Water Transport And The Qin And Han Society

Water transport was a unique way of transport in ancient China.It was accompanied by the rise and fall of the centralization system for more than two thousand years.221 BC,China occurred a tremendous social change.Qin wiped out six Vassal states to achieve national unity.The realization of the national unity provided an objective condition for the rise of the water transport system.The establishment of the centralized system gave birth to the Gongqing system,which was headed by the Sangongjiuqing.This bureaucratic system has a group of professional officials.They serviced for the emperor.On the other hand,because of the need of the northern border and the military layout concept of "Qiangganruozhi",which made the expansion of the number of troops in Beijing and border troops.The huge material needs of bureaucracy and the military challenge the supply of goods throughout the country.The only way to solve these problems was to transport the country's fortune to the capital and defense lines by means of water transport.It could meet the economic needs of the normal operation of the state machinery.Compared to land transport,water transport has the advantage of large transport capacity and low cost,which attracts the attention of the dynasties' rulers.During the Qin and Han Dynasties,the water transport provided economic support for the professional bureaucracy and the military.It could supply the royal members 'needs.The excavation of the man-made canal improved the waterway transport network and the efficiency of transport.The construction of the granary would help the Qin and Han government to achieve social stability through the means of grain relief and the suppression of prices,etc.It could also eliminate social instability.With the development of ship manufacturing industry,a large number of ship was produced.Ships shuttled the inland river way.They linked the Guanzhong with Guandong region together.The case would achieve the connection of political center and economic center each other,and complete a national military geographical layout.During this period,the water transport also presented the different characteristics of development.So it was worthy of our attention.In addition,the water transport not only had an important influence in the political,economic,military,it also played an important role in the culture.It promoted the development of the Qin and Han maritime transport,strengthened the economic and cultural exchanges between the mainland and the southeast coasts,and even overseas countries.Moreover,it also had an impact on the way people travel,and promoted the development of ancient tourism.