In the 45th Year of the Wanli Reign of the Ming Dynasty, Yun Shizhen, Salt Inspection Censor of Lianghuai, Implemented the Gang Salt System
In the 45th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty, Yun Shizhen, the Salt Inspection Censor of Lianghuai, implemented the gang salt system, turning the qualifications of salt-transporting merchants into hereditary business licenses. The Huizhou merchants used this to monopolize the trade and gave rise to Yangzhou-specific businesses such as raising "thin horses."