhere, and the court had to spend huge sums of money to help the victims. So at this point? Is the national treasury beneficial? 、? Have you run out of taxes? 、? The county magistrate is empty? The problem of financial shortage began to plague Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and the Western Han Dynasty. In order to cope with this lack of property, Emperor Wu personally wrote letters to wealthy businessmen to borrow money, hoping that they could solve the court's temporary emergency. However, these wealthy businessmen, dajia, were obviously killed? Smelting and boiling salt, wealth or wealth? (Historical Records. "The Book of Pacification"), but why? If the country is not in a hurry, the Lebanese people will be trapped? (Historical Records. Level book ").
They're not just? Not in a state of emergency? , or wantonly destroy the Han dynasty's rule over the world? Dajia, a wealthy businessman, or Michaelis, who has poor financial services, turned the hub into a hundred, abandoned the city and bowed his head. (historical records. The book of leveling), they used their wealth to maliciously hoard property, and then arbitrarily raised the price of goods, thus causing inflation in the Western Han Dynasty. In addition, they control the local economic lifeline with their own hands, or threaten or bribe local officials, thus making themselves look like local tyrants. They not only enslaved the local people, but also often colluded with officials and businessmen to embezzle the public funds of the court.
So with the increasing threat of wealthy businessman dajia to the Western Han Dynasty, most of them are? Not in a state of emergency? what's up Promiscuous person? (Historical Records. Level book ").
So, the last straw of Emperor Wu finally decided to crack down on these wealthy businessmen, dajia. After Emperor Wudi decided to attack the wealthy businessmen, the first thing he did was to take them back and build countless ones? Still tired? Everyone's wealthy businessman? Salt? And then what? Iron? The management rights of these two profiteering industries were later monopolized directly by the imperial court? Salt and iron monopoly system? .
Salt and iron have been daily necessities since ancient times, so the wealth that these two industries can obtain is extremely huge, which can be described as real profiteering industries. To this end, as early as the Spring and Autumn Period, Qi? Guan zhong's reform? When Guanzhong first implemented the salt and iron monopoly system, that is? Guanshanhai? . "Guan Zi Hai Wang" contains: Only Guan Shan Hai is the ear? Duke Huan said:? What is Guanshanhai? ? Opposite the pipe:? Neptune's kingdom, sincere salt policy. ,? Guanshanhai? In short, the state directly controls the interests of mountains and rivers, such as salt making, mining and iron smelting, which are directly responsible for production and sales.
At that time, Guan Zhong clearly realized that the monopoly of salt and iron could bring huge profits to the country.
For what? Salt monopoly? Profits that can be obtained, Guan Zhongmin:? Ten people in a family of ten eat salt, and one hundred people in a family of 100 eat salt. At the end of the month, the public salt is five liters and a half, the mother salt is three liters and the son salt is two liters and a half, which is also a big calendar. The salt is 100 liter, but the kettle is full. Make the salt rise again, add points, kettle 50; One plus one, one hundred pots; I advanced to the top two, kettle 200. 2000 bells, 20,000 bells, 200,000 bells, 2 million bells. Wancheng's country has a population of 10 million, and it has a business day of 2 million, 20 million and 60 million. Nine million in the land of horsemen. 30 million yuan a month. Today, I am not the son of the king, but the son of two countries. ? (Pipe Neptune).
Suppose there are 10 people in a family, that is, 10 people eat salt, while there are 100 people in a family, that is, 100 people eat salt. In a month, adult men eat about five and a half liters of salt, adult women eat about three and a half liters, and children eat about two and a half liters. If the state raises the price of salt by half a dollar per liter,100L will gain more in 50 yuan, and if it raises it by two dollars per liter, it will gain more in 200 yuan, and so on, 1000 Yuan.
And a country with a population of tens of millions can cause it every day? Salt monopoly? If you get more than 2 million, it will be 20 million in ten days and 60 million in one month. And if you only rely on the poll tax, a country with a million riders can get up to 30 million a month. That is to say, if we monopolize the sale of salt, then the profit gained from salt monopoly in each moonlight is the tax revenue of two million countries for one month.
