Agricultural Economy and the Grand Canal in Hebei during the Ming Dynasty

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Other Title
  • 明代河北の農業經濟と大運河 : 近世中國における畿輔
  • ミンダイ カホク ノ ノウギョウ ケイザイ ト ダイ ウンガ : キンセイ チュウゴク ニ オケル キスケ
  • 明代河北の農業経済と大運河 : 近世中国における畿輔

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Abstract

From the 15th century on, the population and agricultural production of Hebei gradually increased, and the patterns clearly showed regional variations: in the western part of Hebei relatively high population density and labor-intensive production were dominant features, while the eastern part was characterized by sparse population and extensive agriculture. Such patterns were strongly governed by the topology and water system including the Grand Canal. Logistic and commercial structures were also significant. Commercial goods transported from the south via the Grand Canal blunted the motivation for developing labor-intensive grain production such as multi-cropping. Thus the agriculturalarket structure and the logistic disadvantage formed a vicious circle, and Hebei became disabled from functioning as a breadbasket for Beijing. Under these circumstances, arguments in government circles repeatedly proposed the introduction of rice production in Hebei, and these proposals provoked keen political and social disputes. At the same time, amidst the arguments, many expressed the problem as one of logistics in which 'northwest sponged off the southeast'. The dichotomy of views engendered a clear imaginary split in the Ming regime. In the end, the tension ultimately reinforced the unity of the Ming 'Empire' and for this very reason the grain tribute system further became an 'ancestral institution'.

Journal

  • 東洋史研究

    東洋史研究 71 (4), 646-681, 2013-03

    THE TOYOSHI-KENKYU-KAI : The Society of Oriental Researches, Kyoto University

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