Trade Barque

From Rise of Kings Wiki
Jump to navigationJump to search

[[category:bronze Dawn units]

History[edit | edit source]

Under the traditional social structure of Bronze Age China, merchants and craftsmen were considered socially undesirables compared to the aristocracy and the peasantry. Yet with the gradual break down of the feudal fengjian system, inter-state trade increased in importance and contributed to the cultural and economic flourishing at the end of the Warring States era. A new class of rich merchants even gained access to important political posts that were hitherto reserved to members of the aristocracy. The best example is the case of Lü Buwei 呂不韋, a wealthy merchant with an exceptional education background who helped to promote Prince Yiren 異人 (Zichu 子楚, Chu 楚) of Qin who was exiled in Zhao to become heir apparent and later king of the state. another member of the much maligned merchant caste, Lü Buwei, became chancellor of Qin.

References[edit | edit source]