改兑与冻阻:明代漕运体制的两难选择

Gaidui Method and Freezing Problem:the Dilemma of the Ming Canal Transport System

河道封冻对水上运输的影响由来已久。进入明代,自然河冻与漕运制度产生了更为紧密的关联。在永乐北迁后的漕运压力之下,政府在舒民困与增运量之间只能选择前者,长运法取代支运法成为主要的运输方式。长运不必中途搬卸,也无须频繁更换船只,虽可显著增加运输效率,但也给本就十分脆弱的漕运体制以巨大考验。由于运输周期延长,避免冻阻的有效机制不再发挥作用,明中后期的漕运一直被冻阻的阴影所笼罩。各种问题层出不穷,变通处置冻阻的办法反而促成冻阻的进一步扩大,加上各相关利益集团的刻意牵制,深刻影响着国家供应体制。

The influence of the freeze period on water transportation was far-reaching.In Ming dynasty,the relationship between river freezing and canal system became even closer.After emperor Yongle moved the capital to Beijing,the pressure of canal transportation increased sharply.In order to relieve people’s burden,the government decided to use the long-distance transport method instead of the branch transport.In this way,it was not necessary to unload or change the carrying vessels midway and indeed improved the efficiency.However,it also challenged the canal transport system.The effective way that was originally used to avoid the effects of freezing no longer worked due to the extension of the transport period.Therefore,canal transportation was always accompanied by the freezing problem after mid-Ming and caused various troubles.Moreover,flexible methods to deal with freezing expanded its influence.With relevant interest groups restraining,it made a profound impact on the national supply system.