14-15세기 明의 西ㆍ南海 방면 조공 사절에 대한 보상과 무역 네트워크 ― ‘抽分’과 ‘給價’의 해석을 중심으로 ―

Abstract

This paper examines the establishment and evolution of tribute trade focusing on the functions of the Shibo (市舶), with the aim of elucidating China's integration into the world economy. An examination of the trading procedures of the maritime expeditions indicates that the Hongwu Emperor secured a sufficient supply of foreign cargo such as pepper through tributary states, and utilized them to boost the morale of his troops. Although maritime control was strengthened during the Hongwu period, the trade effect of Hongwu's tribute was that most of the foreign cargo came under the control of the state. The voyages of Zheng He(鄭和) can be interpreted as the embodiment of the Ming dynasty’s tribute system during the Yongle reign, extending its influence into trade networks. However, it is difficult to argue that the tribute system maintained a lasting impact on global connectivity. An examination of the compensation regulations for foreign cargo conveyed by tribute missions demonstrates that the tributary relationship was not unilaterally imposed, but rather reflected factors such as the diplomatic relations with China, the scarcity of the tribute items, and the geographical distance from China. Tribute trade based on early 15th-century began to decline after the Yongle reign period, and was gradually supplanted by smuggling and private trade as commercial development and changes in trade networks accelerated during the Jingtai(景泰) reign. The efficiency of Shibo based on the tribute trade during the Ming dynasty had limitations in connecting China with the global economy. Although tribute trade declined, various envoys—both those presenting tribute and others—visited Macau(澳門) during the Chenghua(成化) and Hongzhi(弘治) periods. The primary objective of these envoys was trade, and coastal officials had limited control over this. With the growth of port cities in Southeast Asia, The range of traded goods expanded beyond silk to include items such as daily necessities and grain. In addition, the Indian Ocean trade network increasingly demanded the supply of various raw materials, such as raw silk. In response to these changes, the Ming faced the need to develop new methods of port management to meet the evolving demands of regional and transregional trade networks.