Da Qing Hui Shang Shang Xia

Author: Huang Weiruo
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: The Great Qing Merchants vividly portrays the lives of all social strata in Chinese society during the late reign of Emperor Qianlong and the specific political and cultural atmosphere of that era. It showcases the commercial journey of the Huizhou merchants from various perspectives. Through the depiction of the arduous efforts of two generations of Huizhou merchants, especially the growth journey of the younger generation, it highlights their business spirit of prioritizing righteousness, balancing profit and ethics, seeking profit through righteousness, treating others with sincerity, and conducting business with integrity. It also emphasizes their emphasis on education and their characteristic of being merchants who appreciate Confucianism. The Huizhou merchants' code of conduct: "Business is not just about business, it is about being a person; righteousness comes before profit, wealth is generated through virtue, profit arises from righteousness, and righteousness gives birth to profit; extend a helping hand to others, and only then will you receive help in return; to be a successful merchant, one must be a diligent scholar." A vivid account of late Qing China's commercial history, the turbulent life experiences of two generations of Huizhou merchants, and the entrepreneurial struggles and emotional journeys of three young men. During the prosperous era of the Great Qing, when the emperor toured the south, Yangzhou's salt industry chief merchant Wang Zhonglian and many Huizhou merchants hosted the imperial visit in extreme luxury, pleasing the emperor immensely, but the Huizhou merchants' silver in their pockets was washed away. To raise funds for salt trading, they became entangled in the vortex of conflicts over official interests, Wang Zhonglian was sentenced to hard labor, and his property was confiscated. At the age of 16, the young Wang Zonghao, Cheng Yuanliang, and the impoverished Wang Yuangeng left their hometowns, embarking on their long journey as merchants. The arduous and winding entrepreneurial struggles made them taste the bitterness of life, and their different experiences and emotional journeys unfolded the diverse life destinies of the three young men. The book provides a vivid interpretation of the business philosophy and commercial spirit upheld by the Huizhou merchants, allowing readers to grasp the essence of their character, business acumen, and governance. This book is a historical novel with an epic style, featuring a dramatic plot that moves readers to tears.