Research On Ganpu Town During The Song And Yuan Period

During Song and Yuan period, regions south of the Yangtze River developed prosperous commerce, which enhanced close links between different regions. As an important feature of economic development, a lot of towns emerged in regions south of the Yangtze River. They were in connection with the central state, and other jurisdictional mansions and counties, gradually forming different regional market circles. Under this background, commercial type town developed rapidly by virtue of geographically convenient transportations, and harbor towns began to emerge. Typical of harbor towns, Ganpu town of that period shows three distinct characteristics:The first is its macro correspondence to economy and society. Ganpu's development vein had a close connection with the general development situation in regions south of the Yangtze River. In Song and Yuan dynasties, economy and culture flourished regions south of the Yangtze River. In accordance with this rising tide of economic and social development, Ganpu's commerce and salt production also developed to certain scale. Besides, with the prosperity of overseas trade, Ganpu got rapid development in late-mid Southern Song Dynasty. Quick upgrade and expansion of its economy made Ganpu the largest town for a while.The second is its dependence on the national policy, including town government's transformation in function, adjustment of business policy, and its attention to foreign trade business, etc. In the early Northern Song Dynasty, a series of reform measures taken in army towns reinforced Ganpu's economy, the relatively loose business policy bring benefit to Ganpu's rural economy, and commerce became the important driving force in the whole town.Besides, the emphasis is put on the overseas trade during this period, such as setting up special organizations in coastal areas, proceeding from selected officials to the Bureau of Maritime Affairs (upgraded in the Yuan Dynasty), from which Ganpu gained the great interest and growing space. In the Yuan Dynasty, The government attached great importance to shipping,also made Ganpu involved and realized the function development,then became a important port. Further more, Ganpu's involvement in water transportation, on which Yuan dynasty was heavily relied, expanded its functions and made it an important port in economic development.The third is Ganpu's strong personality of a harbor town. Because of superior geographical position, good waterway conditions and mature canal systems, Ganpu became Lin'an city's outside port and major exit for that area. Among its economic forms, its overseas trade caught much attention, accompanied with the cluster of immigrants, frequent population movements and complexity of residents'structure, and finally social culture especially folk beliefs also presented the characteristic of certain tolerance.