Sima Qian’s Perspective on Commerce in the Records of the Grand Historian: An Analysis of Huazhi Liezhuan

Sima Qian’s Records of the Grand Historian: Huazhi Liezhuan is a classic work that documents economic activities and commercial insights from the Han Dynasty. It also holds significant value from the perspective of modern management and economics. While previous studies have primarily focused on linking it to Sima Qian’s economic thought, this study examines Huazhi Liezhuan through the lens of commerce and finance, thereby deriving Sima Qian’s perspective on commerce. Rather than viewing commercial activities merely as a means of accumulating wealth, Sima Qian emphasizes their broader implications for the social and political progress of the nation. His perspective on commerce challenges Confucian values, advocating for national and individual prosperity through free economic activity and commercial development. Furthermore, the text’s continued critique and reinterpretation over time highlight its role as a bridge between ancient Chinese economic history and modern management theory.