For nearly four hundred years the Changlu salt merchants played a leading role
in the urbanization, commercial development, and social change of the city of
Tianjin. In this the first detailed study in English of the mercantile
activities and social role of Tianjin's salt merchants, Kwan Man Bun reveals how
they helped stabilize the city and assumed many civic responsibilities,
providing relief, charities, and other services to their fellow citizenry.