摘要
The “mutual interpenetration of scholars and merchants” was a noticeable social phenomenon after the mid Ming. The appearance of this phenomenon had complex and deep-rooted social causes, among which institutional factors deserve attention, specifically, changes and adjustments in government
The ＂mutual interpenetration of scholars and merchants＂ was a noticeable social phenomenon after the mid Ming. The appearance of this phenomenon had complex and deep-rooted social causes, among which institutional factors deserve attention, specifically, changes and adjustments in government policy on this matter during the Ming and Qing dynasties： the central authorities adopted more relaxed industrial and commercial policies and local officials experimented with institutional innovations, thus creating an institutional environment favorable for commercial development and the raising of merchants＇ social standing; changes in policies relating to merchants＇ taking and passing the imperial examinations and implementation of a system of purchasing office dealt a severe blow to the traditional system of recruiting officials through the imperial examination system, opening up a channel for the ＂mutual interpenetration of scholars and merchants.＂
