The author: Lives in the cultural province of Henan, near Luoyang, the Zhou capital.
Pre-Qin Medical School (方技家): Pioneers of Ancient Chinese Medicine
2025-04-01Guan Zhong: The Unclassifiable Reformer of Ancient China
2025-04-01
1. Ji Ran (计然, c. 6th-5th Century BCE)
- Core Philosophy
- Cyclical Market Theory (积著之理): “Buy cheap, sell dear” price fluctuation principles
- State Reserve System (平粜法): Grain price stabilization through government intervention
- Natural Harmony Economics (与时逐利): Align trade with seasonal/astronomical cycles
- Key Contributions
- Mentor to Fan Li (范蠡), legendary merchant and statesman
- Developed China’s earliest systematic economic theories
- Advised Yue Kingdom’s economic recovery against Wu
- Modern Parallels
- Precursor to commodity futures trading
- Inspired Singapore’s strategic grain reserves
2. Fan Li (范蠡, 536-448 BCE)
| Economic Principle |
Application |
Modern Equivalent |
| “三致千金” Rule |
Rotate investments among farming, fisheries, and ceramics |
Diversified portfolio strategy |
| “旱则资舟” Theory |
Buy boats during droughts (anticipating floods) |
Counter-cyclical investing |
| “贵出如粪土” |
Sell prized goods like waste when prices peak |
Profit-taking discipline |
