Why Ancient Chinese Businessmen Wanted to Become Officials After Getting Rich

The reason why ancient Chinese merchants wanted to become officials after getting rich can be understood from several aspects.

1. Enhancement of social status: In ancient society, the status of merchants was relatively low, belonging to the bottom of society. In a society where wealth and power go hand in hand, merchants with ten thousand dollars of wealth naturally don't want their offspring to go through this embarrassing situation again. Therefore, encouraging their offspring to enter the officialdom through the imperial examinations, and thus enhancing the social status of the whole family, was an important motive for them.

2. Taking care of family business: After merchants became rich, they naturally hoped that their families would prosper in the long run. In the social environment at that time, if a family had an official as a backing, then the business of the family would get more care and preferential treatment, thus making the family industry better.

3. The promotion of the concept of joining an official: The concept of joining an official in Confucianism had a far-reaching impact on the society at that time. In ancient times, being an official was considered a noble profession and an important way to realize personal value and pursue honor. Therefore, merchants were no exception, and they also hoped to achieve the purpose of honoring their ancestors and distinguishing their family through becoming an official.

4. Political involvement and protection of interests: businessmen can be involved in politics and protect their own interests by becoming officials. In ancient societies, commercial activities were often influenced and interfered by political power, and merchants could obtain more business opportunities and resources through contacting and socializing with officials, and at the same time, they could avoid the impact of political risks on commercial activities.

In summary, the reasons why merchants in ancient China wanted to become officials after getting rich were manifold, including the promotion of social status, taking care of the family business, the promotion of the idea of joining the government, and the protection of political implication and interests.