论运河与漕运

Canals and Water Transportation throughout Chinese History

西周以前,水运主要是利用自然水道。春秋战国时期,各诸侯国根据军事斗争的需要开挖运河。汉代主要是在关中等地兴修运河,建安时期曹操在黄河以北兴修运河。在前人的基础上,隋炀帝开通济渠、永济渠、江南河,第一次建立了贯穿南北的运河交通秩序。元世祖忽必烈定都大都(今北京)后,运河交通及漕运方向发生了变化,为此,需要建立新的运河交通秩序。凡水运皆可以“漕运”相称,大规模的漕运始于汉代。汉代以后的漕运主要有十个方面值得关注。一是沿水路调集租米及赋税等入京,可以保证京师地区的粮食安全和政治稳定;二是在开拓疆土及平叛中负有特殊的使命;三是可以促进区域经济发展及商品流通;四是水次仓即沿岸建造的中转仓可以在国家有事时就地运兵运粮至前线,也可以就近赈灾放粮;五是盐运是漕运的一部分;六是海上运粮是漕运的特殊形式;七是在改朝换代中漕运负有特殊的使命;八是采取边地屯戍之策,以达到“省漕”的目的;九是漕运包括以水运为主的水陆联运;十是漕运制度建设与过程管理。

Prior to the Western Zhou period,water transportation primarily depended on natural waterways.However,during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods,various feudal states began excavating canals to meet the demands of military conflicts.The Han Dynasty witnessed the extensive construction of canals in regions such as Guan Zhong,and during the Jian‘an period,Cao Cao established canals north of the Yellow River.Building upon their predecessors'efforts,Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty initiated the development of a comprehensive north-south canal transportation network,including the Grand Canal,the Yongji Canal,and the Jiangnan River.This marked the first time such an extensive canal transportation system was established.Following Kublai Khan's establishment of his capital in Dadu(modernday Beijing),the landscape of canal transportation and water transport underwent significant changes,necessitating the creation of a new canal transportation infrastructure.All forms of water transport became encompassed under the term“CaoYun,”signifying transportation through canals.Large-scale CaoYun operations were notably prevalent during the Han Dynasty.After the Han Dynasty,there are ten noteworthy aspects of canal transportation.Firstly,it involved the collection of rent on rice and taxes along waterways to ensure the capital's food security and political stability.Secondly,it played a crucial role in territorial expansion and suppressing rebellions.Thirdly,it facilitated regional economic development and the flow of commodities.Fourthly,the establishment of coastal granaries,known as waterway granaries,allowed for the on-site transportation of troops and grain to the frontlines during times of national need,as well as nearby relief efforts during disasters.Fifth,salt transportation was an integral part of canal operations.Sixth,maritime grain transport represented a unique variation of canal transportation.Seventh,canal transportation held a distinctive mission during dynastic transitions.Eighth,adopting garrison strategies in border regions aimed to achieve“canal reduction.”Ninth,canal transportation involved a combination of water and land-based transport.Tenth,it encompassed the development of canal transportation systems and effective process management.