Research On The Grain Price Fluctuation Of Shengjing Area From 1736 To 1911

Grain is the most basic living material,whose price fluctuation is related to the pepole’s livelihood and social order.So,grain price problems have been studied by the academic.The Qing dynasty encountered the population problem that had not seen before the past dynasties,and gradually formed a relatively complete communication and imperial control system of grain price with lists that the number of rich and good continuity.It is favored by scholars.Compared to the Ming dynasty,the biggest economic change of Shengjing area is gradually from the food input zone to the stable surplus grain output area in the Qing dynasty.The problems of grain price fluctuation related to food transportation have become an important perspective to understand the social and economic changes in Shengjing area.Firstly,grain price fluctuation is an important economic issue.Shun-Kang-Yong period,the price of Shengjing area was temporarily expensive when the year encountered disaster,but the long term price was stable and low.Among them,the continuous movement of immigrants,the increase of the land area and the transport policy are the leading factors.After nearly a hundred years of recovery and development,the Chinese economy began to develop comprehensively in the early years of Qianlong,and Shengjing area entered a new stage,too.The grain price fluctuation presented obviously regionality in space,which was the result of the combination of supply and demand and the gradual decline of Jinzhou port,while the opening of Yingkou port.There are two kinds of performance in time.One is the significant seasonal fluctuation.The rotation system,grain circulation,grain in the warehouse sold at low price,lending and purchasing had played a leading role.The other is on the rise of long term grain price.Cultivated land and population,natural disasters and harvest,monetary factors are the main factors.Secondly,grain price volatility is also an important social issue.In the year of famine,food may be in danger and grain prices will increase.If the refugees cannot get timely rations and proper placement,they may disturb the social order.Due to the safety considerations and system constraint of practical assessment,local society will take some measures to deal with it.Through the different responses of the officer and the people to the typical floods in 1750 and 1888,we can find that at the late Qing dynasty,Shengjing local government plays a more vital role,non-governmental forces get faster growth,plays a more and more important role in the relief,grass roots social development also get a certain degree.Of course,the combination of the officials and the people in response to the flood is conducive to the suppression of the abnormal fluctuations of grain prices.Finally,grain price volatility is an important political issue.On the issue of grain price,the Qing court had formulated relevant policies on the aspects of storage construction,grain transportation and famine relief.Whichever policy you look at it,the court had adjusted to the changes of the time and the financial situation.In particular,the ultimate free transport of grain reflects China’s transformation from traditional society to modernity.