From Local To National: Late Ming Jiangnan Gentry Ding Bin Administrative Practice And Social Activities

Gentries have already been the backbone of the Jiangnan Delta society during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Ding Bin, one of leading gentries in Jiashan, Zhejiang Province, gained an official position in the beginning of the reign of Wanli, and retired at the first year of the reign of Tianqi. Because of conscientiousness and outstanding achievements in governing the areas of Jurong and Nanjing, he was awarded the model official. The experience of participating in Civil Service Examinations and long political career contributed him to associate with numerous officials ranging from central to local and have an extensive social network. Meanwhile, Ding Bin’s family had substantial income and high status by marrying with other powerful families and succeeding in Civil Service Examinations.Being an out-of-town official is not the obstacle, but the advantage for Ding Bin to take an active part in social issues of his hometown. The role he played was out of reach for most gentries who lived in village or had a relatively lower fame. During his retirement years, Ding Bin was recommended to be the leader of Jiashan Benevolent Meeting and contributed a lot to local taxes, corvee, moralisation and security.It is a well-known fact that gentries in the Jiangnan Delta society were powerful during Ming and Qing dynasties. And social network was one of vital factors in the process of constructing gentries’power, by converting their political, economic and cultural advantages to the abilities in affecting, even controlling local society. By analyzing series of local social activities that Ding Bin took, we can get a clear view of this process. In addition, it also provides useful reference to comprehend other out-of-town officials’ performance in local society.