『金甁梅』를 통해 본 明末 臨淸과 大運河 유통망

Abstract

This paper seeks to define the geopolitical features and development process of Linqing(臨淸) of the Shandong province as an intermediary trade city along the Grand Canal in the late Ming mainly by analysis of the novel, Jinpingmei(金甁梅). In order to use the novel material which contains lively and somewhat exaggerative descriptions as the main source of analysis, I compared the contents of the novel with several materials regarding Chinese city and transportation history. After the reconstruction of the Grand Canal in 1415, Linqing became a great center for the distribution of tributary grains, textiles, and bricks and was also well known as the place where the tiles of the Forbidden City and Great Wall were produced. Linqing’s flourishing economy was based on three main causes: Linqing’s locality which lies on the edge of the Huitong(會通) canal's northernmost point,Linqing’s topography as one of the toughest ridges of the Grand Canal, and the establishment of the Linqing customs(鈔關). As a result, most boats passing through the Huitong canal of the Grand Canal were inclined to anchor and take a rest in Linqing before continuing their journey and Linqing came to be the hub of long-distance distribution networks connecting Huabei(華北) and Jiangnan(江南) areas. The expansion of personnel and material exchanges between Linqing and Jiangnan led to the promotion of exchanges such as theatrical trends, a tendency for extravagance and so on.