Ming and Qing Hangzhou-Jiaxing-Huzhou Socio-Economic Research

Author: Jiang Zhaocheng
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-01-01
Features: "Social and Economic Research on Ming and Qing Hangzhou-Jiaxing-Huzhou" is a research achievement of the National Social Science Key Research Project. "Plant 10,000 seedlings of Chinese fir, with each costing one liang, totaling 100 liang in silver. After six or seven years, the average value of each seedling reaches one qian, making 1,000 liang in silver for 10,000 seedlings, yielding a hundredfold profit. The mountain area also produces a large amount of firewood. In Lin'an, firewood is bundled and transported for profit. In Fuyang, firewood is gathered near the riverbank and transported to Hangzhou, hence the saying "Firewood from the South Gate, Rice from the North Gate." In the plains, people grow fragrant grass as firewood. Fragrant grass is planted in waterlogged areas and near graves. At its peak, each mu yields 10,000 jin, and at the least, 5,000-6,000 jin. 'Two mu of fragrant grass is better than one mu of farmland rent.'" Anji, Changxing, Wukang, and Changhua mountain areas are rich in lacquer production. Lacquer is extracted by nailing bamboo tubes into trees or by splitting the bark with an axe and collecting the sap in bamboo tubes. To test lacquer, "only the thin lacquer should be dipped with an object, smooth and unbroken, then retracted and applied again to a dry bamboo, which dries quickly and is best. The test rhyme goes: 'Fan the light like a mirror, suspend the thread like a hook, shake it into amber, and tap it to form bubbles.'" The lacquer produced in Zhejiang is of superior quality, especially that from Xijiao in Changhua County. "The Agricultural Administration Manual says: 'Now, in Guangdong and Zhejiang, there is a type of lacquer taken in June, with a golden luster like gold.'" Additionally, lacquer made from the oil of persimmon trees is called persimmon lacquer. Persimmon lacquer is used for oil paper, which can repel water. Hangzhou people use this oil paper to make fans called "Shufu Fans," known for their rough texture and durability." The economic benefits of growing tung trees are significant. Large trees can yield 2-3 stone of seeds. The outer shells of the seeds can be pressed to extract white oil, used to make candles, while the inner kernels yield green oil, excellent for lighting. Approximately, one stone of seeds yields 10 jin of white oil and 20 jin of green oil. Moreover, "the residue can be used to fertilize fields, as firewood, or as tinder; the leaves can dye soap; and the wood can be carved into books or utensils. Tung trees last long and yield more seeds as they grow larger. Thus, once planted, they benefit generations." Therefore, many people plant them. "On high mountain roads and by streams and houses, they are planted everywhere, and some even plant them on all their farmland." For example, Lin'an people plant several tung trees by every ten mu of farmland. "The landlord collects tung seeds annually to pay taxes, and the rent is low, so tenants are happy to plant them, calling it 'familiar farmland.' Without these trees, the rent would be high, making it 'uncultivated farmland.'" The people of Fuyang "all make a living by planting tung trees," forming rows of trees, extracting oil to supply Hangzhou for candle making. In Yuqian, "the profit from tung trees is great, so only about one-third of the people grow rapeseed." Southwest of Xinceng Town, about ten li away, is Cao, "a vast area of over a thousand qing, mostly planted with tung trees (each yielding 2-3 stone of seeds), which can be pressed for oil. The pottery merchants have a market for tung seeds." In Jiaxing, "tung trees are planted extensively, and large trees yield 2-3 stone of seeds." In Changxing, Qiuwu, Anji, and Xiaofeng, tung trees are grown in the mountains, yielding soap nuts. Soap nuts are also called soap pods, black rhino, or hanging knives. There are three varieties: one small like pig teeth; one long and fatty, rich in oil and sticky; and one long and thin, dry and non-sticky. The fatty variety is the best. Villagers collect soap nuts, mix them with salt brine and pound them into soap balls, which are sold to merchants in the capital during winter. Alternatively, merchants from Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Huaiyang