Core Insights - The article discusses the historical evolution of Chinese commercial networks and the emergence of various merchant groups, tracing their roots back to the "Kaizhong Law" which established a national trade network [1][2][4] - It highlights the transformation of the Chinese economy from a feudal system to a more market-oriented one, emphasizing the role of merchant groups like Jin merchants, Hui merchants, and Zhejiang merchants in this process [5][6][17] Group 1: Historical Context - The "Kaizhong Law" initiated a national trade network that allowed merchants from regions like Shanxi and Shaanxi to thrive by facilitating efficient capital accumulation through grain and salt trade [4][7] - The Ming Dynasty's policies, particularly under Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, aimed to suppress commerce but inadvertently laid the groundwork for a commercial revival in the Ming and Qing dynasties [2][5] Group 2: Merchant Groups and Their Evolution - The rise of merchant groups such as Jin merchants was facilitated by their proximity to key resources like salt and grain, allowing for rapid capital turnover and accumulation [4][6] - The article details how these merchant groups evolved from "border merchants" to "internal merchants," focusing on local trade and capital efficiency [6][12] Group 3: Economic Structures and Market Control - The Ming government implemented systems like "talao" (official inns) and "guanya" (official trading intermediaries) to control the market and ensure that trade networks served state interests [8][9][10] - The decline of state-controlled trading systems led to the rise of private "Xie Jia" (rest stops) that provided integrated services for merchants, enhancing trade efficiency and reducing transaction costs [13][14][15] Group 4: Impact on Modern Economy - The article concludes that the development of a unified domestic market in the Ming Dynasty was a significant achievement, yet questions why this did not evolve into modern capitalism as seen in the West [17][18]