Research On The Excellent Traditional Moral Character Of Hedong Merchants During The Ming And Qing Dynasties And The Republic Of China

The Ming and Qing Dynasties and the Republic of China are the key period of China’s social transformation.The germination of capitalism and the invasion of western advanced ideas have impacted China’s traditional "official standard" system.The social status of businessmen has been improved.In the complex social environment,some businessmen abandoned the excellent traditional moral character of the traditional society and began to pursue fame and wealth.However,during the Ming and Qing Dynasties and the Republic of China,Hedong merchants adhered to the principle of "cultivating,reading and inheriting their families and making profits with righteousness".After making profits in business,they still adhered to the traditional family motto,always practiced the moral concepts of benevolence,righteousness,courtesy,wisdom and faith,and required themselves and their descendants with strict standards.During the Ming and Qing Dynasties and the Republic of China,the natural conditions,rich material resources and superior geographical location of Hedong provided external conditions for the formation of the excellent traditional moral character of Hedong merchants.The support of ruling policy and economic development provided social conditions for the formation of the excellent traditional moral character of Hedong merchants.The emphasis on education,the edification of Confucian culture,the accumulation of Hedong culture and the inheritance of Guan Gong’s faith spirit provide cultural conditions for the formation of Hedong merchants’ excellent traditional moral character.Under such conditions,Hedong merchants inherited and carried forward the excellent quality of traditional gentry and businessmen.Through the collection of local chronicles,inscriptions,genealogies and other historical materials to explore the representative figures and families in Hedong merchants,it can be analyzed that the excellent traditional moral characters of Hedong merchants are mainly reflected in the family ethics thought of filial piety,strict in family management and self-cultivation;The business ethics of righteousness over profit,honesty and trustworthiness,and no doubt in employment;The charitable ethics of helping the needy,being enthusiastic about public welfare and saving the country by industry.As an important part of the social members in Hedong at that time,the formation of Hedong merchants’ excellent traditional moral quality not only improved the social status of the merchants themselves,but also played a role in maintaining social stability and improving people’s cultural quality at that time.In today’s society,people are facing too much temptations.The excellent character of Hedong merchants perfectly fits with the socialist core values we advocate.Therefore,the inheritance and development of the excellent traditional moral character of Hedong businessmen provides important guiding significance for today’s people to cultivate personal quality and build a socialist harmonious society,and can be used for reference for cultivating new gentry merchants and building a new socialist countryside.