The course of ancient commercial development

Commercial and industrial activities in the Shang and Zhou Dynasties → the emergence of private merchants in the Spring and Autumn Period; the "Jiazi" paper currency in the Northern Song Dynasty; the Hui and Jin merchants in the Ming and Qing Dynasties

Development of the commodity economy in the middle and late Ming Dynasty → the emergence of the budding of capitalism, but it was bounded by the feudal system

Traditional economic policies in ancient China. Emphasized the protection of agriculture. Degrading the social status of merchants in terms of their status, restricting the scope of their business, and imposing heavy taxes on commerce; decrees during the Ming and Qing dynasties prohibiting nationals from trading at sea and restricting foreigners from trading in China. (All seriously hindered the sprouting of capitalism, the development of commodity economy and social progress)