For what? Steel monopoly? The profit you can get, Guan Zhongmin? Women must have needles and knives, if this is true; The tiller must have thunder, shovel and shovel, if his work is established; People who wear clothes must have a catty, a saw, a cone and a chisel, if it is established. Without success, there is no successful person. The weight of the needle plus one or thirty needles is a person's book; The weight of knives plus six, five, six, thirty, five knives and a person's membership; The weight of iron is added to the weight of iron, and a person's membership is also three. The rest are allowed to do so. ? (Pipe Neptune).
Now every working woman will have a needle and scissors, every farmer will have a plow, a shovel and a big hoe, and every mechanic will also have an axe, a saw, an awl and a chisel. So if we raise the price of each needle by one dollar, the price increase income of 30 needles is equal to the population tax paid by one person; The price increase of each pair of scissors is six yuan, and the income from the price increase of five scissors is equal to the population tax paid by one person; If the price of each shovel increases by 10 yuan, the income from the price increase of three shovels is equal to the population tax paid by one person.
It can be said that from the data obtained by Guan Zhong, it can be seen that if a country monopolizes salt and iron, how rich the profits can be.
Therefore, it was under the temptation of such generous returns that after Emperor Wu decided to attack the wealthy businessman Dajia, the first thing he naturally did was to take back the salt and iron from the merchant, which not only weakened the strength of the wealthy businessman Dajia, but also strengthened the strength of the court. Why not?
So, before 120, in ancient Zhangtang? Salt and iron in the cage? First of all, at the request of Liang Wudi? Dong Guo Xianyang, Kong is just a big farmer, leading the salt and iron business? (Historical Records) A group of officials who are familiar with salt and iron affairs, such as Xianyang and Kong Wei, have been employed to take charge of salt and iron affairs (Hanshu Pingzhuan). Xianyang, Qi's great cooking salt, Kongzhi and Nanyang Daye all cited 1000 yuan? ), and then 1 19 years ago, Emperor Wu began to formally monopolize salt and iron.
In Liang Wudi period, the specific method of salt and iron monopoly was based on Hanshu. Eating goods. " Mountains and seas, the hidden treasure of heaven and earth, should belong to a small house, and your majesty should be private, so it belongs to a big farmer. I am willing to raise the people's self-sufficiency fee, because the official utensils are used to cook salt, officials and prison pots. The strange people want to be good at the goods of mountains and seas, envy them with wealth and serve the people. The discussion on this matter is overwhelming. Anyone who dares to steal cast iron and cook salt licks his left toe and disappears into the vessel. If there is no iron in the county, a small iron official will be placed in the county. ? Make only the salt and iron in Xianyang the official, and those who are rich in salt and iron will be the official. There are more collectors than Jia people. ? .
For what? Salt monopoly? What did Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty adopt? Civil service system, official collection, official transport, official sale? Monopoly system. That is, in the salt-producing area? Salt official? Salt officials recruit people to make salt, and the tools for making salt are provided by the government. Then after the people made the salt, the salt official went to buy it all, and then the salt official was responsible for transporting the salt to various places to sell.
For what? Steel monopoly? Different from allowing private intervention in the manufacturing process? Salt monopoly? . For the monopoly of iron, the western Han dynasty adopted a complete state monopoly, that is, by? Iron official? We should completely control everything from iron ore mining, iron and steel smelting, cast iron casting to sales, and no one can interfere in any of these links.
The reason why the Western Han Dynasty adopted such strict control over iron monopoly was mainly because iron was the main raw material for casting weapons. For the world? Then once iron resources fall into the hands of people with infidelity, it will inevitably threaten the Western Han Dynasty's rule over the world. So? Iron? It must be directly controlled and managed by the state.
And then you're sure? Salt and iron monopoly? After the implementation measures, Liang Wudi sent Dongguo Xianyang and Kongonly to establish salt and iron institutions directly under Danongling in salt and iron producing areas around the country, and then selected a group of experienced salt and iron businessmen as salt and iron officials in salt and iron institutions around the country. According to the statistics of Hanshu Geography, the Western Han Dynasty set up 35 salt officials in 27 counties including Hedong County, Taiyuan County, Nanjun County, Julu County, Qiancheng County and Beihai County. There are 46 iron officials in 38 counties including Donghai County, Langye County, Donglai County, Linhuai County, Hanzhong County and Shu County.
