明清时代的“中人”与契约秩序

Zhongren and the Contract Order of Ming and Qing Dynasties

在以往的法律史研究中,中国传统契约中的"中人"多被描述为中间人、担保人或者调解人等功能形象,而针对形成此功能之内在机制与文化因素的讨论不多。如果将中人问题还原到中国文化视角下的传统社会,通过中人以及缔约相对方构成的人际关系网络,就可以看到:所谓抽象的契约关系,在中国传统社会中实际上是具体人际关系,其中的中人对于契约关系或者说中国传统文化观念对中国传统"私法"秩序的保障作用便可以得到理解。在交易中借助中人将交易双方联系起来,这种"人为制造"的"熟人"关系,使中国传统社会所强调的道德观念可以用来维护契约关系,使契约相对方抽象的契约关系在人际关系网络中变得具体化,使交易各方在契约关系中获得安全可靠的确信。中人普遍存在于契约中的现象,实际上是中国文化在具体制度上的体现,展现了中国文化塑造的传统中国人在"私法"行为上的旨趣与秩序。

In previous studies,zhongren in the Chinese traditional contract was usually described as intermediaries,guarantors or mediator,but the studies for the formation of these functions mechanism and cultural factors were not enough. In the Chinese traditional society,through the network of the relative composition,you can see the abstract contract relationship is actually a concrete interpersonal relationship. The guarantee function of Chinese traditional culture and the concept of the Chinese traditional private law can be understood. In the transaction,this man- made＂acquaintances relationship＂which emphasizes morality can be used to protect a contractual relationship. The abstract contractual relationship in the interpersonal relationship network becomes specific. Every parties in the contract relationship access to safe. The phenomenon of zhongren generally existing in the contract,in fact,is the embodiment of Chinese culture in the specific system,displaying that the Chinese culture molds the order of the private law.