boil and pound the soap nuts, mix them with white flour and fragrances, and form them into balls called "fragrant soap balls," which are then sold. Tobacco: Known as tanbagu, also called jin silk drunkenness. It was introduced from the Philippines in the Ming Dynasty. In the Revelations by Yao Lü of the Ming Dynasty, Volume 10, it is written: "The Philippines produces a grass called tanbagu, also known as xun. When one burns one end and inhales the smoke through the other, it intoxicates and protects against miasma. Someone brought it from Zhangzhou to plant, and now it is more abundant in Zhangzhou than in the Philippines, where it is sold. Tanbagu is also found in Putian, known as jin silk drunkenness, with leaves like lychees, and its juice can kill head lice, and the roots can be used for intoxication." In the preface to the Dongqian Pavilion Collection by Quan Zuowang, Volume 3, he writes: "Now tanbagu is widespread, but its origin is unknown. Yao Lü thought it came from the Philippines. However, tanbagu originally belonged to a small country near the Philippines. Wang Qi said that in the early Ming Dynasty, it was presented to the court with cities, palaces, trade, and polite court etiquette. But the person who first introduced tanbagu to the upper realm is unknown. Li Shihong said it began in Japan and spread to Zhangzhou Shima, but details are unclear." The Jiaxing Prefecture Gazetteer of the Guangxu era records: "The Philippines produces a grass called tanbagu, also known as jin silk drunkenness. It was presented to the court during the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty and was named Shimacai (Zhangzhou Shima) because it was introduced there." After the middle of the Ming Dynasty, tobacco planting increased in Fujian and Guangdong. Zhangzhou tobacco was "the most valuable in the world," especially Changtai tobacco. Later, it spread to Zhejiang, where "many people planted it because its profit was greater than that of vegetables and grains." In the south of Wuxing, tobacco planting was most prosperous in Tangqi, but the best tobacco leaves were from Qianqiu Taiping Bridge in Huzhou, known as "Tangqi." In Haiyan County, "everyone knows how to plant tobacco, and Jiaxing is particularly famous. Villages and towns are covered in tobacco fields, not only supplying local needs but surpassing those of Fujian and Guangdong!" Stone Gate tobacco leaves were also abundant. "Merchants came from afar to trade, and villagers benefited, calling it 'a familiar crop.' Moreover, 'fine varieties appeared daily, their flavor rivaling that of Jian tobacco.'" Tongxiang County's tobacco was "planted everywhere, and merchants traded it as a regular business." Its subordinate areas, Pu'inyuan and Tudu, had "tobacco forests near the villages." "During summer and autumn, merchants gathered from afar, and the tobacco market was extremely prosperous." In Jiaxing, "tobacco was planted extensively in the southwest marshlands and highlands." In Tongxiang, the coastal highland areas in the south had "southeastern marshlands planted with tobacco." In Stone Gate, "all the eastern and western villages were suitable for planting cotton." In Pinghu, "tobacco was planted in marshlands, eastern and western lands, and highlands unsuitable for rice."
(1) Live Lease Contract: "XX, now in need of funds for essential use and unable to manage the land, hereby transfers several mu of cultivated farmland located in XX to XX for management, to harvest flowers and pay taxes. The three parties have agreed on the lease price of XX. After the lease, the land is managed by the lessee. This is a legitimate transaction without deceit, and neither party will retract. In case of disputes, this contract serves as proof."
(2) Absolute Sale Contract: "XX, in need of funds, willingly transfers the land to XX for absolute sale. The land is located in XX, covering several mu, with boundaries as follows. The three parties have agreed on the sale price of XX. The payment is made in cash at the time of the contract, without disputes. The sold land is managed by the buyer for eternal cultivation, without increase or decrease, and neither party will retract. This is a mutual agreement without. If any unclear matters arise, the seller will resolve them without involving the buyer. In case of disputes, this contract serves as eternal proof."