At the same time, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty made sure? Salt and iron monopoly system? In order to implement it smoothly throughout the country, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty also stipulated in the law the punishment measures for violating this system:
First,? Crime of smuggling salt? . Five years of yuanshou:? Anyone who dares to steal cast iron and boil salt will lick his left toe and disappear into the vessel? ("Historical Records". The book of calibration), that is, as long as anyone dares to cast iron to make salt privately, he must add an iron chain to his left foot and then confiscate the iron, salt and salt cooking tools he has cast.
Second,? Correct the crime? . Correcting sin is to act under the guise of your orders, or simply to preach the imperial edict. "Two years of law. The thief law includes: correcting, harming and abandoning the market; It's harmless. A fine of four taels? According to Shen Jiaben, a jurist in the late Qing Dynasty and Han Dynasty? Correct the crime? It is mainly divided into three categories: limiting the crime of major injury, limiting the crime of major injury, and limiting the crime of no injury, among which limiting the crime of major injury is punishable by death; Correcting the crime of harm, as a capital crime, atonement; Correct the innocent crime, avoid death, and impose a fine of four Liang.
During the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Emperor Wu once? Correct the crime? Deal with a violation? Salt and iron monopoly system? Events.
In other words, during the period of Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty, a doctor named Yan Xu was appointed by Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty to inspect the customs. As a result, I found a problem when I arrived in Jiaodong, that is, who are the people in Jiaodong? Salt and iron monopoly system? It has made the people miserable. The quality of salt and iron in these government camps is very poor, so the lives of the people have been greatly affected.
So at this time, Yan Xu said that under the guise of the imperial edict of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty asked him to re-allow this place to engage in private salt and iron business, and let them quickly build their own stoves to prepare for ironmaking and cooking salt. That's great. Although Yan Xu helped the people a lot, he violated the law of the big fellow. So, has ancient Zhang Tang come? Correct the crime of great harm? Impeach him ("Han Shu. The Final Army Biography contains:? Zhang Tang, an adviser to the ancient imperial court, illegally suppressed great harm and sentenced him to death? ), and finally because Yan Xu violated what Emperor Wu advocated? Salt and iron monopoly system? Emperor Wu adopted Zhang Tang's suggestion and ordered Yan Xu to be put to death.
In this way, Liang Wudi is perfect? Salt and iron monopoly? With the help of the system, sound management organization, experienced salt and iron officials and harsh laws, the monopoly on the production and sales of the world salt and iron industry was finally completed.
Can you say that? Salt and iron monopoly system? With the smooth implementation of the whole country, the return of the Western Han Dynasty is bound to be rich. First of all, the most direct return is to increase the national fiscal revenue of the Western Han Dynasty. At the beginning of Emperor Wudi's accession to the throne, due to the frequent large-scale battles between the Western Han Dynasty and the Xiongnu, large-scale natural disasters occurred frequently. So in the middle of Emperor Wu, the finance gradually dried up. Why? Salt and iron in the cage? The emergence of monopoly law policy.
With what? Salt and iron monopoly system? The implementation of the Western Han Dynasty soon appeared? Salt and iron always benefit mountains and rivers, and everything grows. Is it because the county magistrate is idle enough, the people are not sleepy, the last days are beneficial, and everything is enough? (on salt and iron. At this time, the local finance is increasingly enriched, and the court has enough funds to help the people, so it can be said? Up and down? . And then he showed up? Tianzi went north to Shuofang, east to Taishan, patrolling the sea and returning to the north. I have received more than one million silks and tens of thousands of dollars, all of which are big farmers. (Historical Records. The book of leveling), Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty visited this place and was rewarded with tens of thousands. So, as Sang Hongyang said, can the Western Han Dynasty have today's prosperity? Blessing of salt and iron? .
