During the reign of Emperor Dakang, China was still an agrarian society. The attitude towards commerce wasn't simply a matter of disinterest; it was one of disdain. From the emperor down to local officials, merchants were generally looked down upon.
Their social status was only slightly better than that of slaves, courtesans, and actors - all considered low-status individuals. In legal disputes, if both parties were ordinary citizens, officials might handle the case fairly. However, if one party was a merchant, they would likely be extorted by the presiding judge.
Of course, this didn't apply to extremely wealthy merchants with powerful connections. But even for these "big shots," their status in the eyes of the influential families in the capital was similar to that of slaves - they could be insulted or even attacked at will. In short, the social standing of merchants was very low, and commerce was underdeveloped.
Chapter Comments (0)
Login to comment.