Institutional Change Of Salt Distribution In Fujian Province During 19th Century And Its Impact On Regional Economy

The importance of salt to a country is not only reflected in the necessity of human life,but also that salt tax has been one of the main sources of government finances of all previous governments.In consideration of stabilizing people's food and ensuring fiscal revenue,the Qing Dynasty followed and developed the previous generation's practices.The central government promulgated a set of salt production,transportation,sales,management,and salt tax collection and payment systems,requiring local governments to implement the system.The operation of the salt transportation system in the local area not only fulfills the central directive,but also has a great impact on the local society,especially the regional economy.Existing researches on salt administration in the Qing Dynasty have focused on sorting out and interpreting the system,studying how the system has changed,and few scholars have noticed the impact of the changes in the salt transportation system on its regional economy.This article uses the original materials such as the salt law,local records,and statistical data during the Republic of China to further explore the impact of the changes in the salt transportation and marketing system on the regional economy of Fujian on the basis of the study of the changes in Fujian salt transportation and marketing system in the 19 th century.In the 19 th century,Fujian's table salt transportation and marketing system has undergone several changes.It has experienced changes in the system of merchants,pilots,and official transportation during the Daoguang years,and then the implementation of the vote method in the four years of Tongzhi(1865).The state of the salt market,the demand of the state and local government for salt taxes,and the actions taken by officials,businessmen,and other stakeholders to maximize their own interests are important factors that promote the change of the salt transportation system.The changes in the salt transportation and marketing system have also had agreat impact on the economic development of the state and local finances,and Fujian 's fisheries.The paper argues that:(1)In the 19 th century,Fujian 's salt transportation system was affected by economic,social and climatic factors.Institutional changes have followed the laws of market economy development to a certain extent,and institutional changes have a market-oriented tendency.(2)The changes of the Fujian salt transportation system in the 19 th century changed the salt market situation,which not only affected the goods trade pattern in the coastal and mountainous areas of the province,but also related to the national and local financial revenue and the interests of businessmen.The development of Fujian Fisheries has an important influence.(3)In the 19 th century,Fujian salt sales and marketing system changed frequently,and it revealed that many problems still exist in modern society.When we look at the ancients and learn from the present,we learn from the experience and lessons in history and attach importance to the important role of the system in regional economic development.The research shows that:(1)Affected by economic,political,ecological and other aspects,the system changes from the original form to a new form,and each system has its historical roots.(2)The performance of the system in the early stage of change is greater than that in the later period,and the effect becomes weaker with the continuation of time.Moreover,in the actual operation of the system,the system will often operate in an informal manner.The main body of the system will change its behavior after being affected by factors such as interests and culture.In many cases,the state and local governments will default on the informal operation of the system,but this poses a great threat to the establishment of state authority and the formal system.(3)The system will have a great impact on the local economy.The development of the regional economy is inseparable from the construction of the system.A complete and effective system is an important guarantee for the development of the regional economy.