Management of Jin Business
2 min read(1)Business Qrganization Jin business strengthened itself and protected its benefit with the business organization.At first it was the group of friends to manage together for the same benefit.Later itevolved into co-partner system ,similar to the joint stock system ,which was an important way togather large capital to compete against others.
(2)Preference for Business to Learning Jin business had a different view to the relationship between business and learning.They changed popular idea“Learn and learn best and then be officials”into”Learn and learn best and then be merchants”.In Shanxi,from the Yuan Dynasty,they developed the idea”Make money by businessm,and keep the business with money” .Most brilliant children entered business instead of entering officialdom. Of course,it doesn’t mean they refused learning.For example,in the 70 years from Qianlong to Jiaqing 22 children of Jin business passed the Imperial Exam and entered the officialdom.
(3)View of Putting Honesty,Credibility,Righteousness before Profit .Jin business was the example of honesty,credibility,and righteousness.They accepted the view“Virtueous person prefers money and makes money in a correct way”by Confucius.They built many temples in memory of Confucius wherever they went.And they esteemed Guan Yu as their Money God,because Guan Yu was the character of honesty,credibility,and righteousness in the novel Romance ofThree Kingdoms.
Rishengchang was the first Piaohao .When Beijing was occupied by foreigners in 1900,the branch bank in Beijing was burned by the invaders.The wealthy and noble ran away to Shanxi.They went to the homebank with their money tickets.As was clear to everyone,the money in Beijing branch was burned,so was the record for who had deposited money in the bank and how much.But Rishengchang,taking no regard of their loss,exchanged whatever tickests the customers showed.
(4)Harmony in Sharing Happiness and Sorrow Jin business believed in”Harmony makes money.”They kept the harmonius relationship with the different levels of officaildom.When the court was in trouble,Jin business donated large sums of money.When the local office was in difficulty,Jin business surpplied a lot.
Jin business took the view that money that came from the people should be returned back to people to a certain extent.
When the local people met with disasters like flood or famine,Jin business offered food and clothes.
They competed equally with the opponents,and at the same time helped and cared for each other.They made friends very carefully.Once they were friends,they tried to keep the relationship even with no profit or even with a loss.
Li Hongling ,the manager of Piaohao said in his book Advice for Being at the Same Boat”A money ticket bank is like a small boat in the sea.It sails in the great waves.
A bit of carelessness will sank it,so they must be united as one and help each other.”