Analysis of Doubts in the Artificers' Record

Commentary on the Meaning of the Record of Trades

...of the WayThe original principles of social and cosmic order established by the early Zhou kings.. It was changed, disordered, destroyed, and ruined, until it was nearly exhausted.

Some sit and discuss the Way;
some rise and put it into action;
some examine curvatures and surfacesJudging the physical properties, geometry, and suitability of raw materials. to refine the Five MaterialsTraditionally metal, wood, leather, minerals (for paint), and clay used in manufacturing. and distinguish the utensils used by the people;
some facilitate the trade of rare and exotic goods from the four directions to provide for needs;
some apply their labor to grow the wealth of the earth;
some process silk and hemp to complete the manufacture of cloth.

The "rare and exotic goods" mentioned in the Offices of ZhouThe Zhouguan, referring to the broader text of the Rites of Zhou. mostly refer to various foodstuffs. However, what this RecordThe Kao Gong Ji itself. refers to are things like jade, stones, cinnabar, lacquer, gold, and tin. Generally, the items necessary for the daily life and livelihood of the people exist in every locality; what the merchantsThe original text uses shang-gu (商賈), distinguishing between traveling wholesalers and local shopkeepers. trade are no more than the rare specialties of the four directions.

Furthermore, the use of patterned silks, pearls, and jade was subject to specific hierarchical degreesSumptuary laws that restricted luxury goods to specific social ranks to prevent social climbing and waste.. Because of this, the people were diligent in their primary "root" occupations (farming) and cherished only their local products. Merchants did not reap excessive profits, and those who pursued the branchA classic economic concept where agriculture is the "root" and commerce is the "branch" or "end." The goal was to keep the population focused on food production. were few. This was the Great Plan for governing the state. Later...