The Import And Sale Of Opium In Modern Ningbo (1858-1906)

Opium was a special commodity in China's economy in the 19 th century,which occupied an important position in social life.Imports of opium from Ningbo began in Kangxi period.After Yongzheng promulgated the imperial edict against smoking in 1729,opium was mostly imported in the form of smuggling due to the policy.At that time,there were not many smokers and the amount of opium imported was limited.During Jiaqing's years,the improved smoking methods spread from Fujian and Guangdong to Wu and Yue.The number of people who became addicted to opium increased gradually,and the import of opium also increased greatly.During the reign of Daoguang,the epidemic was widespread,thus causing serious social problems.In 1858,the Treaty on the Aftercare of Trade Regulations was signed,and opium was imported into China under the name of foreign drugs.The rising import volume of foreign drugs in Ningbo accounts for a considerable proportion of the import volume of foreign goods,total trade volume and national opium imports of Ningbo Customs,and the opium trade is extremely prosperous.The implementation of the supplementary provisions of the Chefoo Convention and the opening of Hangzhou port have made Ningbo's economic field continue to shrink,and the import of foreign drug has shown an overall decline,eventually giving way to local drugs.Most of the imported foreign drugs from Ningbo were transported from Shanghai,and some are came from Hong Kong.A small amount of local drugs are supplied from Sichuan and Yunnan and transported through the Yangtze River waterway or Jiujiang.In addition to supplying the province,foreign drugs imported from Ningbo port are also transported to neighboring areas such as Anhui,Jiangxi and Fujian.Due to the non-uniform tax rate of likin for opium among the provinces in modern times,it also resulted in the differences in opium prices among regions,thus promoting the circulation of opium among regions.From 1858 to 1906,the majority of foreign drugs imported into Ningbo were Malwa opium,followed by Bangladeshi opium and Persian opium.There is also internal competition among foreign drug species,and the proportion of sales in Ningbo varies slightly in different years.At the same time,it has to compete with Zhejiang province's growing local drugs.Under the influence of market supply and demand and price,opium varieties compete with each other.Eventually,the policy of Foreign drug is replaced by local drug won a better victory.In 1906,about 14,000 piculs of l local drugs were produced in Zhejiang Province.From 1858 to 1906,the joint efforts of China and foreign countries made Ningbo maintain a high import of opium for a long period of time.The production of local drugs is in full swing.The whole society is heavily poisoned by opium,which affects all aspects of Ningbo society and has become an indelible mark of modern Ningbo society.