The Research On Zhongren In Huizhou Documents Of Qing Dynasty

‘Zhongren’ represents a general, which is continuously developed and changed among the history from Zhou to Qing. While he is called ‘Zhongren’, he has different roles and the duties assigned in the real life. In order to clarify the responsibility of proper disposal, a clear division of labor, various different titles about ‘Zhongren’ are stemmed.‘Mianzi’ is not a major criterion when choosing ‘Zhongren’ which is also not limited by position, economy and prestige. The kin always become ‘Zhongren’ but women and sharecroppers both can be ‘Zhong’ in the contract.Choosing ‘Zhongren’ is a result of the free combination of the closeness of relationships and the rank which should be according to specific circumstance, actual demand between two sides of the contract in its specific rural network, and anyone with good quality stands a change to become ‘Zhongren’.When meet large transaction amount, women contractor and the group of the seller,‘Zhongren’ is arising in a group. Moreover, ‘Zhongren Group’ is not a very fixed group,therefore members have different combinations of social identities, which is often made of clansman, relatives and the combination of clansman and relatives. ‘Zhongren Gourp’makes the contract will be given the power on the establishment, and provides more reliable ‘witnesses’ for the solution of defaults and disputes.Silvers, entertains and products are the main rewards of ‘Zhongren’. ‘Zhongzi’ is usually less than 10% of the total turnover, which often makes up 5%, and the proportion of the middle term of Qing dynasty is less than that in later period of Qing dynasty. In addition, the proportion of transactions of ‘Zhongzi’ depends on the relationship between‘Zhongren’ and contractors and how much each of the two terms contribute. Paying for rewards depends on which side is variable and is ling on two points: one is the economic status of the two parties in ‘Chengpo’ and the other one is the situation about abiding by the contract. In most cases, getting rewards is not ‘Zhongren’’s motivations and purposes.The effect of ‘Zhongren’ divide into substantial effects and symbolic significance.Besides, ‘Zhongren’’s responsibilities are infinite. ‘Zhongren’ mediation is widespread in all kinds of disputes, which is playing a vindicator role in social life. Laws are not gist to‘Zhongren’ mediation, while traditional customs, reasons and feelings are his principles.However, his mediation is not omnipotent, there are some limits: the effect of mediation only depends on personal reputation and obedience about public opinions; sometime,‘Zhongren’ even persuade obligee to renounce the rights due to come to accommodation,protect contractual stability and get no litigation because his mediation depends on feelings, which may cause the absent are always bringing up new requirements,such as repeatedly ‘rising price’ ‘making up price ’ and so on.