Han Dynasty Trade and Expansion (A Study on the Economic Relationship Structure between Han and Hu)

Author: Yu Ying-shih, translated by Wu Wen-ling et al.
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: Focusing on trade and expansion in the Han Dynasty, Yu Ying-shih comprehensively examines the foreign relations between the Chinese and other ethnic groups during the Han period. Against a broad historical and cultural backdrop, he reevaluates the economic and military challenges faced by the Han Dynasty, ultimately presenting a comprehensive picture of the Han era. Although written in the 1960s, the book offers significant insights into recent historiographical debates, such as the tribute system. Yu's work provides an exceptionally insightful analysis of the establishment and development of China's tribute system during the Han Dynasty, grounded in the political and economic realities of the time. Throughout its long history, from the system's establishment to its collapse, Yu's work undeniably serves as a necessary foundation for a proper evaluation of the tribute system. As Yang Lien-sheng remarked, in terms of both breadth and depth, this book represents the first comprehensive study of this topic in any language, making a vital contribution to understanding Chinese history.