Speaking of Profit: Bao Shichen and Reform in Nineteenth-Century China, 1809-1898

Speaking of Profit examines the life and work of Bao Shichen, a prominent Chinese intellectual and economic reformer during the Qing Dynasty. Through extensive research and analysis of primary sources, William T. Rowe reconstructs Bao's journey from a salt merchant's son to an influential voice in nineteenth-century Chinese political economy. The book follows Bao's development of economic theories and policy proposals during a period of significant change in China's commercial landscape. His writings on trade, taxation, and monetary policy reflected both traditional Confucian values and pragmatic responses to the emerging challenges of international commerce. Rowe contextualizes Bao's ideas within the broader intellectual and economic transformations of nineteenth-century China. The narrative tracks how Bao's proposals influenced policy discussions and reform initiatives during the final decades of the Qing Empire. This biographical study offers insights into the complex relationship between commerce and statecraft in late imperial China, while highlighting tensions between profit-seeking and moral cultivation in Chinese economic thought.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of William T. Rowe's overall work: Readers praise Rowe's thorough research and detailed analysis of Chinese urban history. His "Hankow" series receives specific recognition for its comprehensive coverage of 19th century Chinese commercial life. Academic reviewers note his skill in using primary sources and presenting complex historical data in an accessible way. What readers liked: - Clear writing style that makes complex topics understandable - Deep archival research and documentation - Balance between social, economic, and cultural analysis What readers disliked: - Dense academic prose can be challenging for non-specialists - Some sections contain highly technical economic analysis - Limited availability of his works outside university libraries Ratings: Goodreads: "Hankow: Commerce and Society" - 4.1/5 (12 ratings) "Saving the World" - 3.8/5 (9 ratings) WorldCat reader reviews highlight the value of his work for graduate studies and research, though note the texts require significant background knowledge in Chinese history. Academic citation counts indicate strong influence in the field, with the Hankow volumes cited over 1,000 times in scholarly works.

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🏮 Bao Shichen was a pioneering advocate for free trade in China during a time when the Qing Dynasty maintained strict regulations on commerce and maritime trade. 🏮 The author, William T. Rowe, is a distinguished professor at Johns Hopkins University and has written several influential books about late imperial China, including "Hankow: Commerce and Society in a Chinese City." 🏮 Bao Shichen's reforms challenged the traditional Confucian disdain for merchants and commerce, arguing that profit-seeking was natural and could benefit society as a whole. 🏮 During Bao's lifetime, China faced massive economic challenges including widespread silver drainage and the devastating impact of the Opium Wars. 🏮 The book reveals how Bao Shichen's ideas about economic reform were influenced by both Chinese classical texts and his practical experience as a salt merchant and government advisor.