Research On Commercial Trade Management In Dunhuang Area Of Tang And Five Dynasties And Early Song Dynasty

The Dunhuang area was a significant commercial hub of the Silk Road. There is nodoubt, the prosperity of commerce is based on the efficient control of the local governmentand Dunhuang area, as one of the most important commercial center in Tang Dynasty, is noexception. There was a period of economic decline of Dunhuang area when Dunhuang wasoccupied by the Tubo. Under the reign of Gui-yi office, Dunhuang area had to develop itseconomy by itself without the support of central plains power. Due to the shortage ofsupplies, the trade is the best choice for Dunhuang. Absorbing the experiences of TangDynasty in management, Gui-yi office made use of the multinational features and activelydeveloped the trade, which made its power endure.During the period of Tang and Five Dynasties and the early of Song Dynasty,Dunhuang area continued to use the market management pattern of Tang dynasty. Thematured management pattern of Dunhuang market promoted the emergence of ‘Shiling’and other officials who were responsible for market supervision. At the same time, thelocal government applied city voucher in special trades and made all works of life under itssupervision。Due to the particularity of Dunhuang area, foreign trade was the main part of itseconomy. Under the reign of Gui-yi office, Dunhuang was lack of goods and people gotdaily items through trade with central plains. Through the effective control of foreign trade,Gui-yi office actively developed diplomatic activity and economy.In the early time, except the metallic currency of Tang Dynasty, Dunhuang area alsoallowed people to use silk as money. Since the occupation of Tubo to the reign of Gui-yioffice, Dunhuang area did business by barter because of the lack of metal. At that time, themajor goods were food, silk, domestic animals, firewood, oil and etc. As universalequivalent, these goods took the function of money and played a great role in business.In the early period of Tang and Five Dynasties, the government of Dunhuang areaincreased fiscal revenue through transaction tax and transit tax. In the reign of Gui-yi office,foreign became more and more important. Therefore the government paid great attention to the transit tax in order to consolidate its power.