Silk as money
1.[2p] A Tang bolt of silk was 40 chi long. At a chi of about 0.30 m, how long is that in metres?
A Tang bolt of silk was 40 chi long. At a chi of about 0.30 m, how long is that in metres?
2.[3p] What made silk usable as money rather than merely valuable?
What made silk usable as money rather than merely valuable?
The answer is: The tax system enforced statutory dimensions, so a quantity could be named in a contract without inspection
The answer is: The tax system enforced statutory dimensions, so a quantity could be named in a contract without inspection
The answer is: The tax system enforced statutory dimensions, so a quantity could be named in a contract without inspection
3.[2p] Match each medium to the transactions it was used for in the Turfan and Dunhuang documents.
Match each medium to the transactions it was used for in the Turfan and Dunhuang documents.
Copper coin
Grain
Bolts of silk
loans repaid at harvest
large purchases such as a horse or a slave
small everyday purchases
Show the answer
Copper coin: small everyday purchases Grain: loans repaid at harvest Bolts of silk: large purchases such as a horse or a slave
4.[2p] Suppose 24,000 Anxi garrison soldiers each received twelve bolts of silk a year. How many bolts is that?
Suppose 24,000 Anxi garrison soldiers each received twelve bolts of silk a year. How many bolts is that?
5.[3p] At 0.35 kg a bolt and 150 kg to a camel-load, how many camel-loads a year is that?
At 0.35 kg a bolt and 150 kg to a camel-load, how many camel-loads a year is that?
6.[1p] China could breed cavalry horses in the numbers its armies needed.
China could breed cavalry horses in the numbers its armies needed.
The answer is: False
7.[3p] Why did China buy horses from the steppe peoples it was defending against?
Why did China buy horses from the steppe peoples it was defending against?
The answer is: Horse pasture competes with grain land, so a horse raised in China loses to wheat
The answer is: Horse pasture competes with grain land, so a horse raised in China loses to wheat
The answer is: Horse pasture competes with grain land, so a horse raised in China loses to wheat
8.[3p] Han payments to the Xiongnu rose from about 8,000 rolls of silk in 51 BCE to about 30,000 in 1 BCE. What is the annual rate of increase, in per cent?
Han payments to the Xiongnu rose from about 8,000 rolls of silk in 51 BCE to about 30,000 in 1 BCE. What is the annual rate of increase, in per cent?
9.[2p] What was feiqian, the Tang "flying cash"?
What was feiqian, the Tang "flying cash"?
The answer is: A certificate allowing coin deposited in one place to be drawn in another
The answer is: A certificate allowing coin deposited in one place to be drawn in another
The answer is: A certificate allowing coin deposited in one place to be drawn in another