A Study Of The Life Of The Wealthy Stratum In Shandong During The Ming And Qing Dynasties

Since the Tang and Song Dynasties,with the rapid development of commodity economy,a new social force began to rise,which is the "rich people" class.Some scholars pointed out that the society from Tang,Song to Ming and Qing Dynasties was actually a "rich people" society.In fact,the "rich people" class occupied the middle class of the whole ancient society.It was an important link between the lower class and the upper class rulers,and had an important impact on the whole society.As a part of the non-ruling stratum in ancient society,the rich stratum played a profound role in connecting the upper rulers with the lower people.Since ancient times,Shandong region of China has unique geographical advantages in politics,economy and culture.There are also many rich families in Shandong area.Looking at the general situation of the development of the rich class in Shandong area,the rich people in Shandong area may appear earlier than those in the south.Because of the high prosperity of commodity economy and the emergence of capitalism in Shandong area in Ming and Qing Dynasties,the rich class developed and grew stronger at that time,showing obvious stratum characteristics.This kind of development and change was just the expression of the broken concept of social stratum in Ming and Qing Dynasties.This promoted the social change in Shandong during Ming and Qing Dynasties,and had certain progressiveness.On the other handthe social atmosphere had changed to some extent.People’s idea of seeking profits had deepened and they were luxurious in the grass-roots society.With the increasing trend,the tastes of the rich may change from elegance to secularization.Many excellent novels of Ming and Qing Dynasty reflected the life of the rich people in Qilu at that time.Through the analysis of the rich people’s life in Shandong during the Ming and Qing Dynasties through ancient novels,we find that the rich people stratum in Shandong showed their ideological awakening in their material life,and the behavior pattern of the rich people stratum changed greatly.They no longer suffered from the status of "merchant",but as the elite stratum of society,under theguidance of the outlook on money.On the one hand,it shows that this class has entered prosperity and maturity,but on the other hand,it also represents a series of social changes under the promotion of this class.As an advanced class of feudal society,the activities of enriching the people have an impact on the development of Shandong regional society.Although they have no political power,their social influence is far higher than that of the general public.In fact,they have played a role in replacing the feudal rulers to achieve grassroots social control.Whether from social relief,cultural education or grass-roots social construction,the rich class has made tremendous contributions and maintained the stability of the feudal society.As the backbone of grass-roots society in the Ming and Qing Dynasties,the role of the rich people between the government and the ordinary people can not be underestimated.They are not only the tools for the state to maintain its rule,but also play an important role in coordinating the whole social economy.They are the elite stratum of grass-roots society,which not only safeguards the local order,but also is a powerful driving force for China to promote the disintegration of feudal society and social progress.