Ming Salt and Iron Monopoly System

Timeline

1. 1368–1372Nanjing · JiangnanIn the early Ming, the chaotic state of Yuan salt tickets was abolished, salt taxes were restored, and state operation of iron offices and the ban on private casting were reaffirmed, establishing state strategic control over salt and iron.
2. 1370–1499Huai salt region · LianghuaiThe kaizhong system was implemented, exchanging salt tickets for grain to supply frontier stores, and salt-ticket districts such as the Huai and Zhe salt regions were delineated; merchant groups obtained salt tickets by delivering grain, forming the basic pattern of Ming salt distribution.
3. 1567–1610Beijing · North ChinaDuring the Longqing reign, Huai salt merchants were permitted to buy salt directly at the salt fields and distribute according to ticket districts; the kaizhong system was abolished, the salt trade transitioned to merchant monopoly, and forces such as the Huizhou merchants rose under the gang-salt system.
4. 1620–1644Huai salt region · LianghuaiAdditional salt levies, the proliferation of smuggled salt, and the rigidity of gang-salt ticket quotas coexisted; salt administration abuses ran deep, and after the fall of the Ming, the Qing undertook separate reforms to the salt law, ending the Ming monopoly system.