Thirdly, with the increase of national fiscal revenue, the Western Han Dynasty had sufficient financial resources to deal with the Sino-Hungarian war. As sang Hongyang said, the then emperor Wu? Four-way riot? What time? The cost of chariots and armor, and the reward of grams, one billion, all support the western agriculture? ("Salt and Iron Theory". Weight "), precisely because? Salt and iron monopoly system? Only by providing sufficient financial resources for the Western Han Dynasty, can Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty launch large-scale campaigns against the Huns again and again, and have the strength to make the desert south of the hinterland of the Huns appear? Xiongnu is far away, but there is no Wang Ting in the south of the desert? Situation.
Finally, with the monopoly of salt and iron by the state, the power of landlords was seriously weakened, and the rule of the Western Han Dynasty over the world was also stabilized. Because of the ruling class in the early Han Dynasty? Akayama Ze's prohibition? Therefore, the forces that led to the landlord's strongmen began to expand extremely, such as the prince of Wu and Liu Bi. Akayama Ze's prohibition? Yes? Forgiveness for Yamazawa? , increase motivation,? That is, the mountain casts money, and the rich son of heaven ... throws money at the king ("Historical Records". Ping Zhun Shu), and because of the expansion of Liu Ying's power, it eventually rebelled against the Han Dynasty, which also led to the outbreak of the rebellion in the Seven Kingdoms. It can be said that in the early Han Dynasty? Zongmin cast money, smelt iron and boiled salt? This practice is a serious threat to the rule of the Han Dynasty.
Therefore, in the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, with the monopoly of salt and iron wire by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, the landlords lost the opportunity to write off the wealth of the world. Without this extremely rich wealth, the landlord strongmen naturally lost the strength to confront the central authorities, thus consolidating the rule of the Han Dynasty over the world.
Of course. Salt and iron monopoly system? Although it made the Western Han Dynasty get rich returns, it also had some disadvantages. Just like the theory of salt and iron. "Said floods and droughts? The county official drums are mostly cast iron, which are large in size and should be used for service, not for civil use. People are dull, mowing the grass is painless, farmers play, and those who get less suffer. ? Due to the lack of effective supervision of salt and iron officials by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, some salt and iron officials at that time often cut corners and shoddy goods, such as iron, by virtue of their monopoly on the local salt and iron industry. Civil engineering is blunt, mowing the grass is painless? Is it really? Have the people suffered? .
Besides, because? Steel monopoly? The imperial court adopted the practice of complete monopoly, so ironworkers ate public meals and received a fixed monthly salary, and they would not receive commission just because the business of the imperial court was good and the management was lax. The pawn is bored and the work is endless? They are often lazy and don't work hard, so the output of iron is not high and they can't supply the world at all. But at this time, the court did not allow people to join the production of iron, so many people could not buy iron during the busy farming period. Without iron, they can't work, they can't take care of the fields, and they have no food. Think about how people can live without food.
At the same time, the most important thing is the salt and iron monopoly system? It also brought endless corruption problems to the Western Han Dynasty. When Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty monopolized salt and iron, there was no corresponding supervision and measures to check and balance the salt and iron officials who monopolized salt and iron, so the power of salt and iron officials became more and more powerful. As a result, some greedy salt and iron officials began to abuse power for personal gain, and this phenomenon was not spared by the old farmer Sang Hongyang at that time.
Back then? Salt and iron meeting? In fact, there is virtuous literature pointing directly at Sang Hongyang? Today, officials and officials are in an honorary position, and they hold the most important position in the world. For more than a decade, their merits and deeds have not been applied to the world, but they have worked hard for the people, and the people are miserable and the private ones are tired. This gentleman is ashamed, but he was stabbed when he cut sandalwood. ? (On Salt and Iron). National disease "), said that he was in a privileged position, occupied important positions in the world, and made the people poor, while he abused power for personal gain and made huge profits. Personal fatigue? For this kind of accusation, Sang Hongyang can only be? Stop talking? It is conceivable that this statement is not empty. Then think about it, even if it is Sang Hongyang, what does it matter? Fish start to stink on their heads? Then you can imagine how corrupt the salt and iron officials at the bottom are.
Of course not? Salt and iron monopoly system? However, the return it brought to the Western Han Dynasty was destined to be rich and huge. Can the Emperor Wu of the Qing Dynasty be a leader in less than 10 years? Lack of property? Turn it into? Rao Yi? Which is absolutely indispensable? Salt and iron monopoly system? Credit.