《明史》商屯臆想补论

A Supplementary Discussion on the Supposition about Shangtun(商屯) in History of Ming

《明史·食货志》将明前期开中法等同于商屯的主张,影响深远,但究其根据,实是未做任何直接论证的臆想。洪永年间,开中法在九边未曾持续稳定展开,且禁止收购本地粮食用于开中,盐业资源亦未尝全部用于九边开中,商屯土地产权也无保障。尽管宣德正统以后开中全面展开,但九边军事—经济社会名义上国有,实际上边将和权贵私自占有。在盐粮开中的刺激下,无法为外来客商发展商屯提供必要条件,反而为边将和权贵私役军士开垦土地提供了强大激励。

Shihuozhi(食货志) in History of Ming claims that Kaizhong(开中法,grain-salt exchange) is equal to Shangtun(商屯,to have merchants open farm) in the early Ming Dynasty. This argument has far-reaching influence. However,based on a further study,the claim is just a supposition with no evidence.During periods of Hongwu(洪武) and Yongle(永乐),Kaizhong in Jiubian(九边) districts had not been carried out steadily,and the purchase of local grain was banned for the grain-salt exchange. Besides,salt resources had not been all used in Kaizhong of Jiubian. In addition,the property rights of field reclaimed by merchants did not get guarantee. After the reigns of Xuande(宣德) and Zhengtong(正统),the grain-salt exchange was in full swing,but that provided a strong incentive for border generals and senior officials to open the land,and claim their land property right. The merchants from other areas could not get the necessary condition to develop Shangtun.