1两白银在明朝已是巨额财富，普通人能用这笔钱买到什么

Core Insights - The book "Collapse: The Little Ice Age and the Decline of the Ming Dynasty" by scholar Bo Zhengmin provides a new perspective on understanding climate change during the late Ming period, the 17th-century crisis, and the price revolution through the study of famine prices as climate indicators [1] Price System Overview - The first table illustrates items that can be purchased for 1 fen of silver, which is affordable for most people, including over 1 jin (1.33 pounds or 600 grams) of fruits and vegetables like cucumbers and water chestnuts [2] - Basic ingredients such as scallions and ginger are priced below 0.2 fen, while 1 fen can buy 1 jin of wine, with prices for wine varying from 4 to 20 fen per bottle [3] - The standard price for meat is 2 fen per jin, allowing only 0.5 jin (300 grams) of meat to be purchased for 1 fen [3] Higher Value Purchases - Upgrading to 1 qian (10 fen) allows for the purchase of higher-quality food items, such as 1 jin of winter melon or water peach, and also includes premium imported tobacco or tea [4] - The second table lists various food items and household goods available at this price point, indicating a shift towards more refined products [7] Luxury and Specialty Items - At the 1 tael (1.3 ounces) price level, the range of available goods expands significantly, including luxury textiles and higher-quality paper, with the introduction of items like firearms and books [9][10] - The price of books varies widely, with an average price of 2 taels, reflecting the vibrant publishing culture of the late Ming period [11] Economic Implications - The data indicates that for ordinary people, 1 tael represents a significant amount of wealth, often serving as a dividing line between the poor and the wealthy [12] - The narrative in literature suggests that transactions involving 1 tael often correlate with serious crimes, highlighting its importance in the socio-economic context of the time [12]