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The Yantielun 鹽鐵論 "Discussions on salt and iron" is a report on the discussions on the state monopoly during the Former Han period 前漢 (206 BCE-8 AD). The author is Huan Kuan 桓寬.
In 81 BCE Emperor Zhao 漢昭帝 (r. 87-74 BCE) ordered that from each district a scholar had to come to the capital in order to discuss the most important problems of the time. The scholars stressed that the state monopoly on the production and distribution of salt and iron was the main reason for the suffering of the people. When censor Sang Hongyang 桑弘羊 contradicted this thesis a vehement discussion developed. The scholars are often seen as the representants of Confucian thought, which stressed a benevolent government, and the government’s side as representants of legalist thought which stressed the overall power of the state. According to the notes made during the discussions Huan Kuan wrote a 60 chapters long literary report on the main topics of the discussion. He was, as a Confucian-trained scholar, on the side of the scholars and criticized Sang Hongyang and Tian Qianqiu 田千秋, the main representants of the government's side.
The best early print of the Yantielun is the Tuzhen edition 涂禎本 from the Hongzhi reign (1488-1505). The most important modern commentaries are Guo Moruo' 郭莫若 Yantielun duben 鹽鐵論讀本 and Wang Liqi's 王利器 Yantielun jiaozhu 鹽鐵論校注.
There is a full English translation by Esson M. Gale (1967). Discourses on Salt and Iron: a Debate on State Control of Commerce and Industry in Ancient China. XXX
Source: Wu Shuping 吳樹平 (1992). "Yantielun 鹽鐵論", in: Zhongguo da baike quanshu 中國大百科全書, Zhongguo lishi 中國歷史, vol. 3, pp. 1364-1365. Beijing/Shanghai: Zhongguo da baike quanshu chubanshe.
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1.本議 Benyi
2.力耕 Ligeng
3.通有 Tongyou
4.錯幣 Cuobi
5.禁耕 Jingeng
6.復古 Fugu
7.非鞅 Fei Yang
8.晁錯 Chao Cuo
9.刺權 Ciquan
10.刺復 Cifu
11.論儒 Lunru
12.憂邊 Youbian
13.園池 Yuanchi
14.輕重 Qingzhong
15.未通 Weitong
16.地廣 Diguang
17.貧富 Pinfu
18.毀學 Huixue
19.賢 XXXxue
20.相刺 Xiangci
21.殊路 Shulu
22.訟賢 Songxian
23.遵道 Zundao
24.論誹 Lunfei
25.孝養 Kaoyang
26.刺議 Ciyi
27.利議 Liyi
29.散不足 Sanbuzu
30.救匱 Jiugui
31.箴石 Qianshi
32.除狹 Chuxia
33.疾貪 Jitan
34.後刑 Houxing
35.授時 Shoushi
36.水旱 Shuihan
37.崇禮 Chongli
38.備胡 Beihu
39.執務 Zhiwu
40.能言 Nengyan
41.取下 Quxia
42.擊之 Jizhi
43.結和 Jiehe
44.誅秦 Zhu Qin
45.伐功 Fagong
46.西域 Xiyu
47.世務 Shiwu
48.和親 Heqin
49.繇役 Yaoyi
50.險固 Xiangu
51.論勇 Lunyong
52.論功 Lungong
53.論鄒 Lun Zou
54.論菑 Lunzi
55.刑德 Xingde
56.申韓 Shen Han
57.周秦 Zhou Qin
58.詔聖 Zhaosheng
59.大論 Dalun
60 雜論 Zalun
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Chinese literature according to the four-category system
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