Profit or Righteousness? Worst Merchant Class that China Couldn't Live Without

Support my channel by joining as a "Noble Bao Bun" and get exclusive Bao Bun Emojis: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX1cH6lAZbhqXYJlAzzwXiA/join Support with Tea! https://ko-fi.com/amimisu Green Tea I am Drinking: https://amzn.to/4rr1ynb Jasmine Tea I am Drinking: https://amzn.to/4qPXWds Tang Dynasty Hanfu: https://amzn.to/4b1RvQm White Camellia Flower Hairpin Set: https://amzn.to/3NrYqZ5 Red Flower Hairpin Set: https://amzn.to/4sI8ehK Flower Petal with Pearl Tassels Hairpin: https://amzn.to/3YGOH3x Hair Wig: https://amzn.to/3NthUMY CATKIN Air Cushion Foundation: https://amzn.to/3LsC5Kv CATKIN Concealer: https://amzn.to/3NkpLwl Extermination of the Nine Clans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BiV5DFTr0Q Tang Dynasty Harem Ranking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21V0qcBBKeQ Princess Gaoyang: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSUEvaDvySU Confession of Wu Zetian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJzQWJLbWxE Shangguan Wan'er and Princess Taiping: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhalBEl31v0 The Greatest Empress Zhangsun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLxd7rjUYQE Shangyang Palace Cold Palace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adLxe81s6sY Concubines Fate after Emperor's Death: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_4UKgFZxa4 The Most Spoiled Princess Anle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7AJef74_ms REAL Princess General Pingyang: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B6BQwLly84 Explore the 2,000 year evolution of the merchant within the rigid social class system of Chinese history. For centuries, a strict hierarchy placed scholars, farmers, and artisans at the top of society while treating merchants as "social parasites". Let's examine how ancient Chinese merchants used their wealth and wits to bridge the gap between commerce and nobility, all while struggling with a core ethical conflict: "How could you chase Profit, while remaining a man of Righteousness?" From the invention of paper money to the birth of modern industry, discover how these social outcasts quietly reshaped the fate of an Empire and built the foundation of the China we see today. Footage used in this video: Riverside Code at the Qingming Festival - 清明上河圖密碼 A Dream of Splendor - 夢華錄 Zheng He's Voyages to the Western Seas - 鄭和下西洋 Legend of Zang Hai - 藏海傳 Legend of Haolan - 皓鑭傳 The Longest Day in Chang'an - 長安十二時辰 Flourished Peony - 國色芳華 Serenade of Peaceful Joy - 清平樂 How Dare You - 成何體統 The Glory - 雁回時 Joy of Life - 慶餘年 Legend of The Magnate - 大生意人 Marvelous Women - 當家主母 Story of Yanxi Palace - 延禧攻略 The Merchants of Qing Dynasty - 大清鹽商 00:00 - Introduction 03:15 - The Ultimate Investment 09:08 - Paper Promises 15:15 - The Merchants Take the City 22:16 - The Confucian Merchants 27:32 - The Silver Empires 35:12 - New World Order 39:20 - Final Thoughts Disclaimer: Visuals used in this video are for reference/illustrative purposes and are not intended as accurate historical depictions. #chinesehistory #ancientchina #merchant