明代北京燃料的使用与采供

The Use and Exploitation of Fuels in Ming Dynasty Beijing

明代北京使用的燃料,有植物性的柴炭和矿物性的煤两类。明代前期,北京所用燃料主要为柴薪,中叶以后煤的使用日益增加,到明代后期,煤逐渐成为北京的主要燃料。明代内廷所用柴炭,基本上通过强制性的徭役体系获得,而京城官民人等所需柴炭,则须通过市场购买。至于煤的开采和运销, 则主要采用民营方式。

Plant charcoal and mineral coal were the two classes of fuel used in Ming Dynasty Beijing. In the early-Ming period, firewood was the most common fuel, but after the mid-Ming the use of coal began to increase, and by the late-Ming coal had come to be the most important fuel used in Beijing. In the Ming Dynasty the imperial household used charcoal obtained and made by forced conscript labour, but the charcoal used as fuel by officials and the city populace was bought through market channels. The mining and transport of coal was mostly conducted by private entrepreneurs.