| In the early Western Han Dynasty, the central government engaged in power struggles with regional feudal lords and powerful salt merchants to control salt resources and curb regional separatism, yet failed to achieve this goal. During Emperor Wu's reign, extensive state policies depleted the national treasury, prompting the decision to strengthen state control over the salt industry. Zhang Tang's reforms established a provisional system of partial state salt monopoly. Subsequent reforms by Dongguo Xianyang and Kong Jin advanced the transition to a comprehensive state monopoly system. After Kong Jin's dismissal, Sang Hongyang was appointed to oversee fiscal administration, formulating governance strategies that emphasized balanced agricultural-commercial development and expanded tax revenue sources. By integrating the salt and iron monopoly operations, the Balanced Transport and Price Stabilization Policy (Pingzhun Juntun), and state-run commerce and industry, Sang Hongyang institutionalized the state salt monopoly system. This achieved effective reform outcomes and exerted profound influence on later generations. |